Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a ground contacting tread, the tread comprising a rubber composition comprising from about 60 to about 90 phr of a functionalized solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a bound styrene content of at least 36 percent by weight, a vinyl 1,2 content of less than 25 percent by weight, and functionalized with an alkoxysilane group and a thiol group; from about 40 to about 10 phr of a high-cis polybutadiene; and from about 50 to about 150 phr of silica.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber composition which contains starch/plasticizer composite, precipitated silica and carbon black reinforcement together with a coupling agent wherein the coupling agent is an organosilane polysulfide having an average of from about 2 to about 2.6 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge. The invention provides for a chemical reaction between a coupling agent and silica which is substantially decoupled from a reaction between a coupling agent and starch/plasticizer to form a filler reinforcement network in situ within the elastomer host followed by a subsequent phase mixing of the carbon black therewith. The invention further relates to the resulting rubber composition and articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of said rubber composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber composition which contains starch/plasticizer composite, precipitated silica and carbon black reinforcement together with a coupling agent wherein the coupling agent is an organosilane polysulfide having an average of from about 2 to about 2.6 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge. The invention provides for a chemical reaction between a coupling agent and silica which is substantially decoupled from a reaction between a coupling agent and starch/plasticizer to form a filler reinforcement network in situ within the elastomer host followed by a subsequent phase mixing of the carbon black therewith. The invention further relates to the resulting rubber composition and articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of said rubber composition.

Abstract: A radial medium radial truck (RMT) tire has belt or breaker plies which are reinforced by organic reinforcement cords or filaments. In the preferred embodiment, organic multifilaments are used in the top belt or breaker plies which have the following characteristics: at least a gauge of 420×2 dTex to about 3300×3 dTex, a tenacity of about 35 cN/Tex to about 200 cN/Tex, an initial modulus of at least 30 g/denier (250 cN/Tex) and a shrinkage of about 0.1-10 %. When an organic polymer reinforcement is used in the top belt or breaker in the belt package of a tire, scrapping of tires during a retreading operation because of corrosion is greatly reduced. In addition, acceptance for retreadability is increased because of reduced top belt or breaker damage, allowing for easier preparation for the retreading. Moreover, the invention relates to an improved construction to reduce defects known as blows.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire bead area construction for improved chafer cracking resistance during run-flat (uninflated) tire operation comprises a chafer reinforcement fabric component that is positioned at the surface of the chafer wherever it may contact the wheel rim flange during normal tire operation, and especially during uninflated tire operation. The fabric component may be anchored by extending it around the bead. The fabric component may replace the toeguard, thereby further reinforcing and protecting the bead area by extending the chafer reinforcement fabric component along the surfaces of the bead area wherever surfaces of the tire can contact the wheel rim and rim flange during mounting of the tire and during operation of the tire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber composition which contains starch/plasticizer composite, precipitated silica and carbon black reinforcement together with a coupling agent wherein the coupling agent is an organosilane polysulfide having an average of from about 2 to about 2.6 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge. The invention provides for a chemical reaction between a coupling agent and silica which is substantially decoupled from a reaction between a coupling agent and starch/plasticizer to form a filler reinforcement network in situ within the elastomer host followed by a subsequent phase mixing of the carbon black therewith. The invention further relates to the resulting rubber composition and articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of said rubber composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a rubber tread of a cap/base construction with a tread cap of rib/groove configuration in contrast to a tread cap of lug/groove configuration. The tread cap is composed of styrene/butadiene copolymer rubber and isoprene/butadiene copolymer rubber and reinforced with a carbon black blend, and the underlying tread base is composed primarily of natural cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber reinforced with carbon black. The invention particularly relates to truck tires and to bus tires which are collectively referred to herein as "truck tires".

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a rubber tread of a cap/base construction wherein the tread cap is composed of cis 1,4-polyisoprene natural rubber, isoprene/butadiene copolymer rubber and cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber, reinforced with precipitated silica and carbon black, and the underlying tread base is composed primarily of natural cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber reinforced with carbon black. The invention particularly relates to truck tires and to bus tires which are collectively referred to herein as "truck tires".