Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a graft copolymer, comprising the steps of obtaining a first polymer comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the first polymer derived from at least one first monomer, the at least one first monomer comprising a conjugated diene monomer; obtaining a second polymer, the second polymer capable of exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and comprising a terminal functional group capable of reacting with the carbon-carbon double bond; a reacting the second polymer with the first polymer to form a graft copolymer, the graft copolymer comprising a backbone derived from the first polymer and sidechains derived from the second polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a copolymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and polymeric sidechains bonded to the backbone chain, the sidechains comprising a polymer capable of exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a graft copolymer, comprising the steps of: obtaining a first polymer comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the first polymer derived from at least one monomer, the at least one monomer comprising a conjugated diene monomer; polymerizing a second monomer in the presence of a thiocarbonylthio RAFT chain transfer agent to form a polymer comprising a terminal thiocarbonylthio group; cleaving the terminal thiocarbonylthio group to a thiol group to form the second polymer comprising a terminal thiol group; reacting the second polymer with the first polymer to form a graft copolymer, the graft copolymer comprising a backbone derived from the first polymer and sidechains derived from the second polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer comprising a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and an encapsulated metal salt. The invention is further directed to a pneumatic runflat tire comprising a sidewall insert, the insert comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and a metal ion. The invention is further directed to a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising: a diene based elastomer; and a compound of formula I where Q is an n-valent organic group of 1 or more carbon atoms and optionally one or more of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, halogen, silicon, and phosphorus atoms; X is a divalent polymer group capable of exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature; R is independently a hydrogen atom or a monovalent group of formula (II) where Z is a monovalent organic group of 1 or more carbon atoms and optionally one or more of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, halogen, silicon, and phosphorus atoms; and n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The invention is further directed to a rubber composition comprising the reaction product of a diene based elastomer and a compound of formula I, and a pneumatic tire with a tread comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: A tire with a rubber containing component compound of a copolymer rubber having pendant hydroxyl groups; and a non-sulfur containing silane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition comprising: at least one diene-based rubber; and from 1 to 50 phr of a particulate polyamide having a particle size of from 0.1 to 1 micron, wherein the particulate polyamide is substantially spherical and wherein the particulate polyamide has a melting temperature greater than 210° C. as measured by ISO 11357.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm and a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of an epoxidized palm oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition comprising: at least one diene-based rubber; and from 1 to 50 phr of a particulate polyamide having a particle size of from 0.1 to 1 micron, wherein the particulate polyamide is substantially spherical and wherein the particulate polyamide has a melting temperature greater than 210° C. as measured by ISO 11357.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.

Abstract: The invention includes a siloxy-amine functionalized rubbery polymer, which exhibits good reinforcing characteristics and filler dispersing effect, a method for making, and a rubber composition including the same. In one embodiment, a process for manufacturing includes polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer using an organolithium compound as an initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent. Next, an active terminal end of the polymer is reacted with a functionalized terminating agent represented by: RN—(CH2)XSi(OR1)3,??Formula (I) wherein R, in combination with the nitrogen (N) atom, is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic aromatic or non-aromatic compound which includes a ring structure with one or more nitrogen atoms as part of the ring; R1 represents a group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms selected from an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an allyl, or an aryl; and X is an integer from 1 to 20.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a ground contacting tread, the tread comprising a rubber composition comprising a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a bound styrene content of at least 36 percent by weight and a vinyl 1,2 content of less than 25 percent by weight; optionally, at least one additional diene based rubber; silica; a sulfur donor; a sulfenamide accelerator; at least one secondary accelerator selected from the group consisting of guanidines, dithiocarbamates and thiurams; and an ?,?-bis(N,N?-dihydrocarbylthiocarbamamoyldithio)alkane; wherein the zinc content of the rubber composition is less than 0.5 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr) as Zn metal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a component, the component comprising a rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and 1 to 100 phr of: A) a twin polymerization reaction product of a silyl ether; or B) a twin polymerization reaction product of a boronic acid ester; or C) a twin polymerization reaction product of a titanium compound derived from tetraethyl orthotitanate and furfuryl alcohol; or D) a twin polymerization reaction product of a tungsten compound; The invention is further directed to the corresponding rubber compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10.1) for connecting a web (25), comprising a pair of limbs (11, 12), the first two limb ends (13) being fixed to a support (30) while the remaining two limb ends (14) spring back and produce spring ends (14) for the purpose of connecting a web (25). In order to obtain a simpler and reliable connection, it is proposed that the two spring ends of the pair of limbs (11, 12) are connected to each other by means of a loop (20), the inside of the loop (24) serving to accommodate the web (25). When the web is connected, the loop (20) encompasses the cross section of the web and maintains it between its spring ends (14).