Lightweight tire support and composition and method for making a tire support
AssigneeDow Global Technologies LLC
InventorsAlan K. Schrock, Ralph D. Priester, Jr., Wayne R. Willkom, Robert E. O'Neill, Martin C. Cornell, Christopher P. Christenson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A polyurethane-polymer composition suitable for preparing a lightweight tire support includes at least one isocyanate, at least one polyol, and at least one chain extender. A polyurethane-polymer composition can also include an additive such as a catalyst, a filler, a surfactant, a colorant, and a mold-release agent. A lightweight tire support can be prepared from a polyurethane-polymer composition by, for example, reaction injection molding. Such a tire support desirably has temperature stability and load-bearing capability.
Claims14
A lightweight tire support for use in a run flat tire, the light weight tire support being comprised of a polyurethane that is the reaction product of:
- (A) a polyol having a molecular weight of at least about 4500;
- (B) a chain extender;
- and
- (C) an isocyanate, the isocyanate being present in an amount effective to react with the chain extender to provide a hard-segment polymer and in an amount effective to react with the polyol to provide a soft-segment polymer such that the polyurethane has a tensile modulus that changes by no more than 15 percent over a temperature range of −50° C. and 150° C. based on dynamic mechanical spectroscopy and the tensile modulus is at least 20 MPa at 80° C. and no greater than 60 MPa at 80° C. as determined by ASTM D638.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.