Silane-Coupled Diene Rubber for Tire Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rubber compositions for automotive tires do not adequately address the need for improved fuel efficiency and driving stability, particularly in the context of rising gasoline prices and environmental concerns related to carbon dioxide emissions.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition is developed by mixing a conjugated diene rubber modified with silica and specific silane coupling agents, which includes a conjugated diene rubber with active hydrogen groups capable of chemically binding to silica, along with two types of silane coupling agents that react with the rubber's carbon-carbon double bonds and active hydrogen groups, enhancing silica dispersibility and crosslinking properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional rubber compositions are used, then basic tire functions are maintained, but fuel efficiency performance and driving stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite rubber composition containing conjugated diene rubber, silica, and two different silane coupling agents (polyfunctional and monofunctional) to create a material that simultaneously improves fuel efficiency and maintains driving stability. The composite structure allows optimization of hysteresis loss for fuel efficiency while preserving wet skid resistance for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters including the ratio of polyfunctional to monofunctional silane coupling agents, the silica content, and the vinyl content of the conjugated diene rubber to achieve the desired balance between fuel efficiency and driving stability.
2Reliability
If silica is added to improve wet skid resistance, then driving stability improves, but silica dispersibility and aggregation control become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces silane coupling agents as intermediary substances that mediate between silica particles and the rubber matrix. These coupling agents have affinity for both silica and rubber, improving silica dispersibility and preventing aggregation while maintaining wet skid resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of silica with specific silane coupling agents creates a composite filler system that achieves both good dispersibility and high wet skid resistance, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
3Strength
If crosslinking is increased to improve tensile strength and abrasion resistance, then mechanical properties improve, but hysteresis loss and fuel efficiency are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the crosslinking density and type by controlling the amount and type of silane coupling agents used, achieving adequate tensile strength and abrasion resistance while minimizing hysteresis loss through precise parameter control.
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 resulting rubber composition exhibits improved tensile strength, abrasion resistance, wet skid resistance, and low hysteresis, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and driving stability in automotive tires.
Implementation Method 1
a silane coupling agent (C) capable of reacting with a carbon-carbon double bond of the conjugated diene in the conjugated diene rubber
Implementation Method 2
a silane coupling agent (D) capable of reacting with the group having an active hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
a group capable of chemically binding to a silica
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber composition that can be used in applications such as automotive tires and can improve the fuel efficiency performance and driving stability of automobiles and the like, a method for producing a rubber composition, and a tire using the same are provided. A rubber composition comprising: (A) a conjugated diene rubber which is obtained by polymerizing a conjugated diene compound or polymerizing a conjugated diene compound and an aromatic vinyl compound and has a group having an active hydrogen and a group capable of chemically binding to a silica, (B) a silica, (C) a silane coupling agent (I) capable of reacting with a carbon-carbon double bond of the conjugated diene in the conjugated diene rubber, and (D) a silane coupling agent (II) capable of reacting with the group having an active hydrogen; a method for producing a rubber composition, which comprises mixing the above-mentioned composition; and a tire which is obtained by crosslinking and molding the rubber composition obtained by the method for production.