Tire Composition Using Elastomer Composite Blends

Abstract

A tire comprising a rubber composition based on at least an elastomer composite prepared by a method comprising: feeding a continuous flow of a first fluid comprising a first elastomer latex to a mixing zone of a coagulum reactor; feeding a continuous flow of a second fluid comprising a second elastomer latex to the mixing zone; feeding a continuous flow of a third fluid comprising a particulate filler slurry to the mixing zone; allowing the first elastomer latex and the second elastomer latex to coagulate with the particulate filler; and discharging a flow of elastomer composite from a discharge end of the coagulum reactor.

1 . A tire comprising a rubber composition based on at least an elastomer composite prepared by a method comprising:
 feeding a continuous flow of a first fluid comprising a first elastomer latex to a mixing zone of a coagulum reactor;   feeding a continuous flow of a second fluid comprising a second elastomer latex to the mixing zone;   feeding a continuous flow of a third fluid comprising a particulate filler slurry to the mixing zone;   allowing the first elastomer latex and the second elastomer latex to coagulate with the particulate filler; and   discharging a flow of elastomer composite from a discharge end of the coagulum reactor.   
     
     
         2 . The tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomer latex comprises a natural rubber latex. 
     
     
         3 . The tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the second elastomer latex comprises a synthetic elastomer latex. 
     
     
         4 . The tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the particulate filler comprises carbon black. 
     
     
         5 . The tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid combine with the third fluid to form a mixture, and wherein the first fluid and the second fluid combine with the third fluid substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         6 . The tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid and the third fluid combine to form a mixture, and wherein the second fluid combines with the mixture. 
     
     
         7 . The tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomer latex and the second elastomer latex are incompatible. 
     
     
         8 . The tire according to  claim 2 , wherein the second elastomer latex comprises a synthetic elastomer latex, and wherein the elastomer composite includes natural rubber and about 1 to about 36 wt % styrene-butadiene rubber with respect to the total rubber content. 
     
     
         9 . The tire according to  claim 8 , wherein the elastomer composite includes natural rubber and about 20 to about 36 wt % styrene-butadiene rubber with respect to the total rubber content. 
     
     
         10 . The tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer composite exhibits a macrodispersion of less than 0.1% undispersed area. 
     
     
         11 . A tire tread having a rubber composition based on at least an elastomer composite prepared by a method comprising:
 feeding a continuous flow of a first fluid comprising a first elastomer latex to a mixing zone of a coagulum reactor;   feeding a continuous flow of a second fluid comprising a second elastomer latex to the mixing zone;   feeding a continuous flow of a third fluid comprising a particulate filler slurry to the mixing zone;   allowing the first elastomer latex and the second elastomer latex to coagulate with the particulate filler; and   discharging a flow of elastomer composite from a discharge end of the coagulum reactor.   
     
     
         12 . The tread according to  claim 11 , wherein the first elastomer latex comprises a natural rubber latex. 
     
     
         13 . The tire tread according to  claim 11 , wherein the second elastomer latex comprises a synthetic elastomer latex. 
     
     
         14 . The tire tread according to  claim 11 , wherein the particulate filler comprises carbon black. 
     
     
         15 . The tire tread according to  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid combine with the third fluid to form a mixture, and wherein the first fluid and the second fluid combine with the third fluid substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         16 . The tire tread according to  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid and the third fluid combine to form a mixture, and wherein the second fluid combines with the mixture.