This invention relates to a
tread rubber composition for tires with the addition of crosslinked resinous nanoparticles having a high
glass transition temperature (Tg) into elastomeric base polymers. The invention demonstrates greatly improved handling performance without deteriorating
controllability and stability during high-speed running. The present invention more specifically discloses a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential
tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said
tread to said beads; wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting; and wherein the tread is comprised of a rubber composition comprising: (1) a rubbery
polymer; (2) from 1 to 30 parts per hundred parts of rubber by weight of pre-crosslinked
polymer particles, wherein the pre-crosslinked
polymer particles have a mean number average particle size as determined by
light scattering which is within the range of 30 nm to 500 nm, wherein the pre-crosslinked polymer is comprised of repeat units that are derived from at least one
monomer selected from the group consisting of
acrylate monomers,
acrylonitrile monomer, and
vinyl halide monomers, wherein the pre-croslinked polymer is in the form of core-shell particles having a core and a shell, and wherein the pre-crosslinked polymer has a
glass transition temperature which is within the range of 30° C. to 200° C.; and (3) 10 to 150 parts per hundred parts of rubber by weight of at least one filler selected from the group consisting of
carbon black and silica.