Silane-Modified Butadiene Polymer Reduces Tire Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rubber compositions with high silica loading face challenges in reducing hysteresis loss and achieving fuel-efficient tires due to inadequate filler dispersion and high viscosity during manufacturing, which affects wear resistance and rolling resistance.
Innovation Solution
An organosilicon compound with a polybutadiene skeleton is introduced, synthesized through hydrosilylation between a polybutadiene and an organosilicon compound in the presence of a platinum compound-containing catalyst and a co-catalyst, such as an ammonium salt or acid amide, to create a rubber compounding ingredient that decreases hysteresis loss and enhances fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If silica loading is increased to improve fuel efficiency, then rolling resistance decreases and wet grip improves, but viscosity increases requiring multi-stage milling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a silane-modified butadiene polymer as an intermediary substance that mediates between silica filler and the rubber matrix. This polymer contains both silane groups that bond with silica and butadiene segments that are compatible with the rubber matrix, thereby improving dispersion without significantly increasing viscosity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where silane-modified butadiene polymer forms a bridge between inorganic silica particles and the organic rubber matrix. This composite approach allows for better interfacial adhesion and more uniform stress distribution, reducing rolling resistance while maintaining processability
2Ease of manufacture
If inorganic filler is merely blended in rubber composition, then manufacturing is simple, but dispersion is inadequate leading to decreased fracture strength and wear resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The silane-modified butadiene polymer acts as a coupling agent that chemically bridges silica particles and the rubber matrix. The silane groups form bonds with silica surface hydroxyl groups while the butadiene segments integrate with the rubber polymer chains, creating strong interfacial adhesion that improves fracture strength and wear resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the rubber composition by introducing silane-functionalized butadiene polymer with specific molecular weight and silane content. This chemical modification enables covalent bonding between filler and matrix, transforming the physical mixture into a chemically bonded composite
3Stability of the object's composition
If sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds are used to improve filler dispersibility, then dispersion improves, but hysteresis loss increases reducing fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using silane-modified butadiene polymer instead of traditional sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds. This parameter change eliminates the harmful hysteresis loss while maintaining good filler dispersibility through the silane groups
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of using organosilicon compounds (high hysteresis loss) into a benefit by carefully selecting silane-modified butadiene polymer that provides both good dispersibility and low hysteresis loss, thereby improving fuel efficiency
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 use of this organosilicon compound in rubber compositions results in tires with reduced rolling resistance and improved wear resistance, achieving the desired fuel efficiency and processability.
Implementation Method 1
hydrosilylation between a polybutadiene of formula (2) and an organosilicon compound of formula (3) in the presence of a platinum compound-containing catalyst
Implementation Method 2
in the presence of a platinum compound-containing catalyst and a co-catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
An organic silicon compound represented by formula (1) makes it possible to significantly lower the hysteresis loss of a cured product when added to a rubber composition and also imparts a rubber composition with which it is possible to realize a desired low-fuel-consumption tire.(In the formula, R1 independently represent a C1-10 alkyl group or C6-10 aryl group, R2 independently represent a C1-10 alkyl group or C6-10 aryl group, f represents a number of 0 or higher, e and g independently represent a number greater than 0, and m represents an integer of 1-3. However, the order of each of the repeating units is arbitrary.)