Abstract: A process for preparing a stabilized diene copolymer which is modified by reaction with an imine-group containing hydrocarbyloxy silane and subsequently stabilized with a hydrocarbyl hydrocarbyloxy silane.

Abstract: A vulcanizable composition for preparing bead filler, the composition comprising a vulcanized rubber; and a vinyl aromatic-containing block copolymer compound, where the vinyl aromatic-containing copolymer is defined by the formula II d-Vo-D-V?-???II where each V is independently a polyvinyl aromatic block, D is a polydiene block, w is a hydrogen atom, a functional group, or a polymeric segment or block, and where d is a polydiene block, and where the overall vinyl content of the block copolymer is greater than 65%.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of preparing an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer, the method comprising: introducing an anionic polymerization initiator to a reactor comprising a reactive mixture including conjugated diolefin monomer and solvent to form a living polymer via anionic polymerization; introducing alkoxysilane to the reactor to mix with the living polymer to form an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; adding at least one aliphatic carboxylic acid having at least 10 carbons to the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; and removing solvent from the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxy silane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. A stabilizing agent having the formula (R)4-nSi(OH)n wherein R is a C1 to C18 alkyl, C1 to C18 alkyl group containing a heteroatom such as nitrogen or oxygen, C4 to C8 cycloalkyl, or C6 to C18 aromatic group is then added to the polymer, optionally in the presence of hydrocarbon oil. The polymer is then desolvatizing, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of block copolymers including at least one high vinyl segment, the method comprising (i) charging into a reactor a diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent, a catalytically effective amount of anionic initiator, and an oligomeric oxolanyl propane, whereby the reactor is optionally cooled; (ii) allowing the diene monomer to polymerize at a peak polymerization temperature of at least about 18° C. and less than about 60° C. to form a first block where the vinyl content is at least about 50 percent by weight; (iii) after step (ii), charging into the reactor a vinyl aromatic monomer, whereby the reactor is optionally heated to a temperature up to about 60° C.; (iv) allowing the vinyl aromatic monomer to polymerize to form a second block; and (v) optionally charging into the reactor a quenching agent.

Abstract: A method for producing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer, optionally together with a copolymerizable monomer, within a solvent to produce a polymerization mixture including a polymer having a reactive terminus, coupling a portion of the polymer having a reactive terminus with a hydrocarbyloxysiloxane to produce a polymerization mixture including polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane and residual polymer having a reactive terminues, reacting the residual polymer having a reactive terminus with a functionalizing agent having at least one hydrocarbyloxy functionality to produce a polymerization mixture including a functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane, and desolventizing the polymerization mixture including the functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane.

Abstract: Methods are described for determining the quality of dioctyltin bisoctylmaleate and selectively screening its use as a component or modifying agent in a polymer production process. The quality of dioctyltin bisoctylmaleate is determined by measuring the presence and intensity of by products or impurities contained in the dioctyltin bisoctylmaleate. The detected impurities are resolved by comparison to a baseline, such as a solubility limit, to make a decision if the dioctyltin bisoctylmaleate supply is within acceptable limits. Selectively using certain supplies of dioctyltin bisoctylmaleate having suitable limits of impurities, such as the solubility limit of dioctyltin maleate, polymer production efficiency, time and costs can be improved.

Abstract: A process for producing a styrene-butadiene diblock copolymer-containing blend that is not an agglomeration, that involves mixing a styrene-butadiene multiblock thermoplastic elastomer solution with a styrene-butadiene diblock copolymer solution. Blends comprising a styrene-butadiene diblock copolymer and a styrene-butadiene multiblock thermoplastic elastomer, which blends are not an agglomeration.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxy silane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. A dialkoxysilane stabilizing agent is then added to the polymer in combination with a base material. The polymer is then desolvatizing, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.

Abstract: Methods of making polymers by polymerizing conjugated diolefin in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator are described. Trialkyl or triaryl siloxy iminosilane functionalizing agents are reacted with the polymer, followed by desolvatizing the polymer. The resulting polymer not only has good filler interaction and processability, but results in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity. A polymer made by the process of the present invention, including silica, and carbon black fillers, and rubber compositions, and tires containing side walls and treads containing the polymers are also described.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxysilane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. An alkoxysilane stabilizing agent is then added to the polymer in the presence of hydrocarbon oil. The polymer is then desolvatized, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer, optionally together with a copolymerizable monomer, within a solvent to produce a polymerization mixture including a polymer having a reactive terminus, coupling a portion of the polymer having a reactive terminus with a hydrocarbyloxysiloxane to produce a polymerization mixture including polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane and residual polymer having a reactive terminues, reacting the residual polymer having a reactive terminus with a functionalizing agent having at least one hydrocarbyloxy functionality to produce a polymerization mixture including a functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane, and desolventizing the polymerization mixture including the functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxy silane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. A mixture of at least one of a first stabilizing agent having the formula (R)4-nSi(OH)n wherein R is a C1 to C18 alkyl, C1 to C18 alkyl group containing a heteroatom such as nitrogen or oxygen, C4 to C8 cycloalkyl, or C6 to C18 aromatic group, and a at least one of a second stabilizing agents having the formula (R)2Si(OH)2 wherein R is an aryl group, is then added to the polymer, optionally in the presence of hydrocarbon oil. The polymer is then desolvatized, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.

Abstract: A modified-asphalt composition prepared by introducing a diene end-capped block copolymer with a molten asphalt composition, where the block copolymer is defined by the formula ?-(D-V-d)X where each D is independently a polydiene block, each V is independently a vinyl aromatic block, each d is a polydiene end cap, ? is a coupling moiety, and x is an integer from 2 to 10.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxy silane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. A mixture of at least one of a first stabilizing agent having the formula (R)4-nSi(OH)n wherein R is a C1 to C18 alkyl, C1 to C18 alkyl group containing a heteroatom such as nitrogen or oxygen, C4 to C8 cycloalkyl, or C6 to C18 aromatic group, and a at least one of a second stabilizing agents having the formula (R)2Si(OH)2 wherein R is an aryl group, is then added to the polymer, optionally in the presence of hydrocarbon oil. The polymer is then desolvatized, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxy silane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. A dialkoxysilane stabilizing agent is then added to the polymer in combination with a base material. The polymer is then desolvatizing, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.

Abstract: Methods of making polymers by polymerizing conjugated diolefin in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator are described. Trialkyl or triaryl siloxy iminosilane functionalizing agents are reacted with the polymer, followed by desolvatizing the polymer. The resulting polymer not only has good filler interaction and processability, but results in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity. A polymer made by the process of the present invention, including silica, and carbon black fillers, and rubber compositions, and tires containing side walls and treads containing the polymers are also described.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxy silane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. A stabilizing agent having the formula (R)4-nSi(OH)n wherein R is a C1 to C18 alkyl, C1 to C18 alkyl group containing a heteroatom such as nitrogen or oxygen, C4 to C8 cycloalkyl, or C6 to C18 aromatic group is then added to the polymer, optionally in the presence of hydrocarbon oil. The polymer is then desolvatizing, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxysilane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. An alkoxysilane stabilizing agent is then added to the polymer in the presence of hydrocarbon oil. The polymer is then desolvatized, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.

Abstract: A modified-asphalt composition prepared by introducing a diene end-capped block copolymer with a molten asphalt composition, where the block copolymer is defined by the formula ?-(D-V-d)x where each D is independently a polydiene block, each V is independently a vinyl aromatic block, each d is a polydiene end cap, ? is a coupling moiety, and x is an integer from 2 to 10.