Vegetable Oil Ester Process Oils for Exudation-Free Elastomers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current process oils used in elastomer production, particularly in tire treads, contribute to environmental pollution due to their aromatic structure and low biodegradability, and pose health risks due to endocrine disrupting properties, while vegetable oils face compatibility issues and lead to exudation and loss of elastic properties.

Innovation Solution

Using fatty acid esters derived from Glycerol Formal (GFE) as process oils in elastomer production to improve dispersion, elasticity, and reduce abrasion, with applications in tire treads for better winter performance and medical gloves for enhanced barrier properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If aromatic petroleum oils are used as process oils, then compatibility with styrene butadiene rubber and other unsaturated polydienes rubbers is improved, but environmental pollution and health risks increase due to PAHs and endocrine disrupting properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with rubberVSAvoidenvironmental pollution and health risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of process oils by using fatty acid esters with specific molecular structures (C12-C22 chain lengths, saturated or unsaturated fatty acids) instead of aromatic hydrocarbons. This parameter change maintains compatibility with rubber while eliminating harmful PAHs and endocrine-disrupting properties, achieving both good processing performance and environmental safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent promotes the use of bio-based fatty acid esters from renewable resources (vegetable oils, animal fats) as substitutes for petroleum-based aromatic oils. These bio-based esters are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, providing a sustainable, short-lived alternative to persistent aromatic hydrocarbons that accumulate in the environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If vegetable oils are used as process oils, then environmental friendliness is improved, but compatibility issues arise leading to exudation and loss of elastic properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidelastic properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the parameters of vegetable oil derivatives by esterifying fatty acids with glycerol formal to create fatty acid esters with optimized molecular structures. These esters have controlled chain lengths (C12-C22) and specific functional groups that improve compatibility with rubber polymers, preventing exudation while maintaining environmental benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite molecular structures by combining fatty acid chains with glycerol formal backbones to form ester compounds. This composite approach integrates the environmental benefits of bio-based materials with the compatibility characteristics needed for rubber processing, achieving both ecological sustainability and functional reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If fillers are incorporated into elastomer compositions, then rigidity and mechanical strength are increased, but viscosity increases during processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidprocessing viscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses fatty acid esters as intermediary substances that mediate between fillers and rubber matrix. These esters act as coupling agents that improve filler dispersion and reduce interfacial tension, thereby decreasing processing viscosity while maintaining the reinforcing effect of fillers on mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4628325A1Esters from vegetable oils as process oils for the production of elastomers

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 FLUOS S A S DI GIUSEPPE CHIARADIA & C

AI summary

The present invention concerns the use of specific fatty acid esters for the production of elastomers, in particular in the production of tyre treads, which are given better performance properties. In addition, the invention relates to elastomers comprising these fatty acid esters, as well as tyres or tyre treads comprising such elastomers.