Abstract: A silane based additive, rubber formulations including the additive and tires having tread portions made with the additive, together with methods of forming those products, are provided. Uncured rubber formulations in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention comprise (1) a rubbery primary polymer or polymer blend, such as natural rubber and/or synthetic rubber; (2) reinforcing silica filler; (3) a network forming monomer or polymer, especially a thermosetting network forming moiety, for forming a secondary polymeric network; and (4) a silane containing one or more moieties of the aforementioned network forming polymer. In particular networks which can be generated in-situ are preferred. The cured rubber formulation should comprise the silica, having the secondary polymer network coupled thereto, within the rubber matrix, and not directly to the rubber chains via sulfidic linkages.

Abstract: A silane based additive, rubber formulations including the additive and tires having tread portions made with the additive, together with methods of forming those products, are provided. Uncured rubber formulations in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention comprise (1) a rubbery primary polymer or polymer blend, such as natural rubber and/or synthetic rubber; (2) reinforcing silica filler; (3) a network forming monomer or polymer, especially a thermosetting network forming moiety, for forming a secondary polymeric network; and (4) a silane containing one or more moieties of the aforementioned network forming polymer. In particular networks which can be generated in-situ are preferred. The cured rubber formulation should comprise the silica, having the secondary polymer network coupled thereto, within the rubber matrix, and not directly to the rubber chains via sulfidic linkages.