Abstract: A tire including at least one structural element including a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including: (a) at least one elastomeric polymer; (b) at least one layered material, the layered material having an individual layer thickness of 0.2 nm to 30 nm, preferably 0.3 nm to 15 nm, more preferably 0.5 nm to 2 nm, wherein the layered material shows, in an X-ray powder diffraction pattern, an X-ray intensity ratio (R) defined according to the following formula: (R)=[A(001)/A(hk0)max]×100 wherein: A(001) is the area of the peak; A(hk0)max is the area of the most intense peak (hk0), at least one of h or k being different from 0; lower than or equal to 20, preferably lower than or equal to 15, more preferably lower than or equal to 10, still more preferably lower than or equal to 5. Preferably, the at least one structural element is a tire tread band.

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: A tire includes: a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply, of a substantially toroidal shape, having opposite lateral edges associated with respective right-hand and left-hand bead structures, the bead structures including at least one bead core and at least one bead filler; a belt structure applied in a radially external position with respect to the carcass structure; a tread band radially superimposed on the belt structure; a pair of sidewalls applied laterally on opposite sides with respect to the carcass structure; at least one layer including a crosslinked elastomeric material having air barrier properties, wherein the crosslinked elastomeric material is obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including: (a) 10 phr or 100 phr, preferably 20 phr to 60 phr, of at least one butyl rubber; (b) 0 phr to 90 phr, preferably 40 phr to 80 phr, of at least one diene elastomeric polymer; (c) 5 phr to 120 phr, preferably 15 phr to 90 phr, of at least one reinforcing filler; (d)

Abstract: A tyre includes at least one structural element obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including: (a) a crosslinkable elastomeric base comprising at least 10 phr, preferably from 30 phr to 100 phr, of (a1) at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer including less than 10 mol %, preferably from 0.1 mol % to 5 mol %, of epoxy groups relative to the total number of moles of monomers present in the elastomeric polymer; and (b) from 2 phr to 50 phr, preferably from 5 phr to 30 phr, of at least one layered material. Preferably, the at least one structural element is selected from bead filler, sidewall insert, tread underlayer, and tread base.

Abstract: A tire, including a carcass structure, includes at least one carcass ply of a substantially toroidal shape, having opposite lateral edges associated with respective right-hand and left-hand bead structures, the bead structures including at least one bead core and at least one bead filler; a belt structure applied in a radially external position with respect to the carcass structure; a tread band radially superimposed on the belt structure; a pair of sidewalls applied laterally on opposite sides with respect to the carcass structure; and at least one layer including a crosslinked elastomeric material applied in a radially inner position with respect to the carcass structure.

Abstract: Tire having at least one structural element including a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition containing (a) 100 phr of at least one diene elastomeric polymer; (b) 1 phr to 50 phr, preferably 2 phr to 40 phr, and more preferably 5 phr to 30 phr, of at least one layered material having an individual layer thickness of 0.01 nm to 30 nm, preferably 0.05 nm to 15 nm; (c) 0.1 phr to 15 phr, preferably 0.3 phr to 10 phr, of at least one methylene donor compound; and (d) 0.4 phr to 20 phr, preferably 0.8 phr to 15 phr of at least one methylene acceptor compound. Preferably, the at least one structural element is selected from bead filler, sidewall insert tread underlayer, or tread base.

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 class of bridged or unbridged metallocene compounds is disclosed, wherein the cyclopentadienyl ligands have two or four adjacent substituents forming one or two alkylenic cycles of from 4 to 8 carbon atoms. These metallocenes are useful as catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins, particularly for the (co)polymerization of ethylene and for the polymerization of propylene.

Abstract: A crosslinkable elastomeric composition includes at least one thermoplastic polymer selected from amorphous polymers having a glass transition temperature higher than 80° C. or crystalline polymers having a melting temperature higher than 190° C. and at least one diene elastomeric polymer. A method for preparing the composition includes pre-mixing, at a temperature not lower than Tg or (Tm?20° C.), the at least one thermoplastic polymer with a first portion of the at least one diene elastomeric polymer to obtain a masterbatch and mixing the masterbatch with a remaining portion of the at least one diene elastomeric polymer. The composition may include from 1% to 65% of the at least one thermoplastic polymer and from 35% to 99% of the at least one diene elastomeric polymer. The at least one thermoplastic polymer may be dispersed in a form of particles having an average diameter not greater than 20 ?m.

Abstract: A class of bridged or unbridged metallocene compounds is disclosed, wherein the cyclopentadienyl ligands have two or four adjacent substituents forming one or two alkylenic cycles of from 4 to 8 carbon atoms. These metallocenes are useful as catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins, particularly for the (co)polymerization of ethylene and for the polymerization of propylene.

Abstract: A method for reducing elongational viscosity of an elastomeric composition includes adding at least one elongational-viscosity-reducing additive to the elastomeric composition in an amount so that the elongational viscosity of the elastomeric composition, measured at 120° C. and at a shear rate of at least 1000 sec?1, is at least 10% less than the elongational viscosity, measured at 120° C. and at the shear rate of at least 1000 sec?1, of the elastomeric composition without the at least one additive. A process for producing a tyre includes feeding an elastomeric composition to an extruder; forming, by extrusion, the elastomeric composition as a continuous elongated element; and depositing the elongated element on a support in a plurality of coils to make up a structural element of the tyre. Forming the elastomeric composition is carried out at the shear rate. The elastomeric composition comprises the at least one additive.

Abstract: A crosslinkable elastomeric composition includes at least one diene elastomeric polymer and at least one organic quaternary ammonium salt. The at least one diene elastomeric polymer may have a glass transition temperature (Tg) below 20° C. The at least one organic quaternary ammonium salt may be present in an amount from 0.1 phr to 10 phr. The elastomeric composition may include at least one primary accelerator selected from thiazoles, sulphenamides, and/or xanthogenates. The elastomeric composition may be substantially free of additional secondary accelerators. The elastomeric composition may include at least one reinforcing filler, such as carbon black and/or silica. A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes at least one structural element including the elastomeric composition. The tyre may include a carcass structure, a belt structure, a tread band, and a pair of sidewalls. The at least one structural element including the elastomeric composition may be the tread band.

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: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes metering and feeding at least one elastomer and at least one filler into at least one extruder, mixing and dispersing the at least one filler into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder, and passing the composition that results through at least one static mixer. An apparatus for continuously producing the composition includes at least one twin-screw extruder, at least one metering device, and at least one static mixer. The at least one extruder includes a housing and two screws rotatably mounted in the housing. The housing includes at least one feed opening and a discharge opening. The at least one metering device meters and feeds at least one elastomer and at least one filler into the at least one extruder. The composition discharged from the discharge opening passes through the at least one static mixer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of heterophasic elastomeric polymer comprising the step of polymerizing ethylene, an alpha-olefin CH2?CHL, where L is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl radical with 1–10 carbon atoms and a non-conjugated diene in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a transition metal catalyst component supported on a porous alpha-olefin polymer, characterized in that at least part of the diene is impregnated on the porous alpha-olefin polymer.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes providing at least one extruder, metering and feeding at least one elastomer, at least one filler, and ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one extruder, mixing and dispersing the at least one filler and the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder, and extruding a resulting elastomeric composition. The at least one extruder includes the housing and at least one screw rotatably mounted in the housing. The housing includes at least one feed opening and a discharge opening. At least one of the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers includes a subdivided product including one or more minor ingredients dispersed in at least one thermoplastic binding agent. An apparatus for continuously producing the elastomeric composition is also disclosed.

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.