Abstract: This invention relates to a tire tread compound that is easily processable which can be used to improve the treadwear, rolling resistance and traction characteristics of tires. The tire tread compounds of this invention are a blend of tin-coupled polybutadiene, high vinyl polybutadiene and natural rubber. This blend of low glass transition temperature rubber and high glass transition temperature rubber is surprisingly easy to process which makes the concept of this invention commercially feasible. Thus, the tire tread compounds of this invention can be utilized in making tires having greatly improved traction characteristics and treadwear without sacrificing rolling resistance. These improved properties may be due, in part, to better interaction and compatibility with carbon black and/or silica fillers. The polybutadiene in the blend can be asymmetrical tin-coupled to further improve the cold flow characteristics of the rubber blend.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a pneumatic tire having an outer circumferential tread wherein said tread is a sulfur-cured rubber composition comprised of (a) an isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber, said isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber being comprised of a butadiene block and an isoprene-butadiene block, wherein said butadiene block has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 25,000 to about 350,000, wherein said isoprene-butadiene block has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 25,000 to about 350,000, wherein said isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber has essentially one glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -100.degree. C. to about -70.degree. C., wherein said isoprene-butadiene diblock polymer has a Mooney ML-4 viscosity at 100.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a tread which is quantitatively reinforced with silica where the tread rubber is composed of a backbone of a combination of isoprene/butadiene copolymer rubber, cis 1,4-polyisoprene natural rubber and halogenated copolymer of isobutylene and p-methylstyrene. Such tread rubber may optionally also contain other elastomers such as, for example, cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and styrene/butadiene copolymer rubber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire having a tread composed of quantitatively silica reinforced rubber composition, with a minor amount, if any, of carbon black where the tread elastomers are primarily composed of coupled styrene/isoprene/butadiene terpolymer with tin or silicon in combination with selected diene-based elastomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber composition containing substantial silica reinforcement and pneumatic tires having treads comprised of such rubber composition. The rubber composition comprises an elastomer, substantial silica reinforcement, optionally a minor amount of carbon black reinforcement, and a triblock copolymer of terminal hard styrene based segments and of internal diene based elastomer segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to unsaturated amine-functional silane compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy radicals having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkyl radicals having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aryl radicals having 6 carbon atoms, with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is an alkoxy radical; R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of alkylene groups having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms and arylene and alkyl substituted arylene groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkyl group having 1 carbon atom and X is a halogen atom selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the utilization of trans 1,4-polybutadiene resin having a melting point of at least 30.degree. C. in rubber compositions. The invention, in one aspect, relates to replacing, or at least partially replacing, natural rubber with a pre-blend of trans 1,4-polybutadiene resin and synthetic cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber. The invention particularly relates to preparation and utilization of a pre-blend of trans 1,4-polybutadiene resin and synthetic cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber by blending individual polymerizate cements, drying the pre-blend, and use of such pre-blend in the preparation of rubber compositions and of manufactured products such as, for example, tires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber composition reinforced with a combination of silica and defined carbon black and to pneumatic tires having treads comprised of such rubber composition. The reinforced rubber composition comprises in one aspect, at least one elastomer, defined carbon black, precipitated silica and at least one silica coupling agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that the addition of a free triacrylate, tetraacrylate and/or pentaacrylate compound(s) to an uncrosslinked rubber which is then sulfur-vulcanized results in desirable reversion resistant rubber compound properties.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing a rubber composition comprising thermomechanically mixing at a rubber temperature in a range of 140.degree. C. to 190.degree. C. for a mixing time of 1 to 20 minutes(i) 100 parts by weight of at least one sulfur vulcanizable elastomer selected from conjugated diene homopolymers and copolymers, natural rubber and copolymers of at least one conjugated diene and aromatic vinyl compound;(ii) 10 to 250 phr of particulate precipitated silica;(iii) 0.01 to 1.0 parts by weight per weight of said silica of an organosilicon compound; and(iv) 0.05 to 10 phr of sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate.Addition of the sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate to sulfur vulcanizable rubber, silica and sulfur containing organosilicon compound decreases the mixing/processing time without sacrificing end product properties.

Abstract: Pneumatic rubber tire with an outer, circumferential tread composed of selected elastomers with spatially defined glass transition temperatures, in conjunction with defined amounts of aromatic processing oil and reinforcing filler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to silica-filled rubber compositions and their method of processing. The rubber compositions contain a mixture of 10 to 150 phr of a particulate precipitated silica having dispersed thereon, from 1 to 20 percent by weight based upon the weight of the silica, of a silane-modified elastomer.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a pneumatic tire having an outer circumferential tread wherein said tread is a sulfur-cured rubber composition comprised of (a) an isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber, said isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber being comprised of a butadiene block and an isoprene-butadiene block, wherein said butadiene block has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 25,000 to about 350,000, wherein said isoprene-butadiene block has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 25,000 to about 350,000, wherein said isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber has essentially one glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -100.degree. C. to about -70.degree. C., wherein said isoprene-butadiene diblock polymer has a Mooney ML-4 viscosity at 100.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention reveals a process for preparing high vinyl polybutadiene rubber which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer with a lithium initiator at a temperature which is within the range of about 5.degree. C. to about 100.degree. in the presence of a sodium alkoxide and a polar modifier, wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the polar modifier is within the range of about 0.1:1 to about 10:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.05:1 to about 10:1.