Expandable Thermoplastic Microsphere Doped Tire Innerliner
AssigneeExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
InventorsXin Jin, Michael B. Rodgers, Peite Bao, Shanawas Ck, Babu Shanmugasundaram
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Abstract
A cured elastomer comprising: an elastomer at 100 parts per hundred rubber (phr); and an expandable thermoplastic microsphere at about 0.1 to about 10 phr. Such a cured elastomer can be used, optionally with additives, in an air barrier article that is selected from the group consisting of a tire innerliner, a pneumatic tire, a tire curing bladder, an air sleeves, a diaphragm, and a hose. With microspheres the compounded cured elastomer shows a reduction in specific gravity and a reduction in permeability. Both of these properties are highly desirable in tire design and performance.
Claims24
A cured elastomer comprising:
- an elastomer at 100 parts per hundred rubber (phr);
- and
- an expandable thermoplastic microsphere at about 0.1 to about 10 phr.
A method comprising:
- mixing components comprising an elastomer at 100 parts per hundred rubber (phr);
- and an expandable thermoplastic microsphere at about 0.1 to about 10 phr to produce a doped elastomer, wherein mixing is at a temperature above an expansion initiation temperature and below a maximum exposure temperature for the expandable thermoplastic microspheres;
- and
- curing the doped elastomer to produce a cured, doped elastomer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.