Abstract: A graft copolymer rubber comprising an unsaturated hydrocarbon rubber backbone having pendently grafted thereto a polymerized metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid is provided. The graft copolymer rubber is prepared by a method which involves dissolving an unsaturated hydrocarbon rubber in a solvent to form a rubber solution, adding a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid to the solution, adding a free radical initiator to the solution and then heating the resultant reaction mixture at a temperature of from about 40 to about 150.degree. C. for a time period of from about 0.1 to about 100 hours.The resultant graft copolymer rubber is sulfur curable and when compounded with conventional rubber additives and cured forms rubber compounds having high modulus. The graft copolymer rubbers of the invention can be used in various end use applications where high strength properties are important such as tires, industrial rubber goods and the like.

Abstract: A process for producing partially hydrogenated diene pollers containing unsaturation in the endo and exo configurations while substantially eliminating the unsaturation in the 1,4-trans configuration, by isomerizing the unsaturation during hydrogenation in the presence of an arylphosphine isomerizing agent.

Abstract: A process for partially isomerized partially hydrogenated diene polishers containing unsaturation in endo and exo trisubstituted chain configurations while substantially eliminating the unsaturation in the 1,4-trans configuration remaining after hydrogenation, by isomerizing the unsaturation in the presence of a phosphine, borane, or alkali alkoxide isomerizing agent.

Abstract: A process for producing isomerized partially hydrogenated diene polymers containing unsaturation in endo and exo trisubstituted chain configurations while substantially eliminating the unsaturation in the 1,4-trans configuration remaining after hydrogenation, by isomerizing the unsaturation in the presence of a phosphine, borane, or alkali alkoxide isomerizing agent.

Abstract: A process for producing partially hydrogenated diene polymers containing unsaturation in the endo and exo configurations while substantially eliminating the unsaturation in the 1,4-trans configuration, by isomerizing the unsaturation during hydrogenation in the presence of an arylphosphine isomerizing agent.

Abstract: Poly (vinyl sulfoxide)- and (vinyl sulfoxide)-capped elastomers made by capping a lithium terminated elastomer (such as a lithium terminated styrene-butadiene rubber) with more than 0.5 equivalent of vinyl sulfoxide monomer provide compounded elastomer vulcanizates of lowered hysteresis characteristics. Such low hysteresis vulcanizates are useful in making road-contacting tread components of pneumatic tires. Tires with such tread components exhibit low rolling resistance and reduced heat build-up during use.

Abstract: An anionic polymerization initiator comprising the reaction product of a an organatin halide and lithium in a suitable solvent. Elastomeric polymers prepared with these initiators have tin containing functional groups on substantially every polymer chain and provide vulcanizable rubber compounds exhibiting reduced hysteresis. Articles such as tires, produced with low hysteresis elastomeric polymers have lower rolling resistance. Methods are also provided for preparing the initiators and the elastomers having reduced hysteresis properties.

Abstract: A vulcanizable elastomeric compound and products such as pneumatic tires and the like, are formed from a functionalized polymer having a functional group derived from the polymerization initiator. The polymerization initiator is selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyls having from 3 to about 14 carbon atoms, and aryls having from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms. Methods of the present invention include preparing the initiator, preparing functionalized polymers and, reducing the hysteresis of vulcanizable elastomeric compounds.

Abstract: A method of preparing an elastomer having reduced hysteresis properties comprises the steps of reacting an anionic polymer having at least one functional site, with about one equivalent of a sulfoxide compound having the formula ##STR1## to form an adduct, where R1 and R2 are organo groups selected from the group consisting of alkyls and sulfur substituted alkyls having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, cycloalkyls having from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms, aryls and halogen substituted aryls having from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms and aralkyls having from about 7 to about 20 carbon atoms; and, curing the adduct in the presence of a suitable cure catalyst. Articles such as tires, produced with low hysteresis elastomeric polymers have lower rolling resistance.

Abstract: A method for the melt reaction of polyesters, particularly polyethylene terephthalate, with an endcapping agent which reacts with terminal carboxyl groups of the polyester. The endcapping agents are selected from the group consisting of eneamines and Schiff bases.

Abstract: A method for the melt reaction of polyesters, particularly polyethylene terephthalate, with an endcapping agent which reacts with terminal carboxyl groups of the polyester. The endcapping agents are selected from the group consisting of dialkyloxylates and tetraalkylureas.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate molding compositions are provided which comprise a polyethylene terephthalate having an inherent viscosity of at least 0.4, a plasticizer, a lubricating polymer, a nucleating agent, a reinforcing agent or mixture of reinforcing agent and filler, and a molecular weight reducing agent for the polyethylene terephthalate. The molding compositions can be injection molded utilizing mold temperatures below 100.degree. C. (e.g, 60.degree.-90.degree. C.). The molded compositions exhibit an excellent balance of properties such as tensile strength, flex modulus, heat distortion temperature and impact strength.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate molding compositions are provided which comprise a polyethylene terephthalate having an inherent viscosity of at least 0.4, a plasticizer, a lubricating polymer, a nucleating agent, a reinforcing agent or mixture of reinforcing agent and filler, and a molecular weight reducing agent for the polyethylene terephthalate. The molding compositions can be injection molded utilizing mold temperatures below 100.degree. C. (e.g., 60.degree.-90.degree. C.). The molded compositions exhibit an excellent balance of properties such as tensile strength, flex modulus, heat distortion temperature and impact strength.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed toward a process of preparing free flowing thermoset resin particles of polybutadiene and includes the steps of physically mixing a filler material with polybutadiene followed by chopping the mixture into small particles or granules which are irregularly shaped. A vulcanizing agent can be added during the mixing step as well as other ingredients commonly added to polybutadiene resin formulations, as is customarily done in the art, without affecting the free flowing properties of the polybutadiene treated according to the process of this invention.