Abstract: The invention relates to a tire having at least one component (e.g. tread) of a rubber composition comprised of an amine functionalized styrene/conjugated diene copolymer elastomer (e.g. styrene/butadiene and/or styrene/isoprene/butadiene copolymer elastomer) which contains reinforcement comprised of silanol functionalized particulate carbon black having silica domains covering a fraction of the carbon black surface together with an alkoxysilane polysulfide coupling agent. The silica domains on the carbon black surface contain hydroxyl groups (e.g. silanol groups) on their surfaces which are reactive with the alkoxysilane moiety of the coupling agent. The amine functionalized styrene/butadiene elastomer is an organic solution polymerization prepared elastomer which contains pendant and/or terminal amine groups as one or more of primary amine, secondary amine, tertiary amine, and/or heterocyclic amine groups. The amine functionalized elastomer may be tin coupled.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a built-in sealant layer and its preparation. The sealant layer precursor is a layer of a butyl rubber based composition which contains an organoperoxide. The butyl rubber of said precursor is a copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene containing from about 0.5 to about 5, alternately less than 1, mole percent isoprene. The precursor composition contains carbon black and/or coal dust and may contain a dispersion of liquid conjugated diene polymer (e.g. liquid cis 1,4-polyisoprene polymer), short fibers and/or hollow glass microspheres. A layer of the sealant precursor is built into the tire between a sulfur vulcanized halobutyl rubber innerliner and conjugated diene-based rubber of the tire carcass. The butyl rubber of the sealant precursor is partially depolymerized by the organoperoxide during the elevated temperature vulcanization of the tire to form the built-in sealant layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire having at least one component (e.g. tread) of a rubber composition comprised of an amine functionalized styrene/conjugated diene copolymer elastomer (e.g. styrene/butadiene and/or styrene/isoprene/butadiene copolymer elastomer) which contains reinforcement comprised of silanol functionalized particulate carbon black having silica domains covering a fraction of the carbon black surface together with an alkoxysilane polysulfide coupling agent. The silica domains on the carbon black surface contain hydroxyl groups (e.g. silanol groups) on their surfaces which are reactive with the alkoxysilane moiety of the coupling agent. The amine functionalized styrene/butadiene elastomer is an organic solution polymerization prepared elastomer which contains pendant and/or terminal amine groups as one or more of primary amine, secondary amine, tertiary amine, and/or heterocyclic amine groups. The amine functionalized elastomer may be tin coupled.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a built-in sealant layer and its preparation. The sealant layer precursor is a layer of a butyl rubber based composition which contains an organoperoxide. The butyl rubber of said precursor is a copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene containing from about 0.5 to about 5, alternately less than 1, mole percent isoprene. The precursor composition contains carbon black and/or coal dust and may contain a dispersion of liquid conjugated diene polymer (e.g. liquid cis 1,4-polyisoprene polymer), short fibers and/or hollow glass microspheres. A layer of the sealant precursor is built into the tire between a sulfur vulcanized halobutyl rubber innerliner and conjugated diene-based rubber of the tire carcass. The butyl rubber of the sealant precursor is partially depolymerized by the organoperoxide during the elevated temperature vulcanization of the tire to form the built-in sealant layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire tread compound that is highly loaded with silica. This compound offers the advantages of silica compounding without the need for solution SBR. More specifically, the tire tread rubber formulations of this invention offer an excellent combination of traction, treadwear and rolling resistance characteristics. The subject invention discloses a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads; wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting; wherein the tread is comprised of (1) 5 phr to 40 phr of a polyisoprene rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic polyisoprene, (2) 20 phr to 60 phr of high vinyl polybutadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature which is within the range of −40° C. to 10° C.