Pelletized fluffy carbon black composite, preparation of rubber composition thereof and article of manufacture

This invention relates to preparation and use of a pelletized composite comprising a dispersion of fluffy (low apparent density) carbon black aggregates in a conjugated diene-based elastomer binder therefor instead of a non-elastomeric polymeric binder. Such composite is prepared by blending non-pelletized, fluffy rubber reinforcing carbon black aggregates with an aqueous dispersion or organic solvent solution of at least one conjugated diene-based elastomer, drying the mixture to form a composite thereof and pelletizing the composite. The resultant pelletized composite desirably contains a relatively high carbon black concentration, desirably is free-flowing, and thereby in a form of a deliverable particulate carbon black for blending with at least one other elastomer, and suitable rubber compounding ingredients, to form a rubber composition which may be used to form various carbon black reinforced rubber products as components of articles of manufacture. Such article of manufacture may be, for example, a tire. Such article may also be an industrial product such as, for example, a hose or belt such as a conveyor belt or power transmission belt.