Rubber Tread Composition Balancing Rolling Resistance and Durability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire tread compounds face a trade-off between rolling resistance and mechanical properties, where improving one often compromises the other, and there is a need for a composition that enhances both without sacrificing durability.
Innovation Solution
A cross-linkable rubber composition comprising a combination of natural or isoprene rubber, a mixture of highly dispersible silica and kaolin clay as white fillers, and a mixture of carbon blacks, which balances rolling resistance and mechanical properties by optimizing filler surface areas and proportions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the amount of filler in the rubber compound is reduced, then the hysteresis property (rolling resistance) is improved, but the mechanical property or durability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite filler system combining highly dispersible silica (first white filler with BET surface area 170-180 m²/g) and kaolin clay (second white filler with BET surface area 5-10 m²/g) in specific proportions (silica 3-10 phr, kaolin 2-7 phr). This composite approach allows the silica to provide reinforcement for mechanical properties while the kaolin modifies the compound to reduce hysteresis, achieving both low rolling resistance and good durability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the fillers: the silica is selected with a narrow BET surface area range (170-180 m²/g) to control its reinforcing efficiency, while the kaolin is selected with a specific surface area range (5-10 m²/g) to provide the right balance of reinforcement and hysteresis reduction. The precise control of these parameters enables simultaneous improvement of rolling resistance and mechanical properties.
2Device complexity
If a single type of white filler is used, then the formulation is simple, but the balance between rolling resistance and mechanical properties cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the white filler component into two distinct segments: highly dispersible silica (first white filler) and kaolin clay (second white filler). Each segment performs a different function - silica provides reinforcement and structural integrity, while kaolin reduces hysteresis and rolling resistance. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each filler's properties and proportions to achieve the desired balance between mechanical properties and rolling resistance.
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 composition achieves improved rolling resistance and durability while maintaining mechanical properties, as evidenced by increased rebound values and reduced tan delta at 70°C, indicating lower rolling resistance and enhanced durability without compromising on hardness and tensile strength.
Implementation Method 1
The compound comprises at least one cross-linkable unsaturated-chain polymer base; a reinforcing filler comprising carbon black and silica
Implementation Method 2
The compound comprises at least one cross-linkable unsaturated-chain polymer base
Implementation Method 3
reducing the amount of filler in the rubber compound would typically improve the hysteresis property (rolling resistance)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cross-linkable rubber composition, the cross-linkable rubber composition comprising, per hundred parts by weight of rubber (phr): 100 phr of a rubber component comprising a natural rubber or an isoprene rubber or a combination thereof, a white filler, and a black filler. The white filler is a mixture of a first white filler and a second white filler, wherein the first white filler has a BET surface area of 170 m2/g to 180 m2/g measured according to ASTM D6738 and/or the second white filler has a BET surface area of 5 m2/g to 10 m2/g measured according to ASTM D5604.