Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a directly bonded moiety, which can be located at a terminus of the polymer, defined by the formula —NH—NR1R2 where R1 and R2 independently are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, allyl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkynyl groups, or together form a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, alkenylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, or arylene group. The functionalized polymer can be provided by reacting a living polymer with a hydrazone. Such polymers can be used in the production of compositions that include particulate fillers.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and, bonded thereto, a functional group having the general formula —NQOR1 where R1 is a hydrogen atom or —CH2Z where Z is a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkenaryl, aralkenyl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group and where Q is a moiety connected to the nitrogen atom of the functional group through a C, N, O, or S atom. The material can be the reaction product of a living polymer and a compound that includes nitroso functionality. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black.

Abstract: A tire comprising a tread, where the tread includes a vulcanized rubber, from about 5 to about 80 parts by weight of a nylon-containing block copolymer per 100 parts by weight of the vulcanized rubber, and from about 1 to about 100 parts by weight filler per 100 parts by weight of the vulcanized rubber.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing syndiotactic 1,2-polybutaidene, the process comprising the steps of (1) polymerizing monomer consisting essentially of 1,3-butadeine monomer within an organic solvent that includes at least 50% by weight of aliphatic solvent by using an iron-based catalyst composition, where said step of polymerizing occurs at a temperature above about 65° C., thereby forming a supersaturated solution of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutaidene, (2) maintaining the supersaturated solution of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutaidene at a temperature above about 65° C. until isolation of the syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene is desired, and (3) isolating the syndiotactic 1,2-polybutaidene from the supersaturated solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a polymer composition having quaternary alkane units and aromatic hydrocarbon units. The aromatic hydrocarbon units have substituents of the general formula R1SiR2R3R4, wherein R1 is optional and is a hydrocarbon or ether linking the silicon and the aromatic hydrocarbon, and R2, R3, and R4 are one or more of hydrogen, alkyl, and alkoxy, with the provision that no more than two may be hydrogen or alkyl.

Abstract: A conductive polymer gel composition including a copolymer with alkenyl monomer units and maleimide monomer units, a crosslinking agent, and an electrolyte solution. The conductive polymer has a current resistance less than or equal to 10−4 ohms and can be used to provide electrolyte cells.

Abstract: A reacted polymer composition including a poly(alkenyl-co-maleimide), a copolymer, and a compatibilizer residue. The copolymer includes at least one alkenyl contributed unit and at least one additional alkenyl contributed unit including a halogen substituent.

Abstract: A polymer nano-particle composition is provided. The composition includes polymer nano-particles having a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a surface layer comprising a crystalline polyolefin. The nano-particles preferably have a mean average diameter of less than about 100 nm.

Abstract: A method for forming a vulcanizable composition of matter, the method comprising providing a polymer cement or latex comprising at least one rubber, adding at least one processing aid to the cement or latex to form a modified rubber cement or latex, isolating the rubber and at least one processing aid to form a premix, and mixing the premix with carbon black.

Abstract: A gel composition that is the combination of or reaction product of ingredients comprising a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer, a nylon-grafted elastomer, and an extender.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) an iron-containing compound, (b) an &agr;-acylphosphonate diester, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) (i) a halogen-containing iron compound or (ii) an iron-containing compound and a halogen-containing compound, (b) an &agr;-acylphosphonate diester, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: A stabilized high-vinyl polybutadiene composition comprising a high-vinyl polybutadiene, and an antioxidant defined by the formula 1

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) an molybdenum-containing compound, (b) a silyl phosphonate, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) an iron-containing compound, (b) a silyl phosphonate, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) a chromium-containing compound; (b) an organomagnesium compound; and (c) a silyl phosphonate. also, a process for forming conjugated diene polymers by using the catalyst composition.

Abstract: A unistage drum (1) for building tires (2) , the drum (1) having two half-drums (13), each of which has a ring of sectors (43a) movable by a first actuator (37, 46) to and from an expanded position to clamp a respective bead (7); each sector (43a) being defined by a first and a second block (49, 50) defined externally by respective cylindrical surfaces (55a, 55) and having respective mutually-contacting inclined surfaces (52, 53); and the second block (50) sliding on the first (49), by virtue of a second actuator (33, 37), to and from an outer position in which the second block (50) defines a relative portion of an annular shoulder (56) located, in use, between the two beads (7) and in a position adjacent to one of the beads (7).

Abstract: A heavy-transport radial tire (1) having two annular shoulder cushions (14) made of elastomeric material with a relatively low M200% modulus, and each located at a respective shoulder (9) between a reinforced body ply (4) and a tread belt (10) defined by a number of superimposed tread plies (11); and wherein a belt cushion gum strip (18), made of elastomeric material with a relatively high M200% modulus but lower than the M200% modulus of a coating skim (13) of the reinforced tread plies (11), is interposed between each annular shoulder cushion (14) and the tread belt (10) to cover at least the respective edges (20, 22) of those (11a, 11b) of the reinforced tread plies (11) facing the annular shoulder cushion (14).

Abstract: A heavy-transport radial tire (1), the tread (2) of which has a number of circumferential main grooves (4) and, at each shoulder (3), a circumferential decoupling groove (5) defining a peripheral rib (6), which contacts the ground along a respective annular contact portion (9) and, in section, is of tapered shape defined by a taper (8) formed along an outer surface of the peripheral rib (6) and imparting a substantially truncated-cone shape to the respective shoulder (3).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a conveyor belt having an elongate body made of uncured rubber and/or synthetic rubber. A polymeric parting material is placed adjacent to the upper and lower surfaces of the body, and heated platens are applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the body (i.e. belt material) to soften the adjacent upper and lower layer portions of the belt. This causes the softened belt material to flow into interstitial openings in the parting material. The resulting belt has the parting material squeezed into a thinner layer and embedded in the adjacent surface portions of the body of the belt. This provides a substantially uniform and reflectively soft texture surface.