Method and Formulation For Reinforcing Elastomers

Abstract

A rubber composition has a base rubber, a filler which is a protein, including soy protein, derived from byproducts resulting from the manufacture of biodiesel fuel and a coupling agent.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A rubber composition comprising:
 (a) a base rubber, said base rubber being a member selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), polybutadiene, ethylene-propylenediene monomer rubber (EPDM), styrene isoprene butadiene rubber (SIBR), isoprene butadiene rubber (IBR) and combinations thereof;   (b) soy protein; and   (c) a coupling agent.   
     
     
         2 . A rubber composition according to  claim 1  further including carbon black. 
     
     
         3 . A rubber composition according to  claim 1  wherein said coupling agent is a silane. 
     
     
         4 . A rubber composition according to  claim 1  wherein said saline coupling agent is a member selected from the group consisting of bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT), mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)disulfide (TESPD) and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A rubber composition according to  claim 1  wherein the amount of soy protein is in the range of 1% to 50% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . A rubber composition according to  claim 1  wherein the amount of soy protein is in the range of 1% to 30% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . A rubber composition according to  claim 1  wherein the amount of soy protein is in the range of 1% to 10% by weight. 
     
     
         8 . A rubber composition according to  claim 1  wherein said coupling agent is in the range of 4% to 12% by weight of said soy protein. 
     
     
         9 . A tire having at least one rubber component wherein said component is comprised of the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A tire having a rubber composition comprising:
 (a) a non-functionalized base rubber, said base rubber being a non-functionalized member selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), polybutadiene, ethylene-propylenediene monomer rubber (EPDM), styrene isoprene butadiene rubber (SIBR), isoprene butadiene rubber (IBR) and combinations thereof;   (b) soy protein; and   (c) a silane coupling agent interactive with said base rubber and said soy protein, the amount of said silane coupling agent being in the range of 1% to 20% by weight of said soy protein, said silane coupling agent being a member selected from the group consisting of bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide (TESPT), mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)disulfide (TESPD) and combination thereof;   said soy protein being chemically bonded to said silane coupling agent during in-situ mixing of said soy protein, said silane and said non-functionalized base rubber.   
     
     
         11 . A rubber composition according to  claim 1  wherein said soy protein is chemically bonded to said silane coupling agent during in situ mixing of said soy protein, said silane and said non-functionalized base rubber. 
     
     
         12 . A tire having a rubber composition comprising:
 (a) a non-functionalized base rubber, said, non-functionalized base rubber being a non-functionalized member selected from the group of consisting of natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), polybutadiene, ethylene-propyleneience monomer rubber (EPDM), styrene isoprene butadiene rubber (SIBR), isoprene butadiene rubber (IBR) and combinations thereof;   (b) soy protein; and   (c) a silane coupling agent interactive with said base rubber and said soy protein, the amount of said silane coupling agent being in the range of 1% to 20% by weight of said soy protein;   said soy protein being chemically bonded to said silane coupling agent during in situ mixing and curing of said soy protein and said non-functionalized base rubber.