TIRE RUBBER COMPOSITION USING PYRAZALONE-BASED COMPOUND

The present invention is directed to a tire layer (e.g., tire tread or carcass layer) having a rubber composition including a pyrazolone-based compound in combination with reinforcing filler material and optionally a processing aid, and tires using the same, that provides desirable tire performance properties, such as improvements in tear strength without negatively impacting stiffness or hysteresis. In one embodiment, the tire layer includes a rubber composition having an elastomer (e.g., natural or isoprene rubber), a pyrazolone-based compound, reinforcing filler selected from carbon black only, carbon black/silica blends only, or graphene, functionalized graphene, carbon nanotubes, functionalized carbon nanotubes or mixtures thereof further optionally with carbon black, and an optional processing aid, such as a metal glycerolate, in desirable amounts to provide enhanced tear strength without negatively impacting stiffness or hysteresis.