Sulphur-Linkable Rubber Mixture for Tyre Tread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire tread mixtures with high butadiene rubber content exhibit improved abrasion resistance but deteriorate wet grip, and existing formulations struggle to balance these properties without compromising tear resistance.
Innovation Solution
A sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture comprising more than 40 phr of butadiene rubber, 4-8 phr of activated silica bound via silane coupling agents, and more than 50 phr of high-structure carbon black, with reduced plasticizer oils to maintain good tear properties and improve abrasion resistance without worsening wet grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high butadiene rubber content (>40 phr) is used in tread mixtures, then abrasion resistance is improved, but wet grip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing activated silica (4-8 phr) and high-structure carbon black (>50 phr) in specific proportions, along with silane coupling agents, to modify the tread compound's properties. This allows achieving both high abrasion resistance and maintained wet grip by optimizing the filler system rather than relying solely on butadiene rubber content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining butadiene rubber with activated silica and high-structure carbon black, where the synergistic interaction between these components resolves the contradiction. The composite structure allows the benefits of high butadiene content (abrasion resistance) while the silica-carbon black network maintains wet grip properties
2Duration of action of moving object
If high butadiene rubber content (>40 phr) is used to reduce abrasion volume, then mileage is increased, but tear properties are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material system where activated silica and high-structure carbon black form a reinforcing network that compensates for the reduced tear resistance associated with high butadiene content. This composite structure allows extended mileage through reduced abrasion while maintaining adequate tear properties through the filler reinforcement
3Reliability
If silica content is increased to improve wet grip, then processing complexity increases, but abrasion resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the silica content to a specific range (4-8 phr) and combines it with high-structure carbon black (>50 phr) and silane coupling agents, creating a balanced formulation that achieves good wet grip without excessive processing complexity. The specific parameter optimization prevents both under- and over-engineering of the filler system
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 combination effectively decouples the opposing behaviors of abrasion and wet grip, reducing abrasion during driving while maintaining tear resistance and preventing wet grip deterioration, with optimal processing properties.
Implementation Method 1
silica, which can be bound to the polymer via silane coupling agent
Implementation Method 2
sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture
Data Source
AI summary
Sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture comprises: at least one butadiene rubber, which is more than 40 parts per hundred parts of rubber by weight (phr); silicic acid (4-8 phr); at least one silane coupling agent; and at least one carbon black (more than 50 phr) having a dibutyl phthalate value of >= 105 cm 3>/100 g. An independent claim is also included for a tire preferably a commercial vehicle tire, comprising a tread which is partially in contact with the roadway and consists at least partially a rubber mixture crosslinked with sulfur.