IMPROVED TIRES/RETREADS INCLUDING TRINIDAD LAKE ASPHALT AS A COMPONENT THEREOF

摘要

New or improved tires and retreads for tires which incorporate Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA), also known as Trinidad Natural Asphalt or Epure, as a raw material therein. TLA is advantageouly used in addition to or as a substitute for other known component(s) or raw material(s) in tire/retread formulations. As with other components, the amount of TLA used can vary depending on the performance characteristics desired. TLA can be added at any stage of the tire manufacturing/retread process for the purpose of reducing or replacing known raw materials or as a separate raw material to provide new and improved formulations for tires/retreads.