This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that a hydrocarbon traction resin can be dispersed into the oil used in making an oil extended emulsion and solution rubbers to attain improved performance characteristics. For instance, this technique allows for the hydrocarbon traction resin to be incorporated into the rubber at a higher level than would ordinarily be possible using conventional mixing techniques. In tire tread compounds this provides improved wet traction characteristics without compromising cured stiffness (dry traction) and ultimate properties (chip/chunk resistance). This technique can be used to incorporate a resin into virtually any synthetic rubber that can benefit from being oil extended. It is of particular value in making resin modified solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR), high cis-1.4-polybutadiene rubber, and synthetic polyisoprene rubber which are formulated for use in tire tread compounds.

Tires including a bodies formed of one or more tire plies are disclosed. In various implementations, a tire may include several split-ring resonators (SRRs), each associated with a natural resonance frequency configured to shift in response to a change in an elastomeric property of a respective one or more tire plies. The elastomeric property may include one or more of a reversible deformation, stress, or strain. In some implementations, the one or more SRRs may include a first split-ring resonator (SRR) including first carbon particles that may uniquely resonate in response to an electromagnetic ping based at least in part on a concentration level of the first carbon particles within the first SRR and a second SRR including second carbon particles that may uniquely resonate in response to the electromagnetic ping based at least in part on a concentration level of the second carbon particles within the second SRR.

A tyre T for adaptively adjusting to the tyre's rolling conditions, the tyre T comprising first and second side walls (1, 2) with a contact wall (3) extending therebetween and a heater 7 for heating one or more of the first side wall (1), second side wall (2) and contact wall (3), wherein plural chambers (4, 5, 6) are defined within the tyre T, at least one of the plural chambers (4, 6) being selectively inflatable for altering the external shape of the first side wall (1), second side wall (2) and/or contact wall (3).

A disclosed vehicle component may include at least one split-ring resonator, which may be embedded within a material. The split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. The split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, the split-ring resonator may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.

Embodiments of the disclosure include a pneumatic tire having improved high speed limits while generally maintaining wear, traction, and handling performance. Said tires include a cap ply extending substantially across a full width of at least one of the belt plies and being arranged at least partially within each shoulder, the cap ply forming a layer of elastomeric material reinforced with a plurality of elongate reinforcements spaced apart in an array, the cap ply being characterized as having a rupture force greater than 210 N per 15 mm of the cap ply width. In each shoulder area of said tires, the tread is characterized as being flatter and having a greater tread thickness.

This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that a hydrocarbon traction resin can be dispersed into the oil used in making an oil extended emulsion and solution rubbers to attain improved performance characteristics. For instance, this technique allows for the hydrocarbon traction resin to be incorporated into the rubber at a higher level than would ordinarily be possible using conventional mixing techniques. In tire tread compounds this provides improved wet traction characteristics without compromising cured stiffness (dry traction) and ultimate properties (chip/chunk resistance). This technique can be used to incorporate a resin into virtually any synthetic rubber that can benefit from being oil extended. It is of particular value in making resin modified solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR), high cis-1.4-polybutadiene rubber, and synthetic polyisoprene rubber which are formulated for use in tire tread compounds.

A tire having a contact face of a width TW is provided. The contact face is intended to come into contact with ground during rolling. The tread is provided with at least one groove of a depth D provided with a wear indicating means that extends generally in a circumferential orientation and opens to the contact face. The tread comprises a center region and a pair of shoulder regions that are positioned on two axial sides of the center region. The shoulder regions each comprise a shoulder rubber layer of a thickness ts made of a shoulder rubber composition different from a rubber composition constituting the tread. A shear storage modulus G′ of the shoulder rubber composition measured at 23° C., 10 Hz and 10% of strain is less than or equal to 1.0 MPa.

Disclosed herein are tires having a tread having stiffness made from a rubber composition of specified ingredients including an elastomer component, a resin component including a terpene phenol resin having a specified hydroxyl value and a DCPD-based resin, a filler component including reinforcing silica filler and carbon black, optionally a liquid plasticizer, and a cure package. Also disclosed are methods for stiffness in a tire tread by using a resin component comprising a terpene phenol resin having a specified hydroxyl value and a DCPD-based resin in a rubber composition comprising an elastomer component, a filler component including reinforcing silica filler and carbon black, optionally a liquid plasticizer, and a cure package.

A modulus at 300% elongation of a cap tread ranges from 3.0 Mpa to 7.0 Mpa, a modulus at 300% elongation of a undertread ranges from 10.0 Mpa to 20.0 Mpa, and a modulus at 300% elongation of an earthing tread ranges from 10.0 Mpa to 20.0 Mpa. Additionally, an earthing tread is made from a rubber material with a volume resistivity of 1×10{circumflex over ( )}7Ω.Math.cm or less. The undertread includes a thickened portion in a region between the earthing tread and an edge portion of a block. The gauge of the undertread gradually increases from the earthing tread toward the edge portion of the block due to the thickened portion.

A rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a 1,3-dipolar compound comprising an epoxide group is provided. The epoxide group is a 3-membered ether ring in which a first member is a carbon atom exhibiting a connection to the dipole of the 1,3-dipolar compound and a second member is a tertiary or quaternary carbon. Such a rubber composition exhibits improved properties at break and an improved processing, as well as good hysteresis properties.