Abstract: A radial pneumatic light truck or automobile tire 40 having a tread 42 is described. The tread 42 has a base 43, a plurality of traction elements 52 extending radially outwardly from the base 43 and at least one circumferentially continuous wide groove 54,55. The wide groove 54,55 has a circumferentially continuous window 72 extending from the tread base 43 to the radially outer contacting surface 53. The window 72, when viewed in the ground contacting portion of the tread 42, has a shape that is triangular or trapezoidal having two sides 73,74 and a radially outer long base 75. The long base 75 has an axial width of 7% to 20% of the tread width. The wide groove 54,55 has a zig-zag portion 70 extending radially from the tread base 43 in a circumferentially continuous path. The sides 73,74 of the window 72 define the maximum axial extent or amplitude of the zig-zag portion 70 into the wide groove 54,55.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for adhering rubber to reinforcing materials which comprises embedding a textile fiber or metal reinforcing material in a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising rubber, a vulcanizing agent, reinforcement, a methylene donor, a methylene acceptor and a maleic anhydride functionalized triblock copolymer having polystyrene endblocks and poly-(ethylene/butylene) midblocks.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a strip of white rubber which is added to the otherwise black tire sidewall. The strip is molded separately from the other tire components and is added to the unvulcanized tire at the tire curing press. The strip is pressed into a recess in the sidewall forming surface of the upper tire mold half by a carrier ring which swings into the tire press with the green tire loader. The strip of white rubber is then affixed to the tire during molding of the tire.

Abstract: This invention reveals a process for preparing high vinyl polybutadiene rubber which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer with a lithium initiator at a temperature which is within the range of about 5.degree. C. to about 100.degree. in the presence of a sodium alkoxide and a polar modifier, wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the polar modifier is within the range of about 0.1:1 to about 10:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.05:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: By utilizing the vapor phase polymerization techniques of the present invention, numerous distinct and highly beneficial advantages are realized. For instance, cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber and high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber having a consistent and controllable molecular weight can be easily and practically prepared without utilizing a solvent. The subject invention more specifically discloses a method for vapor phase polymerizing isoprene into cis-1,4-polyisoprene in a process comprising the steps of:(1) charging into a reaction zone said isoprene and a preformed catalyst system which is made by reacting an organoaluminum compound with titanium tetrachloride, preferably in the presence of at least one ether; wherein the isoprene is maintained in the vapor phase in said reaction zone by a suitable combination of temperature and pressure;(2) allowing said isoprene to polymerize into cis-1,4-polyisoprene at a temperature within the range of about 35.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for modifying a rubbery polymer to improve silica interaction which comprises the steps of: (1) metallating the rubbery polymer with lithium by reacting the rubbery polymer with an organo lithium compound in the presence of a member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal alkoxides, alkali metal phenoxides and chelating tertiary alkyl 1,2- ethylene dieumines to produce a metallated rubbery polymer; and (2) reacting the metallated rubbery polymer with a silicon containing compound to produce the modified rubbery polymer having improved silica interaction, wherein the silicon containing compound is selected from the group consisting of silanes and siloxanes, wherein said silanes and siloxanes contain at least two functional groups which can be the same or different and which are selected from the group consisting of alkoxy groups, tertiary amino groups, cyano groups, sulfonyl groups, epoxy groups and halogen atoms; and wherein the reaction between the metalla

Abstract: A radial pneumatic light truck or automobile tire 10 having a tread 12 which has a plurality of traction elements 20,30 aligned in rows and separated by wide circumferential grooves 24 and a plurality of narrow laterally inclined grooves 26,36. Each traction element 20,30 is divided into at least three zigzag portions by a plurality of wavy patterned sipes 28,38. The wavy pattern of sipes 28 within the central rows of traction elements 20 are laterally extending. The wavy pattern sipes 38 in the shoulder rows are circumferentially extending. The preferred tire 10 has the laterally extending narrow grooves 26 being wavy and along with the wavy sipes 28 of a traction element 20 having peak amplitudes (A) aligned along a linear path (L) inclined at an angle .theta., relative to the equatorial plane (EP). Axially adjacent central rows of traction elements 20 are oppositely inclined.

Abstract: Tires using high tensile reinforcement with values of at least 1240 N (280 lbs) for U+T type cord and at least 2000 N (450 lbs) for bunched type cord.