Abstract:
The present invention relates to a rubber composition which contains reinforcement selected from at least one of synthetic amorphous silica, carbon black and silica treated carbon black, non-alkoxysilane containing coupling agent, wherein at least one of said reinforcements is pre-treated prior to its addition to said rubber composition with at least one of an alkylsilane hydrophobating agent and/or non-alkoxysilane containing coupling agent, and to articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of such rubber composition.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a heterogeneous silica/carbon black-filled rubber compound and a process for making the same. The rubber compound is characterized by containing silica, two different carbon blacks and two different rubbers. One of the carbon blacks is selectively dispersed in one rubber along with the silica and the other carbon black is dispersed in another rubber. The two rubber compounds are then mixed to form a heterogeneous rubber compound.
Abstract:
Hoses are often reinforced with fabric to improve their performance characteristics, such as burst strength. For instance, radiator hose used in automotive applications is generally reinforced with continuous yarn. However, it is a labor-intensive process to manufacture such hoses which include fiber reinforcements. A substantial amount of material waste also generally occurs in the manufacture of such fiber-reinforced hose. By utilizing the technique of this invention, hose which has a high level of burst strength can be manufactured without including continuous yarn reinforcement. This invention specifically reveals a process for manufacturing a hose which comprises (1) extruding a rubber composition into the form of a tube, wherein the rubber composition is comprised of (a) a polypropylene/polyethylene alloy comprised of (i) a low melt index polyethylene and (ii) polypropylene, wherein the polypropylene is homogeneously dispersed throughout the polyethylene in the polypropylene/polyethylene alloy, (b) an EPDM rubber, (c) carbon black, (d) at least one curative, (e) zinc oxide, (f) a processing oil and (g) stearic acid; (2) shaping the tube into the geometric form desired for the hose; and (3) curing the rubber composition at a temperature within the range of 130.degree. C. to 210.degree. C. to produce the hose.