Fatty acid-modified vegetable oils in rubber compositions and tires
The present invention is directed to the use of modified vegetable oils in rubber compositions and in tires.
1. A vulcanizable rubber composition comprising a vegetable oil derivative comprising the structure
where R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are independently C15-C20 alkenyl, C15-C20 alkyl, and optionally containing aromatic groups; R is —O—C(═O)—R 4 where R 4 is C15-C20 alkenyl; each R is covalently bonded to a first carbon atom of one of R 1 , R 2 or R 3 wherein a second carbon atom is adjacent to the first carbon atom and the second carbon atom is substituted with an —OH group; and m is the number of R groups.
2. The vulcanizable rubber composition of claim 1 wherein m ranges from 1 to 5.
3. The vulcanizable rubber composition of claim 1 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of oleate, linoleate, and linolenate groups.
4. The vulcanizable rubber composition of claim 1 wherein each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are independently at least one member selected from the group consisting of stearyl, palymityl, oleyl, linoleyl, and linolenyl groups.
5. A pneumatic tire comprising the vulcanizable rubber composition of claim 1 .
6. A manufactured item comprising the vulcanizable rubber composition of claim 1 wherein the manufactured item is selected from the group consisting of tire treads, shoes, shoe soles, transmission belts, hoses, airsprings, conveyor belts, track belts, and vibration isolators.