| abstract |
Diene rubber compositions are described containing a diene elastomer, a reinforcing inorganic filler, and a coupling agent wherein the inorganic filler includes a silica having the following characteristics: n (a) a BET specific surface area between 45 and 400 m 2 /g; (b) a CTAB specific surface area between 40 and 380 m 2 /g; (c) an average particle size (by mass), d w , of 20 to 300 nm; and at least one of the following characteristics, preferably two and more preferably all three: (d) a particle size distribution such that dw≧/CTAB)−30; (e) a porosity which meets the criterion L/FI≧−0.0025 CTAB+0.85; (f) an amount of silanols per unit of surface area, N SiOH/nm 2 ; N SiOH/nm 2 ≦−0.027 CTAB+10.5. These diene rubber compositions can be used for the manufacture of tires or of semi-finished products intended for tires. |