Thioester Organosilicon Rubber Compounding Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds used in silica-reinforced rubber compositions for tires face challenges such as high viscosity, low workability, and insufficient filler dispersion, leading to reduced strength and abrasion resistance, while also being costly and having complex production methods, which hinder the achievement of low fuel consumption tires.
Innovation Solution
A compounding agent for rubber containing an organosilicon compound with a hydrolyzable silyl group, a thioester group, and a carboxyl group is developed, produced by reacting an organosilicon compound with a mercapto group and a carboxylic anhydride, reducing byproducts and production costs, and improving reactivity and dispersibility with silica.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds are used to improve silica dispersion and chemical bonding, then filler dispersibility and bonding strength are improved, but production cost increases and productivity decreases due to complicated production methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the organosilicon compound by introducing a thioester group instead of traditional polysulfide or capped mercapto groups. This structural parameter change enables both improved silica interaction (through the thioester's chemical properties) and simplified production (through the direct reaction pathway), simultaneously resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The thioester group acts as an intermediary functional group that mediates between the organosilicon compound and silica. The thioester group provides effective interaction with silica surfaces while being formed through a straightforward chemical reaction, thus improving filler dispersibility without complicating the production process
2Loss of energy
If silica content is increased to reduce rolling resistance and improve wet grip, then fuel consumption properties are improved, but viscosity before vulcanization increases and workability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The thioester-containing organosilicon compound serves as an intermediary agent that facilitates silica-rubber interaction. This intermediary enables effective silica reinforcement at lower silica loadings, thereby reducing the viscosity penalty and maintaining workability while still achieving the desired energy loss reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system where the thioester group forms a bridging structure between silica and rubber matrix. This composite approach allows for optimized silica distribution and interaction, enabling improved energy loss properties without the severe viscosity increase that would otherwise compromise workability
3Strength
If sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds are used to achieve chemical bonding, then bonding strength is improved, but scorching during vulcanization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the functional group parameter from traditional sulfur-containing groups (polysulfide, capped mercapto) to a thioester group. This parameter change maintains the ability to form strong chemical bonds with silica while altering the reaction kinetics to reduce premature scorching during vulcanization, thus resolving the contradiction between bonding strength and scorch control
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 new compounding agent enhances the reactivity and dispersibility of silica in rubber, reduces scorching during vulcanization, and decreases hysteresis loss in tires, while also lowering environmental impact by minimizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and production waste.
Implementation Method 1
an organosilicon compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group, mercapto group
Implementation Method 2
reacting (a) an organosilicon compound having mercapto group and hydrolyzable silyl group with (b) a carboxylic anhydride
Data Source
AI summary
A new method for producing a thioester group-containing organosilicon compound by a convenient reaction with dramatically improved workability generating reduced byproduct is provided. The method comprises reacting an organosilicon compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group and mercapto group with a carboxylic anhydride. Also provided are an organosilicon compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group, a thioester group, and carboxyl group in the same molecule capable of remarkably reducing hysteresis loss of the cured rubber composition; a compounding agent for rubber containing such organosilicon compound; a rubber composition prepared by blending such compounding agent for rubber; and a tire produced by using the cured rubber composition are also provided.