Abstract: A process for preparing a modified asphalt binder composition, the process comprising mixing asphalt, an unsaturated polymer, and phosphorus pentasulfide to form a modified asphalt composition.

Abstract: A process for removing residual polymer from polymerization equipment by combining a degelling agent, residual polymer, and solvent.

Abstract: A gel composition that is the combination of or reaction product of ingredients comprising a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer comprising polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-ethylene/propylene)-b-polystyrene, a nylon-grafted elastomer, and an extender.

Abstract: A vulcanizate comprising a rubber, and a damping component that is prepared by preparing a mixture of living polymers that include living polymers with at least two living ends and living polymers with one living end to form a mixture of living polymers, and coupling the mixture of living polymers with a coupling agent that has at least three reactive functionalities.

Abstract: A process for forming a copolymer comprising the steps of (i) preparing a living polymer segment by using anionic polymerization techniques, (ii) modifying the living polymer by reacting it with an alkyl metal halide to form an organometallic polymeric intermediate, and (iii) preparing a second polymer segment from the organometallic polymeric intermediate by combining the intermediate, conjugated diene monomer, and a coordination catalyst that will polymerize the conjugated diene monomer.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene, 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-polybutadiene, (2) maintaining the supersaturated solution of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene at a temperature above about 65° C. until isolation of the syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene is desired, and (3) isolating the syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene from the supersaturated solution.

Abstract: A method of preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the steps of initiating the formation and propagation of an anionically-polymerized living polymer, and terminating the propagation of the living polymer by reacting the polymer with a terminating agent selected from the group of agents defined by the formulas (III), (IV), and (V) where C is a carbon atom, S is a sulfur atom, X is a halogen atom, R2 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen and carbon-based moieties, and where the phenyl groups are selected from unsubstituted and substituted phenyl groups.

Abstract: A process for preparing highly functionalized polymers comprising the steps of admixing anionically-polymerizable monomers and at least one anionic-polymerization initiator to form an admixture of living polymers, adding at least one lithium alkoxide stabilizer to the admixture of living polymers to form a stabilized admixture, and adding a functionalizing agent to the stabilized admixture.

Abstract: A vulcanizate that has improved damping properties where the vulcanizate is prepared by the steps comprising blending an unsaturated damping additive within a vulcanizable composition of matter, wherein the vulcanizable composition of matter includes a vulcanizable elastomer, and effecting vulcanization of the elastomer.

Abstract: A method for increasing the damping properties of tire rubber comprising the steps of adding an unsaturated damping additive to a vulcanizable composition of matter, and processing the vulcanizable composition of matter containing the damping additive into tire rubber.