Abstract: An initiator is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers, to provide a functional head group on the polymer. A polymer having a functional head group derived from a sulfur containing anionic initiator, and optionally as additional functional group resulting from the use of a functional terminating reagent, coupling agent or linking agent is also provided. A method is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers comprising the step of polymerizing the monomers with a sulfur containing anionic initiator to provide a functional head group on the polymer. An elastomeric compound, comprising a functional polymer and filler is also described. Also provided is a tire having decreased rolling resistance resulting from a tire component containing a vulcanizable elastomeric compound.

Abstract: A polymer nano-particle composition is provided. The composition includes polymer nano-particles having a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a surface layer comprising a crystalline polyolefin. The nano-particles preferably have a mean average diameter of less than about 100 nm.

Abstract: A method of preparing curable-rubber mixtures containing silica, for producing treads, wherein, in the course of a first step, at least a cross-linkable unsaturated-chain polymer base, a silica-based reinforcing filler, and a silane bonding agent are loaded simultaneously and mixed together inside a mixer, the first step being stopped on reaching a temperature ranging from 155° C. to 175° C.; wherein, in the course of a second step, at least one noncuring ingredient is added to and homogeneously dispersed in the mixture being prepared, the second step being stopped on reaching a temperature ranging from 145° C. to 175° C.; and wherein, in the course of a third step, at least one curing agent is added to and homogeneously dispersed in the mixture being prepared; the third step being stopped at a temperature below the curing temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides an amide compound as a processing aid to improve the dispersion of silica reinforcing filler in a rubber composition, while reducing or eliminating the use of expensive bifunctional silica coupling agents. The invention further provides a vulcanizable elastomeric composition and vulcanized elastomeric products, especially pneumatic tires that exhibit decreased rolling resistance, hysteresis, and improved snow, ice, and wet traction.

Abstract: A vulcanized elastomeric composition of matter comprises the reaction product of a sulfur-containing reagent with an anionic living polymer, the reagent being selected from the group consisting of R3—Si—S—R′—X, where R can all be the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of alkyls having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyls having from 3 to 11 carbon atoms, or an arylene having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen, to form a R3—Si—S—R′ ended polymer; a filler; processing oil; and a cure package containing a deprotecting agent and at least one sulfur cure accelerator.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacture of a polymer including branched and linear components comprising first polymerizing conjugated diene(s) in the presence of an organometallic initiator to a conversion that is at least 90% complete. A coupling agent is added to obtain a polymer including branched and linear components. The coupling agent is added at a ratio of about 0.3 to about 0.6 coupling equivalents to initiator equivalents.

Abstract: A silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound comprises 100 parts by weight of an elastomer; from about 5 to about 100 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler per 100 parts of elastomer, wherein the reinforcing fillers are selected from the group consisting of carbon black and silica filler; from 0 to about 20 percent by weight of a silane, based upon the weight of the silica filler; a cure agent; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 40 parts by weight of an additional filler other than silica or carbon black, with the provisos that at least one of the processing aids or additional fillers are present; that if the processing aid is sorbitan monooleate,

Abstract: A soft gel composition includes a hydrogenated block copolymer, a polyphenylene ether, substantially amorphous polyolefin or hydrogenated polydiene, and a compatibilizer blended in respective proportions sufficient to provide the composition with a Shore A hardness of no more than about 30 and a service temperature of up to about 150° C.

Abstract: A rubber-modified asphalt composition is provided. The asphalt composition includes asphalt, a rubber including at least high vinyl poly(conjugated diene), and at least one phenolic curing resin. The high vinyl poly(conjugated diene) has a vinyl content of at least 35%. The use of phenolic curing agents results in improvements to the softening point of the present asphalt composition while also improving toughness and tenacity.

Abstract: A method for constructing a ballasted roof system (20) includes the steps of installing a roofing membrane (14) onto a roof structure (12). A ballast (16, 32) is disposed on the roofing membrane, wherein the ballast has applied thereto a reflective paint (21) to improve the solar reflective properties of the ballasted roof system. The improved roofing system has solar reflective properties at least 35%.

Abstract: A rubber-modified asphalt composition is provided. The rubber includes at least a polydiene and may further include vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer contributed units. The rubber is cured by a bismaleimide. The present composition demonstrates improvements in the softening point of the asphalt composition.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomers containing hard segments formed from polyalkylenes and soft segments formed from elastomeric polymers near their gelation point are formed. Compositions containing these materials are elastomeric and exhibit excellent damping capabilities over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies.

Abstract: A vibration damping device is mounted between two spaced portions of a vehicle for absorbing road forces exerted on the vehicle. A cylindrical housing forms an internal piston chamber and is connected at one end to one portion of the vehicle, with an outer end of the rod of a piston which is slidably mounted within the piston chamber, being connected to another portion of the vehicle. A fluid transfer duct is formed between the housing and piston and provides communication between fluid subchambers formed on opposite sides of the piston within the piston chamber. An electrode is attached to either the housing or piston for applying a voltage across the duct to affect the rheological response of an electrorheological (ER) fluid flowing therethrough to provide a controllable mechanism to modify the damping force characteristics of the device. Each end of the piston rod is slidably supported by a slide bushing assembly which is mounted within an end of the housing.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire includes a thin annular band embedded in the crown portion of the tire wherein the band is formed with three distinct regions. Radially spaced inner and outer regions are formed of high modulus materials and a central region is formed of a material more elastic than the other two regions providing a band having high interlaminar shear strength. Reinforcing fibers are placed in various orientations in certain of the regions to enable various materials to achieve the required band stiffness for load carrying capability and the interlaminar shear strength at the central axis of the band.

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 silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound comprises 100 parts by weight of an elastomer; from about 5 to about 100 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler per 100 parts of elastomer, wherein the reinforcing fillers are selected from the group consisting of carbon black and silica filler; from 0 to about 20 percent by weight of a silane, based upon the weight of the silica filler; a cure agent; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 40 parts by weight of an additional filler other than silica or carbon black, with the provisos that at least one of the processing aids or additional fillers are present; that if the processing aid is sorbitan monooleate,

Abstract: Rubber compositions such as tire innerliners contain significant amounts of ground, fine size tire curing bladder rubber as a filler. Critical properties such as air retention are not affected and spent or old curing bladder rubber which would otherwise go to a landfill is effectively recycled.

Abstract: A powder dispensing/collection device for indoor testing of pneumatic tires includes a first outer housing (12) having an open end (24) facing a road wheel (94). First and second adjustable shrouds (28), (32) are disposed on an upper and lower portion of the outer housing respectfully. The shrouds are selectively moveable in a direction perpendicular to a width (w) of the outer housing. A second inner housing (48) is partially enclosed by the outer housing and has an open end (64) facing the road wheel which protrudes out from the outer housing a predetermined distance. At least one of the outer walls of the inner housing and the inner walls of the outer housing define a vacuum collection chamber (76). The inner housing is manually moveable within the outer housing so that the distance between the open end of the inner housing and the road wheel can be adjusted. A hose (78) extends through an aperture (80) in the inner housing and into the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle (e.g., a truck) rubber air spring is bonded to a seat of a fixturing sleeve. A bead of the air spring has a rubber primer thereon and the seat of the fixturing sleeve has a fixturing primer thereon. An adhesive located between the rubber and fixturing primers permanently secures the air spring to the sleeve seat.