Abstract: A tire includes a carcass, a belt structure, and a tread band. The belt structure includes at least two belt plies and at least one belt layer radially external to the belt plies. The at least one belt layer extends at least for an axial width of the at least two belt plies and includes at least one first elongated element and at least one second elongated element. The elongated elements form turns substantially oriented in a circumferential direction of the tire. The turns are alternately disposed along an axial development of the at least one belt layer. The at least one first elongated element is a hybrid cord including at least one high-elastic-modulus filament and at least one low-elastic-modulus filament that are twisted together. An elastic modulus of the at least one second elongated element is lower than an elastic modulus of the at least one first elongated element.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tire includes providing an elastomeric layer on an outer surface of a toroidal support, manufacturing the tire on the toroidal support provided with the elastomeric layer, introducing the tire supported on the toroidal support into a moulding cavity, introducing a fluid under pressure into a space defined between the toroidal support and an inner surface of the tire in order to press an outer surface of the tire against walls of the moulding cavity, and curing the tire. The elastomeric layer forms an inner circumferential surface of the tire. The process further includes causing an electrical current to flow in at least one heating element provided to the outer surface of the toroidal support so as to obtain at least partial precuring of the elastomeric layer. A toroidal support for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire includes a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply, the carcass structure including a crown portion and two axially opposite side portions terminating in beads for mounting the tire on a rim; a tread band; and a belt structure interposed between the carcass structure and the tread band. The bead includes a bead core. The bead core includes: at least one first elongated element including at least one metal wire, and at least one second elongated element including at least one carbon fiber. The bead core results in an increased bead, forcing an improved bead unseating resistance and a decreased weight.

Abstract: A tyre includes a carcass, a belt structure, and a tread band. The belt structure includes at least two belt plies and at least one belt layer radially external to the belt plies. The at least one belt layer extends at least for an axial width of the at least two belt plies and includes at least one first elongated element and at least one second elongated element. The elongated elements form turns substantially oriented in a circumferential direction of the tyre. The turns are alternately disposed along an axial development of the at least one belt layer. The at least one first elongated element is a hybrid cord including at least one high-elastic-modulus filament and at least one low-elastic-modulus filament that are twisted together. An elastic modulus of the at least one second elongated element is lower than an elastic modulus of the at least one first elongated element.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tyre includes providing an elastomeric layer on an outer surface of a toroidal support, manufacturing the tyre on the toroidal support provided with the elastomeric layer, introducing the tyre supported on the toroidal support into a moulding cavity, introducing a fluid under pressure into a space defined between the toroidal support and an inner surface of the tyre in order to press an outer surface of the tyre against walls of the moulding cavity, and curing the tyre. The elastomeric layer forms an inner circumferential surface of the tyre. The process further includes causing an electrical current to flow in at least one heating element provided to the outer surface of the toroidal support so as to obtain at least partial precuring of the elastomeric layer. A toroidal support for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Tyre for motor vehicles, provided with a belt structure (3) interposed circumferentially between the carcass (2) and the tread band (4), and comprising at least one pair of belt plies (5,7) radially superimposed on each other and extending axially substantially by the same amount as said tread band. Each ply (5,7) has a plurality of cords (6,8) orientated obliquely with respect to the equatorial plane of the tyre and in opposite directions, and a reinforcing layer (10) radially external to said at least one pair of belt plies (5,7), having reinforcing elements (11) which are substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the equatorial plane. The reinforcing elements (11) of the 0° layer comprise single metal wires preformed according to a given preforming ratio, which have a high elastic modulus and a considerable elongation at low stresses.

Abstract: A rubberized fabric includes at least one substantially metal-free non-woven web having a plurality of fibers. At least some of these fibers are bonded together. The fibers can be substantially oriented in one or more directions. The fabric also includes at least one elastomeric material at least partially covering the at least one non-woven web. The fabric can be incorporated in various locations in a pneumatic tire, such as in a belt structure. Additionally, a pneumatic tire may include one or more elongated rubberized structures including one or more layers of a non-woven web having a plurality of non-metallic fibers substantially oriented in one or more directions relative to the at least one surface.