阅读说明：本技术 包含含有热塑性聚氨酯的橡胶组合物的充气轮胎 (Pneumatic tire comprising a rubber composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane ) 是由 C·盖里 J-C·阿劳约达席尔瓦 于 2019-10-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种具有改善的机械性能的充气轮胎,其包含基于至少一种二烯弹性、至少一种热塑性聚氨酯、和交联体系的橡胶组合物；组合物不含任何增强填料,或者包含小于25重量份/100重量份弹性体(phr)的增强填料,组合物中的炭黑含量小于20phr。(The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire with improved mechanical properties comprising a rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, at least one thermoplastic polyurethane, and a crosslinking system; the composition is free of any reinforcing filler or comprises less than 25 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr) of reinforcing filler, the content of carbon black in the composition being less than 20 phr.)

1. A tire comprising a rubber composition based on:

-at least one diene elastomer,

at least one thermoplastic polyurethane, and

-a crosslinking system, which is capable of crosslinking,

the composition does not contain any reinforcing filler, or comprises less than 25 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, i.e. less than 25phr of reinforcing filler, the content of carbon black in the composition being less than 20 phr.

2. Tyre according to the preceding claim, wherein said diene elastomer is chosen from polybutadienes, synthetic polyisoprenes, natural rubber, butadiene copolymers, isoprene copolymers and mixtures of these elastomers.

3. Tyre according to claim 1, wherein said diene elastomer is an isoprene elastomer, preferably natural rubber.

4. Tyre according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the content of said diene elastomer in the composition is in the range from 20 to 90phr, preferably from 30 to 80 phr.

5. Tyre according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is present in the composition in a quantity ranging from 10 to 80phr, preferably from 20 to 70 phr.

6. Tyre according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one thermoplastic polyurethane comprises at least one soft segment produced by reaction of a polyisocyanate with a polyol having a hydrocarbon chain molecular weight of between 600 and 2500g/mol and at least one hard segment produced by reaction of a polyisocyanate with a diol or triol having a molecular weight in the range of 40 to 350 g/mol.

7. Tyre according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is free of any reinforcing filler or comprises less than 20phr of reinforcing filler, preferably less than 15hr, preferably less than 10 hr.

8. Tyre according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the carbon black content is in the range of more than 0 to 18phr, preferably 1 to 15phr, more preferably 2 to less than 5 phr.

9. Tyre according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said crosslinking system is based on molecular sulphur and/or a sulphur donor.

10. The tire of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is present in the tread of the tire.

11. Tyre according to any one of the preceding claims, which is a tyre for a civil engineering vehicle, an agricultural vehicle or a heavy vehicle, preferably a civil engineering vehicle.

Technical Field

The field of the invention is rubber compositions reinforced with reinforcing fillers, which can be used for manufacturing tyres for vehicles.

Background

During driving, the tire tread is subjected to mechanical stresses and attacks due to direct contact with the ground. In the case of tires mounted on vehicles bearing heavy loads, the mechanical stresses and attacks to which the tires are subjected are amplified by the weight loaded by the tires.

Off-road tires are locally subject to high stresses when running on large concave objects represented by the stones (rubble) forming the track, and are generally subject to high stresses under high torque transmission during a typical slope run of about 10% and high stresses of the tire in its entirety during U-turns for loading and unloading operations.

The consequence of this is that the initial cracks created in the tread under the effect of these stresses and of these attacks have a tendency to propagate further. The propagation of cracks within the tire can lead to damage to the tire and thus can reduce the life of the tire.

This is particularly true for tires fitted with civil engineering vehicles that are generally moving in mines. This is also true for tires mounted to agricultural vehicles due to the rocky ground of the arable land. Tires fitted with construction site heavy vehicles moving on rocky and asphalt grounds also experience these same attacks. The crack resistance and good mechanical properties of tires for civil engineering, agricultural or construction heavy vehicles prove to be of major importance for increasing the life of the tire, due to the two aggravating factors of the weight loaded by the tire and the aggressiveness of the running ground.

It is therefore important to make available tires for vehicles (in particular heavy load-carrying vehicles) whose composition has improved mechanical properties with respect to breakage and good reinforcement.

Furthermore, it is also advantageous for the solution provided to solve this problem not to impair the other properties of the rubber composition, in particular the rigidity and hysteresis. This is because the use of the hysteresis composition in a tire causes an increase in the internal temperature of the tire, which also results in a decrease in the durability of the tire.

In view of the above, it is a continuing object to provide rubber compositions which have good mechanical properties and do not impair or even simultaneously improve the reinforcement.

Disclosure of Invention

The applicant, while continuing its research, has found that the addition of thermoplastic polyurethanes to rubber compositions for tyres makes it possible to solve the above technical problem, provided that the content of reinforcing filler is not too high.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a tire comprising a composition based on at least one diene elastomer, at least one thermoplastic polyurethane, and a crosslinking system; the composition is free of any reinforcing filler or comprises less than 25phr of reinforcing filler, the carbon black content of the composition being less than 20 phr.

I-definition of

The expression "composition based on" is understood to mean that the composition comprises a mixture and/or an in situ reaction product of the various components used, some of which are capable of and/or intended to react with each other at least partially during the various stages of manufacturing the composition; the composition may thus be in a fully or partially crosslinked state or in a non-crosslinked state.

For the purposes of the present invention, the expression "parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of elastomer" (or phr) is understood to mean parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (whether or not the elastomer is thermoplastic). In other words, for the purposes of the present invention, thermoplastic polyurethanes are considered elastomers.

Herein, all percentages (%) indicated are weight percentages (%), unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

Furthermore, any interval of values denoted by the expression "between a and b" represents a range of values extending from more than "a" to less than "b" (i.e. excluding the extremes a and b), whereas any interval of values denoted by the expression "from a to b" means a range of values extending from "a" up to "b" (i.e. including the strict extremes a and b). Herein, when numerical intervals are described by the expression "a to b", it is also preferred to state that the intervals may be represented by the expression "between a and b".

When referring to a "primary" compound, for the purposes of the present invention it is understood to mean that, of the same type of compound in the composition, the compound is primary, i.e. the compound is the largest amount by weight of the compound of the same type. Thus, for example, the predominant elastomer is the elastomer that constitutes the greatest weight relative to the total weight of elastomers in the composition. In the same manner, the "predominant" filler is the filler that makes up the greatest weight of the fillers in the composition. For example, in a system comprising only one elastomer, which is predominant for the purposes of the present invention, in a system comprising two elastomers, the predominant elastomer comprises more than half the weight of the elastomer. Preferably, the term "primary" is understood to mean present at more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and more preferably the "primary" compound makes up 100%.

The carbon-containing compounds mentioned in this specification may be compounds of fossil or biological origin. In the latter case, they may be partially or totally derived from biomass, or may be obtained from renewable raw materials derived from biomass. In particular, polymers, plasticizers, fillers, and the like are contemplated.

II-description of the invention

II-1 diene elastomer

The rubber composition of the tire of the present invention may comprise only one diene elastomer or a mixture of several diene elastomers.

"diene" elastomer (or rubber without distinction), whether natural or synthetic, is understood in a known manner to mean an elastomer which is at least partially (i.e. a homopolymer or a copolymer) composed of diene monomer units (monomers bearing two conjugated or non-conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds).

These diene elastomers can be divided into two categories: "substantially unsaturated" or "substantially saturated". The term "essentially unsaturated" is generally understood to mean a diene elastomer resulting at least in part from conjugated diene monomers and having a content of units of diene origin (conjugated dienes) which is greater than 15% (mol%); thus diene elastomers such as butyl rubbers or EPDM type copolymers of dienes and of alpha-olefins are not in the preceding definition but can be referred to in particular as "essentially saturated" diene elastomers (low or very low content of units of diene origin, always less than 15%).

The expression "diene elastomer which can be used in the composition according to the invention" is understood in particular to mean:

(a) any homopolymer of a conjugated or non-conjugated diene monomer having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms;

(b) any copolymer of a conjugated or non-conjugated diene having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms with at least one other monomer.

The additional monomer may be ethylene, an olefin, or a conjugated or non-conjugated diene.

Suitable as conjugated dienes are conjugated dienes having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, in particular 1, 3-dienes, such as in particular 1, 3-butadiene and isoprene.

Suitable olefins are vinylaromatic compounds having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms and aliphatic alpha-monoolefins having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms.

Suitable as vinylaromatic compounds are, for example, styrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene or p-methylstyrene, "vinyltoluene" commercial mixtures or p- (tert-butyl) styrene.

Particularly suitable as aliphatic alpha-monoolefins are acyclic aliphatic alpha-monoolefins having from 3 to 18 carbon atoms.

Preferably, the diene elastomer is chosen from polybutadienes (BR), Natural Rubber (NR), synthetic polyisoprenes (IR), butadiene copolymers, isoprene copolymers and mixtures of these elastomers. The butadiene copolymer is chosen in particular from butadiene/styrene copolymers (SBR).

Advantageously, the diene elastomer comprises predominantly at least one isoprene elastomer. "isoprene elastomer" is understood in a known manner to mean an isoprene homopolymer or copolymer, in other words an isoprene elastomer selected from the group comprising or consisting of: natural Rubber (NR), which may be plasticized or peptized, synthetic polyisoprene (IR), various isoprene copolymers, and mixtures of these elastomers. Among the isoprene copolymers, mention will in particular be made of isobutylene/isoprene (butyl rubber IIR), isoprene/Styrene (SIR), isoprene/Butadiene (BIR) or isoprene/butadiene/Styrene (SBIR) copolymers.

The isoprene elastomer is preferably selected from natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene and mixtures thereof. Among these synthetic polyisoprenes, preference is given to using polyisoprenes having a cis-1, 4-linkage content (mol%) of greater than 90%, and more preferably still greater than 98%. More preferably, the diene elastomer is natural rubber.

Preferably, in the composition for tyres according to the present invention, the content of diene elastomer, preferably of isoprene elastomer, preferably of natural rubber, ranges from 20 to 90phr, preferably from 30 to 80phr, more preferably from 35 to 70 phr.

The rubber composition according to the invention can also comprise minor amounts of any type of synthetic elastomer other than diene elastomers, even polymers other than elastomers (for example thermoplastic polymers), whether comprising only one diene elastomer or a mixture of several diene elastomers. Preferably, the rubber composition according to the invention contains no or less than 10phr, preferably less than 5phr, of synthetic elastomers other than diene elastomers or polymers other than elastomers.

II-2 thermoplastic polyurethane

The composition of the tire according to the invention has the following essential features: comprising a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), which may be any thermoplastic polyurethane known to those skilled in the conventional art.

The TPU that can be used in the context of the present invention advantageously comprises at least one soft segment and at least one hard segment. Advantageously, they are block copolymers of alternating hard and soft segments. The rigid segments can be obtained in particular by reacting polyisocyanates, generally diisocyanates, with diols or triols of low molecular weight, preferably in the range from 40 to 350g/mol, known as chain extenders. As examples of low molecular weight diols, mention may be made, without being limited to these examples: ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, isosorbide, hydroquinone, and the like. As examples of the low molecular weight triol, trimethylolpropane, glycerin and the like can be mentioned, but are not limited to these examples. Furthermore, the polyisocyanate may be: aromatic polyisocyanates such as MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate), Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) or phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI); aliphatic polyisocyanates, such as Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) or isoprene diisocyanate (IPDI); cycloaliphatic polyisocyanates, such as H12 MDI (4, 4-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate); or a combination thereof. The soft segments may in particular be produced by reacting polyisocyanates with polyols comprising long hydrocarbyl chains (the molecular weight of the hydrocarbyl chains of the polyisocyanates is typically between 600 and 2500 g/mol). The polyols may be ethers or esters (typically polyester diols or polyether diols), but may also be polycarbonates. For example, as the polyester, mention may be made of polyadipates or polycaprolactones; for polyethers: mention may be made of polypropylene glycol and polybutylene glycol; and for polycarbonates: mention may be made of polycarbonate diols. The flexible blocks of the polyurethane may also be partially crosslinked with, for example, hyperbranched polyols or dendritic polyols.

TPU has both elastomeric and thermoplastic properties. They have, in a known manner, a Tg peak (soft segment of the TPU) and a melting point peak (hard segment of the TPU) (Mp, measured by DSC according to the standard ASTM D3418) in a known manner. Thus, the soft segment of a TPU is generally defined by a Tg which may be less than or equal to ambient temperature (25 ℃) and the hard segment may have a Mp greater than or equal to 80 ℃.

In this application, when referring to the glass transition temperature of the TPU, it is the glass transition temperature associated with the soft segment (unless otherwise stated).

As examples of TPUs that can be used in the context of the present invention, mention may be made of those described, for example, in documents FR 2201320, US 4,124,572, US 4,182,898, US 2003/0032754, CA 2322093 or CA 2168938.

According to the invention, the at least one thermoplastic polyurethane advantageously has an elongation at break of greater than 500% and a modulus at break of greater than 30MPa, measured according to standard DIN 53504. More preferably, the at least one thermoplastic polyurethane has an elongation at break of greater than 600% and 35MPa, measured according to standard DIN 53504.

Advantageously, the at least one thermoplastic polyurethane has a shore a hardness, measured according to the standard of DIN 53505, of from 60 to 100, preferably from 70 to 90.

Furthermore, the at least one thermoplastic polyurethane advantageously has a viscosity at 170 ℃ of from 1000 to 10000pa.s, preferably from 1500 to 8500pa.s, more preferably from 2500 to 7500pa.s, measured according to the method described below.

Method for measuring viscosity an RPA 2000LV rheometer (oscillating disc rheometer) equipped with a standard 200in.lbs (22.6Nm) viscosity sensor was used. The RPA device makes it possible to pressurize with torsional force a material sample enclosed in a chamber with a double conical wall. For the measurement, a sample of material having a diameter of about 30mm and a weight of about 5g was placed in a chamber of the RPA (8 cm)³Is considered to be optimal; a small amount is sufficient if it overflows from each side of the chamber and is visible at the end of the test). Preferably, the material is cut in advance from a sheet of the material. In case the material sheet is not thick enough, sections of the material sheet may be stacked. First, the shaping operation was performed by applying a temperature of 180 ℃ for 5 minutes and a shear of 2.78% (i.e., an angle of 0.19 °) to the sample enclosed in the chamber. At the end of this operation, the sample was allowed to be fully molded in the closed chamber of the RPA. The sample was then cooled to 130 ℃ directly in the chamber of the RPA. The viscosity measurement can then be started at 500% of alternating dynamic shear (i.e. angle of 36 °) and 0.1Hz in the temperature range of 130 to 200 ℃. A curve of viscosity η x as a function of temperature is obtained, on which the viscosity η x of the composition at 170 ℃ can be obtained. By programming the RPA machine, the shaping and measuring steps can be performed without intervention.

As an example of commercially available TPUs, mention may be made of those sold by Bayer3378A from Huntsman corporationA85C4957 from BASF1175AW or from Lubrizol11T80。

The content of thermoplastic polyurethane in the composition of the tyre according to the invention is advantageously in the range 10 to 80phr, preferably 20 to 70phr, more preferably 30 to 65 phr.

II-3 Cross-linking System

The crosslinking system may be any type of system known to those skilled in the art of rubber compositions for tires. It may be based in particular on sulfur and/or peroxides and/or bismaleimides.

Preferably, the crosslinking system is based on sulfur; it is then referred to as a vulcanization system. The sulphur may come in any form, in particular in the form of molecular sulphur and/or a sulphur donor. Also preferably present is at least one vulcanization accelerator, and optionally, also preferably various known vulcanization activators may be used, such as zinc oxide, stearic acid or equivalent compounds (e.g., stearates), salts of transition metals, guanidine derivatives (especially diphenylguanidine), or known vulcanization retarders.

Sulphur is used in a preferred amount of between 0.5 and 12phr, in particular between 1 and 10 phr. The vulcanization accelerator is used in a preferred amount of between 0.5 and 10phr, more preferably between 0.5 and 5.0 phr.

As accelerators, any compound capable of acting as vulcanization accelerator for diene elastomers in the presence of sulfur can be used, in particular accelerators of the thiazole type and their derivatives, or of the sulfenamide, thiuram, dithiocarbamate, dithiophosphate, thiourea and xanthate type. As examples of such accelerators, the following compounds may be mentioned in particular: 2-mercaptobenzothiazole disulfide (abbreviated MBTS), N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide (CBS), N-dicyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide (DCBS), N- (tert-butyl) -2-benzothiazolesulfenamide (TBBS), N- (tert-butyl) -2-benzothiazolesulfenimide (TBSI), tetrabenzylthiuram disulfide (TBZTD), zinc dibenzyldithiocarbamate (ZBEC) and mixtures of these compounds.

II-4 reinforcing filler

The elastomer matrix, thermoplastic polyurethane and crosslinking system are sufficient by themselves to practice the invention. However, the composition of the tyre according to the invention may comprise a reinforcing filler known to reinforce rubber compositions used for the manufacture of tyres.

According to the invention, the composition of the tyre does not contain any reinforcing filler or contains less than 25phr of reinforcing filler, the content of carbon black in the composition being less than 20 phr.

Any type of "reinforcing" filler known to be capable of reinforcing rubber compositions particularly intended for the manufacture of tires may be used, for example organic fillers such as carbon black, inorganic fillers such as silica, or mixtures of these two types of filler.

All carbon blacks, in particular carbon blacks conventionally used in tires or treads thereof, are suitable as carbon blacks. In the latter, mention will be made more particularly of reinforcing blacks of the series 100, 200 and 300, or blacks of the series 500, 600 or 700 (ASTM D-1765-2017 grade), such as the blacks N115, N134, N234, N326, N330, N339, N347, N375, N550, N683 and N772. These carbon blacks may be used in the individual state as is commercially available, or in any other form, for example as a carrier for some of the rubber additives used. The carbon black may, for example, have been incorporated into diene elastomers, in particular isoprene elastomers, in the form of masterbatches (see, for example, applications WO97/36724-A2 or WO 99/16600-A1). The BET specific surface area of the carbon black is determined according to standard D6556-10[ multipoint (minimum of 5 points) method-gas: nitrogen-relative pressure P/P0 range: 0.1 to 0.3 ].

As examples of organic fillers other than carbon black, mention may be made of functionalized polyvinyl organic fillers as described in applications WO2006/069792-A1, WO2006/069793-A1, WO2008/003434-A1 and WO 2008/003435-A1.

The term "reinforcing inorganic filler" is understood herein to mean any inorganic or mineral filler, whatever its colour and its origin (natural or synthetic), also known as "white" filler, "clear" filler or even "non-black" filler, in contrast to carbon black, capable of reinforcing alone, without means other than an intermediate coupling agent, a rubber composition intended for the manufacture of tires. In a known manner, certain reinforcing inorganic fillers may be characterized in particular by the presence of hydroxyl groups (-OH) at their surface.

Siliceous type (preferably silicon dioxide (SiO)₂) Of the aluminium type (in particular alumina (Al)₂O₃) Mineral fillers) are particularly suitable as reinforcing inorganic fillers. The silica used may be any reinforcing silica known to the person skilled in the art, in particular having a BET and CTAB specific surface area of less than 450m²A/g, preferably in the range from 30 to 400m²G, in particular from 60 to 300m²Any precipitated or fumed silica in the range of/g.

In The present disclosure, The BET specific surface area is determined by gas adsorption using The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method described in "The Journal of The American Chemical Society" (volume 60, page 309, month 2 1938), more particularly according to The method derived from standard NF ISO 5794-1 (appendix E) month 6 2010 [ multipoint (5 points) volumetric method-gas: nitrogen-degassing under vacuum: 1 hour at 160 ℃ -relative pressure p/po range: 0.05 to 0.17 ].

For inorganic fillers such as silica, the value of the CTAB specific surface area is determined according to standard NF ISO 5794-1 (appendix G) on month 6 2010. The method is based on the adsorption of CTAB (N-hexadecyl-N, N-trimethylammonium bromide) on the "external" surface of the reinforcing filler.

Any type of precipitated silica may be used, in particular highly dispersible precipitated silicas ("highly dispersible" or "highly dispersible" silicas are referred to as "HDS"). These precipitated dioxidesSilicon, which may or may not be highly dispersible, is well known to those skilled in the art. Mention may be made, for example, of the silicas described in applications WO03/016215-A1 and WO 03/016387-A1. Among the HDS silicas commercially available, in particular, silica from Evonik company "5000GR”、“7000GR ", silica from Solvay Corp"1085GR”、“1115MP”、“1165MP”、“Premium 200MP”、“HRS 1200 MP ". As non-HDS silica, the following commercially available silicas can be used: silica from Evonik corporation "VN2GR”、“VN3GR ", silica from Solvay company"175 GR' from PPG company, "Hi-Sil EZ120G (-D)," Hi-Sil EZ160G (-D), "Hi-Sil EZ200G (-D)," Hi-Sil 243LD ", and210”、“Hi-Sil HDP 320G”。

as further examples of inorganic fillers which can be used in the rubber compositions of the invention, mention may also be made of mineral fillers of the aluminium type, in particular alumina (Al)₂O₃) Aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, aluminosilicates, titanium oxides, silicon carbide or silicon nitride, all reinforcement types described in applications WO99/28376-A2, WO00/73372-A1, WO02/053634-A1, WO2004/003067-A1, WO2004/056915-A2, US6610261-B1 and US6747087-B2, for example. Mention may in particular be made of alumina "Baikalox A125" or "CR 125" ((R))Company), "APA-100 RDX" (Condea), "Alumidoxid C" (Evonik), or "AKP-G015" (Sumitomo Chemicals).

It is not important in what physical state the reinforcing inorganic filler is provided, whether it be in the form of a powder, microbeads, granules or beads or any other suitable densified form. Of course, reinforcing inorganic filler is also understood to mean a mixture of different reinforcing inorganic fillers, in particular a mixture of silicas as described above.

The person skilled in the art will understand that instead of the reinforcing inorganic filler described above, a reinforcing filler of another nature can be used, provided that it will be covered with an inorganic layer, such as silica, or that it comprises, on its surface, functional sites, in particular hydroxyl groups, which require the use of a coupling agent to form a bond between the reinforcing filler and the diene elastomer. By way of example, mention may be made of carbon blacks partially or totally covered with silica, or carbon blacks modified with silica, such as, but not limited to, those of the "CRX 2000" series or "CRX 4000" series from the company Cabot CorporationType of filler.

For coupling the reinforcing inorganic filler to the diene elastomer, an at least bifunctional coupling agent (or bonding agent) aimed at providing a satisfactory chemical and/or physical connection between the inorganic filler (the surface of its particles) and the diene elastomer may be used in a known manner. In particular, at least bifunctional organosilanes or polyorganosiloxanes are used. The term "bifunctional" is understood to mean that the compound has a first functional group capable of interacting with the inorganic filler and a second functional group capable of interacting with the diene elastomer. For example, such a bifunctional compound may comprise a first functional group containing a silicon atom, capable of interacting with the hydroxyl groups of the inorganic filler, and a second functional group containing a sulfur atom, capable of interacting with the diene elastomer.

Preferably, the organosilane is chosen from organosilane polysulfides (symmetrical or asymmetrical), such as bis (3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide abbreviated to TESPT sold under the name "Si 69" by the company Evonik or bis (triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide abbreviated to TESPD sold under the name "Si 75" by the company Evonik, polyorganosiloxanes, mercaptosilanes, blocked mercaptosilanes such as S- (3- (triethoxysilyl) propyl) octanethioate sold under the name "NXT silane" by the company Momentive. More preferably, the organosilane is an organosilane polysulfide.

Of course, it is also possible to use mixtures of the coupling agents described above.

Generally, the coupling agent is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 15% by weight, based on the amount of reinforcing inorganic filler. The content of coupling agent is preferably in the range from 0.5 to 20 phr. The content can be easily adjusted by the person skilled in the art according to the content of reinforcing inorganic filler used in the composition of the invention.

As mentioned above, the composition of the tyre according to the invention may be free of reinforcing fillers. Alternatively, the total content of reinforcing filler is less than 25phr, with the understanding that the total content of carbon black is less than 20 phr. This is because the applicant has observed that the use of a content of reinforcing filler of less than 25phr makes it possible to improve both the reinforcement and the elongation at break of the composition, whereas above 25phr no improvement in the elongation at break of the composition according to the invention is observed.

Advantageously, the composition of the tyre according to the invention comprises less than 20phr, preferably less than 15phr, more preferably less than 10phr, of reinforcing filler.

Particularly advantageously, the composition of the tyre according to the invention comprises more than 0 to 18phr, preferably 1 to 15phr, more preferably 2 to less than 5phr, of carbon black.

II-5 other possible additives

The rubber composition of the tyre according to the invention may also optionally comprise all or some of the usual additives commonly used in the elastomeric compositions of tyres, such as plasticizers (for example plasticizing oils and/or plasticizing resins), pigments, protective agents (for example antiozone waxes, chemical antiozonants, antioxidants), antifatigue agents, reinforcing resins (for example as described in application WO 02/10269).

II-6 tyre

The invention also relates to finished rubber products or semi-finished rubber products and tires comprising the composition according to the invention.

The invention relates in particular to a tyre intended to fit a vehicle: motor vehicles of the passenger vehicle type, SUVs ("sport utility vehicles"), or two-wheeled vehicles (in particular motorcycles), or aircraft, or industrial vehicles selected from vans, "heavy" vehicles (i.e. subways, buses, heavy road transport vehicles (trucks, tractors, trailers) or off-road vehicles (such as heavy agricultural vehicles or civil engineering vehicles)), and the like.

Three regions may be defined within the tire:

a radially outer zone of contact with the ambient air, this zone consisting essentially of the tread and the outer sidewall of the tire. The outer sidewalls are elastomeric layers located outside the carcass reinforcement with respect to the inner cavity of the tire between the crown and the beads, so as to completely or partially cover the area where the carcass reinforcement extends from the crown to the beads.

A radially inner region in contact with the inflation gas, this region consisting essentially of a layer that is gas-tight to the inflation gas (sometimes referred to as an inner gas-tight layer or liner).

The inner region of the tire, i.e. the region between the outer region and the inner region. This region includes what is referred to herein as the inner layer or ply of the tire. Such layers are, for example, carcass plies, undertread, tire belt plies or any other layer not in contact with the ambient air or the inflation gas of the tire.

The tread surface of the tread is provided with a tread pattern formed by a plurality of grooves delimiting relief elements (blocks, ribs) so as to create material edge corners and voids. The void volume exhibited by these grooves relative to the total volume of the tread (including the volume of the relief elements and the volume of all the grooves) is expressed by a percentage herein denoted as the "volumetric void ratio". A volumetric void ratio equal to zero indicates a tread without grooves or voids.

The invention is particularly suitable for tyres intended for civil engineering or agricultural vehicles and heavy vehicles, more particularly civil engineering or agricultural vehicles, the tyres of which are subjected to highly specific stresses, in particular on the rocky ground over which they run. Advantageously, therefore, the tyre according to the invention is a tyre for a civil engineering vehicle, an agricultural vehicle or a heavy vehicle, preferably a civil engineering vehicle.

The compositions defined in the present description are particularly suitable, in particular from the viewpoint of tire durability, for tire treads, in particular for tires intended to bear heavy-duty vehicles. Advantageously, therefore, the composition of the tire according to the invention is present in the tread of the tire.

The tread of the tire according to the invention may have one or more grooves having an average depth of from 15 to 120mm, preferably from 65 to 120 mm.

The tire according to the invention may have a diameter of 20 to 63 inches, preferably 35 to 63 inches.

Moreover, the average volumetric void ratio over the entire tread of the tire according to the invention may be in the range of 5% to 40%, preferably 5% to 25%.

The composition defined in this specification is also well suited for use in the inner layer. Thus, the composition of the tire according to the invention is present in at least one inner layer of the tire. The inner layer may be selected from the group consisting of a carcass ply, a crown ply, a bead wire filler, a crown base, a decoupling layer, an edge rubber, a filler rubber, an undertread, and combinations of these inner layers. Preferably, the inner layer is selected from the group consisting of a carcass ply, a crown ply, a bead wire filler, a crown base, a decoupling layer, and combinations of these inner layers.

The present invention relates to the above mentioned tyres and semi-finished tyre products, articles made of rubber, in the green state (i.e. before curing) and in the cured state (i.e. after cross-linking or vulcanisation).

II-7 preparation of rubber composition

The rubber compositions according to the invention are prepared in a suitable mixer using two successive preparation stages well known to those skilled in the art:

a first stage of thermomechanical working or kneading ("non-preparative") which can be carried out in a single thermomechanical step, during which all the necessary components, in particular the elastomeric matrix, the optional fillers and the optional other various additives, with the exception of the crosslinking system, are introduced into a suitable mixer, such as a standard internal mixer (for example a mixer of the "banbury" type). The optional filler may be incorporated into the elastomer in one or more portions while thermo-mechanical kneading. The non-preparation phase may be carried out at elevated temperature (maximum temperature between 110 ℃ and 200 ℃, preferably between 130 ℃ and 185 ℃) for a time generally between 2 and 10 minutes.

A second stage of mechanical processing ("preparation" stage), which is carried out in an open mixer (for example an open mill) after cooling down the mixture obtained in the first non-preparation stage to a lower temperature, typically less than 120 ℃, for example between 40 ℃ and 100 ℃. The crosslinking system is then introduced and the combined mixture is then mixed for several minutes, for example between 5 and 15 minutes.

Such stages are described, for example, in the applications EP-A-0501227, EP-A-0735088, EP-A-0810258, WO00/05300 or WO 00/05301.

The final composition thus obtained is then calendered, for example in the form of a sheet or plate, in particular for laboratory characterization, or extruded in the form of a semi-finished (or shaped) rubber element that can be used, for example, as a tread for a tire of a civil engineering vehicle. These products can then be used to manufacture tyres according to techniques known to those skilled in the art.

The composition may be in the raw state (before crosslinking or vulcanization) or in the cured state (after crosslinking or vulcanization), or may be a semi-finished product capable of being used in a tire.

The crosslinking of the composition can be carried out in a manner known to the person skilled in the art, for example at temperatures and pressures between 130 ℃ and 200 ℃.

Detailed Description

III examples

Measurement and test used in III-1

Kinetic properties (after curing): tensile test

These tensile tests enable determination of elastic stress and fracture properties. Unless otherwise stated, these tests were performed according to French Standard NF T46-002, 9 months 1988. Processing the tensile record also enables the plotting of modulus as a function of elongation. The modulus used herein is the true secant modulus, measured in the first elongation, calculated by normalization with respect to the true cross-section of the test specimen at any time of the test. The nominal secant modulus (or apparent stress, in MPa) was measured at 50%, 100% and 300% elongation at the first elongation and is designated as M50, M100 and M300, respectively. The MSV300/MSV100 ratio is an indicator of the reinforcement of the rubber composition. The greater this ratio, the greater the reinforcement of the composition.

Elongation at break (EB%) and stress at Break (BS) tests were carried out on H2 dumbbell test specimens based on standard NF ISO 37 (12 months 2005) and were measured at a tensile speed of 500 mm/min. Elongation at break is expressed as a percentage of elongation. The breaking stress is expressed in MPa.

All these tensile measurements were carried out under standard conditions of temperature (23. + -. 2 ℃) and humidity (50. + -. 5% relative humidity) according to French standard NF T40-101 (12 months 1979).

The kinetic properties G were measured on a viscosity analyzer (Metravib VA4000) according to the standard ASTM D5992-96^*(25%) and tan (. delta.) max at 60 ℃. Samples of the crosslinked composition (thickness 4mm and cross-section 400 mm) subjected to a simple alternating sinusoidal shear stress at a frequency of 10Hz were recorded under defined temperature conditions (for example at 60 ℃) according to the Standard ASTM D1349-99, or, as the case may be, at different temperatures²Cylindrical test specimen). The strain amplitude scan was performed from 0.1% to 50% (outward cycle) and then from 50% to 1% (return cycle). The result used is the complex kinetic shear modulus G^*And a loss factor tan (δ). For the return cycle, the observed tan (delta) maximum (expressed as tan (delta) max) is shown, as well as the complex kinetic shear modulus G at 25% strain and 60 deg.C^*。

Preparation of III-2 composition

The following tests were performed as follows: the thermoplastic polyurethane, then the elastomer, the optional reinforcing filler and the various other ingredients, with the exception of the crosslinking system, are introduced successively into a blade mixer (final degree of filling: about 70% by volume) whose initial vessel temperature is about 175 ℃. Thermomechanical working (non-production phase) is then carried out in a step lasting a total of about 5 to 8 minutes until a maximum "tapping" temperature of 175 ℃ is reached.

The mixture thus obtained is recovered and cooled, and the crosslinking system is then introduced into a mixer (homofinisher) at 23 ℃ or 50 ℃ respectively, where all the substances are mixed (preparation stage) for a suitable time (for example between 5 and 12 minutes).

The compositions thus obtained are subsequently calendered in the form of sheets (thickness from 2 to 3mm) or thin sheets of rubber for measuring their physical or mechanical properties, or extruded in the form of shaped articles.

III-3 testing of rubber compositions

The examples shown in table 1 are intended to compare the mechanical properties and the reinforcement of the compositions according to the invention (C1, C2, C3 and C4) with the control compositions (T1 and T2) which differ from the compositions according to the invention in that they do not comprise a diene elastomer and a thermoplastic polyurethane at the same time. Their formulations (in phr) and properties are summarized in table 1 below.

TABLE 1

(1) Natural rubber

(2) Thermoplastic polyurethane (Desmopan 3378A from Bayer)

(3) Carbon black: ASTM grade N234 from Cabot corporation

(5) N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide (Santocure CBS from Flexsys Co.)

(6) Zinc oxide (Industrial grade-Umicore company)

(7) Stearin (Pristerene 4931 from Uniqema).

These results show that the compositions according to the invention can improve the compromise of mechanical properties without impairing, or even simultaneously improving, the reinforcing properties of the composition. These results also show that the addition of a small amount of carbon black can significantly improve all the mechanical properties measured.

Control composition T3 was prepared to determine the effect of increasing carbon black content.

TABLE 2

	T1	C4	T3
				NR(1)	100	60	60
TPU 1(2)	-	40	40
				N234(3)	-	10	30
Sulfur	1.5	1.5	1.5
				CBS(5)	1	1	1
ZnO(6)	2.5	2.5	2.5
				Stearic acid (7)	1	1	1
				％EB	100	124	100

(1) To (7): see table 1.

These results show that increasing the amount of carbon black to more than 25phr is no longer capable of improving the elongation at break of the composition.