Jennifer K Peters

US Patent:

6998448, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Aug 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/651695

Inventors:

David John Zanzig - Bertrange, LU
Georges Marcel Victor Thielen - Schouweiler, LU
Jennifer Ann Peters Knickle - Rocky River OH, US
Brian David Holden - Cuyahoga Falls OH, US

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

C08L 25/10
C08F 136/06
B60C 5/00

US Classification:

5253332, 5253319, 525241, 525192, 525342, 524495, 524492, 1522091

Abstract:

The invention relates to a tire having a tread of a rubber composition comprised of a composite of styrene/butadiene elastomer and functionalized styrene/butadiene elastomer containing an internal silanol and/or siloxy group therein with pendent silanol and/or alkoxy groups of a polymodal (e. g. bimodal) molecular weight distribution, together with at least 30 phr of cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and a dispersion in said rubber composition of precipitated silica aggregates and a coupling agent as a bis (3-triethoxysilylpropyl) polysulfide having an average of from only 2 to 2. 5 sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge to the exclusion of a bis (3-trialkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide having an average of greater than 2. 5, and particularly greater than 3, sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge. In one aspect, said silica aggregates may be pre-treated to reduce said hydroxyl groups on their surface prior to blending with said silanol and/or siloxy functionalized elastomer.