Abstract: A laminate contains a composite, comprising a high melting point thermoplastic such as polyphenylene or epoxy and high modulus fibers such as carbon or graphite, which is encapsulated with a resin. A primer adheres the encapsulated composite to a rubber material such as a tire tread. Alternatively, an undertread layer adheres the tire tread to the primed encapsulated composite. The laminate can be used as a run flat belt in a tire.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a high-cis polydiene. The process includes catalyzing a diene polymerization, and terminating the polymerization with an amine-water termination mixture, preferably a TMEDA-water termination mixture. The catalyst system is a mixture of (a) organoaluminum compounds; (b) organonickel compounds; and (c) fluorine-containing compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a functionalized polymer. The method includes the steps of providing a living lithium polymer and terminating the polymer with an oxazoline compound selected from an organic halide oxazoline and a branched or unbranched vinyl oxazoline compound. The present invention also provides a compounded rubber article wherein carbon black is compounded with a terminated rubber that is the reaction product of a living lithium polymer and such oxazoline compounds.

Abstract: A surface stabilized, non-agglomerated silica is provided. The silica is prepared by the method of providing non-agglomerated silica, and then treating the surface of the silica, thereby substantially preventing agglomeration of silica. The surface of the silica may be treated with a hydrophobating agent, such as a silane, or an alcohol. Different embodiments of the invention illustrate that the hydrophobating agent or alcohol can be added at different points within the process of forming the surface stabilized, non-agglomerated silica. The surface stabilized, non-agglomerated silica has a size in the nanometer range. The surface stabilized, non-agglomerated silica can be used as an additive in any application that uses silica, such as reinforcing fillers for elastomeric compositions, foods, drugs, dentifrices, inks, toners, coatings and abrasives.

Abstract: The invention provides chain-coupled polymeric alkoxide compounds for use as the elastomeric component in vulcanizable elastomeric compositions comprising silica, carbon black or mixtures thereof. In particular, the invention provides anionically polymerized polymers having polymer chain living ends that are functionalized with alkoxide groups and coupled together by a metal or nonmetal atom. The polymeric alkoxide compounds have an initial high viscosity for ease of handling prior to compounding, a stable viscosity during storage, and a decreased compound viscosity for better filler dispersion and improved mixing efficiency. The invention further provides a pneumatic tire having at least one component produced from the vulcanizable elastomeric composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vulcanizable elastomer composition comprising 100 parts by weight of an elastomer; about 5 to about 80 parts by weight of reinforcing filler, per 100 parts of the elastomer, including a starch/emulsion styrene butadiene copolymer; about 1 to about 6 parts by weight of a coupling agent, per 100 parts of the elastomer, said coupling agent having a moiety reactive with the hydroxyl groups of the starch/emulsion styrene butadiene copolymer and a second moiety reactive with said elastomer; about 40 to about 115 parts of an additional reinforcing filler, per 100 parts of the elastomer, wherein said filler is selected from the group consisting of carbon black, silica and mixtures thereof; and about 0.2 to about 5 parts of a curing agent, per 100 parts of the elastomer. A process is also provided for the preparation of a vulcanized elastomer composition according to the present invention.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) an molybdenum-containing compound, (b) a silyl phosphonate, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: Blends of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene and rubbery elastomers are prepared by a process that comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene within a rubber cement of at least one rubbery elastomer by using a chromium-based or molybdenum-based catalyst composition.

Abstract: An antistatic tire having a tread made from a first mix (MP1) and having two annular shoulders and a peripheral rolling surface, two opposite annular portions of the rolling surface being defined by outer annular surfaces of the shoulders. Each shoulder is made from a second mix (MPC), which is electrically conducting, and which, under low strain, has substantially the same rigidity as the first mix (MP1), and, under high strain, has a greater rigidity than the first mix (MP1). In a second embodiment, an electrically conducting element is inserted inside the tread. The conducting element and the shoulders both being made of an electrically conducting third mix, which, under low strain and in the cured state, has the same mechanical characteristics as the first mix in the cured state, and, under high strain, has the same mechanical characteristics as the second mix in the cured state.

Abstract: A heavy-transport radial tire (1) having two annular shoulder cushions (14) made of elastomeric material with a relatively low M200% modulus, and each located at a respective shoulder (9) between a reinforced body ply (4) and a tread belt (10) defined by a number of superimposed tread plies (11); and wherein a belt cushion gum strip (18), made of elastomeric material with a relatively high M200% modulus but lower than the M200% modulus of a coating skim (13) of the reinforced tread plies (11), is interposed between each annular shoulder cushion (14) and the tread belt (10) to cover at least the respective edges (20, 22) of those (11a, 11b) of the reinforced tread plies (11) facing the annular shoulder cushion (14).

Abstract: A method of recycling EPDM rubber including the steps of devulcanizing previously cured EPDM rubber and adding the devulcanized EPDM rubber to a composition for forming an elastomeric membrane for roofing, the composition including a rubber mixture including from about 50 to about 95 parts by weight virgin EPDM rubber, and from about 5 to about 50 parts by weight of the devulcanized EPDM rubber, to total one hundred parts by weight rubber, from about 75 to about 300 parts by weight phr of a filler, from about 35 to about 135 parts by weight phr of a processing oil, and a cure package.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the use of processing aids to improve the dispersion of silica reinforcing filler in rubber compounds. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a monofunctional alkyl tin compound as a processing aid in the rubber compounding process. More particularly, the invention provides a vulcanizable elastomeric composition and vulcanized elastomeric products, especially pneumatic tire treadstock that exhibits decreased rolling resistance, hysteresis, and improved snow, ice, and wet traction.

Abstract: A polymer gel composition having a Shore A hardness less than 20. The polymer gel composition includes a polymer having at least 2 blocks derived from a vinyl-substituted aromated hydrocarbon, a R1R2ethylene, an alkyl vinyl ether, a maleimide, and a conjugated diene. At least one hydrophobic filler is included and, optionally, an extender. If maleimide is chosen, a maleated polyalkylene and a grafting agent are also included in the polymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping, soft polymer gel. The method includes: reacting a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer with a maleated polyalkylene and an alkyl diamine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product; and, dispersing the polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product with an extender oil sufficient to form the gel. The present invention also contemplates a polymer gel composition, a polymer composition and an article manufactured from the polymer gel composition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding an active tag to a patch and assembling the patch to a tire is set forth. A patch assembly and a method for securing an electronic monitoring device having electronic and mechanical components for monitoring at least one engineering condition within a tire, comprising an rigid tag assembly encapsulating the electronic monitoring device, bonded to a vulcanized rubber patch which is secured to the inner cavity of a tire utilizing a layer of dual cure bonding rubber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding an active tag to a patch and assembling the patch to a tire is set forth. A patch assembly and a method for securing an electronic monitoring device having electronic and mechanical components for monitoring at least one engineering condition within a tire, comprising an rigid tag assembly encapsulating the electronic monitoring device, bonded to a vulcanized rubber patch which is secured to the inner cavity of a tire utilizing a layer of dual cure bonding rubber.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire has a thin annular band embedded in the crown portion of the tire. The band is formed of a multilayer composite formed of wound layers of a material such as fiberglass and/or graphite impregnated with a resin. The band has a radial cross-sectional thickness with a neutral axis extending through the center in an axial direction. The radial thickness of the band decreases from an axial midpoint toward outer ends of the band to provide greater thickness in the center of the band to reduce interlaminar shear fatigue.

Abstract: A vulcanizate that has improved damping properties where the vulcanizate is prepared by the steps comprising blending an unsaturated damping additive within a vulcanizable composition of matter, wherein the vulcanizable composition of matter includes a vulcanizable elastomer, and effecting vulcanization of the elastomer.

Abstract: A method for increasing the damping properties of tire rubber comprising the steps of adding an unsaturated damping additive to a vulcanizable composition of matter, and processing the vulcanizable composition of matter containing the damping additive into tire rubber.