Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly which includes a rim, and a spoke ring structure having an inner ring that is mounted on an outer surface of the rim. The inner ring has one or more retention nubs aligned for reception in complementary shaped grooves on the outer surface of the rim, wherein the spoke ring structure has a plurality of spoke members, and an outer tread ring is mounted on the outer circumference of the spoke ring.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that benzoxazine resins can be incorporated into certain rubber compositions to increase the stiffness thereof without increasing hysteresis or reducing tear strength. Such benzoxazine resin reinforced rubber formulations can accordingly be used beneficially in components of rubber products where high stiffness is desirable. Since these benzoxazine resin reinforced rubbers do not increase levels of hysteresis, they can be used in tires components, such as apexes, chaffers, and high stiffness tread blocks without compromising fuel efficiency. This invention more specifically reveals a radial tire having an apex, a chaffer, or a hard tread block segment which is comprised of a rubbery polymer and a benzoxazine resin.

Abstract: The production of a protein free synthetic polyisoprene which has both low levels of chemical impurities and good physical properties has yet to be realized. It has now been envisioned that the use of neodymium catalyzed polyisoprene will offer the combined advantages of both a clean, as well as, high cis-1,4 polymer. Synthesis of polyisoprene rubber using a neodymium based catalyst system is described. Characterization of the material shows the absence of an ultra high molecular weight fraction and the presence of very high cis-1,4-microstructure. Gum stock and black filled compound studies comparing neodymium polyisoprene with natural rubber, titanium polyisoprene, and lithium polyisoprene have been performed. Results indicate that polyisoprene rubber synthesized using a neodymium catalyst system (Nd—PI) has similar stress-strain and tear properties as synthetic titanium polyisoprene.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a tire sealant, the method comprising the steps of: mixing a first mixture of 100 parts by weight of bromobutyl rubber with from 100 to 900 parts by weight of polybutene to make a first mixture; and mixing the first mixture with 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of a nucleophile to make a tire sealant.

Abstract: The production of a protein free synthetic polyisoprene which has both low levels of chemical impurities and good physical properties has yet to be realized. It has now been envisioned that the use of neodymium catalyzed polyisoprene will offer the combined advantages of both a clean, as well as, high cis-1,4 polymer. Synthesis of polyisoprene rubber using a neodymium based catalyst system is described. Characterization of the material shows the absence of an ultra high molecular weight fraction and the presence of very high cis-1,4-microstructure. Gum stock and black filled compound studies comparing neodymium polyisoprene with natural rubber, titanium polyisoprene, and lithium polyisoprene have been performed. Results indicate that polyisoprene rubber synthesized using a neodymium catalyst system (Nd—PI) has similar stress-strain and tear properties as synthetic titanium polyisoprene.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a radially outer circumferential rubber tread disposed on a supporting carcass, an inner liner rubber layer radially inwardly disposed on the supporting carcass, and a sealant layer adhered to and disposed inwardly of the rubber inner liner layer as a radially inner surface of the tire, wherein the sealant layer comprises 100 parts by weight of an ionomer, and from 100 to 900 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of ionomer (phr), of a diluent.

Abstract: The production of a protein free synthetic polyisoprene which has both low levels of chemical impurities and good physical properties has yet to be realized. It has now been envisioned that the use of neodymium catalyzed polyisoprene will offer the combined advantages of both a clean, as well as, high cis-1,4 polymer. Synthesis of polyisoprene rubber using a neodymium based catalyst system is described. Characterization of the material shows the absence of an ultra high molecular weight fraction and the presence of very high cis-1,4-microstructure. Gum stock and black filled compound studies comparing neodymium polyisoprene with natural rubber, titanium polyisoprene, and lithium polyisoprene have been performed. Results indicate that polyisoprene rubber synthesized using a neodymium catalyst system (Nd—PI) has similar stress-strain and tear properties as synthetic titanium polyisoprene.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1 is C1 to C4 linear or branched alkanediyl; Z is R2, —OR3, or —R4—X; R2, R3 are independently C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; R4 is C1 to C18 alkanediyl; X is halogen or a group of structure II, III, IV, V or VI wherein R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are independently H or C1 to C8 alkyl; R10 is C2 to C8 alkanediyl; R11 and R12 are independently H, aryl or C1 to C8 alkyl; Q is N or a group of structure VII wherein R13 is C1 to C8 alkyl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1 is C1 to C4 linear or branched alkanediyl; Z is R2, —OR3, or —R4—X; R2, R3 are independently C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; R4 is C1 to C18 alkanediyl; X is halogen or a group of structure II, III, IV, V or VI wherein R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are independently H or C1 to C8 alkyl; R10 is C2 to C8 alkanediyl; R11 and R12 are independently H, aryl or C1 to C8 alkyl; Q is N or a group of structure VII wherein R13 is C1 to C8 alkyl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined. The invention is further directed to a rubber composition including the functionalized elastomer, and a pneumatic tire including the rubber composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparation and use of a silica reinforced rubber composition. Such rubber composition may be used, for example, for a truck tire tread expected to be exposed to heavy load duty.

Abstract: There is disclosed a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer; and a polymerization terminator of formula I where R1, R2 and R3 are independently C1 to C8 alkyl or C1 to C8 alkoxy, with the proviso that at least two of R1, R2 and R3 are C1 to C8 alkoxy; R4 is C1 to C8 alkyl; Si is silicon; S is sulfur; and Z is R5 or of formula II where R5 is alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl. There is further disclosed a rubber composition comprising the functionalized elastomer, and a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to functionalized polysulfide silica coupling agents and silica reinforced rubber compositions. Such rubber composition may be used, for example, for tire components such as, for example, tire treads.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined. The invention is further directed to a rubber composition including the functionalized elastomer, and a pneumatic tire including the rubber composition.

Abstract: Pneumatic rubber tire with a component comprised of a silica reinforced rubber composition comprised of a combination of functionalized polybutadiene rubber and functionalized styrene/butadiene elastomer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer; and a polymerization terminator of formula I where R1, R2 and R3 are independently C1 to C8 alkyl or C1 to C8 alkoxy, with the proviso that at least two of R1, R2 and R3 are C1 to C8 alkoxy; R4 is C1 to C8 alkyl; Si is silicon; S is sulfur; and Z is R5 or of formula II where R5 is alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl. There is further disclosed a rubber composition comprising the functionalized elastomer, and a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparation and use of a silica reinforced rubber composition. Such rubber composition may be used, for example, for a truck tire tread expected to be exposed to heavy load duty.

Abstract: The invention relates to functionalized polysulfide silica coupling agents and silica reinforced rubber compositions. Such rubber composition may be used, for example, for tire components such as, for example, tire treads.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for manufacturing an elastomeric article by liquid injection molding, said process comprising the steps of: (I) heating a curable composition comprised of (1) a liquid polymer comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000, and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety, (2) a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst, and (3) a tetrakis(dialkyl siloxy) silane crosslinking agent, to a temperature which is within the range of 30° C. to 100° C.; (II) injecting the heated curable composition into a mold at a temperature which is within the range of 100° C. to 210° C. to produce the elastomeric article; and (III) removing the elastomeric article from the mold.

Abstract: The invention includes terminating compounds, polymers, rubber compositions and tires. The terminating compounds can provide terminating groups on the polymer. Polymers can be homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers, and can include repeat units provided from conjugated diene monomers. Rubber compositions can be made from the polymers, and tires and various parts of tires can be made from those rubber compositions.