Pneumatic Tire Splice Compression Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tire production methods using sheet laminates with thermoplastic resin and elastomer layers face issues with delamination and opening of splice portions during vulcanization molding, leading to loose bonding and joint failures.
Innovation Solution
The method involves compression-bonding the overlapped end portions of the sheet laminate at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin but below 120°C, using pressure between 0.1 MPa and 1 MPa, and applying heat and pressure perpendicular to the overlapped area, preferably before adhering the carcass layer, to prevent delamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sheet laminate is lap-spliced and subjected to vulcanization molding, then the tire can be produced efficiently, but the bonding condition of the splice portion becomes loose due to delamination and opening occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary compression bonding to the overlapped end portions of the sheet laminate before vulcanization molding. By compressing the splice portions at a temperature of not less than the glass transition temperature Tg of the thermoplastic resin and not greater than 120°C, the thermoplastic resin becomes sufficiently soft to ensure proper bonding, preventing delamination and opening during subsequent vulcanization molding while maintaining production efficiency
2Strength
If the compression bonding temperature is increased to improve bonding strength, then the splice portion bonding improves, but the elastomer layer may deteriorate at temperatures above 120°C
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter for compression bonding to a specific range (not less than Tg of thermoplastic resin and not greater than 120°C). This parameter optimization ensures the thermoplastic resin is soft enough for bonding while preventing elastomer layer deterioration, resolving the contradiction between bonding strength and material protection
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of the thermoplastic resin at its glass transition temperature Tg. By compressing at temperatures not less than Tg, the thermoplastic resin transitions to a softer state that enables proper bonding, while the upper temperature limit of 120°C prevents elastomer deterioration
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 effectively suppresses the opening of splice portions during vulcanization molding, ensuring strong bonding and preventing delamination, thereby enhancing the durability of the tire.
Implementation Method 1
compression-bonding the end portions of the sheet laminate at a temperature of not less than a glass transition temperature Tg of the thermoplastic resin
Implementation Method 2
compression-bonding the end portions of the sheet laminate at a temperature of not less than a glass transition temperature Tg of the thermoplastic resin and not greater than 120° C.
Implementation Method 3
applying heat and pressure perpendicular to the overlapped area
Data Source
AI summary
In a pneumatic tire production method including a step of overlapping end portions of a sheet laminate and vulcanization-molding the tire, the sheet laminate being obtained by layering an elastomer layer and a sheet of a thermoplastic resin composition containing a thermoplastic resin or a blend of a thermoplastic resin and an elastomer, after the end portions of the sheet laminate are overlapped, the overlapped portion of the sheet laminate is compression-bonded at a temperature of not less than a glass transition temperature Tg of the thermoplastic resin and not greater than 120° C.