Abstract: The present invention provides a conjugated diene polymer, formulations, and manufacturing methods for the same. The present invention provides a conjugated diene polymer obtained by polymerizing conjugated diene monomers and vinyl aromatic monomers using an initiator by way of an anionic polymerization, the conjugated diene polymer comprising a plurality of blocks having more than 6 consecutive vinyl aromatic units, wherein a vinyl aromatic monomer content of the plurality of blocks having more than 6 consecutive vinyl aromatic units is less than 5 wt % based on a total vinyl aromatic monomer content of the conjugated diene polymer. The present invention also provides formulations for preparing the conjugated diene polymer and the manufacturing methods for the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified rubber containing silicon and phosphorus, and a composition and manufacturing method thereof. The present invention provides the modified rubber structured as formula (1), wherein X is selected from a C1-C12 alkylene group, a C2-C12 alkenylene group, a C3-C12 alicyclic group, and a C6-C12 aromatic group; and A1, A2, A3, Y, and Z are each independently selected from an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a halide group, and a conjugated diene rubber, wherein the conjugated diene rubber is a polymer composed of a conjugated diene monomer or the conjugated diene monomer with a vinyl aromatic monomer, A1, A2, A3, Y, and Z are the same or different from each other, and at least one of A1, A2, A3, Y, and Z is the conjugated diene rubber.

Abstract: This invention reveals a pneumatic tire comprising a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, and an innerliner which covers the inner surface and which is comprised of a halobutyl rubber, a filler and lignin. The incorporation of lignin into the innerliner prevents migration of moisture into the tire carcass which can lead to corrosion and consequential delamination of steel cords within the tire. Normally the lignin will be included in such innerliner formulations in an amount which is within the range of 1 phr to 20 phr. Lignin can also be used to protect the steel belts by incorporating it into other tire components located between the innerliner and the belts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conjugated diene polymer, formulations, and manufacturing methods for the same. The present invention provides a conjugated diene polymer obtained by polymerizing conjugated diene monomers and vinyl aromatic monomers using an initiator by way of an anionic polymerization, the conjugated diene polymer comprising a plurality of blocks having more than 6 consecutive vinyl aromatic units, wherein a vinyl aromatic monomer content of the plurality of blocks having more than 6 consecutive vinyl aromatic units is less than 5 wt % based on a total vinyl aromatic monomer content of the conjugated diene polymer. The present invention also provides formulations for preparing the conjugated diene polymer and the manufacturing methods for the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified rubber containing silicon and phosphorus, and a composition and manufacturing method thereof. The present invention provides the modified rubber structured as formula (1), wherein X is selected from a C1-C12 alkylene group, a C2-C12 alkenylene group, a C3-C12 alicyclic group, and a C6-C12 aromatic group; and A1, A2, A3, Y, and Z are each independently selected from an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a halide group, and a conjugated diene rubber, wherein the conjugated diene rubber is a polymer composed of a conjugated diene monomer or the conjugated diene monomer with a vinyl aromatic monomer, A1, A2, A3, Y, and Z are the same or different from each other, and at least one of A1, A2, A3, Y, and Z is the conjugated diene rubber.

Abstract: The renewed rubber of this invention can be used in rubber formulations that are used in manufacturing a wide array of rubber products, including tires, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, hoses, and a wide array of other products. The present invention more specifically discloses a method for manufacturing an environmentally friendly, chemically functionalized, renewed rubber composition having a highly desirable combination of physical properties and which exhibits excellent processability comprising the steps of (1) blending a micronized rubber powder with a processing aid and a chemical functionalizing agent to produce a blended mixture; (2) processing the blended mixture under conditions of high shear and low temperature to produce a reacted mixture; (3) adding a stabilizer to the reacted mixture to produce the chemically functionalized renewed rubber composition.

Abstract: The renewed rubber of this invention can be used in rubber formulations that are used in manufacturing a wide array of rubber products, including tires, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, hoses, and a wide array of other products. The present invention more specifically discloses a method for manufacturing an environmentally friendly, chemically functionalized, renewed rubber composition having a highly desirable combination of physical properties and which exhibits excellent processability comprising the steps of (1) blending a micronized rubber powder with a processing aid and a chemical functionalizing agent to produce a blended mixture; (2) processing the blended mixture under conditions of high shear and low temperature to produce a reacted mixture; (3) adding a stabilizer to the reacted mixture to produce the chemically functionalized renewed rubber composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain rubber formulations which exhibit a low level of hysteresis which are comprised of a chemically functionalized renewed rubber and virgin solution styrene-butadiene rubber. These rubber formulations are loaded with a reinforcing silica. The rubber formulations of this invention can be utilized in making rubber products such as, tires, tracks, and conveyor belts which will promote energy savings by virtue of their low hysteretic properties. The present invention more specifically discloses a rubber composition which is comprised of (1) a solution styrene-butadiene rubber; (2) a functionalized renewed rubber composition which is comprised of an elastomeric polymer and a stabilizer; wherein the rubber composition has a crosslink density which is within the range of 0.05 to 2.0×10?5 mole/g, and wherein the rubber composition has a solubility fraction of less than 90 percent; and (3) a reinforcing filler including reinforcing silica.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for the synthesis of a rubbery polymer by emulsion polymerization that comprised polymerizing (1) a conjugated diolefin monomer and (2) a functionalized monomer having the structural formula: wherein the R1 groups can be the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, wherein R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, wherein R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and wherein R4 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, with the proviso that if R3 represent an alkyl group then R4 represents a hydrogen atom, and with the proviso that R4 represents an alkyl group then R3 represents a hydrogen atom, wherein said polymerization is conducted in an aqueous medium, and wherein said polymerization is initiated with a free radical initiator.

Abstract: The renewed rubber of this invention can be used in rubber formulations that are used in manufacturing a wide array of rubber products, including tires, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, hoses, and a wide array of other products. The present invention more specifically discloses a method for manufacturing an environmentally friendly, chemically functionalized, renewed rubber composition having a highly desirable combination of physical properties and which exhibits excellent processability comprising the steps of (1) blending a micronized rubber powder with a processing aid and a chemical functionalizing agent to produce a blended mixture; (2) processing the blended mixture under conditions of high shear and low temperature to produce a reacted mixture; (3) adding a stabilizer to the reacted mixture to produce the chemically functionalized renewed rubber composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain rubber formulations which exhibit a low level of hysteresis which are comprised of a chemically functionalized renewed rubber and virgin solution styrene-butadiene rubber. These rubber formulations are loaded with a reinforcing silica. The rubber formulations of this invention can be utilized in making rubber products such as, tires, tracks, and conveyor belts which will promote energy savings by virtue of their low hysteretic properties. The present invention more specifically discloses a rubber composition which is comprised of (1) a solution styrene-butadiene rubber; (2) a functionalized renewed rubber composition which is comprised of an elastomeric polymer and a stabilizer; wherein the rubber composition has a crosslink density which is within the range of 0.05 to 2.0×10?5 mole/g, and wherein the rubber composition has a solubility fraction of less than 90 percent; and (3) a reinforcing filler including reinforcing silica.

Abstract: The renewed rubber of this invention can be used in rubber formulations that are used in manufacturing a wide array of rubber products, including tires, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, hoses, and a wide array of other products. The present invention more specifically discloses a method for manufacturing an environmentally friendly, chemically functionalized, renewed rubber composition having a highly desirable combination of physical properties and which exhibits excellent processability comprising the steps of (1) blending a micronized rubber powder with a processing aid and a chemical functionalizing agent to produce a blended mixture; (2) processing the blended mixture under conditions of high shear and low temperature to produce a reacted mixture; (3) adding a stabilizer to the reacted mixture to produce the chemically functionalized renewed rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the unexpected finding that lignin can be incorporated into wire coat stock composition to improve metal to rubber adhesion. It has been further found that lignin can be used as a replacement in whole or in part for conventional rubber-to-metal adhesion promoters, such as cobalt materials which are conventionally used in wire coat stocks to attain and maintain needed rubber-to-wire adhesion properties. In fact, wire coat stocks that contain lignin provide more that adequate rubber-to-metal adhesion characteristics for typical applications, such as in tires, and maintain needed levels of adhesion over long periods of product service. For instance, high levels of rubber-to-metal adhesion are maintained under harsh conditions, such as exposure to elevated temperatures and high levels of humidity.

Abstract: The invention includes a siloxy-amine functionalized rubbery polymer, which exhibits good reinforcing characteristics and filler dispersing effect, a method for making, and a rubber composition including the same. In one embodiment, a process for manufacturing includes polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer using an organolithium compound as an initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent. Next, an active terminal end of the polymer is reacted with a functionalized terminating agent represented by: RN—(CH2)XSi(OR1)3,??Formula (I) wherein R, in combination with the nitrogen (N) atom, is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic aromatic or non-aromatic compound which includes a ring structure with one or more nitrogen atoms as part of the ring; R1 represents a group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms selected from an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an allyl, or an aryl; and X is an integer from 1 to 20.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst system for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, or styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, that are amine functionalized and have a high trans microstructure. The catalyst system, in one embodiment, includes (a) an organolithium amine compound, (b) a group IIa metal salt of an amino glycol or a glycol ether, (c) an organoaluminum compound, and optionally (d) an amine compound. The amine functionalized rubbery polymers can be utilized in tire tread rubbers where the rubbery polymers may provide desirable wear properties without substantially sacrificing other performance characteristic(s), e.g., traction properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to a precipitated silica reinforced conjugated diene-based elastomer composition containing an alkoxysilane coupled, in-chain functionalized, conjugated diene-based elastomer and to a tire having at least one component thereof. Said in-chain functionalized conjugated diene-based elastomer is a conjugated diene-based elastomer which contains a plurality of at least one of in-chain p- and m-(2-pyrrolidinoethyl) styrene (PES) and m-(2-pyrrolidino-1-methylethyl) alpha-methylstyrene (PAMS) groups.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making dilithium initiators in high purity. This process can be conducted in the absence of amines which is desirable since amines can act as modifiers for anionic polymerizations. The dilithium compounds made are highly desirable because they are soluble in aromatic solvents.

Abstract: A heterogeneous rubbery polymer is provided that includes a polymer chain derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein from greater than 20 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of units in the rubbery polymer are derived from the vinyl aromatic monomer and from about 60 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of units in the rubbery polymer are derived from the conjugated diolefin monomer. The polymer chain is further characterized by having greater than zero and less than about 30 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 1 vinyl aromatic unit, from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 5 to 8 vinyl aromatic units, and greater than zero and less than about 5 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 9 or more vinyl aromatic units.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a dendrimer of a rubbery polymer comprising: (a) reacting a lithium terminated rubbery polymer with a halogenated tin containing compound to produce a polymer which is terminated with halogenated tin moieties, wherein the halogenated tin containing compound is of the structural formula: wherein X represents a halogen atom, wherein Z1 groups can be the same or different and are selected from alkyl groups containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein x represents an integer from 1 to 20, wherein the molar ratio of the lithium terminated rubbery polymer to halogen atoms in the halogenated tin containing compound is within the range of 2:n to (n?1):n, wherein n represents the number of halogen atoms that are bonded directly to tin atoms in the halogenated tin containing compound; (b) reacting the polymer which is terminated with halogenated tin moieties with a molar excess of a tertiary alcohol to produce a polymer which is terminated with hydroxy tin moietie

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a dendrimer of a rubbery polymer comprising: (a) reacting a lithium terminated rubbery polymer with a halogenated tin containing compound to produce a polymer which is terminated with halogenated tin moieties, wherein the halogenated tin containing compound is of the structural formula: wherein X represents a halogen atom, wherein Z1 groups can be the same or different and are selected from alkyl groups containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein x represents an integer from 1 to 20, wherein the molar ratio of the lithium terminated rubbery polymer to halogen atoms in the halogenated tin containing compound is within the range of 2:n to (n?1):n, wherein n represents the number of halogen atoms that are bonded directly to tin atoms in the halogenated tin containing compound; (b) reacting the polymer which is terminated with halogenated tin moieties with a molar excess of a tertiary alcohol to produce a polymer which is terminated with hydroxy tin moietie