Patent ID: 6359034
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: C08J,C08K

Abstract:
A tire having at least one component of an elastomer composition comprised of an elastomer/silica composite as a dispersion of a filler formed in-situ within an elastomer host via a condensation reaction of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and an additional organosilane which comprises(A) obtaining with an organic solvent solution of at least one diene hydrocarbon based elastomer containing 100 parts by weight (phr) of said elastomer; (B) blending with said elastomer solution: (1) an organic solvent solution of TEOS; (2) an organic solvent solution of said additional organosilane; (3) catalytic amount of condensation reaction promoter for said TEOS and said additional organosilane and a sufficient amount of water to facilitate said condensation reaction, followed by (C) recovering a composite of said elastomer and dispersion therein of an in situ formed condensation reaction product of said TEOS and additional organosilane; wherein the concentrations of said elastomer, TEOS and additional organosilane in their individual organic solvent solutions/dispersions are (1) about 5 to about 35 weight percent for said elastomer(s); (2) about 0.5 to about 30 weight percent for said TEOS; and (3) about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent for said additional organosilane; wherein said blending process comprises first blending said TEOS solution with said elastomer solution, following which said condensation promoter and water are added and subsequently, prior to the completion of a resulting condensation reaction of said TEOS, blending said additional organosilane solution therewith; wherein said additional organosilane is of the following general formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV): (C2H5O)2â€”Siâ€”[(CH2)xâ€”Snâ€”(CH2)xâ€”CH3]2;â€ƒâ€ƒ(I) (C2H5O)2â€”Siâ€”[CH2â€”CH&boxH;CHâ€”CH3]2;â€ƒâ€ƒ(II) (C2H5O)2â€”Siâ€”[CH2â€”CH2C(CH3)3]2â€ƒâ€ƒ(III)(Z3) (C2H5O)2â€”Siâ€”[(CH2)2â€”Oâ€”(CH2)2â€”Oâ€”C2H5]2â€ƒâ€ƒ(III)(Z4) wherein n is an average of 2 to and including 2.6 or of 3.5 to and including 4.