A biodegradable tire includes an elastomeric matrix and a shape memory alloy scaffold integral with the matrix. The elastomeric matrix includes (by weight of the matrix) a flax seed material derived from 14% to 19%, a guayule-derived natural rubber from 55% to 65%, a metal oxide from 12% to 15%, a carbon-based filler from 9% to 12%, and one or both of an antioxidant and an antiozonant, each from 1.8% to 3.1%. Further, the tire is airless. In addition, the shape memory alloy scaffold comprises a NiTi shape memory alloy, a CuZn shape memory alloy, or a combination thereof.

A structurally supported, non-pneumatic wheel is provided. The wheel includes a hub constructed from a polymeric material, which can more readily resist deformation during an impact event and provide improvements in noise generation and manufacturing cost. A plurality of tension-transmitting web elements connect the hub with a compliant, load supporting band.

The present disclosure is directed to a non-pneumatic tire assembly having a sidewall portion made from a copolyether-ester. The non-pneumatic tire assembly comprises complementary annular inboard and outboard tire casing segments. Each segment comprises: a closed end and an open end, a peripheral band comprising exterior and interior surfaces, and an inner band comprising exterior and interior surfaces, the inner band being coaxially spaced radially inward from the interior surface of the peripheral band, wherein the closed end comprises a resilient and contiguous sidewall extending radially between the interior surface of the peripheral band and the exterior surface of the inner band, the sidewall comprising convex or concave exterior and interior surfaces, wherein the open end comprises a void defined by the interior surfaces of the peripheral band, the exterior surface of the inner band, and the sidewall; wherein the inner band interior surfaces of the inboard and outboard tire casing segments are configured to be disposed on an exterior rim surface of a wheel such that the open ends of each segment do not form a sealed void within the inboard and outboard segments; and wherein the annular inboard and outboard tire casing segments are each made from a composition comprising a copolyether-ester. The present disclosure is also directed to a wheel and non-pneumatic tire assembly.

Disclosed herein are methods for degrading polyurethane foam from mounted polyurethane foam-containing tires, methods for separating a wheel from a mounted polyurethane foam-containing tire, methods for preparing a degradable foam-containing tire, and degradable foam-containing tires. The methods include applying a solution comprising at least one phosphorous oxoacid or an ester thereof to the polyurethane foam inside of a tire, incorporating a degradant comprising at least one phosphorous oxoacid or an ester thereof into the polyurethane foam, or both, and then heating to degrade the foam. Degradation of the foam allows for separation of the wheel from the rubber carcass of the tire.

A disclosed example embodiment of a gauge wheel tire includes a first polyurethane sidewall portion, a second polyurethane sidewall portion, a polyurethane ground-engaging portion, and a polyurethane axial support portion. The first polyurethane sidewall portion is spaced apart from the second polyurethane sidewall portion, and the polyurethane ground-engaging portion extends from the first polyurethane sidewall portion to the second polyurethane sidewall portion and is adapted to contact a ground surface as the gauge wheel tire rotates about an axis of rotation. The polyurethane axial support portion extends from the first polyurethane sidewall portion to the second polyurethane sidewall portion, and is spaced apart from the polyurethane ground-engaging portion to form a gap that allows radial movement of the polyurethane ground-engaging portion relative to the polyurethane axial support portion.

Disclosed herein are methods for degrading polyurethane foam from mounted polyurethane foam-containing tires, methods for separating a wheel from a mounted polyurethane foam-containing tire, methods for preparing a degradable foam-containing tire, and degradable foam-containing tires. The methods include applying a solution comprising at least one phosphorous oxoacid or an ester thereof to the polyurethane foam inside of a tire, incorporating a degradant comprising at least one phosphorous oxoacid or an ester thereof into the polyurethane foam, or both, and then heating to degrade the foam. Degradation of the foam allows for separation of the wheel from the rubber carcass of the tire.

Expanded rubber articles and processes for making such, comprising: partially curing an expandable rubber formulation by heating it in a first mould cavity to form a moulded blank; releasing the moulded blank from the first mould cavity and allowing the moulded blank to expand to form an expanded moulded blank; and further curing and expanding the expanded moulded blank by heating it to form the expanded rubber article comprising an expanded rubber part, wherein the expanded moulded blank is heated in a second mould cavity. Optionally, the expanded moulded blank is contacted with a further rubber formulation and a substrate comprising a base material and an elastomer bonding layer in the second mould cavity to form an expanded rubber article additionally comprising a solid rubber part and a substrate.

Embodiments of the present invention include non-pneumatic tires (100) having an electrically conductive path, and methods for forming the same. It is appreciated electrical charges may be generated during land vehicle operation and land vehicles are often grounded by providing an electrically conductive path between the vehicle and the ground. In embodiments of the present invention, a non-pneumatic tire (100) and a method for forming a non-pneumatic tire are described for providing an electrically conductive path between the vehicle and the ground at the non-pneumatic tire. The method for forming the non-pneumatic tire comprises the step of applying a mold release (290) to one or more molding surfaces (280) of the spoke mold wherein the mold release (290) includes an electrically conductive additive.

The provided tire has excellent durability regardless of use in a high-humidity environment or contact with water, even though the framework member of the tire is made of a resin material. The resin material is made of a resin composition including 60 mass % or more of a polyamide resin formed by polymerizing an aliphatic diamine having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 10 to 20 carbon atoms.

Expanded rubber articles (11) and processes for making such, comprising: partially curing an expandable rubber formulation (2) by heating it in a first mold cavity (1) to form a molded blank (3); releasing the molded blank (3) from the first mold cavity (1) and allowing the molded blank (5) to expand to form an expanded molded blank (4); and further curing and expanding the expanded molded blank (4) by heating it to form the expanded rubber article (11) comprising an expanded rubber part (6), wherein the expanded molded blank (4) is heated in a second mold cavity (5). Optionally, the expanded molded blank (4) is contacted with a further rubber formulation (7) and a substrate comprising a base material (9) and an elastomer bonding layer (8) in the second mold cavity (5) to form an expanded rubber article additionally comprising a solid rubber part (10) and a substrate (8, 9).