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 method of processing a rubber composition, comprising the steps of mixing at least one diene base elastomer with at least one additive selected from the group consisting of fillers, to a final temperature of about 150 to about 160° C. in a first non-productive mix step to form a first non-productive mix; cooling the first non-productive mix to a temperature of about 60 to about 90° C.; mixing the first non-productive mix with 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a treated short aramid fiber having a length ranging from 1 to 10 mm and having a thickness ranging from 5 to 15 microns and comprising 3 to 40 percent by weight of a peroxide radical initiator in a second non-productive mix step to a final temperature of about 150 to about 160° C. to form a second non-productive mix; and mixing the second non-productive mix with curatives in a productive mix step to form a productive mix.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes an axis of rotation, a carcass, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a belt structure disposed radially between the carcass and the tread, and a reinforcing structure providing a buffer for absorbing shear strain. The reinforcing structure includes a layer of a knitted fabric. The layer includes first yarns and second yarns.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the unexpected finding that lignin can be incorporated into wire coat stock composition to improve metal to rubber adhesion. It has been further found that lignin can be used as a replacement in whole or in part for conventional rubber-to-metal adhesion promoters, such as cobalt materials which are conventionally used in wire coat stocks to attain and maintain needed rubber-to-wire adhesion properties. In fact, wire coat stocks that contain lignin provide more that adequate rubber-to-metal adhesion characteristics for typical applications, such as in tires, and maintain needed levels of adhesion over long periods of product service. For instance, high levels of rubber-to-metal adhesion are maintained under harsh conditions, such as exposure to elevated temperatures and high levels of humidity.

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 a tread, the tread comprising a ground contacting rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and short fibers, wherein the short fibers extend lengthwise in a substantially axial direction of the tire.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a rubber composition, comprising the steps of mixing cellulose fibers and water to form a first mixture; mixing the first mixture with an aqueous diene-based elastomer latex to form a second mixture comprising cellulose fibers, elastomer, and water; and separating the cellulose fibers and elastomer from the water to form a elastomer/cellulose masterbatch.

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 a method of processing a rubber composition, comprising the steps of mixing at least one diene base elastomer with at least one additive selected from the group consisting of fillers, to a final temperature of about 150 to about 160° C. in a first non-productive mix step to form a first non-productive mix; cooling the first non-productive mix to a temperature of about 60 to about 90° C.; mixing the first non-productive mix with 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a treated short aramid fiber having a length ranging from 1 to 10 mm and having a thickness ranging from 5 to 15 microns and comprising 3 to 40 percent by weight of a peroxide radical initiator in a second non-productive mix step to a final temperature of about 150 to about 160° C. to form a second non-productive mix; and mixing the second non-productive mix with curatives in a productive mix step to form a productive mix.

Abstract: A tire has an axis of rotation. The tire includes two sidewalls extending radially outward and a tread disposed radially outward of the two sidewalls and interconnecting the two sidewalls. The tread includes a main portion comprising a first compound and a reinforcing structure comprising a second compound having reinforcing short fibers oriented between ?20 degrees to +20 degrees to a circumferential direction of the tread. The main portion of the tread includes at least one circumferential groove separating circumferential ribs. Each circumferential groove has two sides and a base therebetween. The reinforcing structure includes a layer of the second compound secured to the sides of each circumferential groove.

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: from 60 to 90 parts by weight of a diene based elastomer selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, polybutadiene, and styrene-butadiene rubber, from 10 to 40 parts by weight of a functionalized elastomer derived from styrene, 1,3-butadiene, and a monomer of formula II where n is an integer of from 4 to 10; and from 1 to 100 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polyketone short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm and a weight ranging from 0.5 to 5 decitex.

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 (phr), of a polyketone short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a weight ranging from 0.5 to 5 decitex, and from 1 to 30 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 a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polyketone short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a weight ranging from 0.5 to 5 decitex, and from 1 to 15 phr of a polyethyleneimine having an average molecular weight of 800 to 2000000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pneumatic tire having a component including exfoliated graphite intercalated with an elastomer, and at least one additional diene based elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one of an apex, flipper, and chipper, the at least one of an apex, flipper, and chipper comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 5 to 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a short aramid fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm and having a thickness ranging from 2 to 30 microns, said fiber having disposed on at least part of its surface a composition comprising an aliphatic fatty acid or synthetic microcrystalline wax; a Bunte salt; a polysulfide comprising the moiety —[S]n or —[S]o—Zn—[S]p, wherein each of o and p is 1-5, o+p=n, and n=2-6; and sulfur or a sulfur donor.

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 100 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer of a polymer nanofiber having a thickness ranging from 20 to 200 nm.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire including at least one component having a rubber composition including at least one diene based elastomer and a silica that prior to mixing with said elastomer is prehydrophobated with a fluorinated silane of the following formula: Rf—R1—SiX3-x—R2x ??I wherein Rf is a perfluorinated group optionally containing one or more heteroatoms; R1 is a divalent alkylene group, arylene group or mixture thereof, substituted with one or more heteroatoms or functional groups, containing about 1 to about 16 carbon atoms; R2 is a lower alkyl group; X is a halide, a lower alkoxy group or an acyloxy group; and x is 0 or 1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having at least one component, the at least component including a rubber composition, the rubber composition including a diene based elastomer and 10 to 100 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a nanozeolite having a particle size of less than 1000 nm and a negative coefficient of thermal expansion over at least part of the temperature range of 0° C. to 200° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire having a component of a rubber composition which contains a carbonaceous filler as a composite comprised of a disturbed crystalline structure which contains synthetic cubic (diamond) crystalline phase(s) combined with a significant amorphous phase content and which may also contain graphitic (hexagonal) crystalline phases. The crystalline phases are of a disturbed crystalline structure. The carbonaceous filler composite may therefore sometimes be referred to as a “disturbed crystalline/amorphous carbon material”. Such carbonaceous filler composite may be a product of, for example, an explosive detonation of a carbon-containing, oxygen-deficient explosive. Reinforcement of rubber compositions for components of tires is provided as a combination of such carbonaceous disturbed crystalline/amorphous carbon material together with rubber reinforcing carbon black aggregates and/or synthetic amorphous silica, and optionally with starch/plasticizer composite and/or short fibers.