Tire Outer Sidewall Saturated Elastomer Ozone Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tyre outer sidewalls are prone to ozone-induced cracking due to the migration of anti-ozonants, which are effective but cause staining and require high concentrations, necessitating a more ozone-resistant composition.

Innovation Solution

A tyre outer sidewall composition predominantly comprising thermoplastic elastomers with saturated elastomer blocks and thermoplastic blocks, providing enhanced ozone resistance while minimizing anti-ozonant migration and staining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional diene elastomers with anti-ozonants are used in outer sidewalls, then ozone protection is provided, but anti-ozonants migrate and cause staining

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone resistanceVSAvoidstaining from anti-ozonant migration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the elastomer matrix by using saturated elastomers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene) instead of conventional diene elastomers. This parameter change fundamentally alters the material's interaction with ozone, providing inherent resistance without requiring anti-ozonant additives, thereby eliminating the staining problem caused by anti-ozonant migration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite elastomeric matrix by combining saturated elastomers with thermoplastic elastomers containing saturated elastomer blocks. This composite structure provides both the ozone resistance of saturated polymers and the processing advantages of thermoplastic materials, while eliminating the need for migratory anti-ozonants that cause staining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high concentrations of anti-ozonants are used to protect against ozone, then ozone resistance is improved, but the migration and staining effect increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone resistanceVSAvoidstaining intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for anti-ozonant additives from the composition entirely. By using saturated elastomers that inherently resist ozone attack, the invention removes the harmful component (anti-ozonants) that causes staining, while maintaining or improving ozone protection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If thermoplastic elastomers with saturated blocks are used, then ozone resistance and reduced anti-ozonant migration are achieved, but composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone resistanceVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The saturated elastomer blocks in the thermoplastic elastomer serve multiple functions: they provide the elastomeric properties needed for tire sidewall flexibility and durability, while simultaneously providing inherent ozone resistance without requiring additional anti-ozonant additives. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall composition despite using advanced polymer structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11352459B2Tire provided with an outer sidewall comprising a thermoplastic elastomer comprising at least one saturated elastomer block
Publication Date: 2022.06.07 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

A tire has an outer sidewall, said outer sidewall comprising at least one composition comprising an elastomeric matrix which predominantly comprises by weight one or more thermoplastic elastomers comprising at least one elastomer block and at least one thermoplastic block, the elastomer block(s) being saturated.