Abstract: This invention relates to tire tread wear monitoring. A sacrificial magnet portion is arranged in a tread of the tire so that it undergoes wear along with the tread and generates a useful magnetic field signal indicative of remaining tread thickness. With a magnetic field sensor arranged on or in the tire, an overall magnetic field signal is measured, which includes the useful magnetic field signal, and a superimposed interfering magnetic field signal generated by magnetizable material contained in the tire. A non-sacrificial magnet portion is used to saturate the magnetizable material at least locally so as to make the interfering magnetic field signal sensed by the magnetic field sensor substantially independent of the useful magnetic field signal sensed by the magnetic field sensor. Further aspects of the invention relate to tires, e.g., vehicle tires, featuring a tire tread wear monitoring system.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a wire coat rubber composition for a tire comprises from 70 phr to 100 phr of cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber, from 0 phr to 30 phr of solution styrene butadiene rubber, from 65 phr to 95 phr pre-silanized precipitated silica, from 0.1 phr to 5 phr of a cobalt salt, up to 15 phr carbon black, up to 10 phr of a resin, and up to 10 phr oil. Further the present invention is directed to a tire comprising such a wire coat composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 3D-printed tire segment model having a tread portion comprising a plurality of grooves, ribs and/or tread blocks, and a plurality of blades extending out of the ribs and/or tread blocks, wherein the tire segment model is made of a 3D-printed polymer. Moreover, the present invention is drawn to a method of making a tire mold segment, including the step of 3D-printing the above tire segment model with a polymer.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a mold segment comprising a tread molding element for manufacturing a tire wherein the tread molding element comprises a shell and an infill, wherein the shell has a first wall with a negative tread pattern extending from its external surface for molding the tread, a second wall opposed to the first wall, and lateral walls; wherein the infill is a fluid-permeable structure defining a fluid-permeable infill; and wherein at least one of a lateral wall and the second wall comprises at least one fluid passage passing through the lateral wall or the second wall.

Abstract: This invention discloses a technique for replenishing the level of sealant in self-sealing tires at the time that a puncture in the tire is being repaired or when the tire is being recapped. This technique provides the tire with its original level of self-sealing capabilities and will enhance the possibility of the tire remaining in service until it can be conveniently repaired. This method involves (1) injecting a liquid sealant formulation into the sealant layer of a self-sealing tire through at least one puncture hole therein, and (2) sealing the hole or holes in the supporting carcass and the innerliner of the tire. The sealant utilized is typically liquid polyisobutylene having a weight average molecular weight of 25,000 to 200,000. The sealant formulation used can optionally also contain a colorant or a pigment.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that a hydrocarbon traction resin can be dispersed into the oil used in making an oil extended emulsion and solution rubbers to attain improved performance characteristics. For instance, this technique allows for the hydrocarbon traction resin to be incorporated into the rubber at a higher level than would ordinarily be possible using conventional mixing techniques. In tire tread compounds this provides improved wet traction characteristics without compromising cured stiffness (dry traction) and ultimate properties (chip/chunk resistance). This technique can be used to incorporate a resin into virtually any synthetic rubber that can benefit from being oil extended. It is of particular value in making resin modified solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR), high cis-1.4-polybutadiene rubber, and synthetic polyisoprene rubber which are formulated for use in tire tread compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising an elastomer, a filler, and a block-copolymer. According to the invention, the block-copolymer comprises (i) an elastomer block and (ii) a thermoplastic block comprising a poly alkylacrylate, wherein the alkylacrylate comprises a polycyclic substituent at its single bonded oxygen atom. Moreover, the present invention is directed to a block-copolymer.

Abstract: This invention reveals a method of manufacturing a puncture sealing pneumatic rubber tire which comprises: (1) building an unvulcanized tire including a circumferential rubber tread, a supporting carcass therefor, two spaced beads, two rubber sidewalls connecting said beads, an inner liner and a solid sealant formulation layer disposed inwardly from said supporting carcass and outwardly from said inner liner, wherein said solid sealant formulation layer is comprised of (a) polyisobutylene, (b) a peroxide, and (c) a reinforcing filler, wherein the polyisobutylene is present in the sealant layer at a level of at least 50 weight percent; and (2) shaping and vulcanizing said tire in a tire mold under conditions of heat and pressure and simultaneously forming in situ a puncture sealant layer in said tire by both crosslinking and partially depolymerizing said polyisobutylene rubber in said sealant layer formulation.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that benzoxazine resins can be incorporated into certain rubber compositions to increase the stiffness thereof without increasing hysteresis or reducing tear strength. Such benzoxazine resin reinforced rubber formulations can accordingly be used beneficially in components of rubber products where high stiffness is desirable. Since these benzoxazine resin reinforced rubbers do not increase levels of hysteresis, they can be used in tires components, such as apexes, chaffers, and high stiffness tread blocks without compromising fuel efficiency. This invention more specifically reveals a radial tire having an apex, a chaffer, or a hard tread block segment which is comprised of a rubbery polymer and a benzoxazine resin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sulfur vulcanizable rubber formulation comprising 10 phr to 100 phr of at least one partially saturated elastomer comprising repeat units, wherein at most 10% of all repeat units of the elastomer comprise a double bond; 0 phr to 90 phr of at least one diene based elastomer; 40 phr to 200 phr of at least one filler; and 5 phr to 70 phr of at least one hydrogenated plasticizer. This sulfur vulcanizable rubber formulation has been found to be useful in manufacturing tires.