Tire Tread Rubber Composition for Silica Dispersion and Low Rolling Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber compositions for tire treads face challenges in balancing rolling resistance and abrasion resistance, as high silica loading can lead to aggregation and deterioration of these properties.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition comprising 30-50 parts by mass of solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber, 60 parts by mass or more of silica, and 1.5-20 mass % trialkyl phosphate, along with a hydrocarbon-based resin, to improve rolling and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silica is highly loaded to obtain required wet grip braking performance, then wet grip performance is improved, but silica aggregation occurs resulting in deterioration of abrasion resistance and rolling resistance
Solution Approach 1:
A silane coupling agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between silica and the rubber matrix. The silane coupling agent chemically bonds to silica particles and the rubber, creating a bridge that prevents silica aggregation while improving stress transfer. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling high silica loading for wet grip performance without the harmful aggregation effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface properties of silica particles through silane treatment, changing parameters such as surface energy, hydrophobicity, and chemical reactivity. These parameter changes prevent silica-silica interactions that lead to aggregation, allowing high silica content (60-150 phr) to be maintained without deteriorating abrasion or rolling resistance.
2Reliability
If silica is highly loaded to improve wet grip performance, then wet grip performance is improved, but rolling resistance deteriorates due to silica aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent serves as a mediator that eliminates silica aggregation, thereby preventing the energy loss associated with aggregate formation. By ensuring uniform silica distribution and strong interfacial bonding, the intermediary prevents the deterioration of rolling resistance that would otherwise occur with high silica loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of silica, silane coupling agent, and rubber matrix. This composite structure leverages the reinforcing effect of silica for wet grip performance while the silane-modified interface maintains low rolling resistance by preventing aggregation and ensuring efficient stress distribution throughout the composite.
3Reliability
If silica is highly loaded to improve wet grip performance, then wet grip performance is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates due to silica aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent acts as a protective intermediary between silica particles and the rubber matrix during abrasion. By preventing silica aggregation and ensuring strong chemical bonding, the intermediary distributes stress uniformly and prevents the formation of weak points that would lead to tread deterioration, thereby maintaining abrasion resistance even with high silica loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The silane treatment of silica particles changes surface parameters including chemical composition, surface energy, and bonding characteristics. These parameter changes create a durable interface that resists abrasion, allowing the tread to maintain its structural integrity and abrasion resistance despite the presence of high levels of silica filler.
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 effectively enhances rolling resistance and abrasion resistance, as demonstrated by improved performance indices in tests, while maintaining wet grip performance.
Implementation Method 1
high loading of silica possibly leads to the aggregation of silica, resulting in the deterioration of abrasion resistance or the deterioration of rolling resistance
Implementation Method 2
100 parts by mass of a rubber component containing 30 parts by mass or more of a solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a rubber composition for a tire tread, which is capable of improving rolling resistance and abrasion resistance, and a tire using the same.The rubber composition for a tread includes: 100 parts by mass of a rubber component containing 30 parts by mass or more of a solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber and less than 50 parts by mass of a diene-based rubber other than styrene butadiene rubbers; 60 parts by mass or more of silica; and a trialkyl phosphate in an amount of 1.5 to 20 mass % of the silica content.