Trial Production of TPI Unit

The 500 t/a trans-polyisoprene rubber (TPI) unit was recently
conducted wet commissioning in Qingdao Auxiliary Plant located
in the Municipal Science and Technology Park of Shandong Qingdao
University of Science & Technology (QUST) in Qingdao, Shandong
province.  
   TPI is trans-1,4-polyisoprene. Because of its low heat
generation, good dynamic behavior and fatigue resistance, it is
an ideal material for the production of high-performance,
energy-saving and environmental friendly tires and automobile
shock-absorbing products. As the process technology is
complicated and the production cost is high, however, the price
of TPI is more than 10 times of conventional rubbers. It can
therefore only be used in special sectors.
   In 1997, QUST developed a new technology for the synthesis
of TPI through isoprene bulk precipitation polymerization in
presence of loaded titanium catalyst. Compared with the vanadium
catalyst system in the solution polymerization process, the
loaded titanium catalyst system can greatly reduce the price of
TPI to less than twice of conventional rubbers.
   According to experts of QUST, in all rubbers used in tires
the rolling resistance and the heat generation of vulcanized TPI
are the lowest, being only around 50% of emulsion-polymerized
SBR. Besides, the blending of other rubbers with TPI can
remarkably reduce rolling resistance and heat generation.
   Tests prove that TPI can minimize the consumption of fuels
in cars and the emission of carbon dioxide in car tail gas.