Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a vulcanization rubber composition, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising: from 30 to 90 phr of a first functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature Tg1 ranging from ?70 to ?50° C.; from 10 to 50 phr of a second functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature Tg2 ranging from ?110 to ?70° C.; wherein Tg2?Tg1 is at least 10° C.; from 0 to 40 phr of at least one additional elastomer; from 50 to 150 phr of silica; from 0 to 50 phr of a hydrocarbon resin; and from 10 to 50 phr of an oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), up to 100 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber; from 5 to 50 phr of a fatty acid monoester of formula 1 where R1 is selected from C1 to C8 linear or branched alkyl, C1 to C8 linear or branched alkenyl, and C2 to C6 linear or branched alkyl substituted with from one to five hydroxyl groups; R2 is C11 to C21 alkyl or C11 to C21 alkenyl; from 5 to 50 phr of a hydrocarbon resin having a Tg ranging from ?40° C. to 20° C.; less than 10 phr of a petroleum-derived oil; and from 50 to 130 phr of silica. optionally, from about 1 to 50 phr carbon black.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that a hydrocarbon traction resin can be dispersed into the oil used in making an oil extended emulsion and solution rubbers to attain improved performance characteristics. For instance, this technique allows for the hydrocarbon traction resin to be incorporated into the rubber at a higher level than would ordinarily be possible using conventional mixing techniques. In tire tread compounds this provides improved wet traction characteristics without compromising cured stiffness (dry traction) and ultimate properties (chip/chunk resistance). This technique can be used to incorporate a resin into virtually any synthetic rubber that can benefit from being oil extended. It is of particular value in making resin modified solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR), high cis-1.4-polybutadiene rubber, and synthetic polyisoprene rubber which are formulated for use in tire tread compounds.

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition comprises an interpenetrating or ionic network (IPN)-promoting resin. The resin comprises side chain functional groups along the resin backbone, which, in the presence of an additive material, form the connections that make up the IPN. In one embodiment, such material is ZnO. A method for forming the rubber composition comprises, in a productive step, mixing the product of the non-productive step, the zinc oxide, and a resin derived from maleic anhydride. The zinc oxide and the resin are simultaneously added to the composition during the productive mixing stage. The rubber composition can be cured and incorporated in a tire component, such as, a tread.

Abstract: A rubber compound for a tire tread includes more than a 30% maximum difference in styrene content between a pair of functionalized diene elastomers. At least one of the diene elastomers contains a functional group that can interact with a precipitated silica that is also in the composition.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is formed from a tread rubber composition, which comprises a combination of at least two different solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubbers (s-SBRs), each extended with oil, and a low Tg traction resin. The low Tg traction resin replaces high Tg traction and the rubber processing oil added during rubber compounding in conventional compounds. The low Tg traction resin is a hydrocarbon resin having a Tg between 100° C. to about 30° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plasticizer system for use in a tread rubber composition. The plasticizer system is partially derived from or devoid of petroleum-based oils and resins. The pneumatic tire has a tread of a rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr): from about 10 to about 60 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) extended with an oil not derived from petroleum; and a plasticizer system comprised of (1) from about 4 to about 8 phr of a plasticizing oil not derived from petroleum, and (2) from about 10 to about 20 phr of a hydrocarbon plasticizing resin selected from styrene/?-methyl styrene resin and polyterpene plasticizing resin.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that a hydrocarbon traction resin can be dispersed into the oil used in making an oil extended emulsion and solution rubbers to attain improved performance characteristics. For instance, this technique allows for the hydrocarbon traction resin to be incorporated into the rubber at a higher level than would ordinarily be possible using conventional mixing techniques. In tire tread compounds this provides improved wet traction characteristics without compromising cured stiffness (dry traction) and ultimate properties (chip/chunk resistance). This technique can be used to incorporate a resin into virtually any synthetic rubber that can benefit from being oil extended. It is of particular value in making resin modified solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR), high cis-1.4-polybutadiene rubber, and synthetic polyisoprene rubber which are formulated for use in tire tread compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), (A) from about 45 to about 100 phr of a low-cis polybutadiene having a vinyl-1,2 content ranging from 5 to 30 percent and a Tg ranging from ?95° C. to ?70° C.; (B) from about 0 to about 40 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from ?85° C. to ?50° C.; (C) from 0 to 30 phr of natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene; (D) from 0 to 20 phr of a process oil; (E) from 55 to 80 phr of a resin having an aromatic hydrogen content ranging from 3 to 30 mole percent, the resin having a Tg greater than 30° C.; and (F) from 110 to 160 phr of silica.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire with high performance tread of rubber composition for promoting tread durability and traction. For such purpose, a tread rubber composition is provided which contains a high Tg solvent solution polymerization prepared styrene/butadiene elastomer (SSBR) together with precipitated silica reinforcement and traction resin. The invention includes extension of the uncured high Tg SSBR by triglyceride vegetable oil instead of petroleum based oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), up to 100 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber; from 5 to 50 phr of a fatty acid monoester of formula 1 where R1 is selected from C1 to C8 linear or branched alkyl, C1 to C8 linear or branched alkenyl, and C2 to C6 linear or branched alkyl substituted with from one to five hydroxyl groups; R2 is C11 to C21 alkyl or C11 to C21 alkenyl; from 5 to 50 phr of a hydrocarbon resin having a Tg ranging from ?40° C. to 20° C.; less than 10 phr of a petroleum-derived oil; and from 50 to 130 phr of silica. optionally, from about 1 to 50 phr carbon black.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), (A) from about 45 to about 100 phr of a low-cis polybutadiene having a vinyl-1,2 content ranging from 5 to 30 percent and a Tg ranging from ?95° C. to ?70° C.; (B) from about 0 to about 40 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from ?85° C. to ?50° C.; (C) from 0 to 30 phr of natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene; (D) from 0 to 20 phr of a process oil; (E) from 55 to 80 phr of a resin having an aromatic hydrogen content ranging from 3 to 30 mole percent, the resin having a Tg greater than 30° C.; and (F) from 110 to 160 phr of silica.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), (A) from about 40 to about 90 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from ?40° C. to 0° C.; (B) from about 60 to about 10 phr of polybutadiene; and (C) from 5 to 50 phr of a hydrocarbon resin having a Tg ranging from ?40° C. to 20° C.; (D) optionally, a rubber process oil (E) optionally, a hydrocarbon resin having a Tg ranging above 20° C. wherein the total amount of hydrocarbon resins and oils is less than 65 phr, and the weight ratio of silica to the total of hydrocarbon resins and oils is greater than 2. (F) from 70 to 130 phr of silica.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a vulcanization rubber composition, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising: from 30 to 90 phr of a first functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature Tg1 ranging from ?70 to ?50° C.; from 10 to 50 phr of a second functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature Tg2 ranging from ?110 to ?70° C.; wherein Tg2?Tg1 is at least 10° C.; from 0 to 40 phr of at least one additional elastomer; from 50 to 150 phr of silica; from 0 to 50 phr of a hydrocarbon resin; and from 10 to 50 phr of an oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr): (A) from about 20 to about 100 phr of a solution polymerized functionalized isoprene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from ?100° C. to ?50° C., (B) from 0 to about 40 phr of a polybutadiene, (C) from 0 to 20 phr of a process oil, (D) from 40 to 80 phr of a resin having a Tg greater than 30° C., and (E) from 100 to 180 phr of silica.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), (A) from about 20 to about 60 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from ?85° C. to ?50° C.; (B) from about 45 to about 80 phr of a polybutadiene having a cis 1,4 content greater than 95 percent and a Tg ranging from ?80 to ?110° C.; and (C) from 0 to 20 phr of a process oil; (D) from 55 to 80 phr of a resin selected from the group consisting of C5/C9 resins and DCPD/C9 resins, the resin having a Tg greater than 30° C.; and (E) from 110 to 160 phr of silica.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire with a tread of a rubber composition for promoting a combination of beneficial wet traction and reduced rolling resistance, while limiting any loss of winter traction at low temperatures. The tread rubber composition contains a combination of high and lower glass transition temperature (Tg) elastomers. Its reinforcing filler is primarily precipitated silica. The high Tg elastomer is comprised of synthetic high vinyl polybutadiene rubber and the lower Tg elastomer is comprised of at least one of natural and synthetic cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber. The tread rubber composition may contain at least one of vegetable oil based rubber processing aid and traction promoting resin. The tread rubber composition is intended to be exclusive of styrene-containing elastomers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), (A) from about 20 to about 60 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from ?85° C. to ?50° C.; (B) from about 45 to about 80 phr of a polybutadiene having a cis 1,4 content greater than 95 percent and a Tg ranging from ?80 to ?110° C.; and (C) from 0 to 20 phr of a process oil; (D) from 55 to 80 phr of a resin selected from the group consisting of C5/C9 resins and DCPD/C9 resins, the resin having a Tg greater than 30° C.; and (E) from 110 to 160 phr of silica.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of elastomer consisting of 70 to 100 parts by weight, er 100 parts by weight of the elastomer (phr), of an isoprene-butadiene rubber having a Tg ranging from ?100° C. to ?50° C., and 0 to 30 phr of a second elastomer selected from the group consisting of isoprene-butadiene rubber having a Tg ranging from ?49 to ?20° C., natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, and polybutadiene, (B) from 30 to 80 phr of a resin having a Tg of at least 20 C, (C) from 0 to 4 phr of an oil, and (D) from 80 to 180 of a filler selected from the group consisting of carbon black and silica.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a tread, the tread comprising a rubber composition comprising a diene elastomer, a pre-hydrophobated precipitated silica, a blocked mercaptosilane, a terpene-phenol resin, and a low molecular weight polybutadiene functionalized with a hydroxyl functional group, wherein the pre-hydrophobated precipitated silica is hydrophobated prior to its addition the rubber composition by treatment with at least one silane selected from the group consisting of alkylsilanes, alkoxysilanes, organoalkoxysilyl polysulfides and organomercaptoalkoxysilanes and optionally at least one dispersing aid selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, diethylene glycols, polyethylene glycols, fatty acid esters of hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated C5 or C6 sugars, polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated C5 or C6 sugars.