Abstract: Rubber tire component compositions containing silica have effective amounts of extra conductive carbon black to dissipate static electricity. The volume resistivity in Ohm-centimeters of the component such as a tread is generally 108 or less. The extra conductive carbon black generally has a BET surface area of at least 500 square meters per gram and the silica is generally utilized in amounts of at least 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the rubber.

Abstract: Rubber tire component compositions containing silica have effective amounts of extra conductive carbon black to dissipate static electricity. The volume resistivity in Ohm-centimeters of the component such as a tread is generally 10.sup.8 or less. The extra conductive carbon black generally has a BET surface area of at least 500 square meters per gram and the silica is generally utilized in amounts of at least 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the rubber.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for ablating selected surfaces of an elastomeric product or an attached work piece. A tire is positioned beneath a laser system such that a laser beam is cast upon the tire sidewall or applied work piece. A microprocessor controls the directing of the laser beam and the position of the tire with respect thereto such that various informational and/or decorative designs and configurations may be ablated into the surface impinged by the laser beam. The dwell time of the laser beam upon the surface and other factors control the depth of ablation. In certain embodiments of the invention, a multi layered work piece is employed such that the depth of ablation will correlate to contrasting or complimentary colors or will effect a desired relief appearance.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a pneumatic tire includes a cured tread area, an outer sidewall area connected to the tread area, and an outer bead connected to the sidewall area at an end thereof and defining an opening for receiving a wheel. The tire also includes a pre-cured, elastomeric, decorative applique and an applique-contacting adhesive layer positioned between the sidewall and the applique. A method according to the present invention, of providing a cured pneumatic tire with a decorative outer sidewall, includes the step of bonding to the outer sidewall of the cured pneumatic tire a cured, elastomeric, decorative applique with an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A composition utilizing terminally functionalized diene polymers or diene-vinyl substituted aromatic copolymers and oxidized carbon black particulates dispersed therein has been found to provide reduced hysteresis properties and is particularly suited for use as rubber having reduced rolling resistance or hysteresis.The polymers and copolymers are preferably terminally functionalized with a compound having a nitrogen which acts as a Lewis base when bonded to the polymer. The oxidized carbon black is characterized by a relatively high acid content, with the acid sites of the carbon black interacting with the Lewis base sites on the polymer terminals to increase the carbon-polymer affinity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled elastomers which can be cured at low temperatures utilizing a quinoid/peroxide curing system in the presence of a select polar solvent accelerator. The select solvent accelerators which are utilized have the dual function of acting as both dispersing agents and curing accelerators. The instant invention herein includes the instant curing system, its use in a tire sealant composition, the puncture-sealing layer formed of the cured composition and the puncture-sealing tire.

Abstract: Adhesive active finish compositions for synthetic reinforcing members to bond the latter to vulcanizable rubber and reinforcing members for vulcanizable rubber. The adhesive composition comprises a water soluble epoxy compound, from about 20 to 100 parts by weight of a trialkanolamine having from 3 to about 15 carbon atoms and from about 0 to 80 parts by weight of a polyol co-curative having from 2 to about 15 carbon atoms and having at least 2 primary hydroxyls per molecule, wherein the stoichiometric ratio of hydroxyl groups to epoxy groups from the water soluble epoxy compound ranges from about 1:0.7 to 1:0.0003. A method of reinforcing articles of vulcanizable rubber with fibrous members includes the steps of applying to the fibrous member a first coating of the adhesive active finish; applying a second coating comprising resorcinol, formaldehyde and a rubber latex over the first coating; embedding the coated fibrous member in the vulcanizable rubber and, vulcanizing the rubber.