TIRE TREAD

Abstract

Disclosed herein are treads comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr silica, wherein the tread has a low total concentration of defects arising from particles (e.g., silica, carbon black) and / or voids.

Description

1 / 60 TIRE TREAD FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Tire treads containing silica and with a low concentration of defects are described here. FOUNDATION

[0002] Numerous commercially important products are formed from elastomeric compositions in which the reinforcing filler is dispersed in one or more elastomers, such as synthetic elastomers, natural rubber, or mixtures of such elastomers. A composite or masterbatch formed by mixing the reinforcing filler with the elastomers is then compounded with processing and curing additives. Various products are generated after curing, including, for example, pneumatic and non-pneumatic or solid tires for vehicles, such as the tread component, including the casing, base, and bottom of the tread.

[0003] Carbon black is frequently used as a reinforcing filler for rubber compounds incorporated into tires, for example, incorporated as treads. Silica is also commonly used in tire applications and can offer certain performance benefits over carbon black-based tire treads, such as increased rolling resistance. However, there is a trade-off with silica-based compounds, as such compounds exhibit inferior wear performance compared to, for example, compounds containing natural rubber. Therefore, there is a need to provide silica-containing rubber compounds that can optimize wear properties and rolling resistance. SUMMARY

[0004] An aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low total defect concentration indicated by an AT value, defined as a Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 9 / 68 2 / 60 percent of the defect area of ​​a 1 µm thick slice of rubber that satisfies at least one of items (i) to (vi): (i) At ú 2.7% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; (ii) At 1.4% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm; (iii) At ú 0.75% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 4 µm; (iv) At 0.5% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 5 µm; (v) At ú 0.33% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 6 µm; and (vi) At ú 0.15% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 10 µm.

[0005] Another aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low total defect concentration indicated by an Nt value, defined as the number of defects per area of ​​a 1 µm thick rubber slice, which satisfies at least one of items (i) to (vi): (i) Nt ú 1700 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; (ii) Nt ú 950 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm; (iii) Nt ú 250 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 4 µm; (iv) Nt ú 100 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 5 µm; and (v) Nt ú 50 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 6 µm.

[0006] Another aspect is a tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of at least one silica, wherein the tread has a low Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 10 / 68 3 / 60 empty tire tread concentration indicated by a value Av, defined as a percentage of empty tire tread area of ​​a 1 µm thick rubber slice that satisfies at least one of items (i) to (vi): (i) Av ú 0.6% for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; and (ii) Av ú 0.4% for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm.

[0007] Another aspect is a tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of at least one silica, wherein the tread has a low empty tire tread concentration indicated by an Nv value, defined as the number of empty tire treads per area of ​​a 1 µm thick rubber slice, which satisfies at least one of items (i) to (vi): (i) Nv ú 500 / mm2 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; (ii) Nv ú 150 / mm2 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm; and (iii) Nv ú 65 / mm2 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 4 µm.

[0008] Another aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low total concentration of defects, as indicated by the equation At ú a · ebx+ c where x = silica load (phr) and At is a percentage of defect area in a 1 pm thick tread slice and satisfies at least one of items (i) to (v): (i) a = 4, b = 0.08 and c = 1.9 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 pm; (ii) a = 2.4, b = 0.07 and c = 1 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 3 pm; Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 11 / 68 4 / 60 (iii) a = 0.8, b = 0.008 and c = 0.09 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 4 µm; (iv) a = -0.73, b = 0.15 and c = 0.93 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 5 µm; and (v) a = -5.26, b = 0.001 and c = 5.38 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 6 µm.

[0009] Another aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low total concentration of defects, as indicated by the equation Nt ú a · ebx+ c where x = silica load (phr) and Nt is the number of defects per area in a 1 μm thick tread slice and satisfies at least one of items (i) to (v): (i) a = 2500, b = 0.007 and c = 0 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 pm; (ii) a = 1500, b = 0.018 and c = 0 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 3 pm; (iii) a = 580, b = 0.14 and c = 240 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 4 pm; (iv) a = -30, b = 0.01 and c = 120 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 5 pm; and (v) a = -590, b = 0.0014 and c = 611 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 6 pm.

[00010] Another aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low concentration of empty tire tread, as indicated by the equation Av ú a · ebx+ c where x = silica load (phr) and Av is a percentage of empty tire tread area in a 1 pm thick slice of tread and satisfies at least one of items (i) and (ii): (i) a = 3.3, b = 0.037 and c = 0.1 for empty tire treads Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 12 / 68 5 / 60 with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm; and (ii) a = 2.3, b = 0.075 and c = 0.28 for empty tire treads with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm.

[00011] Another aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low concentration of empty tire tread, as indicated by the equation Nv ú a · ebx+ c where x = silica charge (phr) and Nv is the number of empty tire treads per area in a 1 pm thick slice of tread and satisfies at least one of items (i) and (ii): (i) a = 800, b = 0.02 and c = 400 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm; and (ii) a = 480, b = 0.1 and c = 170 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm.

[00012] In any aspect described herein, the total concentration of defects satisfies at least one of items (i) to (v) or satisfies at least one of items (i) to (iv) or satisfies at least one of items (i) to (iii), or satisfies (i) or (ii).

[00013] Another aspect is a tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of at least one silica, wherein a tire with the tread has one or more of the following: a rolling resistance coefficient of 7 N / kN RRc or less; a standardized rolling resistance coefficient of 95 or less; a standardized rolling resistance reduced by 10% compared to an equivalent design tire tread with a comparable carbon black filler load; a tread wear rate equivalent to or reduced compared to an equivalent design tire tread with a comparable carbon black filler load; a standardized rolling resistance reduced by 10% compared to a tire tread derived from a dry mix equivalent. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 13 / 68 6 / 60 prepared from dry filler and solid elastomer; equivalent or reduced tread wear rate compared to a tire tread derived from a dry mix equivalent prepared from a dry filler and solid elastomer.

[00014] With respect to any aspect or embodiment described herein, where applicable, the tire tread may further comprise one or more of the following embodiments: silica is present in an amount of at least 20 phr; silica is precipitated silica; silica is rice husk silica; silica has a CTAB surface area ranging from 80 m2 / g to 350 m2 / g; silica has a CTAB surface area ranging from 140 m2 / g to 250 m2 / g;

[00015] With respect to any aspect or embodiment described herein, where applicable, the tire tread may further comprise any one or more of the following embodiments: the tire tread further comprises at least one additional filler selected from carbonaceous materials, carbon black, nanocellulose, lignin, clays, nanoclays, metal oxides, metal carbonates, pyrolysis carbon, recovered carbon, recovered carbon black, graphene, graphene oxides, reduced graphene oxide, densified reduced graphene oxide granules, carbon nanotubes, single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanostructures, fibrous fillers, hydrothermal carbon, nanocrystalline cellulose starch particles, polysaccharides, glucans, dextrans, microfibrillated cellulose, starch, siliceous earth, shredded rubber and functionalized shredded rubber, or combinations thereof,and coated and treated materials; silica is present in an amount ranging from 25% to 99% by weight, and at least one additional filler is present in an amount ranging from 1% to 75% by weight relative to the total weight of the filler. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 14 / 68 7 / 60

[00016] With respect to any aspect or embodiment described herein, where applicable, the tire tread may further comprise any one or more of the following embodiments: at least one elastomer is selected from natural rubber, functionalized natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, functionalized polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, isobutylene-based elastomers, polychloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, polysulfide rubber, polyacrylate elastomers, fluoroelastomers, perfluoroelastomers, silicone elastomers, thermoplastic block copolymers and mixtures thereof; At least one elastomer is selected from natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, and mixtures thereof;at least one elastomer comprises natural rubber in an amount of at least 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the elastomer; at least one elastomer is natural rubber; at least one elastomer is a mixture comprising natural rubber and at least one of styrene-butadiene rubber and polybutadiene rubber.

[00017] With respect to any aspect or embodiment described herein, where applicable, the tire tread may further comprise one or more of the following embodiments: the tire tread is selected from radial truck-bus (TBR) tire tread, off-road (OTR) tire tread, passenger car tire tread, high-performance vehicle tire tread, light truck tire tread, motorcycle tire tread, electric vehicle tire tread, and equipment tire tread Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 15 / 68 8 / 60 heavy.

[00018] With respect to any aspect or embodiment described herein, where applicable, the tire tread may further comprise one or more of the following embodiments: the tire tread is derived from a composite formed by mixing silica as a wet silica with at least one elastomer as a solid elastomer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00019] Described herein are tire treads containing silica (comprising silica filler dispersed in at least one elastomer) that provide good rolling resistance performance in a tire. Unexpectedly, these tire treads also offer wear performance that is at least comparable to equivalent treads with carbon black filler.

[00020] Tires and tire treads comprise rubber compounds selected for desired tire sizes, classes, and purposes. Treads are typically manufactured from elastomeric compounds reinforced with filler, such as carbon black and / or silica. Although many blending techniques are known to optimize filler dispersion in the elastomer, most commercially available blending techniques have failed to achieve excellent filler dispersion uniformity that could generate performance benefits. As a result, a significant amount of undispersed filler remains present in the rubber compounds, acting as a source of rubber defects that can reduce one or more of the rubber's lifespan in terms of fatigue, tear resistance, and wear resistance.

[00021] Although the quantification of carbon black dispersion (e.g., macrodispersion) has received considerable attention, there are numerous rubber compounds that contain a Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 16 / 68 9 / 60 A significant amount of particles besides carbon black. For example, many rubber products, including tire treads, incorporate silica as a filler. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a common activating ingredient and is present in many rubber formulations. Like carbon black, a certain fraction of these other types of particles remains undispersed. Optical transmission microscopy images of thin slices of rubber containing carbon black, silica, and other particles can reveal a series of dark, gray, and bright spots. The dark spots, typically attributed to undispersed carbon black, provide good contrast with the background (gray) because carbon black has high light absorption properties. This contrast provides a guide for measuring carbon black dispersion through image analysis.However, silica and zinc oxide have poor light absorption properties, creating challenges in their measurement and analysis by optical microscopy. These particles have the potential to act as a source of defects, as does undispersed carbon black. As a result, for more complex rubber formulations containing ingredients other than carbon black, a more complete picture of macrodispersion may not be observed with optical microscopy. It has been found that undispersed silica and zinc oxide can be quantified using electron microscopy, as described below.

[00022] Furthermore, it was surprisingly discovered that several types of defects, including undispersed carbon black, undispersed silica, zinc oxide, and void tire tread (cracks, tears, pits, and the like), can be prevalent in reinforced elastomeric materials, including commercial tire treads. Undispersed carbon black, undispersed silica, zinc oxide, and void tire treads are all imperfections in the rubber material; void tire treads can be considered a type of defect, in addition to the defects. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 17 / 68 10 / 60 particulates (e.g., undispersed carbon black, silica, and zinc oxide). Since tire treads are essentially empty spaces free of solids and liquids, they can be identified and quantified as shiny objects in optical transmission microscopy images of thin slices of rubber. In total, all the defects described here, namely, undispersed carbon black, undispersed silica, zinc oxide, and tire treads, are defects that can lead to larger cracks, fractures, and cavities, which can cause deterioration of the rubber compound. The combination of these defects in a tread can lead to unsatisfactory performance, such as wear.

[00023] New tire treads comprising silica filler are described herein, in which the tread exhibits a low concentration of the types of defects described herein. Such low concentrations of defects have not been observed in any tire tread known to date.

[00024] One aspect is a tire tread with a low total defect concentration. “Total defect concentration,” as used herein, refers to a measured quantity of tread defects resulting from a combination of particulate and empty tire treads. More specifically, the total defect concentration may be the sum of particulate filler defects, such as undispersed filler (e.g., carbon black and / or silica), zinc oxide, and empty tire treads. The total defect concentration may be determined from a combination of optical microscopy and electron microscopy.

[00025] Without being tied to any theory, undispersed carbon black, undispersed silica, zinc oxide, and deflated tire treads can have a noticeable impact on performance (e.g., tread performance); defects Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 18 / 68 Particulate defects (11 / 60) can lead to cracks and pits, and empty tire treads can be considered as pre-existing cracks and pits in the compound, representing an advanced stage towards rubber deterioration. Without being bound to any theory, it is expected that cracks and pits resulting from particulate defects and empty tire treads will increase in size due to concentrated stresses under repeated extensive and compressive stresses as the tire rolls on the road, leading to the growth of cracks on the tire surface, resulting in the loss of rubber tread. Without being bound to any theory, reducing the total concentration of defects or empty tire treads alone can lead to better rubber properties and performance. In this way, a tire tread with a low concentration of total defects and / or empty tire treads, i.e., a low concentration of empty tire tread, is described here.

[00026] As an option, the defect concentration (total defect concentration and / or empty tire tread concentration) can be determined by analyzing microtomized sections of a tread. The microtomized sections can have thicknesses of 2 µm or less, 1.5 µm or less, or 1 µm or less, for example, 0.5 µm to 2 µm, 0.5 µm to 1.5 µm, for example, about 1 µm. Any portion of the tread can be measured. As an option, the total defect concentration is measured by sampling from the center of the tread. The center of the tread can refer to the geometric center: center of the radial direction of the tire (i.e., at half the tread depth) and center of the lateral direction (mid of the lateral cross-section). For example, a sample can be taken from the middle of the lateral cross-section at half the tread depth, for example, half of ± 20%, ± 10% or ± 5% of the tread depth.Alternatively, the center of the tread may refer to the geometric center of the block. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 19 / 68 12 / 60 of the tread, which is the center of a continuous block that does not contain a groove, for example, a central portion of a rib or a protrusion halfway down the tread depth. Typically, tire treads have thicknesses ranging from 4 mm to 150 mm. Other thicknesses can vary from 9 mm to 33 mm, for example, for TBR tire treads, from 9 mm to 150 mm (e.g., 60 mm to 150 mm) for OTR tire treads, and from 4 mm to 15 mm for passenger car tire treads. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that empty tire treads are created, at least in part, by vapor formation from residual moisture during the curing process. Without being bound to any particular theory, it can be hypothesized that the center of the tread or tread block would normally contain the highest concentration of empty tire tread compared to the outer parts of the tread due, at least in part, to the longer paths required for vapor diffusion out of the rubber. Reducing the concentration of empty tire tread, and therefore the total concentration of defects, from the center of the tread could potentially result in a reduction in the number of empty tire tread defects in the remaining (e.g., outer) portions of the tread.

[00027] As an option, the concentration of defects can be determined by microscopy. For example, undispersed carbon black and empty tire treads can be determined by optical microscopy of microtomized sections of the tread. Optical microscopy can be performed in transmission mode, for example, transmission light microscopy (TLM). Optical images (in transmission mode) of microtomized sections typically show a light background filled with dark objects, each object being the result of a collection of carbon black agglomerates. As the image is viewed Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 20 / 68 13 / 60 In two-dimensional space, each dark object covers an area that can be compared to a particle type. (For carbon black, the term particle is intended to represent a coverage area of ​​carbon black agglomerates, and is differentiated from primary particles that form a single carbon black aggregate.) This particle diameter is defined here as a circular diameter equivalent to the filling area and is typically in the micron size range. In this way, the dispersion state can be indicated by a particle size distribution shape, either by the coverage area of ​​the particles, or by the number of particles per unit area with a given size.

[00028] The concentration or quantity of undispersed carbon black and tire tread can be determined by optical microscopy, such as transmission light microscopy. Alternatively, the concentration of tire tread can be determined as shiny objects by optical microscopy in transmission mode of microtomized tread sections. Alternatively, the quantity of undispersed silica, zinc oxide, and tire tread can also be measured with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), using a backscatter electron detector with microtomized tread sections positioned on a slide coated with indium tin oxide (ITO). The use of an ITO substrate can alter or increase the contrast of undispersed silica, zinc oxide, and tire treads relative to the background in SEM images.As another option, the tread can be cut into microtomized sections after cooling the tread to a temperature close to or below the glass transition temperature of the rubber, for example, about -20 °C or less, for example, about -30 °C or less, about -50 °C or less, about -100 °C or less, for example, from -20 °C to -130 °C or from -50 °C to -130 °C or Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 21 / 68. 14 / 60 100 °C to -130 °C. The cooled microtome sections can then be placed on the ITO-coated slide and allowed to warm to room temperature before measurement by an optical microscope or SEM.

[00029] Although undispersed silica and / or zinc oxide cannot be reliably detected by optical microscopy due to lack of contrast, as an alternative, they can be detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As another option, SEM measurement can be performed with a backscattering electron detector (BSE), i.e., SEM / BSE, which creates high contrast between metal oxides and carbon black or rubber, due to the much higher electron backscattering efficiency of a much higher atomic number of silicon and zinc atoms than carbon atoms. This setup allows silica and zinc oxide to be detected as light gray objects against a darker background of rubber and carbon black.The accelerating voltage of the electron beam can be adjusted so that the beam has a greater penetration depth in the rubber than the thickness of the rubber slice, allowing for the detection of all undispersed silica and zinc oxide in the thin rubber slice from its backscattered electrons. This is very similar to transmission optical microscopy for detecting all undispersed carbon black in the rubber slice, rather than detecting only undispersed silica and zinc oxide on the rubber surface with a conventional secondary electron detector. As an option, the contrast can be further enhanced by placing the rubber on a slide coated with indium tin oxide (ITO), since the backscattering of the ITO coating under the rubber slice can increase the overall intensity of backscattered electrons, allowing for the detection of empty tire treads as very bright objects in SEM / BSE images.

[00030] In one aspect, the tread can be Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 22 / 68 15 / 60 characterized by a total concentration of defects arising from (at least) the following sources: undispersed filler (e.g., carbon black and / or silica), zinc oxide particles, and empty tire treads. Alternatively, the tread may be characterized by a total concentration of defects arising from undispersed carbon black, undispersed silica, zinc oxide, and empty tire treads. In another aspect, the tread may be characterized by a concentration of empty tire tread defects only.

[00031] An aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica (the silica is dispersed in at least one elastomer), wherein the tread has a low total defect concentration indicated by an AT value, defined as a percentage of defect area of ​​a 1 µm thick rubber slice, that satisfies at least one of items (i) to (vi): (i) At ^ 2.7% for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 µm; (ii) At ^ 1.4% for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 3 µm; (iii) At ^ 0.75% for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 4 µm; (iv) At ^ 0.5% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 5 µm; (v) At ^ 0.33% for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 6 µm; and (vi) At ^ 0.15% for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 10 µm.

[00032] As options for At: (i) At ^ 2.5% for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 µm or At ^ 2% for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 µm, or At ^ 1.5% for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 µm, or At ^ 1% Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 23 / 68 16 / 60 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm, or At d 0.9% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm; or (ii) At d 1% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm, or At d 0.9% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm; or At d 0.8% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm; or At d 0.7% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm; or (iii) At d 0.6% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 4 pm; or (iv) At d 0.4% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 5 pm; or (v) At d 0.3% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 6 pm; or (vi) At d 0.1% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 10 pm.

[00033] Another aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low total defect concentration indicated by an Nt value, defined as the number of defects per area of ​​a 1 µm thick rubber slice, which satisfies at least one of items (i) to (vi): (i) Nt d 1700 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; (ii) Nt d 950 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm; (iii) Nt d 250 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 4 pm; (iv) Nt d 100 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 5 µm; and (v) Nt d 50 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 6 µm. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 24 / 68 17 / 60

[00034] Alternatively, Nt can be defined generically (for any thickness of rubber slice) as a number of defects per volume (number / mm2-pm).

[00035] Options for Nt: (i) Nt d 1600 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm, or Nt d 1500 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm, or Nt d 1200 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm, or Nt d 1000 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm, or Nt d 900 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm, or Nt d 800 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm; (ii) Nt d 900 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm, or Nt d 800 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm, or Nt d 700 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm, or Nt d 600 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm, or Nt d 500 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm, or Nt d 400 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm, or Nt d 300 / mm2 for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm; (iii) Nt d 200 / mm2 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 4 pm, or Nt d 150 / mm2 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 4 pm; (iv) Nt d 100 / mm2 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 5 pm, or Nt d 90 / mm2 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 5 pm, or Nt d 80 / mm2 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 5 pm.

[00036] Another aspect is a tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of at least one silica, wherein the tread has a low Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 25 / 68 18 / 60 empty tire tread concentration indicated by an Av value, defined as a percentage of the empty tire tread area of ​​a 1 µm thick rubber slice that satisfies at least one of items (i) and (ii): (i) Av ú 0.6% for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; and (ii) Av ú 0.4% for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm.

[00037] Options for Av: (i) Av ú 0.5% for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm, or Av ú 0.4% for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm; (ii) Av ú 0.3% for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm.

[00038] Another aspect is a tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of at least one silica, wherein the tread has a low empty tire tread concentration indicated by an Nv value, defined as the number of empty tire treads per area of ​​a 1 µm thick rubber slice, which satisfies at least one of items (i) to (vi): (i) Nv ú 500 / mm2 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2pm; (ii) Nv ú 150 / mm2 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm; and (iii) Nv ú 65 / mm2 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 4 µm.

[00039] As options for Nv: (i) Nv ú 400 / mm2 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2pm; (ii) Nv ú 140 / mm2 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm, or Nv ú 130 / mm2 for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 26 / 68 7:60 pm (iii) Nv < 60 / mm2 for empty tire tread with an equivalent diameter area of ​​at least 4 µm.

[00040] Alternatively, Nv can be defined generically (for any rubber slice thickness) as a number of empty tire treads per volume (number / mm2-pm).

[00041] Another aspect is a tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of at least one silica, wherein the tread exhibits a low total concentration of defects or empty tire tread, defined as a function of the silica load (phr). The total concentration of defects or empty tire tread per area in a 1 µm thick tread slice can be represented by the equation below: a · ebx+ c where x = silica charge (phr), and a, b and c are variables depending on the type and size of the defect.

[00042] One aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low total defect concentration, as indicated by the equation At da · ebx+ c where x = silica load (phr) and At is a percentage of defect area in a 1 pm thick tread slice and satisfies at least one of items (1) to (v): (i) a = 4, b = 0.08 and c = 1.9 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 µm; (ii) a = 2.4, b = 0.07 and c = 1 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 3 µm; (iii) a = 0.8, b = 0.008 and c = 0.09 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 4 µm; (iv) a = -0.73, b = 0.15 and c = 0.93 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 5 pm; Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 27 / 68 20 / 60 (v) a = -5.26, b = 0.001 and c = 5.38 for defects with an equivalent diameter to an area of ​​at least 6 pm.

[00043] As an option, at least one of the following conditions applies to AT: (i) a = 3.5, b = 0.8 and c = 1.5 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 µm; (ii) a = 2.1, b = 0.07 and c = 0.79 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 3μm; (iii) a = 0.7, b = 0.008 and c = 0.08 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 4 μm; (iv) a = 0.5, b = 0.002 and c = 0 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 5 μm; and (v) a = -5.3, b = 0.001 and c = 5.35 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 6 pm.

[00044] Another aspect is a tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of at least one silica, wherein the tread has a low total defect concentration, as indicated by the equation Nt ú a · ebx+ c where x = silica load (phr) and Nt is the number of defects per area in a tread slice 1 pm thick and satisfies at least one of items (i) to (v): (i) a = 2500, b = 0.007 and c = 0 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 pm; (ii) a = 1500, b = 0.018 and c = 0 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 3 pm; (iii) a = 580, b = 0.14 and c = 240 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 4 pm; (iv) a = -30, b = 0.01 and c = 120 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 5 pm; and (v) a = -590, b = 0.0014 and c = 611 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 6 pm.

[00045] As an option, at least one of Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 28 / 68 21 / 60 following conditions for Nt: (i) a = 2100, b = 0.009 and c = 0 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 2 pm; (ii) a = 1400, b = 0.022 and c = 0 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 3 pm; (iii) a = 450, b = 0.14 and c = 180 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 4 pm; (iv) a = -30, b = 0.01 and c = 105 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 5 pm; and (v) a = -590, b = 0.0013 and c = 600 for defects with an area equivalent to a diameter of at least 6 pm.

[00046] Another aspect is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low concentration of empty tire tread, as indicated by the equation Av ú a · ebx+ c where x = silica charge (phr) and Av is a percentage of empty tire tread area in a 1 pm thick slice of tread and satisfies at least one of items (i) and (ii): (i) a = 3.3, b = 0.037 and c = 0.1 for empty tire tread with diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; and (ii) a = 2.3, b = 0.075 and c = 0.28 for empty tire tread with diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm.

[00047] As an option, at least one of the following conditions applies to Av: (i) a = 2.5, b = 0.037 and c = 0.1 for empty tire tread with diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; and (ii) a = 1.9, b = 0.075 and c = 0.25 for empty tire tread with diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm.

[00048] Another option is a tire tread comprising at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low concentration of void tire tread, as indicated by the equation Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 29 / 68 22 / 60 Nv ú a · ebx+ c where x = silica charge (phr) and Nv is the number of empty tire treads per area in a 1 μm thick slice of tread and satisfies at least one of items (i) and (ii): (i) a = 800, b = 0.02 and c = 400 for empty tire tread with diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 μm; and (ii) a = 480, b = 0.1 and c = 170 for empty tire tread with diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 μm.

[00049] As an option, at least one of the following applies to Av: (i) a = 720, b = 0.05 and c = 370 for the empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 pm; and (ii) a = 430, b = 0.12 and c = 140 for the empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 pm.

[00050] As an option, the total concentration of defects or flat tire tread, whether indicated by At, Nt, Av, or Nv, may satisfy, where applicable, at least one of (i) to (v), or at least one of (i) to (iv), or at least one of (i) to (iii), or the tire tread may satisfy (i) or (ii). As an option, the total concentration of defects and / or flat tire tread may satisfy two or three or four or five or all of (i) to (vi). For example, the total concentration of defects and / or flat tire tread may satisfy, where applicable, all of (i) to (v), or all of (i) to (iv), or all of (i) to (iii), or (i) and (ii). As another option, the total concentration of defects and / or flat tire tread may satisfy, where applicable, all of (ii) to (v), or all of (ii) to (iv), or (ii) and (iii).

[00051] For a slice 1 µm thick, At and Av can have minimum values ​​of 0.1% or 0.05% or 0.01% or 0.005% or 0.001% or 0.0005% or 0.0001%. For example, At can range from 0.0001% to 0.7% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least µm, or Av can range from 0.0001% to 0.6% for a dented tire tread. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 30 / 68 23 / 60 with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm (or any interval between them). Nt and Nv can have minimum values ​​of 1 / mm² or 0.5 / mm² or 0.1 / mm² or 0.09 / mm². For example, Nt can range from 0.09 / mm² to 1700 / mm² for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm, or Nv can range from 0.09 / mm² to 500 / mm² for empty tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm (or any interval between them). As other options for a 1 µm thick slice: At can have minimum values ​​of 0.1% or 0.05% (for example, for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm or at least 3 µm or at least 4 µm or at least 5 µm or at least 6 µm or at least 10 µm);or Nt may have minimum values, when applicable, of 100 / mm2 (for example, for defects with an area equivalent diameter of at least 2 pm or at least 3 pm or at least 4 pm) or 10 / mm2 or 1 / mm2 (for example, for defects with an area equivalent diameter of at least 2 pm or at least 3 pm or at least 4 pm or at least 5 pm or at least 6 pm); Av may have minimum values ​​of 0.01% or 0.005% or 0.001% or 0.0005% or 0.0001% (for example, for defects with an area equivalent diameter of at least 2 pm or at least 3 pm); Nv may have minimum values, when applicable, of 100 / mm2 (for example, for a deflated tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm or at least 3 µm) or 10 / mm2 or 1 / mm2 or 0.5 / mm2 or 0.1 / mm2 or 0.09 / mm2 (for example, for a deflated tire tread with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm or at least 3 µm or at least less than 4 µm).

[00052] As another option, the defect concentration may satisfy two or more combinations of At, Nt, Av, and Nv. For example, the defect concentration may satisfy At and Nt (i.e., the tire tread has a low total defect concentration, as defined by the percentage of area or numerical density), or Av and Nv (i.e., the tire tread has a low concentration of empty tire tread, as defined by the percentage of area or numerical density). Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 31 / 68 24 / 60 defined by percentage of area or numerical density), or At, Nt and Av, or At, Nt and Nv, or the tire tread may have low total defect concentration and low empty tire tread concentration, as defined by percentage of area or numerical density.

[00053] The tire treads described here contain a significant amount of silica as a reinforcing filler. As an option, the silica is present in the tread in an amount of at least 15 phr, for example, at least 20 phr, at least 25 phr, at least 30 phr, at least 35 phr or at least 40 phr.As an option, the actual amount of silica in the tread can vary from 15 phr to 250 phr, from 15 phr to 200 phr, from 15 phr to 150 phr, from 15 phr to 120 phr, from 15 phr to 100 phr, from 15 phr to 80 phr, from 15 phr to 70 phr, from 15 phr to 60 phr, from 15 phr to 50 phr, from 20 phr to 250 phr, from 20 phr to 200 phr, from 20 phr to 150 phr, from 20 phr to 120 phr, from 20 phr to 100 phr, from 20 phr to 80 phr, from 20 phr to 70 phr, from 20 phr to 60 phr, from 20 phr to 50 phr, from 30 phr to 250 phr, from 30 phr to 200 phr, from 30 phr to 150 phr, from 30 phr to 100 phr, from 30 phr to 80 phr, from 30 phr to 70 phr, from 30 phr to 60 phr, from 30 phr to 50 phr, from 25 phr to 150 phr, from 25 phr to 100 phr, from 25 phr to 80 phr, from 25 phr to 70 phr, from 25 phr to 60 phr, from 25 phr to 50 phr, from 35 phr to 150 phr, from 35 phr to 100 phr, from 35 phr to 80 phr, from 35 phr to 70 phr, 40 phr to 150 phr, 40 phr to 100 phr, 40 phr to 90 phr, 40 phr to 80 phr, 40 phr to 70 phr, 40 to 60 phr and the like.

[00054] As an option, the tire tread further comprises at least one additional filler, resulting in a filler mixture dispersed in at least one elastomer. For example, the at least one additional filler may be selected from carbonaceous materials, carbon black, nanocellulose, lignin, clays, nanoclays, metal oxides, metal carbonates, pyrolysis carbon, carbon Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 32 / 68 25 / 60 recovered carbon black, recovered carbon black, graphene, graphene oxides, reduced graphene oxide, densified reduced graphene oxide granules, carbon nanotubes, single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanostructures, fibrous fillers, hydrothermal carbon, nanocrystalline cellulose starch particles, polysaccharides, glucans, dextrans, microfibrillated cellulose, starch, siliceous earth, granulated rubber and functionalized granulated rubber, or combinations thereof, and coated and treated materials thereof (for example, silicon-treated carbon black, such as Ecoblack™ silicon-treated carbon blacks, available from Cabot Corporation or as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,028,137, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference). Fibrous fillers can have a ratio of, for example, 2:1 or more, 3:1 or more, 4:1 or more, or higher, for example, 5:1 or 10:1, 100:1, 200:1 or even 106:1. Typically, fillers used to reinforce elastomers have dimensions that are microscopic (e.g., hundreds of microns or less) or nanoscale (e.g., less than 1 micron). If present in the composite, the fibrous filler may be present in an amount ranging from 1% by weight to 10% by weight relative to the total amount of filler containing at least 15 phr of silica. At least one additional filler may be incorporated into a composite as a wet or dry filler, or as a combination of wet and dry filler.

[00055] The amount of at least one additional filler may vary, provided that the amount of silica in the elastomer is at least 15 phr or other amounts described herein. For example, silica may be present in an amount ranging from 25% to 99% by weight relative to the total weight of the filler, and at least one additional filler (which may comprise one or more filler types other than silica) will make up the remainder of the filler content. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 33 / 68 26 / 60 For example, the amount of silica relative to the total weight of the filler mixture varies from 25% to 95%, from 25% to 85%, from 25% to 80%, from 25% to 75%, from 25% to 70%, from 25% to 65%, from 25% to 60%, from 25% to 55%, from 25% to 50%, from 25% to 45%, from 25% to 40% or from 25% to 35%, with at least one additional filler making up the remainder (for example, from 1% to 75% by weight relative to the total weight of the filler mixture or other intermediate ranges, depending on the selected range of silica quantities).

[00056] As an example, at least one additional filler may be carbon black and the tread may comprise a mixture of silica filler and carbon black, wherein the amount of silica varies from 25% to 99% by weight and the amount of carbon black varies from 1% to 75% by weight (for example, from 1% to 60% by weight or from 1% to 50% by weight) or the amount of silica varies from 25% to 95% by weight and the amount of carbon black varies from 5% to 75% by weight (for example, from 5% to 60% by weight or from 5% to 50% by weight). Silica may represent the majority or the minority of the filler, provided that the silica is present in an amount of at least 15 phr.When silica is the major filler in a filler mixture with at least one additional filler, such as carbon black, silica may be present in an amount of up to 200 phr or 150 phr or 100 phr, for example, when resins or oil are present (for example, resins and / or oils may be present in an amount ranging from 10 phr to 100 phr). For example, silica may be present in an amount ranging from 30 phr to 150 phr or from 35 phr to 100 phr, for example, ranging from 35 phr to 90 phr, from 35 phr to 80 phr or from 35 phr to 70 phr, and carbon black may be present in an amount ranging from 1 phr to 30 phr, from 2 phr to phr, from 3 phr to 30 phr, from 5 phr to 30 phr, for example, from 5 phr to 20 phr or from 5 phr to 10 phr. When silica is the minor filler, silica may be present in an amount ranging from 15 phr to 30 phr (or from 15 phr to 25 phr) and carbon black... Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 34 / 68 27 / 60 smoke may be present in an amount ranging from 20 phr to 50 phr, from 20 phr to 45 phr, from 20 phr to 40 phr, for example, from 20 phr to 35 phr, from 25 phr to 50 phr, from 25 phr to 40 phr, or from 25 phr to 35 phr.

[00057] One or more types of silica, or any combination of silicas, may be used in any embodiment described herein. The silica may include or be precipitated silica, fumed silica, silica gel, and / or colloidal silica. The silica may be or include untreated silica and / or chemically treated silica. The silica may be rice husk silica or silica derived from rice husk ash or other biogenic sources. Silica may be suitable for reinforcing elastomeric composites and may be characterized by a CTAB surface area ranging from 80 m2 / ga to 350 m2 / g, for example, from 80 m2 / ga to 250 m2 / g, from 100 m2 / ga to 350 m2 / g, from 100 m2 / ga to 250 m2 / g, from 120 m2 / ga to 350 m2 / g, from 120 m2 / g to 250 m2 / g, from 140 m2 / g to 350 m2 / g or from 140 m2 / g to 250 m2 / g.

[00058] Alternatively, silica can be characterized by a Brunaur Emmett Teller (BET, as determined by multipoint BET nitrogen adsorption, ASTM D1993) surface area ranging from 20 m² / ga to 700 m² / g; or ranging from 20 m² / ga to 500 m² / g; or ranging from 20 m² / ga to 450 m² / g; or ranging from 20 m² / ga to 200 m² / g; or ranging from 20 m² / ga to 150 m² / g; or ranging from 30 m² / ga to 450 m² / g; or ranging from 30 m² / ga to 400 m² / g; or ranging from 60 m² / ga to 250 m² / g; or ranging from 60 m² / ga to 250 m² / g; or varying from 80 m2 / ga to 700 m2 / g; or varying from 80 m2 / ga to 500 m2 / g; or varying from 80 m2 / ga to 300 m2 / g; or varying from 80 m2 / ga to 200 m2 / g.

[00059] Highly dispersible precipitated silica can be used as filler in current methods. Highly dispersible precipitated silica (HDS) means any silica with substantial capacity to deagglomerate and disperse in an elastomeric matrix. Such dispersion determinations can Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 35 / 68 28 / 60 can be observed in a manner known by electron or optical microscopy in thin sections of elastomeric composite. Examples of commercial grades of HDS include Perkasil® GT 3000GRAN silica from WR Grace & Co, Ultrasil® 7000 silica from Evonik Industries, Zeosil® 1165 MP, 1115 MP, Premium and 1200 MP silicas from Solvay SA, Hi-Sil® EZ 160G silica from PPG Industries, Inc., and Zeopol® 8741 or 8745 silica from Evonik Industries. Conventional non-HDS precipitated silica can also be used. Examples of commercial grades of conventional precipitated silica include Perkasil® KS 408 silica from WR Grace & Co, Zeosil® 175GR silica from Solvay SA, Ultrasil® VN3 silica from Evonik Industries, and Hi-Sil® 243 silica from PPG Industries, Inc. Precipitated silica with surface-fixed silane coupling agents can also be used. Examples of commercial grades of chemically treated precipitated silica include Agilon® 400, 454, or 458 silicas from PPG Industries, Inc.and the Coupsil® silicas from Evonik Industries, for example, Coupsil® 6109 silica. Other examples of chemically treated silicas include those sold as Efficium® Highly Dispersible Silica from Solvay SA, and those described in US Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0058111, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[00060] As an additional filler, the carbon black used in any of the methods described herein may be of any type of reinforcing carbon black and semi-reinforcing carbon black. Examples of ASTM grade reinforcing carbon blacks are N110, N121, N134, N220, N231, N234, N299, N326, N330, N339, N347, N351, N358 and N375. Examples of ASTM grade semi-reinforcing carbon blacks are N539, N550, N650, N660, N683, N762, N765, N774, N787, N990 and / or N990 grade thermal carbon blacks.

[00061] Carbon black can have a statistical thickness surface area (STSA) ranging from 30 m2 / g to 200 m2 / g, per Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 36 / 68 For example, 29 / 60, from 60 m² / ga to 200 m² / g or from 60 m² / ga to 170 m² / g. Carbon black can have a compressed oil absorption number (COAN) ranging from 30 mL / 100 g to 150 mL / 100 g, for example, from 60 mL / 100 g to 120 mL / 100 g. STSA (statistical thickness surface area) is determined based on ASTM Test Procedure D-5816 (measured by nitrogen adsorption). The compressed oil absorption number (COAN) is determined according to ASTM D3493. As an option, carbon black can have a STSA ranging from 60 m² / g to 150 m² / g with a COAN of 70 mL / 100 g 115 mL / 100 g.

[00062] As mentioned, carbon black can be rubber-based carbon black and, especially, reinforcing grade carbon black or semi-reinforcing grade carbon black. Carbon blacks sold under the brands Regal®, Black Pearls®, Spheron®, Sterling®, Propel®, Endure® and Vulcan®, available inCabot Corporation, the Raven®, Statex®, Furnex®, and Neotex® brands and the CD and HV lines, available from Birla Carbon (formerly available from Columbian Chemicals), and the Corax®, Durax®, Ecorax®, and Purex® brands and the CK line, available from Orion Engineered Carbons (formerly Evonik and Degussa Industries), and other fillers suitable for use in rubber or tire applications, may also be explored for use with various implementations. Suitable chemically functionalized carbon blacks include those described in WO 96 / 18688 and US2013 / 0165560, the descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference. Mixtures of any of these carbon blacks may be employed. Carbon blacks with surface areas and structures beyond the ASTM grades and typical values ​​selected for blending with rubber, such as those described in the USN Patent Application Publication° 2018 / 0282523, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used in wet filling and in composite produced by any of the methods described herein. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 37 / 68 30 / 60

[00063] The tread may include one or more types of elastomers, including natural rubber (NR), synthetic elastomers such as styrene-butadiene rubbers (SBR, for example, solution SBR (SSBR), emulsion SBR (ESBR) or oil-extended SSBR (OESSBR)), polybutadiene (BR), polyisoprene rubbers (IR), functionalized SBR, functionalized BR, functionalized NR, ethylene-propylene rubber (e.g., EPDM), isobutylene-based elastomers (e.g., butyl rubber), halogenated butyl rubber, polychloroprene rubber (CR), nitrile rubbers (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubbers (HNBR), fluoroelastomers, perfluoroelastomers and silicone rubber, for example, natural rubber, functionalized natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, functionalized polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, nitrile rubber,Hydrogenated nitrile rubber and mixtures thereof, or, for example, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber and mixtures thereof, for example, a mixture of the first and second elastomers. Other synthetic polymers that can be used in the current methods (alone or in mixtures) include hydrogenated SBR, and thermoplastic block copolymers (for example, such as those that are recyclable). Synthetic polymers include copolymers of ethylene, propylene, styrene, butadiene and isoprene. Other synthetic elastomers include those synthesized with metallocene chemistry, in which the metal is selected from Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Tm, Yb, Lu, Co, Ni, and Ti. Polymers made from bio-based monomers can also be used, such as modern carbon-containing monomers as defined by ASTM D6866, for example, polymers made from bio-based styrene monomers described in US Patent No. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 38 / 68 31 / 60 9,868,853, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference, or polymers made from bio-based monomers, such as butadiene, isoprene, ethylene, propylene, farnesene, and comonomers thereof.

[00064] If two or more elastomers are used, the two or more elastomers may be loaded into the mixer as a mixture at the same time (as one charge or two or more charges) or the elastomers may be added separately in any sequence and quantity. For example, at least one elastomer may comprise natural rubber. Alternatively, at least one elastomer may comprise natural rubber mixed with one or more of the elastomers described herein, for example, butadiene rubber and / or styrene-butadiene rubber, etc.

[00065] The tread may comprise an elastomer which may be or include natural rubber. If the elastomer is a blend, it may include at least 20% by weight, at least 30% by weight, at least 40% by weight, at least 50% by weight, at least 70% by weight, at least 80% by weight, at least 90% by weight or at least 95% by weight of natural rubber. The blend may further comprise synthetic elastomers, such as one or more of styrene-butadiene rubber, functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber, and polybutadiene rubber, and / or any other elastomers described herein.The final tread may comprise natural rubber in an amount of at least 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the elastomer, for example, at least 30% by weight, at least 40% by weight, at least 50% by weight, at least 70% by weight, at least 80% by weight, at least 90% by weight, at least 95% by weight, or the final tread may comprise an elastomer that is substantially all natural rubber (for example, up to 99% or up to 100% by weight relative to the total weight of the elastomer). As an option, the elastomer in the tread is a blend. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 39 / 68 32 / 60 comprising natural rubber in an amount ranging from 20% to 99% by weight, from 20% to 95% by weight, from 20% to 90% by weight relative to the total weight of the elastomer, for example, from 20% to 80% by weight, from 20% to 70% by weight, from 20% to 60% by weight, from 20% to 50% by weight, from 30% to 99% by weight, from 30% to 95% by weight, from 30% to 90% by weight, from 30% to 80% by weight, from 30% to 70% by weight, from 30% to 60% by weight, from 30% to 50% by weight, from 40% to 99% by weight, from 40% to 95% by weight, from 40% to 90% by weight, 40% to 80% by weight, 40% to 70% by weight, 40% to 60% by weight, 40% to 50% by weight, 50% to 99% by weight, 50% to 95% by weight, 50% to 90% by weight, 50% to 80% by weight, 50% to 70% by weight, 60% to 99% by weight, 60% to 95% by weight, 60% to 90% by weight, 60% to 80% by weight, 60% to 70% by weight, with the remainder being a different elastomer, such as at least one of styrene-butadiene rubber, functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber,and polybutadiene rubber and / or any other elastomers described herein. For example, the tread may be a mixture comprising natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber and polybutadiene rubber in respective amounts of 50-80% by weight of natural rubber, 10 to 40% by weight of styrene-butadiene rubber and 5 to 30% by weight of polybutadiene rubber.

[00066] In other embodiments, the elastomer may contain natural rubber in small amounts, for example, from 0.1% to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of at least one elastomer, or no natural rubber (0% by weight). In certain embodiments, at least one elastomer may comprise at least 50%, for example, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, and up to 99% or 95% or 90% by weight of polybutadiene rubber, with the remainder comprising any of the elastomers described herein, for example, at least one of natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber. In certain embodiments, the Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 40 / 68 33 / 60 elastomer may be 100% polybutadiene rubber. In certain embodiments, the elastomer may comprise at least 50% styrene-butadiene rubber, for example, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, and up to 99% or 95% or 90% by weight of styrene-butadiene rubber, with the remainder comprising any of the elastomers described herein, for example, at least one of natural rubber and polybutadiene rubber. In certain embodiments, the elastomer may be 100% styrene-butadiene rubber. In other embodiments, the elastomer may comprise a mixture of styrene-butadiene rubber and butadiene rubber, for example, in proportions ranging from 5:1 to 1:1, from 4:1 to 1:1, from 3:1 to 1:1, from 1:1 to 3:1, from 1:1 to 4:1 or from 1:1 to 5:1.

[00067] Natural rubber can also be chemically modified in some way. For example, it can be treated to chemically or enzymatically modify or reduce various non-rubber components, or the rubber molecules themselves can be modified with various monomers or other chemical groups, such as chlorine. Other examples include epoxidized natural rubber and natural rubber with a nitrogen content of no more than 0.3% by weight, as described in PCT Publication No. WO 2017 / 207912.

[00068] Other exemplary elastomers include, but are not limited to, rubbers, polymers (e.g., homopolymers, copolymers and / or terpolymers) of 1,3-butadiene, styrene, isoprene, isobutylene, 2,3-dialkyl-1,3-butadiene, where alkyl may be methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc., acrylonitrile, ethylene, propylene and the like.

[00069] Other applicable solid elastomers that can be used in the methods currently described are described in PCT Publication No. WO 2020 / 247663, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 41 / 68 34 / 60

[00070] It is known that tire treads containing silica (tire treads comprising silica dispersed in at least one elastomer) can provide the tire with good rolling resistance properties. However, such treads exhibit inferior wear performance compared to carbon black reinforced treads, and to date, good wear performance has not been achieved for these treads, for example, treads comprising natural rubber. However, current silica-containing treads can provide equivalent, and in some cases better, wear performance than that previously obtained for carbon black-containing treads.

[00071] The wear performance of current tire treads can be measured relative to an equivalent tread as a control, i.e., treads with an equivalent tread pattern, with a comparable load of carbon black as a reinforcing filler (equivalent tread control). Without being bound to any theory, it can be hypothesized that good wear performance has been achieved, at least in part, with a tread with a lower total concentration of defects and / or empty tire tread, which may lead to a reduction in cracks, pits and the like that can cause rubber deterioration. Current treads, with at least 15 phr of silica, can provide an equivalent or reduced wear rate compared to an equivalent tread (e.g., reinforced by a comparable load of carbon black filler).As an option, a comparable carbon black charge replaces the silica with an equivalent volume fraction of carbon black. For example, if the current tire tread has 55 phr of silica, the control tread will have an equivalent tread pattern with an equivalent volume fraction of carbon black (e.g., approximately 50 phr of carbon black). Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 42 / 68 35 / 60 Alternatively, a comparable carbon black charge replaces the silica with a quantity of carbon black to achieve comparable stiffness / hardness properties. For example, a comparable carbon black charge results in a comparable Shore A hardness.

[00072] As an option, an indication of tread wear can be the tread wear rate, which is a measure of tread depth loss per distance traveled (mm / km). Alternatively, the tread wear rate can be a measure of normalized tread depth loss per distance traveled (%). For example, the tread of the equivalent control tire can be assigned a normalized tread depth loss per distance traveled equal to 100%.The current tire tread, containing at least 15 phr of silica, may correspond to tread depth loss, as indicated by a normalized tread depth loss per distance traveled of 100%, or the current tread may exhibit improved performance (reduced tread wear rate), as indicated by a normalized tread depth loss per distance traveled of less than 100%, for example, less than 95%.

[00073] Because current tire treads contain a significant amount of silica as filler, a tire with a silica-containing tread may also exhibit good rolling resistance properties compared to the equivalent control tread containing carbon black as a filler. Rolling resistance properties can be defined by rolling resistance coefficient ranges, which can be determined by the test protocol, ECE Regulation Number 117, Annex 6. As an option, tires with current treads have a rolling resistance coefficient Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 43 / 68 36 / 60 to a rolling resistance of 7 N / kN RRc or less, for example, a rolling resistance coefficient of 6.5 N / kN RRc or less, or 6 N / kN RRc or less.

[00074] As another option, a tire with the current tread containing silica may exhibit improved rolling resistance properties, as indicated by the normalized rolling resistance coefficient. The normalized rolling resistance coefficient can be measured relative to a tire with an equivalent design control tire tread and a comparable carbon black filler load. If the normalized rolling resistance coefficient of the control tire is assigned a value of 100%, a tire with the current tread may have a normalized rolling resistance coefficient of 95% or less, or 90% or less, or 85% or less, or 80% or less. In other words, a tire with the current tire tread may have a reduced normalized rolling resistance of at least 10% compared to an equivalent design tire tread comprising a comparable carbon black filler load.

[00075] As described herein, the treads of current tires can be prepared from an initial elastomeric composite formed by mixing at least one filler with at least one elastomer. This initial composite can be considered an uncured mixture of fillers and elastomers. The resulting composite can be considered a mixture or masterbatch, which may optionally be an intermediate product for use in subsequent rubber compounds and in one or more vulcanization processes. The composite, prior to compounding and vulcanization, may also undergo additional processes such as one or more holding steps or additional mixing steps, one or more additional drying steps, one or more extrusion steps, one or more steps of Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 44 / 68 37 / 60 calendering, one or more grinding steps, one or more granulating steps, one or more baling steps, one or more twin-screw discharge extrusion steps, or one or more rubber processing steps to obtain a rubber compound or a rubber article.

[00076] PCT Publication No. WO 2020 / 247663, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes mixing processes with a solid elastomer and a wet filler (for example, comprising a filler and a liquid) to allow batch time and temperature to be controlled beyond those achievable with known dry mixing processes. As an option, the composite may be prepared by a method comprising: (a) charging a mixer with one or more rotors with at least one solid elastomer and a wet filling, comprising a current charge and liquid in an amount of at least 15% by weight based on the total weight of the wet filling; (b) in one or more mixing steps, mixing at least the solid elastomer and the wet filling to form a mixture and removing at least a portion of the liquid from the mixture by evaporation, and in at least one of said mixing steps, conducting said mixing, in which at least one of the following conditions applies: (i) the mixer has at least one means of temperature control adjusted to a temperature, Tz, of 65 °C or higher, and (ii) one or more rotors operate, for at least 50% of the mixing time, at a tip speed of at least 0.6 m / s; and (c) discharge from the mixer the composite comprising the filler dispersed in the elastomer with a charge of at least 20 phr, comprising at least 15 phr of at least one silica, wherein the composite has a net content of not more than 10% in Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 45 / 68 38 / 60 by weight, based on the total weight of the composite. The mixture can be carried out in one, two, three or more mixing stages.

[00077] As an option, the tire tread comprises an elastomeric (vulcanized) compound prepared by curing a composite in the presence of at least one curing agent, wherein the composite is formed by mixing at least one solid elastomer and a wet filler (e.g., wet silica) comprising a filler and a current liquid in an amount of at least 15% by weight based on the total weight of the wet filler (e.g., current liquid in an amount of at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or ranging from 15% to 80%, ranging from 20% to 70%, ranging from 30% to 60% or ranging from 40% to 60% by weight based on the total weight of the wet filler, e.g., wet silica). The wet filler or wet silica may be in the form of a powder paste, pellet, cake or fluid paste.As an option, the mixing of at least one solid elastomer and a wet filler (e.g., wet silica) is carried out in a mixer with at least one temperature control means set to a temperature, Tz, of 50 °C or higher, or 55 °C or higher, or 60 °C or higher, or 65 °C or higher, or 70 °C or higher and up to 100 °C, up to 95 °C or up to 90 °C. As an alternative or additional option, the mixing of at least one solid elastomer and wet filler (e.g., wet silica) is carried out in a mixer with one or more mixer rotors operating at a tip speed of at least 0.6 m / s for at least 50% of the mixing time.

[00078] The composite may be formed by single-stage mixing or multi-stage mixing (e.g., two-stage mixing, three-stage mixing, etc.). The resulting composite discharged from the mixer comprises the filler (e.g., silica) dispersed in the elastomer with a charge of at least 20 phr (comprising at least 15 phr of silica), wherein the composite has a net content of no more than 10% (per Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 46 / 68 39 / 60 example, maximum 5%) by weight, based on the total weight of said composite. Further details on the mixture of solid elastomer with wet filler are described in PCT Publication No. WO 2020 / 247663, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[00079] As another option, one or more rotors may be mechanically coupled to a mixer motor and at least part of the mixing in step (b) is carried out under power control, in which the rotational speed of one or more rotors is controlled by a controller that (i) calculates a difference (e.g., automatically calculates the difference) between the measured power of the mixer motor and a power setpoint and (ii) adjusts the rotational speed of one or more rotors if the measured power of the mixer motor deviates from the power setpoint, as described in Publication PCT No. WO 2023 / 034575, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. As another option, mixing can be carried out under PID power control. The controller can continuously calculate the difference between the measured power of the mixer motor and the power setpoint, for example, at time intervals ranging from 0.05 s to 5 s or from 0.05 s to 1 s. As an option, one or more mixing stages (e.g., the first and second mixing stages) can be carried out under power control.

[00080] A composite resulting from the mixture of a wet filler with a solid elastomer may be termed a wet-mixed composite. As an option, the actual tire tread comprises an elastomeric compound formed from a wet-mixed composite, exhibiting at least one improved tread wear (e.g., reduced tread wear rate) and rolling resistance performance compared to a control tire tread comprising an elastomeric compound. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 47 / 68 40 / 60 formed from a dry mix equivalent composite. A dry mix equivalent composite has a composition comparable to that of the wet mix composite (e.g., comparable filler, filler material, elastomer, formulation), except that it is formed by known dry mix methods, e.g., mixing dry filler and solid elastomer.

[00081] In this way, as one option, a tire with the current tire tread exhibits improved rolling resistance properties (e.g., a normalized rolling resistance coefficient of 90 or less) compared to a control tire with an equivalent tread in which the control rubber compound was derived from or formed from a dry-mix equivalent. As another option, the current tire tread exhibits equal or superior wear properties (reduced wear rate) compared to an equivalent tire tread with a rubber compound formed from or derived from a dry-mix equivalent.

[00082] The composites used to form current tire treads may further comprise one or more additives, including antidegradants (e.g., N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine or 6PPD and Antioxidant DQ or TMQ), coupling agents, and one or more rubber chemicals to enable the dispersion of the filler in the elastomer. Rubber chemicals, as defined herein, include one or more of: processing aids (to facilitate the mixing and processing of the rubber, e.g., various oils and plasticizers, wax), activators (to activate the vulcanization process, e.g., zinc oxide and fatty acids), accelerators (to accelerate the vulcanization process, e.g., N,N'-diphenylguanidine or DPG powder, sulfenamides and thiazoles), vulcanizing agents (or curing agents, to crosslink). Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 48 / 68 41 / 60 rubbers, for example, sulfur, peroxides), and other rubber additives, such as, but not limited to, retarders, co-agents, peptizers, adhesion promoters, tackifying agents, resins, flame retardants, colorants, and blowing agents. Optionally, rubber chemicals may comprise processing aids and activators. As another option, one or more other rubber chemicals are selected from among zinc oxide, fatty acids, zinc salts of fatty acids, wax, accelerators, resins, and processing oil.

[00083] For a silica filler, if a coupling agent is used, the coupling agent may be introduced at any of the mixing stages (or at multiple stages or locations), provided that the coupling agent has the opportunity to disperse in the composite. The coupling agent may be or include one or more silane coupling agents, one or more zirconate coupling agents, one or more titanate coupling agents, one or more nitro coupling agents, or any combination thereof.The coupling agent may be or include bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfane (e.g., Si 69 from Evonik Industries, Struktol SCA98 from Struktol Company), bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)disulfane (e.g., Si 75 and Si 266 from Evonik Industries, Struktol SCA985 from Struktol Company), 3-thiocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (e.g., Si 264 from Evonik Industries), gamma-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (e.g., VP Si 163 from Evonik Industries, Struktol SCA989 from Struktol Company), gamma-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (e.g., VP Si 263 from Evonik Industries), dineoalkanol-di(3-mercapto)propionate Zirconium, N,N'-bis(2-methyl-2-nitropropyl)-1,6-diaminohexane, S-(3(triethoxysilyl)propyl) octanethioate (e.g., Momentive, Friendly, WV NXT coupling agent), and / or coupling agents that are. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 49 / 68 42 / 60 chemically similar or possessing one or more of the same chemical groups. Optionally, the coupling agent is triethoxysilylpropyltetrasulfane (Si 69). Additional specific examples of coupling agents, by trade names, include, but are not limited to, VP Si 363 from Evonik Industries, and the NXT Z and NXT Z-50 silanes from Momentive. The coupling agents described herein can be used to provide hydrophobic modification of the silica surface (pre-coupled or pre-treated silica) before using it in any of the processes described herein. It should be understood that any combination of elastomers, additives, and additional composites can be added to the elastomer composite, for example, in a compounding step.

[00084] The tire tread can be formed by any of the processes described herein or combinations thereof. Generally, tire treads can be formed from mixing a filler with elastomer to form an elastomer composite which can then be compounded into a tire tread formulation that is cured to form a rubber compound. The compound can be molded and cured with a desired tread pattern. The treads can be applied to the tires and autoclaved to form the complete tire.

[00085] The tire tread pattern can be selected from radial truck-bus (TBR) tire tread pattern, off-road (OTR) tire tread pattern, passenger car tire tread pattern, performance vehicle tire tread pattern, light truck tire tread pattern, motorcycle tire tread pattern, electric vehicle tire tread pattern, aircraft tire tread pattern, and heavy equipment tire tread pattern. The tread pattern may include the cap, base, and bottom of the tread. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 50 / 68 43 / 60 EXAMPLES

[00086] The Examples describe the preparation of composites, compounds (vulcanized) and tire treads in which performance (tread wear, rolling resistance) is evaluated in relation to control treads. Example 1

[00087] A composite was prepared by mixing wet filler with natural rubber (Composite 1). As a control, comparative carbon black and silica composites were produced using traditional dry-mixing methods (Comparative CB Composites and Comparative Silica Composites). The elastomers used were TSR20 (Technically Specified Rubber, 0.2% Dirt, maximum % retained on a 45 µm sieve), and standard grade natural rubber RSS#3. Technical descriptions of these natural rubbers are widely available, such as in Rubber World Magazine's Blue Book published by Lippincott and Peto, Inc. (Akron, Ohio, USA). The carbon black (CB) used was supplied as VULCAN® 7H carbon black. The silica used was ZEOSIL® Z1165 MP (Z1165MP) precipitated silica from Solvay USA Inc., Cranbury, NJ. The silane coupling agents used were X50S and Si-69 (Si69), both from Evonik. Industries.

[00088] Preparation of wet silica: Dry silica with a moisture content of 7.5% by weight was fed at a rate of 460 lbs / h (208 kg / h) into a continuous FEECO pin mixer. Water was sprayed using two fan jet nozzles into the pin mixer located immediately after where the dry silica entered the pin mixer. The spray flow rate was 486 lb / h (220 kg / h). Uniform wet silica pellets between 60 and 120 mesh were discharged with 52.5% by weight of water.

[00089] The formulations of the composites (quantities in phr) are shown in Table 1. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 51 / 68 44 / 60 Table 1 CB Comparative Silica Composite 1 NR (TSR20) 100 100 NR (RSS#3) 100 CB 50 4 Wet silica* (52.5% moisture by weight) 55 Dry silica 50 X50S 10 Si69 5.5 6PPD 2 Chemicals Zinc oxide 3 3 3 Stearic acid 2 2 2 6PPD 1.5 1.5 0.5 TMQ 1.5 1.5 1.5 LSW 654 (Wax) 1.5 1.5 1.5 Zinc soap 2 2 DPG 0.5 *silica loading reported on a dry basis

[00090] The comparative composites were prepared by dry mixing and carried out in two stages. The protocols for stages 1 and 2 for the formation of the comparative carbon black composites (“Comparative CB Composite”) are shown in Tables 2 and 3, respectively, and the protocols for stages 1 and 2 for the formation of the comparative silica composites (“Comparative Silica Composite”) are shown in Tables 4 and 5, respectively. The mixing processes for stages 1 and 2 were carried out with a 320 L gear mixer equipped with PES5 rotors (Harburg Feudenberger GK 320) with a TCU temperature of 40 °C. Table 2 Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 52 / 68 45 / 60 Step Time (s) Mixer rpm Description 1 20 30 Add polymer + chemicals (see Table 1) 2 20 40 Mix 3 30 40 Add 2 / 3 CB 4 5 40 Mix 5 35 40 Mix 6 10 35 Sweep plunger 7 35 35 Mix 8 10 30 Sweep plunger 9 90 30 Mix until temperature = 160°C 10 15 20 Pour Table 3 Step Time (s) Mixer rpm Step 1 20 30 Add Composite Step 1 2 20 30 Mix 3 30 30 Add 1 / 3 CB 4 5 35 Mix 5 30 35 Mix 6 10 30 Sweep plunger 7 30 25 Mix 8 10 20 Sweep plunger 9 90 20 Mix until temperature = 150°C 10 15 20 Pour Table 4 Step Time (s) Mixer rpm Description 1 20 30 Add polymer + chemicals (see Table 1) 2 30 30 Mix 3 32 30 Add 2 / 3 silica 4 30 30 Mix Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 53 / 68 46 / 60 5 25 30 Add silane 6 33 30 Add 1 / 3 silica 7 30 30 Mix 8 4 30 Sweep plunger 9 60 30 Mix until temperature = 148°C 10 4 30 Sweep plunger 11 10 30 Mix 12 120 20 Mix, maintain temperature at 148°C 13 15 20 Pour Table 5 Step Step Time (s) Mixer rpm Step Temp (°C) Description 1 20 25 Add composite 1st step 2 20 25 Mix 3 30 25 Mix 4 10 25 Sweep plunger 5 45 25 130 Mix 6 10 25 Sweep plunger 7 45 25 148 Mix 8 10 20 Sweep plunger 9 15 20 Mix 10 90 20 148 Mix, maintain temperature 11 10 20 Pour

[00091] Composite 1 was formed from a mixture of wet filler and solid elastomer and was carried out in two stages, followed by a third stage for the addition of chemicals. The first stage mixing was performed using a Kobelco BB-16 tangential mixer equipped with 6WI rotors (Kobelco Kobe Steel Group) at a temperature setpoint (TCU) of 83 °C and a fill factor of 66%. The protocol for the first stage mixing is shown in Table 6. In the stages In steps 5, 9, and 13, the mixing was performed under PID power control. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 54 / 68 47 / 60 (proportional integral differential). The proportional constant was 200%, the integral constant was 5 s, and no derivative control was used. The power (kW) setpoints and maximum rotor speed settings are indicated in Table 6. The power input signal used by the power PID control circuit was filtered using a Kalman filter with a K2 constant of 0.005. Further details on mixing with power PID control and the Kalman filter are provided in PCT Publication No. WO 2023 / 034575, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Table 6 Step Step Time (s) Position Ram Mixer rpm Power setpoint (kW) Description 1 20 UP 50 Add rubber 2 120 max DN 60 Grind rubber to minimum 120 if 110°C 3 20 UP 50 1st addition of filler (75% of filler) and add silane 4 20 DN 50 Allow the plunger to settle 5 120 max DN Power PID 75 Mix under PID control to the lowest value of 120 if 130°C; Maximum rotor speed to reach power setpoint = 85 rpm 6 10 DN 30 Prepare to increase piston speed 7 20 UP 40 2nd addition of fill (25% of fill) 8 20 DN 50 Allow piston to settle 9 148 DN Power PID 75 Mix under PID power control up to 148°C; maximum speed of Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 55 / 68 48 / 60 Rotor speed to reach power setpoint = 8 5 rpm 10 10 DN 30 Prepare to increase piston speed 11 20 UP 40 Add 6PPD 12 20 DN 50 Allow piston to settle 13 20 DN Power PID 100 Mix under PID power control for 20 s; maximum rotor speed to reach power setpoint = 100 rpm 14 Variable DN 100 100 Mix up to 150°C; maximum rotor speed to reach power setpoint = 100 rpm 15 Variable DN 100 100 30 s after minimum power, where power is greater than 90 kW; maximum rotor speed to reach power setpoint = 100 rpm 16 30 DN 50 Discharge

[00092] The composite was processed in a TSR-125 twin-screw discharge extruder equipped with stationary knives (Kobelco Kobe Steel Group).

[00093] The second-stage mixing to prepare Composite 1 was carried out using a BB-72 tangential mixer equipped with 6WI rotors (Kobelco Kobe Steel Group) at a TCU temperature setpoint of 75 °C and a filling factor of 40%. The protocol for the second-stage mixing is shown in Table 7. After initial chewing with the piston lowered, mixing was carried out under PID temperature control with the piston raised, allowing for automated control of the Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 56 / 68 49 / 60 batch temperature via a feedback circuit. A thermocouple inserted through the mixer's discharge port measures the batch temperature, which is transmitted to the PID controller. The controller output is used to control the speed of the mixer rotors. Table 7 Step Step Time (s) Position Ram Mixer rpm Description 1 30 UP 35 Add composite 1st step 2 30 DN 35 Grind forcefully 3 30 UP 35 Grind at fixed speed with plunger raised 4 Variable UP Variable Grind under PID temperature control with plunger raised. Automatically variable speed to maintain desired temperature throughout the step; maximum rotor speed to reach power setpoint = 70 rpm 5 30 UP 30 Pour

[00094] The composite was passed through an extruder of The third mixing stage for the addition of chemicals was carried out with a 320 L intermembrane mixer equipped with PES5 rotors (Harburg Feudenberger GK 320) at a TCU setpoint of 40 °C. The protocol is shown in Table 8. Table 8 Step Step Time (s) Position Ram Mixer rpm Description Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 57 / 68 50 / 60 1 20 20 Add 1 / 2 composite 2nd step 2 30 20 Mix 3 25 20 Add 1 / 2 composite 2nd step 4 45 25 Mix 5 26 25 Add chemicals (see Table 1) 6 30 30 Mix 7 4 30 Sweep plunger 8 130 30 Mix 9 60 145 20 Mix, maintain temperature 10 15 20 Pour Compounds (Vulcanized)

[00095] Comparative carbon black and silica vulcanizates (prepared from Comparative Compound CB and Comparative Silica Compound, respectively) and Compound 1 (prepared from Compound 1) were prepared. The entire composition was carried out with a 320 L intermembrane mixer equipped with PES5 rotors (Harburg Feudenberger GK 320) at a TCU setpoint of 40 °C.

[00096] The compound formulations are shown in Table 9 (quantities in phr), in which the comparative CB and silica compounds were prepared from the dry-mixed comparative composites and Compound 1 was prepared from Compound 1. TBBS = BBTS Accelerator and TBzTD = TBzTD Accelerator, and CTP = CTP Retarder, all available from Akrochem, Akron, Ohio. Table 9 Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pages 58 / 68 51 / 60 CB Comparative Silica Comparative Compound 1 Composite 161.5 172 174 DPG 0.5 Sulfur 1.2 1.6 1.6 TBBS 1.4 1.95 2 TBzTD 0.07 CTP (PVI) 0.2 0.2 0.2 Final TOTAL, phr 164.3 175.82 178.3

[00097] The composition protocol for preparing the The comparative CB composite is shown in Table 10. Table 10 Step Number Time (s) Mixer rpm Step 1 20 20 Add CB composite Comparison and dressings 2 60 20 Mix 3 30 20 Mix 4 10 18 Sweep plunger 5 35 18 Mix 6 10 18 Sweep plunger 7 60 18 Mix until temperature = 125 °C 8 15 18 Pour

[00098] The composition protocol for preparing the Comparative Silica Compound data is shown in Table 11. Table 11 Step Number Time (s) Mixer rpm Description 1 20 20 Add silica composite Comparison and dressings 2 20 20 Mix 3 20 20 Mix 4 8 20 Sweep plunger 5 20 20 Mix Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 59 / 68 52 / 60 6 4 20 Sweeping plunger 7 45 20 Mix until temperature = 110°C 8 20 20 Pour

[00099] The protocols for the 1st and 2nd compounding steps to prepare Compound 1 are shown in Tables 12 and 13. Table 12 Step Number Time (s) Mixer rpm Description 1 20 20 Add Composite 1 2 20 20 Mix 3 4 20 Sweep plunger 4 45 20 Mix 5 4 20 Sweep plunger 6 180 20 Mix until temperature = 140°C 7 15 20 Pour Table 13 Step Step Time (s) Mixer rpm Description 1 20 20 Add compound 1st step (Table 12) and dressings 2 20 20 Mix 3 20 20 Mix 4 8 20 Sweep plunger 5 20 20 Mix 6 4 20 Sweep plunger 7 45 20 Mix until temperature = 120°C 8 20 20 Pour [000100] The curing of the samples was carried out in a heated press (150 °C) for a time determined by a conventional rubber rheometer, for example, T90 + 50% of T90, where T90 is the time to reach 90% vulcanization (pressure = 2500 lbs (1133 kg)). Tire Treads Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pages 60 / 68 53 / 60 [000101] A retreading process using pre-cured treads was used to construct the tires (tire size: 315 / 70R22.5). The tires were constructed and cured using standard techniques known in the field, including the following steps: (1) used commercial tires were polished to remove the tread compound; (2) rubber compound was extruded into camelbacks, molded, and cured at 170 °C, 230 bar with a ridged tread pattern (final pressure removal = 15 min, cure time ranged from 19.2 to 21.7 min); (3) pre-cured treads were polished, sprayed with rubber cement; and (4) a damping gum compound was applied to the polished tires, and the treads were placed over the damping gum and autoclaved to form the complete tire. The tread pattern is a raised, lugged design with an aggressive shoulder and good block stability. The tread depth was 20 mm. Defect Concentrations [000102] The total concentration of defects observed in tire treads was determined from the following types of defects larger than 2 µm: undispersed carbon black particles, undispersed silica, zinc oxide, and empty tire tread. These defects can be identified and quantified from a combination of transmission light microscopy (TLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of thin microtome slices of rubber. [000103] Thin microtome slices of rubber were made using the following procedure. A piece of rubber tire tread was trimmed and mounted in a sample holder. A rubber sample was mounted in an ultramicrotome instrument and cooled to temperatures ranging from -100 °C to -130 °C. The rubber slices were then cut with Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 61 / 68 54 / 60 a thickness of 1 µm using an RMC ultramicrotome instrument. Boeckeler PowerTome with a diamond knife at -50 °C. Each slice was floated off the knife edge into a trough containing a viscous liquid mixture of DMSO / water 60 / 40, maintained at -50 °C. The resulting strips of cut sections were then transferred to an ITO-coated glass slide. Typically, 30 to 40 rubber slices were collected for a sample, and the slices were dried at room temperature before imaging. Rubber samples were collected from the geometric center of the rubber block in both the radial direction (half the tread depth, or 10 mm + / - 1 mm) and the lateral direction (mid-side cross-section at half the tread depth). [000104] An Olympus optical microscope was used to acquire transmission light microscopy (TLM) images of the rubber slices, using an image pixel size of 0.645 μm / pixel and a total number of 1360 x 1024 pixels with a field of view of 0.877 mm x 0.660 mm. Typically, only a single image was collected from a single rubber slice, with a total of 20 to 40 images collected for a sample. One image Typical TLM (Transfer of Light) presents a gray background with dark and bright objects. Dark objects are due to undispersed carbon black particles due to the high light extinction coefficient of carbon black, and bright objects are due to the tread of the deflated tire on the rubber. [000105] A Zeiss scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to acquire SEM images of the rubber slices on the ITO glass slide using a backscatter electron detector (BSE) with an electron accelerating voltage of 10 kV. The SEM image was collected using a pixel size of 0.456 pm / pixel and 2048 x 1536 pixels with a field of view of 0.933 mm x 0.700 mm. The light gray objects in the images SEMs are due to silica particles and non-zinc oxide. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pages 62 / 68 55 / 60 scattered. [000106] TLM and SEM images were analyzed using appropriate software programs based on the NIH ImageJ macro language and Excel macros based on Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). The distributions of undispersed carbon black particles and empty tire tread were obtained from the TLM image analyses, while the distributions of undispersed silica and zinc oxide particles were measured using the SEM images. The total defect distribution is obtained by combining the distributions of undispersed carbon black particles, undispersed silica and zinc oxide particles, and empty tire tread. [000107] The TLM images were processed by first correcting the irregular background of the image with a pseudo-planar correction algorithm based on Gaussian blur. Image noise is reduced using a bilateral edge-preserving filter, and image contrast enhancement is applied where necessary. Objects were separated from the image with image segmentation using a suitable combination of global and local thresholding methods, which created two binary images representing the particles and the empty tire tread, respectively. Image filtering and segmentation were optimized to ensure that the boundaries of the empty tire tread and particles were well defined through visual comparisons between the segmented images and the original images. The SEM images were processed and analyzed similarly to the TLM images, which generated a binary image of undispersed silica and zinc oxide particles.The area- and number-weighted size distributions of undispersed carbon black, undispersed silica and zinc oxide particles, and the empty tire tread were then analyzed and calculated from their respective binary images. [000108] The particle size was determined from Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pages 63 / 68 56 / 60 of the circular diameter equivalent to the area of ​​the corresponding object in the binary image, where the diameter equivalent to the area is: Diameter Equivalent to Area = (4 * Area of ​​Objects) Dark / π)1 / 2 [000109] The smallest diameter equivalent to the area that can be reliably quantified is 2 pm. Both the number-weighted and area-weighted distributions of the defects were calculated. The absolute number of particles per unit area of ​​the image, as well as the percentage of particle areas in the image, were calculated. [000110] The total concentration of defects (undispersed carbon black, undispersed silica, ZnO and void tire tread defects) based on the minimum size in µm (e.g., at least 2 µm, at least 3 µm, at least 4 µm, at least 5 µm, at least 6 µm and at least 10 µm) was obtained from various commercial tire treads, as well as from pre-cured treads made from comparative CB and silica compounds and Compound 1 (comparative CB tread, comparative silica tire tread and tread 1, respectively). The commercial tire tread patterns analyzed were: Bridgestone® R284 ECOPIA™ (“R284”), Firestone® FS 561™ (“FS 561”), Goodyear Endurance® LHS® (“LHS”), Michelin® X® Line Energy (“XLE”), Michelin X® LINE™ ENERGY™ D2 (“XLE D2”), Michelin X® LINE™ ENERGY™ Z2 (“XLE Z2”), Bridgestone ECOPIA H-STEER 002 (“H-Steer”), Bridgestone ECOPIA H-DRIVE 002 (“H-Drive”), Goodyear tire FUELMAX PERFORMANCE S (“FM S”), Goodyear FUELMAX PERFORMANCE D (“FM D”) tire, and Continental Conti EfficientPro D (“PRO D”) tire. The R284, FS 561, and LHS treads are carbon black-based treads. The remaining treads contain a mixture of silica and carbon black fillers with silica:carbon black ratios of 1:5 (PRO D, XLE), 1:2 (HDrive), 5:1 (H-Steer), 6.7:1 (XLE D2), 11.5:1 (XLE Z2, FM S), and Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 64 / 68 57 / 60 15.7:1 (FM D). All commercial tires have an inflation load of 47-60 phr, except for the XLE (40 phr). It was observed that the H-Steer, Pro D, H-Drive, XLE D2, and XLE Z2 treads were sampled 2-3 mm below the tread surface; it is believed that the number of defects would be even greater if the sample were taken at the geometric center. [000111] Total defects by area percentage and numerical percentage are listed in Table 14; Table 15 lists the corresponding flat tire tread data. Table 14 Tread Defects Total Area % (AT) Total Defects per Density Number: # / (mm2 pm) (Nt) 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 10pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 10pm R284 7.2 5.8 3.7 1.9 1.5 1 6738 3629 1488 355 141 39 FS 561 6.5 5 2.9 1.8 1.4 0.66 6444 3337 1016 392 199 32 LHS 8 5.6 2.8 1.5 1.1 0.63 9047 4240 1187 296 117 21 XLE 7.7 7.2 6.8 6 5.4 2.7 3131 2033 1392 1063 782 181 H-Steer 4.7 3.3 2.1 1.2 0.84 0.25 5066 2199 845 332 160 PRO D 6.0 5.1 4.2 3.1 1.9 0.26 5061 2660 1621 924 450 H-Drive 3.0 1.5 0.82 0.56 0.46 0.24 4367 1004 293 126 69 XLE D2 3.0 2.1 1.5 1.0 0.77 0.34 3140 1160 511 237 123 XLE Z2 3.6 2.8 2.2 1.7 1.3 0.59 3093 1341 678 366 207 FM D 3.2 2.0 1.2 0.67 0.39 0.22 4178 1378 510 201 81 FM S 2.8 1.6 0.93 0.56 0.36 0.27 3831 1145 383 144 60 CB Comparative 7.2 4.2 1.9 0.97 0.88 0.41 9512 3413 844 208 75 15 Silica Comparative 3.6 3.4 3.1 2.6 2.2 0.41 1786 1231 900 642 427 39 Tread pattern 1 0.79 0.62 0.49 0.36 0.31 0.097 748 280 130 69 43 9.4 Table 15 Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 65 / 68 58 / 60 Tread Pattern Empty Tire Tread Area % (Av) Empty Tire Tread by Density Number: # / (mm2 pm) (Nv) 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 10pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 10pm R284 4.8 4.0 2.4 0.79 0.37 0.11 4633 2920 1314 254 65 5.8 FS 5 61 4.1 3.1 1.4 0.76 0.49 0.13 4429 2421 649 204 97 7.8 LHS 6.1 4.4 1.9 0.76 0.39 0.13 6939 3605 1030 219 66 6, 5 0.50 1463 409 XLE D2 1.1 0.78 1273 319 0.61 0.36 0.15 8026 1983 737 161 55 8 Silica Comparative 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.0 0.39 1038 774 634 507 384 38 Tread 1 0.36 0.25 0.20 0.16 0.13 0.055 362 118 56 32 21 4.2 [000112] In Tables 14 and 15, it can be observed that the comparative tread patterns presented defect concentrations similar to those of other commercially available tires. In contrast, the exemplary tread pattern described here (Tread 1) presents visibly lower total defect concentrations and empty tire tread compared to the commercial and comparative tire tread patterns for a wide range of defect sizes (ranging from at least 2 µm to at least 10 µm). Tread Wear and Rolling Resistance [000113] Tread wear tests were performed with complete tires on vehicles transporting goods within Europe in a regional / long-distance application. The modern trucks used in the test have a 4 x 4 axle configuration with a single trailer delivering goods in Western Europe, and the tires were evaluated for wear rates in the driving position. The measurements of Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pages 66 / 68 59 / 60 tread depth measurements were performed every two months until the tires were retired from circulation. A total of 28 tires were measured for tread depth loss of the CB Comparison tire (14 tires) and tire 1 (14 tires). The results are presented as an index using the following equation: Normalized tread depth loss per distance traveled = (Tread depth loss per distance traveled of the example) / Tread depth loss per distance traveled of the CB Comparison tire) x 100. The results indicate that the lower the index, the lower the wear rate and the longer the tire life. The tires tested were prepared from the CB Comparison tread (CB Comparison tire) and tread 1 (tire 1). [000114] A rolling resistance test was performed in accordance with DIN ECE R 117 Appendix 6. Rolling resistance and tread wear performance data are shown in Table 16. Table 16 Tire Rolling resistance (N / kN) Normalized tread depth loss per distance traveled (%) CB Comparison 7.37 100 Tire 1 5.82 93 [000115] Table 16 shows that the wear performance of Tire 1, containing Tread 1, surpassed that of the control tire CB Comparative. This is a surprising result, given that the wear rate of the TBR tire tread containing silica is generally considered lower than that of treads made from carbon black-based compounds. It can be hypothesized that a low concentration of defects in the tire tread has an effect on the improvement. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 67 / 68 60 / 60 tread wear performance for silica-containing tread compounds. [000116] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" should be interpreted as encompassing both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by the context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" should be interpreted as open terms (i.e., meaning "including but not limited to"), unless otherwise indicated. The recitation of value ranges herein is intended only to serve as a shorthand method of individually referencing each separate value within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were recited individually herein. All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by the context.The use of any and all examples, or illustrative language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended only to better clarify the invention and does not represent a limitation on the scope of the invention, unless otherwise claimed. No language in the descriptive report should be interpreted as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. Petition 870250092942, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 68 / 68

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. Tire tread characterized in that it comprises at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of silica, wherein the tread has a low total defect concentration, indicated by an At value, defined as a percentage of the defect area in a 1 µm thick tread slice, that satisfies at least one of (i) to (vi): (i) At ≥ 2.7% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; (ii) At ≥ 1.4% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm; (iii) At ≥ 0.75% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 4 µm; (iv) At ≥ 0.5% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 5 µm; (v) At ≥ 0.33% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 6 µm; and (vi) At 0.15% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 10 µm.

2. Tire tread according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a 2.5% reduction in defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm.

3. Tire tread according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has an area equivalent to 1% of defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm.

4. Tire tread, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At 0.6% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 4 µm.

5. Tire tread, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that At ú 0.4% for defects with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least Petition 870250081842, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 46 / 61 2 / 4 5 pm.

6. Tire tread characterized in that it comprises at least one elastomer and at least 15 phr of at least one silica, wherein the tread exhibits a low concentration of empty tire tread, indicated by an Av value, defined as a percentage of the empty tire tread area in a 1 µm thick tread slice, which satisfies at least one of items (i) and (ii): (i) Av d 0.6% for empty tire treads with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm; and (ii) Av d 0.4% for empty tire treads with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm.

7. Tire tread according to claim 6, characterized in that Av d 0.5% for empty tire treads with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 2 µm.

8. Tire tread according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that Av d 0.3% for empty tire treads with a diameter equivalent to an area of ​​at least 3 µm.

9. Tire tread according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that silica is present in an amount ranging from 15 phr to 200 phr.

10. Tire tread according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the silica is precipitated silica.

11. Tire tread according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the silica is rice husk silica.

12. Tire tread according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the silica has a CTAB surface area ranging from 80 m2 / g to 350 m2 / g.

13. Tire tread pattern, according to any Petition 870250081842, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page. 47 / 61 3 / 4 of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the tire tread further comprises at least one additional filler selected from carbonaceous materials, carbon black, nanocellulose, lignin, clays, nanoclays, metal oxides, metal carbonates, pyrolysis carbon, recovered carbon, recovered carbon black, graphene, graphene oxides, reduced graphene oxide, densified reduced graphene oxide granules, carbon nanotubes, single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanostructures, fibrous fillers, hydrothermal carbon, nanocrystalline cellulose starch particles, polysaccharides, glucans, dextrans, microfibrillated cellulose, starch, siliceous earth, granulated rubber and functionalized granulated rubber, or combinations thereof, and coated and treated materials thereof.

14. Tire tread according to claim 13, characterized in that silica is present in an amount ranging from 25% to 99% by weight, and at least one additional filler is present in an amount ranging from 1% to 75% by weight relative to the total weight of the filler.

15. Tire tread according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that at least one additional filler is carbon black.

16. Tire tread according to claim 15, characterized in that the total fill load varies from 30 phr to 100 phr and silica is present in an amount varying from 30 phr to 99 phr and carbon black is present in an amount varying from 1 phr to 30 phr.

17. Tire tread pattern, according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the tread has a thickness ranging from 4 mm to 150 mm.

18. Tire tread, according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized by the fact that the Petition 870250081842, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page. 48 / 61 4 / 4 minus one elastomer is selected from natural rubber, functionalized natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, functionalized polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, isobutylene-based elastomers, polychloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, polysulfide rubber, polyacrylate elastomers, fluoroelastomers, perfluoroelastomers, silicone elastomers, thermoplastic block copolymers and mixtures thereof.

19. Tire tread, according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that at least one elastomer comprises natural rubber in an amount of at least 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the elastomer.

20. Tire tread pattern, according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the tire tread pattern is selected from radial truck-bus (TBR) tire tread patterns.

21. Tire characterized by having a tread pattern as defined in any one of claims 1 to 20. Petition 870250081842, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pp. 49 / 61