Tire Rubber Composition Using Sorbitan Ester Plasticizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber compositions rely on mineral oils as plasticizers, which are not environmentally friendly, and replacing them with vegetable oils can result in inferior physical properties of vulcanized rubber.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition using diene rubber, silica, and a sorbitan fatty acid ester with an HLB value of 3.5 to 5.0, which can partially or completely replace mineral oils, enhancing properties like elastic modulus and elongation at break.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If mineral oil is replaced with vegetable oil as a plasticizer, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the physical properties of the vulcanized rubber become inferior
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the plasticizer by using hydroprocessed renewable oil instead of conventional vegetable oil. This hydroprocessing transforms the oil's molecular structure to eliminate harmful unsaturation while preserving the renewable nature, thereby improving both environmental friendliness and the physical properties of the vulcanized rubber simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite plasticizer system by combining hydroprocessed renewable oil with specific rubber compounds and curing agents. This composite approach allows the plasticizer to work synergistically with other components to achieve both environmental benefits and superior vulcanized rubber properties that neither component could achieve alone
2Strength
If sorbitan fatty acid ester with specific HLB value is used, then elastic modulus and elongation at break are improved, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the HLB value parameter of the sorbitan fatty acid ester to fall within the specific range of 3.0 to 6.0. By controlling this single critical parameter, the formulation achieves improved elastic modulus and elongation at break without requiring complex multi-component systems, thus balancing performance enhancement with formulation simplicity
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 composition achieves improved elastic modulus and elongation at break, contributing to better steering stability and abrasion resistance in tires.
Implementation Method 1
A rubber composition for a tire, including a diene rubber, silica, a sorbitan fatty acid ester, and a mineral oil that is an optional component, in which the sorbitan fatty acid ester has an HLB value of 3.5 or more and 5.0 or less
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber composition according to an embodiment contains a diene rubber, silica, a sorbitan fatty acid ester having an HLB value of 3.5 or more and 5.0 or less, and a mineral oil that is an optional component. The mineral oil (including an extender oil) is contained such that the mass ratio of the mineral oil to the sorbitan fatty acid ester is 0 or more and 9 or less.