Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire (100) for vehicle wheels comprising a tire component comprising a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition, wherein said elastomeric composition comprises a polymer blend comprising (a) 50 to 95 percent by weight of a first elastomeric polymer and (b) 5 to 50 percent by weight of a second elastomeric polymer based on the total weight of the polymer blend. The second elastomeric polymer (b) is obtainable by (i) anionic polymerization of at least one conjugated diene monomer and one or more a-olefin monomer(s) in the presence of a polymerization initiator in an organic solvent, and (ii) coupling the polymer chains obtained in (i) by a coupling agent. The second elastomeric polymer (b) has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) in the range of 5,000-40,000 g/mol and a coupling rate of at least 50 percent by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire (100) for vehicle wheels comprising a tire component comprising a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition, wherein said elastomeric composition comprises a polymer blend comprising (a) 50 to 95 percent by weight of a first elastomeric polymer and (b) 5 to 50 percent by weight of a second elastomeric polymer based on the total weight of the polymer blend. The second elastomeric polymer (b) is obtainable by (i) anionic polymerization of at least one conjugated diene monomer and one or more a-olefin monomer(s) in the presence of a polymerization initiator in an organic solvent, and (ii) coupling the polymer chains obtained in (i) by a coupling agent. The second elastomeric polymer (b) has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) in the range of 5,000-40,000 g/mol and a coupling rate of at least 50 percent by weight.

Abstract: A process for producing tyres including building a green tyre having two bead structures. Each bead structure includes a bead filler. The bead filler or another rigid component of the green tyre includes a final elastomeric compound produced by the following: feeding elastomeric polymer and reinforcement filler to a first batch mixing device; mixing and dispersing the reinforcement filler in the elastomeric polymer and unloading the obtained elastomeric compound; feeding the obtained elastomeric compound, along with at least 5 phr of reinforcement resin, to a continuous mixing device of intermeshing and co-rotating twin-screw or multi-screw type or of planetary type; mixing the reinforcement resin in the elastomeric compound and unloading the obtained elastomeric compound; and feeding the obtained elastomeric compound along with the components capable of facilitating the cross-linking to a second batch mixing device and mixing to obtain the final elastomeric compound.

Abstract: A process for producing tyres including building a green tyre having two bead structures. Each bead structure includes a bead filler. The bead filler or another rigid component of the green tyre includes a final elastomeric compound produced by the following: feeding elastomeric polymer and reinforcement filler to a first batch mixing device; mixing and dispersing the reinforcement filler in the elastomeric polymer and unloading the obtained elastomeric compound; feeding the obtained elastomeric compound, along with at least 5 phr of reinforcement resin, to a continuous mixing device of intermeshing and co-rotating twin-screw or multi-screw type or of planetary type; mixing the reinforcement resin in the elastomeric compound and unloading the obtained elastomeric compound; and feeding the obtained elastomeric compound along with the components capable of facilitating the cross-linking to a second batch mixing device and mixing to obtain the final elastomeric compound.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a carcass structure having at least one carcass ply and at least one annual reinforcing structure associated with the carcass ply, a tread band made of an elastomeric material at a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a belt structure interposed between the carcass structure and the tread band and a pair of axially opposite side walls on the carcass structure, wherein the tread band has i) at least one first sector, radially extending, substantially of a first elastomeric material; ii) a plurality of second sectors radially extending, positioned at axially opposite sides of the at least one first sector and substantially of a second elastomeric material; iii) at least one longitudinal groove formed in the at least one first sector and extending substantially for the entire circumferential development of the tread band, wherein the first elastomeric material has a modulus of elasticity under compression at 23° C.

Abstract: A tire for vehicle a wheel includes a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply shaped in a substantially toroidal configuration, the opposite lateral edges of which are associated with respective right-hand and left-hand bead wires enclosed in respective beads; a belt structure applied in a circumferentially external position relative to the carcass structure; a tread band circumferentially superimposed on the belt structure, the tread band including a radially outer surface with a tread pattern including a plurality of longitudinal and transverse grooves which define a corresponding plurality of blocks and/or ribs; a plurality of studs partially projecting from the radially outer surface of the tread band; and a pair of side walls applied laterally on opposite sides relative to the carcass structure. The tread band includes a crosslinked elastomeric composition including at least one diene elastomeric polymer and at least one layered nanosized inorganic material as reinforcing filler.

Abstract: A pneumatic tyre includes: a carcass structure with at least one carcass ply shaped in a substantially toroidal configuration, the opposite lateral edges of which are associated with respective right-hand and left-hand bead wires, each bead wire being enclosed in a respective bead, a belt structure including at least one belt layer applied in a circumferentially external position relative to the carcass structure; a tread band superimposed circumferentially on the belt structure including a radially outer layer designed to come into contact with the ground; and a pair of sidewalls applied laterally on opposite sides relative to the carcass structure. The tread band includes an elastomeric material obtained by cross-linking a cross-linkable elastomeric composition including: a) from 15 phr to 95 phr of at least one styrene-butadiene rubber; b) from 5 phr to 30 phr of at least one halogenated butyl rubber; c) from 0 phr to 60 phr of at least one diene rubber other than a); d) from 0.3 phr to 3.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass structure, at least one annular reinforcing structure, a tread band, a belt structure, and axially opposite sidewalls. The tread band includes at least one radially inner layer and a radially outer layer. The at least one radially inner layer includes a first modulus of elasticity under compression, the radially outer layer includes a second modulus of elasticity under compression, and the first modulus is greater than the second. The at least one radially inner layer includes a plurality of circumferential abutment elements that radially extend into the radially outer layer and are axially distributed along a transverse development of the tread band. A related process includes making carcass and belt structures, disposing the at least one first layer in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, and disposing the at least one second layer on the at least one first layer.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass structure, tread band, belt structure, and sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply and at least one annular reinforcing structure associated with the at least one carcass ply. The tread band includes first and second sectors. The first sectors are axially spaced apart from each other and tapered along a radially inner direction. The second sectors are axially spaced apart from each other and tapered along a radially outer direction. The first and second sectors are disposed axially side-by-side, one after the other, along a transverse development of the tread band. A ratio of Shore A hardness at 23° C. of the elastomeric material of the first sectors to Shore A hardness at 23° C. of the elastomeric material of the second sectors is greater than 1.10:1. A process for manufacturing the tire is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a carcass structure having at least one carcass ply and at least one annual reinforcing structure associated with the carcass ply, a tread band made of an elastomeric material at a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a belt structure interposed between the carcass structure and the tread band and a pair of axially opposite side walls on the carcass structure, wherein the tread band has i) at least one first sector, radially extending, substantially of a first elastomeric material; ii) a plurality of second sectors radially extending, positioned at axially opposite sides of the at least one first sector and substantially of a second elastomeric material; iii) at least one longitudinal groove formed in the at least one first sector and extending substantially for the entire circumferential development of the tread band, wherein the first elastomeric material has a modulus of elasticity under compression at 23° C.

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition is described comprising a cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymeric base, wherein is incorporated at least one organic compound, solid at room temperature, selected from the group comprising: amorphous or semicrystalline polymers, oligomers, low-molecular weight organic substances and mixtures thereof, which compound is substantially insoluble in the polymeric base and shows a first or second order transition temperature of from 80 to 160° C. Such rubber composition allows the manufacture of treads with either a low rolling resistance at the temperature of normal use of the tire (40°-70° C.), or a high grip when the tread is subjected to thermal stresses exceeding such temperatures.

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition is described comprising a cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymeric base, wherein is incorporated at least one organic compound, solid at room temperature, selected from the group comprising: amorphous or semicrystalline polymers, oligomers, low-molecular weight organic substances and mixtures thereof, which compound is substantially insoluble in the polymeric base and shows a first or second order transition temperature of from 80 to 160° C. Such rubber composition allows the manufacture of treads with either a low rolling resistance at the temperature of normal use of the tire (40°-70° C.), or a high grip when the tread is subjected to thermal stresses exceeding such temperatures.

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition is described comprising a cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymeric base, wherein is incorporated at least one organic compound, solid at room temperature, selected from the group comprising: amorphous or semicrystalline polymers, oligomers, low-molecular weight organic substances and mixtures thereof, which compound is substantially insoluble in the polymeric base and shows a first or second order transition temperature of from 80 to 160° C. Such rubber composition allows the manufacture of treads with either a low rolling resistance at the temperature of normal use of the tire (40°-70° C.), or a high grip when the tread is subjected to thermal stresses exceeding such temperatures.