Tread Compound with Silica and Aliphatic Plasticizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tread compounds face challenges in simultaneously improving winter performance, wet grip, rolling resistance, and abrasion resistance, as enhancements in one area often lead to deterioration in others, particularly with the use of silica and low molecular weight resins.
Innovation Solution
A tread compound combining a cross-linking unsaturated chain polymer base with specific peak Tan δ values and an aliphatic plasticizing agent having a melting temperature within a specific range, along with silica and a curing system, to achieve balanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If silica is used as a reinforcing filler in tread compounds, then rolling resistance is improved, but wet grip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer base, specifically using a mixture of polybutadiene rubber (70-90 parts by weight) and styrene-butadiene rubber (10-30 parts by weight) with controlled vinyl content (35-45%) and specific molecular weight ranges. This parameter optimization allows the tread compound to achieve both low rolling resistance and good wet grip by tuning the viscoelastic properties of the rubber matrix to work synergistically with the silica filler.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining silica filler (60-90 parts by weight) with a specifically formulated polymer base mixture of polybutadiene and styrene-butadiene rubber, along with silane coupling agents and other additives. This composite structure optimizes the interaction between the filler and polymer matrix, achieving both low rolling resistance through silica reinforcement and good wet grip through the elastic properties of the rubber composite.
2Reliability
If low molecular weight resins are used in the compound, then wet grip is improved, but rolling resistance and abrasion resistance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameters of the polymer base, using polybutadiene rubber with viscosity (40-100)×10³ mPa·s and styrene-butadiene rubber with viscosity (40-100)×10³ mPa·s. This controlled molecular weight range provides optimal balance between chain flexibility for wet grip and chain entanglement for rolling resistance and abrasion resistance, eliminating the need for low molecular weight resins that would compromise performance.
3Loss of energy
If reinforcing filler content is increased, then rolling resistance is improved, but wet grip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the silica filler content to a specific range (60-90 parts by weight per 100 parts of polymer base) and controls the polymer base composition with precise ratios of polybutadiene to styrene-butadiene rubber. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient filler content for low rolling resistance while maintaining adequate polymer matrix for wet grip, preventing the trade-off that occurs with conventional formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a optimized composite material where silica filler (60-90 parts by weight) is combined with a specific polymer base mixture (70-90 parts polybutadiene + 10-30 parts styrene-butadiene rubber) along with silane coupling agents (3-10 parts). This composite formulation creates synergistic interactions that allow high filler content for rolling resistance while the polymer matrix maintains wet grip performance.
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 solution results in a tread compound that simultaneously improves winter performance, wet grip, rolling resistance, and abrasion resistance, as demonstrated by comparative testing showing marked improvements across all characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
said plasticizing agent consists of an aliphatic chain comprising at least one polar group and has a melting temperature of between 5° C. and 40° C.
Implementation Method 2
Tan δ is the ratio between the shear modulus and the elastic modulus. In essence, Tan δ is used to quantify the dissipation of the viscoelastic material.
Implementation Method 3
The silica is used as a partial or total replacement for the carbon black and in combination with silane binders, which in binding to the silanol groups inhibit the formation of hydrogen bonds between the particles of silica.
Implementation Method 4
silane binders, which in binding to the silanol groups inhibit the formation of hydrogen bonds between the particles of silica
Implementation Method 5
any natural or synthetic non-cross-linked polymer capable of assuming all of the chemical-physical and mechanical characteristics typically assumed by elastomers after cross-linking (curing) with sulfur or peroxide systems
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber compound for the preparation of a tread portion of a pneumatic tyre. The compound comprises at least one cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer base capable of assuming all of the chemical-physical and mechanical characteristics of an elastomer after cross-linking, a filler comprising silica, a plasticizing agent and a curing system. The cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer base has a peak Tan δ value between −15° C. and 5° C. while the plasticizing agent is made up of an aliphatic chain comprising at least one polar group and has a melting temperature of between 5° C. and 40° C.