Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a synthetic rubber blend, wherein the blend comprises a high molecular weight polydiene (A) and a low molecular weight polydiene (B). The present invention further relates to a synthetic rubber blend obtainable according to the method described herein; as well as to rubber compositions comprising the blend; and articles, such as tires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a synthetic rubber blend, wherein the blend comprises a high molecular weight polydiene (A) and a low molecular weight polydiene (B). The present invention further relates to a synthetic rubber blend obtainable according to the method described herein; as well as to rubber compositions comprising the blend; and articles, such as tires.

Abstract: A polymer blend consisting of (a) 60-96 percent by weight of a high molecular weight elastomeric polymer, (b) 4-35 percent by weight of a low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbon polymer, and optionally (c) 0-13 percent by weight of an extender oil, wherein the amounts of the components (a), (b) and (c) are based on the total weight of the polymer blend.

Abstract: A polymer blend consisting of (a) 60-96 percent by weight of a high molecular weight first elastomeric polymer, (b) 4-35 percent by weight of a low molecular weight second polymer, and optionally (c) 0-13 percent by weight of an extender oil, wherein the amounts of the components (a), (b) and (c) are based on the total weight of the polymer blend.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified elastomeric polymer obtained by reacting a living anionic elastomeric polymer and specific chain end modifying compound, wherein the living anionic elastomeric polymer comprises more than 70% and less than 99% by weight of butadiene units and more than 1% and less than 30% by weight of styrene units and has a vinyl bond content of from 2 to less than 10%, based on the polybutadiene fraction of the living anionic elastomeric polymer. The invention further relates to a method of preparing the modified elastomeric polymer and to an elastomeric polymer composition comprising the modified elastomeric polymer.

Abstract: A polymer blend consisting of (a) 60-96 percent by weight of a high molecular weight elastomeric polymer, (b) 4-35 percent by weight of a low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbon polymer, and optionally (c) 0-13 percent by weight of an extender oil, wherein the amounts of the components (a), (b) and (c) are based on the total weight of the polymer blend.

Abstract: A polymer blend consisting of (a) 60-96 percent by weight of a high molecular weight first elastomeric polymer, (b) 4-35 percent by weight of a low molecular weight second polymer, and optionally (c) 0-13 percent by weight of an extender oil, wherein the amounts of the components (a), (b) and (c) are based on the total weight of the polymer blend.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of modified elastomeric polymers includes (i) providing and polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer and, optionally, one or more aromatic vinyl monomer in the presence of an anionic initiator and a compound according to Formula 1, e.g. 2,2-di-(2-oxolanyl)propane or a derivative thereof, to provide a living anionic polymer; and (ii) adding a “sulfanylsilane” compound to the living anionic polymer. Elastomeric polymers obtainable according to the above process and compositions including the elastomeric polymer and, optionally, further constituents such as oil, filler and/or vulcanizing agent are described. A process for the preparation of a cross-linked elastomeric polymer that includes adding a vulcanizing agent to the elastomeric polymer, as well as articles and compositions that include the elastomeric polymer, the cross-linked elastomeric polymer or both are described.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous polymerization of a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: polymerizing the monomers in the presence of an initiator, and at least one polar agent selected from Formula 1; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl, and preferably a C1-C4 alkyl; R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl, and preferably hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; and wherein a 1,2-diene is added to the polymerization, and the 1,2-diene to active initiator (active for polymerization) molar ratio is from 0.1 to 1.0, preferably from 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.85; and wherein the polar agent to the active initiator molar ratio is from 0.05 to 0.6, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified elastomeric polymer obtained by reacting a living anionic elastomeric polymer and specific chain end modifying compound, wherein the living anionic elastomeric polymer comprises more than 70% and less than 99% by weight of butadiene units and more than 1% and less than 30% by weight of styrene units and has a vinyl bond content of from 2 to less than 10%, based on the polybutadiene fraction of the living anionic elastomeric polymer. The invention further relates to a method of preparing the modified elastomeric polymer and to an elastomeric polymer composition comprising the modified elastomeric polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous polymerization of a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: polymerizing the monomers in the presence of an initiator, and at least one polar agent selected from Formula 1; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl, and preferably a C1-C4 alkyl; R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl, and preferably hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; and wherein a 1,2-diene is added to the polymerization, and the 1,2-diene to active initiator (active for polymerization) molar ratio is from 0.1 to 1.0, preferably from 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.85; and wherein the polar agent to the active initiator molar ratio is from 0.05 to 0.6, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.3.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous polymerization of a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: polymerizing the monomers in the presence of an initiator, and at least one polar agent selected from Formula 1; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl, and preferably a C1-C4 alkyl; R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl, and preferably hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; and wherein a 1,2-diene is added to the polymerization, and the 1,2-diene to active initiator (active for polymerization) molar ratio is from 0.1 to 1.0, preferably from 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.85; and wherein the polar agent to the active initiator molar ratio is from 0.05 to 0.6, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.3.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of a polymer containing monomeric units derived from a styrene monomer and a 1,3-butadiene monomer includes polymerizing the monomeric units in the presence of an initiator, a first polar agent, and a second polar agent. The first polar agent includes a structure (I): R1?R2?N-Q-NR3?R4?; and the second polar agent comprises a structure (II): R1?, R2?, R3?, and R4? are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen; Q contains an alkylene group; R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl group; and R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen. Polymers prepared by the above process are described, as are compositions containing such a polymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of modified elastomeric polymers includes (i) providing and polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer and, optionally, one or more aromatic vinyl monomer in the presence of an anionic initiator and a compound according to Formula I, e.g. 2,2-di-(2-oxolanyl)propane or a derivative thereof, to provide a living anionic polymer; and (ii) adding a “sulfanylsilane” compound to the living anionic polymer. Elastomeric polymers obtainable according to the above process and compositions including the elastomeric polymer and, optionally, further constituents such as oil, filler and/or vulcanizing agent are described. A process for the preparation of a cross-linked elastomeric polymer that includes adding a vulcanizing agent to the elastomeric polymer, as well as articles and compositions that include the elastomeric polymer, the cross-linked elastomeric polymer or both are described.

Abstract: A polymer has at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content containing 4 to 6 styrene units from about 27 to about 50 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 30 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-butadiene; and (c) a styrene content from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total weight of polymer. Processes for the polymerization of such a polymer, compositions containing such a polymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition are described.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 4 consecutive styrene units from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; (c) a styrene content from about 20 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 6 consecutive styrene units from about 15 to about 35 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; and (c) a styrene content from about 35 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to chain end modified elastomeric polymers and branched modified elastomeric polymers, their use in the preparation of elastomeric compositions, and articles prepared from chain end modified elastomeric polymers and branched modified elastomeric polymers. An elastomeric polymer composition is provided including the reaction product of at least a living anionic elastomeric polymer, a silane modifier compound, and a modifier compound.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 6 consecutive styrene units from about 15 to about 35 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; and (c) a styrene content from about 35 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 4 consecutive styrene units from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; (c) a styrene content from about 20 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.