Rubber Composition Strain-Induced Crystallization Wear Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Synthetic rubbers lack the high strain-induced crystallization properties of natural rubber, leading to reduced tensile strength and increased wear in tire components like sidewalls and treads.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating specific chemical additives, such as nucleating agents with formulas M2(O2CR)4 and N(R2NHC(═O)R3, into rubber compositions to enhance strain-induced crystallization, thereby improving durability and reducing wear in tire components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If synthetic rubbers are used, then manufacturing cost and availability are improved, but strain-induced crystallization and tensile strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing cost and availabilityVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of synthetic rubber by incorporating specific polymers (polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene copolymer) in controlled ratios and adding nucleating agents (metal carboxylates, fatty acid amides) to modify the crystallization behavior. This allows synthetic rubber to achieve strain-induced crystallization comparable to natural rubber while maintaining synthetic rubber advantages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite rubber composition by combining multiple synthetic rubber polymers with specific additives including nucleating agents (such as metal carboxylates and fatty acid amides), processing oils, and reinforcing fillers. This composite approach enables the synthetic rubber composition to exhibit strain-induced crystallization and achieve tensile strength properties previously only available in natural rubber

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If synthetic rubbers are used, then availability is improved, but wear resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the wear resistance parameters by adjusting the rubber composition to include high-cis polybutadiene (90-98% cis-1,4 bonds) and polyisoprene, which inherently provide better abrasion resistance. The addition of nucleating agents that promote strain-induced crystallization further enhances wear resistance by creating a more durable surface layer during deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a composite formulation combining synthetic polymers with reinforcing fillers (carbon black, silica), processing oils, and nucleating agents. This composite structure provides wear resistance comparable to natural rubber while maintaining the availability and consistency advantages of synthetic materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If natural rubber is used, then strain-induced crystallization and tensile strength are improved, but availability and cost control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidavailability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compositional parameters to replicate natural rubber's crystallization behavior using synthetic polymers. By selecting specific synthetic polymers with appropriate molecular weights, cis-content, and adding nucleating agents, the patent achieves comparable strain-induced crystallization and tensile strength without relying on natural rubber extraction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent copies the functional properties of natural rubber (strain-induced crystallization, tensile strength) using synthetic polymers and additives. Rather than using natural rubber directly, the invention recreates its performance characteristics through carefully formulated synthetic compositions, ensuring consistent supply and cost control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 use of these additives results in rubber compositions that exhibit enhanced strain-induced crystallization, leading to improved wear resistance and durability in tire treads and sidewalls, as measured by increased wear indices and strain-induced crystallization detection methods.

Implementation Method 1

Natural rubber is known to exhibit a high level of strain-induced crystallization. Strain-induced crystallization is a phase transformation that an amorphous material undergoes when subjected to stress (strain).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain-induced crystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentUS10138351B2Rubber compositions and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 BRIDGESTONE CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to rubber compositions containing a chemical additive capable of generating or enhancing strain-induced crystallization into the compositions, and tires containing the rubber compositions in one or more components such as sidewalls or treads. The chemical additive is at least one nucleating agent of formula (I) or formula (II). As well, certain embodiments relate to methods for achieving reduced wear or improved durability in a tire tread or tire sidewall by using the chemical additives.