Rubber Composition Using Pre-Silanized Silica for Low Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire elastomer compositions face challenges in balancing improved rolling resistance with maintaining desired stiffness and tensile strength.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a partially saturated elastomer with pre-silanized silica into uncured rubber compositions, where greater than 15% to 30% of the repeat units have a double bond, and using 40 phr to 200 phr of pre-silanized silica to create vulcanized rubber compositions that maintain stiffness while enhancing tensile strength and reducing rolling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If pre-silanized silica is added to improve rolling resistance and tensile strength, then rolling resistance and tensile strength are improved, but stiffness of the composition is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the elastomer by introducing a partially saturated elastomer with specific double bond content (greater than 15% to about 30% of repeat units). This parameter change in the elastomer structure allows the composition to maintain stiffness while incorporating pre-silanized silica for improved rolling resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between energy loss reduction and stiffness maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining pre-silanized silica with partially saturated elastomer in specific proportions (about 40 phr to about 200 phr of pre-silanized silica). This composite approach allows the synergistic interaction between the silica filler and the specialized elastomer matrix to simultaneously achieve improved rolling resistance, tensile strength, and maintained stiffness
2Strength
If double bond content in elastomer is increased to improve tensile strength, then tensile strength is improved, but rolling resistance may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the double bond content parameter of the elastomer, specifying that greater than 15% to about 30% of repeat units include a double bond. This optimized parameter range allows the elastomer to achieve improved tensile strength through increased crosslinking potential while maintaining low rolling resistance, as the partial saturation provides a balance between strength development and energy efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to uncured compositions that include a partially saturated elastomer and pre-silanized silica. In some aspects, the uncured compositions include about 40 phr to about 200 phr of a pre-silanized silica and at least one partially saturated elastomer including repeat units, where greater than 15% to about 30% of all repeat units of the partially saturated elastomer include a double bond. Also disclosed are vulcanized rubber compositions including the uncured compositions that have been vulcanized and articles including tires and/or components of tires comprising the vulcanized rubber compositions.