Abstract: An elastomeric composition is disclosed. The elastomeric composition includes, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr): about 30 to about 50 phr of polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 linkage content of at least 95%; about 40 to about 70 phr of styrene/butadiene copolymer; about 0 to about 20 phr of natural rubber or polyisoprene; about 0 to about 30 phr of a processing oil; about 10 to about 30 phr of a hydrocarbon resin; about 50 to about 75 phr of a filler; a curative agent; an antioxidant; a silane coupling agent; and about 5 to about 30 phr of a butyl copolymer rubber containing about 85 to about 99.5 mol % C4-C7 isoolefin(s) and from about 0.5 to about 15 mol % C4-C14 conjugated dienes.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition is disclosed. The elastomeric composition includes, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr): about 70 to about 90 phr of polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 linkage content of at least 95%; about 5 to 20 phr of a processing oil; about 5 to about 20 of sunflower oil; about 50 to about 75 phr of a filler; a curative agent; an antioxidant; and about 5 to about 30 phr of a propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymer containing from about 0.2 wt % to about 20 wt % ethylidene norbornene and/or vinyl norbornene and about 10 wt % to about 30 wt % of ethylene and/or C4-C20 ?-olefins derived units.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition is disclosed. The elastomeric composition includes, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr): about 0 to about 25 phr of poly butadiene having a cis-1,4 linkage content of at least 95%; about 75 to 100 phr of a styrene/butadiene copolymer; about 10 to about 30 phr of a processing oil; about 50 to about 70 phr of a filler; a curative agent; an antioxidant; a silane coupling agent; and about 5 to about 30 phr of a propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymer.

Abstract: Provided herein are isobutylene-based polymer compositions comprising functionalized isobutylene-based polymer with olefinic side chain substituents, and a sulfur donor and/or accelerator cure system. The functionalized polymer is produced via nucleophilic substitution reaction in solution. The present functionalized isobutylene-based polymer compositions together with various accelerators and sulfur donors can form thermosets useful for pharmaceutical and tire applications without the use of zinc or a zinc oxide activator.

Abstract: Methods of post-polymerization modification of a polymer are provided herein. The present methods comprise the step of reacting a polymer with at least one nucleophile in a nucleophilic substitution reaction performed without a solvent to produce a functionalized polymer. The nucleophile can be selected from the group consisting of thioacetate, phenoxide, alkoxide, carboxylate, thiolate, thiocarboxylate, dithiocarboxylate, thiourea, thiocarbamate, dithiocarbamate, xanthate, thiocyanate. Nucleophilic substitution reaction can be performed in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst. Nucleophilic substitution reaction can also be performed via a two-step in-situ reactive mixing process with the initial formation of the polymer-amine ionomer (polymer-NR3+Br) which catalyzes the subsequent nucleophilic substitution with a second nucleophile to form a bi-functional polymer.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition is disclosed. The elastomeric composition includes, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr): about 30 to about 50 phr of polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 linkage content of at least 95%; about 40 to about 60 phr of styrene/butadiene copolymer; about 0 to about 20 phr of natural rubber or polyisoprene; about 0 to about 30 phr of a processing oil; about 10 to about 30 phr of a hydrocarbon resin; about 50 to about 75 phr of a filler; a curative agent; an antioxidant; a silane coupling agent; and about 5 to about 30 phr of a propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymer containing from about 2 wt % to about 30 wt % of ethylene and/or C4-C20 ?-olefins derived units.

Abstract: A tire tread composition is disclosed. The tire tread composition includes components, by weight of the composition, within the range from: 5 to 75 wt % of a diene elastomer; 0 to 40 wt % of processing oil; 20 to 80 wt % of filler; a curative agent; and 5 to 30 wt % of a propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymer containing from 2 wt % to 40 wt % of ethylene and/or C4-C20 ?-olefins derived units, from 0.5 to 10 wt % of diene derived units, and having a heat of fusion, as determined by DSC, of from 0 J/g to 80 J/g.

Abstract: A functionalized polyolefin and a tire tread composition comprising the functionalized polyolefin is described. The functionalized polyolefin comprises a vinyl/vinylidene-terminated polyolefin in which the vinyl/vinylidene terminus is functionalized with an alkoxysilane or an alkylsilane and optionally having ether, hydroxyl and/or amine functionality. The invention is also directed to the synthesis of vinyl/vinylidene-terminated polyolefins, functionalization at the vinyl/vinylidene terminus with an alkoxysilane or an alkylsilane and optionally having ether, hydroxyl and/or amine functionality.

Abstract: A process to form a cyclic olefin polymerization catalyst which includes contacting a metal alkoxide with a transition metal halide to form a transition metal precatalyst, and contacting the transition metal precatalyst with a metal alkyl activator to form the activated catalyst comprising a transition metal carbene moiety. A cyclic olefin polymerization process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A supported catalyst system is based on a transition metal carbene including the moiety M1=CR*)2, wherein M1 is the transition metal and R* is hydrogen or a C1-C8 hydrocarbyl. The catalyst system can be supported on a metal oxide support such as silica or the catalyst can be self-supporting. Methods of making the catalyst system can involve precursors based on and/or reacted with aluminum alkyls, halides, and/or alkoxides. Methods of polymerizing cyclic olefins with the catalyst system can obtain polyalkenamers, cyclic olefin polymers, cyclic olefin copolymers, and other metathesis reaction products. The supported catalyst and/or monomer can be recovered and recycled to the polymerization reactor.

Abstract: A functionalized polyolefin and a tire tread composition comprising the functionalized polyolefin is described. The functionalized polyolefin comprises a vinyl/vinylidene-terminated polyolefin in which the vinyl/vinylidene terminus is functionalized with an alkoxysilane or an alkylsilane and optionally having ether, hydroxyl and/or amine functionality. The invention is also directed to the synthesis of vinyl/vinylidene-terminated polyolefins, functionalization at the vinyl/vinylidene terminus with an alkoxysilane or an alkylsilane and optionally having ether, hydroxyl and/or amine functionality.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon polymer modifier (HPM) is an interpolymer of (i) a vinyl cyclohexene component (ii) a piperylene component; and (iii) a C8-C12 vinyl aromatic component; and wherein the interpolymer comprises (a) a softening point from 40° C. to 160° C., (b) Mn greater than 400, (c) Mz less than 15,000, and (d) at least 8 mole percent aromatic hydrogen, based on the total moles of hydrogen in the interpolymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-based resin functionalized with groups capable of reacting with silica or carbon black for use in high performance tires and a preferred method of preparing the functionalized resin comprising ruthenium-catalyzed ring-opening cross metathesis. The functionalized resin may comprise the reaction product obtained by contacting a polymer comprising units derived from (DCPD) and a vinyl monomer or vinylene monomer in the presence of a metathesis catalyst, wherein the vinyl monomer or vinylene monomer comprises at least one of the following functional groups: a silyl group, a siloxy group, or an alkoxysilyl group. This invention further relates to a tire tread composition comprising the functionalized resin and which exhibits enhanced durability, traction, handling, and extractability properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polar-functionalized resin composition comprising the steps of (A) contacting a polymer backbone with a reactive moiety to produce a polar-functionalized resin composition wherein the polymer backbone is derived from a feed comprising less than or equal to about 35 wt % components derived from piperylene; less than or equal to about 10 wt % components derived from amylene; less than or equal to about 10 wt % components derived from isoprene; less than or equal to about 55 wt % unreactive paraffins; and C9 homopolymer or copolymer resins, in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts or Lewis acid catalyst; and (B) recovering a polar-functionalized resin composition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing upgraded raffinate and extract products from lubricant boiling range feeds and/or other feeds having a boiling range of 400° F. (204° C.) to 1500° F. (816° C.) or more. The upgraded raffinate and/or extract products can have a reduced or minimized concentration of sulfur, nitrogen, metals, or a combination thereof. The reduced or minimized concentration of sulfur, nitrogen, and/or metals can be achieved by hydrotreating a suitable feed under hydrotreatment conditions corresponding to relatively low levels of feed conversion. Optionally, the feed can also dewaxed, such as by catalytic dewaxing or by solvent dewaxing. Because excessive aromatic saturation is not desired, the pressure for hydrotreatment (and optional dewaxing) can be 500 psig (˜3.4 MPa) to 1200 psig (˜8.2 MPa).

Abstract: This invention relates to a silane-functionalized resin composition having a polymer backbone, wherein the polymer backbone is selected from at least one of C5 homopolymers and copolymer resins, terpene homopolymer or copolymer resins, pinene homopolymer or copolymer resins, C9 homopolymers and copolymer resins, C5/C9 copolymer resins, alpha-methylstyrene homopolymer or copolymer resins, and combinations thereof, and wherein the polymer backbone is substantially free of styrene copolymer; and a silane, where the ratio of the mole percent of the silane to the mole percent of the polymer backbone in the composition is in the amount of 0.04 to 3.0 as determined by H-NMR.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing upgraded raffinate and extract products from lubricant boiling range feeds and/or other feeds having a boiling range of 400° F. (204° C.) to 1500° F. (816° C.) or more. The upgraded raffinate and/or extract products can have a reduced or minimized concentration of sulfur, nitrogen, metals, or a combination thereof. The reduced or minimized concentration of sulfur, nitrogen, and/or metals can be achieved by hydrotreating a suitable feed under hydrotreatment conditions corresponding to relatively low levels of feed conversion. Optionally, the feed can also dewaxed, such as by catalytic dewaxing or by solvent dewaxing. Because excessive aromatic saturation is not desired, the pressure for hydrotreatment (and optional dewaxing) can be 500 psig (˜3.4 MPa) to 1200 psig (˜8.2 MPa).

Abstract: This invention relates to production of propylene-predominant copolymers using a transition metal complex and at least two different non-coordinating anion activators. An olefinic feed comprising a C3-C40 alpha olefin, ethylene, and a diene monomer is contacted under polymerization reaction conditions with a catalyst system comprising a first non-coordinating anion activator, a second non-coordinating borate activator differing from the first non-coordinating anion activator, and a transition metal complex comprising a tetrahydro-s-indacenyl or tetrahydro-as-indacenyl group bound to a group 3-6 transition metal. A molar ratio of the first non-coordinating anion activator to the second non-coordinating anion activator is sufficient to produce a melt flow rate under the polymerization reaction conditions for the resulting copolymer of about 30 g/10 min or below as determined by ASTM D-1238 (230° C., 2.16 kg).

Abstract: A propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymer and method of making such comprising from 2% to 25% wt % by weight of ethylene, from 98% to 75% wt % by weight propylene and from 1% to 21% wt % by weight of a diene, wherein the terpolymer has a crystallinity of less than 3%, a melt flow rate (MFR) of less than 10 and a Tg by DSC of from ?2° C. to ?25° C. and methods to prepare the terpolymer are depicted.

Abstract: A functionalized polyolefin and a tire tread composition comprising the functionalized polyolefin is described. The functionalized polyolefin comprises a vinyl/vinylidene-terminated polyolefin in which the vinyl/vinylidene terminus is functionalized with an alkoxysilane or an alkylsilane and optionally having ether, hydroxyl and/or amine functionality. The invention is also directed to the synthesis of vinyl/vinylidene-terminated polyolefins, functionalization at the vinyl/vinylidene terminus with an alkoxysilane or an alkylsilane and optionally having ether, hydroxyl and/or amine functionality.