Getting a Grip Gets Better, Thanks to Goodyear and GE

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 16, 2004 -- Two of the most respected names in American manufacturing and technical leadership have combined forces, bringing to light an innovation to an everyday product, with an intention to deliver peace of mind to consumers as they travel in any weather condition.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and General Electric -- specifically, GE Advanced Materials, Silicones -- teamed up for breakthrough technology in new auto tires from the world's largest tire manufacturer. A unique tire, Goodyear's Assurance featuring TripleTred Technology, is the result of this technology.

The TripleTred tire possesses so much advanced technology that it goes beyond all-weather capability, to an area Goodyear calls "ANY weather conditions" performance. The tire does this by incorporating three unique tread zones for superior traction in any kind of weather.

Scientists at GE's Tarrytown, NY labs developed a coupling agent (liquid chemical) named NXT* silane, which is an essential ingredient of the high-tech rubber compounds in the TripleTred.

"It sounds extremely high-tech, and it is," said David Benko, Goodyear's director of global materials R&D. "But, in effect, the recipe that we formulated with the assistance of GE Advanced Materials, Silicones enables us to mix together some advanced chemicals and technologies, which converts into a smoother manufacturing process."

Designing tire compounds is a complex exercise in science and physics. Much more is found in a tire than rubber, steel and polyester. Other ingredients might include carbon black for filler, and many different varieties of chemicals, oils, pigments and waxes.

Over the past 10 years, tire manufacturers have been adding silica to the carbon black filler material for added traction and improved rolling resistance. The addition of silica translates into lower fuel consumption due to lower rolling resistance when the tire meets the road. In the case of the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred tire, NXT silane improves the rate and ease with which the silica mixes into rubber.

"That's where some of our technology comes into play," said GE's Rick Cruse, research scientist. "We developed NXT silane to enhance silica dispersion. And, simultaneously, NXT silane provides coupling action with easy processing. Now, with NXT silane, silica compounds can be mixed hot, hard and fast in a single step, instead of long, slow, step-by-step mixing at low temperatures."

For Goodyear, the new Assurance featuring TripleTred Technology is the culmination of decades of research into the design, engineering and physics of all-weather tire technology.

An interlocking tread pattern creates an Ice Zone on the TripleTred, which translates into more gripping power on icy or snow-covered roads.

A Dry Zone feature is enhanced by reinforced tire shoulders for confident maneuvering around curves, potholes and unexpected road debris on dry pavement.

A unique Water Zone consisting of deeply carved Aquachutes is a key to the new tire's wet handling performance. These Aquachutes propel water away from the tire's tread to assure more tire contact with the road when the surface is rain-drenched.

"As we engineer our tires to deliver improved all-around performance, no matter the weather conditions, we are challenged with making the many different elements work together. In the case of Assurance featuring TripleTred Technology, our work with GE Advanced Materials - Silicones helps to achieve that balance," Benko said.

About Goodyear

Goodyear is the world's largest tire company. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, the company manufactures tires, engineered rubber products and chemicals in more than 80 facilities in 28 countries. It has marketing operations in almost every country around the world. Goodyear employs about 85,000 people worldwide.

For information about Goodyear Assurance tires, visit http://www.goodyearassurance.com/ . For other details about Goodyear, or to find the nearest Goodyear retailer, go to http://www.goodyear.com/ .

About GE

GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. Among its businesses are:

   - Plastics is a global plastics materials supplier and distributor, which
     serves customers in a variety of industries including aerospace,
     appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and
     optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices,
     telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles
     and devices, and packaging ( http://www.geplastics.com/ ).
   - Silicones, which includes GE Toshiba Silicones in the Pacific region
   and GE Bayer Silicones in Europe, offers silanes, specialty silicones,
   urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, resins and elastomers for a
   variety of industries such as personal care, automotive, tire and
   rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and
   institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and
   furnishings, foam control and consumer  ( http://www.gesilicones.com/ ).
   - Quartz provides high-purity quartz and advanced ceramic materials for
   the semiconductor, telecommunications, lighting, electronics, personal
   care, water purification and various other industries
   ( http://www.gequartz.com/ ).

GE is a diversified technology, media and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com/ .

*NXT is a trademark of General Electric Company.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Product images can be downloaded from Goodyear's media website at www.GoodyearNewsRoom.com.