JP2013159628A - Method for producing rubber composition - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing a rubber composition, which improves processability, rubber strength, low fuel consumption and abrasion resistance with excellent balance.SOLUTION: This method for producing a rubber composition, including a rubber component, 20 to 80 pts.mass of silica to 100 pts.mass of the rubber component, and an amphoteric compound including acidic and basic functional groups, includes: a first mixing step of forming a masterbatch by kneading rubber of 50 mass% or more in 100 mass% of the rubber component, silica of 25 mass% or more in 100 mass% of the silica, and the amphoteric compound of 0.5 to 8 pts.mass part to 100 pts.mass of the rubber component, until reaching 160°C or above; a second mixing step of kneading the master batch and a silane coupling agent.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a rubber composition.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in addressing environmental issues such as energy and resource conservation. In automobile tires, it is required to keep the hysteresis loss and loss factor (tan δ) of the rubber composition low in order to reduce fuel consumption. For example, by blending silica in the rubber composition, there are the advantages that rolling resistance is reduced and wet grip performance is improved.

However, silica tends to agglomerate particles due to hydrogen bonding of silanol groups which are surface functional groups, and in order to disperse silica into rubber well, it is necessary to lengthen the kneading time. Further, since the silica particles are not sufficiently dispersed in the rubber, the Mooney viscosity of the rubber compound is increased, resulting in inferior processability such as extrusion.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for improving the dispersibility of carbon black by adding a diamine compound and improving low heat buildup. However, the point of improving the dispersibility of silica, which is much more hydrophilic than carbon black, has not been studied, and the point of improving the workability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency, and wear resistance in a well-balanced manner. There is still room for improvement.

Patent No. 2912845

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a method for producing a rubber composition capable of improving workability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency and wear resistance in a well-balanced manner.

The present invention is a method for producing a rubber composition comprising a rubber component, 20 to 80 parts by mass of silica with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and an amphoteric compound having acidic and basic functional groups, 0.5 to 8 parts by mass of rubber in an amount of 50% by mass or more in 100% by mass of the rubber component, silica in an amount of 25% by mass or more in 100% by mass of silica, and 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. Production of a rubber composition comprising a first mixing step of kneading the amphoteric compound until reaching 160 ° C. or more to form a master batch, and a second mixing step of kneading the master batch and a silane coupling agent. Regarding the method.

（式（Ｉ）中、Ｒ^１は、炭素数２〜３０のアルキレン基、アルケニレン基又はアルキニレン基を表す。Ａは、酸性官能基を表す。Ｒ^２及びＲ^３は、同一又は異なって、水素原子、炭素数１〜２０のアルキル基、アルケニル基若しくはアルキニル基、又は炭素数１〜２０のアルコキシシリル基を表す。式（Ｉ）で表される化合物は、該化合物の金属塩でもよい。） The amphoteric compound is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (I).

(In the formula (I), R ¹ represents an alkylene group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkenylene group or an alkynylene group. A represents an acidic functional group. R ² and R ³ are the same or different and represent hydrogen. An atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group, or an alkoxysilyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.The compound represented by the formula (I) may be a metal salt of the compound.)

［式（Ｉ−１）中、ｐは２〜８の整数を表す。式（Ｉ−２）中、ｑは２〜８の整数を表す。Ｍ^ｒ＋は金属イオンを表し、ｒはその価数を表す。］ The amphoteric compound is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (I-1) and / or the following formula (I-2).

[In formula (I-1), p represents an integer of 2 to 8. In formula (I-2), q represents an integer of 2 to 8. M ^{r +} represents a metal ion, and r represents its valence. ]

The metal ion represented by ^{Mr +} in the formula (I-2) is preferably a lithium ion, a sodium ion, a potassium ion, a cesium ion, a cobalt ion, a copper ion, or a zinc ion.

In the first mixing step, it is preferable to knead silica in an amount of 35 to 90% by mass in 100% by mass of the silica.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a rubber composition comprising a rubber component, 20 to 80 parts by mass of silica with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and an amphoteric compound having acidic and basic functional groups. The amount of the rubber component is 50% by mass or more in 100% by mass, the amount of silica is 25% by mass or more in 100% by mass of silica, and 0.5 to 8% by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. A rubber composition comprising a first mixing step in which a part of the amphoteric compound is kneaded until reaching 160 ° C. or more to form a master batch, and a second mixing step in which the master batch and a silane coupling agent are kneaded. Therefore, processability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency and wear resistance can be improved in a well-balanced manner.

The method for producing a rubber composition of the present invention comprises a rubber component, 20 to 80 parts by mass of silica with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and an amphoteric compound having acidic and basic functional groups. The amount of rubber is 50% by mass or more in 100% by mass of the rubber component, the amount of silica is 25% by mass or more in 100% by mass of silica, and 0% with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. A first mixing step of kneading 5 to 8 parts by mass of the amphoteric compound until reaching 160 ° C. or higher to form a master batch, a second mixing step of kneading the master batch and a silane coupling agent, including.

When a rubber component, silica, and an amphoteric compound having both an acidic functional group and a basic functional group are blended, the acidic functional group of the amphoteric compound reacts with the rubber, and the basic functional group is a silanol on the silica surface. Since it reacts with the group, the dispersibility of the silica is improved, and heat generation can be suppressed by restraining the silica. Therefore, even when silica is blended, the rubber strength, fuel efficiency and wear resistance can be improved in a well-balanced manner without deteriorating processability.

Furthermore, in the present invention, a first mixing step in which a master batch is formed by kneading a specific amount or more of rubber, a specific amount or more of silica, and a specific amount of the amphoteric compound until reaching 160 ° C. or more, and the master By producing a rubber composition by a production method including a batch and a second mixing step of kneading a silane coupling agent, the effect of improving the performance obtained by blending the amphoteric compound can be exhibited more remarkably, Processability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency, and wear resistance (particularly processability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency) can be improved in a well-balanced manner.
Moreover, when forming a masterbatch, the reactivity of an amphoteric compound improves by kneading until it reaches 160 degreeC or more, The performance improvement effect obtained by mix | blending an amphoteric compound can be exhibited more notably.

<First mixing step>
In the first mixing step, for example, using a kneader, rubber in an amount of 50% by mass or more in 100% by mass of the rubber component, silica in an amount of 25% by mass or more in 100% by mass of silica, and the rubber component. A master batch is formed by kneading 0.5 to 8 parts by mass of the amphoteric compound with respect to 100 parts by mass until reaching 160 ° C or higher. As the kneader, a conventionally known one can be used, and examples thereof include closed type equipment such as a Banbury mixer and a kneader. A similar kneader can also be used in the kneading step described below.

In the first mixing step, the above components are kneaded until reaching 160 ° C. or higher, preferably 163 ° C. or higher, more preferably 165 ° C. or higher. When the temperature is lower than 160 ° C., the effect of improving the performance obtained by blending the amphoteric compound is not sufficiently obtained, and the effect of improving workability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency and wear resistance is reduced. The upper limit of the kneading end temperature (discharge temperature) is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 180 ° C. or lower or 175 ° C. or lower.

The amount of rubber kneaded in the first mixing step is 50% by mass or more, preferably 60% by mass or more, more preferably 100% by mass of the rubber component contained in the rubber composition finally obtained by the production method of the present invention. Is 80% by mass or more. If it is less than 50% by mass, sufficient processability, rubber strength, fuel economy and wear resistance cannot be obtained. The amount of the rubber may be 100% by mass (that is, the total amount of the rubber component contained in the rubber composition finally obtained by the production method of the present invention), but 90% by mass or less, It may be 80% by mass or less.

Usable rubber components include natural rubber (NR), diene synthetic rubber (isoprene rubber (IR), butadiene rubber (BR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), styrene isoprene butadiene rubber (SIBR), chloroprene rubber (CR). Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), butyl rubber (IIR), halogenated butyl rubber (X-IIR), etc.). A rubber component may be used independently and may use 2 or more types together. Among them, NR is preferable from the viewpoint of fuel economy and rubber strength, BR is preferable from the viewpoint of workability, rubber strength, and wear resistance, and SBR is used from the viewpoint of wet grip performance. preferable. Moreover, it is preferable to use SBR and NR and / or BR together, and it is more preferable to use SBR and NR or BR together because the effect of the present invention can be suitably obtained.

The SBR is not particularly limited, and those generally used in the tire industry such as emulsion polymerization styrene butadiene rubber (E-SBR) and solution polymerization styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) can be used.

The NR is not particularly limited, and for example, those commonly used in the tire industry such as SIR20, RSS # 3, TSR20, and the like can be used.

The BR is not particularly limited. For example, BR1220 manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd., BR130B manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd., BR150B having a high cis content such as BR150B, VCR412 manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd. BR containing syndiotactic polybutadiene crystals can be used. Among these, from the reason that excellent wear resistance can be obtained, the cis content of BR is preferably 90% by mass or more, and more preferably 95% by mass or more. The cis content can be measured by infrared absorption spectrum analysis.

Examples of the silica include dry method silica (anhydrous silica), wet method silica (hydrous silica), and the like. Of these, wet-process silica is preferred because it has many silanol groups.

The nitrogen adsorption specific surface area (N ₂ SA) of silica is preferably 50 m ² / g or more, more preferably 80 m ² / g or more, and further preferably 150 m ² / g or more. If it is less than 50 m ² / g, the reinforcing effect is small, and the rubber strength and wear resistance tend to decrease. Further, N ₂ SA of silica is preferably 300 m ² / g or less, more preferably 250 m ² / g or less. When it exceeds 300 m ² / g, silica is difficult to disperse, and there is a possibility that processability, fuel efficiency, rubber strength, and wear resistance are deteriorated.
The _N 2 SA of silica is a value determined by the BET method in accordance with ASTM D3037-93.

The amount of silica kneaded in the first mixing step is 25% by mass or more, preferably 35% by mass or more, more preferably 45% in 100% by mass of silica contained in the rubber composition finally obtained by the production method of the present invention. It is at least mass%, more preferably at least 55 mass%. If it is less than 25% by mass, sufficient processability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency and wear resistance cannot be obtained. The amount of silica is preferably 90% by mass or less, more preferably 85% by mass or less, and still more preferably 75% by mass or less. If it exceeds 90% by mass, the exothermic property increases and the workability may also deteriorate.

Examples of the acidic functional group of the amphoteric compound having an acidic functional group and a basic functional group include a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, a thiosulfonic acid group (—SSO ₃ H), and a dithiocarboxylic acid group (—CSSH). And a thioalkylcarboxylic acid group having an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms (-SRCOOH: R is a linear or branched alkyl group), a phenolic hydroxyl group, and the like. Among them, a thiosulfonic acid group is preferable. Examples of basic functional groups include primary amino groups, secondary amino groups, and tertiary amino groups. The amphoteric compound may be a metal salt of the compound.

As the amphoteric compound, a compound represented by the following formula (I) can be preferably used.

(In the formula (I), R ¹ represents an alkylene group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkenylene group or an alkynylene group. A represents an acidic functional group. R ² and R ³ are the same or different and represent hydrogen. An atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group, or an alkoxysilyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.The compound represented by the formula (I) may be a metal salt of the compound.)

The functional group moiety containing nitrogen of formula (I) reacts with the silanol group present on the silica surface to bind to silica, and the acidic functional group moiety reacts with the double bond of the polymer. Therefore, the dispersibility of silica improves and the dispersion state can be maintained. Moreover, since silica is restrained by the reaction, it is possible to suppress exothermicity. Therefore, processability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency, and wear resistance can be improved in a balanced manner.

The carbon number of the alkylene group, alkenylene group, and alkynylene group of R ¹ is preferably 2 to 18, more preferably 2 to 12. R ¹ may be linear or branched, and specific examples of the alkylene group include ethylene group, propylene group, butylene group, and specific examples of the alkenylene group include vinylene group, propenylene group, butenylene group, etc. Specific examples of the alkynylene group include an ethynylene group, a propynylene group, and a butynylene group. R ¹ is preferably an alkylene group.

Examples of the acidic functional group for A include the same ones described above. Examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms of R ² and R ³ include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, and a butyl group. An ethynyl group, a propynyl group, a butynyl group, etc. are mentioned, As a C1-C20 alkoxysilyl group, a triethoxysilyl group, a trimethoxysilyl group, etc. are mentioned. R ² and R ³ are preferably a hydrogen atom.

［式（Ｉ−１）中、ｐは２〜８の整数を表す。式（Ｉ−２）中、ｑは２〜８の整数を表す。Ｍ^ｒ＋は金属イオンを表し、ｒはその価数を表す。］ In the present invention, as the amphoteric compound, it is preferable to use a compound represented by the following formula (I-1) and / or a compound represented by the following formula (I-2).

[In formula (I-1), p represents an integer of 2 to 8. In formula (I-2), q represents an integer of 2 to 8. M ^{r +} represents a metal ion, and r represents its valence. ]

The compound represented by the above formula (I-2) can be produced by any known method. For example, a method of reacting a haloalkylamine with sodium thiosulfate, a method of reacting a potassium salt of phthalimide and a dihaloalkane with sodium thiosulfate, and hydrolyzing the resulting compound. Can be mentioned.

Specifically, when q is a compound of 6, a method of reacting 6-halohexylamine with sodium thiosulfate, a compound obtained by reacting a potassium salt of phthalimide and 1,6-dihalohexane, and thiosulfuric acid Examples include a method of reacting with sodium and hydrolyzing the obtained compound.

When q is a compound of 3, a method of reacting 3-halopropylamine and sodium thiosulfate, a compound obtained by reacting potassium salt of phthalimide and 1,3-dihalopropane, and sodium thiosulfate And a method of hydrolyzing the resulting compound.

The compound represented by the above formula (I-1) can be produced, for example, by reacting the compound represented by the above formula (I-2) with a protonic acid.

In the present invention, a mixture of compounds represented by formulas (I-1) and (I-2) can also be used. The mixture is obtained by mixing a compound represented by the formula (I-1) and a compound represented by the formula (I-2), a metal-containing hydroxide, carbonate, and carbonic acid represented by the above M. A method of metallizing a part of the compound represented by the formula (I-1) using a hydrogen salt or the like, a method of neutralizing a part of the compound represented by the formula (I-2) using a proton acid Can be manufactured. The compounds represented by the formulas (I-1) and (I-2) thus produced can be removed from the reaction mixture by operations such as concentration and crystallization, and the extracted formula (I-1 ), The compound represented by (I-2) usually contains about 0.1 to 5% of water. In the present invention, only the compound represented by the formula (I-1) or only the compound represented by the formula (I-2) can be used. Furthermore, the compound represented by multiple types of compound represented by Formula (I-1) and the compound represented by Formula (I-2) can also be used together.

In formula (I-1), p represents an integer of 2 to 8, preferably 2 to 5. In formula (I-2), q represents an integer of 2 to 8, and preferably 2 to 5.

As the metal ion represented by ^{Mr +} , lithium ion, sodium ion, potassium ion, cesium ion, cobalt ion, copper ion and zinc ion are preferable, lithium ion, sodium ion and potassium ion are more preferable, and sodium ion is more preferable. . r represents the valence of the metal ion, and is not limited as long as it is a possible range for the metal. In general, r is 1 when the metal ion is an alkali metal ion, 2 or 3 when the metal ion is cobalt ion, an integer of 1 to 3 when the metal ion is copper ion, and 2 when the metal ion is zinc ion. According to the said manufacturing method, although the sodium salt of the compound represented by a formula (I-1) is obtained normally, it can convert into another metal salt by performing a cation exchange reaction.

The median diameter of the compounds represented by the above formulas (I-1) and (I-2) is preferably in the range of 0.05 to 100 μm, more preferably in the range of 1 to 100 μm. The median diameter can be measured by a laser diffraction method.

The amount of the amphoteric compound kneaded in the first mixing step is 0.5 parts by mass or more, preferably 0 with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component contained in the rubber composition finally obtained by the production method of the present invention. .8 parts by mass or more. If it is less than 0.5 parts by mass, processability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency and wear resistance cannot be improved sufficiently. The amount of the amphoteric compound is 8 parts by mass or less, preferably 7 parts by mass or less. When it exceeds 8 mass parts, abrasion resistance will deteriorate. In addition, processability, rubber strength, and low fuel consumption are also reduced.

In addition to the rubber component, the silica, and the amphoteric compound, the component kneaded in the first mixing step may contain a compounding agent or the like conventionally used in the rubber industry.

Conventional compounding agents used in the rubber industry include, for example, reinforcing fillers such as carbon black and clay, silane coupling agents, zinc oxide, stearic acid, processing aids, various anti-aging agents, and softening agents such as oil. And wax. However, since the kneading temperature is relatively high in the first mixing step, these components (particularly silane coupling agents, anti-aging agents, waxes, softeners, zinc oxide, stearic acid) are described below. In the two mixing steps, it is preferable to knead. When these chemicals (especially anti-aging agents, waxes, softeners, zinc oxide, stearic acid) are kneaded at a relatively high temperature, decomposition occurs and the effects obtained by blending these chemicals are sufficient. This is because it may not be obtained. In particular, when the silane coupling agent is kneaded with the above components in the first mixing step, the gelation of the polymer occurs and the workability, rubber strength, and wear resistance tend to deteriorate. It is preferable not to knead in one mixing step but to knead in the next second mixing step.

<Second mixing step>
In the second mixing step, for example, the master batch obtained in the first mixing step and the silane coupling agent are kneaded using a kneader. In the second mixing step, by kneading the silane coupling agent with the master batch, the dispersibility of the silica is further improved, and the effects of the present invention are more suitably obtained.

The kneading end temperature (discharge temperature) in the second mixing step is preferably 140 ° C. or higher, more preferably 145 ° C. or higher. If it is lower than 140 ° C, there is a possibility that sufficient dispersion of the drug cannot be obtained. The upper limit of the kneading end temperature (discharge temperature) is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 165 ° C. or lower or 155 ° C. or lower.

As the silane coupling agent, any silane coupling agent conventionally used in combination with silica can be used in the rubber industry, and examples thereof include sulfide systems such as bis (3-triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide, 3- Mercapto type such as mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, vinyl type such as vinyltriethoxysilane, amino type such as 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, glycidoxy type such as γ-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane, 3-nitropropyltri Examples thereof include nitro compounds such as methoxysilane, and chloro compounds such as 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane. Among these, sulfide type is preferable, and bis (3-triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide is more preferable.

In addition to the master batch and the silane coupling agent, the compounding agent and the like may be contained as a component kneaded in the second mixing step. Moreover, what is necessary is just to knead | mix the remaining silica and rubber components by the 2nd mixing process, when the whole quantity of the silica and rubber component to mix | blend is not knead | mixing in the 1st mixing process.

Among the above compounding agents, zinc oxide, stearic acid, various anti-aging agents, softeners such as oil, and wax are preferably kneaded in the second mixing step.

After the second mixing step, the obtained rubber composition is subjected to a final kneading step of kneading components such as a vulcanizing agent such as sulfur and a vulcanization accelerator using, for example, a kneader, and further obtained. The rubber composition (unvulcanized rubber composition) can be subjected to a vulcanization reaction at 130 to 190 ° C. for 5 to 30 minutes.

Examples of the vulcanization accelerator include sulfenamide, thiazole, thiuram, thiourea, guanidine, dithiocarbamic acid, aldehyde-amine or aldehyde-ammonia, imidazoline, or xanthate vulcanization accelerators. Is mentioned. Of these, sulfenamide vulcanization accelerators are preferred.

Examples of the sulfenamide vulcanization accelerator include N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazolylsulfenamide (TBBS), N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolylsulfenamide (CBS), N, N And '-dicyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolylsulfenamide (DZ). Of these, TBBS is preferable.

When the rubber composition obtained by the said manufacturing method contains SBR, content of SBR in 100 mass% of rubber components is 50 mass% or more, More preferably, it is 60 mass% or more. The SBR content is preferably 90% by mass or less, more preferably 80% by mass or less. When the content of SBR is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more suitably obtained.

When the rubber composition obtained by the above production method contains NR, the content of NR in 100% by mass of the rubber component is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more. If it is less than 10% by mass, sufficient rubber strength and low fuel consumption may not be obtained. The NR content is 50% by mass or less, preferably 40% by mass or less. If it exceeds 50 mass%, sufficient rubber strength and processability may not be obtained.

When the rubber composition obtained by the said manufacturing method contains BR, content of BR in 100 mass% of rubber components becomes like this. Preferably it is 10 mass% or more, More preferably, it is 20 mass% or more. If it is less than 10% by mass, sufficient abrasion resistance and low fuel consumption may not be obtained. The BR content is 50% by mass or less, preferably 40% by mass or less. When it exceeds 50 mass%, workability may be deteriorated.

The content of silica is 20 parts by mass or more, preferably 40 parts by mass or more, more preferably 60 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. If the amount is less than 20 parts by mass, sufficient rubber strength, wear resistance, and low fuel consumption may not be obtained. The content of the silica is preferably 80 parts by mass or less. When it exceeds 80 parts by mass, the dispersibility of silica is lowered, and the processability, rubber strength, wear resistance, and fuel efficiency are lowered.

The content of the amphoteric compound is 0.5 parts by mass or more, preferably 0.8 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. If it is less than 0.5 parts by mass, processability, rubber strength, fuel efficiency and wear resistance cannot be improved sufficiently. The content is 8 parts by mass or less, preferably 7 parts by mass or less. When it exceeds 8 mass parts, abrasion resistance will deteriorate. In addition, processability, rubber strength, and low fuel consumption are also reduced.

The content of the silane coupling agent is preferably 1 part by mass or more, more preferably 3 parts by mass or more, and further preferably 5 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of silica. If it is less than 1 part by mass, the rubber strength and the wear resistance tend to be greatly reduced. Further, the content of the silane coupling agent is preferably 15 parts by mass or less, more preferably 12 parts by mass or less. When it exceeds 15 parts by mass, there is a tendency that an effect commensurate with the increase in cost cannot be obtained.

The content of the vulcanization accelerator is preferably 0.2 parts by mass or more, more preferably 0.6 parts by mass or more, and preferably 3 parts by mass or less, more preferably 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. Is 2.5 parts by mass or less. By adjusting within the above range, the effect of the present invention can be suitably obtained.

The oil content is preferably 5 parts by mass or more, more preferably 10 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. If it is less than 5 parts by mass, the processability is inferior, and the fuel economy, wet grip performance, and wear resistance tend to decrease. The oil content is preferably 35 parts by mass or less, more preferably 25 parts by mass or less. If it exceeds 35 parts by mass, wet grip performance and wear resistance may be deteriorated.

The rubber composition obtained by the production method of the present invention can be suitably used for tire members such as treads and sidewalls.

A pneumatic tire is manufactured by a normal method using the rubber composition obtained by the manufacturing method of the present invention. That is, the rubber composition is extruded in accordance with the shape of the tire member at an unvulcanized stage, molded by a normal method on a tire molding machine, and bonded together with other tire members, and unvulcanized. After forming the tire, the tire can be manufactured by heating and pressing in a vulcanizer.

The present invention will be specifically described based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Hereinafter, various chemicals used in the production examples will be described together.
3-bromopropylamine hydrobromide: manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd. Sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate: manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd. phthalimide potassium: manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd. dimethylformamide: manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.

(Production Example 1 S- (3-aminopropyl) thiosulfuric acid (amphoteric compound A))
To a reaction vessel substituted with nitrogen gas, 75 g of 3-bromopropylamine hydrobromide, 85.26 g of sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate, 375 ml of methanol and 375 ml of water were added, and the mixture was refluxed at 70 ° C. for 5 hours. did. After allowing to cool, methanol was removed under reduced pressure. To the residue was added 13.68 g of sodium hydroxide, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, and then the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. 600 ml of ethanol was added to the obtained residue and refluxed for 1.5 hours. Hot filtration was performed, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain crystals. The crystals were taken out by filtration, washed with ethanol, and further washed with hexane. The obtained crystals were vacuum-dried to obtain sodium S- (3-aminopropyl) thiosulfate.
52 g of sodium S- (3-aminopropyl) thiosulfate, 90 ml of water and 5 mol / l hydrochloric acid were added to the reaction vessel substituted with nitrogen gas, and the resulting solution was concentrated under reduced pressure, and the crystals were taken out by filtration. The obtained crystals were vacuum-dried to obtain S- (3-aminopropyl) thiosulfuric acid (amphoteric compound A).

When the median diameter (50% D) of the amphoteric compound A obtained in Production Example 1 was measured by a laser diffraction method (measurement operation is as follows) using a SALD-2000J type manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, The median diameter (50% D) was 66.7 μm. The obtained amphoteric compound A was pulverized and its median diameter (50% D) was adjusted to 14.6 μm and used in the following examples.
<Measurement operation>
Amphoteric compound A was dispersed in a mixed solution of a dispersion solvent (toluene) and a dispersant (10% by mass sodium di-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate / toluene solution) at room temperature, and the resulting dispersion was irradiated with ultrasonic waves. Then, the dispersion was stirred for 5 minutes to obtain a test solution. The test solution was transferred to a batch cell and measured after 1 minute. (Refractive index: 1.70-0.20i)

Hereinafter, various chemicals used in Examples and Comparative Examples will be described together.
NR: TSR20
SBR: Nipol 1502 manufactured by ZEON CORPORATION
BR: Ubepol BR150B manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd. (cis content: 97% by mass)
Silica: VN3 manufactured by EVONIK-DEGUSSA (N ₂ SA: 175 m ² / g)
S- (3-aminopropyl) thiosulfuric acid: amphoteric compound A prepared in Production Example 1
Silane coupling agent: Si266 (bis (3-triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide) manufactured by EVONIK-DEGUSSA
Oil: Process X-140 manufactured by Japan Energy Co., Ltd.
Zinc oxide: Zinc Hua 1 manufactured by Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. Stearic acid: Anti-aging agent manufactured by NOF Corporation: NOCRACK 6C (N- (1,3-3-) manufactured by Ouchi Shinsei Chemical Co., Ltd. Dimethylbutyl) -N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine)
Wax: Ozoace 0355 manufactured by Nippon Seiwa Co., Ltd.
Sulfur: powder sulfur vulcanization accelerator NS manufactured by Tsurumi Chemical Co., Ltd. NS: Noxeller NS (N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazolylsulfenamide) manufactured by Ouchi Shinsei Chemical Co., Ltd
Vulcanization accelerator D: Noxeller D (N, N′-diphenylguanidine) manufactured by Ouchi Shinsei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

(Examples and Comparative Examples)
A master batch was prepared using a 1.7 L Banbury mixer according to the formulation shown in the first mixing step of Tables 1 and 2 (first mixing step). In the first mixing step, kneading was performed until the discharge temperature shown in the table was reached.
Next, using the obtained master batch, a kneaded product was prepared using a 1.7 L Banbury mixer according to the formulation shown in the second mixing step of Tables 1 and 2 (second mixing step). In the second mixing step, except for Comparative Example 3, the discharge temperature was set to 150 ° C., and kneading (normal kneading step) was performed until 150 ° C. was reached. In addition, in the 2nd mixing process of the comparative example 3, discharge temperature was set to 165 degreeC, and kneading | mixing (normal kneading | mixing process) was implemented until it reached 165 degreeC. In Comparative Examples 1 to 3, 6, and 7, the second mixing step was performed without performing the first mixing step (master batch preparation).
Furthermore, sulfur and a vulcanization accelerator were added to the obtained kneaded product, and kneaded for 3 minutes at 80 ° C. using an open roll to obtain an unvulcanized rubber composition (finish kneading step).
The obtained unvulcanized rubber composition was press vulcanized at 160 ° C. for 30 minutes to obtain a vulcanized rubber composition.

The following evaluation was performed about the obtained unvulcanized rubber composition and vulcanized rubber composition. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. In addition, the reference comparative examples of Tables 1 and 2 were set as Comparative Examples 1 and 6, respectively.

(Measurement of Mooney viscosity)
With respect to the obtained unvulcanized rubber composition, the Mooney viscosity (ML _{1 + 4} ) was measured at 130 ° C. according to the Mooney viscosity measuring method based on JIS K6300. The Mooney viscosity (ML _{1 + 4} ) of the reference comparative example was set to 100, and indexed by the following formula (Mooney viscosity index). The larger the index, the lower the Mooney viscosity and the better the processability.
(Mooney viscosity index) = (ML _{1 + 4} of reference comparative example) / (ML _{1 + 4 of} each formulation) × 100

(Rubber strength)
Based on JIS K6251: 2010, a dumbbell-shaped No. 6 test piece was prepared from the obtained vulcanized rubber composition, and a tensile test was performed in an atmosphere at 25 ° C. using the test piece to obtain a breaking strength TB (MPa ), Elongation at break EB (%) was measured. And TB * EB / 2 (MPa *%) was computed. The results are shown as an index with the result of the reference comparative example as 100. The larger the index, the better the rubber strength.

(Low fuel consumption (rolling resistance))
Loss tangent (tan δ) of each compound (vulcanized product) using a viscoelastic spectrometer VES (manufactured by Iwamoto Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) under the conditions of a temperature of 50 ° C., an initial strain of 10%, a dynamic strain of 2%, and a frequency of 10 Hz. Was measured, and the loss tangent tan δ of the reference comparative example was taken as 100 and expressed as an index according to the following formula (rolling resistance index). The larger the index, the better the fuel efficiency (rolling resistance characteristics).
(Rolling resistance index) = (tan δ of reference comparative example) / (tan δ of each formulation) × 100

(Abrasion test)
About the obtained vulcanized rubber composition, the amount of lamborn wear was measured under the conditions of a temperature of 20 ° C., a slip rate of 20%, and a test time of 2 minutes using a lamborn wear tester. Further, the volume loss amount was calculated from the measured lamborn wear amount, the lamborn wear index of the reference comparative example was set to 100, and the volume loss amount of each compound (vulcanized product) was displayed as an index according to the following formula. It shows that it is excellent in abrasion resistance, so that an index | exponent is large.
(Lambourn wear index) = (volume loss rate of reference comparative example) / (volume loss rate of each formulation) × 100

From the results of Tables 1 and 2, a method for producing a rubber composition containing a rubber component, 20 to 80 parts by mass of silica with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and an amphoteric compound having acidic and basic functional groups. The amount of rubber is 50% by mass or more in 100% by mass of the rubber component, the amount of silica is 25% by mass or more in 100% by mass of silica, and 0.5 to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. Production comprising a first mixing step of kneading 8 parts by mass of the amphoteric compound until reaching 160 ° C. or higher to form a masterbatch, and a second mixing step of kneading the masterbatch and a silane coupling agent In the rubber compositions of Examples produced by the method, processability, rubber strength, low fuel consumption, and wear resistance (particularly processability, rubber strength, low fuel consumption) were improved in a balanced manner.

In Comparative Examples 2 and 7, although amphoteric compounds were blended, they were blended in a normal kneading process (because a masterbatch was not prepared), so the effect of improving processability, rubber strength, and fuel economy was small. In Comparative Example 3, kneading was performed until the temperature reached 160 ° C. or higher in a normal kneading step (second mixing step) without preparing a master batch, but the workability, rubber strength, and wear resistance were deteriorated. This is presumably because the polymer was gelled by the silane coupling agent because it was kneaded at a high temperature. Although the comparative example 4 performed the 1st mixing process which prepares a masterbatch, since the amphoteric compound was not mix | blended, the improvement effect of workability, rubber strength, and fuel-consumption property was small. In Comparative Example 5, the amphoteric compound was blended to prepare a master batch, but the kneading temperature (discharge temperature) in the first mixing step was low, so the effect of improving workability, rubber strength, and low fuel consumption was small.

Claims (5)

A method for producing a rubber composition comprising a rubber component, 20 to 80 parts by mass of silica with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and an amphoteric compound having acidic and basic functional groups,
0.5 to 8 parts by mass of rubber in an amount of 50% by mass or more in 100% by mass of the rubber component, silica in an amount of 25% by mass or more in 100% by mass of silica, and 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. A first mixing step of kneading the amphoteric compound until reaching 160 ° C. or higher to form a master batch;
A method for producing a rubber composition comprising the masterbatch and a second mixing step of kneading the silane coupling agent. The method for producing a rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the amphoteric compound is a compound represented by the following formula (I).

(In the formula (I), R ¹ represents an alkylene group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkenylene group or an alkynylene group. A represents an acidic functional group. R ² and R ³ are the same or different and represent hydrogen. An atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group, or an alkoxysilyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.The compound represented by the formula (I) may be a metal salt of the compound.) The method for producing a rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the amphoteric compound is a compound represented by the following formula (I-1) and / or the following formula (I-2).

[In formula (I-1), p represents an integer of 2 to 8. In formula (I-2), q represents an integer of 2 to 8. M ^{r +} represents a metal ion, and r represents its valence. ] The rubber composition according to claim 3, wherein the metal ion represented by ^{Mr +} in the formula (I-2) is a lithium ion, a sodium ion, a potassium ion, a cesium ion, a cobalt ion, a copper ion, or a zinc ion. Manufacturing method. The manufacturing method of the rubber composition in any one of Claims 1-4 which knead | mix the silica of the quantity of 35-90 mass% in the said 100 mass% of said silica in a said 1st mixing process.