Rubber Composition with Terpene and Alpha-Methyl Styrene Resins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire rubber compositions face challenges in achieving a balance between wet grip performance, abrasion resistance, and fuel efficiency, as improving one aspect often compromises the others, and current solutions like adding carbon black or specific liquid resins do not fully address the need for a good balance.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition comprising 5 to 30 parts by mass of a terpene resin with a softening point of 100 to 118°C and a molecular weight of 500 to 10,000, and 7 to 40 parts by mass of an α-methyl styrene resin, based on 100 parts of a rubber component that includes 60 to 95% aromatic olefin rubber and 5 to 40% diene olefin rubber, where the terpene resin to α-methyl styrene resin ratio is from 0.2 to 5, which enhances compatibility and dispersion to improve wet grip, abrasion resistance, and fuel efficiency in a balanced manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If carbon black is added to improve abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but the balance between fuel efficiency and wet grip performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite rubber composition containing aromatic olefin rubber (60-95 parts), diene olefin rubber (5-40 parts), and specific resin components (terpene resin 5-30 parts, α-methyl styrene resin 7-40 parts). This composite formulation achieves simultaneous improvement in abrasion resistance, wet grip performance, and fuel efficiency by combining materials with complementary properties rather than relying on carbon black alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for resin components: terpene resin with softening point 80-120°C and molecular weight 500-10,000, and α-methyl styrene resin with molecular weight 700-3,000. The ratio of terpene resin to α-methyl styrene resin is controlled at 0.2-5. These parameter optimizations enable the resin to simultaneously improve wet grip, abrasion resistance, and fuel efficiency without the trade-offs associated with carbon black.
2Strength
If butadiene rubber is used to improve abrasion resistance and fuel efficiency, then abrasion resistance and fuel efficiency are improved, but wet grip performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite system where butadiene rubber (providing abrasion resistance and fuel efficiency) is combined with aromatic olefin rubber (providing wet grip performance) and specific resin components. The diene olefin rubber content is controlled at 5-40 parts to maintain abrasion resistance and fuel efficiency, while the aromatic olefin rubber (60-95 parts) and resin components compensate for wet grip deficiencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns different functional roles to different rubber components: butadiene rubber primarily provides abrasion resistance and fuel efficiency, while aromatic olefin rubber provides wet grip performance. The resin components (terpene resin and α-methyl styrene resin) provide localized enhancement to interfacial adhesion and stress distribution, allowing each component to optimize its specific function without compromising overall performance balance.
3Loss of energy
If a low hysteresis loss is achieved to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency is improved, but wet grip performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight and softening point parameters of resin components to achieve a balance between hysteresis loss and wet grip performance. Terpene resin with softening point 80-120°C and molecular weight 500-10,000, combined with α-methyl styrene resin with molecular weight 700-3,000, creates an interfacial structure that reduces energy loss while maintaining adhesion. The resin ratio (0.2-5) is precisely controlled to optimize this balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin components act as intermediaries between the rubber matrix and silica filler, creating an optimized stress distribution network. This intermediary layer reduces hysteresis loss by improving stress uniformity while simultaneously enhancing wet grip performance through improved interfacial adhesion, effectively mediating between these two opposing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber composition being excellent in wet grip performance, abrasion resistance and fuel efficiency in good balance, and a tire having a tire member composed of the rubber composition. The rubber composition comprises 5 to 30 parts by mass of a terpene resin having a softening point of 100 to 118°C and a molecular weight of from 500 to 10,000, and 7 to 40 parts by mass of an α-methyl styrene resin having a molecular weight of from 700 to 3,000, based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component comprising 60 to 95% by mass of an aromatic olefin rubber and 5 to 40% by mass of a diene olefin rubber, wherein a ratio of a content of the terpene resin to a content of the α-methyl styrene resin (a content of the terpene resin / a content of the α-methyl styrene resin) is from 0.2 to 5, and the tire is one having a tire member composed of the rubber composition.