Rubber compounds with enhanced tack

Abstract

A curable rubber compound having enhanced tack and rubber articles and components, such as tires and treads, made therefrom. Compounds of the invention do not contain wax in an amount that is in excess of the wax's solubility in the rubber. Treads made from compounds of the invention generally do not require cement to secure their splices. Compounds of the invention typically include a formulated fatty acid or alkylated aromatic or phenolic resin, carbon black, natural and/or synthetic rubber, paraffinic or naphthenic oils, and a curing agent. Compounds of the invention have a tack of at least about 3 Newtons. Rubber compounds of the invention, and rubber components made therefrom, can be protected from ozone attack and oxidation by coating an outer surface of the compound and/or component with wax. Treads protected using these methods should have the wax applied to their outer surface subsequent to securing any tread splice.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of protecting a tread, said method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a curable rubber compound comprising: (i) a formulated fatty acid;   (ii) carbon black;   (iii) napthenic or paraffinic oils;   (iv) rubber; and   (v) curing agent, wherein the compound has a tack of at least about 3 Newtons;     (b) extruding the compound to form a tread;   (c) securing any tread splice; and   (d) coating an outer surface of the tread with a material consisting essentially of wax.   
     
     
       2. A method of protecting a tread, said method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a curable rubber compound comprising: (i) an alkylated napthenic or aromatic resin;   (ii) carbon black;   (iii) rubber; and   (iv) curing agent, wherein the compound has a tack of at least about 3 Newtons;     (b) extruding the compound to form a tread;   (c) securing any tread splice; and   (d) coating an outer surface of the tread with a material consisting essentially of wax.