The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 03, 1999
Edward John Blok, Wadsworth, OH (US);
Paul Harry Sandstrom, Tallmadge, OH (US);
Cheryl Ann Losey, Kent, OH (US);
Adel Farhan Halasa, Bath, OH (US);
Wen-Liang Hsu, Cuyahoga Falls, OH (US);
David John Zanzig, Uniontown, OH (US);
John Joseph Verthe, Kent, OH (US);
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Arkon, OH (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to a tire tread compound that is easily processable which can be used to improve the treadwear, rolling resistance and traction characteristics of tires. The tire tread compounds of this invention are a blend of tin-coupled polybutadiene, high vinyl polybutadiene and natural rubber. This blend of low glass transition temperature rubber and high glass transition temperature rubber is surprisingly easy to process which makes the concept of this invention commercially feasible. Thus, the tire tread compounds of this invention can be utilized in making tires having greatly improved traction characteristics and treadwear without sacrificing rolling resistance. These improved properties may be due, in part, to better interaction and compatibility with carbon black and/or silica fillers. The polybutadiene in the blend can be asymmetrical tin-coupled to further improve the cold flow characteristics of the rubber blend. Asymmetrical tin coupling in general also leads to better processability and other beneficial properties. This invention more specifically discloses a tire tread rubber composition which is comprised of (1) from about 20 phr to about 60 phr of tin-coupled polybutadiene rubber, (2) from about 20 phr to about 60 phr of a rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic polyisoprene and (3) from about 5 phr to about 40 phr of high vinyl polybutadiene rubber.