Abstract: Novel functionalized rubbers having low hysteresis and good compatibility with fillers, such as carbon black and silica, have been synthesized. These functionalized rubbers, including functionalized polybutadiene rubber and functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber, can be beneficially used in making a wide variety of rubber products that have enhanced physical properties. These improved properties are realized because the functional groups therein improve compatibility with reinforcing fillers that are typically included in such rubber compounds. These functionalized rubbers are comprised of polymer chains of the structural formula: wherein Polydiene represents a polymer chain which is comprised of at least one diene monomer and wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent alkyl groups containing form 1 to 8 carbon atoms. These rubbers can also be functionally terminated with a silicon containing terminator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a vulcanization rubber composition, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising: from 30 to 90 phr of a first functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature Tg1 ranging from ?70 to ?50° C.; from 10 to 50 phr of a second functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature Tg2 ranging from ?110 to ?70° C.; wherein Tg2?Tg1 is at least 10° C.; from 0 to 40 phr of at least one additional elastomer; from 50 to 150 phr of silica; from 0 to 50 phr of a hydrocarbon resin; and from 10 to 50 phr of an oil.

Abstract: A sulfur-vulcanizable rubber compound comprises a silane functionalized diene elastomer, a silane coupling agent, and a silica filler. The silane coupling agent excludes an active sulfur moiety. The rubber compound is a reaction product of a siloxyl condensation reaction between the silane functionalized diene elastomer and the non-sulfur containing silane coupling agent. The coupling agent comprises at least one end terminating group reactive with a hydroxyl group contained on the silica filler and a silane moiety contained on a diene-based elastomer.

Abstract: A hydrogenated functionalized polymer comprises a functionalized polydiene, which selectively hydrogenated to a predetermined level of saturation along at least a polydiene portion of the functionalized polydiene. The functionalized polydiene is a reaction product of a living anionic elastomer initiated with a functionalized lithium initiator of the formula (I) wherein n is 1 to 8; and R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from alkyl groups containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The polymer is also a reaction product of (1) the living anionic elastomer and a functional terminator, both of which produce a polymer having chains of the structural formula (II) Each Polydiene represents polymer chains comprising at least one partially or fully hydrogenated diene monomer. R1 and R2 independently represent alkyl groups containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A sulfur-vulcanizable rubber compound comprises a silane functionalized diene elastomer, a silane coupling agent, and a silica filler. The silane coupling agent excludes an active sulfur moiety. The rubber compound is a reaction product of a siloxyl condensation reaction between the silane functionalized diene elastomer and the non-sulfur containing silane coupling agent. The coupling agent comprises at least one end terminating group reactive with a hydroxyl group contained on the silica filler and a silane moiety contained on a diene-based elastomer.

Abstract: Described herein are conductive rubber compositions including a rubber component and one or more electrically conductive carbon compounds. In another aspect, the conductive rubber compositions can be prepared by first adding the one or more conductive carbon components into the polymer phase, thereby creating a filler network in the continuous polymer phase in the finished product. In a further aspect, the conductive carbon component can be or include one or more of the following: carbon black, a short carbon fiber, graphite powder, or graphene powder. Following mixing, the conductive rubber compositions can optionally be vulcanized. The conductive rubber compositions have good mechanical properties and electrical resistivity and can be processed using existing equipment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rubber composition containing filler reinforcement comprised of precipitated silica with silica coupling agent therefore and conjugated diene-based elastomer which contains end-chain functionalization with multi-functional groups. The groups functionalizing the elastomer are multi-functional in the sense of containing one group reactive with at least one of said precipitated silica and silica coupling agent and another different group reactive with diene-based elastomers through sulfur cure of the rubber composition. A sulfur cured rubber composition containing said end-chain functionalization is provided. A tire is provided having a component comprised of said rubber composition. Representative of said tire component is a tire tread.

Abstract: Novel functionalized rubbers having low hysteresis and good compatibility with fillers, such as carbon black and silica, have been synthesized. These functionalized rubbers, including functionalized polybutadiene rubber and functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber, can be beneficially used in making a wide variety of rubber products that have enhanced physical properties. These improved properties are realized because the functional groups therein improve compatibility with reinforcing fillers that are typically included in such rubber compounds. These functionalized rubbers are comprised of polymer chains of the structural formula: wherein Polydiene represents a polymer chain which is comprised of at least one diene monomer and wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent alkyl groups containing form 1 to 8 carbon atoms. These rubbers can also be functionally terminated with a silicon containing terminator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized polymerization initiator, comprising the reaction product of an alkyl lithium compound and a compound of formula 1 wherein R1=alkyl (C1-C8), aryl, substituted aryl, or —SiR3 where R3 are independently C1-C8 alkyl, preferably —SiMe3 where Me is methyl, or —Si(CH3)2C(CH3)3; R2=C1-C8 alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, or —SiR3, preferably —CH3; and n=0-3. The invention is further directed to a method of making the functionalized inititiator, and a method of making a functionalized elastomer using the inititator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized polymerization initiator of formula I where R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C8 alkyl; R3, R4, and R5 are independently C1 to C8 alkyl or C6 to C14 aryl or a structure of formula II where R6, R7 are independently C1 to C8 alkyl or C6 to C14 aryl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I where X is Cl, Br, or I; m is an integer from 0 to 2, n is an integer from 1 to 3, with the proviso that n+m=3; R1, R2 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R1, R2 are independently —SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R1 and R2 taken together with their common nitrogen atom and optionally a sulfur or oxygen heteroatom to form a five to eight membered ring; R3 is hydrogen, or C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R3 is —SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R3 is —R6—R7, where R6 is C1 to C3 alkanediyl and R7 is selected from the following structures —S—Z, —N(R8)(R9), —O(Y), or Si(OR10)3, where R8 and R9 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, Y and Z are independently s

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I where X is Cl, Br, or I; m is an integer from 0 to 2, n is an integer from 1 to 3, with the proviso that n+m=3; R1, R2 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R1, R2 are independently —SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R1 and R2 taken together with their common nitrogen atom and optionally a sulfur or oxygen heteroatom to form a five to eight membered ring; R3 is hydrogen, or C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R3 is —SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R3 is -R6-R7, where R6 is C1 to C3 alkanediyl and R7 is selected from the following structures —S—Z, —N(R8)(R9), —O(Y), or Si(OR10)3, where R8 and R9 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, Y and Z are independently s

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a vulcanization rubber composition, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising: from 30 to 90 phr of a first functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature Tg1 ranging from ?70 to ?50° C.; from 10 to 50 phr of a second functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature Tg2 ranging from ?110 to ?70° C.; wherein Tg2?Tg1 is at least 10° C.; from 0 to 40 phr of at least one additional elastomer; from 50 to 150 phr of silica; from 0 to 50 phr of a hydrocarbon resin; and from 10 to 50 phr of an oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr): (A) from about 20 to about 100 phr of a solution polymerized functionalized isoprene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from ?100° C. to ?50° C., (B) from 0 to about 40 phr of a polybutadiene, (C) from 0 to 20 phr of a process oil, (D) from 40 to 80 phr of a resin having a Tg greater than 30° C., and (E) from 100 to 180 phr of silica.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer, wherein the functionalized elastomer is a copolymer of a first monomer and a second monomer, the first monomer selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene monomers and vinyl aromatic monomers, and the second monomer of formula 1 wherein R1=C1-C8 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, or —SiR3 where R3 are independently C1-C8 alkyl; R2=C1-C8 alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, or —SiR3; and n=0-3.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized polymerization initiator, comprising the reaction product of an alkyl lithium compound and a compound of formula wherein R1=alkyl (C1-C8), aryl, substituted aryl, or —SiR3 where R3 are independently C1-C8 alkyl, preferably —SiMe3 where Me is methyl, or —Si(CH3)2C(CH3)3; R2=C1-C8 alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, or —SiR3, preferably —CH3; and n=0-3. The invention is further directed to a method of making the functionalized inititiator, and a method of making a functionalized elastomer using the inititator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer, wherein the functionalized elastomer is a copolymer of a first monomer and a second monomer, the first monomer selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene monomers and vinyl aromatic monomers, and the second monomer of formula 1 wherein R1=C1-C8 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, or —SiR3 where R3 are independently C1-C8 alkyl; R2=C1-C8 alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, or —SiR3; and n=0-3.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I where X is Cl, Br, or I; m is an integer from 0 to 2, n is an integer from 1 to 3, with the proviso that n+m=3; R1, R2 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R1, R2 are independently —SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R1 and R2 taken together with their common nitrogen atom and optionally a sulfur or oxygen heteroatom to form a five to eight membered ring; R3 is hydrogen, or C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R3 is —SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R3 is —R6—R7, where R6 is C1 to C3 alkanediyl and R7 is selected from the following structures —S—Z, —N(R8)(R9), —O(Y), or Si(OR10)3, where R8 and R9 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, Y and Z are independently s

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I where X is Cl, Br, or I; m is an integer from 0 to 2, n is an integer from 1 to 3, with the proviso that n+m=3; R1, R2 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R1, R2 are independently —SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R1 and R2 taken together with their common nitrogen atom and optionally a sulfur or oxygen heteroatom to form a five to eight membered ring; R3 is hydrogen, or C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R3 is —SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R3 is —R6—R7, where R6 is C1 to C3 alkanediyl and R7 is selected from the following structures —S—Z, —N(R8)(R9), —O(Y), or Si(OR10)3, where R8 and R9 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, Y and Z are independently select

Abstract: This invention relates to a rubber composition containing filler reinforcement comprised of precipitated silica with silica coupling agent therefore and conjugated diene-based elastomer which contains end-chain functionalization with multi-functional groups. The groups functionalizing the elastomer are multi-functional in the sense of containing one group reactive with at least one of said precipitated silica and silica coupling agent and another different group reactive with diene-based elastomers through sulfur cure of the rubber composition. A sulfur cured rubber composition containing said end-chain functionalization is provided. A tire is provided having a component comprised of said rubber composition. Representative of said tire component is a tire tread.