Preparation and use of functionalized elastomers in rubber compositions containing silica filler and tire components thereof

A method of preparing a rubber composition comprises:

• (A) providing a blend comprised of, based on parts by weight per 100 parts by weight rubber (phr):
• (1) at least one sulfur vulcanizable diene-based elastomer, wherein said at least one of said diene-based elastomer(s) contains oxidative derived components randomly distributed on its elastomer chain by thermal oxidation comprised of at least one of aldehydes, ketones and epoxides;
• (2) from about 30 to about 150 phr of reinforcing filler comprised of:
• (a) precipitated silica, or
• (b) a combination of precipitated silica and rubber reinforcing carbon black which contains at least about 30 phr of precipitated silica, together with a silica coupler for said precipitated silica having a moiety reactive with hydroxyl groups (e.g. silanol groups) on said precipitated silica and another, different, moiety interactive with said diene-based elastomer(s),
• (B) functionalizing at least one of said diene-based elastomers containing said oxidative derived components with a functionalizing compound having a moiety capable of reacting with at least one of said oxidative derived components on said elastomer chain and another different moiety capable of reacting with hydroxyl groups on said precipitated silica by:
• (1) pretreatment of said oxidative component containing elastomer(s) with said functionalizing compound to form a functionalized elastomer thereof followed by mixing said functionalized elastomer with said rubber composition, or
• (2) treatment of said oxidative derived components contained on said elastomer(s) with said functionalizing compound in situ within said rubber composition to form a functionalized elastomer;
• wherein said functionalizing of said oxidative component containing elastomer(s) is conducted in the absence of [competing] compound(s) competing with said functionalization comprised of:
• (3) compound(s) containing at least one of primary and secondary amine groups,
• (4) compound(s) containing stable free radicals, and
• (5) compound(s) containing peroxide decomposing moieties;
• (C) Optionally blending with said rubber composition containing said functionalized elastomer(s) at least one compound comprised of:
• (1) compound(s) containing at least one of primary and secondary amine groups,
• (2) compound(s) containing stable free radicals, and
• (3) compound(s) containing peroxide decomposing moieties.