Abstract: A polymer composition for use in making thermoformed products which comprises a blend of: (1) 20 to 75% by weight of a polyvinylaromatic resin, (2) 20 to 75% by weight of S.sub.1 -(B/S.sub.2).sub.n type block copolymer wherein S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 are vinylaromatic block polymers, B is a diene block polymer, (B/S.sub.2) represents a tapered or non-tapered block copolymer and the S.sub.1 block is 5 to 20% by weight of the block copolymer, (S.sub.1 +S.sub.2) is 65 to 95% by weight of the block copolymer, and the total block styrene content of the block copolymer ranges between 35 and 80% by weight, and (3) 0.5 to 10% by weight a diene-vinylaromatic block copolymer (B'-S') containing 10-60% by weight of the vinylaromatic polymer block.

Abstract: It now has been found that uncured modified rubber compositions comprising mixtures of elastomers and a reinforcing filler can be prepared having improved properties.

Abstract: Modified rubber compositions are described which comprise at least one polymer rubber containing carbon-carbon unsaturation, at least one aromatic furazan oxide, and at least one hydrocarbon-soluble transition metal salt. When a transition metal salt is included in such polymer rubber formulations containing aromatic furazan oxides, the undesirable odors which normally characteristic of such rubber formulations is diminished or eliminated without significantly reducing the other desirable characteristics of the vulcanized rubbers. For example, filled vulcanizates made by vulcanizing mixtures in accordance with the invention exhibit high rebound, and tires which are formulated to include at least a portion of the cured vulcanizates in the tread exhibit reduced rolling resistance. Preferably, the hydrocarbon-soluble transition metal salts are the aliphatic or alicyclic monocarboxylic acid salts or cobalt, iron, nickel or manganese.

Abstract: Modified rubber compositions are described which when cured exhibit high rebound and reduced hysteresis. The uncured rubber compositions are prepared by reacting (a) at least one polymer rubber containing an alkali metal and carbon-carbon unsaturation with (b) at least one aromatic six-membered heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compound substituted with a group capable of reacting with the alkali metal of the polymer rubber. Filled vulcanizates made by vulcanizing a composition comprising at least one of the above-described uncured modified rubber compositions and one or more reinforcing fillers also are described. When tire treads are prepared utilizing the filled vulcanizates of the present invention, the tires exhibit improved properties such as reduced running temperature and rolling resistance.

Abstract: It now has been found that uncured rubber composition comprising rubbers having an unsaturated carbon chain and at least one carbon black can be improved by including therein, a minor property-improving amount of at least one aromatic heterocyclic di-N-oxide compound of the partial formula ##STR1## wherein the depicted carbon atoms are part of an optionally substituted aromatic ring, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, halohydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrocarbyl sulfonyl, hydrocarbyl thio, hydrocarbylsulfoxidyl, halogen, amino,--CN--OH--CHO--CH(O hydrocarbyl)2--C(O)R.sup.3--C(O)OR.sup.3--C(N--OH)R.sup.3--C(O)NR.sup.3 R.sup.6--CH.dbd.N--NH--C(O)OR.sup.3--CH.sub.2 OC(O)CH.sub.3--R.sup.4 YR.sup.3--C(O)NHR.sup.4 OH--C(NH)NR.sup.7 R.sup.8,or--C(O)NHN(R.sup.3).sub.2wherein each R.sup.3 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, R.sup.4 is a divalent hydrocarbyl group, R.sup.6 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, --R.sup.4 OR.sup.3, or --R.sup.4 COOR.sup.3 ; R.sup.

Abstract: It now has been found that uncured modified rubber compositions comprising mixtures of elastomers and a reinforcing filler can be prepared having improved properties.

Abstract: Uncured rubber compositions containing fused aromatic furazan oxides exhibit improved processability and reduced viscosity. Useful furazan oxides have both carbons of the furazan ring as part of a fused aromatic ring and include benzofurazan oxide and its methyl and methoxy analogs. Improvements in processability, green strength and liquification of NR can be achieved through use of these furazan oxides in uncured rubber compositions.

Abstract: It now has been found that the properties of rubber compositions comprising rubbers having an unsaturated carbon chain can be improved by including therein, a minor property-improving amount of at least one hydroxy-benzimidazole oxide compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, or a halogen, hydroxyl, lower acyl, lower hydrocarbyl, lower hydrocarbyloxy, lower hydrocarbylthio, carboxyl, cyano, amino, amide or --C(O)-- lower hydrocarbyl group, and R' is hydrogen, or a lower hydrocarbyl, lower hydrocarbyl amide, carboxamide carboxy acid, carboxy ester, or aryl group. When vulcanizates are prepared from such rubber compositions containing one or more fillers, the vulcanizates exhibit reduced low strain hysteresis and a high electrical resistivity.

Abstract: It now has been found that the properties of filled rubber compositions comprising rubbers having an unsaturated carbon chain can be improved by including therein, a minor property-improving amount of at least one 1,3-dihydroxy-benzimidazolinone or derivative compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, or a halogen, hydroxyl, lower hydrocarbyl, lower hydrocarbyloxy, lower hydrocarbylthio, lower hydrocarbyl nitrile, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, amino, amide or --C(O)--R'" where R'" is an aryl or a lower hydrocarbyl group; each R' independently is H, lower alkyl, acyl, CONR"2 or CONHR" where R" is alkyl or aryl. When vulcanizates are prepared from such uncured rubber compositions, the vulcanizates exhibit reduced low strain hysteresis and a high electrical resistivity.

Abstract: Modified polymer rubber compositions prepared in solution and which exhibit desirable properties, particularly when used to form tires are described. The modified rubber compositions comprise the reaction product, prepared in solution, of at least one rubber having an unsaturated carbon chain and up to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the rubber, of at least one aromatic furazan oxide of the partial formula ##STR1## wherein the depicted carbon atoms are a part of a single fused aromatic ring. The reaction is conducted by heating the solution at an elevated temperature which may be any temperature up to the decomposition temperature of the furazan oxide. The uncured polymer rubber compositions of the invention do not have the strong characteristic odor of the furazan oxide decomposition products which facilitate handling and storage of these materials.

Abstract: Including certain carboxy-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers in natural rubber formulations increases their tear strength, and hardness properties.

Abstract: Filled rubber vulcanizates containing aromatic furazan oxides exhibit many improved properties such as increased filler-rubber interaction and decreased hysteresis. Useful furazan oxides have both carbons of the furazan ring as part of a fused aromatic ring. Typical examples are benzofurazan oxide and its methyl and methoxy analogs. Tires made from the inventive vulcanizates show lower running temperatures and improved rolling resistance. The desirable effects of the aromatic furazan oxides may be improved by mixing the rubber, filler and furazan oxide in a conventional mechanical compounding device at specific temperatures and time periods such as about 200.degree.-400.degree. F. for 2-20 minutes.

Abstract: Carbon black products useful in rubber compositions, and rubber compositions (uncured or cured) containing said carbon black products are described. The carbon black products of the invention comprise carbon black having a surface area of at least 20 m.sup.2 /g. and up to about 10% by weight, based on the weight of the carbon black of at least one aromatic furazan oxide. Useful furazan oxides have both carbons of the furazan ring as part of a fused aromatic ring, and particular examples include benzofurazan oxide, and its methyl and methoxy analogs. Improvements in the processability of uncured rubber compositions containing the carbon black products of the invention have been observed.Filled rubber vulcanizates containing the carbon black products of the invention exhibit many improved properties such as increased filler-rubber interaction and decreased hysteresis.

Abstract: Cyclic dichlorophosphazene trimer which is substantially pure except for catalytic impurities is purified by treating the trimer in the liquid phase with P.sub.2 O.sub.5 for 10-30 minutes at a temperature of 120.degree.-170.degree. C. and atmospheric pressure, then subjecting the reaction mix to a single further purification step by sublimation, melt filtration, or distillation. The purified trimer will not polymerize in the absence of added catalyst at 300.degree. C. or below.

Abstract: New compositions of matter which are halogenated derivatives of borates are disclosed which are catalytically active in the polymerization of halogenated phosphazene trimers and other oligomers are disclosed.

Abstract: Addition of particular low molecular weight polyisobutylene to natural rubber compounds reduces hysteresis, increases blow-out time and lowers compression set.

Abstract: Cyclic dichlorophosphazenes containing trace amounts of protic impurities such as water are purified by treatment with boron trihalides under specified temperature and pressure conditions. The catalytic polymerization of the resultant cyclic dichlorophosphazenes, which are substantially free of protic impurities, is greatly improved.

Abstract: Linear polydihalophosphazene polymers which are substantially free of gel are prepared by thermally polymerizing a cyclic polyhalophosphazene represented by the formula (NPX.sub.2).sub.3, wherein X is fluorine, chlorine or bromine in the presence of a catalyst which comprises the reaction product of a boron trihalide compound with an oxygenated phosphorus compound.In addition to producing substantially gel free polymers, the catalyst composition of the process of the invention permits improved control of molecular weight, lower polymerization temperature, high rates of conversion of (NPCl.sub.2).sub.3 to (NPCl.sub.2).sub.n and provides for more readily processible and derivatizable polymers.

Abstract: Poly(aryloxyphosphazene) copolymers are prepared having randomly repeating units represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of monovalent aryl radicals and substituted aryl radicals having the structure: ##STR2## wherein X is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, amino and halogen substituted on any sterically permissible position on the phenyl group; and wherein the amount of Cl present in the form of P-Cl bonds is from about 0.4 percent to about 10 percent by weight based upon the total weight of copolymer.The copolymers may contain minor proportions of randomly distributed units in addition to the repeating units described above, these additional units containing reactive sites enabling the properties of the copolymers to be modified by crosslinking and/or curing.The copolymers are elastomeric even in the absence of low molecular weight polyphosphazene oils.

Abstract: Poly(aryloxyphosphazene) copolymers are prepared having randomly repeating units represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of monovalent aryl radicals and substituted aryl radicals having the structure: ##STR2## wherein X is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, amino and halogen substituted on any sterically permissible position on the phenyl group; and wherein the amount of Cl present in the form of P--C1 bonds is from about 0.4 percent to about 10 percent by weight based upon the total weight of copolymer.The copolymers may contain minor proportions of randomly distributed units in addition to the repeating units described above, these additional units containing reactive sites enabling the properties of the copolymers to be modified by crosslinking and/or curing.The copolymers are elastomeric even in the absence of low molecular weight polyphosphazene oils.