Silica-Reinforced Tread Rubber Composition for Wet Grip Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber compositions for tire treads face a trade-off between low rolling resistance and high wet grip performance, with high silica content improving rolling resistance but compromising wet grip, and deformable rubber compositions enhancing grip but increasing hysteresis losses.
Innovation Solution
A specific combination of non-functionalized and functionalized diene elastomers with defined glass transition temperatures, along with a reinforcing filler and crosslinking system, is used to create a rubber composition that balances hysteresis properties and wet grip performance, where the non-functionalized diene elastomer has a glass transition temperature above -50°C and the functionalized diene elastomer's temperature is 23°C lower, with a silica content exceeding 50% by weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If high silica content is used as reinforcing filler, then rolling resistance is reduced, but wet grip performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber matrix by incorporating specific functionalized elastomers with defined glass transition temperatures and functional groups that can interact with silica, thereby improving wet grip while maintaining the high silica content needed for low rolling resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite rubber matrix system combining multiple elastomers (polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, and functionalized elastomers) with specific glass transition temperature differences, where the functionalized elastomers serve as intermediaries between the rubber matrix and silica filler, enabling simultaneous achievement of low rolling resistance and high wet grip
2Reliability
If plasticizers are added to increase deformability for wet grip, then grip performance is improved, but hysteresis losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the plasticizer content, the invention changes the fundamental parameter of the rubber matrix by incorporating functionalized elastomers with specific glass transition temperatures and functional groups that enhance silica interaction, thereby improving grip without increasing hysteresis through plasticization
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 rubber composition achieves excellent hysteresis properties for reduced rolling resistance while maintaining superior wet grip performance, overcoming the limitations of previous compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a functionalized second diene elastomer E2 having a glass transition temperature TgE2, a reinforcing filler capable of interacting with the functionalized diene elastomer E2
Implementation Method 2
a crosslinking system
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber composition is based on at least one non-functionalized first diene elastomer E1 having a glass transition temperature TgE1, one functionalized second diene elastomer E2 having a glass transition temperature TgE2, a reinforcing filler capable of interacting with the functionalized diene elastomer E2 and a crosslinking system, in which: the glass transition temperature TgE1 is above or equal to -50° C., the glass transition temperature TgE2 satisfies the mathematical relationship TgE2 ≤ TgE1-23° C., and the content of the non-functionalized diene elastomer E1 is greater than or equal to 50 phr. A tread and/or a pneumatic or non-pneumatic tire may comprise at least one composition as defined above.