Abstract: An elastomeric formulation for producing a tread portion of a tire includes uncrosslinked rubber, reinforcing filler particles, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) particles, curative ingredients, and one or more additives. A tread portion of a tire includes (a) an elastomeric matrix comprising vulcanized rubber and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and (b) reinforcing filler particles dispersed in the elastomeric matrix. A method of making a tread portion of a tire includes: forming a final batch mixture including uncrosslinked rubber, reinforcing filler particles, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) particles, one or more additives, and curative ingredients; rolling/milling the final batch mixture to form a precured rubber sheet; extruding the precured rubber sheet to form a green tread portion; assembling the green tread portion with other tire components; and exposing the green tread portion to heat and pressure to induce vulcanization, thereby forming a tread portion of a tire.

Abstract: Hollow microparticles of polyvinyl chloride are disclosed, having low volumetric densities useful for reducing mass per unit volume of polymer or inorganic articles and apparatus having such microparticles compounded into thermoplastic or thermoset polymers. A double emulsion polymerization process is also disclosed as the process to produce the hollow microparticles.

Abstract: Hollow microparticles of polyvinyl chloride are disclosed, having low volumetric densities useful for reducing mass per unit volume of polymer or inorganic articles and apparatus having such microparticles compounded into thermoplastic or thermoset polymers. A double emulsion polymerization process is also disclosed as the process to produce the hollow microparticles.