Abstract: Special cords of textile material are used for reinforcing a portion of a pneumatic tire. The cord comprises at least one yarn and has a first portion adjacent to its outer peripheral surface and a second radially inner portion, adjacent to its core, wherein the second portion is constituted by filaments which are compacted and possibly fused together and the first portion by discrete filaments. Further a method for making such cord and a pneumatic tire including such cord are disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for heavy duty use comprises at least one radial carcass ply, a tread portion disposed radially outwardly of the crown region of the carcass plies and a crown reinforcing structure interposed between the tread portion and the crown region of the carcass plies. The crown reinforcing structure includes a belt assembly having at least a first, radially innermost and a second, radially outermost belt ply. The cords reinforcing the belt plies are preferably made of PET or PEN and have a linear density comprised between 2000 and 16000 Denier, a twist comprised between 2 and 7 TPI and a twist multiplier comprised between 3 and 5.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for heavy duty use comprises at least one radial carcass ply, a tread portion disposed radially outwardly of the crown region of the carcass plies and a crown reinforcing structure interposed between the tread portion and the crown region of the carcass plies. The crown reinforcing structure includes a belt assembly having at least a first, radially innermost and a second, radially outermost belt ply. The cords reinforcing the belt plies are preferably made of PET or PEN and have a linear density comprised between 2000 and 16000 Denier, a twist comprised between 2 and 7 TPI and a twist multiplier comprised between 3 and 5.

Abstract: A method of preparing a ply of composite material by applying an adhesive to a textile material comprising greige cords, so as to achieve an acceptable bond between the cords an elastomeric matrix, while not significantly altering the properties of the cords, is provided. The textile material comprises warp cords and weft cords; the weft cords are used to convey the warp cords through a heat setting oven without applying substantial tension to the warp cords, so as to not change their stress-strain properties. In the illustrated embodiment, the warp cords are aramid cords having a linear density of 500 to 3600 Denier and a twist multiplier of 5 to 8. The cords can be used in a crown reinforcing spirally wound overlay structure of a tire.