Abstract: The present invention is directed toward anionic polymerization initiators which are soluble in hydrocarbon solvents. The initiators include a lithio amine having the general formula ALi. The component A is a dialkyl or dicycloalkyl amine radical or a cyclic amine. The invention is also directed toward polymers and other products made using the initiator, and methods therefor. Further, the invention contemplates a polymer, a polymer composition and products therefrom, which include a functional group from the reaction product of an amine and an organolithium compound. The resulting polymers may be terminated with a terminating, coupling or linking agent, which may provide the polymer with a multifunctionality.

Abstract: A (halomethyl arene)-modified elastomer is made by reacting a lithium terminated elastomer intermediate with the halogen atoms of a halomethyl vinyl arene compound. A road-contacting tread component for a pneumatic tire is fabricated from vulcanized elastomer made by vulcanizing an elastomer composition of a (halomethyl arene)-modified elastomer, a carbon black reinforcing agent, and a sulfur-based vulcanizing system. A process for making a (halomethyl arene)-modified elastomer includes polymerizing at least one diene monomer with a lithium-containing initiator, capping the lithium terminated elastomer by reaction with a halomethyl arene compound, and recovering the modified elastomer.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a pneumatic tire includes a cured tread area, an outer sidewall area connected to the tread area, and an outer bead connected to the sidewall area at an end thereof and defining an opening for receiving a wheel. The tire also includes a pre-cured, elastomeric, decorative applique and an applique-contacting adhesive layer positioned between the sidewall and the applique. A method according to the present invention, of providing a cured pneumatic tire with a decorative outer sidewall, includes the step of bonding to the outer sidewall of the cured pneumatic tire a cured, elastomeric, decorative applique with an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A product and process for imparting decorative appliques to the sidewalls of tires during the curing operation are presented. In one embodiment, a spool of applique composite material is maintained for feeding into a tire mold or onto a transfer device, thereby defining a ring for vulcanization to a tire. The applique consists of a laminate received upon a carrier, the laminate having a first barrier layer and a congruent second decorative layer. The laminate is received by a tire sidewall between two grooves which serve to isolate the decorative layer from the tire itself. In another embodiment a laminate of white and barrier rubber stock is formed and then configured into a cylinder. A plurality of bands are cut from the cylinder then transferred to a fixture by reorienting the bands to conform to the angle of the sidewall of the tire at the point with which the band is to be adhered.

Abstract: Poly (vinyl sulfoxide)- and (vinyl sulfoxide)-capped elastomers made by capping a lithium terminated elastomer (such as a lithium terminated styrene-butadiene rubber) with more than 0.5 equivalent of vinyl sulfoxide monomer provide compounded elastomer vulcanizates of lowered hysteresis characteristics. Such low hysteresis vulcanizates are useful in making road-contacting tread components of pneumatic tires. Tires with such tread components exhibit low rolling resistance and reduced heat build-up during use.

Abstract: A vulcanizable elastomeric compound and products such as pneumatic tires and the like, are formed from a functionalized polymer having a functional group derived from an anionic polymerization initiator. The anionic polymerization initiator comprises the general formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 -R.sup.5 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; alkyls having from alkyls having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; aralkyls having from 7 to about 20 carbon atoms; dialkylaminos having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms; and, dialkylaminoalkyls having from 3 to about 20 carbon atoms. At least one of R.sup.1 -R.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of the dialkylaminos and the dialkylaminoalkyls. Methods of the present invention include preparing functionalized polymers and reducing the hysteresis of vulcanizable elastomeric compounds.

Abstract: High-performance tires comprising treads made of elastomer compositions comprising (A) ultra high molecular weight copolymer compositions of 1,3-conjugated dienes and aromatic vinyl compounds having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 1,000,000; (B) extender oil; and (C) carbon black are described. The ultra high molecular weight copolymer compositions which are also characterized as having an intrinsic viscosity in tetrahydrofuran of at least about 4.0 may be obtained by a process which comprises polymerizing a 1,3-conjugated diene and a vinyl aromatic compound in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a trimetalated 1-alkyne catalyst which comprises the reaction product of a 1-alkyne containing at least 4 carbon atoms, an organo metallic compound R.sup.o M and a 1,3-conjugated diene wherein R.sup.o is a hydrocarbyl group, M is an alkali metal, the mole ratio of R.sup.o M to 1-alkyne is about 3:1 and the mole ratio of conjugated diene to 1-alkyne is from about 2:1 to about 30:1.

Abstract: An anionic polymerization initiator comprising the reaction product of a functionalizing agent selected from the group consisting of substituted aldimines, ketimines and secondary amines and, an organolithium compound. Elastomeric polymers prepared with these initiators have functional sites incorporated at the initiator end of the polymer chain and provide vulcanizable rubber compounds exhibiting reduced hysteresis. Articles such as tires, produced with low hysteresis elastomeric polymers have lower rolling resistance. Methods are also provided for preparing the initiators, functionalized polymers and vulcanizable elastomeric compounds having reduced hysteresis.

Abstract: An anionic polymerization initiator comprising the reaction product of a an organatin halide and lithium in a suitable solvent. Elastomeric polymers prepared with these initiators have tin containing functional groups on substantially every polymer chain and provide vulcanizable rubber compounds exhibiting reduced hysteresis. Articles such as tires, produced with low hysteresis elastomeric polymers have lower rolling resistance. Methods are also provided for preparing the initiators and the elastomers having reduced hysteresis properties.

Abstract: Elastomer compositions comprising (A) ultra high molecular weight copolymer compositions of 1,3-conjugated dienes and aromatic vinyl compounds having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 1,000,000 and (B) oil are described. The ultra high molecular weight copolymer compositions which are also characterized as having an intrinsic viscosity in tetrahydrofuran of at least about 4.0 may be obtained by a process which comprises polymerizing a 1,3-conjugated diene and a vinyl aromatic compound in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a trimetalated 1-alkyne catalyst which comprises the reaction product of a 1-alkyne containing at least 4 carbon atoms, an organo metallic compound R.sup.o M and a 1,3-conjugated diene wherein R.sup.o is a hydrocarby group, M is an alkali metal, the mole ratio of R.sup.o M to 1-alkyne is about 3:1 and th mole ratio of conjugated diene to 1-alkyne is from about 2:1 to about 30:1.

Abstract: Block copolymers are described which comprise alternating blocks of (A) a polysiloxane; and (B) a copolymer of a 1,3-conjugated diene and a monovinyl aromatic compound. The block copolymers can be prepared by reacting a polysiloxane with a dilithiated copolymer of a conjugated diene and a monovinyl aromatic compound and thereafter neutralizing the reaction product with a protonic acid or a polyfunctional alkyl silane or silicon tetrachloride. Cured elastomer compositions exhibiting surface release characteristics are obtained by curing a mixture comprising the above-described block copolymer in the presence of a curing system comprising a peroxide and sulfur. Multilayer elastomer structures useful in manufacturing articles from elastomeric materials also are described wherein at least a portion of an outer layer of the multilayer elastomer structure has release characteristics and comprises the cured block copolymers of the present invention.

Abstract: A composition utilizing terminally functionalized diene polymers or diene-vinyl substituted aromatic copolymers and oxidized carbon black particulates dispersed therein has been found to provide reduced hysteresis properties and is particularly suited for use as rubber having reduced rolling resistance or hysteresis.The polymers and copolymers are preferably terminally functionalized with a compound having a nitrogen which acts as a Lewis base when bonded to the polymer. The oxidized carbon black is characterized by a relatively high acid content, with the acid sites of the carbon black interacting with the Lewis base sites on the polymer terminals to increase the carbon-polymer affinity.

Abstract: Modification of lithium-terminated elastomer intermediates by reaction under anionic conditions with 1,3,2-dioxastannolanes provides tin-containing elastomers with improved hysteresis properties. In specific examples, modification of a lithium-terminated styrene-butadiene rubber with a dioxastannolane derived from reaction of dibutyl tin(IV)oxide with an alkyl-substituted 1,3-pentane provides tin-modified SBRs with lowered tan delta properties. Such modified elastomers are useful in making tread portions of pneumatic tires.

Abstract: Tire fabric woven from filling yarn which consists essentially of from 40% to 80% by weight of polyester and from 60% to 20% by weight of high wet modulus rayon and has a cotton count ranging from 10/1 to 40/1 and warp cords consisting of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester and rayon and having a weight-per-unit-length ranging from 2100 to 5000 denier, which has a filling of 1.0 to 3.0 picks per inch and a warp of 15 to 35 ends per inch.

Abstract: A vulcanizable elastomeric compound and products such as pneumatic tires and the like, are formed from a functionalized polymer having a functional group derived from the polymerization initiator. The polymerization initiator is selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyls having from 3 to about 14 carbon atoms, and aryls having from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms. Methods of the present invention include preparing the initiator, preparing functionalized polymers and, reducing the hysteresis of vulcanizable elastomeric compounds.

Abstract: Spin finish concentrate composition and the oil-in-water emulsion made from the concentrate for application for conventional speed or high speed melt spinning processes for producing polyester or polyamide yarns, consists essentially of oil lubricant component, pentaerythritol ester lubricant, ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate of HLB ranging from 6 to 15, anionic antistatic agent, water soluble sulfosuccinate wetting agent, and oil soluble ethoxylated polymethylsiloxane wetting agent having molecular weight of 400 to 700 and an aqueous surface tension value of less than 21 dynes/cm. The concentrate has long term stability. The finish prepared from the concentrate produces excellent quality yarn with virtually no broken filaments, and leaves no deposits on heated draw rolls, relaxation rolls and any yarn guides during spinning and drawing operations.

Abstract: A continuous process is described for preparing copolymer compositions of 1,3-conjugated dienes and aromatic vinyl compounds having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 100,000, and in one embodiment above about 900,000. The process comprises:(A) continuously introducing into a reactor, a 1,3-conjugated diene, an aromatic vinyl compound, a hydrocarbon solvent and a polymerization catalyst comprising a trimetalated 1-alkyne wherein the catalyst is obtained by reacting at a temperature of above about 70.degree. C., a 1-alkyne containing at least 4 carbon atoms, an organo metallic compound, R.degree.M and a 1,3-conjugated diene wherein the alkyne is characterized by the formulaRCH.sub.2 C.tbd.CH (II)wherein R is an alkyl group, R.degree. is a hydrocarbyl group, M is an alkali metal, the mole ratio of R.degree.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solution-applied laminate release system useful in improving release properties toward uncured rubber to rubber bladders and, particularly, tire assembly machine (TAM) bladders having at least a portion of their outer surface covered with the releasing system comprised of (a) a primer system comprising (i) at least one layer of a halogenating treating agent and (ii) at least one layer of a silane coupling agent overlaid by (b) a layer of at least one layer of silicone release coating bonded to the silane coupling agent layer.

Abstract: An anionic polymerization initiator comprising the reaction product of a functionalizing agent selected from the group consisting of substituted aldimines, ketimines and secondary amines and, an organolithium compound. Elastomeric polymers prepared with these initiators have functional sites incorporated at the initiator end of the polymer chain and provide vulcanizable rubber compounds exhibiting reduced hysteresis. Articles such as tires, produced with low hysteresis elastomeric polymers have lower rolling resistance. Methods are also provided for preparing the initiators, fuctionalized polymers and vulcanizable elastomeric compounds having reduced hysteresis.

Abstract: An ultra high molecular weight copolymer compositions of 1,3-conjugated dienes and aromatic vinyl compounds having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 1,000,000 are described. The ultra high molecular weight copolymer compositions which are also characterized as having an intrinsic viscosity in tetrahydrofuran of at least about 4.0 may be obtained by a process which comprises polymerizing a 1,3-conjugated diene and a vinyl aromatic compound in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a trimetalated 1-alkyne catalyst which comprises the reaction product of a 1-alkyne containing at least 4 carbon atoms, an organo metallic compound R.degree.M and 1,3-conjugated diene wherein R.degree. is a hydrocarbyl group, M is an alkali metal, the mole ratio of R.degree.M to 1-alkyne is about 3:1 and the mole ratio of conjugated diene to 1-alkyne is from about 2:1 to about 30:1.