Tire Sidewall Composition Using Carbon Nanotubes to Replace 6PPD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire compounds rely heavily on 6PPD as an antiozonant, which while effective, poses environmental concerns due to its bioavailability and potential toxicity to aquatic life, and its high concentration is necessary for tire longevity.
Innovation Solution
The use of Molecular Rebar carbon nanotubes in tire sidewall compounds allows for a reduction or removal of 6PPD, replacing it with a safer antiozonant like 77PD, while maintaining tire longevity by impeding crack growth and improving wear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentration of 6PPD is used in tire compounds, then tire longevity and ozone protection are improved, but environmental harm and bioavailability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing 6PPD with alternative antiozonants (77PD, IPPD, DPPD) and adjusts their concentrations to achieve the required protection level. This substitution maintains the protective function while reducing environmental harm associated with 6PPD bioavailability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material formulations combining multiple antiozonant types (77PD, IPPD, DPPD) with antioxidants (TMQ, 624) and carbon black in specific ratios. This composite approach provides synergistic protection against ozone degradation while reducing reliance on any single high-harm chemical
2Object-generated harmful factors
If alternative antiozonants like 77PD are used instead of 6PPD, then environmental safety is improved, but protection duration may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antiozonant agents (77PD, IPPD, DPPD) with complementary antioxidants (TMQ, 624) in a formulated system. This combination creates a multi-layered protection mechanism where different chemicals work synergistically to extend the overall protection duration while maintaining environmental safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent formulates a multi-functional compound system where the same composition provides both antiozonant protection and antioxidant protection simultaneously. The carbon black and silica fillers also contribute to physical barrier properties, creating a universal protective system against multiple degradation pathways
3Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon nanotubes are added to replace antiozonants, then environmental impact is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carbon black and silica as intermediary materials that work synergistically with carbon nanotubes and antiozonants. These intermediaries provide physical barrier protection and surface area for chemical reactions, reducing the need for high concentrations of environmentally harmful chemicals while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
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 significantly reduces the environmental impact of tire antiozonants by minimizing their migration and bioavailability, while ensuring tire safety and performance through enhanced crack propagation resistance and reduced ozone degradation.
Implementation Method 1
Molecular Rebar carbon nanotubes enables removal of antiozonants from elastomer compounds, like tire sidewalls, greatly reducing concerns for human health and the environment
Implementation Method 2
Antiozonants, like N1-(4-Methylpentan-2-yl)-N4-phenylbenzene-1,4-diamine (6PPD), are used in rubber compounds to prevent degradation of polymer chains through ozonolysis
Implementation Method 3
Antiozonants are key in preventing ozonides from forming within rubber tire compounds, mostly by sacrificial means where the antiozonant transforms into other products
Implementation Method 4
When ozone (O3) reacts with the double bonds in common tire polymers, like natural rubber (NR), polybutadiene rubber (BR), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), an ozonide is formed
Implementation Method 5
A reduced or totally removed concentration of 6PPD in the sidewall compound will inherently decrease the bioavailability of 6PPD from tires in the environment
Data Source
AI summary
The application pertains in some embodiments to a composition comprising a plurality of discrete carbon nanotubes, a polymer, and/or an antiozonant wherein a plurality means more discrete nanotubes than not and/or exfoliated useful for replacing all, or a portion of, typical antiozonants or antioxidants in tires or rubber parts.