10 patents in this list

Updated:

In tire design, tread bonding is essential because it impacts longevity, safety, and performance. It guarantees that when braking, cornering, and accelerating, tires keep their integrity and shape.

 

Improved traction and handling are facilitated by enhanced tread bonding, which also lowers the possibility of blowouts and tread separation, which can result in accidents and costly repairs.

 

This page examines several developments toward better tire tread bonding.

1. Polyisocyanate-Activated Textile Cord Bonding Method in Tire Manufacturing

Continental Reifen Deutschland GMBH, Kordsa Teknik Tekstil Anonim Sirketi, 2023

Producing a motor vehicle tire with improved bonding between textile cords and surrounding rubber to enhance tire durability. The method involves dipping the cords in a bath containing polyisocyanates to activate the bonding, instead of using resorcinol-formaldehyde dips. The cords are then coated with a rubber compound containing specific rubber types and carbon blacks. This avoids toxic and environmentally harmful resorcinol-formaldehyde dips while still providing adequate bonding.

2. Rubber-Steel Cord Composite Incorporating N,N-Dibenzylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide and Bismaleimide Compound

Toyo Tire Corporation, 2023

Rubber-steel cord composite for tire belts and carcasses with improved adhesion to steel cords. The rubber composition contains a specific vulcanizing agent, N, N-dibenzylbenzothiazole-2-sulfenamide, and a bismaleimide compound.

US11718699B2-patent-drawing

3. Rubber-Steel Cord Composite with Specific Sulfur and Accelerator Ratios Excluding Cobalt Compounds

Toyo Tire Corporation, 2023

Rubber-steel cord composite for tire reinforcement with improved adhesion properties without using cobalt compounds. It contains a rubber composition with specific ratios of sulfur, N, N-dibenzylbenzothiazole-2-sulfenamide (accelerator), hexamethylene bis-thiosulfate disodium salt dihydrate and 1,6-bis(N, N-dibenzylthiocarbamoyldithio)hexane.

4. Steel Cords with Enhanced Surface Iron Content and Method of Fabrication via Electrolytic Brass Coating and Diamond Die Drawing

NV Bekaert SA, 2023

Steel cords for reinforcing rubber products like tires have improved adhesion to rubber and better aging resistance compared to traditional cords. The steel filament has an unusual amount of iron at the top surface. The iron content is higher than 4 atomic percent in a thin 3 nm layer below the surface. The iron-rich layer enhances adhesion to rubber while retaining good properties. The cord can be made by drawing wire with increased surface roughness using diamond dies, and electrolytically coating with brass.

US20230228032A1-patent-drawing

5. Sulfur-Cross-Linkable Rubber Mixture with Novolac and Etherified Melamine Resins for Adhesive Bonding to Strength Members

Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH, 2023

Sulfur-cross-linkable rubber mixture for bonding rubber to strength members like textile or metallic cords in tires, belts, and hoses. The mixture contains novolac resins and etherified melamine resins to replace resorcinol as adhesive promoters for improved adhesion. The novolac resins are produced from a phenolic compound, aldehyde, and carbamate resin. The mixture also contains rubber, carbon black, silica, plasticizers, stabilizers, vulcanization activators, accelerators, and sulfur.

US20230151214A1-patent-drawing

6. Pneumatic Tire Structure Incorporating Hydrogenated Copolymer with Triazine-Thiol Compound for Enhanced Rubber Adhesion

Toyo Tire Corporation, 2023

A pneumatic tire design that enables improved adhesion between a hydrogenated copolymer rubber and a diene rubber in a tire while maintaining the wear resistance of the hydrogenated rubber. The tire includes a rubber member A containing a hydrogenated copolymer, sulfur, and a triazine-thiol compound. Rubber member B contains sulfur and a diene rubber. The hydrogenated copolymer has a high molecular weight and high hydrogenation level. The triazine-thiol compound provides adhesion between the copolymer and diene rubber.

US20230151192A1-patent-drawing

7. Polybenzoxazine Adhesive Comprising Sulfide-Containing Benzoxazine Monomers for Metal-to-Rubber Bonding

COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, 2023

Polybenzoxazine adhesive for bonding metal to rubber that has improved thermal and chemical stability compared to conventional adhesives. The adhesive is made from a thermosetting polymer derived from benzoxazine monomers containing sulfide groups. The polymer can coat metal surfaces and bond to rubber for metal/rubber composites like vehicle tires. The adhesive has the same initial adhesion as conventional rubber/metal adhesives but with improved long-term performance due to its chemical stability.

8. Metallic and Resin Filament Twisted Cord with Inorganic Filler for Enhanced Elastomer Adhesion

BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, 2023

Cord for reinforcing elastomers like rubber that has better adhesion to elastomers compared to conventional steel cords. The cord is made by twisting together metallic filaments with resin filaments. An inorganic filler is added to the resin filaments which improves adhesion to rubber during vulcanization.

9. Tire Tread Sipes with Rounded and Sharp Corner Geometry and Lamella Plate Manufacturing Method

NOKIAN RENKAAT OYJ, 2023

Tire with tread sipes for improved traction on wet and icy surfaces. The sipes have a unique shape with rounded corners at the bottom and sharp corners at the top. This shape allows the sipes to lock together when flexed, providing a better grip. A specific method of manufacturing a lamella plate to create the sipes with rounded and sharp corners is also disclosed. The plate is made from metal and material is added or removed to shape the corners. This design and manufacturing method improves tire performance and reduces manufacturing costs.

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10. Rubber Composition Incorporating Silane Coupling Agent with Sulfide Group and Polysiloxane Structure for Enhanced Silica Dispersion

The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD., 2015

Rubber composition for tire treads with high silica dispersibility and improved processability, and a tire using this composition. The rubber composition contains a diene rubber, silica, and a specific silane coupling agent with a sulfide group and polysiloxane structure. The coupling agent improves silica dispersion while preventing excessive thiol generation that impairs processability. The silane coupling agent content is 1-20% relative to the silica content.

Request the PDF report with complete details of all 10 patents for offline reading.

Technological developments in tread bonding are still addressing important tire design issues, with an emphasis on enhancing performance, safety, and durability. Tire manufacturers are making tremendous progress toward producing safer and more dependable tires with cutting-edge techniques like improved rubber-steel cord adhesion, environmentally friendly bonding procedures, and novel material compositions.