Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition for a base tread, which improves balance in low heat generating properties and steering stability, and a pneumatic tire using the same. Specifically, the present invention provides a rubber composition for a base tread of a tire comprising 5 to 120 parts by weight of a laminated natural mineral having aspect ratio of 3 to 30 and average particle size of 2 to 30 ?m, based on 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber component, and a pneumatic tire having a base tread comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a butadiene-based polymer having a high cis-1,4 bond content, a low vinyl bond content and a molecular weight distribution of a specified range, and more particularly a butadiene-based polymer having a 1,3-butadiene monomer unit, characterized in that a cis-1,4 bond content and a vinyl bond content in the 1,3-butadiene monomer unit as measured by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) is not less than 98.0% and not more than 0.3%, respectively, and a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) is 1.6-3.5.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rubbery block polymers containing a polylactone, such as polycaprolactone, methods of making the same, and to rubber compounds containing those block polymers. The rubbery block polymer is an anionically polymerized block polymer defined by A-B, wherein A includes at least one type of polymerized conjugated diene monomer, a polymerized vinyl aromatic monomer, or a mixture thereof and wherein B is a polylactone, such as polycaprolactone, which is hydroxy terminated. The rubbery block polymer may be compounded so to provide, for example, a tire tread with desirable properties for use in an automobile tire. Such rubber compound, for example, can include the rubbery block polymer, an organosilane coupling agent, such as a bis(trialkoxysilyl) alkane, bis(trialkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide, or mixtures thereof, and silica filler in specified amounts.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprises a diene rubber component, a filler and a softening agent, in which a given amount of a filler is compounded based on 100 parts by mass of a diene rubber component, and a softening agent is included in a given amount per the filler, and not less than 60% by mass of the diene rubber component is a solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber having a mass average molecular weight of not less than 1,000,000, and the filler is selected from the group consisting of carbon black, silica and an inorganic agent of a formula (I): mM.xSiOy.zH2O (wherein M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, titanium and calcium, or an oxide of such a metal or a hydroxide of such a metal, m is a number of 1-5, x is a number of 0-10, y is a number of 2-5 and z is a number of 0-10), wherein each of the filler and the softening agent is charged in at least two fractions.

Abstract: An initiator is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers, to provide a functional head group on the polymer. A polymer having a functional head group derived from a sulfur containing anionic initiator, and optionally as additional functional group resulting from the use of a functional terminating reagent, coupling agent or linking agent is also provided. A method is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers comprising the step of polymerizing the monomers with a sulfur containing anionic initiator to provide a functional head group on the polymer. An elastomeric compound, comprising a functional polymer and filler is also described. Also provided is a tire having decreased rolling resistance resulting from a tire component containing a vulcanizable elastomeric compound.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a rubber composition for base tread enhancing a low fuel consumption property of a vehicle. A rubber composition for base tread comprises a rubber composition containing 15 to 80% by weight of a butadiene rubber obtained by copolymerizing a compound represented by the formula 1, wherein R1 represents an amino group, an alkoxy group, a silyloxy group, an acetal group, a carboxyl group, a mercapto group or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic tire having excellent mechanical properties by using a rubber composition containing a polybutadiene rubber having a high cis-1,4 bond content, a low vinyl bond content and proper number average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, and more particularly to a pneumatic tire characterized in that a rubber composition including a polybutadiene with a cis-1,4 bond content of not less than 99.0% and a vinyl bond content of not more than 0.3% as measured by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used in any one of tire members.

Abstract: An elastomer composition based on at least one diene elastomer, an inorganic filler as reinforcing filler, a polyfunctional organosilane as (inorganic filler/diene elastomer) coupling agent bearing at least two functions denoted “X” and “Y” which are graftable, on the one hand, to the elastomer by means of the X function and, on the other, to the inorganic filler by means of the Y function, characterized in that said Y function is a hydroxysilyl function (?Si—OH). Preferably, this organosilane is a hydroxysilane polysulfide, the diene elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polybutadienes, natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprenes, butadiene copolymers, isoprene copolymers and the reinforcing inorganic filler is a siliceous or aluminous filler of the highly dispersible type. Tires or semi-finished products for tires, in particular treads for tires comprising a composition according to the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to 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, and wherein said tread is a cured the rubber formulation which is comprised of (1) hydroxylamine end-group functionalized rubbery polymer of the structural formula: wherein P represents polymer chains of the rubbery polymer, and wherein (i) R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted straight, branched, or cyclic alkylgroups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, alkaryl groups, alkoxyl groups, halo-alkyl groups, and combinations thereof; or (ii) R1 and R2 taken together with the carbon and nitrogen to which they are attached form a 5 to 8 membered ring; and (2) a filler selected from the group consisting of ca

Abstract: An initiator is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers, to provide a functional head group on the polymer. A polymer having a functional head group derived from a sulfur containing anionic initiator, and optionally as additional functional group resulting from the use of a functional terminating reagent, coupling agent or linking agent is also provided. A method is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers comprising the step of polymerizing the monomers with a sulfur containing anionic initiator to provide a functional head group on the polymer. An elastomeric compound, comprising a functional polymer and filler is also described. Also provided is a tire having decreased rolling resistance resulting from a tire component containing a vulcanizable elastomeric compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire for heavy vehicle of the agricultural or construction type, comprising a carcass reinforcement radially surmounted by a crown reinforcement, itself topped radially by a tread, said tread being joined to two beads by means of two sidewalls. According to the invention, the tire is such that the form ratio H/S is less than 0.75 and the ratio of the width of the tread A to the height of deflection B of the crown is greater than 17.

Abstract: A tire component including a tire tread that comprises a vulcanized rubber, a rubber filler, and a modified rubber, where the modified rubber i) contains pendent or functional groups that contain carboxylic acid or anhydride groups, ii) has pendently grafted thereto a polymerized metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, or iii) contains both i and ii. The use of such modified rubbers in tire components advantageously increases the G? of such components.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition usable for the manufacture of tires, based on at least (i) a diene elastomer, (ii) an inorganic filler as reinforcing filler and (iii), as (inorganic filler/diene elastomer) coupling agent, a polysilylated organosilicon compound which is at least bifunctional and can be grafted onto the elastomer by means of a sulfur group having a polythiosulfenamide function, of formula: ?Si—A—Sx—NR1R2 ,??(I) in which: A is a divalent bond group, whether straight-chain or branched, which makes it possible to join the polythiosulfenamide group to a first silicon atom of the organosilicon compound; x is an integer or fractional number of from 2 to 4; R1 represents hydrogen, a monovalent hydrocarbon group, or R2; and R2 represents the grouping: —B—Si?, in which: B is a divalent bond group, whether straight-chain or branched; Si represents a second silicon atom of the organosilicon compound. The invention also concerns tires and tire treads comprising a composition of this type.

Abstract: Disclosed are a conjugated diolefin (co) polymer rubber formed from either a conjugated diolefin or a conjugated diolefin and an aromatic vinyl compound, wherein the (co) polymer rubber has a primary amino group and an alkoxysilyl group which are bonded to a (co) polymer chain; a process for producing the same; a rubber composition; a composite; and a tire. The (co) polymer rubber has satisfactory processability, and can give an automotive tire tread having a balance among wear resistance, failure characteristics, low hysteresis loss and wet-skid characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a component composed of a rubber composition containing at least two diverse carbon blacks. In one aspect such tire is a heavy tire and such component is a tread for a heavy tire which contains at least two diverse carbon blacks to aid in providing an improved path for thermal conductivity for a heavy tire with its relatively thick cross section such as, for example, its relatively thick tread.

Abstract: An initiator is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers, to provide a functional head group on the polymer. A polymer having a functional head group derived from a sulfur containing anionic initiator, and optionally as additional functional group resulting from the use of a functional terminating reagent, coupling agent or linking agent is also provided. A method is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers comprising the step of polymerizing the monomers with a sulfur containing anionic initiator to provide a functional head group on the polymer. An elastomeric compound, comprising a functional polymer and filler is also described. Also provided is a tire having decreased rolling resistance resulting from a tire component containing a vulcanizable elastomeric compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire having at least one component comprised of a rubber composition which contains a hydrophobated, pre-silanized silica, namely a pre-silanized silica hydrophobated with an epoxidized soybean oil and/or epoxidized rubber tree seed oil in situ within said rubber composition. Such tire component may be, for example although not limited to, a tire tread, sidewall and/or sidewall insert.

Abstract: A sulphur-vulcanizable rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, based on at least: (A)—one diene elastomer selected from the group consisting of polybutadienes, natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprenes, butadiene copolymers, isoprene copolymers and mixtures of these elastomers (component A); (B)—a reinforcing white filler (component B); (C)—a coupling agent (white filler/diene elastomer) bearing at least one activated double ethylene bond (component C), with which there is associated: (D)—between 0.05 and 1 phr (parts by weight per hundred of elastomer) of a heat-triggered radical initiator (component D). The coupling agent is in particular an alkoxysilane of the family of alkoxy(C1–C4)-silylpropyls, in particular a trialkoxy(C1–C4)-silylpropyl methacrylate, in particular trimethoxy-silylpropyl methacrylate. Process for preparing such a rubber composition. Tire or semi-finished product, in particular tread, for a tire comprising a rubber composition according to the invention.

Abstract: There is provided a racing tire improving grip performance, processability and rubber strength at a high temperature in highly good balance and a rubber composition capable of producing a tread having thereof. A rubber composition comprising 70 to 150 parts by weight of carbon black with a nitrogen adsorption specific area of 100 to 300 m2/g based on 100 parts by weight of a rubber component comprising a solution polymerization styrene-butadiene rubber satisfying the formula below: (Vinyl content)?100?2×(styrene content), 30 to 170 parts by weight of a softener and 1 to 30 parts by weight of a compound satisfying the general formula (1): —(R—Sx)n—??(1) (wherein R is —(CH2—CH2—O)m—CH2—CH2— , x is an integer of 3 to 6, n is an integer of 10 to 400 and m represents an integer of 2 to 5.).

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent allyl, alkoxyl or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein X represents a halogen atom, and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10, and wherein X represents a halogen atom; and (2) reacting the vinyl halide containing secondary amine with a vinyl magnesium halide to produce the monomer having a structural wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent alkyl, allyl or alkoxyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein m represents an integer from about 4 to about 10.

Abstract: A preparation process for a copolymer having two blocks usable in a sulphur-cross-linkable rubber composition of reduced hysteresis in the cross-linked state, such a block copolymer in which one of the blocks is a polyisoprene and the other a diene elastomer other than a polyisoprene, and this rubber composition for tire treads. A process for the preparation of this copolymer involves copolymerizing one or more monomers including a conjugated diene other than isoprene using a catalytic system including at least one hydrocarbon solvent, a compound A of a metal of group IIIA, a compound B of an alkaline-earth metal and a polymeric initiator C having a C—Li bond which is constituted of a monolithiated polyisoprene intended to form the polyisoprene block, the number-average molecular weight Mn1 of the polyisoprene block being between 2,500 and 20,000 g/mol.

Abstract: A tire tread comprising a rubber composition based on (phr: parts by weight per hundred parts of elastomer): (i) a diene elastomer; (ii) more than 50 phr of an inorganic filler as reinforcing filler; (iii) between 2 and 15 phr of an (inorganic filler/diene elastomer) coupling agent; (iv) between 1 and 10 phr of a methylene acceptor, and (v) between 0.5 and 5 phr of a methylene donor. This tread has, after mechanical running-in of the tire for which it is intended (“auto-accommodation”), a rigidity gradient which increases radially from the surface towards the inside of the tread. Use of such a tread for the manufacturing or recapping of tires. Tires comprising a tread according to the invention, in particular of the snow or ice type (“winter” tires).

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber composition which contains starch/plasticizer composite, precipitated silica and carbon black reinforcement together with a coupling agent wherein the coupling agent is an organosilane polysulfide having an average of from about 2 to about 2.6 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge. The invention provides for a chemical reaction between a coupling agent and silica which is substantially decoupled from a reaction between a coupling agent and starch/plasticizer to form a filler reinforcement network in situ within the elastomer host followed by a subsequent phase mixing of the carbon black therewith. The invention further relates to the resulting rubber composition and articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of said rubber composition.

Abstract: A crosslinkable elastomeric composition includes at least one elastomeric polymer including carboxylic groups, and at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer including greater than or equal to 0.1 mol % and less than or equal to 20 mol % of epoxide groups relative to a total number of moles of monomers present in the at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer. The composition is crosslinkable in a substantial absence of additional crosslinking agents. A tire for vehicles includes a carcass structure, a belt structure extended coaxially around the carcass structure, and a tread band extended coaxially around the belt structure. The tread band comprises an external rolling surface intended to come into contact with the ground. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread band includes at least one crosslinked elastomeric material. A process for producing the tire is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a rubbery polymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from (1) at least one conjugated diolefin monomer, and (2) 0.

Abstract: A cross-linkable or cross-linked rubber composition usable to constitute a tire tread having improved wear resistance, to such a tread and to a tire incorporating this tread. The composition is particularly applicable to tires of passenger-vehicle type. The rubber composition includes a plasticizing resin of number-average molecular weight of from 400 to 2000 g/mol, the resin having units resulting from the polymerization of a monocyclic or bicyclic unsaturated terpene, in a mass fraction of from 70% to 100%, and having a glass transition temperature greater than 50° C. and less than 120° C.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a tire having a tread that is comprised of (1) 30 phr to 80 phr of a non-random styrene-butadiene rubber comprised of polymer chains that are derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, wherein from about 10 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of the repeat units in the styrene-butadiene rubber are derived from styrene, wherein from about 60 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of the repeat units in the styrene-butadiene rubber are derived from 1,3-butadiene, wherein from about 30 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of the styrene repeat units are in sequences containing 5 to 20 styrene repeat units, wherein the bound styrene content found in the first half of the polymer chains differs from the bound styrene content found in the second half of the polymer chains by at least 5 weight percent, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber has a 1,2-vinyl content which is within the range of about 8 percent to about 20 percent, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber has a number

Abstract: This invention relates to 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) an amino group containing rubbery polymer, wherein said amino group containing rubbery polymer contains from about 0.1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent monomer units containing an amino group, (2) from 0.1 to about 25 phr of an organophilic 2:1 layered silicate clay selected from the group consisting of montmorillonite clays, bentonite clays, hectorite clays, saponite clays, nontronite clays, beidellite clays, fluorohectorite clays, stevensite clays, volkonskoite clays, sauconite clays, and laponite clays, and (3) a silica coupling agent.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire having at least one visually exposed component (e.g. sidewall) comprised of a carbon black reinforced rubber composition and contains a significant amount of at least one alkylphenoxypoly(alkyleneoxy) alkanol. Such tire component particularly contains a film thereof on a visually observable outer surface thereof Such tire component may be, for example, at a least a portion of a tire sidewall.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes several disadvantages in conventional tires by providing a non-marking surface to the tire. The tire can be a pneumatic bias tire having a pair of parallel annular beads, at least one carcass ply wrapped around the beads, a non-marking tread cap, a tread base and sidewalls. A colorant may be added to the composition of the tread cap to create a tire having a colored, non-marking tread cap.

Abstract: Sidewalls of a pneumatic tire have greater resistance to failure due to dynamic flexing and abrasion, and the tire's tread has better resistance to tearing than with conventionally used rubber compositions, when sidewalls and tread are formed from a compound having a major proportion by weight of synthetic rubber (SR) and a minor proportion by weight of natural rubber (NR), and a major proportion by weight of the SR itself consists essentially of a high cis-1,4-polybutadiene having defined molecular architecture. The high cis-1,4-PBD has more than 90 percent cis-structure, a poly-dispersity in the range from about 3 to 5, a number average molecular weight Mn in the range from 100,000 to 150,000 and a degree of branching in the range from 2 to 3.5. The sidewall compound has characteristics quite different from one made with a typical commercially available high cis-1,4-PBD; and the tread has excellent tear strength.

Abstract: Vulcanizable elastomeric compounds having enhanced viscoelastic properties include 100 parts by weight of at least one diene-based elastomer, and from about 30 to about 160 phr of filler. The filler may contain zinc sulfate (with an average particle size of about 0.5-1.0 microns), barium sulfate (with an average particle size of about 1.0-2.0 microns) and/or titanium dioxide (with an average particle size of about 0.05-1.0 microns).

Abstract: The invention provides rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, comprising at least (i) one diene elastomer, (ii) one white filler as reinforcing filler and (iii) one coupling agent (white filler/elastomer), the white filler comprising a titanium oxide having the following characteristics: (a) it comprises more than 0.5% by mass of a metallic element, other than titanium, selected from the group consisting of Al, Fe, Si, Zr and mixtures thereof; (b) its specific BET surface area is between 20 and 200 m2/g; (c) its average particle size (by mass), dw, is between 20 and 400 nm; and (d) its disagglomeration rate, &agr;, measured by the ultrasound disagglomeration test, at 100% power of a 600-watt ultrasonic probe, is greater than 2×10−2 &mgr;m−1/s. The invention also provides for the use of a rubber composition according to the invention for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular tires or semi-finished rubber products intended for these tires.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a radial medium truck tire having a tread component comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), from about 5 to about 30 phr of high trans random SBR; from about 70 to about 95 phr of a combination of high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber (BR) and cis 1,4-polyisoprene natural rubber (IR) in a IR/BR weight ratio of from about 1 to about 3; from about 20 to about 40 phr of carbon black; and from about 15 to about 35 phr of precipitated silica.

Abstract: re for vehicle wheels, comprising at least one component made of crosslinked elastomeric material, in which said component includes an elastomeric composition comprising: a) at least one dicnc clastomcric polymer; b) at least one copolymer of ethylene with at least one aliphatic &agr;-olefin, and optionally a polyene, said copolymer being characterized by a molecular weight distribution (MWD) index of less than 5, preferably between 1.5. and 3.5, and by a melting enthalpy (&Dgr;aHm) of not less than 30 J/g, preferably between 34 J/g and 130 J/g. Preferably, said component including said composition is a tyre tread band.

Abstract: Tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising at least one element made of crosslinked elastomeric material, in which said element includes an elastomeric composition comprising: (a) at least one elastomeric homopolymer or copolymer of 1,3-butadiene; (b) at least one copolymer of ethylene with at least one aromatic &agr;-olefin, said copolymer being essentially free of side chains containing ethylenic double bonds. Preferably, said element including said composition is a tread band of the tyre. The above (mentioned elastomeric composition makes it possible to prepare tread bands having both a low rolling resistance at the normal working temperatures of the tyre (40° C.-70° C.) and a high roadholding when the tread band is thermally stressed above these temperatures.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having at least one component comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition, wherein the vulcanizable rubber composition comprises, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), from about 5 to 30 phr of high trans random SBR, and from about 70 to about 95 phr of at least one additional elastomer, wherein the high trans random SBR comprises from about 3 to about 30 percent by weight of styrene.

Abstract: The invention provides rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, comprising at least (i) one diene elastomer, (ii) one white filler as reinforcing filler and (iii) one coupling agent (white filler/elastomer), the white filler comprising a titanium oxide having the following characteristics: (a) its specific BET surface area is between 20 and 200 m2/g; (b) its average particle size (by mass), dw, is between 20 and 400 nm; and (c) its disagglomeration rate, &agr;, measured by the ultrasound disagglomeration test, at 100% power of a 600-watt ultrasonic probe, is greater than 2×102 &mgr;m1/s. The invention also provides for the use of a rubber composition according to the invention for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular tires or semi-finished rubber products intended for these tires. The composition of the invention is particularly useful for the manufacture of colored tires or colored semi-finished articles such as tire treads or sidewalls.

Abstract: Process for producing types, wherein crosslinking is carried out on a composition comprising: (a) at least an elastomeric polymer containing carboxylic groups; (b) at least a liquid organic compound containing epoxide groups located internally on the molecule, and (c) at least an oxide or an inorganic salt of a metal selected from Fe, Cu, Sn, Mo and Ni. Upon heating, the elastomeric material reaches a high degree of crosslinking without the addition of conventional crosslinking agents, with crosslinking times maintained within limits which are acceptable for an industrial use. These compositions are particularly suitable for producing tread bands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tires and vehicular tracks having minimal-marking rubber treads and particularly to skid steering, fixed axle, tire/wheel or track assemblies where said tire or vehicular track has a minimal-marking tread. In particular, such rubber tread has a surface intended to be ground-contacting which is also intended to be minimal-marking and having suitable physical properties for a tire tread.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic rubber tire with an outer, circumferential tread wherein said tread has a tread configuration comprised of spaced apart, raised lugs designed to be shock absorbingly ground contacting, wherein said tread and lugs are comprised of rubber selected from butyl rubber, halobutyl rubber or isobutylene-derived rubber. Said tire may also contain sidewalls comprised of one or more of such rubber. Thus, such tread is a combination of specific structural configuration and specific rubber composition to create a shock absorbing effect.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprised of an elastomer(s) reinforced with a particulate carbon black composite, and a coupling agent. Said carbon black composite contains integral silica on the surface thereof, wherein said carbon black composite is prepared by co-precipitating carbon black and silica from a dispersion of carbon black in sodium silicate to provide integral silica domains on the outer surface of the carbon black. Said carbon black composite is further functionalized by reacting it with a trialkoxy silane. A tire having a component comprised of such rubber composition, such as, for example, a tire tread is contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber composition that is useful for the manufacture of tires, where the composition is based on a diene elastomer, a reinforcing inorganic filler, and a coupling system. The coupling system comprises a polysulfurized alkoxysilane (“PSAS”) coupling agent (inorganic filler/diene elastomer) associated with a 1,2-dihydropyridine and a guanidine derivative. The present invention is further directed to tires and semi-finished products for tires comprising a rubber composition according to the invention. The invention is also directed to a coupling system (inorganic filler/diene elastomer) for a rubber composition based on a diene elastomer reinforced by an inorganic filler, where the coupling system comprises a polysulfurized alkoxysilane (PSAS) coupling agent in association with a 1,2-dihydropyridine and a guanidine derivative.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a rubber member at least partially constituting a tread portion, which member is formed of at least two layers of an outer layer on a tire surface side and an inner layer on a carcass side. A blended amount (X) of an antioxidant in the outer layer is in a range of 0.4-1.6 weight % of an entire composition, and the blended amount (X) of the antioxidant in the outer layer and a blended amount (Y) of the antioxidant in the inner layer satisfy the expression: Y≧−0.4 X2+2X. Thus, a pneumatic tire suffering less rubber degradation and alleviated in discoloring of the tire surface in prolonged use is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire having a tread of a cap/base construction wherein the tread cap is composed of trans 1,4-polybutadiene, solution polymerization prepared styrene/butadiene copolymer rubber, cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber and defined amounts of carbon black and amorphous silica reinforcement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire with a carbon black-containing, black-colored, circumferential tread of a cap/base construction, wherein said tread cap has a lug and groove configuration and wherein the outer surface of a major portion of said grooves are designed to be ground contacting, and a co-extruded thin outer non-carbon black-containing rubber layer of a non-black color wherein said outer rubber layer is integral with and circumferentially extends from the axial outer edge of said tread cap to include at least of a visible surface of at least one groove in said tread cap. In one aspect, said tread contains a pair of black colored, carbon black reinforced, tread miniwings which extend from the axial outer edge of the tread over a portion of the tire sidewall, wherein said thin outer rubber layer joins said miniwing and wherein said tread cap, tread base, tread miniwings and thin outer layer are co-extruded, co-cured and therefore integral with each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rubber composite made from an elastomer polymerized on the surface of a silanized filler, a rubber composition containing such composite and an article such as for example a tire, which has at least one component comprised of such composition. Such reinforcement is applied by polymerizating a conjugated diene hydrocarbon in the presence of a filler silanized with an alkenyl silane. In particular a silanized reinforcing filler is pre-treated with butyl lithium or peroxide catalyst, preferably with butyl lithium, followed by polymerizing a conjugated diene hydrocarbon in the presence of such treated filler via an anionic or free radical polymerization in an organic solvent. Such pre-formed elastomer composite is also contemplated as well as a rubber composition comprised of a blend of such pre-formed composite and at least one additional elastomer. Such filler may be, for example, precipitated silica, carbon black and/or a modified carbon black.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sulfur curable (and cured) rubber composition which contains one or more pentaerythritol derivatives as pentaerythritol tetrabenzoate (PTB) and/or pentaerythritol tetrakis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate) (PTHC) together with a low molecular weight polyester sebacate. Such combination of materials has been observed to increase resistance to tear for a rubber composition. The invention particularly relates to a tire having a component comprised of such rubber composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with rubber tread of cap/base construction. The tread base underlies the tread cap. The tread base is relatively thick, namely at least 50 percent of the thickness of the tread cap. It is desired that the tread base rubber composition contains a significant amount of sulfur to enhance physical properties of the tread base. The tread base rubber composition contains a combination of anti-reversion agents to counteract a tendency for reversion of physical properties of the tread base which is relatively thick as compared to the tread cap. The combination of anti-reversion co-agents is 1,3-bis-(citraconimidomethyl)benzene and hexamethylene 1,6-bis(thiosulfate), disodium salt, dehydrate thereby substantially maintaining the integrity of physical properties of the tread base, reduced tire operating temperature, as well as retarded or eliminated groove cracking in the tread cap has been observed.

Abstract: This invention relates to tires which have a rubber insert within the tire sidewall of a rubber composition which contains at least one of N,N′-(m-phenylene) bis citraconamic acid and N,N′-(m-xylylene) bis citraconamic acid. Such rubber insert is preferably of a stiff rubber composition which helps to support the weight of the vehicle to which the tire is mounted in situations where there is a loss of air pressure within the tire cavity. During periods of operation after loss of air pressure, the rubber insert is intended to aid in supporting a significant amount of the load assumed by the tire which leads to an internal generation of heat with the insert rubber composition, with an accompanying rise of temperature of the insert itself It is therefore important that the rubber composition of such rubber insert have a high degree of heat durability under conditions of working at the elevated temperature.