Abstract: A method for preparing a “predispersion” of carbon nanotubes in a wax or wax blend involving melt-mixing, cooling and grinding the blend, preferably multiple times. The wax predispersion may provide particularly improved dispersion of single-wall nanotubes in ethylene-?-olefin elastomer compositions, resulting in improved reinforcement from the SWCNT. The improved elastomer compositions may show simultaneous improvement in both modulus and in elongation at break. The inventive elastomer compositions may be formed into useful rubber articles.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods which utilize organoclays compounded with zinc acrylates to improve the performance of drive belts. In performing research on organoclays, the inventors created formulations and methods of compatibilizing organoclays with metal salts of ?-?-unsaturated organic acids and incorporating the compatibilized organoclays into the belt compound so that the planar organoclay particles are substantially aligned with the longitudinal plane of the belt. This is shown to provide a) lower Mooney viscosity (resulting in greater ease of processing), b) higher stiffness (both tensile and dynamic) c) improved tear resistance, d) lower crack growth rate and e) nearly equivalent fatigue resistance in spite of the increased stiffness. This combination of traits in the belts created utilizing the organoclay/zinc acrylate technology described herein results in an unexpectedly improved belt.

Abstract: A method for preparing a “predispersion” of carbon nanotubes in a wax or wax blend involving melt-mixing, cooling and grinding the blend, preferably multiple times. The wax predispersion may provide particularly improved dispersion of single-wall nanotubes in ethylene-?-olefin elastomer compositions, resulting in improved reinforcement from the SWCNT. The improved elastomer compositions may show simultaneous improvement in both modulus and in elongation at break. The inventive elastomer compositions may be formed into useful rubber articles.

Abstract: A power transmission belt incorporating an adhesive treatment system and method for bonding fiber to rubber which includes an optional primer coat based on a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, followed by an overcoat including: (a) a prepolymer based on an isocyanate-terminated diene oligomer, and optionally (b) a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, and/or (c) a thermoplastic urethane comprising the reaction product of the same prepolymer with MDI and EHD. A polyester, aramid, or carbon fiber tensile cord for rubber reinforcement may be treated with the primer coat and the overcoat. A power transmission belt or other dynamic rubber product having ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer as the primary rubber constituent may be reinforced by the tensile cord.

Abstract: A power transmission belt incorporating an adhesive treatment system and method for bonding fiber to rubber which includes an optional primer coat based on a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, followed by an overcoat including: (a) a prepolymer based on an isocyanate-terminated diene oligomer, and optionally (b) a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, and/or (c) a thermoplastic urethane comprising the reaction product of the same prepolymer with MDI and EHD. A polyester, aramid, or carbon fiber tensile cord for rubber reinforcement may be treated with the primer coat and the overcoat. A power transmission belt or other dynamic rubber product having ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer as the primary rubber constituent may be reinforced by the tensile cord.

Abstract: A power transmission belt incorporating an adhesive treatment system and method for bonding fiber to rubber which includes an optional primer coat based on a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, followed by an overcoat including: (a) a prepolymer based on an isocyanate-terminated diene oligomer, and optionally (b) a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, and/or (c) a thermoplastic urethane comprising the reaction product of the same prepolymer with MDI and EHD. A polyester, aramid, or carbon fiber tensile cord for rubber reinforcement may be treated with the primer coat and the overcoat. A power transmission belt or other dynamic rubber product having ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer as the primary rubber constituent may be reinforced by the tensile cord.

Abstract: A laminate of rubber and steel cord, which may be brass coated steel where the rubber is comprised of elastomer, carbon black, optionally silica, dithiodipropionic acid and prescribed methylene donor material. In one aspect, a tire is provided having at least one component as such laminate.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided having good rolling resistance properties without sacrificing traction. The tire has a tread that contains 2 to 15 phr thermoplastic reinforcing polymer as a replacement for 5 to 25 phr carbon black.

Abstract: A continuous method for the in-situ polymerization of plastic in an elastomeric material in a form suitable for reinforcing the elastomeric material is provided. The method comprises feeding elastomer and a monomer or monomer precursor of a reinforcing material into a mixing device, mixing the elastomer and the monomer or monomer precursor vigorously, initiating polymerization, and causing the monomers to continue to polymerize until the polymer solidifies when the melting point of the polymer produced exceeds the mixing temperature of the elastomer, terminating polymerization.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a tread comprised of elastomer, silica, optionally carbon black, and a silica coupler comprised of dithiodipropionic acid.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprised of elastomer, silica, optionally carbon black and a silica coupler comprised of dithiodipropionic acid.

Abstract: Hoses are often reinforced with fabric to improve their performance characteristics, such as burst strength. By utilizing the technique of this invention, hose which has a high level of burst strength can be manufactured without including continuous yarn reinforcement. This invention specifically reveals a process for manufacturing a hose which involves the steps of (1) extruding a rubber composition into the form of a tube, wherein the rubber composition contains (a) an EPDM alloy comprised of (i) standard EPDM rubber, (ii) an EPDM rubber having thermoplastic side chains grafted thereto, and (iii) dispersed thermoplastic wherein the thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of nylons, polyesters, and polyphenylene oxides, (b) an EPDM rubber, (c) carbon black, (d) at least one curative, (e) zinc oxide, (f) a processing oil, and (g) stearic acid; (2) shaping the tube into the geometric form desired for the hose; and (3) curing the rubber composition at a temperature within the range of 130.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of mixing micro and macro fibers into a polymer matrix and products made thereby are provided. In the illustrated method, a micro reinforcing polymer is mixed with an elastomeric base polymer and preformed macro fibers are added thereto. In one embodiment, the micro reinforcing polymer forms micro fibers in a resulting elastomeric matrix which is interspersed with macro fibers. A base polymer matrix interspersed with micro reinforcing polymer and macro fibers made according to the invention can be used in reinforced elastomeric products such as tires.

Abstract: It is often desirable to increase the modulus of rubbers utilized in a wide variety of applications. This invention discloses a technique for modifying rubbers to improve their modulus without sacrificing other properties. By utilizing the process of this invention, rubber compositions having increased modulus are prepared by grafting polyester onto rubber. This can be accomplished by reacting a polydiene rubber with a thioacid or maleic anhydride and subsequently with the polyester. It is also possible to prepare such polyester modified rubber compositions by reacting an epoxidized rubber with the polyester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sulfur vulcanized elastomers containing aramid-polydiene copolymers. When compounded with the elastomers, the aramid-polydiene copolymers improve the reinforcing nature of the elastomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastomeric composition comprising a blend of from about 25 to about 75 percent by weight of polychloroprene and from about 75 to about 25 percent by weight of epoxidized natural rubber having a level of epoxide modification in the range of from about 15 to 85 mole percent. These blends may be incorporated along with conventional sulfur-vulcanized elastomers to provide new and improved compounded rubbers particularly suited for use in tire tread applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the adhesion between an aramid cord and sulfur vulcanized rubber comprising (a) treating the aramid cord with a copolymer of the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein w is an integer of from 1 to 100, y is an integer of from 10 to 500; z is an integer of from 1 to 120; X is: ##STR2## or mixtures thereof; B is: ##STR3## or mixtures thereof; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H, Cl or CH.sub.3 ; and(b) vulcanizing a composite of the treated cord and rubber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the modulus of a rubber without sacrificing other properties. By utilizing the process of this invention, rubber compositions having increased modulus are prepared by the formation of polypropylene fibrils randomly dispersed throughout the rubber matrix. The present invention includes (1) forming a blend of (a) a polymer alloy containing polypropylene and (b) an unvulcanized rubber stock wherein said polypropylene is present in said blend in an amount ranging from about 5 phr to about 25 phr; and (2) vulcanizing the rubber stock in said blend after orienting said polypropylene by the application of heat and flowing said blend within a mold cavity.

Abstract: It is often desirable to increase the modulus of rubbers utilized in a wide variety of applications. This invention discloses a technique for modifying rubbers to improve their modulus without sacrificing other properties. By utilizing the process of this invention, rubber compositions having increased modulus are prepared by grafting polyester onto rubber. This can be accomplished by reacting a polydiene rubber with a thioacid or maleic anhydride and subsequently with the polyester. It is also possible to prepare such polyester modified rubber compositions by reacting an epoxidized rubber with the polyester.

Abstract: There is disclosed compounds of the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a radical of the structural formula:--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --yand y is 0,1,2 or 3; which when combined with a nonhalogenated vulcanizable diene containing elastomer such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene/butadiene copolymers, terpolymers of acrylonitrile butadiene and styrene and blends thereof accelerate the rate of vulcanization without detrimentally impacting the processing safety of the rubber. These compounds either in free form structural formula (I) or as preformed complexes with zinc structural formula (II) in the plus 2 valence state offer significantly enhanced rates of cure and excellent final physical properties without a significant loss of processing safety. The preformed nonhalogenated zinc complexes (II) may be added to sulfur vulcanizable rubbers at levels that maintain typical levels of zinc in the rubber compound.