Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising: (a) a body at least a portion of which is a multi-phase material (MPM) defining a traction surface; (b) the MPM comprising at least first and second zones comprising first and second materials, M1, M2, respectively, at or near the traction surface, the M1 and M2 having first and second Young moduli respectively, the first and second moduli differing by at least a factor of 3; and (c) wherein each of the second zones has a center, and wherein the second zones have a center-to-center radial distribution function having a peak at between 10 ?m and 10 mm.

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: This disclosure provides methods for grinding biochar composition for use as a filler in elastomeric compositions. Such methods include providing a biochar composition comprising particulate, and grinding the biochar composition with a grinding fluid until the biochar is characterized as having an average particulate size less than substantially 1 micrometer. Optionally, such methods may include passivating the biochar composition during or after grinding by covering a sufficient portion of the surface pores sized 10 nanometer and smaller of the particulate forming the ground biochar composition. Curable elastomeric compositions including biochar and cured elastomeric products are also provided.

Abstract: An inner liner for an elastomeric articles is provided. The inner liner contains platy mineral particles having a mean aspect ratio of less than three, where at least about 30% or more of the platy mineral particles have an aspect ratio of 2 or greater. Furthermore, an inflatable article, such as a tire, that includes an inner liner containing the platy mineral particles, is also provided.

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: An article of manufacture comprising: (a) a body at least a portion of which is a multi-phase material (MPM) defining a traction surface; (b) the MPM comprising at least first and second zones comprising first and second materials, M1, M2, respectively, at or near the traction surface, the M1 and M2 having first and second Young moduli respectively, the first and second moduli differing by at least a factor of 3; and (c) wherein each of the second zones has a center, and wherein the second zones have a center-to-center radial distribution function having a peak at between 10 ?m and 10 mm.

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: 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: Rubber compositions having a modified rubber component selected from a modified polybutadiene rubber, a modified styrene-butadiene rubber, or combinations thereof, the modification being with a functional group having a hydrogen bond acceptor atom. Such functional group may be selected from a pyridine, a pyrrolidone, an ether, a ketone or an epoxide, the rubber composition having a Tg of between ?80° C. and ?110° C. The rubber composition may include an efficient plasticizing resin, which when included in a mixture consisting of the modified rubber component and 67 phr of the efficient plasticizing resin, causes a Tg of the mixture to be at least 14° C. higher than the Tg of the modified rubber component. The rubber composition may described as having the hydrogen bond acceptor atom located at least two covalent bond lengths or alternatively three covalent bond lengths from a backbone of the modified rubber component.

Abstract: Methods for in situ isomerization if polybutadiene may include adding mixture components of the cross-linkable rubber composition into a mixer, the mixture components comprising at least 10 phr of a polybutadiene rubber having at least 80 wt % cis-bonds and up to 90 phr of a second rubber component having at least some dienic unsaturation and mixing the mixture components during a nonproductive phase. Such methods may include processing the mixture components on a mill during a productive phase, adding at least 3 phr of a disulfide isomerization agent and mixing the disulfide isomerization agent with the mixture components. The mixing may take place in an internal mixer with the isomerization agent added to the mixer or alternatively, it may be added to the mill after the mixture components have been dropped from the mixer for cooling on the mill.

Abstract: Rubber compositions having a modified rubber component selected from a modified polybutadiene rubber, a modified styrene-butadiene rubber, or combinations thereof, the modification being with a functional group having a hydrogen bond acceptor atom. Such functional group may be selected from a pyridine, a pyrrolidone, an ether, a ketone or an epoxide, the rubber composition having a Tg of between ?80° C. and ?110° C. The rubber composition may include an efficient plasticizing resin, which when included in a mixture consisting of the modified rubber component and 67 phr of the efficient plasticizing resin, causes a Tg of the mixture to be at least 14° C. higher than the Tg of the modified rubber component. The rubber composition may described as having the hydrogen bond acceptor atom located at least two covalent bond lengths or alternatively three covalent bond lengths from a backbone of the modified rubber component.

Abstract: A heavy truck tire tread that includes a series of at least 50 similar tread features repeated along its longitudinal direction that include two ducts extending from the surface in the thickness direction, the ducts being joined together by one sipe. They further have one void in fluid communication with the two ducts, the void extending substantially parallel to the tread surface and having a void section area of at least 10 mm2. The tread is formed at least in part of a rubber composition comprising at least 75 phr of a first rubber component selected from a polybutadiene rubber (BR), a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or combinations thereof having a Tg of between ?80° C. and ?110° C. The rubber composition may further include at least 40 phr of a plasticizing resin having a Tg of at least 25° C. and a reinforcing filler.

Abstract: Methods for in situ isomerization if polybutadiene may include adding mixture components of the cross-linkable rubber composition into a mixer, the mixture components comprising at least 10 phr of a polybutadiene rubber having at least 80 wt % cis-bonds and up to 90 phr of a second rubber component having at least some dienic unsaturation and mixing the mixture components during a nonproductive phase. Such methods may include processing the mixture components on a mill during a productive phase, adding at least 3 phr of a disulfide isomerization agent and mixing the disulfide isomerization agent with the mixture components. The mixing may take place in an internal mixer with the isomerization agent added to the mixer or alternatively, it may be added to the mill after the mixture components have been dropped from the mixer for cooling on the mill.

Abstract: Rubber compositions having a modified rubber component selected from a modified polybutadiene rubber, a modified styrene-butadiene rubber, or combinations thereof, the modification being with a functional group having a hydrogen bond acceptor atom. Such functional group may be selected from a pyridine, a pyrrolidone, an ether, a ketone or an epoxide, the rubber composition having a Tg of between ?80° C. and ?110° C. The rubber composition may include an efficient plasticizing resin, which when included in a mixture consisting of the modified rubber component and 67 phr of the efficient plasticizing resin, causes a Tg of the mixture to be at least 14° C. higher than the Tg of the modified rubber component. The rubber composition may described as having the hydrogen bond acceptor atom located at least two covalent bond lengths or alternatively three covalent bond lengths from a backbone of the modified rubber component.

Abstract: Rubber compositions having a modified rubber component selected from a modified polybutadiene rubber, a modified styrene-butadiene rubber, or combinations thereof, the modification being with a functional group having a hydrogen bond acceptor atom. Such functional group may be selected from a pyridine, a pyrrolidone, an ether, a ketone or an epoxide, the rubber composition having a Tg of between ?80° C. and ?110° C. The rubber composition may include an efficient plasticizing resin, which when included in a mixture consisting of the modified rubber component and 67 phr of the efficient plasticizing resin, causes a Tg of the mixture to be at least 14° C. higher than the Tg of the modified rubber component. The rubber composition may described as having the hydrogen bond acceptor atom located at least two covalent bond lengths or alternatively three covalent bond lengths from a backbone of the modified rubber component.