Tire Tread Rubber Composition Optimizing Grip and Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tire tread-use rubber compositions compromise on grip performance, wear resistance, and blow-out resistance when high amounts of carbon black are used, and existing formulations fail to maintain grip performance throughout the duration of high-speed traveling.

Innovation Solution

A tire tread-use rubber composition comprising 10-50 parts by weight of a tackifying resin with a softening point of 100-150°C, 70-130 parts by weight of carbon black with a nitrogen specific surface area of 250-400 m²/g, 1-3 parts by weight of sulfur, 0.5-4.0 parts by weight of sulfenamide vulcanization accelerator, and 1.5-5.0 parts by weight of thiuram vulcanization accelerator per 100 parts by weight of a rubber component including 10-30% natural rubber and 70-90% styrene butadiene rubber with a glass transition temperature of -35°C to 0°C, optimizing the weight ratio of vulcanization accelerators and sulfur.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If large amounts of carbon black are compounded in tire tread-use rubber composition, then grip performance is improved, but wear resistance and blow-out resistance decline

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip performanceVSAvoidwear resistance and blow-out resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of carbon black to ultra-fine range (D50: 0.01-0.05 μm, D10: 0.005-0.02 μm) and controls the amount within 5-50 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of rubber component. This parameter optimization allows achieving high grip performance while maintaining wear resistance and blow-out resistance, resolving the contradiction between grip performance and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If conventional tire tread-use rubber composition is used for high-speed traveling, then initial grip performance is achieved, but grip performance gradually declines during prolonged traveling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip performanceVSAvoidduration of grip performance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite rubber composition comprising natural rubber (10-50 parts by weight) and styrene-butadiene rubber (50-90 parts by weight) with specific glass transition temperatures. This composite material structure ensures both initial grip performance and sustained grip performance during prolonged high-speed traveling by combining the advantages of different rubber types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 superior grip performance from initial traveling, maintains grip performance for a long duration, and enhances wear resistance and blow-out resistance, making it suitable for racing tires.

Implementation Method 1

from 0.5 to 4.0 parts by weight of a sulfenamide vulcanization accelerator; and from 1.5 to 5.0 parts by weight of a thiuram vulcanization accelerator per 100 parts by weight of a rubber component including from 10 to 30 weight % of a natural rubber and from 70 to 90 weight % of a styrene butadiene rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVulcanization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

from 70 to 130 parts by weight of a carbon black having a nitrogen specific surface area of from 250 to 400 m2/g

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Implementation Method 3

from 10 to 50 parts by weight of a tackifying resin having a softening point of from 100° C. to 150° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8507582B2Tire tread-use rubber composition
Publication Date: 2013.08.13 THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD

AI summary

A tire tread-use rubber composition includes from 10 to 50 parts by weight of a tackifying resin having a softening point of from 100° C. to 150° C.; from 70 to 130 parts by weight of a carbon black having a nitrogen specific surface area of from 250 to 400 m2/g; from 1 to 3 parts by weight of sulfur; from 0.5 to 4.0 parts by weight of a sulfenamide vulcanization accelerator; and from 1.5 to 5.0 parts by weight of a thiuram vulcanization accelerator per 100 parts by weight of a rubber component; wherein when A is a compounded amount in parts by weight of the sulfenamide vulcanization accelerator, T is a compounded amount in parts by weight of the thiuram vulcanization accelerator, and S is a compounded amount in parts by weight of the sulfur, a weight ratio (A+T)/S is from 2 to 4.