In the use of elastomers in the formulation of blends for tyres, the availability of vulcanized products is re- quired characterized by low hysteresis to reduce fuel con- sumption.

When carbon black is present as filler in formula- tions, the interaction between the latter and the elastomer is sufficient to guarantee excellent elasticity. When, on the other hand, silica is present as filler (light blends), the interaction between silica and elastomer is practically absent with a consequent loss of elastic response and an increase in rolling resistance.

In order to solve this problem, numerous studies have been effected on the use of silica as filler. These have produced good results in the presence of polar elastomers such as nitrilic rubber or chloroprene, in whose presence

vulcanized products are obtained with good tensile proper- ties and wear resistance.

The use of silica, on the contrary, for reinforcing elastomers with a low polarity, such as styrene-butadiene copolymers or polybutadiene, is hindered by the poor me- chanical properties obtained with these elastomers.

Attempts have been made to overcome these drawbacks by using, in the compounding phase, particular organo-silanes containing sulfur, so-called mercaptosilanes (EP-A- 447,066), or by using pretreated silica.

Both these solutions are onerous due to the cost of these mercaptosilanes and have the disadvantage of requir- ing particular precautions during handling, modification in situ and the vulcanization of the above blends.

An elastomeric composition has now been found which is useful for the preparation of blends for tyres, which over- comes the drawbacks described above.

In accordance with this, the present invention relates to an elastomeric composition vulcanizable with sulfur and/or sulfur donors useful for the preparation of tyres, which comprises: a) 100 parts of an elastomeric mixture comprising from 20 to 100% by weight, preferably from 60 to 100% by weight, of a functionalized elastomer (al), from 0 to 80% by weight of a non-functionalized elastomer (a2) selected from monovi-

nylarene-conjugated diene statistic copolymers, natural rubber, polybutadiene : b) from 10 to 150 parts of silica per 100 parts of (a) ; c) from 0 to 150 parts of carbon black per 100 parts of (a); the above elastomeric composition being characterized in that the functionalized elastomer (al) is the reaction product between an elastomer, selected from monovinylarene- conjugated diene statistic copolymers, natural rubber, polybutadiene, with an acrylate having general formula (I) wherein R is selected from H and CH3, R is preferably CH3, n is an integer from 0 to 4, preferably n = 1.

The monovinylarene contains from 8 to 20 carbon atoms per molecule; alkyl, cyclo-alkyl, aryl substituents may be present. Typical examples of monovinylarenes are: styrene, a-methylstyrene, 3-methylstyrene, 4-n-propylstyrene, 4- cyclohexylstyrene, 4-dodecylstyrene, 2-ethyl-4-benzyl- styrene, 4-p-tolylstyrene, 4- (4-phenyl-n-butyl) styrene, 1- vinylnaphthalene, 2-vinylnaphthalene. In the preferred em- bodiment, the monovinylarene is styrene.

Conjugated dienes which can be used for the prepara- tion of the monovinylarene/conjugated diene elastomer con- tain from 4 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule, preferably

from 4 to 8.

Examples of these monomers are: 1,3-butadiene, chloro- prene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene and relative mixtures. Isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are preferred, 1,3- butadiene is even more preferred.

The weight ratio between vinylarene and conjugated di- ene ranges from 10/90 to 40/60.

The monovinylarene-conjugated diene statistic elas- tomer can be produced according to the well-known live ani- onic polymerization technique, using organic compounds of alkaline metals in an inert solvent, as initiators. Typical inert solvents are pentane, hexane, cyclohexane, benzene, etc; preferably cyclohexane/hexane mixtures.

The molecular weight of the above monovinylarene- conjugated diene statistic elastomer ranges from 100,000 to 3,000,000 preferably from 200,000 to 500,000. The Mooney viscosity (ML1+4 at 100°C) ranges from 20 to 150, lower vis- cosities cause insufficient abrasion resistance and higher viscosities create processability problems.

As copolymerization initiator of the conjugated diene and vinylarene, n-butyl lithium, sec-butyl lithium, t-butyl lithium, 1,4-dilithium butane, dilithiumalkylene, phenyl lithium, diisopropenyl benzene dilithium, sodium naphthen- ate, lithium naphthenate, can be mentioned.

In the preparation of the copolymer, a Lewis base can

be used as randomizing agent and micro-structure regulator of the diene. Typical examples of the above Lewis bases are ethers and tertiary amines, for example dimethoxybenzene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, diethyleneglycol dibuty- lether, diethyleneglycol dimethylether, triethylamine, pyridine, N-methyl morpholine, N, N, NI, N'-tetramethylethyl- enediamine.

The content of monovinylarene bound to the polymer is controlled by means of the quantity of monomer present in the initial mixture, whereas the statistic distribution of the monovinylarene is obtained by the action of the Lewis bases mentioned above.

When 1,3-butadiene is used as conjugated diene, the 1,2 unit content of the butadiene in the copolymer can be controlled by varying the polymerization temperature. In any case, the vinyl content in the copolymer must range, with reference to the butadiene part, from 10 to 70%.

The polymerization temperature usually ranges from - 120°C to +150°C, preferably from-80°C to +120°C, and the copolymerization time ranges from 5 minutes to 24 hours, preferably from 10 minutes to 10 hours. The concentration of monomers in the solvent normally ranges from 5 to 30% by weight, preferably from 10 to 35% by weight.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the functionalized elastomer (al) is the reaction product

between an SBR copolymer and glycidylmethacrylate, i. e. the compound having general formula (I) wherein n = 1, R = CH3.

The elastomeric composition of the present invention may contain various quantities of functionalized elastomer (al) and non-functionalized elastomer (a2), provided that the presence of (al) is at least 20% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, with respect to the sum of (al) + (a2). In the most preferred embodiment, the elastomeric compositibn essentially consists of (al) alone.

The functionalized elastomer (al) is prepared by reac- tion of the elastomer (selected from monovinylarene- conjugated diene statistic copolymers, natural rubber, polybutadiene), with an acrylate having general formula (I). The reaction is preferably carried out in mass, i. e. without solvents, at a temperature ranging from 60° to 200°C, preferably from 80°C to 120°C. The reaction trend can be followed by observing the increase in viscosity of the reaction mass. Indicatively, at 100°C, the reaction time is approximately a few minutes, for example from 6 to 10 minutes.

The weight ratio between non-functionalized elastomer and acrylate having general formula (I) ranges from 100/0.5 to 100/10, preferably from 100/1 to 100/6, even more pref- erably from 100/1.5 to 100/3.

The quantity of silica contained in the elastomeric

composition of the present invention ranges from 10 to 150 parts, preferably from 10 to 80 parts, even more preferably from 30 to 60 parts, per 100 parts of elastomeric material (a). When the silica content is less than 10 parts, the re- inforcing effect is insufficient and the wear resistance is poor; on the other hand, when it exceeds 150 parts, the processability and tensile properties are limited. In the preferred embodiment, the silica has a BET surface ranging from 100 to 250 m2/g.

In addition 0-150 parts of carbon black can be used as filler together with the silica.

The elastomeric composition of the present invention, i. e. (a) + (b) and (c), can be vulcanized according to the usual techniques well known to experts in the field, i. e. with sulfur and/or sulfur donors, accelerating systems and activators.

The blends may also contain other types of compounds, such as antioxidants, anti-ozone agents, plasticizers, processing aids, as well as fillers in the form of powders, such as calcium carbonate, silicates, fibrous fillers such as glass fibre, carbon fibres, etc.

The blends are preferably prepared using internal mix- ers, for example of the Banbury type.

The vulcanization temperature ranges from 130°C to 180°C, preferably from 140°C to 170°C.

The vulcanized products thus obtained have tensile properties and rolling resistance entirely comparable with the best light blends currently obtainable. These proper- ties make the above vulcanized products suitable for use as tyre treads.

The following examples are provided for a better un- derstanding of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of the functionalized elastomer 100 parts of SSBR 72613 rubber (styrene-butadiene rub- ber prepared in solution) and 2 phr of glycidyl methacryl- ate are charged into a closed mixer (Brabender) operating at 100°C and 50 rpm; the mixture is maintained under these conditions for an overall time of 8 minutes.

The elastomer thus functionalized is recovered from the mixer and used in the preparation of the blends.

The fact that the glycidyl methacrylate has reacted with the SSBR rubber is sustained by the considerable in- crease in the Mooney viscosity (see the Mooney viscosity in Table 2 of sample D with respect to the comparative sample A).

PREPARATION OF THE BLENDS AND RELATIVE VULCANIZATION Silica and other materials typical for the preparation of tyre treads are added to the elastomers, both compara- tive and that of the present invention. The above blends are prepared using a laboratory internal mixer of the Ban-

bury type and two-step blending cycles: the first, for the incorporation of silica or compounds containing Silicon, is carried out in a Banbury mixer; the second, for the addi- tion of the vulcanizing system, is effected in an open mixer. The total blending time is 10 minutes, the tempera- ture about 80°C.

The test-samples for determining the mechanical, dy- namic and dynamo-mechanical properties were vulcanized in a press at 151°C for 45 minutes.

The composition of the blends is indicated in Table 1.

Table 1 BLENDS A B C D Mod. SSBR 100 SSBR 100 100 100 Silica (phr) 28. 57 28.57 28.57 Si 69 (phr)---2. 29------ Coupsil 8113 (phr)------31. 48--- Sulfur (phr) 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 DPG (phr) 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 MBTS (phr) 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 The characteristics of the SSBR used are as follows: Styrene: 25% by weight, Vinyl: 64% ; ML Viscosity (1+4): 60;

Tg =-20°C The abbreviation DPG corresponds to N, NI-Diphenylguanidine (accelerating agent).

The abbreviation MBTS corresponds to 2,2'-Dibenzothiazyl disulfide (accelerating agent).

The abbreviation Si 69 (Degussa) corresponds to Bis (3- triethoxysilylpropyltetrasulfide).

The abbreviation Coupsil 8113 (Degussa) corresponds to pre- cipitated silica (of the VN3 type, surface area measured with nitrogen = 175 m2/g) silanized with Si69.

The characteristics of the blends thus prepared are indi- cated in Table 2.

Table 2 TEST Blend A. Blend B Blend C Blend D Mod. 50 1.39 MPa 1.5 MPa 1.68 MPa 1. 66 MPa Mod. 100 2.09 MPa 3.01 MPa 3.73 MPa 3,22 MPa Mod. 150 2.92 MPa 5.31 MPa 6.73 MPa 5.33 MPa Mod. 200 3.89 MPa 7.75 MPa---7. 92 MPa Mod. 250 5.01 MPa--------- Mod. 300 6.31 MPa--------- Ult. tens. strength 11. 21 MPa 8.9 MPa 8.89 MPa 9.05 MPa Ult. elongation 437 MJ/m3 208 MJ/m3 181 MJ/m3 219 MJ/m3 Mooney 67.9 M. U. 120.9 M. U. 128.4 M. U. 131 Abrasion* 185 mm3 155 mm3 128. 4 mm3 131 mm3 * Effected with 1 Kg of fixed test-sample

As can be seen from the above data, the blend prepared with the functionalized elastomer (sample D) has properties which are very similar to those of the comparative blends (B and C) prepared with silane additive and functionalized silica, respectively. This behaviour, typical of a rein- forced rubber, is absent in the comparative sample A, where there is no valid interaction between rubber and silica.

In sample D, there is a considerable improvement in the abrasion resistance, as is also observed in samples B and C.

Figure 1 indicates the curves relating to Tan 8 at 60° and 10 Hz, in relation to the deformation. As is known, Tan 8 is a hysteresis indicator: the lower the Tan 8, the lower the hysteresis.

In particular, the Tan 8 value at 60° and 10 Hz at 5% deformation is used as an indicator of the Rolling Resis- tance.

In the graph of figure 1 enclosed, it can be seen how the Tan 8 trend of blend D, containing silica + GMA is very similar to that of the blends containing silica + silane (B) and silanized silica (C), whereas it is distinctly dif- ferent from the blend without additives (A). The Rolling Resistance indicator of blend D shows an improvement of about 25% with respect to blend A.