Abstract: The process of the invention comprises:a) heating at least one low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbon in the presence of a Lewis acid under conditions sufficient to produce a pitch of desired composition and properties;b) recovering a pitch of desired composition and properties.The process of the invention may be used to produce pitch which can be used in roofing and binder applications.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and process are described for measuring linear and non-linear viscoelastic properties of viscoelastic materials such as nylon, polyester tire cord, rubber, rubber-tire cord composites and the like. The properties are determined by subjecting a sample material to a constant-rate strain displacement having a small amplitude high frequency sinusoidal strain displacement superimposed thereon, and analyzing the overall resulting material stress. The obtained properties can be used to predict and estimate actual end use characteristics of the material such as longevity and mechanical loss during performance. In the case of tire cord, this latter characteristic can be surprisingly related to efficiency of fuel consumption in automotive vehicles.

Abstract: By wheel testing two tires having different construction parameters, e.g. different tire cords and measuring the temperatures at a few points within each tire body; and by measurement with a high strain dynamic viscoelastometer, the heat generation rate and dynamic tensile moduli (at various temperatures, strain frequencies and tensions) of the cords and rubber used in each tire are determined, where the values of the exponents "X" in the general equation relating cyclic strain amplitude, S, in the tire cord and in the rubber of each tire vs. the dynamic tensile moduli, E, for cords and rubber, at given temperature can be determined in the form: S.sub.A /S.sub.B=( E.sub.B /E.sub.A).sup.X.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing viscoelastic solids, such as tire cord. The apparatus includes: holding means, pretension means, first and second displacement generators, and mechanical-electrical transforming means. The holding means holds the material in a predetermined position. The pretension means applies tension during testing. The first displacement generator has an eccentric means for applying cyclic displacement. The second displacement generator applies cyclic displacement to the material co-directional with that applied by the first displacement generator, but of smaller amplitude and higher frequency. The mechanical-electrical transforming means transforms mechanical motion into electrical signals, such as a stress signal, a strain signal and a differentiated strain signal.