Abstract: This invention reveals a pneumatic tire comprising a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, and an innerliner which covers the inner surface and which is comprised of a halobutyl rubber, a filler and lignin. The incorporation of lignin into the innerliner prevents migration of moisture into the tire carcass which can lead to corrosion and consequential delamination of steel cords within the tire. Normally the lignin will be included in such innerliner formulations in an amount which is within the range of 1 phr to 20 phr. Lignin can also be used to protect the steel belts by incorporating it into other tire components located between the innerliner and the belts.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes an axis of rotation, a carcass having at least one reinforced ply and a reinforcing structure providing a buffer for absorbing shear strain, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, and a belt structure disposed radially between the carcass and the tread. The reinforcing structure includes at least one layer of a three dimensional fabric including a frame structure of fabric and open cells defined by the frame structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising at least one diene based elastomer; precipitated silica; and curatives comprising sulfur; a sulfenamide; and a compound of formula I where R1 are independently a covalent bond or a C1 to C8 linear or branched alkane diyl; R2 is C1 to C8 linear or branched alkane diyl; R3 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C8 linear or branched alkyl.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity and a filter disposed between the pneumatic cavity and atmosphere. The filter is constructed of a hydrophobic material for avoiding all liquid adhesion. First and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint. A sidewall groove is defined by groove walls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The sidewall groove deforms segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to bending of the bending region of the first sidewall while radially within the rolling tire footprint.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has an axis of rotation and comprises two radially inextensible annular bead portions, a carcass having at least one reinforced ply, an air impermeable innerliner extending along an interior of the carcass from one bead portion to the other bead portion, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a belt structure disposed radially between the carcass and the tread, and a sealant component having a three dimensional fabric and a flowable sealant material contained by the three dimensional fabric.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity and a filter disposed between the pneumatic cavity and atmosphere. The filter is constructed of a hydrophobic material for avoiding all liquid adhesion. First and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint. A sidewall groove is defined by groove walls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The sidewall groove deforms segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to bending of the bending region of the first sidewall while radially within the rolling tire footprint.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity and a filter disposed between the pneumatic cavity and atmosphere. The filter is constructed of a hydrophobic material for avoiding all liquid adhesion. First and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint. A sidewall groove is defined by groove walls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The sidewall groove deforms segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to bending of the bending region of the first sidewall while radially within the rolling tire footprint.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity and a filter disposed between the pneumatic cavity and atmosphere. The filter is constructed of a hydrophobic material for avoiding all liquid adhesion. First and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint. A sidewall groove is defined by groove walls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The sidewall groove deforms segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to bending of the bending region of the first sidewall while radially within the rolling tire footprint.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes an axis of rotation, a carcass having at least one reinforced ply and a reinforcing structure providing a buffer for absorbing shear strain, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, and a belt structure disposed radially between the carcass and the tread. The reinforcing structure includes at least one layer of a three dimensional fabric including a frame structure of fabric and open cells defined by the frame structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to functionalization of diene-based elastomers with end-chain or in-chain functional groups to promote good dispersion of graphene and carbon nanotubes, and enhance strong interaction between elastomers and graphene and carbon nanotubes. This invention also relates to preparation of rubber reinforced with at least one of graphene and carbon nanotubes with functionalized diene-based elastomer and tire with component thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparation of rubber reinforced with at least one of graphene and carbon nanotubes with specialized coupling agent and tire with component thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparation of rubber reinforced with at least one of graphene and carbon nanotubes with specialized coupling agent and tire with component thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising: at least one diene based elastomer; and a reinforcing amount of at least two fillers comprising carboxymethylcellulose and at least one of silica and carbon black.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition comprising: at least one diene-based rubber; and from 1 to 50 phr of a particulate polyamide having a particle size of from 0.1 to 1 micron, wherein the particulate polyamide is substantially spherical and wherein the particulate polyamide has a melting temperature greater than 210° C. as measured by ISO 11357.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic runflat tire comprising a sidewall insert, the sidewall insert comprising an axially layered thermoplastic.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm and a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of an epoxidized palm oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition comprising: at least one diene-based rubber; and from 1 to 50 phr of a particulate polyamide having a particle size of from 0.1 to 1 micron, wherein the particulate polyamide is substantially spherical and wherein the particulate polyamide has a melting temperature greater than 210° C. as measured by ISO 11357.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.