Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising carbon particles, such as carbon black. Compositions may comprise rubber, for example rubber usable for tires, and carbon black as a filler compound. Carbon black filler compounds may comprise carbon black particles generated by thermal plasma methane pyrolysis and one or more binders configured to pelletize the carbon black particles.

Abstract: A polymeric composition includes a diene elastomer; an azodicarboxy compound; and a reinforcing filler comprising silica. The composition is not foamed. A method for preparing a polymeric composition includes mixing in one or more steps: a diene elastomer; an azodicarboxy compound; and a reinforcing filler. The mixing temperature is less than 160° C. in mixing steps in which the azodicarboxy compound is present. In an embodiment, the mixing temperature is kept below the decomposition temperature of the azodicarboxy compound.

Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a copolymer comprising a vinyl-aromatic monomer and a heterocyclic monomer. The copolymer is crosslinked with a multifunctional crosslinking agent polymerizable through an addition reaction. A nanoparticle and elastomer composition is disclosed. Several methods of mixing heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic monomer nanoparticles into an elastomer are also disclosed. These methods include mixing in a multi-elements static mixer and an intermeshing mixer with venting, among others.

Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a copolymer comprising a vinyl-aromatic monomer and a heterocyclic monomer. The copolymer is crosslinked with a multifunctional crosslinking agent polymerizable through an addition reaction. A nanoparticle and elastomer composition is disclosed. Several methods of mixing heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic monomer nanoparticles into an elastomer are also disclosed. These methods include mixing in a multi-elements static mixer and an intermeshing mixer with venting, among others.

Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a copolymer comprising a vinyl-aromatic monomer and a heterocyclic monomer. The copolymer is crosslinked with a multifunctional crosslinking agent polymerizable through an addition reaction. A nanoparticle and elastomer composition is disclosed. Several methods of mixing heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic monomer nanoparticles into an elastomer are also disclosed. These methods include mixing in a multi-elements static mixer and an intermeshing mixer with venting, among others.

Abstract: A polymeric composition includes a diene elastomer; an azodicarboxy compound; and a reinforcing filler comprising silica. The composition is not foamed. A method for preparing a polymeric composition includes mixing in one or more steps: a diene elastomer; an azodicarboxy compound; and a reinforcing filler. The mixing temperature is less than 160° C. in mixing steps in which the azodicarboxy compound is present. In an embodiment, the mixing temperature is kept below the decomposition temperature of the azodicarboxy compound.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to rubber compositions containing a chemical additive capable of generating or enhancing strain-induced crystallization into the compositions, and tires containing the rubber compositions in one or more components such as sidewalls or treads. The chemical additive is at least one nucleating agent of formula (I) or formula (II). As well, certain embodiments relate to methods for achieving reduced wear or improved durability in a tire tread or tire sidewall by using the chemical additives.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to rubber compositions containing a chemical additive capable of generating or enhancing strain-induced crystallization into the compositions, and tires containing the rubber compositions in one or more components such as sidewalls or treads. The chemical additive is at least one nucleating agent of formula (I) or formula (II). As well, certain embodiments relate to methods for achieving reduced wear or improved durability in a tire tread or tire sidewall by using the chemical additives.

Abstract: A process for treating a polymer having a hydrolyzable functionality, the method comprising: (i.) providing a polymer having hydrolyzable functionality; and (ii.) introducing a stabilizing agent to the polymer, where the stabilizing agent is defined by the formula (I) where ÷ is a hydrolyzable group that forms an acidic species upon hydrolysis, where R2, R3, and R4 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a hydrocarboxylate group, or a hydrocarbyloxy group.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are included for preparing a hairy polymeric nanoparticle including first and second shell block polymer arms are at least partially phase-separated and surround a polymeric core. One type of polymeric arm can have a greater polarity than the other type(s) of polymeric arms. A rubber composition including the hairy nanoparticles is also provided.

Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a copolymer comprising a vinyl-aromatic monomer and a heterocyclic monomer. The copolymer is crosslinked with a multifunctional crosslinking agent polymerizable through an addition reaction. A nanoparticle and elastomer composition is disclosed. Several methods of mixing heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic monomer nanoparticles into an elastomer are also disclosed. These methods include mixing in a multi-elements static mixer and an intermeshing mixer with venting, among others.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are included for preparing a hairy polymeric nanoparticle including first and second shell block polymer arms are at least partially phase-separated and surround a polymeric core. One type of polymeric arm can have a greater polarity than the other type(s) of polymeric arms. A rubber composition including the hairy nanoparticles is also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are included for preparing a hairy polymeric nanoparticle including first and second shell block polymer arms are at least partially phase-separated and surround a polymeric core. One type of polymeric arm can have a greater polarity than the other type(s) of polymeric arms. A rubber composition including the hairy nanoparticles is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition comprising (a) a liquid polymer, (b) polymer nanoparticles, and (c) a rubbery matrix. The composition may comprise less or even no aromatic oil. Rubber articles manufactured from such composition, such as tires and power belts, have gained improved reinforcement and controllable hysteresis properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to tire rubber compositions containing at least one rubbery polymer (with 10 to 100 weight percent of monomer units derived from conjugated diene monomer having between 4 and 8 carbon atoms and 0 to 90 weight percent of monomer units derived from vinyl aromatic monomer); 0.5 to 100 phr of silica filler; 0.05 to 20 phr of a bi-functional silica coupling agent; and 1 to 30 phr of a non-elastomer reactive filler reinforcing agent capable of interacting with at least two silica particles. The bi-functional silica coupling agent and the filler reinforcing agent are utilized in a weight ratio of from 1:100 to 1:0.2. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the tire rubber compositions.

Abstract: Branched polymers including multi-branched polymers, functionalized branched polymers, star-branched polymers, and dendigraft polymers. Methods for the synthesis of branched polymers and method for the use of branched polymers in tire components are also included.

Abstract: A polymeric article may include a first layer and a second layer directly contacting the first layer. The first layer may include a low surface energy polymer and may have a contact index of at least 5%. The second layer may include an elastomer.

Abstract: A process for treating a polymer having a hydrolyzable functionality, the method comprising: (i.) providing a polymer having hydrolyzable functionality; and (ii.) introducing a stabilizing agent to the polymer, where the stabilizing agent is defined by the formula (I) where ÷ is a hydrolyzable group that forms an acidic species upon hydrolysis, where R2, R3, and R4 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a hydrocarboxylate group, or a hydrocarbyloxy group.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to tire rubber compositions containing at least one rubbery polymer (with 10 to 100 weight percent of monomer units derived from conjugated diene monomer having between 4 and 8 carbon atoms and 0 to 90 weight percent of monomer units derived from vinyl aromatic monomer); 0.5 to 100 phr of silica filler; 0.05 to 20 phr of a bi-functional silica coupling agent; and 1 to 30 phr of a non-elastomer reactive filler reinforcing agent capable of interacting with at least two silica particles. The bi-functional silica coupling agent and the filler reinforcing agent are utilized in a weight ratio of from 1:100 to 1:0.2. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the tire rubber compositions.

Abstract: A process for forming a tire component, the process comprising the steps of introducing a vulcanizable polymer, a curative, a first carbon black characterized by an iodine adsorption number, per ASTM D1510, that is greater than 60 g/kg, and a second carbon black characterized by an iodine adsorption number, per ASTM D1510, that is less than 60 g/kg to form a vulcanizable composition, fabricating a tire component from the vulcanizable composition, and curing the tire component.