Abstract: A tire includes at least one structural element including a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including: (a) an amount higher than or equal to 30 phr, preferably 40 phr to 100 phr, of at least one polyisoprene rubber; (b) an amount lower than or equal to 70 phr, preferably 0 phr to 60 phr, of at least one diene elastomeric polymer other than the polyisoprene rubber (a); (c) an amount higher than or equal to 30 phr, preferably 40 phr to 120 phr, of at least one carbon black reinforcing filler; (d) 0.2 phr to 10 phr, preferably 1 phr to 5 phr, of at least one copolymer of at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing at least one polyoxyalkylene side chain. Preferably, the structural element is a tire's sidewall.

Abstract: A tire includes at least one structural element including a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including: (a) an amount higher than or equal to 30 phr, preferably 40 phr to 100 phr, of at least one polyisoprene rubber; (b) an amount lower than or equal to 70 phr, preferably 0 phr to 60 phr, of at least one diene elastomeric polymer other than the polyisoprene rubber (a); (c) an amount higher than or equal to 30 phr, preferably 40 phr to 120 phr, of at least one carbon black reinforcing filler; (d) 0.2 phr to 10 phr, preferably 1 phr to 5 phr, of at least one copolymer of at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing at least one polyoxyalkylene side chain. Preferably, the structural element is a tire's sidewall.

Abstract: Tire including at least one structural element including a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition includes: (a) 100 phr of at least one diene elastomeric polymer; (b) 5 phr to 120 phr, preferably 10 phr to 80 phr, more preferably 20 phr to 50 phr, of at least one layered material modified with at least one alkyl ammonium or alkyl phosphonium salt, the layered material having an individual layer thickness of 0.01 nm to 30 nm, preferably 0.05 nm to 15 nm, more preferably 0.1 nm to 2 nm; (c) 0.05 phr to 2 phr, preferably 0.1 phr to 1 phr, more preferably 0.2 phr to 0.5 phr, of at least one N-acyl-sulfenyl amide; and (d) 0.3 phr to 5 phr, preferably 0.5 phr to 4 phr, of least one organic or inorganic acid or a derivative thereof selected from: carboxylic acids, phosphoric acids, sulfonic acids, boric acids, or derivatives thereof. Preferably, the at least one structural element is selected from bead filler, sidewall insert, treat underlayer, tread base.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing tires includes the following steps: forming at least one layer including a crosslinkable elastomeric material on an outer surface of a toroidal support the shape of which substantially matches that of the inner surface of the tire; manufacturing a green tire on the toroidal support bearing the at least one layer, the green tire including at least one structural element including a crosslinkable elastomeric material; wherein one crosslinkable elastomeric material of the at least one layer includes a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including at least one sulfur-curable elastomeric polymer and at least one compound having the following general formula (I): A-(S)p—B wherein: p is an integer of 2 to 10; and A and B, which may be the same or different from each other, represent a group having the following general formula (II):

Abstract: Tyre for vehicle wheels having a carcass structure shaped in a substantially toroidal configuration, the opposite lateral edges of which are associated with respective right-hand and left-hand bead wires to form respective beads; a belt structure applied in a radially external position with respect to the carcass structure; a tread band radially superimposed on the belt structure; at least one layer of crosslinked elastomeric material applied in a radially internal position with respect to the tread band; a pair of sidewalls applied laterally on opposite sides with respect to the carcass structure, wherein the at least one layer of crosslinked elastomeric material has a dynamic elastic modulus, measured at 70° C., not lower than 20 MPa, preferably 25 MPa to 50 MPa; a ratio between tensile modulus at 100% elongation and tensile modulus at 10% elongation not lower than 1.5, preferably 2 to 5.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition includes at least one elastomeric diene polymer, at least one thermoplastic polymer, and at least one polymer comprising functional groups. The at least one thermoplastic polymer comprises a main hydrocarbon chain. Hydrophilic groups are linked to the main hydrocarbon chain. The functional groups are reactive with the hydrophilic groups. The composition may also include at least one reinforcing filler. The at least one reinforcing filler may include carbon black, silica, or both carbon black and silica. The composition may further include a silica coupling agent, a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent, or both a silica coupling agent and a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent. A tire for vehicle wheels including at least one element including an elastomeric material, where the at least one element include the composition, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, a belt structure, a tread band, and a pair of sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply shaped in a substantially toroidal configuration. Opposite lateral edges of the carcass structure are associated with respective bead wires. Each bead wire is enclosed in a respective bead. The belt structure includes at least one belt strip. The tread band includes a radially outer layer designed to contact the ground and a radially inner layer between the belt structure and the radially outer layer. The radially inner layer includes a crosslinked elastomeric composition. The crosslinked elastomeric composition includes at least one diene elastomeric polymer and at least one layered inorganic material comprising an individual layer thickness greater than or equal to 0.01 nm and less than or equal to 30 nm. A process for producing the tyre is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tyre for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a carcass structure, a belt structure, a tread band, and a pair of sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply. Opposite lateral edges of the carcass structure are associated with respective bead wires. The belt structure is associated with at least one layer of a crosslinked elastomeric material. The elastomeric material includes at least one diene elastomeric polymer and at least one layered inorganic material comprising an individual layer thickness from 0.01 nm to 30 nm. A process for producing the tyre includes manufacturing the tyre by assembling the at least one carcass ply, the belt structure, and a tread; associating the at least one layer of a crosslinkable elastomeric material with the belt structure; subjecting the tyre to moulding in a cavity formed in a vulcanization mould; and subjecting the tyre to crosslinking by heating.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition includes at least one diene elastomeric polymer, at least one reinforcing filler including silica, at least one silica coupling agent including at least one hydrolyzable silane group, and titanium dioxide. A weight ratio of the at least one silica coupling agent to the titanium dioxide is greater than or equal to 0.5:1. Also disclosed is a tyre, tread band, and cross-linked elastomeric manufactured article including the elastomeric composition. The tyre includes at least one element of cross-linked elastomeric material including the elastomeric composition. The tread band may be that at least one element.

Abstract: Tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising at least one component made of a crosslinked elastomeric material, in which said component includes an elastomeric composition comprising: (a) at least one diene elastomeric polymer, (b) at least one cycloolefin polymer, said cycloolefin polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of not less 50° C. Preferably, said component including said composition is a tyre tread band.

Abstract: re for vehicle wheels, comprising at least one component made of crosslinked elastomeric material, in which said component includes an elastomeric composition comprising: a) at least one dicnc clastomcric polymer; b) at least one copolymer of ethylene with at least one aliphatic &agr;-olefin, and optionally a polyene, said copolymer being characterized by a molecular weight distribution (MWD) index of less than 5, preferably between 1.5. and 3.5, and by a melting enthalpy (&Dgr;aHm) of not less than 30 J/g, preferably between 34 J/g and 130 J/g. Preferably, said component including said composition is a tyre tread band.

Abstract: Tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising at least one element made of crosslinked elastomeric material, in which said element includes an elastomeric composition comprising: (a) at least one elastomeric homopolymer or copolymer of 1,3-butadiene; (b) at least one copolymer of ethylene with at least one aromatic &agr;-olefin, said copolymer being essentially free of side chains containing ethylenic double bonds. Preferably, said element including said composition is a tread band of the tyre. The above (mentioned elastomeric composition makes it possible to prepare tread bands having both a low rolling resistance at the normal working temperatures of the tyre (40° C.-70° C.) and a high roadholding when the tread band is thermally stressed above these temperatures.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, a pair of inextensible annular structures, a belt structure, a tread band, a pair of sidewalls, and at least one coating layer. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply shaped in a substantially-toroidal configuration and is engaged, by opposite circumferential edges, to the inextensible annular structures. The belt structure includes at least one belt strip applied in a circumferentially-external position relative to the carcass structure. The tread band is circumferentially superimposed on the belt structure. The sidewalls are applied to opposite sides of the carcass structure. The at least one coating layer includes crosslinked elastomeric material placed in a radially-internal position relative to the at least one carcass ply. The at least one coating layer is obtained by crosslinking at least one elastomer comprising hydrolyzable silane groups. A related process for producing the tyre is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for improving processability and storage stability of a silica filled elastomeric composition, said method comprising adding to said composition a thermoplastic polymer having a main hydrocarbon chain to which hydroxy groups are linked, said polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of at least 8,000. Preferably, the method further comprises adding to the silica filled elastomeric composition a polymer containing functional groups reactive with said hydroxy groups. The polymer containing hydroxy groups is highly effective in reducing and stabilizing viscosity of the composition, even when used in relatively low amounts, while maintaining or even enhancing the reinforcement effect of silica on the elastomeric composition. The resulting composition is particularly suitable to produce tyres, and particularly tyre treads.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition includes at least one elastomeric diene polymer, at least one thermoplastic polymer, and at least one polymer comprising functional groups. The at least one thermoplastic polymer comprises a main hydrocarbon chain. Hydrophilic groups are linked to the main hydrocarbon chain. The functional groups are reactive with the hydrophilic groups. The composition may also include at least one reinforcing filler. The at least one reinforcing filler may include carbon black, silica, or both carbon black and silica. The composition may further include a silica coupling agent, a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent, or both a silica coupling agent and a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent. A tire for vehicle wheels including at least one element including an elastomeric material, where the at least one element include the composition, is also disclosed.