Tyre Rubber Compound with Mercapto Carboxylic Acid for Low Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rubber compounds for tires face a trade-off between reducing rolling resistance and maintaining mechanical and processability characteristics, as improvements in rolling resistance often lead to deterioration in these other aspects.
Innovation Solution
A rubber compound comprising a cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer base with synthetic rubber, silica-free carbon black filler, and a vulcanization system, where mercapto carboxylic acid is used to enhance mechanical and processability properties while improving rolling resistance, by incorporating a pretreatment step of mixing synthetic rubber with carbon black and mercapto carboxylic acid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If rolling resistance is reduced, then energy efficiency is improved, but mechanical and processability characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the rubber compound by introducing mercapto carboxylic acid with specific molecular structure (formula I) where n ranges from 1 to 37. This chemical modification alters the polymer-filler interaction parameters, enabling simultaneous improvement in rolling resistance and mechanical properties by optimizing the balance between hysteresis loss and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite rubber compound system combining synthetic rubber with carbon black filler and mercapto carboxylic acid additive. This composite formulation achieves synergistic effects where the mercapto carboxylic acid modifies the interface between rubber and carbon black, producing a material that simultaneously exhibits low rolling resistance and high mechanical strength
2Loss of energy
If rolling resistance is reduced, then energy efficiency is improved, but processability characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mercapto carboxylic acid modifies the rheological parameters of the rubber compound during processing. The specific molecular structure with spaced functional groups allows optimal interaction with carbon black, reducing compound stiffness and improving processability while maintaining the low rolling resistance特性
Solution Approach 2:
The mercapto carboxylic acid acts as an intermediary substance between the synthetic rubber and carbon black filler. It facilitates better dispersion and bonding during mixing and processing operations, improving processability while the resulting optimized compound structure delivers low rolling resistance in the final tyre product
3Strength
If mechanical characteristics are improved, then tyre durability is enhanced, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating mercapto carboxylic acid at controlled levels, which modifies the polymer-filler network structure. This creates a balanced compound where mechanical strength is enhanced through improved bonding while the hysteresis properties are simultaneously optimized to reduce rolling resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The composite formulation with mercapto carboxylic acid creates a multi-phase structure where carbon black aggregates are optimally distributed and bonded to the rubber matrix. This composite architecture provides reinforcement for mechanical strength while the controlled aggregation state minimizes energy loss during deformation, reducing rolling resistance
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 compound achieves simultaneous improvements in rolling resistance, mechanical properties, and processability, eliminating the need for stearic acid and ZnO, resulting in lower production costs and improved adhesion during calendering and extrusion operations.
Implementation Method 1
a cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer base comprising, in turn, a rubber of synthetic origin... and a vulcanization system
Implementation Method 2
a silica-free filler at least partially comprising carbon black... it comprises a mercapto carboxylic acid
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber compound for tyres comprising a cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer base comprising, in turn, at least a rubber of synthetic origin, a silica-free filler at least partially comprising carbon black, a vulcanization system and a mercapto carboxylic acid.