Rubber Compound Interaction Agent for Tire Abrasion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber compounds for tires face limitations in improving the interaction between the polymer base and reinforcing fillers like carbon black and silicon dioxide, leading to suboptimal abrasion resistance and tensile properties, due to the high cost and selectivity issues associated with functionalized polymer bases.
Innovation Solution
A rubber compound incorporating a cross-linkable polymer base, a reinforcing filler, and a vulcanization system, featuring an interaction agent with an amine group and sulfur atom, which enhances the interaction between the polymer base and the filler, as represented by specific chemical formulas, effectively improving dispersion and properties without the drawbacks of functionalized polymer bases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If functionalized polymer bases are used to improve interaction between polymer base and reinforcing filler, then dispersion and physical properties are improved, but cost increases and selectivity to filler type is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces silane coupling agents as intermediary substances that mediate between the polymer base and reinforcing fillers. These coupling agents contain functional groups that can react with both the polymer matrix and the filler surfaces (carbon black or silicon dioxide), creating a bridging effect that improves interaction without requiring the polymer base itself to be functionalized. This resolves the contradiction by providing a universal intermediary that works with multiple filler types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the filler surfaces through silane treatment, changing their surface chemistry to be more compatible with the polymer base. By altering the filler surface parameters rather than the polymer base parameters, the solution achieves broad compatibility with different filler types while maintaining improved interaction strength.
2Strength
If functionalized polymer bases are used to enhance filler interaction, then abrasion resistance and crack propagation resistance improve, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agents serve as cost-effective intermediaries that can be added during the compounding process. Rather than requiring expensive functionalized polymer bases, these coupling agents provide the necessary interaction enhancement at lower cost, while still delivering improved abrasion resistance and crack propagation resistance through enhanced filler-polymer bonding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs relatively inexpensive silane coupling agents as disposable additives in the compounding process. These agents perform their function of improving filler interaction during vulcanization and do not need to be recovered or reused, providing a cost-effective solution compared to expensive functionalized polymers.
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 achieves improved abrasion resistance and tensile properties, extending tire life, while being cost-effective and applicable to both silicon dioxide and carbon black fillers, outperforming traditional methods and maintaining favorable rheometric and dynamic properties.
Implementation Method 1
an interaction agent between the polymer base and the reinforcing filler consisting of a compound having one amine group and one sulphur atom adapted to react with the polymer base during vulcanization
Implementation Method 2
a vulcanization system; wherein said interaction agent has formula (II) or (III)... by vulcanization system we mean a complex of ingredients comprising at least sulphur and accelerating compounds which, in preparation of the compound, are added in a final mixing step, and have the purpose of promoting the vulcanization of the polymer base
Implementation Method 3
a greater interaction between the reinforcing filler and the polymer base results in greater dispersion of the reinforcing filler in the compound
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber compound comprising at least one polymer base with cross-linkable unsaturated chain, a reinforcing filler, a vulcanization system and an interaction agent between the polymer base and the reinforcing filler consisting of a compound having an amine group and a sulphur atom adapted to react with the polymer base in the vulcanization step. The interaction agent has formula (II) or (III);wherein:y ranges from 0 to 6R3 is an aliphatic chain containing sulphur and composed of a number of carbon atoms ranging from 1 to 10;wherein:p ranges from 1 to 6.