Patent ID: 9074073
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: C08K

Abstract:
1. A process of preparing a rubber composition by blending: (A) conjugated diene-based elastomer consisting of at least one of cis 1,4-polyisoprene, cis 1,4-polybutadiene and styrene/butadiene copolymer; (B) reinforcing filler comprised of a combination of precipitated silica and rubber reinforcing carbon black, (C) sulfur-containing silica coupling agent as a bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)polysulfide containing an average of from about 2 to about 4 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge, (D) a crosslinked network forming compound consisting of dimercaptothiadiazole reactive with hydroxyl groups contained on said precipitated silica, reactive with said silica coupling agent and reactive with said diene-based elastomer(s), wherein said dimercaptothiadiazole is a product of dimercaptothiadiazole treated in situ within the rubber composition with an aromatic carboxylic acid.