Tread Rubber Composition Silica Dispersion Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tires face a trade-off between fuel economy, fracture strength, and abrasion resistance, and existing solutions have not effectively balanced these properties.
Innovation Solution
A tread rubber composition incorporating a rubber component, silica with a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of 220 m2/g or more, and a mercapto silane coupling agent, optimized to satisfy the relationship G*(4%)−G*(64%)≤150[kPa], which improves dispersion and enhances fuel economy, fracture strength, and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If silica is added to improve fuel economy, then fuel economy is improved, but fracture strength and abrasion resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of silica to have a mode diameter of 0.5 μm or less (ultrafine silica), and controls the nitrogen adsorption specific surface area to be 220 m²/g or more. This parameter change enables simultaneous improvement of fuel economy and fracture strength, resolving the trade-off relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system comprising ultrafine silica, mercapto silane coupling agent, and rubber component. The mercapto silane coupling agent forms a bridging structure between silica and rubber, creating a composite that achieves both low rolling resistance (good fuel economy) and high fracture strength.
2Use of energy by moving object
If silica is added to improve fuel economy, then fuel economy is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the particle size distribution of silica with mode diameter of 0.5 μm or less and nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of 220 m²/g or more, which enables simultaneous achievement of low rolling resistance and high abrasion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mercapto silane coupling agent acts as an intermediary substance that chemically bonds to both silica and rubber, forming a strong interfacial structure. This mediator enables the silica-filled rubber to achieve both low rolling resistance and high abrasion resistance by improving the silica-rubber interface.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional silica dispersion methods are used, then processing is simple, but fuel economy, fracture strength, and abrasion resistance cannot be balanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameters for silica (mode diameter ≤0.5 μm, nitrogen adsorption specific surface area ≥220 m²/g) and uses mercapto silane coupling agent in controlled amounts (3-15 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of silica). These parameter specifications enable balanced performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies mercapto silane coupling agent specifically at the silica-rubber interface to create a localized modified region. This local quality approach improves the interface between silica and rubber without requiring complete modification of the entire rubber system, achieving balanced performance with practical processing.
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 a balanced improvement in fuel economy, fracture strength, and abrasion resistance by promoting the dispersion of fine particle silica and forming a dense polymer network, outperforming conventional silica dispersions.
Implementation Method 1
a silica having a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of 220 m2/g or more
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a tread rubber composition that provides a balanced improvement of fuel economy, fracture strength, and abrasion resistance, and a pneumatic tire including the rubber composition. The present invention relates to a tread rubber composition including: a rubber component; a silica having a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of 220 m2/g or more; and a mercapto silane coupling agent, the tread rubber composition satisfying the following relationship (A):(A)G*(4%)−G*(64%)≤150[kPa]wherein G*(4%) is the shear modulus at an applied strain of 4% at 100° C., and G*(64%) is the shear modulus at an applied strain of 64% at 100° C.