Silica-Affinity Rubber Composition for Tire Wet Grip and Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber compositions with high silica content face challenges in processability and rubber strength due to insufficient silica dispersion, leading to deteriorated fuel economy and increased precipitation of plasticizers, which affects abrasion resistance and wet grip performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a modified polymer extended rubber, obtained by extending a rubber component with a modified resin or thermoplastic elastomer containing functional groups that have affinity for silica, to improve silica dispersion and overall performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large amount of silica is incorporated to enhance abrasion resistance and wet performance, then abrasion resistance and wet grip performance are improved, but processability deteriorates and rubber strength decreases due to insufficient silica dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a modified polymer as an intermediary substance between silica and rubber components. This modified polymer contains functional groups that have affinity for silica, acting as a mediator to improve silica dispersion throughout the rubber composition, thereby resolving the processability issues while maintaining the desired abrasion resistance and wet grip performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by extending rubber components with modified polymers that contain silica-affinity functional groups. This composite approach allows for better integration of silica particles within the rubber matrix, improving both processability and the mechanical properties associated with high silica content
2Ease of manufacture
If a large amount of plasticizer is incorporated to enhance processability or silica dispersion, then processability and silica dispersion are improved, but fuel economy deteriorates due to higher Tg and tan δ
Solution Approach 1:
The modified polymer serves as an intermediary that improves silica dispersion and processability without the adverse effects of traditional plasticizers. By using this intermediate substance with silica affinity, the patent achieves better mixing and dispersion while avoiding the increase in Tg and tan δ that would otherwise deteriorate fuel economy
3Ease of manufacture
If a large amount of plasticizer is incorporated to enhance processability or silica dispersion, then processability and silica dispersion are improved, but rubber components degrade due to precipitation of the plasticizer
Solution Approach 1:
The modified polymer acts as a stable intermediary substance that does not precipitate from the rubber components. Its functional groups provide affinity for silica while maintaining compatibility with the rubber matrix, thereby improving processability and silica dispersion without causing the degradation and precipitation issues associated with conventional plasticizers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by introducing functional groups with affinity for silica. This parameter change allows the polymer to interact effectively with silica particles while maintaining solubility and compatibility with rubber components, preventing precipitation and maintaining rubber strength
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 modified polymer extended rubber enhances abrasion resistance, rubber strength, wet grip performance, high-speed wet grip performance, and fuel economy by ensuring better silica dispersion and interaction, thereby reducing plasticizer precipitation and improving the rubber composition's overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a modified polymer selected from the group consisting of a modified resin containing a functional group having affinity for silica and a modified thermoplastic elastomer containing a functional group having affinity for silica
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided is a rubber composition and a tire which provide improved overall performance in terms of abrasion resistance, rubber strength, wet grip performance, highspeed wet grip performance, and fuel economy. Included is a rubber composition containing a modified polymer extended rubber, the modified polymer extended rubber being obtained by extending a rubber component A with at least one modified polymer selected from the group consisting of a modified resin containing a functional group having affinity for silica and a modified thermoplastic elastomer containing a functional group having affinity for silica.