Tire Tread Rubber Composition for Winter Grip and Abrasion Balance
Solution Overview
Problem
Studded tires and tire chains cause environmental issues like dust pollution, and existing studless winter tires lack a balanced improvement in snow and ice performance, wet grip, abrasion resistance, and handling stability.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition for tire treads comprising isoprene-based rubber, polybutadiene rubber, silica, carbon black, a terpene-based resin with specific properties, and a water-soluble fine particle or foaming agent, which provides improved snow and ice performance, wet grip, abrasion resistance, and handling stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large amount of softeners is added to enhance softening effect, then snow and ice performance is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using a specific terpene-based resin with defined softening point (70-150°C) and pinene unit content ratios (α-pinene: 65-100%, β-pinene: 0-35%), replacing conventional softeners to achieve both softness for snow/ice performance and durability for abrasion resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite rubber composition combining isoprene-based rubber (20-80 parts), polybutadiene rubber (20-80 parts), silica (20-200 parts), carbon black (0.1-50 parts), and terpene-based resin (0.1-50 parts), where the synergistic interaction of components achieves balanced performance across multiple properties including snow/ice performance, wet grip, abrasion resistance, and handling stability
2Reliability
If diene rubbers with excellent low-temperature properties are used, then snow and ice performance is improved, but wet grip performance and handling stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite system of isoprene-based rubber and polybutadiene rubber in specific proportions (20-80 parts each), where isoprene-based rubber provides low-temperature flexibility for snow/ice performance while polybutadiene rubber contributes to wet grip and handling stability, achieving a balance that single rubber types cannot provide
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 rubber composition achieves a balanced improvement in snow and ice performance, wet grip, abrasion resistance, and handling stability while maintaining durability, by utilizing the high compatibility of the terpene-based resin with isoprene-based rubbers and the water-soluble fine particle or foaming agent, enhancing flexibility and surface roughness.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the high compatibility of the terpene-based resin with isoprene-based rubbers
Implementation Method 2
at least one of a water-soluble fine particle or a foaming agent
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a rubber composition for treads, containing: a rubber component including an isoprene-based rubber and polybutadiene rubber; silica; carbon black; a terpene-based resin; and a water-soluble fine particle and/or a foaming agent, the terpene-based resin having a softening point of 70-150° C., an α-pinene unit content of 65-100% by mass, and a β-pinene unit content of 0-35% by mass, the rubber component including, based on 100% by mass thereof, 20-80% by mass of the isoprene-based rubber and 20-80% by mass of the polybutadiene rubber, with a combined amount of the isoprene-based rubber and the polybutadiene rubber of 90% by mass or more, the rubber composition containing, per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, 20-200 parts by mass of the silica, 0.1-50 parts by mass of the carbon black, and 0.1-50 parts by mass of the terpene-based resin.