Abstract: An elastomeric composition and method incorporating a hydrocarbon polymer modifier with improved permanence. The composition comprises elastomer, filler and silane-functionalized hydrocarbon polymer modifier (Si-HPM) adapted to couple the Si-HPM to the elastomer, filler or both, wherein the Si-HPM comprises an interpolymer of monomers chosen from piperylenes, cyclic pentadienes, aromatics, limonenes, pinenes, amylenes, and combinations thereof. The method comprises melt processing a mixture to form the elastomeric composition in the shape of an article, wherein the mixture comprises elastomer, Si-HPM, silica, bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent; and curing the elastomeric composition to form the article. Also disclosed are a silylated hydrocarbon polymer modifier coupled with a bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent, and a silica-coupled hydrocarbon polymer modifier coupled to the silica via the bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition and method incorporating a hydrocarbon polymer modifier with improved permanence. The composition comprises elastomer, filler and silane-functionalized hydrocarbon polymer modifier (Si-HPM) adapted to couple the Si-HPM to the elastomer, filler or both, wherein the Si-HPM comprises an interpolymer of monomers chosen from piperylenes, cyclic pentadienes, aromatics, limonenes, pinenes, amylenes, and combinations thereof. The method comprises melt processing a mixture to form the elastomeric composition in the shape of an article, wherein the mixture comprises elastomer, Si-HPM, silica, bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent; and curing the elastomeric composition to form the article. Also disclosed are a silylated hydrocarbon polymer modifier coupled with a bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent, and a silica-coupled hydrocarbon polymer modifier coupled to the silica via the bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A polyolefin-polybutadiene block-copolymer and a tire tread composition comprising the polyolefin-polybutadiene block-copolymer, the composition comprising, by weight of the composition, within the range from 15 to 60 wt % of a styrenic copolymer, processing oil, filler, a curative agent, and from 4 to 20 wt % of a polyolefin-polybutadiene block-copolymer, wherein the polyolefin-polybutadiene block-copolymer is a block copolymer having the general formula PO-XL-fPB; where “PO” is a polyolefin block having a weight average molecular weight within the range from 1000 to 150,000 g/mole, the “fPB” is a functionalized polar polybutadiene block having a weight average molecular weight within the range from 500 to 30,000 g/mole, and “XL” is a cross-linking moiety that covalently links the PO and fPB blocks; and wherein the maximum Energy Loss (Tangent Delta) of the immiscible polyolefin domain is a temperature within the range from ?30° C. to 10° C.

Abstract: A weatherable, flame-resistant thermoplastic vulcanizate composition comprising a thermoplastic matrix; and dispersed within said matrix, an at least partially cured rubber, a flame retardant, and carbon black.

Abstract: A composition including at least one elastomer, and a hydrocarbon polymer additive having a dicyclopentadiene, cyclopentadiene, and methylcyclopentadiene derived content of about 40 wt % to about 80 wt % of the total weight of the hydrocarbon polymer additive, a weight average molecular weight of about 100 g/mole to about 800 g/mole, and a softening point of about 110° C. to about 150° C. as determined in accordance with ASTM D6090.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition and method incorporating a hydrocarbon polymer modifier with improved permanence. The composition comprises elastomer, filler and silane-functionalized hydrocarbon polymer modifier (Si-HPM) adapted to couple the Si-HPM to the elastomer, filler or both, wherein the Si-HPM comprises an interpolymer of monomers chosen from piperylenes, cyclic pentadienes, aromatics, limonenes, pinenes, amylenes, and combinations thereof. The method comprises melt processing a mixture to form the elastomeric composition in the shape of an article, wherein the mixture comprises elastomer, Si-HPM, silica, bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent; and curing the elastomeric composition to form the article. Also disclosed are a silylated hydrocarbon polymer modifier coupled with a bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent, and a silica-coupled hydrocarbon polymer modifier coupled to the silica via the bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon polymer modifier (HPM) having high softening point and high aromaticity, is an interpolymer of (i) a piperylene component; (ii) an aromatic component; and (iii) a cyclic pentadiene component comprising a dicyclopentadiene fraction (DCPD fraction) and a dimethylcyclopentadiene fraction (MCPD fraction), wherein a weight ratio of the MCPD fraction to the DCPD fraction is from 0.8 to 20, and wherein the MCPD fraction is at least 20 wt % of the cyclic pentadiene component. In a method, the proportions of (i), (ii), (iii), and an optional amylene component are adjusted to control aromaticity, softening point and Mz of the HPM. An elastomeric composition incorporates the HPM.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition incorporating a hydrocarbon polymer modifier including piperylene, cyclic pentadiene and aromatic components, and having a softening point from 80° C. to 160° C., z-average molecular weight greater than 10,000, and at least 1 mole percent aromatic hydrogen, based on the total moles of hydrogen in the modifier. In a method, the elastomeric composition is processed with a cure package into a composition in the desired shape, which is cured to form the article. The modifier may optionally be immiscible with an elastomer in the composition and/or co-cured with the elastomer or filler in the composition. A tire or tire component may include the elastomeric composition.

Abstract: An underwater pelletizing method for pelletizing brittle hydrocarbon resins with low melt viscosity. A feed material comprising the hydrocarbon resin is formed into a melt, extruded through a die into a water bath below the Tg of the hydrocarbon resin to form a plurality of extrudates and cut adjacent the die surface to form a slurry of resin pellets. A graft monomer and/or other reactants, such as a hydrosilylation agent, may be introduced into the resin melt to chemically modify the hydrocarbon resin.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon polymer modifier (HPM) having high softening point and high aromaticity, is an interpolymer of (i) a piperylene component; (ii) an aromatic component; and (iii) a cyclic pentadiene component comprising a dicyclopentadiene fraction (DCPD fraction) and a dimethylcyclopentadiene fraction (MCPD fraction), wherein a weight ratio of the MCPD fraction to the DCPD fraction is from 0.8 to 20, and wherein the MCPD fraction is at least 20 wt % of the cyclic pentadiene component. In a method, the proportions of (i), (ii), (iii), and an optional amylene component are adjusted to control aromaticity, softening point and Mz of the HPM. An elastomeric composition incorporates the HPM.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition incorporating a hydrocarbon polymer modifier including piperylene, cyclic pentadiene and aromatic components, and having a softening point from 80° C. to 160° C., z-average molecular weight greater than 10,000, and at least 1 mole percent aromatic hydrogen, based on the total moles of hydrogen in the modifier. In a method, the elastomeric composition is processed with a cure package into a composition in the desired shape, which is cured to form the article. The modifier may optionally be immiscible with an elastomer in the composition and/or co-cured with the elastomer or filler in the composition. A tire or tire component may include the elastomeric composition.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprising: a cured rubber; and thermoplastic resin, where the thermoplastic resin is in the form of discrete domains dispersed within a continuous phase of the cured rubber, and where the cured rubber includes silicon-containing crosslinks.

Abstract: A weatherable, flame-resistant thermoplastic vulcanizate composition comprising a thermoplastic matrix; and dispersed within said matrix, an at least partially cured rubber, a flame retardant, and carbon black.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thermoplastic vulcanizate, the method comprising dynamically vulcanizing a rubber within a blend that includes the rubber and a thermoplastic polymer, where said dynamically vulcanizing is effected with a cure system that includes a hydrosilating agent and a catalyst, where the hydrosilating agent includes a compound including at least 3 silicon hydride groups defined by the formula where each R is independently a monovalent organic group or hydrogen, and where the silicon atoms of the respective silicon hydride groups are spatially separated by at least 6 atoms.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprising: a cured rubber; and thermoplastic resin, where the thermoplastic resin is in the form of discrete domains dispersed within a continuous phase of the cured rubber, and where the cured rubber includes silicon-containing crosslinks.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for sensor films used for detecting chemical analytes within sensors, such as polymer-absorption chemiresistors (i.e., conductometric sensors). The present disclosure provides robust sensor film compositions that have low resistance, high conductivity, and greater temperature stability and sensitivity to chemical analytes, as well as methods of making these sensor films. Sensor film compositions according to the present disclosure include a matrix having a polymer resin comprising siloxane and a plurality of conductive particles including at least two distinct species.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thermoplastic vulcanizate, the method comprising dynamically vulcanizing a rubber within a blend that includes the rubber and a thermoplastic polymer, where said dynamically vulcanizing is effected with a cure system that includes a hydrosilating agent and a catalyst, where the hydrosilating agent includes a compound including at least 3 silicon hydride groups defined by the formula where each R is independently a monovalent organic group or hydrogen, and where the silicon atoms of the respective silicon hydride groups are spatially separated by at least 6 atoms.

Abstract: A one-component or single component cure system for a polysiloxane product is provided. The cure system includes a siloxane reagent that has an unsaturated organic functional group for reacting with a crosslinking reagent. The cure system also has a crosslinking reagent that has a silicon hydride group for crosslinking with the unsaturated organic group of the siloxane reagent. Either the unsaturated functional group of the siloxane reagent, the silicon hydride group of the crosslinking reagent, or both are sterically hindered. The siloxane reagent and the sterically hindered silicon hydride crosslinking reagent are mixed together in the presence of a catalyst reagent to form the one-component cure system. Methods of making the polysiloxane product are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for sensor films used for detecting chemical analytes within sensors, such as polymer-absorption chemiresistors (i.e. conductometric sensors). The present invention provides sensor film compositions that have greater temperature stability and sensitivity to chemical analytes, as well as methods of making these sensor films. Sensor film compositions according to the present invention include a crosslinked siloxane polymer comprising a monomer having a hydrocarbon side group with greater than or equal to two carbon atoms and a plurality of conductive particles distributed within the polymer. Alternate preferred embodiments distribute an oil comprising siloxane having at least one side group with greater than or equal to two carbons through a crosslinked siloxane polymer, wherein the oil is distributed through a crosslinked polysiloxane copolymer.

Abstract: The invention provides polymeric PTC compositions and electrical PTC devices with a high voltage capability and improved electrical stability. The polymeric PTC compositions are readily blended and generally do not require cross-linking, particularly radiation induced cross-linking in order to manufacture useful products.