Rubber Composition for Reduced Material Usage in Tires

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to reduce the material usage in tire production while maintaining the properties of the tire, as environmental concerns drive the demand for less material without compromising performance.

Innovation Solution

A rubber composition comprising an elastomeric matrix with a polyisoprene and butadiene/styrene copolymer blend, carbon black reinforcement, and a crosslinking system, which allows for reduced thickness of tire components while maintaining mechanical properties in both raw and cured states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the amount of material in tire components is reduced, then environmental performance is improved, but mechanical properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidmechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the rubber compound by incorporating specific ratios of polyisoprene (60-80 phr), butadiene/styrene copolymer (20-40 phr), and carbon black (35-75 phr). This parameter optimization allows reduction of overall material quantity while maintaining mechanical strength through improved material efficiency and enhanced reinforcement from carbon black.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If the thickness of finished or semi-finished products is reduced, then material usage is reduced, but mechanical properties in raw and cured states deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethickness of tire componentsVSAvoidmechanical properties in raw and cured states

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite rubber compound combining polyisoprene, butadiene/styrene copolymer, and carbon black in optimized proportions. This composite formulation enhances the mechanical properties per unit volume, allowing thinner tire components to achieve the required strength and performance characteristics that previously required thicker sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If carbon black content is increased to improve mechanical properties, then reinforcement is improved, but processing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereinforcementVSAvoidprocessing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the carbon black content parameter within the range of 35-75 phr and balances it with specific amounts of polyisoprene (60-80 phr) and butadiene/styrene copolymer (20-40 phr). This balanced parameter combination ensures sufficient reinforcement from carbon black while maintaining adequate polymer matrix to facilitate processing and prevent excessive viscosity or mixing difficulties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables the production of tires with reduced material usage while retaining satisfactory mechanical properties, both in the raw and cured states, thereby addressing the environmental concern without compromising performance.

Implementation Method 1

a glass transition temperature of between −60° C. and −35° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGlass transition:

Implementation Method 2

from 35 to 75 phr of a carbon black exhibiting a BET specific surface of between 90 and 100 m2/g and a COAN absorption index of between 90 and 100 ml/100 g

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

a crosslinking system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11230636B2Rubber composition having improved properties in the raw state and in the cooked state

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

A rubber composition is based on at least an elastomeric matrix comprising at most 70 parts by weight, per hundred parts by weight of elastomer, phr, of a polyisoprene and at least 30 phr of a butadiene/styrene copolymer, the butadiene/styrene copolymer exhibiting a content of styrene units of between 20% and 40% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the butadiene/styrene copolymer, a content of trans-1,4-butadiene unit of greater than 65% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the butadiene units, a content of vinyl unit of less than 8% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the butadiene units, and a glass transition temperature of between −60° C. and −35° C.; from 35 to 75 phr of a carbon black exhibiting a BET specific surface of between 90 and 100 m2/g and a COAN absorption index of between 90 and 100 ml/100 g; and a crosslinking system.