Rubber Composition Adhesion via Silane Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rubber compositions used in conveyor belts experience deteriorated adhesiveness with reinforcing members due to environmental degradation, leading to insufficient peel strength and durability issues during the manufacturing and usage of layered belts.

Innovation Solution

A rubber composition is developed by compounding diene-based rubber with rosin-based resin, calcium carbonate, and carbon black, where the rosin-based resin is 3-15 parts by mass and calcium carbonate is 10-120 parts by mass per 100 parts of diene-based rubber, enhancing adhesiveness and peel strength while maintaining productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rubber composition is used with reinforcing members, then the rubber product can be manufactured, but the adhesiveness deteriorates due to environmental degradation of reinforcing members during transportation, storage, and manufacturing processes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesivenessVSAvoidenvironmental degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a silane coupling agent into the rubber composition before the degradation occurs. This coupling agent pre-establishes chemical bonding capabilities that will actively react with the hydroxyl groups formed on the reinforcing member surface during environmental degradation, thereby maintaining adhesiveness throughout the manufacturing and storage processes rather than relying on post-degradation bonding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The silane coupling agent acts as an intermediary substance between the rubber composition and the reinforcing members. It forms a chemical bridge through silane-hydroxyl condensation reactions, creating a stable bonding interface that mediates the interaction between the rubber and the degraded reinforcing member surface, thereby preventing adhesion loss despite environmental exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If conventional rubber composition is used for laminating multiple layers, then the conveyor belt can be manufactured, but the peel strength becomes insufficient particularly in the endless portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeel strengthVSAvoidrubber composition remaining on reinforcing members
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the rubber compound, specifically incorporating silane coupling agents and controlling the ratios of rubber polymers, fillers, and curatives. These compositional parameter changes enable enhanced chemical bonding strength at the interface, resulting in superior peel strength and preventing rubber composition loss during the peeling process in endless portion manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high adhesiveness is achieved through conventional means, then bonding between rubber members and reinforcing members is improved, but the durability in actual use remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesivenessVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-component rubber composition system that combines rubber polymers with silane coupling agents, fillers, and curatives. This composite formulation produces a vulcanized rubber with enhanced interfacial bonding characteristics that maintains both high adhesiveness and long-term durability under actual service conditions, including friction and impact with transported items

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 composition achieves excellent adhesiveness with reinforcing members, particularly in environmental degradation, resulting in improved durability and peel strength of conveyor belts, ensuring firm adhesion and high durability of rubber products.

Implementation Method 1

it has become increasingly important to use a silane coupling agent, which forms a chemical bond with the hydroxyl group on the surface of the reinforcing member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSilane-hydroxyl condensation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3312231B1Rubber composition, laminate, and conveyor belt
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP3312231B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2B

AI summary

Provided is a rubber composition having excellent adhesiveness with reinforcing members, particularly reinforcing members in environmental degradation. The rubber composition is obtainable by compounding a rubber component containing a diene based rubber, a rosin based resin and a carbon black, wherein: a compounding amount of the rosin based resin is 3 parts by mass or more per 100 parts by mass of the diene based rubber.