Abstract: The invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising a block copolymer of a conjugated diene monomer and benzofulvene, and a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a pair of annular beads, at least one carcass ply wrapped around the beads, a tread disposed over the carcass ply in a crown area of the pneumatic tire, and sidewalls disposed radially between the tread and the beads. The pneumatic tire is mounted on a rim and a contact area of the pneumatic tire with the rim has carbon nanotubes for reducing micro-slippage between the beads and the rim during rotation of the pneumatic tire under load.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass, two sidewalls spaced apart a distance, two beads, a tread disposed radially outward of a crown of the carcass, and a belt structure radially interposed between the tread and the carcass. The belt structure has UT steel reinforcing cords. The cords have filaments with diameters ranging from 0.21 mm to 0.60 mm.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass, two sidewalls spaced apart a distance, two beads, a tread disposed radially outward of a crown of the carcass, and a belt structure radially interposed between the tread and the carcass. The belt structure has UT steel reinforcing cords. The cords have filaments with diameters ranging from 0.18 mm to 0.30 mm.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass, two sidewalls spaced apart a distance, two beads, a tread disposed radially outward of a crown of the carcass, and a belt structure radially interposed between the tread and the carcass. The belt structure has UT steel reinforcing cords. The cords have filaments with diameters ranging from 0.08 mm to 0.21 mm.

Abstract: A light weight pneumatic tire in accordance with the present invention includes a pair of parallel annular beads, a carcass ply comprising a polyvinyl alcohol crosslinked raw cord, a belt reinforcement structure disposed radially outward of the carcass ply in a crown area of the tire, a tread disposed radially outward of the belt reinforcement structure, and a pair of sidewalls disposed between the tread and the pair of beads. The polyvinyl alcohol crosslinked raw cord has a weight in the range of 1500 dtex to 2500 dtex.

Abstract: By utilizing the process of this invention, the adhesion between polymeric reinforcements and rubber compositions can be greatly improved. This invention more specifically discloses a process for preparing a rubber article containing a polymeric reinforcement which comprises: (1) plasma treating the polymeric reinforcement in a manner whereby reactive groups containing Zerewitinoff active hydrogen atoms are bonded to the surface thereof; (2) incorporating the polymeric reinforcement having Zerewitinoff active hydrogen atoms bonded to the surface thereof into an uncured rubber composition, wherein said rubber composition has pendant blocked isocyanate groups bound thereto; and (3) curing the uncured rubber into the desired shape for the rubber article at an elevated temperature sufficient to deblock the isocyanate groups bonded to the uncured rubber allowing for the isocyanate groups to react with the Zerewitinoff active hydrogen atoms bonded to the surface of the polymeric reinforcement.

Abstract: This invention is directed to treating the surfaces of rubber-reinforcing materials with a gas plasma of O.sub.2 and CF.sub.4 to activate the surfaces to make them more receptive to adhesives. Optionally the surfaces of the reinforcing materials may be exposed to a polymerizing gas plasma such as a thio-carbon to coat the surfaces of the reinforcing material with substances that promote adhesion to rubber. The treated surfaces have been shown to adhere directly to rubber when vulcanized in the normal fashion.

Abstract: This invention is directed to treating the surfaces of rubber-reinforcing materials with a gas plasma of O.sub.2 and CF.sub.4 to activate the surfaces to make them more receptive to adhesives. Optionally the surfaces of the reinforcing materials may be exposed to a polymerizing gas plasma such as a thio-carbon to coat the surfaces of the reinforcing material with substances that promote adhesion to rubber. The treated surfaces have been shown to adhere directly to rubber when vulcanized in the normal fashion.