Patent US6025428A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6025428A
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Rubber composition and method of incorporating silica filler
Assignee: Hankook Tire and Technology Co Ltd
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Filing: 1998-08-28
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Granted: 2000-02-15
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Expires: 2018-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of optimizing the effects of silica fillers in tire tread rubber compounds includes the use and ordered addition of both dispersing and coupling agents during the rubber mixing process.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary L. Day
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:19
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08K; C08K5/00; C08K5/16; C08K5/17; C08K5/19; C08J; C08J3/00; C08J3/20; C08K3/00; C08K3/34; C08K3/36; C08K5/54; C08K5/5406; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/80; Y02T10/86
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of compounding silica in a tire tread composition to suppress tradeoffs in competing properties of wear, wet traction and rolling resistance comprising the steps of: (a) mechanically mixing in a plurality of mixing stages: a rubber comprising a conjugated diene, a silica dispersing agent for enhancing the distribution of the silica in the rubber, and a coupling agent for chemical bonding of the rubber to said silica; and (b) mixing said rubber and said silica with said coupling agent prior to or contemporaneously with mixing said dispersing agent with said rubber; said dispersing agent comprising a quaternary ammonium compound.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of compounding silica in a tire tread composition to suppress tradeoffs in competing properties of wear, wet traction and rolling resistance comprising the steps of: (a) mechanically mixing in a plurality of mixing stages: a rubber comprising a conjugated diene, a silica dispersing agent for enhancing the distribution of the silica in the rubber, and a coupling agent for chemical bonding of the rubber to said silica; and (b) mixing said rubber and said silica with said coupling agent prior to or contemporaneously with mixing said dispersing agent with said rubber; said dispersing agent comprising a quaternary ammonium compound.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said quaternary ammonium compound has the formula: R1,R2,R3,NR4X where R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, are alkyl, aryl or polyoxyethylene; and X is halogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said quaternary ammonium compound has the formula: R1,R2,R3,NR4X where R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, are C 1 --C 18 alkyl, benzyl or C 15 polyoxyethylene; and X is chloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rubber is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitride-butadiene, styrene-isoprene copolymers, isoprene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene-butadiene tripolymers, and polybutadiene rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein said dispersing agent is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.5 phr to about 10.0 phr based on the total weight of said rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein said dispersing agent is present in an amount in the range of from about 4 phr to about 6 phr based on the total weight of said rubber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein a decrease in rolling resistance corresponding with a decrease in tangent delta at 40° C. is achieved without a significant reduction in wet traction as indicated by no substantial change in tangent delta at 0° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein a decrease in rolling resistance corresponding with a decrease in tangent delta at 40° C. is achieved and an increase in wet traction as indicated by an increase in tangent delta at 0° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said improved dispersion of silica and/or better tire wear is indicated by an improved Payne Effect ratio.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said dispersing agent increases the cure rate of said rubber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, including a final productive mixing step, said dispersing aid being mixed with said silica in a final productive mixing stage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupling agent comprises bis[3-triethoxysilylpropyl-] tetrasulfane.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of compounding silica in a tire tread composition to suppress tradeoffs in competing properties of wear, wet traction and rolling resistance comprising mechanically mixing in a plurality of mixing stages: a rubber comprising a conjugated diene, a silica dispersing agent for enhancing the distribution ot the silica in the rubber, and a coupling agent for chemical bonding of the rubber to said silica, (a) mixing said rubber and at least a portion of said silica with at least a portion of said coupling agent prior to or contemporaneously with adding at least some or all of said dispersing agent to form a non-productive mix, (b) mixing said non-productive mix from step (a) in one or more additional mixing steps with addition of any remaining silica, dispersing agent and coupling agent to form a productive mix having an improved dispersion of said silica therein, said dispersing agent comprising a quaternary ammonium chloride compound.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of compounding silica in a tire tread composition to suppress tradeoffs in competing properties of wear, wet traction and rolling resistance comprising mechanically mixing in a plurality of mixing stages: a rubber comprising a conjugated diene, a silica dispersing agent for enhancing the distribution ot the silica in the rubber, and a coupling agent for chemical bonding of the rubber to said silica, (a) mixing said rubber and at least a portion of said silica with at least a portion of said coupling agent prior to or contemporaneously with adding at least some or all of said dispersing agent to form a non-productive mix, (b) mixing said non-productive mix from step (a) in one or more additional mixing steps with addition of any remaining silica, dispersing agent and coupling agent to form a productive mix having an improved dispersion of said silica therein, said dispersing agent comprising a quaternary ammonium chloride compound.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said at least one non-productive mix is formed at a temperature of up to 320° F.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said productive mix is formed at a temperature of up to 250° F.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein all of said dispersing agent is added in said productive mix.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
93 words
A sulfur-vulcanizable composition formed by the steps of: (a) mechanically mixing in a plurality of mixing stages: a rubber comprising a conjugated diene, a silica dispersing agent comprising a quaternary ammonium compound for enhancing the distribution of the silica in the rubber, and a coupling agent for chemical bonding of the rubber to said silica; and (b) mixing said rubber and said silica with said coupling agent prior to or contemporaneously with mixing said dispersing agent with said rubber; whereby tradeoffs in competing properties of wear, wet traction and rolling resistance are suppressed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
93 words
A sulfur-vulcanizable composition formed by the steps of: (a) mechanically mixing in a plurality of mixing stages: a rubber comprising a conjugated diene, a silica dispersing agent comprising a quaternary ammonium compound for enhancing the distribution of the silica in the rubber, and a coupling agent for chemical bonding of the rubber to said silica; and (b) mixing said rubber and said silica with said coupling agent prior to or contemporaneously with mixing said dispersing agent with said rubber; whereby tradeoffs in competing properties of wear, wet traction and rolling resistance are suppressed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The composition of claim 17, wherein said quaternary ammonium compound has the formula: R1,R2,R3,NR4X where R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, are alkyl, aryl or polyoxyethylene; and X is halogen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The composition of claim 17, wherein said quaternary ammonium compound has the formula: R1,R2,R3,NR4X where R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, are C 1 --C 18 alkyl, benzyl or C 15 polyoxyethylene; and X is chloride.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The composition of claim 19, wherein said rubber is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitride-butadiene, styrene-isoprene copolymers, isoprene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene-butadiene tripolymers, and polybutadiene rubber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 20, wherein said coupling agent comprises bis[3-triethoxysilylpropyl-] tetrasulfane.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-14 | 2003-08-16 | 2004-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-14 | 2007-08-16 | 2008-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-14 | 2011-08-16 | 2012-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |