Ring-Opened Copolymer Mechanical Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring-opened copolymers derived from cyclopentene and norbornene compounds fail to achieve a balance in mechanical strength, elongation properties, and rebound resilience, which are essential for advanced rubber applications such as tire soles.
Innovation Solution
A ring-opened copolymer with a specific composition, including 25 to 90 wt% norbornene-derived structural units and 10 to 75 wt% cyclopentene-derived structural units, with a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 to 1,000,000 and a cis/trans ratio of 0/100 to 50/50, and a glass transition temperature of -70 to 10°C, is developed to enhance mechanical strength, elongation properties, and rebound resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclopentene and norbornene compound is performed using conventional catalysts and compositions, then the copolymer can be produced, but the resulting cross-linked rubber fails to achieve balanced mechanical strength, elongation properties, and rebound resilience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the composition ratios (25-90 wt% norbornene compound and 10-75 wt% cyclopentene), weight average molecular weight (100,000 to 1,000,000), and cis/trans ratio (0/100 to 50/50) of the ring-opened copolymer. These parameter optimizations enable the cross-linked rubber to simultaneously achieve excellent mechanical strength, elongation properties, and rebound resilience that conventional compositions cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining structural units from two different monomers (norbornene compound and cyclopentene) in specific proportions. This composite structure at the molecular level allows the material to exhibit synergistic properties, achieving balanced mechanical strength, elongation, and rebound resilience that neither component could provide alone.
2Strength
If the copolymer composition is adjusted to improve mechanical strength, then elongation properties and rebound resilience deteriorate, and vice versa
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through multi-parameter optimization: controlling norbornene compound content at 25-90 wt%, cyclopentene content at 10-75 wt%, weight average molecular weight at 100,000 to 1,000,000, and cis/trans ratio at 0/100 to 50/50. This coordinated parameter adjustment enables simultaneous improvement of mechanical strength, elongation, and rebound resilience rather than trade-offs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial action by using moderate ranges for each parameter rather than extreme values. For example, norbornene content is kept within 25-90 wt% rather than using pure norbornene, and molecular weight is optimized to 100,000-1,000,000 rather than maximizing it indefinitely. This balanced approach prevents any single property from dominating while maintaining overall performance balance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting cross-linked rubber exhibits excellent mechanical strength, elongation properties, and rebound resilience, making it suitable for applications like tire parts and shoe soles, while maintaining workability and handling ease.
Implementation Method 1
a ring-opened copolymer which provides a cross-linked rubber excellent in all of mechanical strength, elongation properties, and rebound resilience
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a ring-opened copolymer comprising structural units derived from a norbornene compound having a specific structure and structural units derived from a monocyclic olefin, wherein the proportion of the structural units derived from a norbornene compound is 25 to 90 wt% and the proportion of the structural units derived from a monocyclic olefin is 10 to 75 wt% relative to the total repeating structural units in the ring-opened copolymer, the weight average molecular weight of the ring-opened copolymer is 100,000 to 1,000,000, and the cis/trans ratio of the ring-opened copolymer is 0/100 to 50/50.