Partially Saturated Rubber Composition With TMDQ Ozone Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rubber articles such as vehicle tires degrade due to atmospheric oxygen and ozone, leading to discoloration and structural defects like cracking, with traditional antiozonants like 6PPD migrating to the surface and forming harmful byproducts.

Innovation Solution

Use of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (TMDQ) or its oligomers in partially saturated elastomers, which provide antiozonant properties without the need for traditional antiozonants like 6PPD, resulting in improved crack resistance and reduced migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional antiozonants like 6PPD are used to protect rubber from ozone degradation, then ozone resistance is improved, but harmful byproducts are generated and the compound migrates to the surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveozone resistanceVSAvoidharmful byproducts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the antiozonant from 6PPD to TMDQ, which has a different molecular structure that prevents harmful byproduct formation while maintaining ozone scavenging capability. This structural parameter change resolves the contradiction between effectiveness and harmfulness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs TMDQ as a replacement compound that, while having comparable antiozonant properties to 6PPD, does not generate harmful byproducts. The focus shifts from long-term durability with harmful compounds to effective protection with environmentally benign alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If traditional antiozonants like 6PPD are used to protect rubber from ozone degradation, then ozone resistance is improved, but the compound migrates to the surface of the tire

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveozone resistanceVSAvoidmigration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antiozonant compound from 6PPD to TMDQ, which has different molecular properties including lower volatility and different polarity characteristics. These parameter changes reduce the tendency to migrate to the tire surface while maintaining protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If highly saturated elastomers are used to improve crack resistance, then crack resistance is improved, but the elastomer has reduced reactivity and harder processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrack resistanceVSAvoidprocessing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using a partially saturated elastomer (not fully saturated) and combines it with TMDQ antiozonant. This localized approach maintains some double bonds for processability while providing crack resistance through the combination with the protective compound, rather than requiring full saturation throughout the entire elastomer structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

TMDQ-based compositions exhibit reduced crack formation and propagation, offering comparable ozone resistance to traditional antiozonants while eliminating harmful byproducts, with improved physical properties.

Implementation Method 1

TMDQ or an oligomer thereof provides antiozonant properties, which eliminates the need for the use of traditional antiozonants such as, for example, 6PPD

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntiozonant action:

Implementation Method 2

6PPD essentially replenishes itself at the tire surface through continuous blooming. Due to its high reactivity, however, 6PPD may transform into byproducts of 6PPD. For example, 6PPD-quinone is an oxidized byproduct of 6PPD in tires

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOzone scavenging:

Implementation Method 3

Rubber articles such as vehicle tires are degraded by atmospheric oxygen and ozone, leading to discoloration as well as structural defects such as cracking while in a strained state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation resistance: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

The use of TMDQ or an oligomer thereof provides good crack resistance properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrack resistance:

Data Source

PatentUS20260015486A1Rubber compositions and articles thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO

AI summary

Uncured compositions comprise a partially saturated elastomer, characterized by less than or equal to 15% of all repeat units of the partially saturated elastomer comprising a double bond, and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (TMDQ) or an oligomer thereof partially or fully in place of traditional antiozonants such as, for example, 6PPD.