The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company

Ralph A Maglio

William L Hergenrother

David M Roggeman

John W Fieldhouse

Richard W Sicka

Reuben A DeBolt

Mario N De Trano

Rubber curing agents such as quinoids are solution compounded to achieve a uniform or homogeneous distribution thereof in a rubber composition. The curing agents are initially solubilized in an organic polar solvent and then mixed with the rubber masterbatch solution. The solvent is then removed. A uniform fine distribution of the curing agent results in improved physical properties. The present invention is particularly suitable as a sealant composition for tires.

Solution compounding process for achieving uniform, fine particle size

A method for reducing the surface tack of EPDM and related elastomers is provided. The method involves coating the surfaces of the elastomer with particulate cellulose. Sheets of cellulose coated elastomer can be subjected to rolling up and curing operations without encountering surface sticking problems. In addition, the cellulose coated surfaces of the elastomer can be bonded together for the purpose of forming splices or seams without the necessity for first removing the cellulose coating.

Surface treatment for tack reduction of elastomer surfaces

A stylized cover having a surface element and foam substrate is adhered to a steel or plastic base through said foam. Examples of plastic base materials include polyurethanes, polyamides, epoxies and structural foams of polycarbonates or polyesters such as polybutylene terephthalate. The plastic base may be solid or reinforced. The surface element may be highly decorated with chromeplating, metal, plastic, or the like. The syntactic foam substrate has unexpectantly good heat resistance, high compression strength, impact resistance, and is lightweight, and thus results in an excellent balance of property for lightweight application. A preferred use is the stylized cover such as a wheel cover.

Stylized surface finishes

A method is disclosed for forming a contoured disk wheel by placing a maturated fiber-reinforced resin cylinder between male mold members and encircling mold members, closing the mold members about the cylinder causing it to flow axially and radially, and curing it.

Method of producing a contoured disk wheel

High modulus and high performance composite vehicle wheels are prepared as laminate or sandwich structures having a fiber-reinforced syntactic foam core with disc member reinforcing means contained therein. This wheel is lightweight and for pneumatic tires wherein the syntactic foam is bonded to impact resistant rim and disc-nave sheets such as those made of thin steel. The reinforcing disc member transfers stresses from the vehicle wheel hub to the syntactic foam when, for example, cornering a vehicle.

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Wadsworth, OH, United States of America

Ralph A Maglio