Abstract: The process of this invention can be utilized to stabilize tin-coupled rubbery polymers. This process involves adding a chelating diamine or a sodium alkoxide to the rubbery polymer after the tin coupling has been carried out. This invention more specifically discloses a process for improving the stability of a tin-coupled rubbery polymer which comprises adding a sodium alkoxide to the tin-coupled rubbery polymer subsequent to the time at which the tin-coupled rubbery polymer is coupled. Sodium alkoxide is a representative example of a sodium alkoxide that can be used to stabilize the tin-coupled rubbery polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl acetate-based composition which can be applied to a cured rubber surface, such as the white sidewall of a tire, to provide a protective coating against staining and scuffing. Preferably, the aqueous composition includes a polysiloxane agent for increasing the scuff resistance and high humidity resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrophilic nitrile rubber which is particularly useful in making photopolymer formulations for printing plates utilized in flexographic printing applications. The hydrophilic nitrile rubber of this invention is made by treating a standard carboxylated nitrile rubber with a sulfur trioxide/dimethylformamide complex. This invention more specifically discloses a process for preparing a hydrophilic nitrile rubber composition which is particularly useful in making photopolymer formulations for printing plates, said process comprising the steps of (1) reacting a carboxylated nitrile rubber with a complex of sulfur trioxide and dimethylformamide to produce a nitrile rubber containing sulfonated carboxyl groups and (2) reacting the nitrile rubber containing sulfonated carboxyl groups with a salt selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide to produce the hydrophilic nitrile rubber.

Abstract: This invention discloses a polymeric blend which is useful in manufacturing a wide variety of articles, said blend being comprised of (1) a thermoplastic polyurethane and (2) a rubbery polymer which is comprised of repeat units which are comprised of (a) butyl acrylate, (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate, (c) acrylonitrile, (d) styrene, (e) a surfactant selected from the group consisting of sulfonates and sulfate derivatives, (f) a dispersant selected from the group consisting of aromatic formaldehyde condensation products and polycarboxylates or optionally a half ester maleate soap and (g) a crosslinking agent. These blends can be utilized in a wide variety of applications, such as automotive door handles, buttons and knobs. For instance, such blends exhibit excellent characteristics for making buttons and knobs for radios, television sets and other electronic devices.

Abstract: There is a need for halogen-free polymeric compositions which offer increased heat and ultraviolet light resistance for utilization in automotive interiors. For instance, it is particularly critical for polymers which are utilized in making skin compounds for automotive instrument and door panels to display excellent heat and ultraviolet light resistance.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a latex blend which is particularly beneficial when utilized in manufacturing coatings for concrete structures, said latex being comprised of a blend of (1) from about 60 weight percent to about 95 weight percent of a first latex which is comprised of (a) water, (b) a polymer that is comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 30 to about 70 weight percent vinyl aromatic monomers, from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of at least one alkyl acrylate monomer, from about 1 to about 5 weight percent of acrylic acid and from about 0.4 to about 3 weight percent methacrylic acid, (c) about 0.2 phr to 0.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a styrene-butadiene polymer which comprises the steps of: (1) continuously charging 1,3-butadiene monomer, an organolithium compound, a polar modifier and an organic solvent into a first polymerization zone, (2) allowing the 1,3-butadiene monomer to polymerize in said first polymerization zone to a conversion of at least about 90 percent to produce a living polymer solution, (3) continuously withdrawing said living polymer solution from said first polymerization zone, (4) continuously charging divinyl benzene and the living polymer solution being withdrawn from the first polymerization zone into a second polymerization zone, (5) allowing the divinyl benzene monomer to react with the living polybutadiene chains in said second polymerization zone to produce a solution of living divinylbenzene modified butadiene polymer, (6) continuously withdrawing the solution of said divinylbenzene modified butadiene polymer from the second polymerization zone, (7) continuou

Abstract: Seals for automotive body applications (such as, windows, hoods, trunks and doors) and building applications (such as, window glazing gaskets and weather strips) should be dimensional stable, provide low compression set and offer outstanding sealing characteristics over a broad temperature range. They must be capable of sealing out noise, wind and water, while providing long-term ultraviolet light resistance.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly found that certain blends of styrene-butadiene rubber and platey filler exhibit both good gas barrier properties and good tensile fatigue properties. These blends accordingly have the requisite characteristics for a tire innerliner material. They offer the advantage of being much less expensive than halobutyl rubbers which can be employed for the same purpose. The present invention more specifically discloses a pneumatic tire having an integral innerliner wherein said innerliner is comprised of a blend of (1) from about 40 phr to about 99 phr of a first styrene-butadiene rubber having a bound styrene content of about 15 percent to about 30 percent, (2) from about 1 phr to about 60 phr of a high styrene content styrene-butadiene rubber having a bound styrene content of about 40 percent to about 60 percent, and (3) from about 40 phr to about 125 phr of platey filler.

Abstract: This invention relates to a latex for utilization in adhesive compositions for bonding synthetic fibers to natural or synthetic rubber. These latices can be produced at reduced cost and their utilization results in improved performance characteristics. This invention more specifically discloses a latex which is particularly useful for adhering synthetic fibers to rubber which is comprised of (a) water, (b) an emulsifier and (c) a polymer which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from (i) a conjugated diolefin monomer, (ii) a vinyl aromatic monomer, (iii) 2-vinylpyridine and (iv) a vinyl aldehyde monomer.

Abstract: There is a need for colorers which are utilized in automotive interiors which offer good color stability as well as a high level of Neat and ultraviolet light resistance. It is particularly critical for polymers which are utilized in making skin compounds for automotive instrument and door panels to have excellent color stability as well as excellent heat and ultraviolet light resistance.

Abstract: A halobutyl rubber is generally used in the innerliner of pneumatic tires to retard the escape of air used to inflate the tire, thereby maintaining tire pressure. Since halobutyl rubbers, such as bromobutyl rubber, are generally the most expensive elastomers used in tires, it is desirable from a standpoint of cost reduction to reduce the level of halobutyl rubbers used in tires. The present invention relates to a technique for reducing the quantity of halobutyl rubber utilized in the innerliner of tubeless pneumatic vehicle tires. The present invention more specifically relates to a tire innerliner and pneumatic tires containing the same, which are prepared from a composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber, a blend of (1) about 50 parts to about 90 parts of a halobutyl rubber and (2) about 10 parts to about 50 parts of a styrene-isoprene-butadiene terpolymer rubber having a first glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -110.degree. C. to about -20.degree. C.

Abstract: The synthesis of cis-1,4-polyisoprene by polymerizing isoprene with a catalyst system which is comprised of a titanium tetrahalide, a trialkylaluminum compound and diphenylether is plagued with the formation of gel. This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that gel formation can be reduced by conducting such polymerizations in the presence of a diarylamine, such as para-styrenated diphenylamine. The subject invention more specifically discloses a process for synthesizing cis-1,4-polyisoprene having a low gel content which comprises polymerizing isoprene in an inert organic solvent with a preformed catalyst system which is made by reacting an organoaluminum compound with titanium tetrahalide, such as titanium tetrachloride, in the presence of at least one ether, wherein said polymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., and wherein said polymerization is conducted in the presence of a diarylamine.

Abstract: This invention reveals an initiator system which is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator, (b) a sodium alkoxide and (c) a polar modifier; wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.05:1 to about 3:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the polar modifier to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.25:1 to about 5:1. The subject invention also discloses a process for preparing 3,4-polyisoprene rubber which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer with a lithium initiator at a temperature which is within the range of about 30.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. in the presence of a sodium alkoxide and a polar modifier, wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.05:1 to about 3:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the polar modifier to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.25:1 to about 5:1.

Abstract: It has been determined that rubbery terpolymers of a conjugated diolefin monomer, a vinyl aromatic monomer, and N-(isobutoxymethyl) acrylamide (IBMA) can be used to modify asphalt cement to greatly enhance the resistance to shoving, rutting, and low temperature cracking of asphalt concretes made therewith. These rubbery polymers have a Mooney viscosity which is within the range of about 35 to about 80. It has further been determined that these rubbery terpolymers are compatible with virtually all types of asphalt. It is particularly preferred for the rubbery polymers of this invention to also contain repeat units which are derived from hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA).

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that cured rubber can be devulcanized by heating it to a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4.times.10.sup.6 Pascals in the presence of 2-butanol. The molecular weight of the rubber can be maintained at a relatively high level if the devulcanization is carried out in the presence of the 2-butanol at a temperature of no more than about 300.degree. C. This devulcanization technique does not significantly change the microstructure of the rubber and it can accordingly be used in the same types of applications as was the original rubber. In other words, the devulcanized rubber can be recompounded and recurred into useful articles in substantially the same way as was the original rubber.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for producing a high strength filament, said process comprising the steps of: (1) heating a steel wire to a temperature which is within the range of about 850.degree. C. to about 1100.degree. C. for a period of at least about 2 seconds; wherein said steel wire consists essentially of about 96.61 to about 98.905 weight percent iron, from about 0.72 to about 1.04 weight percent carbon, from about 0.3 to about 0.8 weight percent manganese, from about 0.05 to about 0.4 weight percent silicon, from about 0.02 to about 0.3 weight percent copper, and from about 0.005 to about 0.85 weight percent of at least one member selected from the group consisting of chromium, vanadium, nickel and boron, with the proviso that the total amount of silicon, manganese, chromium, vanadium, nickel and boron in the microalloyed high carbon steel is within the range of about 0.7 to 0.

Abstract: Seals for automotive body applications (such as, windows, hoods, trunks and doors) and building applications (such as, window glazing gaskets and weather strips) should be dimensional stable, provide low compression set and offer outstanding sealing characteristics over a broad temperature range. They must be capable of sealing out noise, wind and water, while providing long-term ultraviolet light resistance.

Abstract: By utilizing the vapor phase polymerization techniques of the present invention, numerous distinct and highly beneficial advantages are realized. For instance, cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber and high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber having a consistent and controllable molecular weight can be easily and practically prepared without utilizing a solvent. The subject invention more specifically discloses a method for vapor phase polymerizing isoprene into cis-1,4-polyisoprene in a process comprising the steps of:(1) charging into a reaction zone said isoprene and a preformed catalyst system which is made by reacting an organoaluminum compound with titanium tetrachloride, preferably in the presence of at least one ether; wherein the isoprene is maintained in the vapor phase in said reaction zone by a suitable combination of temperature and pressure;(2) allowing said isoprene to polymerize into cis-1,4-polyisoprene in said reaction zone at a temperature within the range of about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a pneumatic tire having an outer circumferential tread wherein said tread is a sulfur-cured rubber composition comprised of (a) an isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber, said isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber being comprised of a butadiene block and an isoprene-butadiene block, wherein said butadiene block has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 25,000 to about 350,000, wherein said isoprene-butadiene block has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 25,000 to about 350,000, wherein said isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber has essentially one glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -100.degree. C. to about -70.degree. C., wherein said isoprene-butadiene diblock polymer has a Mooney ML-4 viscosity at 100.degree. C.