Tire Rubber Composition for Low Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire technologies face challenges in simultaneously reducing rolling resistance and improving tire strength, as methods to lower rolling resistance often compromise on elongation at break, leading to increased damage from stone curbs and rim chafing.
Innovation Solution
A tire design incorporating specific rubber compositions for the sidewall, case cord, and clinch, featuring natural rubber, modified butadiene rubber, and carbon black with controlled filler content and particle size, along with silica, to achieve low loss tangent and enhanced complex elastic modulus, ensuring both low rolling resistance and improved strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the compounding amount of filler is reduced or particle diameter of carbon black is enlarged to reduce loss tangent, then rolling resistance is reduced, but elongation at break is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the particle size distribution of carbon black (specific surface area between 10-50 m²/g) and the compounding amount (20-60 parts by mass per 100 parts of rubber component). This optimized parameter range achieves the dual benefit of reducing loss tangent (improving rolling resistance) while maintaining sufficient elongation at break (preserving strength), thereby resolving the technical contradiction between energy loss and strength.
2Loss of energy
If modified butadiene rubber is compounded to reduce loss tangent, then rolling resistance is reduced, but elongation at break is lowered causing damage from stone curbs and rim chafing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by formulating a rubber component containing multiple rubber types (natural rubber, isoprene rubber, and/or butadiene rubber) in specific proportions. This composite rubber composition, combined with optimized carbon black and filler content, achieves both low loss tangent and high elongation at break, providing resistance to stone curb damage and rim chafing while maintaining low rolling resistance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If rolling resistance is reduced through conventional methods, then fuel cost is lowered, but tire strength and damage resistance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the specific surface area of carbon black (10-50 m²/g) and the compounding amount of filler (20-60 parts by mass per 100 parts of rubber component). These parameter optimizations enable the tire to achieve low rolling resistance (reducing fuel consumption) while simultaneously maintaining high tire strength and damage resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and structural integrity.
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 tire achieves reduced rolling resistance and superior strength, with enhanced elongation at break and crack resistance, effectively addressing the limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
complex elastic modulus E* measured at 70°C and loss tangent tan δ
Implementation Method 2
20 to 60 parts by mass of carbon black and/or silica as (A2) filler based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component (A1)
Data Source
AI summary
A tire satisfying both of the low rolling resistance of the tire and the improvement of tire strength is provided. A tire including sidewall including a rubber composition for sidewall including a rubber composition including a rubber component including 35 to 65 % by mass of NR and/or IR, 15 to 55 % by mass of a modified BR and 0 to 50 % by mass of other rubber and 20 to 40 parts by mass of filler, in which complex elastic modulus E* is 2.0 to 3.5 MPa and tan δ is less than 0.12; case in which cord is covered with a rubber composition for covering case cord including a rubber component including 50 to 80 % by mass of NR and/or IR, 20 to 45 % by mass of diene rubber of a modified SBR, a modified BR or ENR and 0 to 30 % by mass of other rubber and 20 to 40 parts by mass of filler, in which E* is 2.0 to 3.5 MPa and tan δ is less than 0.12; and clinch including a rubber composition for clinch including a rubber component including 30 to 50 % by mass of NR and/or IR, 15 to 70 % by mass of a modified BR and 0 to 55 % by mass of other rubber and 35 to 80 parts by mass of filler, in which E* is 4.5 to 9.0 MPa and tan δ is less than 0.12.