| abstract |
The present invention relates to a rubber composition containing a starch/plasticizer composite and to pneumatic tires having at least one component comprised of such rubber composition. Such tire component can be, for example, its circumferential tread or other component of the tire. n The starch/plasticizer composite can be a composite of starch and plasticizer such as, for example, poly(ethylenevinyl alcohol) and/or cellulose acetate or any suitable plasticizer which results in such starch/plasticizer composite having a melting point below that of the starch alone, and particularly below about 160° C., and to thereby enable the starch to be more processable with conventional elastomer composition processing equipment. n In the practice of this invention, a rubber composition comprises at least one elastomer, a starch/plasticizer composite, optionally at least one coupler and, optionally, at least one of carbon black and silica reinforcement alone or in conjunction with another reinforcing or non-reinforcing filler. |