A multi-layer inner tube for a vehicle wheel, the multi-layer inner tube including an inner layer that is in contact with a gaseous filling of the inner tube; and an outer layer that differs from the inner layer, wherein the outer layer is in contact with an exterior environment of the inner tube, and wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are made from a thermoplastic polyurethane; and an intermediary layer made from an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer arranged between the inner layer and the outer layer.

The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is C1 to C4 linear alkyl, or C1 to C4 branched alkanediyl; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3 are independently O, S, or a group of formula (II) or (III)

##STR00002##

where R.sup.2 is C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; and Z is R.sup.3CHCHR.sup.4, where R.sup.3 is a covalent bond or C1 to C18 linear or branched alkanediyl, and R.sup.4 is a hydrogen or C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl.

A tire has a cap rubber formed of nonconductive rubber and forms a ground surface, and a conductive portion provided in at least one side end portion of a pair of side end portions in both ends in a tire width direction. The conductive portion is formed of a conductive rubber, and reaches a side surface of the cap rubber from the ground surface through an inner portion of the cap rubber. The conductive portion is relatively small in a thickness in the ground surface and a side surface of the cap rubber, is relatively large in the maximum thickness of an intermediate portion between the ground surface and the side surface of the cap rubber, and is formed into a crescent shape which is curved into an outer side in a tire width direction and an outer side in a radial direction, in a tire meridian cross section.

The present technology provides a pneumatic tire that can improve air dispersibility during vulcanizing at the interfaces of a plurality of types of rubber layers integrally formed by rolling or extruding, and that can effectively suppress blister defects. In a pneumatic tire where a plurality of types of rubber layers integrally formed by rolling or extruding, at least one strand of thread is provided at an interface of the plurality of types of rubber.

Butyl based composition having hydrocarbon resins are provided herein. The hydrocarbon resin has a Tg from 10 C. to 25 C., a number average molecular weight between 20 to 500, a weight average molecular weight between about 100 to about 2000, and a glass transition temperature between about 0 C. to about 80 C.

A rubber composition comprising a rubber component and 0.3 to 3 parts by mass of a branched alkane having 40 to 70 carbon atoms, 1.2 parts by mass or less of a linear alkane having 45 or more carbon atoms and 0.1 to 100 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 300 to 15,000 based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.

A rubber composition comprises at least one phenol-aldehyde resin based on: at least one aromatic polyphenol comprising at least one aromatic ring bearing at least two OH groups in the meta position relative to one another, the two positions ortho to at least one of the OH groups being unsubstituted; and at least one aldehyde of formula W: ##STR00001##
wherein each Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 group represents, independently of one another, an optionally substituted aromatic ring; and wherein SP is a connecting group that connects at least the Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 groups to one another, SP separating the Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 groups by at least 2 covalent bonds.

A rubber composition for an inner liner that has a carbon black and a modified silicone oil having a silanol group at a molecular terminal thereof can give a vulcanized rubber excellent in air permeability resistance and resistance to fatigue from flexing. This rubber composition can give a vulcanized rubber which can be restrained from being lowered in air permeability resistance and which is excellent in resistance to fatigue from flexing even when the rubber composition contains a process oil.

The subject invention relates to a method of preparing a tire inner surface to attain better adhesion of balance pads, puncture sealants, and noise reduction foams. In this method a strip of multi-axially stretchable film is adhered to the inner surface of an uncured tire with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Then a release agent coating is applied to the film strip on the inner surface of the uncured tire which is subsequently cured in a suitable mold at an elevated temperature. The cured tire is then removed from the mold and after allowing the cured tire to cool the annular circumferential film strip is removed from the inner surface of the tire to provide a circumferential release coating-free tire inner surface onto which balance pads, puncture sealants, and noise reduction foams can be adhered.

A delayed sealing compound comprising inventive sealing gel, a process for producing this sealing compound, and the use of sealing compounds in tyres with warning ability.