Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery copolymers of styrene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire tread rubber compounds. By utilizing these styrene-isoprene rubbers in tire treads, tires having improved wet skid resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance or tread wear characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfur cured rubber composition particularly suited for use in tire treads. The sulfur cured rubber composition is composed of, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber, from about 1.0 to 15 parts by weight of epoxidized rubber; from about 1.0 to 15 parts by weight of a carboxylated nitrile rubber; and 98 to 70 parts by weight of a rubber selected from the group consisting of medium vinyl polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber, synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene, synthetic 3,4-polyisoprene, natural rubber, cis-polybutadiene, styrene-isoprene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoesters of rosin acids which are useful as a total or partial replacement for extender or processing oil in rubber formulations. Addition of these monoesters of rosin acid improve the modulus and tear of the vulcanizate. The monoesters are of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different hydrocarbon radicals selected from the group consisting of saturated alkyl and cycloalkyl radicals containing 3 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl radicals containing 6 carbon atoms and aralkyl radicals containing 7 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of diaminodirosinate salts as coupling agents for siliceous fillers in rubber polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a sulfur curable rubber composition by first forming a pre-blend of polyoctenamer and silica and then blending the pre-blend with at least one additional sulfur curable rubber. The invention also relates to a pneumatic rubber tire having a sulfur cured rubber tread comprised of the aforesaid rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber stock containing 0.1 to 10.0 phr of phenoxyacetic acid. Addition of the phenoxyacetic acid to a rubber stock increases the low strain stiffness properties of the rubber stock and results in increased treadwear when the stock is used in tread stocks. The phenoxyacetic acid may also be used in a rubber stock as a methylene acceptor or resorcinol replacement. In addition, the phenoxyacetic acid functions as a silica coupling agent and provides lower viscosities for processing the rubber stock compared to rubber stocks containing conventional silane coupling agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfur cured rubber composition particularly suited for use in tire treads and carcass ply compounds. The sulfur cured rubber composition is composed of, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber, from about 5 to 95 parts by weight of epoxidized rubber; from about 5 to 85 parts of a silica filler; from about 0.5 to 8.5 parts by weight of a silica coupling agent; and 95 to 5 parts by weight of a rubber selected from the group consisting of medium vinyl polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber, synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene, synthetic 3,4-polyisoprene, natural rubber, cis-polybutadiene, styrene-isoprene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A laminate of rubber and steel cord, which may be brass coated steel where the rubber is comprised of elastomer, carbon black, optionally silica, dithiodipropionic acid and prescribed methylene donor material. In one aspect, a tire is provided having at least one component as such laminate.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire having a rubber sidewall composition containing trans 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and at least one additional rubber.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided having good rolling resistance properties without sacrificing traction. The tire has a tread that contains 2 to 15 phr thermoplastic reinforcing polymer as a replacement for 5 to 25 phr carbon black.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric alloys which comprise the reaction product of a mixture of:(a) a polyester resin produced from the precondensation reaction of a diol and a dicarboxylic compound, said polyester subsequently condensed and having an intrinsic viscosity from about 0.13 to about 0.35 dl/g, a glass transition temperature of at least 50.degree. C., an acid number from about 5 to 50;(b) at least one polyepoxide having at least two epoxy groups per molecule; and(c) an unvulcanized rubber.

Abstract: Strain crystallizable 3,4-polyisoprene having a 3,4-microstructure content which is within the range of about 65% to about 85%, a cis-1,4-microstructure content which is within the range of about 15% to about 35%, and essentially no trans-1,4-microstructure or 1,2-microstructure can be synthesized in organic solvents to quantitative yields after short polymerization times by utilizing the catalyst systems of this invention. This invention specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of 3,4-polyisoprene which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer in an organic solvent at a temperatIre which is within the range of about -10.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a sulfur cured tread is provided comprised of at least one diene rubber and a low density polyethylene having a crystalline melt point in a range of about 104.degree. C. to about 115.degree. C., wherein the said LDPE is mixed with the said rubber at a temperature of about 120.degree. C. to about 170.degree. C. prior to sulfur vulcanizing the blend.A process is also provided for producing a tire in which a hot cured tire is removed from its rigid mold where the tread is comprised of at least one diene rubber and a low density polyethylene (LDPE) having a crystalline melt point in a range of about 104.degree. C. to about 115.degree. C.; and wherein the said LDPE is mixed with the said unvulcanized rubber at a temperature of about 120.degree. C. to about 170.degree. C.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a tread comprised of elastomer, silica, optionally carbon black, and a silica coupler comprised of dithiodipropionic acid.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprised of elastomer, silica, optionally carbon black and a silica coupler comprised of dithiodipropionic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfur vulcanized rubber composition containing 0.1 to 10.0 phr of an oligomeric maleimide of the formula: ##STR1## or a maleamic acid of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R and R.sup.1 are individually selected from the group of radicals consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a halogen; R.sup.2 is selected from the group of radicals consisting of 1 to 12 carbon atoms; X has a value of from 1 to 146 and n has a value of from 0 to 4.The presence of the maleimide oligomer or maleamic acid improve cord adhesion to the sulfur vulcanized rubber compound.

Abstract: A tire having a tread of a cap/base construction where the base rubber compound is comprised of trans 1,4-polyisoprene and at least one additional diene rubber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition which exhibits antiozonant activity in diene containing rubbers comprising the reaction product of a multi-step process comprising:(1) reacting under condensation conditions an aldehyde and an amine containing compound to form a condensation product, whereinsaid aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde or mixtures thereof; andsaid amine containing compound is selected from the group consisting of:N,N'-di-substituted-p-phenylene diamines of the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group of radicals consisting of alkyls having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, aryls having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and aralkyls having 7 to 12 carbon atoms; and wherein said condensation conditions include:(i) the presence of an acid catalyst,(ii) a mole ratio of aldehyde to amine containing compound ranging from about 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfur vulcanized rubber composition containing 0.1 to 10.0 phr of an oligomeric maleimide of the formula: ##STR1## or a maleamic acid of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R and R.sup.1 are individually selected from the group of radicals consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a halogen; R.sup.2 is selected from the group of radicals consisting of 1 to 12 carbon atoms; X has a value of from 1 to 146 and n has a value of from 0 to 4.The presence of the maleimide oligomer or maleamic acid improve cord adhesion to the sulfur vulcanized rubber compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rubber compounds containing alkyl (C.sub.12 -C.sub.22) esters of a mixture of fatty acids which are useful as a total or partial replacement for extender or processing oil in rubber formulations. The alkyl (C.sub.12 -C.sub.22) esters of a mixture of fatty acids are also useful as a total or partial replacement for waxes in rubber formulations. Addition of the alkyl (C.sub.12 -C.sub.22) esters of a mixture of fatty acids improve the ozone resistance of the vulcanizate.