Abstract: A steel cord, formed of a plurality of steel filaments, has a construction of N×(7×2) wherein N=1 to 7 and within the circumference of the cross-sectional area, not more than 60% of the cord area is comprised of the steel filaments. The steel cord has an elongation at break of at least 3%.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery non-tapered, random, copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire sidewall rubber compounds for truck tires. By utilizing these isoprene-butadiene rubbers in tire sidewalls, tires having improved cut growth resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance. Such rubbers can also be employed in tire tread compounds to improve tread wear characteristics and decrease rolling resistance without sacrificing traction characteristics.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly discovered that various compounds, such as alkyl tetrahydrofurfuryl ethers, can be used to modify anionic polymerizations of conjugated diene monomers. These modifiers can be used to polymerize isoprene monomer into high 3,4-polyisoprene at excellent polymerization rates. This is in contrast to the modifiers such as tetramethylethylene diamine which are typically used to modify such polymerizations. This invention more specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of 3,4-polyisoprene which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator and (b) an alkyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether modifier, wherein the alkyl group in the alkyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether modifier contains from 6 to about 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for preparing a coupled styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making automobile tire tread rubber compounds which comprises the steps of (1) solution terpolymerizing in an organic solvent from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent styrene, from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent isoprene, and from about 50 weight percent to about 94 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, based on total monomers, to a conversion of at least about 90% to produce a living styrene-isoprene-butadiene polymer, wherein the terpolymerization is initiated with an organolithium compound, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar modifier at a molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium compound, which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 5:1, and wherein the terpolymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery non-tapered, random, copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire sidewall rubber compounds for truck tires. By utilizing these isoprene-butadiene rubbers in tire sidewalls, tires having improved cut growth resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance. Such rubbers can also be employed in tire tread compounds to improve tread wear characteristics and decrease rolling resistance without sacrificing traction characteristics.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses an isoprenebutadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making truck tire treads, said rubber being comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 20 weight percent to about 50 weight percent isoprene and from about 50 weight percent to about 80 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order, wherein from about 3% to about 10% of the repeat units in said rubber are 1,2-polybutadiene units, wherein from about 50% to about 70% of the repeat units in said rubber are 1,4-polybutadiene units, wherein from about 1% to about 4% of the repeat units in said rubber are 3,4-polyisoprene units, wherein from about 25% to about 40% of the repeat units in the polymer are 1,4-polyisoprene units, wherein the rubber has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -90.degree. C. to about -75.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery copolymers of styrene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire tread rubber compounds. By utilizing these styrene-isoprene rubbers in tire treads, tires having improved wet skid resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance or tread wear characteristics. This invention more specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of styrene-isoprene rubbers which comprises copolymerizing isoprene monomer and styrene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator and (b) an alkyl tetrahydrofurfuryl ether modifier, wherein the molar ratio of the modifier to the lithitium initiator is within the range of 2:1 to 40:1.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly discovered that various compounds, such as alkyl tetrahydrofurfuryl ethers, can be used to modify anionic polymerizations of conjugated diene monomers. These modifiers can be used to polymerize isoprene monomer into high 3,4-polyisoprene at excellent polymerization rates. This is in contrast to the modifiers such as tetramethylethylene diamine which are typically used to modify such polymerizations. This invention more specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of 3,4-polyisoprene which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator and (b) a modifier which is an alkyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether selected from the group consisting of ethyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether, propyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether, and butyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making truck tire treads, said rubber being comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent styrene, from about 7 weight percent to about 35 weight percent isoprene, and from about 55 weight percent to about 88 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from styrene, isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order, wherein from about 25% to about 40% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the cis-microstructure, wherein from about 40% to about 60% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the trans-microstructure, wherein from about 5% to about 25% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the vinyl-microstructure, wherein from about 75% to about 90% of the repeat units derived from the isoprene are of the 1,4-microstructure, wherein from about 10% to about 25% of the re

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making truck tire treads, said rubber being comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent styrene, from about 7 weight percent to about 35 weight percent isoprene, and from about 55 weight percent to about 88 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from styrene, isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order, wherein from about 25% to about 40% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the cis-microstructure, wherein from about 40% to about 60% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the trans-microstructure, wherein from about 5% to about 25% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the vinyl-microstructure, wherein from about 75% to about 90% of the repeat units derived from the isoprene are of the 1,4-microstructure, wherein from about 10% to about 25% of the re

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) which is particularly valuable for use in making truck tire treads, said rubber being comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 10 weight percent to about 20 weight percent styrene and from about 80 weight percent to about 90 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene have a sequence distribution wherein at least about 55% of the styrene repeat units are in blocks of only one styrene repeat unit, wherein at least about 75% of the styrene repeat units are in blocks of 1 or 2 repeat units, and wherein at least about 5% of the styrene repeat units are in blocks of more than 8 repeat units, wherein from about 32% to about 40% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the cis-microstructure, wherein from about 50% to about 60% of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the trans-microstructure, wherein from about 6% to about 15% of the repeat units derived

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly discovered that various compounds, such as alkyl tetrahydrofurfuryl ethers, can be used to modify anionic polymerizations of conjugated diene monomers. These modifiers can be used to polymerize isoprene monomer into high 3,4-polyisoprene at excellent polymerization rates. This is in contrast to the modifiers such as tetramethylethylene diamine which are typically used to modify such polymerizations. This invention more specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of 3,4-polyisoprene which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator and (b) ethyltetrahydrofurfuryl ether.

Abstract: Polydiene rubbers are commonly compounded with carbon black in making a wide variety of rubber articles including tires, hoses and belts. It is generally desirable for the carbon black to be well dispersed throughout the polydiene in order to attain optimal physical properties. For instance, the traction and rolling resistance of tires which are made utilizing such rubbers can be improved by better dispersing the carbon black throughout the polydiene. The subject invention discloses a technique for capping polydienes in order to improve their affinity for carbon black. The present invention more specifially reveals a process for preparing a polydiene having a high level of affinity for carbon black which comprises reacting a metal terminated polydiene with a capping agent selected from the group consisting of (a) halogenated nitriles having the structural formula X--A--C.tbd.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the conversion of an aldehyde to a diolefin comprising contacting an aldehyde of 4 to 6 carbon atoms in the vapor phase at a temperature of 300.degree. to 400.degree. C. with a catalyst comprising boron phosphate wherein the initial molar ratio of phosphorous (P) to boron (B) (P/B) is less than 1.0 but greater than 0.6 which is in intimate admixture with from 0.1 to 10 weight percent graphite. More specifically, this invention is concerned with a process for the catalytic dehydration of 2-methylbutanal (2MBA) to isoprene in the vapor phase with a boron phosphate catalyst wherein the improvement comprises the use of a catalyst with a molar ratio of P/B of less than 1.0 but greater than 0.6 which contains from 0.1 to 10 weight percent graphite and 0 to 10 mole percent, based on moles of boron, of ammonia or an amine selected from the group consisting of mono-, di- and/or tri- alkyl amines of 1 to 10 carbon atoms.