Tire Rubber Composition Using Granular CNTs for Conductive Low-Heat Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber compositions for tires face challenges in achieving both low heat production and conductivity simultaneously, as carbon nanotubes tend to form aggregates when added to diene rubber, leading to increased viscosity and processing difficulties while using silica as a filler.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition is developed by kneading diene rubber with silica and granular carbon nanotubes that are binder-coated and granulated, improving dispersibility and processability, and using a binder such as rubber latex, liquid polymer, or mineral oil to enhance handling and reduce aggregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon nanotubes are added to diene rubber to improve conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but carbon nanotubes form aggregates and viscosity increases making kneading difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A masterbatch is used as an intermediary carrier to disperse carbon nanotubes in a rubber matrix before mixing with the main rubber composition. This prevents direct aggregation of carbon nanotubes in the final product while maintaining conductivity, and the masterbatch form facilitates easier handling and mixing compared to adding raw carbon nanotubes directly.
Solution Approach 2:
Carbon nanotubes are pre-dispersed and mixed with rubber to create a masterbatch before being incorporated into the main rubber composition. This preliminary dispersion action prevents aggregation that would occur if carbon nanotubes were added directly to the final mix, solving both the conductivity and processability issues.
2Reliability
If carbon nanotubes are added to achieve conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but heat production increases reducing fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the carbon nanotube content to a specific range (0.1-5 parts by mass per 100 parts rubber) to achieve sufficient conductivity while minimizing heat production. This parameter optimization ensures that the lowest effective amount of carbon nanotubes is used, providing conductivity without excessive heat generation that would compromise fuel economy.
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
This approach allows for improved conductivity and low heat production while maintaining processability, as the binder-coated carbon nanotubes reduce viscosity and enhance dispersibility within the rubber matrix, effectively addressing the limitations of previous compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a granular carbon nanotube prepared as a binder-coated, granulated carbon nanotube
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber composition for tires according to an embodiment is produced by kneading a diene rubber, silica, and a granular carbon nanotube prepared as a binder-coated, granulated carbon nanotube. A tire according to an embodiment comprises the rubber composition.