Cross-Linked Tire Rubber Composition for Low-Temperature Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vulcanized rubbers produced using highly saturated conjugated diene-based polymers lack sufficient flexibility at low temperatures, limiting their use in low temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A cross-linked product is created by crosslinking a polymer composition containing a highly saturated conjugated diene-based polymer, an inorganic filler, and a cross-linking agent, with specific ratios and properties to achieve high strength and low temperature flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a highly saturated conjugated diene-based polymer is used to produce vulcanized rubber, then strength is improved, but flexibility at low temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber component by introducing a specific conjugated diene-based polymer with controlled saturation level (α value between 0.80-0.97). This parameter adjustment allows the material to achieve both high strength and low-temperature flexibility, resolving the contradiction between strength and low-temperature operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite rubber composition by combining the highly saturated conjugated diene-based polymer with specific inorganic fillers (silica, carbon black) and crosslinking agents. This composite approach enables the vulcanized rubber to simultaneously achieve enhanced strength through filler reinforcement and maintained low-temperature flexibility through the polymer's molecular structure.
2Strength
If the saturation level of conjugated diene-based polymer is increased, then strength and wear resistance are improved, but low temperature flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention precisely controls the saturation parameter (α) of the conjugated diene-based polymer within the range of 0.80-0.97. This optimized parameter setting achieves the optimal balance between strength/wear resistance and low-temperature flexibility, avoiding the complete saturation that would cause brittleness while maintaining sufficient saturation for strength.
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 cross-linked product exhibits high strength and excellent low temperature flexibility, making it suitable for applications in low temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
a cross-linked product obtained through crosslinking of a polymer composition that contains a rubber component, an inorganic filler and a cross-linking agent
Data Source
AI summary
A cross-linked product obtained through crosslinking a polymer composition that contains a rubber component, an inorganic filler and a cross-linking agent and that satisfies conditions (a) to (c): (a) the rubber component contains a conjugated diene-based polymer (A) having, when composition ratios (molar ratios) in the conjugated diene-based polymer (A) of structural units represented by formulae (1) to (4) are p, q, r, and s, respectively, a value α represented by formula (i) of 0.80 or more and 0.97 or less;(b) a blending ratio of the conjugated diene-based polymer (A) is 10% by mass or more relative to a total amount of the rubber component; and (c) a blending ratio of the inorganic filler is 40 to 150 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, wherein the Tg of the cross-linked product is −25° C. or lower.