Method of preparing a rubber compound for a pneumatic tire tread cap and a tire having a tread cap of such a compound

摘要

A pneumatic tire is disclosed which exhibits a good balance of rolling resistance, skid resistance, wear and handling. The rubber compound of the tread cap of the tire contains minor amounts by weight of finely divided high molecular weight high density polyethylene optionally with additional process oil. The polyethylene has a weight average molecular weight of from about one to six million, a density (g/cc) of from about 0.93 to 0.95, a softening point above about 275 DEG F and a particle size where about 70%of the particles pass a U.S. Standard Scale No. 100 sieve and 99% pass a Scale No. 80 sieve, and is mixed with the masterbatch of rubber, carbon black, oil etc., at 200 to 240 DEG C.