Abstract: Rubber blends including natural rubber and at least one propylene-based elastomer are provided herein. The rubber blends have good anti-aging properties as well as high gloss. Methods of making the rubber blends and articles made from the rubber blends, such as tires, are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are polymer blends comprising (a) a propylene impact copolymer comprising a polypropylene component present in a continuous phase and a first elastomeric component present in a disperse phase; and (b) a second elastomeric component, and the interfacial tension between the second elastomeric component and the impact copolymer is at least 1.2 mN/m. The polymer blends of present invention provides improved gloss and impact properties.

Abstract: Rubber blends including natural rubber and at least one propylene-based elastomer are provided herein. The rubber blends have good anti-aging properties as well as high gloss. Methods of making the rubber blends and articles made from the rubber blends, such as tires, are also provided.

Abstract: Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) may comprise a vulcanizable elastomer rubber, a thermoplastic polymer, and a plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer comprises a solid resin. Methods include introducing to a blender a masterbatch comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a curative, a vulcanizable elastomer rubber, a second thermoplastic polymer, and 25 parts to 250 parts of a plasticizer by weight of the vulcanizable elastomer rubber. The first and second thermoplastic polymers combined are 20 parts to 250 parts by weight of the vulcanizable elastomer rubber, and the plasticizer comprises a solid resin. The masterbatch, thermoplastic resin, and plasticizer are then dynamically vulcanized in at least a portion of the vulcanizable elastomer rubber to form a thermoplastic vulcanizate.

Abstract: Described herein are polymer blends comprising (a) a propylene impact copolymer comprising a polypropylene component present in a continuous phase and a first elastomeric component present in a disperse phase; and (b) a second elastomeric component, and the interfacial tension between the second elastomeric component and the impact copolymer is at least 1.2 mN/m. The polymer blends of present invention provides improved gloss and impact properties.

Abstract: Copolymer are formed by polymerizing C4 to C7 isoolefin monomers and alkyl-styrene monomers. The method comprises first providing feed streams into a reactor. The various feed streams provide monomers, a polar diluent or polar diluent mixture, and a catalyst system into the reactor. In the reactor, the feed streams contact one another so that the monomers form a polymer in a stable slurry, wherein the amount of polymer in the slurry yields a slurry concentration greater than 22 wt %. The ratio of moles of polymer formed per mole initiator is in the range of 0.25 to 4.0 moles polymer per mole of initiator.

Abstract: A process for producing a nanocomposite of a halogenated elastomer and an inorganic, exfoliated clay includes the in-situ protonation of a modifier, which may be an alkylamine, arylamine or an alkylarylamine. This process can be integrated with a polymer halogenation process. The nanocomposite so formed has improved air barrier properties and is suitable for use as a tire innerliner or innertube.

Abstract: Copolymer are formed by polymerizing C4 to C7 isoolefin monomers and alkyl-styrene monomers. The method comprises first providing feed streams into a reactor. The various feed streams provide monomers, a polar diluent or polar diluent mixture, and a catalyst system into the reactor. In the reactor, the feed streams contact one another so that the monomers form a polymer in a stable slurry, wherein the amount of polymer in the slurry yields a slurry concentration greater than 22 wt %. The ratio of moles of polymer formed per mole initiator is in the range of 0.25 to 4.0 moles polymer per mole of initiator.

Abstract: A process for producing a nanocomposite of a halogenated elastomer and an inorganic, exfoliated clay includes the in-situ protonation of a modifier, which may be an alkylamine, arylamine or an alkylarylamine. This process can be integrated with a polymer halogenation process. The nanocomposite so formed has improved air barrier properties and is suitable for use as a tire innerliner or innertube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an elastomeric composition processable in a curable, filled rubber formulation. The composition comprises a halogenated interpolymer of a C4 to C7 isoolefin and from 3 to 20 weight percent alkylstyrene and comprising from 0.2 to 2 mole percent haloalkylstyrene, a Mooney viscosity less than 27, a number average molecular weight less than 270,000, a weight average molecular weight less than 470,000, a z-average molecular weight less than 700,000, and a branching index (g?) from 0.4 to 1.1. Also disclosed are a method of making a cured, filled rubber article, comprising compounding the elastomeric composition with filler and curative, processing the compounded composition to form a shape of the article, and curing the composition to obtain the article in the formed shape, as well as a tire comprising an innerliner made by the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified layered fillers made from layered fillers and modifying agents and processes to produce the same. The invention also relates to nanocomposite compositions made from these modified layered fillers and elastomers, and processes to produce the same, and their use in articles.

Abstract: A process for producing phenol and methyl ethyl ketone comprises contacting benzene with a C4 alkylating agent under alkylation conditions with catalyst comprising zeolite beta or a molecular sieve having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom to produce an alkylation effluent comprising sec-butylbenzene. The sec-butylbenzene is then oxidized to produce a hydroperoxide and the hydroperoxide is decomposed to produce phenol and methyl ethyl ketone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an elastomeric composition processable in a curable, filled rubber formulation. The composition comprises a halogenated interpolymer of a C4 to C7 isoolefin and from 3 to 20 weight percent alkylstyrene and comprising from 0.2 to 2 mole percent haloalkylstyrene, a Mooney viscosity less than 27, a number average molecular weight less than 270,000, a weight average molecular weight less than 470,000, a z-average molecular weight less than 700,000, and a branching index (g?) from 0.4 to 1.1. Also disclosed are a method of making a cured, filled rubber article, comprising compounding the elastomeric composition with filler and curative, processing the compounded composition to form a shape of the article, and curing the composition to obtain the article in the formed shape, as well as a tire comprising an innerliner made by the method.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil in a reservoir by generating chemical microexplosions in the reservoir. The invention treats the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir by decomposing in situ at least one PEH-3CO, thereby generating heat, shock, and CO2. A preferred method comprises the steps of depositing PEH-3CO into the formation and depositing an acid into the formation to cause the PEH-3CO to decompose and generate heat and gas.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil in a reservoir by generating chemical microexplosions in the reservoir. The invention treats the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir by decomposing in situ at least one PEH-3CO, thereby generating heat, shock, and CO2. A preferred method comprises the steps of depositing PEH-3CO into the formation and depositing an acid into the formation to cause the PEH-3CO to decompose and generate heat and gas.

Abstract: Concentrates for lubricating oil compositions are prepared by mixing at elevated temperature: (i) at least one high molecular weight ashless dispersant; (ii) at least one oil-soluble overbased metal detergent; and (iii) at least one surface-active agent comprising a low molecular weight hydroxyl or amine group.

Abstract: Polar monomer-containing copolymers derived from at least one &agr;, &bgr; unsaturated carbonyl compound, such as alkyl acrylates and one or more olefins, such olefins including ethylene and C3-C20 &agr;-olefins such as propylene and 1-butene, which copolymers have (a) an average ethylene sequence length, ESL, of from about 1.0 to less than about 3.

Abstract: Polar monomer-containing copolymers derived from at least one .alpha., .beta. unsaturated carbonyl compound, such as alkyl acrylates and one or more olefins, such olefins including ethylene and C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 .alpha.-olefins such as propylene and 1-butene, which copolymers have (a) an average ethylene sequence length, ESL, of from about 1.0 to less than about 3.

Abstract: The invention pertains to improved lubricating oil dispersants wherein a fractionating polymer is prepared prior to functionalization (e.g., in the Koch reaction) for making dispersant additives. In one aspect, it was discovered that by fractionating a polymer to remove light hydrocarbon and unreacted monomer from the polymer before the carbonylation step of the Koch reaction, the amount of light ester impurities generated was minimized. Light ester is an undesirable byproduct that adversely affects the recycle of the catalyst from the functionalization step of the Koch reaction. The invention also pertains to improved lubricating oil nitrogen-containing dispersant additives derived from fractionated polymer.

Abstract: The invention pertains to improved lubricating oil dispersants wherein a fractionating polymer is prepared prior to functionalization (e.g., in the Koch reaction) for making dispersant additives. In one aspect, it was discovered that by fractionating a polymer to remove light hydrocarbon and unreacted monomer from the polymer before the carbonylation step of the Koch reaction, the amount of light ester impurities generated was minimized. Light ester is an undesirable byproduct that adversely affects the recycle of the catalyst from the functionalization step of the Koch reaction. The invention also pertains to improved lubricating oil nitrogen-containing dispersant additives derived from fractionated polymer.