Rubber composition

A process for producing a rubber composition which comprises the steps of:

• kneading a mixture comprising:
• 100 parts by weight of a solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4 125.degree. C.) in a range of from about 40 to about 140;
• about 5 to about 100 parts by weight of silica;
• about 1 to about 15 parts by weight of a silane coupling agent;
• and
• about 1 to about 15 parts by weight of a polyalkylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of about 200 to about 20,000,
• at a temperature in which the maximum temperature during the kneading is between about 120.degree. and about 170.degree. C.

A tire tread comprising a vulcanized rubber composition having the combination of properties of:

• (1) improved wet-skid resistance;
• (2) improved rolling resistance;
• and
• (3) improved processability when suitably vulcanized,
• wherein said rubber composition being obtainable by kneading a mixture at a maximum temperature between about 120.degree. to about 170.degree. C., said mixture comprising:
• 100 parts by weight of a solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4 125.degree. C.) in a range of from about 40 to about 140;
• about 5 to about 100 parts by weight of silica;
• about 1 to about 15 parts by weight of a silane coupling agent;
• and
• about 1 to about 15 parts by weight of a polyalkylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of about 200 to about 20,000.