Tyre Tread Rubber Composition for Wet Grip Without Filler Increase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rubber compositions for tire treads face challenges in improving wet grip without degrading rolling resistance and wear resistance, particularly due to the limitations of increasing inorganic filler rates which affect processability and other rolling properties.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition comprising a blend of diene elastomers, specifically natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene, polybutadiene or butadiene copolymers, and a reinforcing inorganic filler, along with a thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin and liquid plasticizer, optimized to enhance wet grip without increasing the inorganic filler rate, maintaining rolling resistance and wear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inorganic filler content is increased to improve wet grip, then wet grip performance is improved, but processability deteriorates and rolling resistance may degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber matrix by introducing a specific diene elastomer blend (natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene combined with polybutadiene or butadiene copolymer having Tg > -70°C). This parameter change allows achieving improved wet grip through the elastomer composition rather than increasing inorganic filler content, thus avoiding processability deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite rubber matrix system combining two different diene elastomers with specific glass transition temperature characteristics. This composite material approach provides synergistic effects that improve wet grip performance while maintaining processability, as the specific elastomer combination enhances surface properties for wet adhesion without requiring excessive inorganic filler
2Reliability
If the inorganic filler content is increased to improve wet grip, then wet grip performance is improved, but rolling resistance may degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the elastomeric phase composition parameters by using a specific blend of diene elastomers with controlled glass transition temperatures. This parameter modification improves wet grip through enhanced polymer-chain mobility and surface adhesion characteristics, while maintaining low rolling resistance by avoiding the energy losses associated with high inorganic filler content
3Reliability
If the inorganic filler content is increased to improve wet grip, then wet grip performance is improved, but wear resistance may degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the rubber matrix composition parameters by incorporating a specific diene elastomer blend with controlled glass transition temperatures. This composition change enhances wet grip through improved surface properties and adhesion, while preserving wear resistance by maintaining adequate rubber matrix continuity and avoiding over-concentration of inorganic filler that would compromise structural integrity
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 significantly improves wet grip performance while maintaining or improving rolling resistance and wear resistance, ensuring better processability and overall tire performance.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin having a Tg greater than 20°C... a plasticizing agent which is liquid at 23°C... a polybutadiene or butadiene copolymer having a Tg greater than -70°C
Data Source
AI summary
A tyre with improved grip on wet ground, in particular for passenger vehicles, vans or two-wheel vehicles, the tread of which comprises a rubber composition comprising at least (phr meaning parts by weight per hundred parts of elastomer): - as first diene elastomer, 55 to 95 phr of natural rubber or of synthetic polyisoprene; - as second diene elastomer, 5 to 45 phr of a polybutadiene or butadiene copolymer having a Tg above -70°C; - as reinforcing filler, 60 to 90 phr of an inorganic filler; - as plasticizer, more than 5 phr of a thermoplastic hydrocarbon-based resin which has a Tg above 20°C, and optionally 0 to 20 phr of a plasticizer which is liquid at 23°C.