Abstract: Embodiments of 1,4-polybutadiene rubber compositions useful at low temperatures are provided, wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene incorporated therein comprises a cis content of at least 85 to about 92%, a vinyl content of at about 1% to about 5%, and a trans content of about 3 to about 12%, and wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene has an enthalpy of melting ?Hm of about 5 to about 25 J/g° C. as measured via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: A wax-polymer compound includes (a) a polymer component that is a polymerized unsaturated monomer, optionally copolymerized with a vinyl-aromatic monomer, and (b) a halogenated hydrocarbon wax component. The polymer component is grafted to the halogenated hydrocarbon wax component, and the wax-polymer compound has a number average molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 100,000. A method of making the wax-polymer compound and a coated silica particle are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of 1,4-polybutadiene rubber compositions useful at low temperatures are provided, wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene incorporated therein comprises a cis content of at least 85 to about 92%, a vinyl content of at about 1% to about 5%, and a trans content of about 3 to about 12%, and wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene has an enthalpy of melting ?Hm of about 5 to about 25 J/g° C. as measured via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Abstract: Embodiments of 1,4-polybutadiene rubber compositions useful at low temperatures are provided, wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene incorporated therein comprises a cis content of at least 85 to about 92%, a vinyl content of at about 1% to about 5%, and a trans content of about 3 to about 12%, and wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene has an enthalpy of melting ?Hm of about 5 to about 25 J/g° C. as measured via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: A wax-polymer compound includes (a) a polymer component that is a polymerized unsaturated monomer, optionally copolymerized with a vinyl-aromatic monomer, and (b) a halogenated hydrocarbon wax component. The polymer component is grafted to the halogenated hydrocarbon wax component, and the wax-polymer compound has a number average molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 100,000. A method of making the wax-polymer compound and a coated silica particle are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: Embodiments of 1,4-polybutadiene rubber compositions useful at low temperatures are provided, wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene incorporated therein comprises a cis content of at least 85 to about 92%, a vinyl content of at about 1% to about 5%, and a trans content of about 3 to about 12%, and wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene has an enthalpy of melting ?Hm of about 5 to about 25 J/g° C. as measured via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Abstract: A wax-polymer compound includes (a) a polymer component that is a polymerized unsaturated monomer, optionally copolymerized with a vinyl-aromatic monomer, and (b) a halogenated hydrocarbon wax component. The polymer component is grafted to the halogenated hydrocarbon wax component, and the wax-polymer compound has a number average molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 100,000, A method of making the wax-polymer compound and a coated silica particle are also disclosed. A rubber composition includes a rubber elastomer comprising a polymerized unsaturated monomer and optionally a polymerized vinyl-aromatic monomer, the elastomer having a number average molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 1,000,000. It further includes a filler in an amount of about 5 to about 200 phr, the filler comprising carbon black, silica, or both; and a wax-polymer additive.

Abstract: A wax-polymer compound includes (a) a polymer component that is a polymerized unsaturated monomer, optionally copolymerized with a vinyl-aromatic monomer, and (b) a halogenated hydrocarbon wax component. The polymer component is grafted to the halogenated hydrocarbon wax component, and the wax-polymer compound has a number average molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 100,000, A method of making the wax-polymer compound and a coated silica particle are also disclosed. A rubber composition includes a rubber elastomer comprising a polymerized unsaturated monomer and optionally a polymerized vinyl-aromatic monomer, the elastomer having a number average molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 1,000,000. It further includes a filler in an amount of about 5 to about 200 phr, the filler comprising carbon black, silica, or both; and a wax-polymer additive.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with an anionic initiator to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitrile compound containing a protected amino group, where the protected amino group is directly attached to a moiety selected from the group consisting of acyclic moieties, heterocyclic moieties, and non-aromatic cyclic moieties.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with an anionic initiator to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitrile compound containing a protected amino group, where the protected amino group is directly attached to a moiety selected from the group consisting of acyclic moieties, heterocyclic moieties, and non-aromatic cyclic moieties.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomers to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a protected polyhydrazone compound.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: A rubber formulation with good wet traction properties includes one or more elastomers and at least two types of particulate filler materials including at least one of which has a relatively high free surface energy in water (i.e., a supplemental filler). The formulation containing the supplemental filler(s) can provide a vulcanizate that has a British pendulum (skid) number that is at least ˜5% greater than that of a vulcanizate made from an essentially identical formulation that does not contain the supplemental filler(s). Also provided is a method for providing such a formulation which involves identifying one or more supplemental fillers having relatively high free surface energies in water, replacing at least 15% (by wt.) of one or more of the conventional particulate fillers in the formulation with an approximately equivalent volume of supplemental filler particles, and providing the modified formulation.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polydiene polymer, the method comprising: (i) preparing an active polymerization mixture by introducing conjugated diene monomer, and optionally monomer copolymerizable therewith, and a lanthanide-based catalyst system; (ii) adding a nitrile compound containing a protected amino group to the active polymerization mixture; and (iii) adding a co-functionalizing agent to the active polymerization mixture.