The invention relates to a rubber composition which contains
starch/plasticizer composite, precipitated silica and carbon black
reinforcement together with a coupling agent wherein the coupling agent is
an organosilane polysulfide having an average of from about 2 to about 2.6
connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge. The invention provides
for a chemical reaction between a coupling agent and silica which is
substantially decoupled from a reaction between a coupling agent and
starch/plasticizer to form a filler reinforcement network in situ within
the elastomer host followed by a subsequent phase mixing of the carbon
black therewith. The invention further relates to the resulting rubber
composition and articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least
one component comprised of said rubber composition.
