Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for producing poly(cyclohexadiene) homopolymers (PCHD). The PCHD is formed by polymerizing a 1,3-cyclohexadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst, in a hydrocarbon solvent, and at a temperature of ?100° C. to 120° C. The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a Bronsted acid, a Lewis acid, and combinations thereof. PCHD produced under these conditions has good solubility in non-polar solvents, and a number average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000 Dalton; a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 15,000 Delton; and a polydispersity index of 3.0 to 8.0. The PCHD is useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials can be combined with a rubbery polymer to produce compositions valuable for further downstream uses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are copolymers formed by cationic polymerization of one or more cyclic dienes and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of a monoterpene, a branched styrene, and combinations thereof, in the presence of a catalyst. Random copolymers having repeat units derived from a cyclic conjugated diene, such as 1,3-cyclohexadiene, and a comonomer such as a monoterpene, can be prepared as soluble products in hydrocarbon solvents. The copolymers can be crosslinked with various crosslinking agents to form materials having good oxidative stability and fire retardancy. The uncrosslinked and crosslinked copolymers have useful properties such as a low dissipation factor, low dielectric constants, and a good balance of thermomechanical and electrical properties that make them valuable in electronic applications.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for producing poly(cyclohexadiene) homopolymers (PCHD). The PCHD is formed by polymerizing a 1,3-cyclohexadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst, in a hydrocarbon solvent, and at a temperature of ?100° C. to 120° C. The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a Bronsted acid, a Lewis acid, and combinations thereof. PCHD produced under these conditions has good solubility in non-polar solvents, and a number average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000 Dalton; a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 15,000 Delton; and a polydispersity index of 3.0 to 8.0. The PCHD is useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials can be combined with a rubbery polymer to produce compositions valuable for further downstream uses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are copolymers formed by cationic polymerfization of one or more cyclic dienes and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of a monoterpene, a branched styrene, and combinations thereof, in the presence of a catalyst. Random copolymers having repeat units derived from a cyclic conjugated diene, such as 1,3-cyclohexadiene, and a comonomer such as a monoterpene, can be prepared as soluble products in hydrocarbon solvents. The copolymers can be crosslinked with various crosslinking agents to form materials having good oxidative stability and fire retardancy. The uncrosslinked and crosslinked copolymers have useful properties such as a low dissipation factor, low dielectric constants, and a good balance of thermomechanical and electrical properties that make them valuable in electronic applications.

Abstract: A composition comprising a tread enhancement additive for use in a number of applications including tires is disclosed. The tread enhancement additive is prepared from an unmodified alkyl phenol resin by reducing the hydroxyl value of the unmodified alkyl phenol resin, forming a modified alkyl phenol resin having a decreased hydroxyl value. The composition exhibits improved performance characteristics such as enhanced wet grip and decreased rolling resistance and improved abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition for use in a number of applications including tires. The composition comprises a blend of a rubber component, reinforcing particulate fillers, and based on 100 parts by weight (phr) of the rubber component; from about 5 phr to about 70 phr of a terpene phenol resin having a softening point temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 170° C. and having a hydroxyl value in the range from about 5 to about 30. In one embodiment, the terpene phenol resin has a number average molecular weight of from about 700 Da to about 790 Da, a weight average molecular weight of from about 930 Da to about 1090 Da, and a polydispersity index of from about 1.25 to about 1.45.

Abstract: A composition comprising a tread enhancement additive for use in a number of applications including tires is disclosed. The tread enhancement additive is prepared from an unmodified alkyl phenol resin by reducing the hydroxyl value of the unmodified alkyl phenol resin, forming a modified alkyl phenol resin having a decreased hydroxyl value. The composition exhibits improved performance characteristics such as enhanced wet grip and decreased rolling resistance and improved abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition for use in a number of applications including tires. The composition comprises a blend of a rubber component, reinforcing particulate fillers, and based on 100 parts by weight (phr) of the rubber component; from about 5 phr to about 70 phr of a terpene phenol resin having a softening point temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 170° C. and having a hydroxyl value in the range from about 5 to about 30. In one embodiment, the terpene phenol resin has a number average molecular weight of from about 700 Da to about 790 Da, a weight average molecular weight of from about 930 Da to about 1090 Da, and a polydispersity index of from about 1.25 to about 1.45.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an inner liner formulation comprising a rosin ester with a low acid number and a butyl rubber, to a tire inner liner comprising said inner liner formulation, and to a method for providing an inner liner formulation, wherein the rosin ester has an acid number of at most 15 mgKOH/g.