WO2013032468A2

WO2013032468A2 - Tire tread with improved snow/dry traction

Info

Publication number: WO2013032468A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/050042
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver PIFFARD; Xavier Saintigny; Raymond STUBBLEFIELD; Cyril Guichon
Original assignee: Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.; Societe De Technologie Michelin
Priority date: 2011-08-31
Filing date: 2011-08-31
Publication date: 2013-03-07
Also published as: EP2750904A4; CN103826870B; WO2013032468A3; JP5843210B2; BR112014004556A2; CN103826870A; RU2561179C1; JP2014525369A; US20140251519A1; KR20160052786A; KR20140044920A; EP2750904A2; MX2014002248A

Abstract

Tire treads, having one or more repeating pitches, each repeating pitch comprising individual pitches having tread blocks with sipes formed therein and each pitch having a pitch length of between 15 mm and 35 mm. Such treads may also have a weighted, average sipe density D_w of between 10 mm^-1 and 37 mm^-1, which is determined through the disclosed Eq. 2 below. The tread blocks are also formed from a rubber composition based upon a diene elastomer, a plasticizing system and a cross-linking system, wherein the rubber composition has a glass transition temperature of between -40° C and -15° C and a shear modulus G* measured at 60 ° C of between 0,5 MPa and 1,1 MPa.

Description

TIRE TREAD WITH IMPROVED SNOW/DRY TRACTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to. tires for vehicles. and more particularly, to tread sculpture and tread materials.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] It is known in the industry that: tire designers must often compromise on certain characteristics of the tires they are designing_* Changing a tire design t improve one characteristic of the tire will often result in. a . compromise; i.e., an offsetting decline in another, tire characteristic. One such comprise exists between snow traction and dry braking. Snow traction may be improved by decreasing the glass transition temperature of the tread mix and/or by increasing the number of sipes in the tread. These moves, however., typically result in a decrease in dry braking performance that is known to be improved by increasing the glass transition temperature of the tread mix and/or by decreasing the number of sipes in the tread.

[0003 J ^'Tire designers and those conducting research in the tire industry search for materials and tire structures that can break some of the known compromises. It would be desirable to provide new tire designs that, break the compromise between dry braking and snow traction,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Particular embodiments of the present, invention include treads and tires having such treads that provide a break in the compromise- between dry braking and snow traction. Also included are methods for designing and rnanufeetuiing such treads and tires.

[0005] Embodiments include treads for a tire, the treads comprising one -or more repeating pitches, each repeating pitch, comprising individual pitches having tread blocks with sipes formed therein and disposed longitudinally along the tire tread. The pitch, length in particular embodiments is between 15 mm and 35 -mm. Such treads may also have a weighted average sipe density D_w of between 9 nan^"1 and 3.7 mm^"1, which is determined through Eq. 2 as disclosed below,

[0006] The treads may further be formed with tread blocks thai comprise a rubber composition based upon a diene elastomer, a piasucizmg system and a cross-linking system, wherein the .rubber composition has a glass transition -temperature of between -40° C and -15° C and a shear modulus G* measured at 60° C of between 0.5 MPa and 1 .1 MPa,

[0007] Particular embodiments may also include tread blocks having a contract surface adapted for contacting the road, wherein the contact surface of the tread blocks comprise the rubber composition based upon a diene elastomer, a plasticizing system, and a cross-linking system, wherein the rubber composition- has a glass transition temperature of between -40° C and -15° C and a shear modulus G* measured at 60 ° C of between 0.5 MPa and 1.1 MPa, Some embodiments may include such tread blocks havin at leas 90 percent of the contact surface made entirely of the rubber composition.

[0008] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more detailed descriptions of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated, in the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numbers represent like parts of the invention,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an inked tire foot print taken at the maximum desig load and pressure for a tire having a sculpture in .accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

[0010] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a pitch taken from the inked foot print shown in FIG. 1 , showing a variety of pitch dimensions useful for determining sipe density.

[001 1] FIG, 3 is a plan view of another example of a pitch taken from an inked foot print of a tire.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between snow traction and dry braking. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

10013] Tires are sometimes classified by the weather conditions for which their use- was designed, For example, snow tires are designee! to provide better traction on s ow than other tires such as all-season tires and -summer tires. Summer tires are designed for warm weather use and provide excellent dry traction but poor snow traction. All-season tires provide a compromise between summer and winter tires In that they provide somewhat better snow traction than summer tires and somewhat better dry traction than snow tires. This is a: ^•compromise that tire designers typically consider when designing tires - changes made in the design .of a tire to improve snow traction typically result -in a loss of dry braking, performance,

[0014] The tire treads and tires disclosed herein surprisingly break this compromise ^•so that the tread's snow traction is improved without a significant decline in the tread's dry braking performance, The compromise is broken through a unique combination of materials and sculpture design. The treads are made of a rubber composition, having a low glass ^•transition temperature (Tg) and are made with a tread sculpture that may be described as having a low sipe density, it is this -.combination of using a low Tg rubber composition to ^•form a tread having a low sipe density that surprisingly contributes to the improved balance between snow and dry traction.

[0015] As. used herein, the "longitudinal" direction is in the tire circumferential direction and is perpendicular to the tire axis of rotation..

[0016] As used herein, the 'lateral'⁵ direction is along the tire width and is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. However, as used herein, .a "lateral groove" is any groove generally oriented at an angle less than 45 degrees with the purely lateral direction while a "longitudinal groove⁵' is any groove generally oriented at an angle greater than or equal to 45 degrees with the purel lateral direction.

[0017] As used herein, a "tread element'*^' is an type or shape of a structural feature found in the tread that contacts the ground. Examples of tread elements nclude tread blocks and tread ribs,

[0018] A used herein, a "tread block" is a tread element that has a perimeter defined by one or more grooves, creating an isolated structure in the tread. [0019] As used herein, a "rib" is a tread element that runs substantially in the longitudinal direction of the tire and is not interrupted by any grooves that run in a substantially lateral direction or any oilier grooves oblique thereto,

[0020] As used herein, a *'sipe" is a small slit that is molded or otherwise formed in a tread block or rib, A sipe may be straight, enrved or otherwise formed in any geometrical shape.

[0021] As used herein, a "pitch" is- a defined geometrical pattern that extends across the lateral width of .the tread and is a member of the plurality of i dividual pitches- that are disposed longitudinally along the entire tread length.

[0022] As used herein, a "repeating pitch" is a. geometrical pattern that is repeated along the circumference of the tread and extends across the lateral width of the tread. Each repeating pitch i.s .made up of plurality of individual pitches that all have- the same geometrical pattern. A tire may hav -one or more repeating pitches. When there is more- than one repeating pitch,_, the different repeating pitches axe often disposed -so as to aliernate with the others along the tread in some repeating pattern,

[0023] As used herein, "phr" is "parts per hundred parts of rubber by -weight" and: is a -common measurement in the art wherein components of a rubber composition are measured relative to the total weight of rubber in the composition, i.e., parts by weight of the component per 100 parts by weight of the total rubbers) in the composition.

[0024] As used herein, elastomer and. ubber are synonymous terms.

[0025] As used herein, "based upon" is a term recognizing that embodiments of the present invention are made of vulcanized or cured rubber compositions that were, at the time of their assembly, uncured. The cured rubber composition is therefore "based upon" the uncured rubber composition, in other words, the cross-linked rubber composition is based upon or comprises the constituents of the cross-linkable rubber composition.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an inked tire foot print taken, at the maximum design load and. pressure for a tire having a sculpture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The inked tire foot print 10 may be taken by inking the tire tread and then imprinting the tire tread onto a piece of paper by pushing the inked tread against the paper at a set inflation pressure- and load. For a passenger car, the- foot print is taken at 85% of the maximum load as marked on the tire sidewall at an inflation pressure of 35 psig. For a light truck tire, the foot print it taken at 85% of the maximum load (single) at the inflation pressure ^•associated with the maximum load (single), both as. marked on the tire sidewall

[0027] The inked tire foot print 10 shows the tread made up of longitudinal grooves 11 and lateral grooves 12 .that, form a plurality of .tread blocks 13 in the tread., Each of the tread blocks 13 further include sipes 14 molded therein.

[0028] Pitches 15 are disposed longitudinally along the length of the inked foot print 10. The pitches 15 lie between the dotted lines in FIG. I , which were added to aid in the differentiation of the pitches 15. There are- two repeating, pitches 15a, 15b shown in FIG. .1. As previously noted, a repeating pitch is defined as. a geometrical pattern that is repeated along the circumference (longitudinally) of the tread and extends across the lateral width of the tread.

[0029] One of the most obvious differences between the two repeating pitches 15a, 15b is the number of tread blocks 13. In the first repeating pitch 15a_} it is noted that that there is- one tread block 13a between the two leftmost wide-longitudinal grooves Ua and between the two rightmost wide-longitudinal grooves ib while in the second repeating pitch 15 b, there are two tread blocks 13b between the same two pairs pf longitudinal grooves 11a. lib. Each of the repeating pitches 15a, 15b are made up of a plurality of pitches 15 that are. disposed circumferential!)' along the entire tread length, typicall in some alternating patient.

[0030] As noted, above, treads and tires of particular embodiments of the present invention may be described as having a sipe density falling within a given, range, Sipe density provides an indication of the amount of siping on a tire. A high, sipe density indicates there is much siping and a low sipe density indicates there is little siping. The sipe density is determined, from the geometry and number of the pi tches.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a pla view of a pitch taken from the inked foot, print shown in FIG, 1, showing a variety of pitch dimensions useful for determining sipe density,

[0032] The useful dimensions of the pitch 15 include the pitch length L,, and the pitch width, W_P. The pitch length L_p is defined as. the distance measured longitudinally at the tread edge between the beginning and the end of the pitch, e.g., for the- exemplary pitch of FIG. 2_S between the centers of the lateral grooves 12 defining the outermost tread block 13. The pitch .width W„ is defined as the width of the tire tread measured across the lateral axis of the tread. The pitch width is the widest distance measured laterally across an inked tire footprint obtained as described above,

[0033] Another useful dimension of the pitches for determining sipe density is the laterally projected length L of each sipe 14.. The projected length L of each sipe 14 is defined as the distance between the two ends of the sipe 14 measured along the lateral axis of the tread.

[0034] FIG . 3 is a plan view of another example of a piteh taken from an inked foot print of a tire. The pitch IS shown herein has a pitch length L_{> defined by the distance between the centers of the lateral grooves 12 defining, the outermost tread block 13. The pitch width W is shown as the being the lateral distance across, the width, of the tread 15 and the laterally projected length L of each sipe 14 is shown as the distance between the two ends of the sipe 1.4 measured along the lateral axis of the tread.

[00.35] The sip densit D_R may be determined for each repeating pitch on a given tread by the following equation (1);

where, for one of the repeating pitches, n is a total number of sipes on one of the individual pitches making up the one repeating pitch, L, is a projected length of each sipe ? onto a lateral axis of the tire tread, W_p is the pitch width, L_P is the pitch length and P_R is the number of individual pitche making up the one repeatin pitch. The sipe density DR units are inverse, e.g., if all the length measurements are in millimeters, then the sipe density units are mm^*1,

[0036] Particular embodiments of the tread disclosed herein may include^' one or more repeating pitches, if there is only one repeating piteh, then the sipe density DR defined by Equation (i) provides the sipe density for the tread. However, if there is more than one repeating pitches in a given tread design, then the sine density- for the tread ma be expressed as the weighted average sipe density D_<V of each of the- repeating pitches, The weighted average sipe density D_W is defined by the following Equation (2):

where n is the number of repeating pitches in the tread and, for each of the repeating pitches, ^•(DR)S is the sipe density provided from Eq. (1), Pj is the number of pitches in in the repeating pitch and (L_P)i is the pitch length. Of course, for n = 1, D _V ~ DR, wherein DR is the result .f om Eq. (1).

[0037] For particular embodiments of the present invention, the weighted average sipe density is between 9 mm^"1 and 37^{' '}nun^{" J} or alternatively between 10 mm^"1 and 30 mm^'3 or between 10 . mm^"1 and 27 nun ¹, between 15 mm^"' and 30 .mm^"1 or between 20· mm^"'^' and 30 mm^"1. Embodiments may include having pitch lengths of between 15 mm and 35 mm or alternatively, between 19 mm and 29 mm. As. the weighted average sipe density or the pitch lengths, move out of these defined ranges, the benefit of breaking the compromise, between, dry traction and snow traction may be reduced or lost,

[0038] As has been noted, particular embodiments of the present invention, surprisingly break the compromise between the dry and snow traction through a unique combination of materials and sculpture design. The sculpture design has. been discussed above and it has been disclosed that such sculptures provide a combination of a weighted sipe density with a given range of the number of pitches that are disposed about the tire tread.

[0039] in addition to this sculpture, the materials component of the tire treads that break the compromise between dry and snow traction includes forming- the treads from a rubber composition having a low glass transition temperature (Tg)₅ e,g,, between -40° C and -1S° C or alternatively, between -40° C and -25°€, between -35° C and -20° C or between -35° G and -25° C,

[0040] I particular embodiments, such low Tg rubber composition may further be characterized as. having a shear modulus G* measured at 0* C of between 0.5 MPa and 1.1 MPa or alternatively, between 0.5 MPa and 1 MPa or 0,6 MPa and 0.9 MPa, The discussion below will detail suitable compositions for making the treads,

[0041] Suitable, compositions for making the treads include those rubber compositions having a glass transition temperature within a defined range, said rubber compositions being based upon a diene elastomer,, a plastieizing system and a. cross-linking system.- The diene elastomers or rubbers that are useful for such rubber compositions are understood to be those elastomers resulting at least in part, i.e., a homopoiymer or a

? copolymer, from diene monomers, i.e., monomers having two double carbon-carbon bonds, whether conjugated or not.

[0042] These diene elastomers may be classified as either "essentially unsaturated" diene elastomers or "essentially saturated" diene elastomers. As used herein, essentially unsaturated diene elastomers are diene elastomers resulting at least in part from conjugated diene monomers, the essentially unsaturated diene elastomers having a content of such members or units of diene origin (conjugated dienes) that is at least 15 mol. %. Within the category of essentially unsaturated diene elastomers are highly unsaturated diene elastomers, which are diene elastomers having a content of units of diene origin (conjugated diene) that is greater than 50 mol, %.

[0043] Those diene elastomers that do not fall into the definition of being essentially unsaturated are, therefore, the essentially saturated diene elastomers. Such elastomers include, for example, butyl rubbers and copolymers of dienes and of alpha-olefms of the EPDM type. These diene elastomers have low or very low content of units of diene origin (conjugated dienes), such content being less than 15 mol. %,

[0044] Examples of suitable conjugated dienes include, in particular, 1,3-butadiene, 2-methyJ- 1 ,3-butadiene, 2,3-di(Ci--C₅ alkyi)-! ,3-bittadienes such as, 2,3-dimeihyi-l ,3- butadiene, 2,3 -diethyl- 1. ,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-3-ethyM,3-birtadiene, 2~methyl-3-isopropyl- 1.3~butacliene₅ an ary I -1,3 -butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene .and^' 2,4-hexadieiie. Examples of vinyl- aromatic compounds include styrene, ortho-, meta- and para-mefhylstyrene, the commercial mixture "vinyltoluene", paia-tert-butylsiyrene,. methoxystyrenes, chlorp-styrenes, vinylniesitylene, divinylbenzene and vmylnaphthalene.

[0045 ] The copolymers may contain between 99 wt, % and 20 wt % of diene units and between 1 wt, % and 80 wt, % of vinyl-aromatic units. The elastomers may have any microstructure,. which Is a function of the polymerization conditions used, in particular of the presence or absence of a modifying and/or randomizing agent and the quantities of modifying and/or randomizing agent used, The elastomers may, for example, be block, random, sequential or micro-sequential elastomers, and may be prepared in dispersion or in. solution; they may be. coupled and/or starred or alternatively fonetionalized with a coupling: and/or starring or functionalizing agent. [0046] Examples of suitable dlene elastomers include pol utadtenes,, particularly those having a -content of 1,2- units of between 4 mol. % and SO mol. % or those ^'having a eis- f 4 content of more than 80 mol. %. Also included are pol isoprenes and buiadiene/siyrene copolymers, particularly those having a styrene content of between 5 wt % and 50 wl. % or -of between 20 wt. % and 40 wt. % .and in the butadiene faction, a content .of 1,2-bonds of between 4 mol. % and 65 mol, %, a content of trans-1 ,4 bonds of between 20 mol. % and 80 _.moi. %. Also included are buta liene/isoprene copolymers, particularly those havin an Isoprene .content of between. S wt. % and 90 wt, % and a glass transition temperature (Tg, ^•measured in accordance with ASTM D3418) of -40° C to -8.0° C.

[0047] Further included are isoprene/styrene copolymers, particularly those having a styrene content- of between 5 wt. % and 50 wt % and a Tg of between -25° C and -50° C. hi the case of buiadiene/styrene isoprene copolymers, examples of those which are suitable inchide those having a styrene content of between 5 wt. % and 50 wt, % and more particularly between 10 wt, % and 40 wt. %, an isoprene content of between 1.5 wt. % and 60 wt, %_» and more particularly between .20 wt. % and 50 wt, %,. a butadiene content of between 5 wt, % and 50 wt. % and more particularly between 20 wt % and 40 wt %_> a content of ! ,2-imits of the butadiene fraction of between 4 wt. % and 85 wt. %, a content of trans-1 ,4 units of the butadiene fraction of between 6^' t, % and 80 wt, %, -content of 1 ,2-plus 3,4-mii.ts of the isoprene fraction of between 5 wt, % and 70 wt. %, and a content, of trans- 1,4 units of the isoprene fraction of between 10 wt % and 50 wt %, and .more generally any butadiene/styrene/isoprene copolymer having a Tg of between -20° C and -70° C,

[0048] The diene- elastomers used in particular embodiments of the present invention may further be functionalizecl, /.<?., appended with active moieties. Examples of functionalizecl elastomers include silanol end-functionalized . elastomers that are well known in the industry. Examples of such materials and their methods of making .may be found in US Patent No, 6,013,718, issued January 11, 2000, which is hereby folly incorporated by reference.

[00.49] The silanol end-functional ized SBR used in particular embodiments of the present invention may be. characterized as having a glass transition temperature- Tg, for example, of between -50° C and -10° C or alternatively between -40° C and -15° C. or between -30° C and -20° C as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) according to ASTM E1356. The stymie content, for example, may be between 15 % and 30 % by weight or alternatively between 20 % and 30 % by weight with the vinyl .content of the butadiene part, for example_., being between 25 % and 70 % or alternatively, between 40 % and 65 % or between 50 % and 60 %.

[0050] In summary, suitable diene elastomers for particular embodiments of the present invention, include highly unsaturated^' diene elastomers such, as polybutadienes (BR), polyisoprenes (1R), natural rubber ( R), butadiene copolymers, isoprene copolymers and mixtures of these elastomers. Such copolymers include butadiene/styrene copolymers (SBR), isoprene butadiene copolymers (BIR), isoprene/styrene copolymers (SIR) and. isopren.e/butadiene/siyrene copolymers (SBII ). Suitable elastomers may also include any of these elastomers being functionaiized elastomers.

[005.1] Particular embodiments of the present invention may contain only one diene elastomer and/or a mixture of several diene elastomers. While some embodiments are limited only to the use of one or more highly unsaturated diene elastomers, other embodiments may include the use -of diene elastomers mixed with -any type of synthetic elastomer other than a ■diene elastomer or even with polymers other than elastomers as, for example, thermoplastic polymers.

[0052] In addition to the rubber, the rubber composition disclosed herein may further include a vein forcing filler_* Reinforcing fillers are added to rubber compositions to, infer ali , improve {heir tensile strength and wear resistance, Any suitable reinforcing filler may be suitable for use in compositions disclosed herein. Including, for example, carbon blacks and/or inorganic reinforcing .fillers such as silica, with which a coupling agent is typically associated.

[0053] Suitable carbon, blacks include, for example., those of the type HAF, IS AF and SAF, conventionally used in tires. Reinforcing blacks of ASTM grade, series 100, 200 and/or 300 are suitable such as, for example, the blacks Nl 15, N134, N234, N330, 339, N347, 375 or alternatively, depending on the intended application, blacks of higher ASTM grade series such as N660. N6^'83 and N772.

[0054] Inorganic reinforcing -fillers include any inorganic or mineral fillers, whatever its color or origin (natural or synthetic), that are capable without any other means, other than an intermediate coupling agent, or reinforcing^' a rubber composition intended for the manufacture of tires. Such inorganic reinforcing fillers can replace conventional tire-grade carbon blacks, in whole or in part, in a rubber compositio intended fo the manufacture of tires. Typically such fillers may be characterized as having the presence of hydroxy!. (-OH) groups on its surface.

[0055] Inorganic remforeing. fillers may take many useful forms including, for example, as powder, microbeads, granules, balls and/or any other suitable form- as well as mixtures thereof, Examples of suitable inorganic reinforcing fil lers include mineral fillers of the siliceous type, such as silica (Si02)_» of the- aluminous type, such as alumina (AH¾) or combinations thereof

[0056] Useful silica reinforcing fillers known in the art include fumed, precipitated, and/or highly dispersibie silica (known as * iD" silica), Examples of highly dispersibie silicas include Uitrasii 7000 and Ultras;! 7005 from Degussa, the silicas Zeosil I 165MP, 1 I35 P and 11 15MP from Rhodia. the silica Hi-Si! EZ150G irom PPG and the silicas Zeopol 8715, 8745 and 8755 from Huber, In particular embodiment^'s, the silica may have a BET surface area, for example, of between 60 mA'g and 250 nr/g or alternatively between 80 m^?/g and 230 m²/g,

[0057] Examples of useful reinforcing- aluminas are the aluminas Baikalox A 125 or CR125 from Baikowskl, APA-1 GORBX: from Condea, A!ummoxid C from Degussa or A P- G015 f om Sumitomo Chemicals.

[0058] For coupling the inorganic reinforcing filler to the diene elastomer, a coupling agent that is at least bifunc-tional provides a sufficient chemical and/or physical connection ^'between the inorganic reinforcement filler and the diene elastomer. Examples of such coupling agents include Afunctional organosilanes or polyorganosii oxanes. Such coupling agents and their use are well known in the art, The coupling agent may optionally be grafted beforehand onto the diene elastomer or onto the inorganic reinforcing filler as is known. Otherwise it may be mixed into the rubber composition in its free or non-grafted state. One useful coupling agent is X 50-S, a 50-50 blend by weight of $169- (the. active ingredient) and N330 carbon black, available from Evo.nik Degussa. [0059] in the rubber compositions according to the invention, the content of coupling agent is preferably between 2 and .15 phr,. more preferably between 4 and 12 phr (fo example between 3 and 8 phr). However_* it is generally desirable to minimize its use. The amount of coupling agent typically represents between. 0.5 and 15 wt. % relative to the total weight of the reinforcing inorganic HI lev. In t he case for example of tire treads for passenger vehicles, the coupling agent may be less than 12 wt. % or even leas than 10 wt. %· relative to the total weight, of reinforcing inorganic filler.

[0060] In particular embodiments, the amount of total reinforcing filler (carbon black and/or reinforcing inorganic filler) is between 20 phr and 200 phr or alternatively between 30 phr and 150 phr or between 50 in- and 1 10 phr.

[0061] In addition to. the diene elastomer ant! reinforcing fille , particular embodiments of the rubber composition disclosed herein may further include a plasticizing system. The plasticizing system may provide both an improvement to the processability of the rubber mix and/or a means for adjusting the rubber composition's glass transition temperature and/or rigidity. Suitable plasticizing systems may include a processing oil, plasticizing. resin, or combinations thereof.

[0062] Suitable processing oils may include those derived from petroleum stocks,, those having a vegetable base and combinations thereof. Examples of oils that are petroleum based .include aromatic oils, paraffiuic oils, naphthenie oils, MES oils, TDAE oils and so forth as known in the industry.

[0063] Examples of suitable vegetable oils include sunflower oil, soybean oil, sa^'fflower oil, corn oil, linseed oil and cotton seed oil. These oils and other such vegetable oils may be used singularly or in combination. In .some embodiments, sunflower oil having a high oleic acid content (at least 70 weight percent, or alternatively, at least. 80 weight percent) is useful, an example being AGRI-PURE 80, available from Cargill with offices in Minneapolis, MN,

[0064] A plasticizing hydrocarbon resin is a hydrocarbon compound that is solid at ambient temperature (e.g., 23°C) as opposed to a liquid plasticizing compound, such as a plasticizing oil. Additionally a plasticizing hydrocarbon resin is compatible, i.e., miscible, with the rubber compositio with which the resin is mixed at a concentration thai allows the resin to act as a true plasiicizing agent, e.g., at a concentration that is typically at least 5 phr (parts per hundred parts rubber by weight) or even much higher.

[0065] Plasiicizing hydrocarbon resins are polymers that can be aliphatic, aromatic or combinations of these types, meaning that the polymeric base, of the resin may be formed^' from aliphatic and/or aromatic monomers. These- resins can be natural or synthetic materials and can be petroleum based, in which case the resins may be called petroleum plasiicizing resins, or based on plant materials. In particular embodiments, although not limiting the invention, these resins may contain essentially only hydrogen and carbon atoms.

[0066] The plastieizing hydrocarbon resins useful in particular embodiment of the present invention include those that are homopolymers or copolymers of cyciopentadiene (CPP) or di cyciopentadiene (DCPD), homopolymers or copolymers of terpene, homopolymers or copolymers of C; cut and mixtures thereof.

[0067] Such copolymer plastieizing hydrocarbon resins as discussed ._.generally above may include, for example, resins ma.de up. of copolymers of (D)CPD/ vinyl-aromatic, of (D)CPD/ terpene, of (D)CPD/ C_s cut. of terpene/ vinyl-aromatic, of C¾ cut/ vinyl -aromatic and of combinations thereof.

[0068] Terpene monomers useful for the terpene ^'homopdymer and. copolymer resins include alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and Iimonene. Particular embodiments include polymers of the iimonene -monomers that include three isomers; the L-Hmonene (ievorotatory enantiomer), the D-iimonene (dextrorotatory -enantiomer), or even the dipeniene, a racemic mixture of the dextrorotatory and laevorot-atory enantiomers,

[0069] Examples of vinyl aromatic monomers include styrene, alpha- methyls y.rene, ortho-, meta-,. para-methylsty-rene, vinyl-toluene, para-t^'ertiobutylstyrene, methoxystyrenes, chloro-styrenes, vinyl-mesityiene, divinylbenzeiie, vinylnaphthalene, an vinyl-aromatic monomer coming from the C cut (or, more generally, from a Cg to C_.10 cut). Particular embodiments that include a vinyl-aromatic copolyme include the vinyi-arornaiic in the minority monomer, expressed in molar fraction, in the copolymer.

[0070] Particular embodiments of the present invention include as the plasticizing hydrocarbon resin the (D)CPD homopolymer resins, the (D)CPD/ styrene copolymer resins, the poiylbnonene resins, the Iimonene styrene copolymer resins, the Iimonene/ D(CPD) copolymer resins, €5 cut/ siyrene copolymer -resins, C5 cut/ ⁽¾ cut copolymer resins, and mixtures thereof,

[0071 ] Commercially available ptasttciznig resins that include terpene resins suitable for use in. the present invention include a poiyalphapinene resin marketed under the name- Resin R2495 by Hercules Inc. of Wilmington, DE. Resin. R24.95 has a molecular weight of about 932, a softening point .of about. 135°C and a glass transition temperature of about 91 °C Another commercially available product that may be used in the present invention includes DERCOLYTE LI 20 sold by the company DRT of France. DERCOLYTE 1.120 polyterpene- limonene resin has a number average molecular weight of about 625, a weight average molecular weight of abou t 1010, an ϊρ of about 1.6, a softening point of about it9°C and has a glass transition temperature of about 72° C. Still, another commercially available terpene resin that ma be used in the present invention includes SYLVARES TR 7125 and/or SYLVARES TR 5.147 polylimonene resin sold by the Arizona Chemical Company of Jacksonville, FL. SYLVARES- 7125 polylimonene resin has a molecular weight of about 1090, has a softening point of about 125° C, and has glass transition temperature of about 73°C while the SYLVARES TR 5147 lias a molecular weight of about 945, a softening point of about 120 °C and has a glass transition temperature of about 71° C.

[0072] Other suitable plastieizing hydrocarbon resins that are commercially available include C5 cut/ vinyl-aromatic styrene copolymer, notably C5 cut / styrene or C5 cut / (¾ cut from Neville Chemical Company under the names SUPER NEVTAC 78, SUPER NEVTAC 85 and SUPER NEVTAC 99; from Goodyea Chemicals under; the name WINGTACK EXTRA; from olon under names HIKOREZ T1095 and BIKQREZ Ti l 00; and from Exxon under names ESCOREZ 2101 and ECR 373,

[0073] Yet other suitable plastieizing hydrocarbon resins that are ltmonene styrene copolymer esins that are commercially available include DERCOLYTE TS 105 from DRT of France: and from Arizona Chemical Company under the name ZT11.5LT and ZT5100.

[0074] It may be noted that the glass transition temperatures of plastieizing resins may be measured by Differential Scanning Caiorimetry (DCS) in accordance with ASTM D3418 (1.999). In particular .embodiments, useful resins, may be have a. .glass, transition temperature that is at least 25° C or alternatively, at least 40° C or al least 60° C or between 25° C and 95° C, between 40° C and 85° C or between 60° C and 80° C.

[0075] The .amount of piastidzing hydrocarbon resin useful in any particular, embodiment of the present invention depends upon the particular circumstances and the desired result. In general, for example, the plasticizing- hydrocarbon resin may be present in the robber composition in an amount of between 5 ph and 60 phr or alternatively, between 10 phr and 50 phr. In particular embodiments, the plasticizing hydrocarbon resin may be present in. an amount of between 10 phr and 60 phr, between 15 phr and 55 phr or between 15 phr and 50 phr,

[0076] The rubber compositions disclosed herein may be cured with any suitable curing system including a peroxide curing system or a .sulfur curing system. Particular embodiments are cured with a sulfur curing system that includes free sulfur and may further include, for example, one or more of accelerators, stearic acid and zinc oxide. Suitable free sulfur includes, for example, pulverized sulfur, rubber maker's sulfur, commercial sulfur, and insoluble- sulfur. The amount of free sulfur included in. the rubber composition is not limited and may range, for example, between 0,5 phr and 10 ph -or alternatively between 0,5 phr and 5 phr or between 0.5 pin- and 3 phr. Particular embodiments may include no free sulfur added in the curing system but instead include sulfur donors..

[0077] Accelerators are used to control the time and/or temperature required for vulcanization and to improve the properties of the cured rubber composition. Particular embodiments of the present invention include one or more accelerators. One example of a suitable primary accelerator useful in the present invention is a sulfenamide. Examples of suitable sulfenamide- .accelerators include n-cyclohexyl -2-benzofhiazole sulfanamide (CBS), -tert-butyl-2-benzqthiazoie Sulfanamide (TBBS), N-Oxydiethyi-2-benzthiazolsulfenanud (MBS) and N'-dicyclohexyl- -benzothiazolesulfeiiamide (DCBS). Combinations of accelerators are often useful to improve the properties of the cured rubber composition and the particular -embodiments include the addition of second ary accelerators,

[0078] Particular embodiments may include as a. secondar accelerant the use of a moderately fast accelerator such as, for example, diphen I guaniditie (DPG), iriphenyl guanidine (TPG), diorthotolyl guanidine (DOTG), o-toiylbigaunide (OTBG) or hexamethylene tetromhte (II TA), Such acceiexators may be. added in an amount of up to 4 phr, between 0.5 and 3 phr, between 0.5 and 2,5 phr or between 1 and 2 pirn Particular embodiments may exclude the use of fast accelerators and/or ultra-fast accelerators such as, for example, the fast accelerators: disulfides and benzolhiazoles; -and the aitra-accelerators; thiuramsj xanthates, dithioearbamates. and dithiophosphates:.

[0079] Other additives can be added to the rubber compositions disclosed herein as known in. the -art. Such additives may include, for example, some or all of tile following; antidegradants,. antioxidants, fatty acids, waxes* stearic acid and zinc- oxide. Examples, of antidegradants and antioxidants include 6PPD, 77PD, iPPD and TMQ and may be added to rubber compositions in -an -amount, for example, of from 0.5 phr and 5 phr, Zinc oxide may be added i an amount, for example, of between 1 phi. and 6 phr or alternatively, of between 1.5 phr and 4 phr. Waxes may be added in an amount, for example, of between 3 phr and 5 phr.

[0080] The rubber composi tions that are embodiments of the present invention ma be produced in suitable mixers, in a manner known to those having ordinary skill in the aft, typically using two successive preparation phases, a first phase of themio-mechanical working at high temperature, followed, by a second phase of mechanical working at lower temperature.

[0GS1] The first phase of thermo-mechanical working (sometimes referred to as "non-productive" phase) is intended to mix thoroughly, by kneading, the various ingredients of the composition, with the exception of the vulcanization system. It is carried out in a suitable kneading device, such as an internal mixer or an extruder, until, under the action of the mechanical working and the high, shearing imposed, on the mixture, a maximum temperature- generally between 120° C and 190° C. more narrowly between 130° C and 170° C is reached.

[QG82] After cooling of the mixture, a -second phase of mechanical working is implemented at a lower temperature. Sometimes, referred to as -"productive" phase, this finishing phase consists of incorporating by mixing the vulcanization (or cross-linking) system (sulfur or other vulcanizing agent and accelerators)), in a suitable device, for example an open mill. It is performed fo an appropriate time (typically between 1 and 30 minutes, for example between 2 and 10 minutes) and at a .sufficiently low temperature lower than the vulcanization temperature of the mixture, so as to protect against premature vulcanization.

[0083] The rubber composition can be formed into useful articles, including treads for use on vehicle tires. The treads may be. formed as tread bands and then later made a part of a tire- or they be formed directly onto a tire carcass by, for example, extrusion and then cured in a mold, As ^'such, tread bands may be cured before being disposed on a tire carcass or they may be cured after being disposed on the tire carcass. Typically a tire tread is cured in a known manner in a mold that molds the tread elements into the tread, including, e.g., the sipes molded into the tread blocks,

[0084] It is recognized that treads may be formed, from only one rubber composition or in two or more layers of differing rubber compositions, e.g., a cap and base construction. In a cap and base construction, the cap portion of the tread is made of .one -rubber composition thai is designed for contact with the road. The cap is supported on the base portion of the tread, the base portion made of a different rubber composition. In particular embodiments of the present invention the entire tread may be made from the rubbe compositions as disclosed herein while in other embodiments only the ca portions of the tread may be made from such rubber compositions.

[0085] It is recognized tha the contact surface of a tread block he._> that portion of the tread block that contacts the road, may be formed totally from the rubber composition having the low Tg as disclosed herein, may be formed totally from another rubber composition or may be formed as combinations thereof. For example, a tread block may be formed as a composite of layered rubber compositions such that half of the. block laterally is a layer of the low Tg rubber composition and the other half of the block laterally is a layer of an alternative rubber composition. Such construction would provide a tread block having at least 80 percent of its contact surface formed of the low Tg rubber composition,

[0086] As such., in particular embodiments of the present invention, at least 80 percent of the total contact sudace of all the tread blocks on a tread may be formed from the rubber composition having the low Tg as disclosed herein. Alternatively, at least 85 percent, at least 95 percent or 100 percent of the total contact surface of all the tread blocks o a tread may be- formed from suejrruhher composition. [0087] While the tire treads disclosed herein are suitable for many types ^'of vehicles, particular embodiments include tire treads for use .on vehicles such as passenger cars and/or light trucks. Such tire treads are also useful for all weather tires and/or snow tires.

[0088] Particular embodiments of the present invention may further include -methods fo designing and .manufacturing the tires and treads as disclosed herein. Such methods may include the steps of designing one or more repeating pitches that each comprises individual pitches having tread- blocks with sipes formed therein and disposed longitudinally along the tire tread. The method may further include providin a design that includes a total of at least 65 individual pitches making up the one or more repeating pitches.

[0089] Such methods may further include the step of determining a number of the sipes - i the tread design, so that the tread has a weighted average sipe density D_w of between- 15 mm^"1 and 27 mm^"5, D_w and ¾_. both being defined herein. Other steps in such methods may include specifying a rubber composition for forming the tread blocks, wherein the rubber composition is a rubber composition based upon a diene elastomer, a plasticizing system, and a cross-linking system, wherein the rubbe composition has a glass transition temperature of between -30⁶ C and -15° C and a shear modulus G* measured at 60 ⁰ C of between 0.5 MPa and- 1.5 MPa and may further include mixing and/or curing such rubber composition.

[0090] Particular embodiments o such methods may further include forming a tread with the determined number of pitches and sipes from the specified rubber composition. Other steps may include designing or designating that ^'the tread blocks have a contact surface that is made entirely of the specified rubber composition or alternatively, at least 90 percent of the contract surface area is made entirely of the specified rubber composition.

[0091] The step of forming the tread may further include, molding the tread or extruding the tread,

[0092] The invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are to- be regarded only as illustrations and not delimitative of the invention in any way. The properties of the compositions disclosed in the examples, were evaluated as described below and these utilized methods are suitable for measurement of the claimed properties of the present invention. [0093] Modulus of elongation (MPa) was- measured at 10% (MA 10) at a temperature of 23 °C based on ASTM Standard 412 on dumb bell test pieces. The measurements -were taken In the second elongation; ,?.<?._> after an -accommodation cycle. These measurements are secant moduli in MPa, based on the original cross section of the test piece.

[0094] Snow grip (%) on snow-eovered ground, was evaluated by measuring the forces on a single driven test tire in snow according to the ASTM F1805 test method. The vehicle travels at a constant 5 mph speed and the forces are measured on the single test tire at the target slip. A value greater than that of the Standard Reference Test Tire (SRTT), which is arbitrarily set to 10.0, indicates an improved result, i.e., improved grip on snow.

[0095] Dry grip performance (%) of a tire mounted, on an automobile fitted with an ABS braking system was measured by determining the distance necessary to go. from 60 mph to a complete stop- upon sudden braking on a dry- asphalt, surface.. A value greater than that of the control., which is arbitrarily set to 100, indicates an improved result, /Ye,, a shorter braking distance and improved dry grip.

[0096] Shore A hardness of the compositions after curing was assessed in accordance with. ASTM Standard D 2240-86.

[0097] Tire maximum, tan delta dynamic properties for the rubber compositions were measured at 23° C on a Metravib Model VA400 Visc Analyzer Test System in accordance wit ASTM D5 92-96. The response of a sample of vulcanized material (double shear geometry with each of the two 10 mm diameter- cylindrical samples being 2 mm thick) was recorded as it was being subjected to an alternating single sinusoidal shearing stress at a frequency of 10 Hz under a controlled temperature of 23° C. Scanning was effected at an amplitude of deformation of 0.05 to 50 % (outward cycle) and then of 50 % to 0,05% (return cycle). The maximum value of the tangent of the loss angle tan delta (max tan δ) was determined during the return cycle,

[0098] Dynamic properties. (Tg and G*) for the rubber compositions were measured on a.Metravib Model VA 0O ViseoAnalyzer Test System_, in accordance with ASTM D5 92- 96, The response of a sample of vulcanized material (double shear geometry with each of the two 10 nun diameter cylindrical samples being 2 mm thick) was recorded as it was being subjected to an alternating single sinusoidal shearing stress of a constant 0,7 MPa and at a frequency of JO Hz over a temperature sweep from -60° C to 100° C with the temperature increasing at a rate of 1.5° C rmn. The shear modulus G* at 60° C was captured and the temperature at which the max tan delta occurred was recorded as the glass transition temperature, Tg.

Example 1

[0099] Rubber compositions were prepared using the components shown in Table 1. The amount of each component making up the rubber compositions shown in Table 1 are provided in parts per hundred parts of rubber by weight (phi'}. The SBR was an oil extended rubber (with 10 phr MES) having a Tg of -27° C and the BR had a Tg of -104° C,

[00.100] The terpene resin was SYLVA ES TR~5147, a . polyiimonene resin available from Arizona Chemical, Savannah, GA. The plasticizing oil was naphthe ic oil and/or sunflower oil. The silica was ZEOSIL 160, a highly dispersible silica available from Rhodia having a BET of 160 n Vg. The silaue coupling agent was X 50-S available from Evomk Degussa. The curative package included sulfur, accelerators, zinc oxide and stearic acid

[00101] The rubber formulations were prepared by mixing the components given in ^' able 1, except for the sulfur and the accelerators, in a Banbury mixer operating between 25 and 65 RPM until a temperature of between .130° C and 170° C was reached. The accelerators and sulfur were added in the second phase on a mill. Vulcanization was: effected at 15Q° C for 40 minutes. The formulations were then tested to measure their physical properties, which are reported in Table 2.

Table ί - Rubber Formulations

Table % - Pro erties

[00102] The first fomula(ion F.1 has a Tg of -14° C that may typically be suitable for a summer tire. The second formulation ¥2 has a Tg of -21° C that ma typically be suitable for an all season fire. The third formulation F3 has a Tg o -31, a low Tg typically used for a winter tire. The amount of plasticizing oils and resi were adjusted to maintain a fairly constant modulus, while adjusting the Tg of the rubber compositions.

[00103] Tires T1-T5 were manufactured (245/45R17) using the. formulations, shown in Table 1 to form the treads. The tires were produced with sipe densities of 7.5 mm.^"1, 50 mm ¹ and 25 mm^"1 and tested on a test ear using, the test procedures described above. The tire test results are shown in Table 3.

Table 4 - Tire Test Results

[00104] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between, snow traction and dry braking based on the tire results from Table 2, The known compromise i shown in FiG. 4 ^'by plotting the test results from a winter tire Tl (low Tg composition F3 with a high sipe- density 75 niffl-1), aft -all season tire T2 (medium Tg composition F2 with a medium sipe density 5.0 mm^"5) and a summe tire T3 (high Tg composition. FI with a. low sipe density. The fourth tire T4 demonstrates the poor performance from tire tread formed from . a rubber composition having a high Tg and having a high sipe density tread sculpture. Surprisingly, the. results obtained, from, the tire T5 having a tread formed from a rubber composition having a. low Tg and having a low sipe density tread sculpture demonstrated that such design breaks the compromise between snow/dry traction: by providin a tire that, in -comparison to the: all season tire T2, maintains its dr traction performance while improving its snow traction performance by 1 S percent,

[00105] The terms^' "comprising," "including," and "having," as used in the claims and specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an open group that may include other elements not specified. The term "consisting essentially of," as used in the claims and specification., herein, shall be considered as indicating a partial ly open group that may include other elements not specified, so long as those other elements do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics: of the claimed invention. The term "a," "an," and the singular forms .of words shall be taken, to include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The terms "at leas one" and "one or ■more" are used interchangeably. The term "one" or "single" shall be used to indicate that one and only one of something is intended, Similarly ,. other specific integer values, such as "two," are used when a specific number of things is intended. The terms "preferably," "preferred," "prefer," "optionally," "may," and similar terms are used to indicate that an item., condition o step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention. Ranges that are described as being "between a and b" are inclusive of the values for "a" and "b."

[00106] It should be understood from the foregoing description that various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from its true spirit. The foregoing description is. provided for the purpose of illustration only and should not he construed in a. limiting sense. Only the language of the following claims should limit the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A tread for a tire, the tread comprising:

one or more repeating pitches, each repeating pitch comprising individual pitches having tread blocks with sipes formed therein and disposed longitudinally along the tire tread, each pitch having a pitch length of between 15 mm and 35 ram;

wherein the tread has a weighted average sipe density D¾- of between. 9 mm^'1 and 37 mm^'1, wherein a sipe density DR for each, of the one or more repeating pitches is:

where, for one repeating pitch, n is a total number of si es on one of the individual pitches making up the one repeating pitch, Lj is a projected length of each sipe ? onto a lateral axis of t he tire tread, W_p is a pitc width, L_p is the pitch length and P_R is a number -of individual pitches making up the one repeating pitch, and

wherein the tread blocks comprise a rubber composition based upon a diene elastomer, a piasticizmg system and a cross-linking system, wherein the rubber composition has a -glass transition temperature of between -40° C and -15° C and a shear modulus G* measured at 60 ⁰ C of between 0.5 MPa and 1.1 MPa.

The tread of claim ! , wherein there is one repeating pitch.

3, The tread of claim L wherein there are between 2 and 5 repeating pitches.

4, The tread of claim 3_5: wherein the individual pitches from each of the repeating pitches alternate in a pattern along the entire tire tread.

5. The tread of claim 1 , wherein the pitch length is between 1 mm and 29 mm,

6. The tread of claim 1, wherein the shear modulus- G* measured at.60 ° C of between 0,5 MPa and 0.9 MPa.

7. The tread of claim 1 , wherem D_w is between. 20 mm^"' and 30 mm^'1.

S, The tread of claim 1 , wherein the glass transition temperature of the rubber composition is between -35° C and -25° C.

9, The tread of claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature of the rubber eomposition is between -40° C and -25° C.

10, The tread of claim. 1 , wherein the shear modulus G* is between 0,5 MPa and 1 MPa,

1 1 , The tread of claim wherein the diene elastomer is selected from natural rubber, styrene- butadiene rubber, synthetic polyisoprene rubber, poiybutadiene rubber and combinations thereof.

1.2, The tread of claim L wherein the plasticizing system comprises plasiiefcers selected from a plasticizing oil, a plasticizing resin or combinations thereof

13. The tread of claim 1 1,, wherein the plasticizing resin is a polylimonene resin.

14. The tread of claim 11, wherein the plasticizing oil is selected from a petroleum based oil, a vegetable oil or combinations thereof.

15. The tread of claim i . further comprising:

additional tread blocks formed in one or more of the individual pitches, the additional tread blocks comprising a second rubber composition,, wherem at least 80 percent of a total contact surface of all the tread blocks on the tread are formed from the rubber composition.

1.6. The tread of claim 1, wherein the tread blocks further comprise a second rubber composition, wherein at least 80 percent of a total contact surface of all the tread blocks on the tread are formed from the rubber composition.

17. The tread of claim i , wherein the tire is selected from a passenger vehicle tire or a li ht truck tire.

18, A tread for ike, the tread comprising:

one or more repeating, pitches, each repeating pitch comprising individual pitches having tread blocks with sipes formed therein and disposed longitudinally along the tire tread, each pitch having a pitch length of between 15. mm and 35 mm, wherein the tread blocks have a contact surface adapted for co tacting a road;

wherein the tread has a weighted average sips density _w of between 9 mm^"'' and. 37 mm^" % wherein a sipe density D for each of the one or more repeating pitches is:

DR -

W_p X L_p * looo, where, for one repeating pitch, n is a total number of sipes on one of the individual, pitches making up the one repeating pitch, L is a projected length of each sipe. onto a lateral axis of the tire tread,, W_P is a pitch width, L_p is the pitch length and P i a number of individual pitches making up the one repeating pitch, and

wherein the contact surface of the tread blocks comprises a rubber composition based upon a diene elastomer, a plasticizing system and a cross-linking system, wherein the rubber composition has a glass transition temperature of between -40° C and -15° C and a shear modulus G* measured at 60 ° C of between 0.5 Pa and i .l MPa,

19. The tread of claim 18, wherein the contact surface- is made entirely of the rubber composition.

20. The tread of claim 18, wherein at least 90 percent of the contact surface is made entirely of the rubber composition.