The invention relates to footwear with a rubber sole and to such rubber sole where the sole is provided with a rubber composition which contains dual precipitated silica moieties. The dual precipitated silica moieties are provided in a sense of being comprised of hydrophilic precipitated silica and hydrophobic precipitated silica.

Provided are copolymers which provide improved overall performance in terms of fuel economy and wet grip performance, as well as rubber compositions and tires containing the copolymers. Included is a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an aromatic vinyl compound, a conjugated diene compound, and a compound represented by the formula (1) below or by copolymerizing a conjugated diene compound and a compound represented by the formula (1) below, the copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1.0×10.sup.3 to 2.5×10.sup.6, ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents a functional group containing at least two selected from the group consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and silicon, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be joined together to form a ring structure.

Provided are copolymers which provide improved overall performance in terms of fuel economy and wet grip performance, as well as rubber compositions and tires containing the copolymers. Included is a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an aromatic vinyl compound, a conjugated diene compound, and a compound represented by the formula (1) below or by copolymerizing a conjugated diene compound and a compound represented by the formula (1) below, the copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1.0×10.sup.3 to 2.5×10.sup.6, ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents a functional group containing at least two selected from the group consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and silicon, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be joined together to form a ring structure.

The present invention provides a rubber composition obtained by kneading a rubber component, a vulcanization accelerator, silica, and a compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein the groups are as defined in the DESCRIPTION.

The present invention provides a rubber composition obtained by kneading a rubber component, a vulcanization accelerator, silica, and a compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein the groups are as defined in the DESCRIPTION.

The invention relates to a copolymer of ethylene and of a 1,3-diene of formula CH.sub.2═CR—CH═CH.sub.2, which copolymer bears a silanol or alkoxysilane function, the symbol R representing a hydrocarbon chain having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms. Such a copolymer improves the compromise between the content of ethylene in the polymer, its crystallinity and the stiffness of a rubber composition containing it.

The invention relates to a copolymer of ethylene and of a 1,3-diene of formula CH.sub.2═CR—CH═CH.sub.2, which copolymer bears a silanol or alkoxysilane function, the symbol R representing a hydrocarbon chain having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms. Such a copolymer improves the compromise between the content of ethylene in the polymer, its crystallinity and the stiffness of a rubber composition containing it.

Provided is a rubber composition having excellent low heat generating properties. The rubber composition of the present disclosure contains a rubber component, a filler containing silica, and a silane coupling agent, where the rubber component contains a conjugated diene-based polymer modified with a modifier containing a compound represented by the formula (1), and the silane coupling agent is a compound represented by the formula (2).

##STR00001##

Provided is a rubber composition having excellent low heat generating properties. The rubber composition of the present disclosure contains a rubber component, a filler containing silica, and a silane coupling agent, where the rubber component contains a conjugated diene-based polymer modified with a modifier containing a compound represented by the formula (1), and the silane coupling agent is a compound represented by the formula (2).

##STR00001##

An article is not pneumatic tyre for a motor vehicle and the article's use are that is suitable as at least a part of a pressurizable container or pipeline. The article includes a first side that is, in use, configured to be exposed to a first environment and a second side that is, in use, configured to be exposed to a second environment. At least a part of the article includes rubber-based material that is configured to restrict fluid permeability and that includes lignin that has been treated by hydrothermal carbonization. The rubber-based material or a coating of the rubber-based material forms at least a part of the first side, and the first side is, in use, configured to be exposed to a higher pressure than the second side. A method is for manufacturing the article.