Abstract: The present invention is directed towards speckled tire treads for tires. Specifically, the speckled tire tread includes a primary tread compound that serves as a matrix in which is distributed discrete particles of one or more secondary tread compounds, at least one of the compounds is a different color than the other tread compound(s) so as to be visually distinguishable. For example, the primary tread compound may include carbon black pigment and be black in color while the secondary tread compound can include one or more pigments to provide the particles with non-black color. Thus, the colored particles have a visually distinguishable color from that of the primary tread composition. Additionally, at least a portion of the particles may be situated for viewing on a running surface of the tire tread so that a subject can visually distinguish between the compounds, and such observed compounds may provide a different tire performance characteristic(s).

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards speckled tire treads for tires. Specifically, the speckled tire tread includes a primary tread compound that serves as a matrix in which is distributed discrete particles of one or more secondary tread compounds, at least one of the compounds is a different color than the other tread compound(s) so as to be visually distinguishable. For example, the primary tread compound may include carbon black pigment and be black in color while the secondary tread compound can include one or more pigments to provide the particles with non-black color. Thus, the colored particles have a visually distinguishable color from that of the primary tread composition. Additionally, at least a portion of the particles may be situated for viewing on a running surface of the tire tread so that a subject can visually distinguish between the compounds, and such observed compounds may provide a different tire performance characteristic(s).

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads; wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting; wherein the tread is comprised of: (1) an amino group containing rubbery polymer, wherein said amino group containing rubbery polymer contains from about 0.1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent monomer units containing an amino group, (2) from 0.1 to about 25 phr of an organophilic 2:1 layered silicate clay selected from the group consisting of montmorillonite clays, bentonite clays, hectorite clays, saponite clays, nontronite clays, beidellite clays, fluorohectorite clays, stevensite clays, volkonskoite clays, sauconite clays, and laponite clays, and (3) a silica coupling agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making a vulcanized rubber article comprising the steps of (1) kneading at a temperature within the range of about 70° C. to about 190° C. in a bulk thermomechanical mixer (a) an amino group containing rubbery polymer, wherein said amino group containing rubbery polymer contains from about 0.1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent monomer units containing an amino group, (b) from 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads; wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting; wherein the tread is comprised of: (1) an amino group containing rubbery polymer, wherein said amino group containing rubbery polymer contains from about 0.1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent monomer units containing an amino group, (2) from 0.1 to about 25 phr of an organophilic 2:1 layered silicate clay selected from the group consisting of montmorillonite clays, bentonite clays, hectorite clays, saponite clays, nontronite clays, beidellite clays, fluorohectorite clays, stevensite clays, volkonskoite clays, sauconite clays, and laponite clays, and (3) a silica coupling agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a light weight rubber blend that can be beneficially used in rubber articles, such as power transmission belts and tires. In the rubber blends of this invention a 2:1 layered silicate clay, preferably an organophilic 2:1 layered silicate clay, is substituted for a portion of the carbon black that is normally used in the rubber as a filler. This can be done without sacrificing the physical properties of the rubber composition in cases where the rubber in the blend contains an amino group. Tire tread compounds that utilize such rubber compositions offer increased vehicle fuel economy. This invention also relates to improving the strength, modulus and elongation of carbon black and silica filled compounds by the addition of 2:1 layered silicate clays thereto without modifying the level of carbon black or silica. Such compounds have increased flexibility and tensile strength for tire side-wall applications.

Abstract: This invention discloses a rubber composition that is comprised of: (1) an amino group containing rubbery polymer, wherein said amino group containing rubbery polymer contains from about 0.1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of monomer units containing an amino group, and (2) from about 0.1 phr to about 25 phr of a 2:1 layered silicate clay, wherein the 2:1 layered silicate clay is an organophilic 2:1 layered silicate clay.

Abstract: This invention relates to a light weight rubber blend that can be beneficially used in rubber articles, such as power transmission belts and tires. In the rubber blends of this invention a 2:1 layered silicate clay, preferably an organophilic 2:1 layered silicate clay, is substituted for a portion of the carbon black that is normally used in the rubber as a filler. This can be done without sacrificing the physical properties of the rubber composition in cases where the rubber in the blend contains an amino group. Tire tread compounds that utilize such rubber compositions offer increased vehicle fuel economy. This invention also relates to improving the strength modulus and elongation of carbon black and silica filled compounds by the addition of 2:1 layered silicate clays thereto without modifying the level of carbon black or silica. Such compounds have increased flexibility and tensile strength for tire side-wall applications.