Carbon Black Rubber Composition Using Whey Protein Cross-Link Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber compositions for vehicle tires face challenges in controlling cross-linking between rubber molecules and carbon black particles, leading to issues such as poor abrasion resistance and brittleness, which are not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating whey protein into rubber compositions containing carbon black fillers, with amounts ranging from 0.1 to 10 phr, to modify cross-linking and improve properties like rolling resistance and modulus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If cross-linking between rubber molecules and carbon black particles is increased to improve abrasion resistance, then the rubber becomes too brittle and difficult to process
Solution Approach 1:
Whey protein acts as an intermediary substance between rubber molecules and carbon black particles, modulating the cross-linking interaction. The protein component provides a controlled interface that allows cross-linking to occur at optimal levels, preventing both insufficient cross-linking (poor abrasion resistance) and excessive cross-linking (brittleness and processing difficulties).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the rubber composition by introducing whey protein, which has specific functional groups that can interact with both rubber and carbon black. This parameter change modifies the cross-linking density and distribution, achieving a balance between strength and processability that cannot be obtained with traditional rubber-carbon black systems alone.
2Strength
If cross-linking is increased to improve hardness and structural integrity, then the rubber composition becomes too brittle
Solution Approach 1:
Whey protein serves as a mediating agent that controls the cross-linking process, ensuring that hardness is achieved without excessive brittleness. The protein structure provides a flexible bridge between rigid carbon black particles and rubber molecules, maintaining compositional stability while achieving desired mechanical properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional rubber compositions are used without modification, then processing is easier, but abrasion resistance and rolling resistance properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters by adding whey protein, which fundamentally changes the interaction mechanisms between rubber and carbon black. This parameter change enables simultaneous improvement in abrasion resistance and rolling resistance while maintaining adequate processability, overcoming the limitations of conventional formulations.
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 addition of whey protein modifies cross-linking in rubber compositions, enhancing properties like rolling resistance and modulus, allowing for better control over final tire properties.
Implementation Method 1
The rubber molecules and carbon black particles interact through cross-linking
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to rubber compositions comprising at least one rubber, at least one reinforcing carbon black filler, and a whey protein component. The whey protein component is in an amount sufficient to provide about 0.1 to about 10 phr whey protein. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of preparing such rubber compositions and to tire components containing the rubber compositions disclosed herein.