Patent Description:
In the recent times, sustainability has become a key factor in the development of breakthrough solutions for future mobility. Regulatory bodies are continuously implementing stricter standards to comply with the control of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the tyre industry has also started focusing more and more on sustainable processes and materials.

In compound development, this process starts right at the beginning with the selection of raw materials to achieve a desired compound mixture and performance. Eco-friendly materials attract significant attention by tyre developers; especially if they can offer the required balance in performance properties, in combination with other beneficial factors such as cost saving, ease of processing etc. Until this date, sustainable materials mostly have fallen short of reaching the ambitious goal of desired material performance and cost.

The environmental impact reduction strategy for any company begins with a continued optimization of raw materials. They are constantly looking for ways to implement sustainable materials and technologies to lower the environmental impact of their business operations. Sustainable materials that can offer the desired effect of combating carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) emissions and lowering cost of a compound while not influencing the performance in a negative way is always looked for.

CO<NUM> emissions are known to cause significant environmental problems and continue to remain a massive global issue. Raw materials solutions to combat CO<NUM> emissions are always looked for.

The mineral olivine is a magnesium iron silicate. Chemically, members of the olivine series are composed of magnesium iron silicate ((Mg,Fe)<NUM>SiO<NUM>). The ratio of magnesium to iron varies between the two endmembers of the series, forsterite (magnesium silicate, Mg<NUM>SiO<NUM>) and fayalite (iron silicate, (Fe<NUM>SiO<NUM>)). Olivine gives its name to the olivine group of minerals with a related structure which further includes tephroite, monticellite, larnite and kirschsteinite. Magnesium rich olivine is known to be a natural CO<NUM> absorber by converting it into stable carbonate byproducts in the presence of water via the following reactions:.

CO<NUM> + H<NUM>O ↔ HCO3 + H+     (<NUM>).

Mg<NUM>SiO<NUM>(s) + <NUM>+ + 2HCO<NUM>- ↔ 2MgCO<NUM>(aq) + H<NUM>SiO<NUM>(aq)     (<NUM>).

A direct reaction is also a possibility:.

Mg<NUM>SiO<NUM>(s) + CO<NUM> ↔ 2MgCO<NUM>(s) + SiO<NUM>     (<NUM>).

<CIT> describes a wearing surface for tyres, especially for use on icy roads, of the kind where the rubber or rubber mix is supplied with an admixture of friction improving materials. The friction improving materials constitute approximately <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight of the rubber mix, and consist of a mixture of crystalline chrysolite (olivine) powder and a metal powder, being for example a steel powder and/or a powder from an aluminium alloy, and if desired an additional friction supporting material having good binding force to the rubber mixture.

The present invention has the object to at least partially overcome the drawbacks and in particular to provide a rubber composition having CO<NUM> absorption properties.

This object is achieved by a cross-linkable rubber composition according to claim <NUM>, a cross-linked rubber composition according to claim <NUM>, a method according to claim <NUM> and a tyre according to claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims. They may be combined freely unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Hence, a cross-linkable rubber composition is provided, the cross-linkable rubber composition comprising,.

wherein the filler is selected from silica, carbon black or a combination thereof, wherein the olivine group mineral is present in an amount of ≥ <NUM> phr to ≤ <NUM> phr, and wherein the ratio in parts by weight per <NUM> parts by weight of rubber (phr) of the olivine group mineral to the filler is in the range of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

It has surprisingly been found that the rubber composition provides for a rubber compound that has good carbon dioxide absorption without affecting the mechanical properties and hysteresis properties of the tyre. The addition of olivine group mineral, particularly magnesium rich olivine, to a rubber compound will allow for CO<NUM> absorption from the atmosphere on the compound surface or after tread wear particulars on the road surface.

In addition to the CO<NUM> absorbing property, another benefit of using olivine in the tyre composition is the cost. The cost of olivine is a lot cheaper than conventional raw materials used in the rubber compounding. Use of olivine as an additive, even in small amounts, will result in compound savings.

The olivine group mineral may be selected from the group of olivine ((Mg,Fe)<NUM>SiO<NUM>), fosterite (Mg<NUM>SiO<NUM>), fayalite (Fe<NUM>SiO<NUM>), monticellite (CaMgSiO<NUM>), tetphroite (Mn<NUM>SiO<NUM>), lamite (Ca<NUM>SiO<NUM>), kirschsteinite (CaFeSiO<NUM>) or mixtures thereof. In an embodiment of the rubber composition, the olivine group mineral is selected from the group of olivine, fosterite (Mg<NUM>SiO<NUM>), fayalite (Fe<NUM>SiO<NUM>), monticellite (CaMgSiO<NUM>) or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the olivine group mineral is or comprises olivine. In another embodiment of the rubber composition, the olivine group mineral is or comprises fosterite (Mg<NUM>SiO<NUM>).

The filler is selected from silica, carbon black or combination thereof, preferably silica. The filler may be present in an amount of ≥<NUM> phr to ≤ <NUM> phr. The ratio in parts by weight per <NUM> parts by weight of rubber (phr) of the olivine group mineral to silica may be in the range of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

In another embodiment of the composition, the filler is silica and the ratio in parts by weight per <NUM> parts by weight of rubber (phr) of the olivine group mineral to silica is in the range of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. The silica may be present in an amount of ≥ <NUM> phr to ≤ <NUM> phr, preferably in an amount of ≥ <NUM> phr to ≤ <NUM> phr. More preferably, the silica may be present in an amount of ≥ <NUM> phr to ≤ <NUM> phr.

In another embodiment of the composition, the olivine group mineral is present in an amount of ≥ <NUM> phr to ≤ <NUM> phr, preferably in an amount of ≥ <NUM> phr to ≤ <NUM> phr or ≥ <NUM> phr to ≤ <NUM> phr. The particle size of the olivine group mineral may be in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In another embodiment of the rubber composition, the rubber is selected from natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, halo-butyl rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, solution polymerized styrene butadiene rubber or combination thereof.

In another embodiment of the composition, the olivine group mineral has CO<NUM> absorption of up to <NUM> ppm in <NUM> hrs, measured according to the method given in example <NUM>.

The composition may comprise a coupling agent. The coupling agent may be selected from bis [<NUM>-(triethoxysilyl) propyl] disulfide (TESPD), bis-(triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT), mercapto-silane, isophtalic dihydrazide, p-aminobenzenesulfonyl azide or combination thereof.

The composition further may comprise a resin. The resin in the composition may be selected from polyterpene resins, terpene phenolic resins, alpha methyl styrene resins, aliphatic resin, hydrogenated aromatic resin, coumarone indene resin or a combination thereof.

The cross-linkable rubber composition comprises cross-linkable groups, preferably sulphur cross-linkable groups. They may be cross-linked (cured, vulcanised) by methods known to a skilled person in the rubber technology field.

The present invention is further directed towards a cross-linked rubber composition which is obtained by cross-linking a rubber composition according to the invention. The cross-linked rubber composition is a rubber composition having carbon dioxide absorption property.

The cross-linked rubber composition may have an elongation at break ranging from ≥ <NUM> % to ≤ <NUM> %. (measured by Tensile test according to ISO <NUM>:<NUM>).

The cross-linked rubber composition may have a rebound value at <NUM> (determined as per ISO <NUM>:<NUM>) ranging from ≥ <NUM>% to ≤ <NUM>%.

The cross-linked rubber composition may have a tan delta value at <NUM> (determined as per DMA double shear <NUM> to <NUM> at <NUM>% strain) ranging from ≥ <NUM> to ≤ <NUM>.

The present invention also relates to a method of preparing a tyre, comprising the steps of:.

The present invention also relates to a tyre comprising a tread, wherein the tread comprises a cross-linked rubber composition according to the invention.

In the context of this invention the unit "phr" denotes "per hundred parts by weight of rubber", as it is commonly understood in the art. It is further understood that in formulations discussed in connection with the present invention the phr amount of all rubber components adds up to <NUM>.

If not specifically denoted otherwise, given % are weight-%, weight percent, weight-% or wt-%, are synonyms and are calculated on the basis of a total weight of <NUM> weight% of the respective object, if not otherwise stated. The total amount of all components of the respective object does not exceed <NUM> wt.

The invention will be further described with reference to the following examples and figures without wishing to be limited by them.

The cross linked rubber composition of the present invention was analyzed with respect to the reference compound on the below mentioned parameters.

Tensile test: Tensile tests were measured on the Zwick/Roell Robo Test L Z005 tensile tester according to ISO <NUM>:<NUM>. The crosshead speed was <NUM>/min. The standardized tensile specimens A1 were cut from the rubber sheet 150x150x2mm cured for <NUM> mins, at <NUM> and 560kN of pressure. Five tensile dumbbells were tested and average results were determined.

Hardness Test: A hardness test was performed on the Bareiss Digitest II Rotation Shore A Hardness Tester according to ISO <NUM>-<NUM>:<NUM> at <NUM>. Samples were prepared for <NUM> at <NUM>. Six measurements were done per test piece and average of the results was taken.

Rebound test: Rebound measurements were done on the Bareiss Digitest II Rückprall Rebound Resilience Tester by the standardized ISO <NUM>:<NUM> method at <NUM> and <NUM>. Cylindrical samples of <NUM> in diameter and <NUM> in thickness were cured at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes.

DMA Analysis: The dynamic measurements of the cured compounds were performed using a Metravib DMA +<NUM> dynamic spectrometer in double shear mode. Samples were prepared as cylinders of <NUM> diameter and thickness of <NUM> cured at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. Samples were conditioned after vulcanization for <NUM> hours at room temperature. The dynamic measurements were conducted by a temperature sweep at constant frequency <NUM>. A dynamic strain of <NUM>% is applied for the temperature range -<NUM> to <NUM> followed by a <NUM>% strain for the temperature rage <NUM> to <NUM>. An increased dynamic strain at higher temperatures is more reliable for the rolling resistance prediction.

Calibration method: Three empty petri dishes were placed in a desiccator together with a CO<NUM> sensor and sealed off. A small amount of CO<NUM> was pumped into the desiccator until a sufficient amount of CO<NUM> was measured on the sensor. This measurement was then continuously taken. First, the measurements were taken every hour for <NUM> hours respectively, followed by once every <NUM> hours to check the stability and to ensure that CO<NUM> was not leaching out from the sealed environment of the desiccator. <FIG> depicts the results of the calibration set up where it can be seen that the amount of CO<NUM> in the desiccator remains constant with very small deviations over a time period of <NUM> hours.

After calibrating the desiccator, <NUM> of olivine (GL <NUM>, supplied by Werner Rumler Industriebedarf GmbH) was added to <NUM> petri dishes and wetted with water inside a desiccator to accelerate the reaction. The measurement was conducted over a time period of <NUM> days. The temperature of the desiccator was kept around <NUM> in a controlled laboratory environment. <FIG> depicts the results of the experiment where it can be seen that the reaction of CO<NUM> with olivine is a surface reaction. A total concentration of almost 1300ppm was absorbed on the surface over a period of <NUM> days, where the majority of absorption took place over the first <NUM> days.

The reaction of pure olivine with set CO<NUM> in a closed environment was confirmed by the above measurement.

The table <NUM> below shows the compositions of reference composition Ref1, and the compositions according to the present invention C1, C2, C3 and C4. Amounts for the components are given in phr. The difference between compositions C1, C2 and C3, C4 is the difference in the particle size of Olivine wherein C1, C2 have particle size of <NUM> to <NUM> and C3, C4 have particle size from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The SBR rubber used was Solution Styrene Butadiene rubber Trinseo, Sprintan <NUM> (<NUM>%styrene, <NUM>%vinyl).

The BR rubber used was Butadiene rubber Trinseo Buna cis <NUM> (high cis, Ni-cat).

The first filler used was Silica (Solvay 1165MP).

The second filler used was carbon black N <NUM>.

The coupling agent used was Silane (Evonik, Si69, TESPT).

Olivine GL10 was supplied by Werner Rumler Industriebedarf GmbH.

Olivine GL55 was supplied by Werner Rumler Industriebedarf GmbH.

From compound properties in Table <NUM> it can be seen that the compositions C1 and C2 do not have an influence on the mechanical properties in the amount up to <NUM> phr. Addition of <NUM> phr olivine in composition C3 and more pronounced of <NUM> phr olivine in composition C4 deteriorates the mechanical properties in elongation at break. However, overall the tensile strength is not affected by olivine loading and particle size.

The addition of olivine to a composition resulted in a small Tg shift to higher temperatures and drop in tan δ max in the low temperature DMA (<FIG>). The effect becomes more pronounced with higher loading and higher particle size. However, all compounds containing olivine deliver similar tan δ value at <NUM>, irrespective of the particle size and amount up to <NUM> phr. This indicated that in general, olivine is expected to have a positive effect on wet grip properties.

At higher temperatures in the DMA curve (<FIG>), it was noted that <NUM> phr addition of olivine will have a slightly lower tan δ at <NUM>, indicating a positive effect on rolling resistance. The difference in particle size of the olivine does not seem to influence this parameter with a <NUM> phr loading.

It can be seen that the composition C1 and C2 have an improved wet grip and rolling resistance. Further, it can be seen that smaller particles showed improved effects.

The table <NUM> below shows the compositions of reference composition Ref2, and the compositions according to the present invention C5 and C6. Amounts for the components are given in phr. In this case, the reference and the composition according to the present invention used higher functionalized styrene butadiene rubbers.

From compound properties in Table <NUM> it can be seen that the mechanical properties are not adversely affected by addition of olivine. Addition of <NUM> and <NUM> phr maintains the mechanical properties in elongation at break and tensile strength equally.

The addition of olivine in composition C5 indicated a minimal effect on Tg shift and height. Similarly tan δ values at <NUM> for all compounds indicated a minimal effect on wet grip properties (<FIG>).

At higher temperatures in the DMA curve (<FIG>), no change to tan δ at <NUM> was observed for <NUM> phr loaded compounds, indicating a no affect to rolling resistance. An increased addition of <NUM> phr of Olivine in composition C6 indicated a small deterioration in rolling resistance. This was also confirmed by a drop in rebound value at <NUM>.

The addition of olivine to compositions C5 and C6 resulted in a composition having similar values for rolling resistance and mechanical properties as of the reference compound.

The table <NUM> below shows the compositions of reference composition Ref3, and the compositions according to the present invention C7 and C8. Amounts for the components are given in phr.

Claim 1:
A cross-linkable rubber composition, the cross-linkable rubber composition comprising:
at least one rubber,
at least one filler,
at least one olivine group mineral,
characterized in that
the filler is selected from silica, carbon black or a combination thereof, in that the olivine group mineral is present in an amount of ≥ <NUM> phr to ≤ <NUM> phr, and in that the ratio in parts by weight per <NUM> parts by weight of rubber (phr) of the olivine group mineral to the filler is in the range of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.