Abstract: Rubber blends including natural rubber and at least one propylene-based elastomer are provided herein. The rubber blends have good anti-aging properties as well as high gloss. Methods of making the rubber blends and articles made from the rubber blends, such as tires, are also provided.

Abstract: A cured elastomer comprising: an elastomer at 100 parts per hundred rubber (phr); and an expandable thermoplastic microsphere at about 0.1 to about 10 phr. Such a cured elastomer can be used, optionally with additives, in an air barrier article that is selected from the group consisting of a tire innerliner, a pneumatic tire, a tire curing bladder, an air sleeves, a diaphragm, and a hose. With microspheres the compounded cured elastomer shows a reduction in specific gravity and a reduction in permeability. Both of these properties are highly desirable in tire design and performance.

Abstract: Rubber blends including natural rubber and at least one propylene-based elastomer are provided herein. The rubber blends have good anti-aging properties as well as high gloss. Methods of making the rubber blends and articles made from the rubber blends, such as tires, are also provided.

Abstract: Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) may comprise a vulcanizable elastomer rubber, a thermoplastic polymer, and a plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer comprises a solid resin. Methods include introducing to a blender a masterbatch comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a curative, a vulcanizable elastomer rubber, a second thermoplastic polymer, and 25 parts to 250 parts of a plasticizer by weight of the vulcanizable elastomer rubber. The first and second thermoplastic polymers combined are 20 parts to 250 parts by weight of the vulcanizable elastomer rubber, and the plasticizer comprises a solid resin. The masterbatch, thermoplastic resin, and plasticizer are then dynamically vulcanized in at least a portion of the vulcanizable elastomer rubber to form a thermoplastic vulcanizate.

Abstract: To obtain an elastomeric composite crumb having a majority of the particle size distribution greater than 0.33 cm, the crumb is obtained by a process whereby the elastomeric composite comprises less than about 0.5 phr of a salt of a C8 to C20 carboxylic acid, or 10 to 20 phr of a tackifying resin or a combination of both an absence of carboxylic acid and the presence of the tackifying resin. The use of one or both methods permits control of crumb particle size distribution in emulsion or solution processes for producing elastomeric nanocomposites. The elastomeric composite is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elastomeric composition comprising at least one elastomer and a hydrocarbon polymer additive, wherein the hydrocarbon polymer additive has a glass transition temperature in the range of about 40 to about 70° C. and is selected from at least one of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-based polymer, a cyclopentadiene (CPD)-based polymer, a DCPD-styrene copolymer, a C5 homopolymer and copolymer resin, a C5-styrene copolymer resin, a terpene homopolymer or copolymer resin, a pinene homopolymer or copolymer resin, a C9 homopolymer and copolymer resin, a C5/C9 copolymer resin, an alpha-methyl styrene homopolymer or copolymer resin, and combinations thereof; and wherein, the composition has a permeability coefficient at 40° C. of 1 cc*mm/(m2-day)*mmHg or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elastomeric nanocomposite composition, the composition comprising at least one elastomer, at least one nanofiller, and an ionomer stabilizer in the amount of at least about 0.5 phr of the composition, the elastomer comprising units derived from isoolefins having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms and at least one multiolefin, and the nanofiller consisting of a layered filler, wherein the stabilizer is added to improve the stability of the Mooney viscosity of the composition over time.

Abstract: To obtain an elastomeric composite crumb having a majority of the particle size distribution greater than 0.33 cm, the crumb is obtained by a process whereby the elastomeric composite comprises less than about 0.5 phr of a salt of a C8 to C20 carboxylic acid, or 10 to 20 phr of a tackifying resin or a combination of both an absence of carboxylic acid and the presence of the tackifying resin. The use of one or both methods permits control of crumb particle size distribution in emulsion or solution processes for producing elastomeric nanocomposites. The elastomeric composite is also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastomeric nanocomposite contains: (a) at least one elastomer comprising units derived from isoolefins having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms; (b) at least 10 phr of a carbon black; and (c) at least 1 phr of a nanoclay; wherein when the nanocomposite is used in an article, the article has a gas permeation coefficient of 80.0 cc*mm/[m2-day] at 40° C. The carbon black may be graphitized to reduce interactions between the carbon black and the nanoclays. The elastomeric nanocomposite may, with or without the use of the graphitized carbon black, may calendared or extruded in such a manner as to orient the nanoclay platelets within the composition such that the oriented nanoclay elastomer nanocomposite has an orientation parameter of greater than 0.15.

Abstract: Provided are elastomeric compositions comprising at least one elastomer and a hydrocarbon polymer additive. Preferably the hydrocarbon polymer additive comprises from 60 to 90% piperylene, from 5 to 15% cyclic components, from 5 to 20% styrenic components, up to 5% isoprene, up to 5% indenic components, and up to 10% amylene. Also provided are elastomeric compositions comprising at least one elastomer and a hydrocarbon polymer additive, wherein the hydrocarbon polymer additive has a molecular weight of from 520 to 650 g/mole and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from 48 to 53° C. The elastomeric compositions are particularly useful in making tires and other cured rubber articles.

Abstract: A nanocomposite is formed from at least one copolymer and at least one nanofiller. The copolymer is formed of units derived from isoolefins having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms and multiolefins. The nanofiller comprising a surfactant wherein the surfactant has the structure of (R1R2R3R4)N+ wherein R1 is benzyl derived unit, which may or may not be substituted, wherein R2 is selected from C1 to C26 alkyls, C2 to C26 alkenes, and C3 to C26 aryls, and wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are independently selected from C9 to C26 alkyls, C9 to C26 alkenes, and C9 to C26 aryls.

Abstract: A layered structure suitable for use in a pneumatic tire as an innerliner is prepared by directly bonding a fluid permeation prevention film and an adhesive tie layer. Prior to the bonding, the fluid permeation prevention layer is treated to remove any residual plasticizers or oils on the surface of the film. The tie layer comprises 100 weight % of at least one halogenated isobutylene containing elastomer and about 1 to about 20 parts per hundred (phr) of at least one tackifier. The fluid permeation prevention film comprises an elastomeric component dispersed in a vulcanized or partially vulcanized state, as a discontinuous phase, in a matrix of the thermoplastic resin component. The two layers of the layered structure may be separately extruded and then adhered to each other or adhered to each other during a calendaring operation wherein the adhesive tie layer composition is coated onto the treated film.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer having isotactic polypropylene crystallinity compounded with a blend rubber wherein the terpolymer can be present in an amount effective to improve tack, aged tensile strength retention, fatigue resistance, ozone cracking resistance, and reversion resistance. Also disclosed is an elastomer composition wherein the terpolymer can have at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units, at least 6 wt % ethylene-derived units and from 0.3 to 10 wt % diene-derived units, and a tire sidewall composition comprising from 10 to 30 phr terpolymer, from 20 to 60 phr natural rubber, from 20 to 60 phr polybutadiene rubber, and an optional secondary blend rubber. Also disclosed is a vulcanizate of the elastomer composition, and articles, tire sidewalls, tires, retreaded tires, bias truck tires, off-road tires, and passenger automobile tires made with the vulcanizate. Further disclosed are processes for making molded articles and tires, and for retreading tires.

Abstract: An elastomeric compositions having improved impermeability is disclosed. The cured elastomeric composition may comprise at least one C4-C7 monoolefin elastomer, a hydrocarbon polymer additive, and a clay. In some embodiments, the cured elastomeric composition has a permeation coefficient at 40° C. of 90 cc*mm/(m2-day) or less. In some embodiments, the elastomeric composition is substantially free of naphthenic oil.

Abstract: A layered structure suitable for use in a pneumatic tire as an innerliner is prepared by directly bonding a fluid permeation prevention film and an adhesive tie layer. Prior to the bonding, the fluid permeation prevention layer is treated to remove any residual plasticizers or oils on the surface of the film. The tie layer comprises 100 weight % of at least one halogenated isobutylene containing elastomer and about 1 to about 20 parts per hundred (phr) of at least one tackifier. The fluid permeation prevention film comprises an elastomeric component dispersed in a vulcanized or partially vulcanized state, as a discontinuous phase, in a matrix of the thermoplastic resin component. The two layers of the layered structure may be separately extruded and then adhered to each other or adhered to each other during a calendaring operation wherein the adhesive tie layer composition is coated onto the treated film.

Abstract: An elastomeric nanocomposite contains: (a) at least one elastomer comprising units derived from isoolefins having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms; (b) at least 10 phr of a carbon black; and (c) at least 1 phr of a nanoclay; wherein when the nanocomposite is used in an article, the article has a gas permeation coefficient of 80.0 cc*mm/[m2-day] at 40° C. The carbon black may be graphitized to reduce interactions between the carbon black and the nanoclays. The elastomeric nanocomposite may, with or without the use of the graphitized carbon black, may calendared or extruded in such a manner as to orient the nanoclay platelets within the composition such that the oriented nanoclay elastomer nanocomposite has an orientation parameter of greater than 0.15.

Abstract: A nanocomposite is formed from at least one copolymer and at least one nanofiller. The copolymer is formed of units derived from isoolefins having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms and multiolefins. The nanofiller comprising a surfactant wherein the surfactant has the structure of (R1R2R3R4)N+ wherein R1 is benzyl derived unit, which may or may not be substituted, wherein R2 is selected from C1 to C26 alkyls, C2 to C26 alkenes, and C3 to C26 aryls, and wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are independently selected from C9 to C26 alkyls, C9 to C26 alkenes, and C9 to C26 aryls.

Abstract: An elastomeric compositions having improved impermeability is disclosed. The cured elastomeric composition may comprise at least one C4-C7 monoolefin elastomer, a hydrocarbon polymer additive, and a clay. In some embodiments, the cured elastomeric composition has a permeation coefficient at 40° C. of 90 cc*mm/(m2-day) or less. In some embodiments, the elastomeric composition is substantially free of naphthenic oil.

Abstract: Provided are elastomeric compositions comprising at least one elastomer and a hydrocarbon polymer additive. Preferably the hydrocarbon polymer additive comprises from 60 to 90% piperylene, from 5 to 15% cyclic components, from 5 to 20% styrenic components, up to 5% isoprene, up to 5% indenic components, and up to 10% amylene. Also provided are elastomeric compositions comprising at least one elastomer and a hydrocarbon polymer additive, wherein the hydrocarbon polymer additive has a molecular weight of from 520 to 650 g/mole and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from 48 to 53° C. The elastomeric compositions are particularly useful in making tires and other cured rubber articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer having isotactic polypropylene crystallinity compounded with a blend rubber wherein the terpolymer can be present in an amount effective to improve tack, aged tensile strength retention, fatigue resistance, ozone cracking resistance, and reversion resistance. Also disclosed is an elastomer composition wherein the terpolymer can have at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units, at least 6 wt % ethylene-derived units and from 0.3 to 10 wt % diene-derived units, and a tire sidewall composition comprising from 10 to 30 phr terpolymer, from 20 to 60 phr natural rubber, from 20 to 60 phr polybutadiene rubber, and an optional secondary blend rubber. Also disclosed is a vulcanizate of the elastomer composition, and articles, tire sidewalls, tires, retreaded tires, bias truck tires, off-road tires, and passenger automobile tires made with the vulcanizate. Further disclosed are processes for making molded articles and tires, and for retreading tires.