Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An improved pneumatic tire having decreased rolling resistance employing at least one tire component selected from the group consisting of subtreads, black sidewall, body ply skims and bead fillers, prepared from a vulcanizable elastomeric composition having reduced hysteresis comprises from about 10 to 100 parts by weight of an elastomer comprising a plurality of polymer molecules, wherein substantially each polymer molecule contains at least one functional group at the site of initiation, and having a hysteresis reduction of at least about 10 percent compared to the same elastomer without a functional group on substantially each polymer molecule; from about 0 to 90 parts by weight of an elastomer having greater hysteresis than the elastomer having reduced hysteresis and selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and blends thereof; and, from about 20 to about 100 parts by weight of carbon black, per 100 parts of the elastomer. A method is also provided for reducing the rolling resistance of tires.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim