Abstract: Methods for producing a cross-linkable rubber composition that comprises a masterbatch are disclosed. The masterbatch comprising a base masterbatch and the method includes forming the base masterbatch by adding a diene rubber to an internal mixer; adding a total quantity of a solid agglomerated material that includes carbon nanotubes into the mixing chamber; and mixing the diene elastomer and the solid agglomerated material. To ensure adequate distribution and dispersion of the material, the base masterbatch has a minimum Mooney viscosity ML(1+4)100 of at least 85 MU.

Abstract: Described are articles including treads and/or other tire components that are formed at least in part by rubber compositions having solid agglomerated material comprising disaggregated carbon nanotubes. Such rubber compositions include a diene rubber component and a solid agglomerated material comprising disaggregated carbon nanotubes that consist of a continuous network of carbon nanotubes that contains 1) voids and 2) aggregates of carbon nanotubes having a mean size d50 of less than 5 ?m, the voids and the aggregates together in an amount that is less than 60% of a predetermined surface area, as determined by electron microscopy imagery analysis, the remainder being the disaggregated carbon nanotubes in the continuous network that do not comprise a clearly defined shape.

Abstract: Rubber compositions comprising at least one diene based polymer, a precipitated silica, a coupling agent package comprising a mercapto-functional alkylalkoxysilane and a blocked mercapto-functional alkylalkoxysilane, a deblocking agent, a vulcanizing package comprising at least one vulcanizing agent comprising sulfur and at least one accelerator, and a scorch modifier are provided herein.

Abstract: A rubber composition based upon a cross-linkable rubber composition is provided that is in parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr), a diene rubber and a reinforcing filler that includes a reinforcing alumina filler with a nitrogen surface area of greater than 30 m2/g. The reinforcing alumina filler is at least 25 wt % of the reinforcing filler. An alumina covering agent is present and is either a benzilic acid derivative, a catechol derivative, or combinations thereof. The structure includes R1, R2, R3, and R4 that may be the same or different and are selected from a hydrogen, a C1 to C8 alkyl group, a C5 to C18 cycloalkyl group, or a C6 to C18 aryl group. A curing system is also present.

Abstract: Rubber compositions having a base masterbatch, the base masterbatch comprising a diene rubber and a solid agglomerated material comprising disaggregated carbon nanotubes consisting of a continuous network of carbon nanotubes, the continuous network comprising 1) voids and 2) aggregates of carbon nanotubes having a d50 mean size of less than 5 ?m, the voids and the aggregates together being in an amount that is less than 60% of a predetermined surface area, such percentage as determined by electron microscopy image analysis, the remainder being the disaggregated carbon nanotubes in the continuous network that do not comprise a clearly defined shape and being in an amount that is at least 40% of the predetermined surface area, wherein the base masterbatch has a minimum Mooney viscosity ML(1+4)100 of at least 85 MU; and a cure system.

Abstract: Described are articles including treads and/or other tire components that are formed at least in part by rubber compositions having solid agglomerated material comprising disaggregated carbon nanotubes. Such rubber compositions include a diene rubber component and a solid agglomerated material comprising disaggregated carbon nanotubes that consist of a continuous network of carbon nanotubes that contains 1) voids and 2) aggregates of carbon nanotubes having a mean size d50 of less than 5 ?m, the voids and the aggregates together in an amount that is less than 60% of a predetermined surface area, as determined by electron microscopy imagery analysis, the remainder being the disaggregated carbon nanotubes in the continuous network that do not comprise a clearly defined shape.

Abstract: Methods for producing a cross-linkable rubber composition that comprises a masterbatch are disclosed. The masterbatch comprising a base masterbatch and the method includes forming the base masterbatch by adding a diene rubber to an internal mixer; adding a total quantity of a solid agglomerated material that includes carbon nanotubes into the mixing chamber; and mixing the diene elastomer and the solid agglomerated material. To ensure adequate distribution and dispersion of the material, the base masterbatch has a minimum Mooney viscosity ML(1+4)100 of at least 85 MU.

Abstract: A method for determining compliance of a logical build in a converged infrastructure is provided. The method includes receiving a logical configuration survey in a predefined format, wherein the logical configuration survey represents a specification for a logical build to be implemented in a converged infrastructure. The method includes collecting data from the converged infrastructure regarding the logical build as implemented in the converged infrastructure, wherein the collecting is performed by an automated data collector. The method includes determining, from the collected data, whether the logical build as implemented complies with the logical configuration survey in the predefined format, wherein the determining is performed by a compliance scan engine.

Abstract: A tire tread manufactured at least in part from a rubber composition that is based upon a cross-linkable elastomer composition comprising between 80 phr and 100 phr of a polybutadiene-based elastomer modified with a functional group that is capable of interacting with a silica reinforcing filler, wherein a polybutadiene portion of the polybutadiene-based elastomer has between 8 wt % and 15 wt % vinyl units, wherein the polybutadiene-based elastomer includes at least 30 mol % trans-bonds, and wherein the polybutadiene-based elastomer has a glass transition temperature of between ?100° C. and ?80° C. Such rubber composition is cured with a peroxide curing agent and includes an organosilane coupling agent having in some embodiments no or little sulfur content.

Abstract: A tread for a tire manufactured from a rubber composition that is based upon a cross-linkable elastomer composition that includes 100 phr of two elastomer types including at least 50 phr of a styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBR) with a polybutadiene (BR) as the remainder. Such compositions may further include between 90 phr and 150 phr of silica filler with an organosilane coupling agent having in some embodiments no or little sulfur content. A plasticizing system includes a high Tg plasticizing resin and may include a plasticizing liquid. The plasticizing system is added in an effective amount to provide the cured rubber composition with a shear modulus G* measured at 60° C. of between 0.6 MPa and 1.5 MPa and a measured Tg of between ?30° C. and 0° C. The elastomer composition is cured with a peroxide curing system.

Abstract: A rubber composition that is based upon a cross-linkable elastomer composition comprising, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr) between 70 phr and 100 phr of an epoxidized rubber component selected from an epoxidized polybutadiene rubber (eBR), an epoxidized styrene-butadiene rubber (eSBR), or combinations thereof, wherein the epoxidized rubber component has a Tg of between ?80° C. and ?110° C. and an epoxy-function content of between 1 mol % and 25 mol %; between 30 phr and 150 phr of a plasticizing resin; and a quickly reactive silica that provides a macro dispersion Z-value of at least 50 in a defined rubber composition; and a non-silol coupling agent.