Rubber Mixture Sulfur Dispersion via Terpene Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber mixtures for pneumatic vehicle tires, belts, and hoses face challenges with sulfur dispersibility, leading to poor physical properties such as tear strength and durability due to sulfur agglomerates, which are not effectively addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A rubber mixture is produced by mixing sulfur with a terpene and/or high-viscosity oil, where the terpene consists exclusively of isoprene units and the high-viscosity oil has a kinematic viscosity greater than 80 mm^2/s, improving sulfur dispersion and reducing agglomerates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sulfur is mixed with conventional plasticizer oil (naphthenic oil), then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but sulfur dispersibility is poor leading to agglomerate formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the oil by specifying precise compositional requirements: aromatic hydrocarbons (20-40% by weight), cyclic hydrocarbons (50-70% by weight), and aliphatic hydrocarbons (10-30% by weight), with kinematic viscosity controlled at 20-50 mm²/s at 40°C. These parameter changes optimize the oil's ability to disperse sulfur while preventing agglomerate formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite oil system by combining multiple hydrocarbon types (aromatic, cyclic, and aliphatic) in specific proportions. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of each hydrocarbon type to achieve superior sulfur dispersibility and prevent agglomeration that cannot be achieved with single-component oils.
2Reliability
If sulfur is well dispersed in the rubber compound, then crosslinking quality improves, but requiring specific oil composition increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for the oil composition (aromatic hydrocarbons 20-40%, cyclic hydrocarbons 50-70%, aliphatic hydrocarbons 10-30%, kinematic viscosity 20-50 mm²/s at 40°C) that optimize sulfur dispersibility and crosslinking quality while providing clear manufacturing guidelines.
3Strength
If sulfur agglomerates are present in the rubber mixture, then they act as fracture centers reducing tear strength, but removing them requires additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by formulating the oil with specific compositional parameters before sulfur mixing to prevent agglomerate formation in the first place. The optimized oil composition creates favorable dispersion conditions that prevent the formation of fracture centers, eliminating the need for subsequent removal processing steps.
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
This approach enhances sulfur dispersibility, resulting in improved tear strength and durability of the rubber compound by minimizing sulfur agglomerates, which act as fracture centers, thereby improving the overall performance of the rubber mixture.
Implementation Method 1
mixing at least one sulfur with at least one terpene and/or with at least one high-viscosity oil, dispersing the sulfur mixture comprising at least one terpene and/or at least one high-viscosity oil from step a) in a rubber mixture
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a rubber mixture, in particular for vehicle pneumatic tires, belts, drive belts and hoses. The rubber mixture here is characterized by the following composition: at least one polar or non-polar rubber; at least one light and/or dark filler; at least one sulfur, which is mixed with at least one terpenoid and/or at least one highly viscous oil; and further additives.