Silane-Functionalized Resin Spacer Groups for Tire Traction

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-performance passenger tires face challenges in maintaining traction and handling at high speeds and temperatures due to the trade-off between improved traction from miscible resins and reduced tire life from immiscible resins used in race car tires.

Innovation Solution

A silane-functionalized resin composition is developed by functionalizing a hydrocarbon resin with groups capable of reacting with silica or carbon black and introducing a spacer group between the resin molecule and the reactive functional group, enhancing its properties for use in high-performance tire applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If miscible resins are used to increase traction characteristics, then traction is improved, but traction and handling are reduced at high speeds or high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetractionVSAvoidtraction and handling at high speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resin is functionalized with silane groups that provide different properties at different molecular locations - the hydrocarbon backbone provides miscibility and traction, while the silane groups provide heat resistance and durability, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The resin undergoes chemical modification by introducing silane functional groups, changing its physical and chemical parameters to achieve both miscibility (for traction) and high-temperature stability (for durability), thus resolving the performance contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If immiscible resins with high G' values are added to improve high-speed performance, then traction and handling at high temperatures are improved, but tire tread life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction and handling at high temperatureVSAvoidtire tread life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The resin molecules contain both miscible hydrocarbon segments (for durability and traction) and silane-functionalized segments (for high-temperature stability), creating local quality differences that simultaneously achieve long tire life and high-speed performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The functionalized resin acts as a composite material combining the beneficial properties of miscible resins (traction, durability) and immiscible resins (high-temperature performance) at the molecular level, resolving the contradiction between tire life and high-speed performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If silane functional groups are introduced without spacer groups, then reactivity with silica or carbon black is improved, but durability is reduced due to direct attachment to resin molecule

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereactivity with fillerVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer group acts as an intermediary between the resin molecule and the silane functional group, allowing the silane to react with filler particles while the spacer protects the silane from premature degradation, thus improving both ease of manufacture and durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer group is pre-installed on the resin molecule before vulcanization, preparing the silane groups for controlled reaction with filler particles during processing, which improves both reactivity and long-term durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 silane-functionalized resin composition improves durability, traction, and handling in tire tread compositions, offering superior static and dynamic mechanical properties while maintaining tire life.

Implementation Method 1

functionalizing a hydrocarbon resin with groups capable of reacting with silica or carbon black

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

DCPD-based functionalized resins prepared via metathesis chemistry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMetathesis chemistry: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3126407B1Spacer groups for functionalized resins in tires

Publication Date: 2022.08.03 EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL PATENTS INC

AI summary

This invention relates to a functionalized resin composition having the formula P-S-X where S is a spacer selected from at least one of C2-C40 straight chain and branched alkyl, C6- C40 aromatics, butadiene, isoprene, and combinations thereof, P is a polymer backbone selected from at least one of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-based polymers, cyclopentadiene (CPD)-based polymers, DCPD-styrene copolymers, C5 homopolymers and copolymer resins, C5-styrene copolymer resins, terpene homopolymer or copolymer resins, pinene homopolymer or copolymer resins, C9 homopolymers and copolymer resins, C5/C9 copolymer resins, alpha-methylstyrene homopolymer or copolymer resins, and combinations thereof, and X is a silane.