Organically Modified Silica Master Batch Elastomer for Tire Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Silica particles in tires tend to agglomerate, leading to poor dispersibility and mechanical properties due to their hydrophilicity, and existing methods to improve dispersibility and mechanical properties are limited, resulting in issues with tire wear, lifespan, and manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
An organically modified silica master batch elastomer is prepared by surface-modifying silica with an aliphatic organosilane compound and a silane coupling agent, then mixed with a copolymer from solution polymerization of a conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic monomers, enhancing dispersibility and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If silica is used as a reinforcing material, then mechanical properties are improved, but dispersibility deteriorates due to agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (silane coupling agent or organic-modified silica) that mediates between the hydrophilic silica particles and the hydrophobic rubber matrix. This intermediary reduces the harmful interaction between silica and rubber, enabling better dispersibility while maintaining mechanical strength through controlled silica-rubber interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of silica by modifying its hydrophilicity through organic modification or silane coupling. This parameter change (from hydrophilic to hydrophobic surface) fundamentally alters how silica interacts with rubber, preventing agglomeration and improving dispersibility while preserving reinforcing effects.
2Stability of the object's composition
If hydrophobic silica is used to improve compatibility with rubber, then dispersibility is improved, but mechanical properties deteriorate due to inability to form chemical bonding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by creating different surface characteristics in different regions of the silica particles. Through partial organic modification or silane coupling, only the surface of silica is modified to be hydrophobic for compatibility, while the internal structure remains hydrophilic to enable chemical bonding with rubber, thus achieving both compatibility and strong mechanical properties.
3Stability of the object's composition
If silica master batch elastomer is prepared using diene-based copolymer, then dispersibility is improved, but silica is lost during steam stripping due to hydrophilicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful hydrophilicity of silica into a beneficial property by using it as a anchoring mechanism during steam stripping. The hydrophilic silica particles interact with water during the steam stripping process, which actually helps to disperse them uniformly in the rubber matrix rather than causing loss, transforming a previously harmful characteristic into a useful one for achieving better dispersibility.
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 solution significantly improves silica dispersibility and mechanical properties, reducing tire wear and increasing lifespan, while simplifying the manufacturing process and enhancing abrasion resistance and wet traction characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
surface-modifying silica with an aliphatic organosilane compound and a silane coupling agent
Implementation Method 2
organically modified silica having an aliphatic hydrophobic group
Implementation Method 3
mixing 100 parts of the copolymer prepared in step (1) by weight with 10-150 parts of the organically modified silica prepared in step (2) by weight in solution phase
Implementation Method 4
greatly affects the wearing and lifespan of a tire, it is desired to maximize the dispersibility of silica
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an organically modified silica master batch elastomer having superior affinity for silica and a method for preparing the same. A copolymer solution-polymerized from a conjugated diene-based monomer and a vinyl aromatic monomer is mixed in solution with organically modified silica having the silica modified with a specific aliphatic hydrocarbon to prepare the organically modified silica master batch elastomer. The organically modified silica master batch elastomer according to the present invention has improved mechanical properties, abrasion resistance and blending processability over the existing master batch elastomers containing common silica. Thus, when it is used as a tire material, improved fuel efficiency, abrasion resistance and wet traction may be expected.