WO2001088027A1 - Improved processability of silica-reinforced rubber containing an amide compound - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an amide compound as a processing aid to improve the dispersion of silica reinforcing filler in a rubber composition, while reducing or eliminating the use of expensive bifunctional silica coupling agents. The invention further provides a vulcanizable elastomeric composition and vulcanized elastomeric products, especially pneumatic tires that exhibit decreased rolling resistance, hysteresis, and improved snow, ice, and wet traction.

Description

IMPROVED PROCESSABILITY OF SILICA-REINFORCED RUBBER CONTAINING AN AMIDE COMPOUND

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to the use of processing aids to improve the dispersion of silica reinforcing filler in rubber compounds. More particularly, the invention provides a vulcanizable elastomeric composition containing a filler-dispersing aid, and a pneumatic tire having improved snow and ice traction, wet traction, rolling resistance and hysteresis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When producing elastomeric compositions for use in rubber articles, such as tires, power belts, and the like, it is desirable that these elastomeric compositions are easily processable during compounding and have a high molecular weight with a controlled molecular weight distribution, glass transition temperature (T_g ) and vinyl content. It is also desirable that reinforcing fillers, such as silica and/or carbon black, be well dispersed throughout the rubber in order to improve various physical properties, such as the compound Mooney viscosity, elastic modulus, tan delta (δ), and the like. Rubber articles, especially tires, produced from vulcanized elastomers exhibiting these improved properties will have reduced hysteresis, better rolling resistance, snow and ice traction, and wet traction, and improved fuel economy for vehicles equipped with such tires. Traditionally, improved dispersion of reinforcing fillers has been accomplished by lengthened mixing times. However, in commercial applications, prolonged mixing times result in decreased production and increased expense. With the increasing use of silica as a reinforcing filler for rubber, filler dispersion in rubber stocks has become amajor concern. Because polar silanol groups on the surface of silica particles tend to self-associate, reagglomeration of silica particles occurs after compounding, leading to poor silica dispersion, a high compound viscosity and a shorter scorch time. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the dispersion of silica in rubber compounds, especially when used for tire treads, to improve performance characteristics.

Previous attempts at preparing readily processable, vulcanizable silica-filled rubb er stocks containing natural rubber or diene polymer and copolymer elastomers have focused on the use, during compounding, of bifunctional silica coupling agents having a moiety {e.g., a silyl group) reactive with the silica surface, and a moiety {e.g. , a mercapto, amino, vinyl, epoxy or sulfur group) that binds to the elastomer. Well known examples of such silica coupling agents are mercaptosilanes and bis-(3-trialkoxysilylorgano) polysulfides, such as bis-(3-triethyoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide which is known commercially as Si69. With the coupling agent acting as an intermediary, the compound viscosity is reduced and the silica particles are more easily dispersed into the elastomeric matrix. However, such silica coupling agents are expensive. In addition, the reaction of the alkoxy portion of the coupling agent with the rubber can result in the release of a substantial amount of alcohol, resulting in a rubber compound containing undesirable bubbles that may form blisters or surface defects in the resulting formed rubber articles.

To address the expense and other problems related to bifunctional silica coupling agents, recent approaches to providing improved dispersion of silica in rubber compounds have been directed to reducing or replacing the use of such silica coupling agents by employing dispersing agents, such as monofunctional silica shielding agents {e.g., silica hydrophobating agents that chemically react with the surface silanol groups on the silica particles but are not reactive with the elastomer) and agents which physically shield the silanol groups, to prevent reagglomeration of the silica particles after compounding. For example, dispersing agents, such as alkyl alkoxysilanes, glycols {e.g., diethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol), fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C₅ and C₆ sugars {e.g., sorbitan oleates, and the like), polyoxyethylene derivatives of the fatty acid esters, and fillers such as mica, talc, urea, clay, sodium sulfate, and the like, are known. Such silica dispersing agents can be used to replace all or part of expensive bifunctional silica coupling agents, while improving the processability of silica-filled rubber compounds by reducing the compound viscosity, increasing the scorch time, and reducing silica reagglomeration. The use of such dispersing aids includes employing an increased amount of sulfur, to replace sulfur that otherwise would have been supplied by a sulfur-containing silica coupling agent, in order to achieve a satisfactory cure of the rubber compound.

Although the above-described silica dispersing agents provide good silica dispersion in vulcanizable elastomeric compounds, there is still a need for other silica dispersing agents that can be similarly used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a processing aid for improving the dispersion of silica in a sulfur-vulcanizable elastomeric composition while eliminating or reducing the use of a bifunctional silica coupling agent. In particular, the processing aid of the invention comprises one or more amide compounds, selected from the group of amide compounds having the formula

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl groups having 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, alkaryl groups having about 5 to about 30 carbon atoms, and cycloaliphatic groups having about 5 to about 30 carbon atoms; R and R" are the same or different from each other and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Cj to about C₃₀ aliphatic, and about C₅ to about C₃₀ cycloaliphatic; R and R may be linked together to form a ring structure; and R' and R" may be linked together to form a ring structure.

As defined herein, the amide compound suitable for use as a processing aid in the vulcanizable elastomeric compositions of the invention has a polar end that is weakly chemically reactive with the polar groups on silica particles, such as by hydrogen bonding and the like, and a non-polar end that is weakly chemically reactive with the elastomer, such as by hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and the like. The terms "processing aid" and "dispersing aid" are used interchangeably herein to refer to the dispersion of reinforcing filler, especially silica, in the compositions.

Exemplary amide compounds for use as processing aids in the invention compositions include, but are not limited to, erucamide, octadecanamide, e-caprolactam, NN-diethyldodecanamide, andNN-diethyl-m-toluamide. Mixtures of amide compounds may also be employed. The present invention provides a vulcanizable elastomeric composition comprising an elastomer, a reinforcing filler comprising silica or a mixture thereof with carbon black, a processing aid comprising an amide compound as described above, at least one cure agent, and a sufficient amount of sulfur to achieve a satisfactory cure of the composition. The amide compound is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 150% by weight based on the weight of the silica.

Preferably, the amide compound is present in an amount of about 0.5% to about 50% by weight and, more preferably, in the amount of about 1 % to about 30% by weight based on the weight of the silica.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a process for the preparation of a vulcanized elastomeric composition comprising the steps of a) mixing an elastomer with a reinforcing filler comprising silica or a mixture thereof with carbon black, a processing aid comprising an amide compound as described above, at least one cure agent, and a sufficient amount of sulfur to achieve a satisfactory cure of the composition; and b) effecting vulcanization. The use of an amide compound as a processing aid results in a reduction of the compound Mooney viscosity to a level that is comparable to a composition employing a polysulfide silica coupling agent, such as Si69 and the like; and provides a longer processing time window during the extrusion process to facilitate filling of the tire mold during cure. Moreover, the use of an amide compound as a processing aid results in an improved scorch time, reduced silica flocculation, lower silica network buildup, improved mold flow control of filler morphologies in the green state, and improved cure rate. These properties, in vulcanized articles utilizing the present invention, are indicative of improved hysteresis which, in turn, results in equivalent or better rolling resistance, wet, ice and snow traction, and improved fuel economy for vehicles equipped with such tires .

In another embodiment of the invention, the vulcanizable elastomeric composition further comprises, in addition to the amide compound, an additional processing aid, such as an alkyl alkoxysilane, a fatty acid ester of hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated C₅ and C₆ sugars, the polyoxyethylene derivatives thereof, or a mineral or non-mineral additional filler, such as mica, talc, clay, aluminum hydrate, urea, sodium sulfate, and the like. For example, the addition of another processing aid, such as an alkyl alkoxysilane, to the composition containing the amide compound results in a further reduction in the compound Mooney viscosity, improved silica flocculation stability after compounding, and improved scorch time and cure rate.

The invention further provides a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component produced from the vulcanized elastomeric composition containing the amide compound processing aid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has been discovered that the use of an amide compound as a dispersing aid for silica filler in a vulcanizable elastomeric composition, in the absence of other silica coupling agents or silica shielding agents, improves the processability of the rubber compositions by, for example, reducing the compound viscosity and increasing the scorch time, compared to silica-filled elastomeric compositions not containing the processing aid. Moreover, it has been discovered that rubber compositions processed using an amide compound as a processing aid, in the absence of other silica coupling agents or silica shielding agents, surprisingly possess favorable viscoelastic properties . These improved properties include a lower elastic modulus (G¹) at -20°C, a higher tan δ at 0°C, and a lower tan δ at 50°C. Such properties have been commonly used in the tire industry to predict tire performance in the categories of snow and ice traction (G' at -20°C), wet traction (tan δ at 0°C), and rolling resistance (tan δ at 50°C). Rubber stocks containing amide compounds as filler dispersing aids also exhibit a reduced Payne effect (i.e., a lower silica network build-up after compounding) and improved filler dispersion, which will result in lower hysteresis in the vulcanized product.

The processing aid in the invention vulcanizable elastomeric composition comprises an amide compound selected from a group of amide compounds having the formula

where R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl groups having 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, alkaryl groups having about 5 to about 30 carbon atoms, and cycloaliphatic groups having about 5 to about 30 carbon atoms; R and R" are the same or different from each other and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁ to about C₃₀ aliphatic, and about C₅ to about C₃₀ cycloaliphatic; R and R may be linked together to form a ring structure; and R and R" may be linked together to form a ring structure.

As illustrated by the foregoing formula, the amide compound has a polar "head" comprising a nitrogen atom and a carbonyl group, and a non-polar lipophilic alkyl "tail." It is believed that the polar head of the amide compound is attracted to the hydrophilic surface of the silica filler and bonds to the silica by hydrogen bonding. The lipophilic alkyl tail of the amide compound is compatible with the elastomeric material and associates with the elastomer through weak bonding, such as hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and the like. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that during compounding, the amide compound may position itself between silica particles in the silica aggregates, and prevent or reduce agglomeration of the aggregates. Thus, the agglomerates of silica particles, once held together by the attraction between their hydrophilic surfaces, are reduced in size due to the presence of the amide compound during and after compounding. The amide compound suitable as a filler dispersing aid is not in polymeric form.

Exemplary amide compounds for use as processing aids in the compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to, erucamide, octadecanamide, ε-caprolactam, NN-die hyldodecanamide, and NN-diethyl-m- toluamide. Mixtures of amide compounds may also be employed. The amide compound is present in the vulcanizable elastomeric composition in an amount of about 0.1% to about 150% by weight based on the weight of the silica . Preferably the amide compound is present in an amount of about0.5%to about 50% by weight and, more preferably, in the amount of about 1% to about 30%) by weight based on the weight of the silica. The amide compound processing aid may be added separately to the elastomer or may be fully or partially supported on the reinforcing filler. The ratio of the amide compound to the reinforcing filler is not critical. If the amide compound is a liquid, a suitable ratio of amide compound to filler is that which results in a suitably dry material for addition to the elastomer. For example, the ratio may be about 1/99 to about 70/30, about 20/80 about 60/40, about 50/50, and the like.

The amide compound processing aid of the invention may be used as a silica dispersing aid to replace all or at least a portion of a bifunctional silica coupling agent in a sulfur-vulcanizable elastomeric compositions. However, it has been found herein that when a sulfur-containing silica coupling agent is absent or reduced in concentration, an appropriate adjustment in the amount of sulfur added to the elastomeric composition is necessary to achieve a satisfactory cure of the composition. For example, an effective amount of sulfur in an invention composition would provide a property of the cured compound that is approximately equal to the same property of a satisfactorily cured compound containing Si69 or a mercaptosilane with a conventional amount of sulfur (e.g., about 1.4 to about 2.5 phr). Exemplary cured properties for comparison include, but are not limited to, the value of the 300%> Modulus (psi), the molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc g/mol), and the like, and other cured properties that are well known to those skilled in the art of rubber making. The increased amount of sulfur to compensate for the reduced availability of sulfur from a sulfur-donating silica coupling agent will vary from composition to composition, depending on the amount of silica and the amount, if any, of a sulfur-donating silica coupling agent present in the formulation. Based on the disclosure contained herein, and in the examples of invention compositions described below, one skilled in the art of rubber compounding may easily determine the effective amount of sulfur required for a satisfactory cure of the compound without undue experimentation. The additional sulfur may take any form, including soluble sulfur, insoluble sulfur, or any of the sulfur-donating compounds described as vulcanizing agents below, or mixtures of the foregoing.

Although the amide compound may be used alone as a dispersing/processing aid in the present invention to produce vulcanizable elastomeric compositions and vulcanized rubber products exhibiting favorable physical properties, it has also been discovered that these properties show a greater improvement when the amide compound is used in conjunction with additional dispersing aids . Therefore, in another embodiment of the invention, the vulcanizable elastomeric composition comprises an additional dispersing aid, such as an alkyl alkoxysilane, a fatty acid ester of hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated C₅ and C₆ sugars, and the polyoxyethylene derivatives thereof, or a mineral or non-mineral additional filler, as described below.

Alkyl alkoxysilanes useful as an additional processing aid preferably have the formula

(R,)₃-Si(OR₂) or (R₁)₂-Si(OR₂)₂ or (R -Si(OR₂)₃ where the alkoxy groups are the same or are different from each other; each Ri independently comprises a _λ to about C₂₀ aliphatic, about C₅ to about C₂₀ cycloaliphatic, or about C₅ to about C₂₀ aromatic group; and each R₂ independently comprises from one to about 6 carbon atoms. Preferably, Rj comprises a Ci to about C₁₀ aliphatic, about C₆ to about C₁₀ cycloaliphatic, or about C₆ to about C₁₂ aromatic group. Exemplary alkyl alkoxysilanes include, but are not limited to, octyl triethoxysilane, octyl trimethoxysilane, trimethyl ethoxysilane, silyl ethoxysilane, cyclohexyl triethoxysilane, iso-hutyl triethoxysilane, ethyl trimethoxy silane, hexyl tributoxy silane, dimethyl diethoxysilane, methyl triethoxysilane, propyl triethoxysilane, hexyl triethoxysilane, heptyl triethoxysilane, nonyl triethoxysilane, octadecyl triethoxysilane, methyl octyl diethoxysilane, dimethyl dimethoxysilane, methyl trimethoxysilane, propyl trimethoxysilane, hexyl trimethoxysilane, heptyl trimethoxysilane, nonyl trimethoxysilane, octadecyl trimethoxysilane, methyl octyl dimethoxysilane, and mixtures thereof. Because alcohol is released when the alkyl alkoxysilane reacts with the surface of the silica particle, it is preferred for environmental reasons that ethoxysilanes are employed, rather than methoxysilanes, although methoxysilanes are not excluded from the invention. Preferred alkyl alkoxysilane processing aids are octyl triethoxysilane, octadecyl triethoxysilane, and nonyl triethoxysilane.

The alkyl alkoxysilane, if used, may be present in an amount of about 0. l%o to about 150%> by weight based on the weight of the silica. Preferably, the alkyl alkoxysilane may be present in an amount of about 0.5%> to about 50%o by weight and, more preferably, in an amount of about 1%> to about 30% by weight based on the weight of the silica. If desired, the alkyl alkoxysilane may be fully or partially supported by the reinforcing filler. The ratio of the alkyl alkoxysilane to the reinforcing filler is not critical. For example, the ratio may be about 1/99 to about 70/30, about 20/80 about 60/40, about 50/50, and the like. The addition of the alkyl alkoxysilane processing aid to the composition results in a further reduction in the compound Mooney viscosity, improved silica flocculation stability, and improved scorch time and cure rate. Exemplary fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C₅ and C₆ sugars (e.g., sorbose, mannose, and arabinose) that are useful as an additional processing aid include the sorbitan oleates, such as sorbitan monooleate, dioleate, trioleate and sesquioleate, as well as sorbitan esters of laurate, palmitate and stearate fatty acids. Fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C₅ and

C₆ sugars are commercially available from ICI Specialty Chemicals (Wilmington, DE) under the trade name SPAN^®. Representative products include SPAN^® 60 (sorbitan stearate), SPAN^® 80 (sorbitan oleate), and SPAN^® 85 (sorbitan trioleate). Other commercially available fatty acid esters of sorbitan are also available, such as the sorbitan monooleates known as Alkamul^® SMO; Capmul^® O; Glycomul^® O;

Arlacel^® 80; Emsorb^® 2500; and S-Maz^® 80. Generally, a useful amount of these additional processing aids is about 0.1% to about 60%> by weight based on the weight of the silica, with about 0.5% to about 50% by weight being preferred, and about 1% to about 30% by weight based on the weight of the silica being more preferred. Esters of polyols, including glycols such as polyhydroxy compounds and the like, in the same quantities, are also useful.

Exemplary polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C₅ and C₆ sugars include, but are not limited to, polysorbates and polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, which are analogous to the fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated sugars noted above except that ethylene oxide groups are placed on each of the hydroxyl groups. Representative examples of polyoxyethylene derivatives of sorbitan include POE^® (20) sorbitan monooleate, Polysorbate^® 80, Tween^® 80, Emsorb^® 6900, Liposorb^® O-20, T-Maz^® 80, and the like. The Tween^® products are commercially available from ICI Specialty Chemicals. Generally, a useful amount of these additional processing aids is about 0.1%> to about 60%> by weight based on the weight of the silica, with about 0.5%> to about 50%o by weight being preferred, and about 1% to about 30%) by weight based on the weight of the silica being more preferred.

The fatty acid esters described above, and their polyoxyethylene derivatives, may be fully or partially supported by the reinforcing filler. The ratio of the dispersing agent to the reinforcing filler is not critical. If the dispersing agent is a liquid, a suitable ratio of dispersing agent to filler is that which results in a suitably dry material for addition to the elastomer. For example, the ratio may be about 1/99 to about 70/30, about 20/80 about 60/40, about 50/50, and the like. Certain additional fillers can be utilized according to the present invention as processing aids, including mineral fillers, such as clay (hydrous aluminum silicate), talc (hydrous magnesium silicate), aluminum hydrate [Al(OH)₃] and mica, as well as non-mineral fillers such as urea and sodium sulfate. Preferred micas principally contain alumina and silica, although other known variants are also useful. The foregoing additional fillers are optional and can be utilized in the amount of about 0.5 to about 40 phr, preferably in an amount of about one to about 20 phr and, more preferably in an amount of about one to about 10 phr. These additional fillers can also be used as non-reinforcing fillers to support the amide compound processing aids, as well as any of the optional additional processing aids described above. As with the support of the processing aid on the reinforcing filler, as described above, the ratio of processing aid to non-reinforcing filler is not critical. For example, the ratio may be about 1/99 to about 70/30, about 20/80 about 60/40, about 50/50, and the like.

The present invention can beused in conjunction with any anionically polymerized elastomer. For example, conjugated diene monomers, monovinyl aromatic monomers, triene monomers, and the like, maybe anionically polymerized to form conjugated diene polymers, or copolymers or terpolymers of conjugated diene monomers and monovinyl aromatic monomers (e.g., styrene, alpha methyl styrene and the like) and triene monomers. Thus, the elastomeric products may include diene homopolymers from monomer A and copolymers thereof with monovinyl aromatic monomers B. Exemplary diene homopolymers are those prepared from diolefϊn monomers having from about four to about 12 carbon atoms. Exemplary vinyl aromatic copolymers are those prepared from monomers having from about eight to about 20 carbon atoms. Copolymers can comprise from about 99 percent to about 10 percent by weight of diene units and from about one to about 90 percent by weight of monovinyl aromatic or triene units, totaling 100 percent. The polymers, copolymers and terpolymers of the present invention may have 1,2- microstructure contents ranging from about 10 percent to about 80 percent, with the preferred polymers, copolymers or terpolymers having 1,2-microstructure content of from about 25 to 65 percent, based upon the diene content. The elastomeric copolymers are preferably random copolymers which result from simultaneous copolymerization of the monomers A and B with randomizing agents, as is known in the art.

Preferred polymers for use in a vulcanizable elastomeric composition of the invention include polyisoprene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, butadiene- isoprene copolymer, butadiene-isoprene-styrene terpolymer, isoprene-styrene copolymer, and styrene-butadiene copolymer.

Anionic polymerization initiators for use in polymerizing the anionically polymerizable monomers include, but are not limited to, organo-sodium, organo-potassium, organo-tin, and organo-lithium initiators. As an example of such initiators, organo-lithium compounds useful in the polymerization of 1,3-diene monomers are hydrocarbyl lithium compounds having the formula RLi, where R represents a hydrocarbyl group containing from one to about 20 carbon atoms, and preferably from about 2 to about 8 carbon atoms. Although the hydrocarbyl group is preferably an aliphatic group, the hydrocarbyl group can also be cycloaliphatic or aromatic. The aliphatic group may be a primary, secondary, or tertiary group, although the primary and secondary groups are preferred. Examples of aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, «-butyl, sec-butyl, t- butyl, 72-amyl, sec-amyl, «-hexyl, sec-hexyl, n-heptyl, «-octyl, «-nonyl, «-dodecyl, and octadecyl. The aliphatic group can contain some unsaturation, such as allyl, 2- butenyl, and the like. Cycloalkyl groups are exemplified by cyclohexyl, methylcyclohexyl, ethylcyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclopentylmethyl, and methylcyclopentylethyl. Examples of aromatic hydrocarbyl groups include phenyl, tolyl, phenylethyL benzyl, naphthyL phenyl cyclohexyl, and the like. Specific examples of organo-lithium compounds which are useful as anionic initiators in the polymerization of the monomers listed above, especially conjugated dienes include, but are not limited to, 72-butyl lithium, rø-propyl lithium, zso-butyl lithium, tert-butyl lithium, tributyl tin lithium (described in co-owned U. S . Patent No. 5,268,439), amyl-lithium, cyclohexyl lithium, and the like. Other suitable organo-lithium compounds for use as anionic initiators are well known to those skilled in the art. A mixture of different lithium initiator compounds also can be employed. The preferred organo-lithium initiators are n-butyl lithium, tributyl tin lithium and "in situ" produced lithium hexamethyleneimide initiator prepared by reacting hexamethyleneimine and π-butyl lithium (described in co-owned U.S.

Patent No. 5,496,940).

The amount of initiator required to effect the desired polymerization can be varied over a wide range depending upon a number of factors, such as the desired polymer molecular weight, the desired 1 ,2- and 1 ,4-content of the polydiene, and the desired physical properties for the polymer produced. In general, the amount of initiator utilized can vary from as little as 0.2 millimoles (mM) of lithium per 100 grams of monomers up to about 100 mM of lithium per 100 grams of monomers, depending upon the desired polymer molecular weight.

Polymerization is usually conducted in a conventional solvent for anionic polymerizations, such as hexane, cyclohexane, benzene and the like.

Various techniques for polymerization, such as semi-batch and continuous polymerization may be employed.

In order to promote randomization in co-polymerization and to increase vinyl content, a polar coordinator may optionally be added to the polymerization ingredients. Amounts range between about one to about 90 or more equivalents per equivalent of lithium. The amount depends upon the type of polar coordinator that is employed, the amount of vinyl desired, the level of styrene employed and the temperature of the polymerizations, as well as the selected initiator. Compounds useful as polar coordinators are organic and include tetrahydrofuran, linear and cyclic oligomeric oxolanyl alkanes such as 2-2'- di(tetrahydrofuryl) propane, dipiperidyl ethane, hexamethyl phosphoramide, N-N - dimethyl piperazine, diazabicyclo octane, dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, tributyl amine and the like. The linear and cyclic oligomeric oxolanyl alkane polar coordinators are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,429,091. Other compounds useful as polar coordinators include those having an oxygen or nitrogen hetero-atom and a non-bonded pair of electrons. Examples include dialkyl ethers of mono and oligo alkylene glycols; "crown" ethers; and tertiary amines, such as tetramethylethylene diamine (TMEDA).

Polymerization is begun by charging a blend of the monomer(s) and solvent to a suitable reaction vessel, followed by the addition of the polar coordinator and the initiator previously described. The procedure is carried out under anhydrous, anaerobic conditions. Often, it is conducted under a dry, inert gas atmosphere. The polymerization can be carried out at any convenient temperature, such as about 0 °C to about 150 °C. For batch polymerizations, it is preferred to maintain the peak temperature at from about 50 °C to about 150 °C and, more preferably, from about 60 °C to about 100 °C. Polymerization is allowed to continue under agitation for about 0.15 hours to 24 hours. After polymerization is complete, the product is terminated by a quenching agent, an endcapping agent and/or a coupling agent, as described herein below. The terminating agent is added to the reaction vessel, and the vessel is agitated for about 0.1 hours to about 4.0 hours.

Quenching is usually conducted by stirring the polymer and quenching agent for about 0.01 hours to about 1.0 hour at temperatures of from about 20°C to about 120°C to ensure a complete reaction. Polymers terminated with a functional group, as discussed herein below, are subsequently quenched with alcohol or other quenching agent as also described herein below.

Lastly, the solvent is removed from the polymer by conventional techniques such as drum drying, extruder drying, vacuum drying or the like, which may be combined with coagulation with water, alcohol or steam. If coagulation with water or steam is used, oven drying may be desirable. One way to terminate the polymerization reaction is to employ a protic quenching agent to give a monofunctional polymer chain. Quenching may be conducted in water, steam or an alcohol such as isopropanoL or any other suitable method. Quenching may also be conducted with a functional terminating agent, resulting in a difunctional polymer. Any compounds providing terminal functionality (i.e., endcapping) that are reactive with the polymer bound carbon- magnesium-lithium moiety can be selected to provide a desired functional group. Examples of such compounds are alcohols, substituted aldimines, substituted ketimines, Michler's ketone, l,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, 1 -alkyl substituted pyrrolidinones, 1-aryl substituted pyrrolidinones, tin tetrachloride, tributyl tin chloride, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof. Further examples of reactive compounds include the terminators described in co-owned U.S. Patents Nos. 5,521,309 and 5,066,729. Otheruseful terminating agents may include those of the structural formula (R)_a ZX_b, where Z is tin or silicon. It is preferred thatZ is tin. R is an alkyl having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; a cycloalkyl having from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms; an aryl having from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl having from about 7 to about 20 carbon atoms. For example, Rmay include methyl, ethyl, π-butyl, neophyl, phenyl, cyclohexyl or the like. Xis a halogen, such as chlorine or bromine, or alkoxy (-OR), "a" is an integer from zero to 2, and "b" is an integer from one to 4, where a+b = 4. Examples of such terminating agents include tin tetrachloride, tributyl tin chloride, butyl tin trichloride, butyl silicon trichloride, as well as tetraethoxysilane (Si(OEt)₄), and methyl triphenoxysilane (MeSi(OPh)₃). The practice of the present invention is not limited solely to these terminators, since other compounds that are reactive with the polymer bound carbon-lithium moiety can be selected to provide a desired functional group.

While terminating to provide a functional group on the terminal end of the polymer is preferred, it is further preferred to terminate by a coupling reaction with, for example, tin tetrachloride or other coupling agent such as silicon tetrachloride or esters. High levels of tin coupling are desirable in order to maintain good processability in the subsequent manufacturing of rubber products. It is preferred that the polymers for use in the vulcanizable elastomeric compositions according to the present invention have at least about 40 percent tin coupling. That is, about 40 percent of the polymer mass after coupling is of higher molecular weight than the polymer before coupling as measured, for example, by gel permeation chromatography. Preferably, before coupling, the polydispersity (the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight) of polymers, which can be controlled over a wide range, is from about one to about 5, preferably one to about 2 and, more preferably, one to about 1.5.

As noted above, various techniques known in the art for carrying out polymerizations may be used to produce elastomers polymers suitable for use in the vulcanizable elastomeric compositions, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Vulcanizable elastomeric compositions of the invention are prepared by mixing an elastomer with silica, or a mixture of silica and carbon black, and an amide compound processing aid, preferably with the addition of at least one additional processing aid such as alkyl alkoxysilanes, fatty acid esters or their polyoxyethylene derivatives, as described above, or polyol esters, in addition to other conventional rubber additives including, for example, other fillers, plasticizers, antioxidants, cure agents and the like, using standard rubber mixing equipment and procedures. Such elastomeric compositions, when vulcanized using conventional rubber vulcanization conditions, exhibit reduced hysteresis, which means a product having increased rebound, decreased rolling resistance and lessened heat build-up when subjected to mechanical stress. Products including tires, power belts and the like are envisioned. Decreased rolling resistance is, of course, a useful property for pneumatic tires, both radial as well as bias ply types and thus, the vulcanizable elastomeric compositions of the present invention can be utilized to form treadstocks for such tires. Pneumatic tires can be made according to the constructions disclosed in U.S. Patent Numbers 5,866,171; 5,876,527; 5,931,211; and 5,971,046. The composition can also be used to form other elastomeric tire components such as subtreads, black sidewalls, body ply skims, bead fillers and the like. The preferred conjugated diene polymers, or copolymers or terpolymers of conjugated diene monomers and monovinyl aromatic monomers, can be utilized as 100 parts of the rubber in the treadstock compound, or they can be blended with any conventionally employed treadstock rubber which includes natural rubber, synthetic rubber and blends thereof. Such rubbers are well known to those skilled in the art and include synthetic polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polybutadiene, butyl rubber, neoprene, ethyl ene-propylene rubber, ethylene- propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), silicone rubber, the fluoroelastomers, ethylene acrylic rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), epichlorohydrin rubbers, chlorinated polyethylene rubbers, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubbers, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene rubber and the like. When the vulcanizable elastomeric composition of the present invention is blended with conventional rubbers, the amounts can vary widely with a lower limit comprising about ten percent to 20 percent by weight of the total rubber. The minimum amount will depend primarily upon the physical properties desired.

The vulcanizable elastomeric composition is preferably compounded with reinforcing fillers, such as silica, or a mixture of silica and carbon black. Examples of silica fillers which may be used in the vulcanizable elastomeric composition of the invention include wet silica (hydrated silicic acid), dry silica

(anhydrous silicic acid), calcium silicate, and the like. Other suitable fillers include aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, and the like. Among these, precipitated amorphous wet-process, hydrated silicas are preferred. These silicas are so-called because they are produced by a chemical reaction in water, from which they are precipitated as ultrafine, spherical particles. These primary particles strongly associate into aggregates, which in turn combine less strongly into agglomerates. The surface area, as measured by the BET method gives the best measure of the reinforcing character of different silicas. For silicas of interest for the present invention, the surface area should be about 32 m²/g to about 400 m²/g, with the range of about 100 m²/g to about 250 m²/g being preferred, and the range of about 150 m²/g to about 220 m²/g being most preferred. The pH of the silica filler is generally about 5.5 to about 7 or slightly over, preferably about 5.5 to about 6.8.

Silica can be employed in the amount of about one to about 100 parts per hundred parts of the elastomer , preferably in an amount of about five to about 80 phr and, more preferably, in an amount of about 30 to about 80 phr. The useful upper range is limited by the high viscosity imparted by fillers of this type. Some of the commercially available silicas which may be used include, but are not limited to, Hi-Sil^® 190, Hi-Sil^® 210, Hi-Sil^® 215, Hi-Sil^® 233, Hi-Sil^® 243, and the like, produced by PPG Industries (Pittsburgh, PA). A number of useful commercial grades of different silicas are also available from DeGussa Corporation (e.g., VN2,

VN3), Rhone Poulenc (e.g., Zeosil^® 1165MP), and J.M. Huber Corporation.

The elastomers can be compounded with all forms of carbon black in a mixture with the silica. The carbon black may be present in amounts ranging from about one to about 50 phr, with about five to about 35 phr being preferred. The carbon blacks may include any of the commonly available, commercially-produced carbon blacks, but those having a surface area (EMSA) of at least 20 m²/g and, more preferably, at least 35 m²/g up to 200 m²/g or higher are preferred. Surface area values used in this application are determined by ASTM D-1765 using the cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) technique. Among the useful carbon blacks are furnace black, channel blacks and lamp blacks. More specifically, examples of useful carbon blacks include super abrasion furnace (SAF) blacks, high abrasion furnace (HAF) blacks, fast extrusion furnace (FEF) blacks, fine furnace (FF) blacks, intermediate super abrasion furnace (ISAF) blacks, semi-reinforcing furnace (SRF) blacks, medium processing channel blacks, hard processing channel blacks and conducting channel blacks. Other carbon blacks which may be utilized include acetylene blacks. A mixture of two or more of the above blacks can be used in preparing the carbon black products of the invention. Typical suitable carbon blacks are N-110, N-220, N-339, N-330, N-351, N-550, N-660, as designated by ASTM D-1765-82a. The carbon blacks utilized in the preparation of the vulcanizable elastomeric compositions of the invention may be in pelletized form or an unpelletized flocculent mass. Preferably, for more uniform mixing, unpelletized carbon black is preferred.

It is readily understood by those having skill in the art that the rubber composition would be compounded by methods generally known in the rubber compounding art, such as mixing the various vulcanizable polymer(s) with various commonly used additive materials such as, for example, curing agents, activators, retarders and accelerators, processing additives, such as oils, resins, including tackifying resins, plasticizers, pigments, additional fillers, fatty acid, zinc oxide, waxes, antioxidants, anti-ozonants, and peptizing agents. As known to those skilled in the art, depending on the intended use of the sulfur vulcanizable and sulfur vulcanized material (rubbers), the additives mentioned above are selected and commonly used in conventional amounts.

Typical amounts of tackifier resins, if used, comprise about 0.5 to about 10 phr, usually about one to about 5 phr. Typical amounts of compounding aids comprise about one to about 50 phr. Such compounding aids can include, for example, aromatic, naphthenic, and/or paraffmic processing oils. Typical amounts of antioxidants comprise about 0.1 to about 5 phr. Representative antioxidants may be, for example diphenyl-/?-phenylenediamine and others, such as for example, those disclosed in the Vanderbilt Rubber Handbook (1978), pages 344 to 346. Typical amounts of anti-ozonants comprise about 0.1 to about 5 phr.

Typical amounts of fatty acids, if used, which can include stearic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid or a mixture of one or more fatty acids, can comprise about 0.5 to about 3 phr. Typical amounts of zinc oxide comprise about two to about 5 phr. Typical amounts of waxes comprise about one to about 2 phr. Often microcrystalline waxes are used. Typical amounts of peptizers, if used, comprise about 0.1 to about 1 phr. Typical peptizers may be, for example, pentachlorothiophenol and dibenzamidodiphenyl disulfϊde.

The reinforced rubber compounds can be cured in a conventional manner with known vulcanizing agents at about 0.1 to 10 phr. For a general disclosure of suitable vulcanizing agents, one can refer to Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology.3rd ed., Wiley Interscience, N. Y. 1982, Vol. 20, pp.365 to 468, particularly "Vulcanization Agents and Auxiliary Materials," pp. 390 to 402. Vulcanizing agents can be used alone or in combination.

The vulcanization is conducted in the presence of a sulfur vulcanizing agent. Examples of suitable sulfur vulcanizing agents include "rubbermaker's" soluble sulfur; sulfur donating vulcanizing agents, such as an amine disulfide, polymeric polysulfide or sulfur olefm adducts; and insoluble polymeric sulfur. Preferably, the sulfur vulcanizing agent is soluble sulfur or a mixture of soluble and insoluble polymeric sulfur. The sulfur vulcanizing agents are used in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 10 phr, more preferably about 1.5 to about 5 phr, with a range of about 1.5 to about 3.5 phr being most preferred.

Accelerators are used to control the time and/or temperature required for vulcanization and to improve properties of the vulcanizate. The vulcanization accelerators used in the present invention are not particularly limited. Examples include thiazol vulcanization accelerators, such as 2-mercaptobenzothiazol, dibenzothiazyl disulfide, N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazyl-sulfenamide (CBS), N-tert- butyl-2-benzothiazyl sulfenamide(TBBS), and the like; and guanidine vulcanization accelerators, such as diphenylguanidine (DPG) and the like. The amount of the vulcanization accelerator used is about 0.1 to about 5 phr, preferably about 0.2 to about 3 phr.

The vulcanizable elastomeric composition of the present invention can be obtained by milling the components by using a milling apparatus, such as a mill, an internal mixer, and the like for a sufficient time and at a high enough temperature to achieve the desired physical properties of the resulting compound. The mixing of the vulcanizable elastomeric composition can be accomplished by methods known to those having skill in the rubber mixing art. For example, the ingredients may be mixed in two or more stages, consisting of at least a "master batch" stage (comprising mixing of the elastomer, with at least a portion of the silica and/or carbon black and other ingredients); and a "final stage", in which the cure agents are typically added. There may also be a mixing stage in which the mixture is re-milled without the addition of ingredients. The amide compound processing aid may be added in any stage of the mixing process.

The mixing temperature may vary from stage to stage. However, for purposes of the invention, the mixing of the amide compound processing aid and the silica filler may take place at a mixing temperature of about 60°C to about 200°C, typically 90°C to about 190°C and, more preferably, about 120°C to about 180°C. In one embodiment of the invention, a portion of the silica and/or amide compound processing aid, or additional dispersing aids, may be added to the master batch stage, and the remainder added to a remill stage.

EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrate methods of preparation of the vulcanizable elastomeric composition of the present invention. However, the examples are not intended to be limiting, as other methods for preparing these compositions and different compounding formulations may be determined by those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention is not limited to the specific elastomers, amide compounds or additional processing aids, silica, or other compound ingredients disclosed, nor to any particular amount of an ingredient in the composition. Moreover, the invention is not limited to the mixing times or temperatures, or to the stage in which the particular ingredients are added to the mixer. The examples have been provided merely to demonstrate the practice of the subj ect invention and do not constitute limitations of the invention. Those skilled in the art may readily select other elastomers, amide compounds, alkyl alkoxysilanes, additional dispersing aids, silica coupling agents, and the like, and process conditions, according to the disclosure made hereinabove. Thus, it is believed that any of the variables disclosed herein can readily be determined and controlled without departing from the scope of the invention herein disclosed and described.

Example 1 In order to demonstrate the preparation and properties of the vulcanizable elastomeric compositions of the present invention seven stocks of rubbers were prepared using the formulation and mixing conditions shown in Table 1 and Table 2. Each of five stocks were prepared in which an amide compound processing aid was added to the elastomer/silica/carbon black composition, as illustrated in Table 3. These stocks are labeled Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and contain 3 phr of erucamide, octadecanamide, ε-monocaprolactam, N,N-diethyl-m- toluamide and, NN-diethyldodecanamide, respectively. One stock was compounded without adding any dispersing aids or silanes and was labeled Control A as seen in Table 3. To compare the amide compound stock performance with a commonly used polysulfide silica coupling agent containing stock, 3 phr of Si69 was added to a stock and labeled Control B in Table 3. The total sulfur content of each other stock was adjusted to compensate for the additional sulfur donated from the polysulfide silica coupling agent in Control B. The final stocks were sheeted and then were subsequently molded at 171°C for 15 minutes.

The amide compounds, such as erucamide, octadecanamide, ε- monocaprolactam, N,N-diethyldodecanamide, and N,N-diethyl- w-toluamide were purchased from Sigma- Aldrich Corporation (Milwaukee, WI) and were used without further purification. As noted above, various techniques known in the art for carrying out compounding and cure with the processing aid of the present invention may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The examples are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting in any way. The claims will serve to define the scope of the invention. TABLE 1 Formulations of Stock Rubbers

TABLE 2 Mixing Conditions

TABLE 3 Stocks with various shielding agents and silane

The green stock (i.e., the stock obtained after the remill stage, prior to adding the curatives) Mooney viscosity, Payne effect and cure characteristics are shown in Table 4. The Mooney viscosity measurement was conducted at 130°C using a large rotor. The Mooney viscosity was recorded as the torque when the rotor had rotated for 4 minutes. The samplewas preheated at 130°C for one minute before the rotor was started. The Payne effects of the green stocks (the controls and examples) were measured using the Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA) 2000 viscometer (Alpha Technologies). The strain sweep experiment was conducted at 50°C at 6 cycles per minute (cpm) using strain sweeping from 0.25 % to 1000 %. The t₅ was the time required to increase 5 Mooney units during a

Mooney-scorch measurement. The t₅ was used as an index to predict how fast a compound viscosity will rise during processing (e.g. , extrusion processing). The t_S2 and t₉₀ were the time when the torque rises to 2 %> and 90 %>, respectively, of the total torque increase during the cure characterization experiment. The t_S2 and t₉₀ values were used to predict the speed of the viscosity build-up (t_S2) and the cure rate (t₉₀) during the cure process.

Table 4 shows that with the addition of the processing aid comprising an amide compound (Examples 1 through 5) the compound Mooney viscosity was reduced. However, the values are still 15 to 20 Mooney units higher than the polysulfide silica coupling agent stock (Control B). The t₅ of these stocks are longer than the Control A and comparable to the polysulfide silica coupling agent stock (Control B). This gives the stocks a great advantage in that they have a larger processing time window, especially during the extrusion process. In contrast, a high Mooney viscosity may cause subsequent problems during the cure stage, for example, difficulties in filling the tire mold during the cure step, and may result in modulated inner belts in the tires. When compared to Control A and Control B, the longer t_S2 in Examples 1 through 5, gave the stock time to flow and to better fill the mold. Additionally, the relatively fast cure rate (t₉₀) of the amide compound processing aid stocks (Examples 1 through 5) was greatly beneficial. TABLE 4 The green stock Mooney and Cure Characteristics

The dynamicviscoelasticproperties of the Examples 1 through 5 and the Controls A and B are listed in Table 5 where the elastic modulus (G) at -20°C, tan δ at 0°C and 50°C were obtained from temperature sweep experiments. Temperature sweep experiments were conducted with a frequency of 31.4 radians per second (rad/sec) using 0.5 %> strain for temperatures ranging from - 100°C to - 10°C, and 2 %> strain for temperatures ranging from - 10°C to 100°C. The Payne effect (ΔG) and tan δ at 7 % strain were obtained from the strain sweep experiment. A frequency of 3.14 rad/sec was used for strain sweep which was conducted at 65°C with strain sweeping from 0.25 % to 14.15%.

Examples 1 through 5 showed an increase in the tan δ at 0°C, and a reduction in the tan δ at 50°C compared to Control A. The improvement in these values was completely unexpected, and will result in improved wet traction and rolling resistance. The tan δ at 50°C of Examples 1 through 5 are higher than Control B . It was therefore desirable to decrease the tan δ at 50°C while maintaining any favorable properties. TABLE 5 The Viscoelastic Properties Measured by Temperature and Strain Sweeps

The tensile mechanical properties were measured using the standard procedure described in the ASTM D-412 at 25°C and are shown in Table 6. The tensile test specimens were round rings with a dimension of 0.127 centimeters (cm) (0.05 inches) in width and 0.191 cm (0.075 inches) in thickness. A specific gauge length of 2.54 cm (1 inch) was used for the tensile test. The amide compound processing aid containing stocks (Examples 1 through 5) showed inferior tensile mechanical properties when compared to the controls (Controls A and B). The lower elastic modulus of Examples 1 through 5 suggests a lower crosslink density which would lead to the lower mechanical strength and toughness. This can be corrected by an increase in the amount of sulfur provided for the cure. TABLE 6 Tensile Mechanical Properties at 25 °C

Example 2

In order to further reduce the compound Mooney, Payne effect (Δ G), and G' at -20°C in Examples 1 through 5, octyl triethoxysilane was added to the amide compound containing stocks. Examples 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 were compounded with the octyl triethoxysilane and an amide compound. Controls C and D were tested to provide data regarding the effect of adding no processing aid at all (Control C) and adding a polysulfide silica coupling agent (Control D). Another control was added with 1.04 phr of octyl triethoxysilane but no other processing aid (Control E) to illustrate the properties of a stock compounded with an alkyl alkoxysilane alone.

TABLE 7 Stocks with various processing aids and silanes

The compound Mooney and cure characteristics of Controls C through E and Examples 6 through 10 are shown in Table 8. The addition of an alkyl alkoxysilane to Examples 6 through 10 show that the compound Mooney and Payne effect are reduced to a level comparable to that of the polysulfide silica coupling agent stock (Control D). The scorch (t₅, t_S2) and cure time (t₉₀) of Examples 6 through 10 are longer for the scorch and shorter for the cure time than Controls C through E. Examples 6 through 10 show improved processability, cure characteristics, and reduced silica flocculation compared to Controls C through E.

TABLE 8 The Green Stock Mooney and Cure Characteristics

Processing aids used as shielding agents should be able to disperse the silica filler during a mixing stage and stabilize the particles during storage and the cure process. To examine the capability of a processing aid to stabilize silica filler morphology the Payne effect data of Examples 6 through 10 was analyzed and compared to Controls C, D, and E. The Payne effect data was obtained from the remill stocks before and after annealing at 171°C for 15 minutes. The annealing conditions employed are similar to conventional curing conditions. The change in the Δ G' values were compared (i.e., Δ(Δ G')). Of note is that these stocks, except Control D, do not contain sulfur and curing agents, therefore the G' increase cannot be attributed to sulfur crosslinking in Examples 6 through 10 and Controls C and E. These values indicate the degree to which the filler flocculates prior to cure. A lower value indicates a lower amount of filler flocculation prior to cure. The results are shown in Table 9. The change in the Δ G values of Examples 6 through 10 are lower than Controls C through E. This shows that with the use of alkyl alkoxysilanes and a processing aid comprising an amide compound, it is possible to control and stabilize filler morphology in both the green rubber stock and cured rubber.

TABLE 9 The Δ G' of the remill stock before and after annealing at 171°C for 15 minutes

The dynamic viscoelastic properties are listed in Table 10 where the G at -20°C and Δ G of Examples 6 through 10 are greatly improved compared to Controls C through E. This indicates an improvement in the silica flocculation and the snow and ice traction capabilities of the rubber. The tan δ values at 0°C are higher compared with all of the control stocks (Controls C through E). Additionally, the improvement in wet traction and reduced hysteresis shown in Examples 1 through 5 is retained.

TABLE 10 The Viscoelastic Properties measured by Temperatures and Strain Sweeps

The addition of octyl triethoxysilane, with the amide compounds, in Examples 6 through 10 greatly improved the tensile mechanical properties of the vulcanizate. As seen in Table 11, the properties are comparable to the polysulfide silica coupling agent containing stock (Control D). TABLE 11 Tensile Mechanical Properties at 25°C

While the invention has been described herein with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative forms falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vulcanizable elastomeric composition comprising: an elastomer; a reinforcing filler comprising silica or a mixture thereof with carbon black; a processing aid comprising an amide compound having a polar end that is weakly chemically reactive with the silica and a non-polar end that is weakly chemically reactive with the elastomer; a cure agent; and an effective amount of sulfur to achieve a satisfactory cure of the composition.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amide compound is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 150% by weight based on the weight of the silica., and wherein the amide compound is selected from one or more of the group of amide compounds having the formula

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl groups having 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, alkaryl groups having about 5 to about 30 carbon atoms, and cycloaliphatic groups having about 5 to about 30 carbon atoms; R and R" are the same or different from each other and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, to about C₃₀ aliphatic, and about C₅ to about C₃₀ cycloaliphatic; R and R may be linked together to form a ring structure; and R and R" may be linked together to form a ring structure. The composition of claim 2, wherein the amide compound is present in an amount of about 0.5%» to about 50% by weight based on the weight of the silica, wherein the amide compound is selected from the group consisting of erucamide, octadecanamide, e-caprolactam, NN-diethyl dodecanamide, NN- diethyl-m-toluamide, and mixtures thereof, and wherein the amide compound is fully or partially supported on the reinforcing filler.

The composition of any of claims 1-3, wherein the composition further comprises an alkyl alkoxysilane having the formula

(R ₃-Si(OR₂) or (R₁)₂-Si(OR₂)₂ or (R₁)-Si(OR₂)₃ wherein the alkoxy groups are the same or are different from each other; each Rj independently comprises a to about C₂₀ aliphatic, about C₅ to about C₂₀ cycloaliphatic, or about C₅ to about C₂₀ aromatic group; and each R₂ independently comprises from one to about 6 carbon atoms, and wherein the alkyl alkoxysilane is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 150%) by weight based on the weight of the silica..

The composition of claim 4, wherein the elastomer is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of a conjugated diene monomer; and copolymers and terpolymers comprising monomer units selected from conjugated diene monomers and monomers selected from the group consisting of monovinyl aromatic monomers and triene monomers.

The composition of claim 5, wherein the elastomer contains a functional group derived from a polymerization terminating agent, wherein the terminating agent has the formula

ZX_b, wherein Z is tin or silicon, Rj is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; a cycloalkyl having from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms; an aryl having from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms^and an aralkyl having from about 7 to about 20 atoms; X is a halogen or an alkoxy group; "a" is from 0 to 3, and "b" is from 1 to 4, and a + b = 4.

The composition of claim 4, wherein the sulfur is selected from the group consisting of soluble sulfur, polymeric polysulfide, insoluble polymeric sulfur, and mixtures thereof.

The composition of claim 4, wherein the composition further comprises an additional processing aid selected from the group consisting of esters of fatty acid of hydrogenated C₅ or C₆ sugars, fatty acid esters of non-hydrogenated C₅ or C₆ sugars, polyoxyethylene derivatives of said hydrogenated and non- hydrogenated C₅ or C₆ sugars, esters of polyols, and mixtures thereof, and wherein the additional processing aid is present in an amount of about 0.1%> to about 60%) by weight based on the weight of the silica.

The composition of claim 8, wherein the composition further comprises an additional filler selected from the group consisting of clay, talc, aluminum hydrate, mica, urea and sodium sulfate, wherein the additional filler is present in the amount of about 0.5 to about 40 parts by weight per hundred parts of the elastomer, and wherein the amide compound is supported fully or partially on the additional filler.

A pneumatic tire comprising a component vulcanized from the vulcanizable elastomeric composition of any of claims 1-9.

A process for the preparation of a vulcanizable elastomeric composition comprising the steps of: a) mixing an elastomer with a reinforcing filler comprising silica or a mixture thereof with carbon black, a processing aid comprising an amide compound having a polar end that is weakly chemically reactive with the silica and a non-polar end that is weakly chemically reactive with the elastomer, a cure agent, and an effective amount of sulfur to achieve a satisfactory cure of the composition; and b) effecting vulcanization,

wherein the amide compound is selected from one or more of the group of amide compounds having the formula

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl groups having 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, alkaryl groups having about 5 to about 30 carbon atoms, and cycloaliphatic groups having about 5 to about 30 carbon atoms; R and R" are the same or different from each other and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Cj to about C₃₀ aliphatic, and about C₅ to about C₃₀ cycloaliphatic; R and R may be linked together to form a ring structure; and R and R" may be linked together to form a ring structure.