Tyre Bead Rubber Composition Using Polyethylene for Lower Hysteresis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire manufacturers face a challenge in reducing rolling resistance while maintaining the rigidity of rubber compositions used in tire beads, as conventional methods to increase rigidity, such as using large quantities of reinforcing fillers or curable resins, negatively impact hysteresis and are environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating non-crosslinked polyethylene into rubber compositions, specifically high-density polyethylene with a melt flow index of 2 to 25 g/10 min, to replace part or all of the reinforcing fillers, thereby reducing hysteresis while preserving or enhancing rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If polybutadiene rubber is used to improve wet grip, then wet grip is enhanced, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using polybutadiene rubber specifically in the tread grooves and contact patches of the tyre, rather than throughout the entire tyre structure. This localized application enhances wet grip where it is most needed while minimizing the impact on rolling resistance in other areas of the tyre.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining polybutadiene rubber with other rubber compounds in a specific formulation. The tread compound contains polybutadiene rubber (20-40 parts by weight) combined with natural rubber and synthetic rubber, creating a composite material that balances wet grip enhancement with acceptable rolling resistance characteristics.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If silica is used as a reinforcing filler to improve wet grip, then wet grip is enhanced, but compound hardness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the silica content (30-60 parts by weight per 100 parts of rubber) and using silane-modified polysiloxane (0.5-5 parts by weight) to modify the silica-rubber interaction. This chemical modification changes the physical parameters of the compound, allowing high silica content for wet grip while maintaining appropriate hardness through the silane coupling agent that improves dispersion and reduces agglomeration.
3Loss of energy
If the tyre structure is designed to reduce rolling resistance, then fuel efficiency is improved, but wet grip performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tyre into functional zones with different compound formulations. The tread grooves and contact patches use a compound optimized for wet grip with polybutadiene rubber and high silica content, while other areas of the tyre use formulations optimized for rolling resistance, allowing each zone to perform its specific function independently.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rubber composition based on at least one elastomeric matrix having predominantly at least one diene elastomer, on a non-cross-linked polyethylene, on a cross-linking system and on a reinforcing filler, the content of which is within a range from 0 to 15 phr. The invention also relates to a tyre comprising at least one composition defined above.