Abstract:
This invention relates to a tire tread compound that is easily processable which can be used to improve the treadwear, rolling resistance and traction characteristics of tires. The tire tread compounds of this invention are a blend of tin-coupled polybutadiene, high vinyl polybutadiene and natural rubber. This blend of low glass transition temperature rubber and high glass transition temperature rubber is surprisingly easy to process which makes the concept of this invention commercially feasible. Thus, the tire tread compounds of this invention can be utilized in making tires having greatly improved traction characteristics and treadwear without sacrificing rolling resistance. These improved properties may be due, in part, to better interaction and compatibility with carbon black and/or silica fillers. The polybutadiene in the blend can be asymmetrical tin-coupled to further improve the cold flow characteristics of the rubber blend. Asymmetrical tin coupling in general also leads to better processability and other beneficial properties. This invention more specifically discloses a tire tread rubber composition which is comprised of (1) from about 20 phr to about 60 phr of tin-coupled polybutadiene rubber, (2) from about 20 phr to about 60 phr of a rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic polyisoprene and (3) from about 5 phr to about 40 phr of high vinyl polybutadiene rubber.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a rubber composition containing substantial silica reinforcement and pneumatic tires having treads comprised of such rubber composition. The rubber composition comprises an elastomer, substantial silica reinforcement, optionally a minor amount of carbon black reinforcement, and a triblock copolymer of terminal hard styrene based segments and of internal diene based elastomer segments.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to silica-filled rubber compositions and their method of processing. The rubber compositions contain a mixture of 10 to 150 phr of a particulate precipitated silica having dispersed thereon, from 1 to 20 percent by weight based upon the weight of the silica, of a silane-modified elastomer.
Abstract:
Pneumatic rubber tire having at least one component of a polybutadiene-rich rubber composition comprised of a blend of a continuous phase of a specialized cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and a dispersed phase comprised of a composite of styrene/butadiene elastomer which contains a dispersion of at least partially exfoliated, intercalated, clay platelets, wherein said cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and styrene/butadiene elastomer have spatially defined glass transition temperatures, wherein said blend contains amorphous silica and carbon black reinforcement. Such tire component may be, for example, a circumferential tread having a running surface intended to be ground-contacting or a sidewall insert.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a tire having a tread intended for winter performance comprised cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber (BR) and specialized solution polymerization prepared high vinyl styrene/butadiene rubber (HVS-SBR). Such tire tread is comprised of a compatible rubber blend of at least 40 phr of the BR in combination the HVS-SBR together with reinforcing filler composed of precipitated silica with a low BET nitrogen surface area and, optionally, rubber reinforcing carbon black. A disulfide silane based silica coupler is used to aid in coupling the precipitated silica to the elastomers. Compatibility of the combination of the BR with a relatively low glass transition temperature (Tg) of −100° C. or lower and the HVS-SBR with a relatively high Tg of at least 30° C. or higher, and therefore spaced apart Tg's of at least 70° C. is promoted by the high vinyl content of the HVS-SBR in a range of from about 40 to about 50 percent based upon its polybutadiene portion.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a pneumatic tire, wherein the tire comprises one or more indicia formed from an elastomeric coating comprising an elastomer selected from the group consisting of: a graft-modified fluoroelastomer grafted to a grafting agent; a hydrogenated copolymer of a conjugated diene and an unsaturated nitrile; and a carboxylated hydrogenated copolymer comprising a repeating unit from a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile, and a carboxyl monomer.
Abstract:
A pneumatic rubber tire containing at least one electrically conductive cord extending between its bead and tread portions to provide a path of least electrical resistance. The electrically conductive cord is comprised of at least one electrically conductive metal filament spirally wound around a centrally disposed core of at least one organic fiber. The electrically conductive cord does not extend to, and is exclusive of, an outer surface of the tire.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a tire having a tread of a rubber composition with compositional limitations containing minimal, if any, of in situ formed volatile alcohol byproduct. The tread component rubber composition contains a combination or pre-hydrophobated silica reinforcement and siloxane functionalized styrene/butadiene copolymer elastomer. The pre-hydrophobated silica is prepared, prior to mixing with the elastomer(s), by reacting hydroxyl groups (e.g. silanol groups) contained on the surface of a precipitated silica with an alkoxyorganomercaptosilane or with a bis-3(triethoxysilylpropyl)polysulfide which contains an average of from 2 to 4 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge to form a composite thereof which may optionally include an alkyl silane. The volatile alcohol byproduct (e.g. ethanol) therefrom is thereby removed from the pre-hydrophobated silica composite prior to its introduction into the rubber composition(s).
Abstract:
A pneumatic rubber tire is provided having inner and outer air retention quasi envelopes which individually substantially envelop the tire air chamber and which are comprised of a first inner quasi envelope as an integral innerliner and a second outer quasi envelope as a combination of sidewalls and tread. Such pneumatic tire is of a relatively conventional open toroidal shape. The innerliner and the sidewall-tread combination are termed as being quasi envelopes in a sense that a rigid rim, onto which the tire is to be mounted and inflated, is used to complete the closure of the tire's air chamber envelope.