High-Modulus Rubber Composition Using Ultra-Vulcanization Accelerator

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for increasing the rigidity of tire tread compositions face challenges in balancing rigidity with rolling resistance and endurance, particularly due to the limitations of using high quantities of fillers and methylene acceptor/donor systems, which can impact industrial production and fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

A rubber composition utilizing a diene elastomer, reinforcing resin, sulfur, and an ultra-vulcanization accelerator with a trigger time of less than 3 minutes, allowing for increased rigidity without increasing the amount of reinforcing resin, thereby improving tire tread rigidity without compromising other properties or industrial processability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If large quantities of filler are introduced into the composition to obtain high rigidities, then the rigidity of the tire tread is improved, but the rolling resistance increases and the endurance deteriorates due to strong heating

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidrolling resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the vulcanization system by introducing an ultra-vulcanization accelerator with t0 < 3 minutes, which fundamentally alters the crosslinking kinetics and network structure, achieving high rigidity without the need for excessive filler quantities that would increase rolling resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If large quantities of methylene acceptor and donor are used to increase the rigidity of the rubber composition, then the rigidity is improved, but the industrial production constraints increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidindustrial production
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the vulcanization kinetics parameters by using an ultra-vulcanization accelerator with t0 < 3 minutes, which allows the composition to achieve high rigidity at constant quantities of reinforcing resin and sulfur, eliminating the need to increase resin quantities for rigidity enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the rigidity of the rubber composition is increased by incorporating reinforcing resins, then the rigidity is improved, but the quantity of reinforcing resin must be increased which complicates the formulation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidquantity of reinforcing resin
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the vulcanization system parameters by introducing an ultra-vulcanization accelerator with t0 < 3 minutes, which enables the composition to achieve increased rigidity while maintaining constant quantities of reinforcing resin and sulfur, thus avoiding formulation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If conventional vulcanization accelerators with t0 ≥ 3 minutes are used, then the processing time is sufficient, but the rigidity of the composition cannot be increased without increasing the quantity of reinforcing resin

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidquantity of reinforcing resin
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the vulcanization kinetics by using an ultra-vulcanization accelerator with t0 < 3 minutes, which fundamentally alters the crosslinking rate and network formation, enabling high rigidity achievement without increasing reinforcing resin quantity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhanced rigidity of tire treads while maintaining other essential properties and reducing rolling resistance, thus contributing to lower fuel consumption and improved environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

a vulcanization accelerator having a time of triggering of vulcanization, called 't0', less than 3 minutes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVulcanization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3717561B1Rubber composition with high module comprising an ultra vulcanization accelerator
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

The invention relates to a high-modulus rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler, between 1 and 45 phr of reinforcing resin, between 1 and 10 phr of sulfur, and betwen 0.5 and 15 phr of vulcanisation accelerator having a vulcanisation-triggering time, called "t0", of less than 3 minutes, said composition not comprising any vulcanisation accelerators having a "t0" higher than or equal to 3 minutes or comprising less than 2 phr thereof.