Abstract: A sulfur-vulcanizable rubber compound comprises a silane functionalized diene elastomer, a dual silane coupling system, and a silica filler. The non-active sulfur containing silane coupling agent excludes an active sulfur moiety. The rubber compound is a reaction product of a siloxyl condensation reaction between the silane functionalized diene elastomer and the dual silane coupling system. The dual coupling system comprises a non-active sulfur containing silane coupling agent for reacting with an associated precipitated silica to produce a hydrophobic silica; and a crosslinking reagent for reacting with the non-active sulfur containing silane coupling agent and an associated polymer.

Abstract: It has been found that carboxylic acid functionalized high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber which is comprised of polybutadiene rubber chains having a cis-1,4-microstructure content of at least 90 percent has much better interaction with metal salts of ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. This results in such rubber compositions being stiff while still exhibiting a lower level of hysteresis. These characteristics are beneficial when used in manufacturing tire apex compositions, in manufacturing golf ball cores, and in a wide variety of other applications. Such rubber compositions can be used as substitutes for thermoplastic elastomers in many applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparation of a precipitated silica reinforced rubber composition which contains styrene/butadiene elastomer modified with a combination of bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) polysulfide silica coupler and mercaptoorganoalkoxysilane, a rubber composition thereof and a tire with a component of such rubber composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparation of a precipitated silica reinforced rubber composition which contains styrene/butadiene elastomer modified with a combination of bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) polysulfide silica coupler and mercaptoorganoalkoxysilane, a rubber composition thereof and a tire with a component of such rubber composition.

Abstract: This invention discloses a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, and wherein said tread is comprised of (1) a filler, (2) a cured rubbery polymer, and (3) core-shell particles which are comprised of (a) a crosslinked elastomeric core consisting essentially of repeat units that are derived from at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and from 15 weight percent to 30 weight percent at least one crosslinking monomer, wherein the crosslinked elastomeric core is a polymeric composition having a glass transition temperature which is within the range of ?20° C. to 20° C., and (b) a polymeric shell which is derived from at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the polymeric shell has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of 50° C.

Abstract: This invention discloses a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, and wherein said tread is comprised of (1) a filler, (2) a cured rubbery polymer, and (3) core-shell particles which are comprised of (a) a crosslinked elastomeric core consisting essentially of repeat units that are derived from at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and from 15 weight percent to 30 weight percent at least one crosslinking monomer, wherein the crosslinked elastomeric core is a polymeric composition having a glass transition temperature which is within the range of ?20° C. to 20° C., and (b) a polymeric shell which is derived from at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the polymeric shell has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of 50° C.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a modified crosslinked elastomeric particle which comprises a two-step polymerization of a conjugated diolefin monomer and a vinyl aromatic monomer by emulsion polymerization, wherein the particle is synthesized by the steps of (1) polymerizing a conjugated diolefin monomer, alone or in combination with a vinyl aromatic monomer, and optionally a crosslinking monomer, to create a crosslinked elastomeric core having residual double bonds and an outer surface; (2) polymerizing a monomer of a vinyl aromatic monomer, alone or in combination with a diolefin monomer, to create a polymeric shell, wherein the polymeric shell is grafted to the outer surface of the polymeric core by reacting with the residual double bonds of the polymeric core; and (3) coagulating the core-shell emulsion latex solution to recover the particles.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a hairy polymer particle which comprises the steps of (1) polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer by emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium to produce core particles, (2) recovering the core particles from the aqueous medium, (3) dispersing the core particles in an organic solvent, (4) adding an organo-lithium compound to the dried core particles in the organic solvent to produce the hairless core initiator, and (5) utilizing the hairless core initiator to initiate the anionic polymerization of a conjugated diolefin monomer in an organic solvent to produce a solution of the hairy polymer particles. The hairy polymer nanoparticles can then be recovered from the organic solvent. These hairy polymer particles are comprised of (1) a core which is comprised of a polymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and (2) hairs which are polymer chains of a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein the hairs are covalently bonded to the core.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a hairy polymer particle which comprises the steps of (1) polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer by emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium to produce core particles, (2) recovering the core particles from the aqueous medium, (3) dispersing the core particles in an organic solvent, (4) adding an organo-lithium compound to the dried core particles in the organic solvent to produce the hairless core initiator, and (5) utilizing the hairless core initiator to initiate the anionic polymerization of a conjugated diolefin monomer in an organic solvent to produce a solution of the hairy polymer particles. The hairy polymer nanoparticles can then be recovered from the organic solvent. These hairy polymer particles are comprised of (1) a core which is comprised of a polymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and (2) hairs which are polymer chains of a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein the hairs are covalently bonded to the core.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a modified crosslinked elastomeric particle which comprises a two-step polymerization of a conjugated diolefin monomer and a vinyl aromatic monomer by emulsion polymerization, wherein the particle is synthesized by the steps of (1) polymerizing a conjugated diolefin monomer, alone or in combination with a vinyl aromatic monomer, and optionally a crosslinking monomer, to create a crosslinked elastomeric core having residual double bonds and an outer surface; (2) polymerizing a monomer of a vinyl aromatic monomer, alone or in combination with a diolefin monomer, to create a polymeric shell, wherein the polymeric shell is grafted to the outer surface of the polymeric core by reacting with the residual double bonds of the polymeric core; and (3) coagulating the core-shell emulsion latex solution to recover the particles.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovered that crosslinked core-shell particles can be used as a filler in low cost emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) with excellent results being attained. In fact, such core-shell particle filled ESBR exhibits performance similar to silica filled solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) in terms of dynamic response, Payne effect, rebound and tan ? at 0° C. and 100° C. The utilization of such crosslinked core-shell particles in rubber compounds offers the additional advantage of weight reduction since the core-shell particles are significantly less dense than carbon black or silica fillers. The use of the crosslinked core-shell polymers of this invention in rubber formulations in place of silica also offers the advantage of not needing any expensive silane coupling agents to attain required levels of polymer/filler interaction. Accordingly, no silane coupling agent is used in the rubber compounds of this invention which leads to reduced cost.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a hairy polymer particle which comprises the steps of (1) polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer by emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium to produce core particles, (2) recovering the core particles from the aqueous medium, (3) dispersing the core particles in an organic solvent, (4) adding an organo-lithium compound to the dried core particles in the organic solvent to produce the hairless core initiator, and (5) utilizing the hairless core initiator to initiate the anionic polymerization of a conjugated diolefin monomer in an organic solvent to produce a solution of the hairy polymer particles. The hairy polymer nanoparticles can then be recovered from the organic solvent. These hairy polymer particles are comprised of (1) a core which is comprised of a polymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and (2) hairs which are polymer chains of a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein the hairs are covalently bonded to the core.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a hairy polymer particle which comprises the steps of (1) polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer by emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium to produce core particles, (2) recovering the core particles from the aqueous medium, (3) dispersing the core particles in an organic solvent, (4) adding an organo-lithium compound to the dried core particles in the organic solvent to produce the hairless core initiator, and (5) utilizing the hairless core initiator to initiate the anionic polymerization of a conjugated diolefin monomer in an organic solvent to produce a solution of the hairy polymer particles. The hairy polymer nanoparticles can then be recovered from the organic solvent. These hairy polymer particles are comprised of (1) a core which is comprised of a polymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and (2) hairs which are polymer chains of a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein the hairs are covalently bonded to the core.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a hairy polymer particle which comprises the steps of (1) polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer by emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium to produce core particles, (2) recovering the core particles from the aqueous medium, (3) dispersing the core particles in an organic solvent, (4) adding an organo-lithium compound to the dried core particles in the organic solvent to produce the hairless core initiator, and (5) utilizing the hairless core initiator to initiate the anionic polymerization of a conjugated diolefin monomer in an organic solvent to produce a solution of the hairy polymer particles. The hairy polymer nanoparticles can then be recovered from the organic solvent. These hairy polymer particles are comprised of (1) a core which is comprised of a polymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and (2) hairs which are polymer chains of a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein the hairs are covalently bonded to the core.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tread rubber composition for tires with the addition of crosslinked resinous nanoparticles having a high glass transition temperature (Tg) into elastomeric base polymers. The invention demonstrates greatly improved handling performance without deteriorating controllability and stability during high-speed running.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a core-shell polymer that comprises: (1) preparing a monomer solution which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, optional one crosslinking monomer (b) a conjugate acid of a surfactant with a pKa of less than 14, and (c) a controlled free radical polymerization agent; (2) preparing an aqueous medium which is comprised of (a) water, and (b) a conjugate base of a weak acid wherein the pKb of the base is less than 14; and (3) mixing the monomer solution with the aqueous medium under conditions that result in the in-situ formation of an emulsifier to produce a polymerization medium, and (4) initiating free radical polymerization within the polymerization medium to produce a core polymer, wherein the core contains a free radical control agents, (5) adding a second monomer to the polymerization medium containing the core polymer, and (6) allowing polymerization to proceed in the presence of the free radical control agent to produce the core-shell polymer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition comprised of (a) a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene ether, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene, (b) a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene propylene-styrene, hydrogenated polybutadiene, hydrogenated polyisoprene, hydrogenated styrene-isoprene random copolymer, styrene-ethylene propylene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene ethylene propylene-styrene and hydrogenated styrene-butadiene random copolymers, (c) a core-shell polymer comprised of a polymeric core and a polymeric shell with the proviso that the polymeric core and/or the polymeric shell may be crosslinked, and (d) an oil.

Abstract: A rubber composition having improved processability and which provides a vulcanized rubber exhibiting excellent wear resistance and good tensile strength to service temperatures of up to about 150° C. The composition comprises (1) a crosslinked polymer particle having as repeat units (a) up to about 25% of a conjugated diene unit, (b) at least 70% of an aromatic vinyl unit, (c) about 15% to about 30% of a crosslinking monomer, and (d) about 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reversible protection of hydroxy-silane functional groups by acid cleavable protecting groups. The development of reversible protecting groups greatly enhances the current utility of silanes while introducing further novel applications. For instance, reversibly protected silanes are of particular value in applications where room temperature cure and/or adhesion is of value, such as coatings, high resolution imaging, caulks, adhesives, sealants, gaskets, and silicones. Reversibly protected silanes can also be beneficially used in reticulating agents, and in sizing agents, tires, and release coatings. The incorporation of reversibly protected silanes into coating resins is of particular value. The reversibly protected silane can be incorporated into the coating resin by polymerizing a monomer containing the reversibly protected silane into the resin or by post-addition into the coating formulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reversible protection of hydroxy-silane functional groups by acid cleavable protecting groups. The development of reversible protecting groups greatly enhances the current utility of silanes while introducing further novel applications. For instance, reversibly protected silanes are of particular value in applications where room temperature cure and/or adhesion is of value, such as coatings, high resolution imaging, caulks, adhesives, sealents, gaskets, and silicones. Reversibly protected silanes can also be beneficially used in reticulating agents, and in sizing agents, tires, and release coatings. The incorporation of reversibly protected silanes into coating resins is of particular value. The reversibly protected silane can be incorporated into the coating resin by polymerizing a monomer containing the reversibly protected silane into the resin or by post-addition into the coating formulation.