Rubber Tyre Compound Production Method Using Segmented Mixing
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing rubber tyre compounds using silica and natural rubber or polymers produced by emulsion polymerization fail to achieve optimal rolling and abrasion resistance, as activators do not effectively enhance the reactivity of the silica/silane/polymer system.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a preliminary treatment step where the second polymer material, silica, a silane bonding agent, and a nucleophile agent are mixed, followed by a first mixing step with the first polymer material, silica, and a silane bonding agent, and a second mixing step with stearic acid and a curing system, optimizing the timing of ingredient addition to improve interaction and properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If activators are used to enhance reactivity between silica, silane, and polymer base, then the interaction should be improved, but in emulsion polymerization and natural rubber compounds, activators produce little improvement in reactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating the solution polymerization polymer base with silica, silane bonding agent, and nucleophile agent in a separate preliminary step before mixing with emulsion polymerization polymer base. This preliminary interaction allows the solution polymer base to become more reactive and better interact with silica, which then carries over to the final compound structure, improving overall reactivity and performance.
2Reliability
If multiple ingredients are added to enhance compound properties, then performance may be improved, but controlling various target properties becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compound production into distinct functional groups: solution polymerization polymer base treated with silica/silane/nucleophile agent in a preliminary step, emulsion polymerization polymer base added in a first mixing step, and stearic acid with curing system added in a second mixing step. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall control of compound properties.
3Reliability
If silica is used as reinforcing filler to improve rolling resistance and wet-road-holding, then these properties are enhanced, but the interaction with emulsion polymerization and natural rubber polymer bases is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the solution polymerization polymer base as an intermediary that facilitates better interaction between silica and the final compound. By pre-treating this polymer base with silica and silane bonding agents, it creates a more reactive interface that enhances silica-polymer interaction in the final compound, thereby improving rolling resistance and wet-road-holding performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of mixing timing by introducing a preliminary treating step before the main mixing steps. This temporal parameter change allows sufficient time for silica-silane-polymer interactions to occur in the solution polymer base before it is combined with the emulsion polymer base, ensuring optimal interaction strength and compound performance.
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 method enhances rolling and abrasion resistance by improving the interaction of silica with the polymer base, as demonstrated by better dynamic and abrasion resistance test results compared to control compounds.
Implementation Method 1
silanes which interact with the silanol groups of silica to prevent its particles from forming hydrogen bonds. With the right functionality, silanes may also interact with the polymer base to form a chemical bridge between it and the silica.
Implementation Method 2
appropriate activators may be used at the non-productive stages to enhance reactivity between the silica, silane, and polymer
Implementation Method 3
a curing system are added to the compound being produced
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing rubber compounds, in which the polymer base is composed partly of a first polymer material, which is either produced by emulsion polymerization or is natural rubber, and partly of a second polymer material produced by solution polymerization. The method includes a preliminary second polymer material treating step, in which the second polymer material, silica, a silane bonding agent, and at least one nucleophile agent are mixed with one another; a first mixing step, in which at least the first polymer material, silica, and a silane bonding agent are added to the compound resulting from the preliminary second polymer material treating step; and a second mixing step, in which stearic acid and a curing system are added to the compound being produced.