Abstract: The present invention achieves increased filler interaction by incorporating a small amount (a few units per chain of rubbery polymer) of a conjugated triene monomer, such as alloocimene, randomly throughout the polymer chain of a rubbery polymer or at the chain ends of the rubbery polymer. The incorporation of the conjugated triene monomer leads to the formation of a polymer containing highly reactive conjugated diene units. These conjugated diene units can chemically react with carbon black leading to superior reinforcement. Alternatively, these conjugated diene units can be used for functionalization of the polymer with silica interactive/reactive groups using Diels Alder reactions. This functionalization of the rubbery polymer can conveniently be conducted in a mixer, such as a Banbury mixer, a mill mixer, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention achieves increased filler interaction by incorporating a small amount (a few units per chain of rubbery polymer) of a conjugated triene monomer, such as alloocimene, randomly throughout the polymer chain of a rubbery polymer or at the chain ends of the rubbery polymer. The incorporation of the conjugated triene monomer leads to the formation of a polymer containing highly reactive conjugated diene units. These conjugated diene units can chemically react with carbon black leading to superior reinforcement. Alternatively, these conjugated diene units can be used for functionalization of the polymer with silica interactive/reactive groups using Diels Alder reactions. This functionalization of the rubbery polymer can conveniently be conducted in a mixer, such as a Banbury mixer, a mill mixer, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a sidewall component, the sidewall component including an air passageway extending at least partially about the circumference of the tire, the air passageway surrounded by and in fluid communication with a surface comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising: a diene based rubber; from 0.25 to 5 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr), of a self-lubrication agent capable of migrating from the rubber composition to the groove surface and disposing on the groove surface as a liquid; and from 1 to 15 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr), of a vulcanization modifier for use in the second rubber composition include ?,?-bis(N,N?-dihydrocarbylthiocarbamamoyldithio)alkanes, bismaleimides, and biscitraconimides.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. The sidewall groove extends into an annular, axially extending, sidewall surface such as an axially oriented surface of a tire chafer protrusion located in non-contacting relationship with the rim. The opposite groove surfaces comprise a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising: a diene based rubber; from 0.

Abstract: The present invention achieves increased filler interaction by incorporating a small amount (a few units per chain of rubbery polymer) of a conjugated triene monomer, such as alloocimene, randomly throughout the polymer chain of a rubbery polymer or at the chain ends of the rubbery polymer. The incorporation of the conjugated triene monomer leads to the formation of a polymer containing highly reactive conjugated diene units. These conjugated diene units can chemically react with carbon black leading to superior reinforcement. Alternatively, these conjugated diene units can be used for functionalization of the polymer with silica interactive/reactive groups using Diels Alder reactions. This functionalization of the rubbery polymer can conveniently be conducted in a mixer, such as a Banbury mixer, a mill mixer, or the like.

Abstract: The invention includes terminating compounds, polymers, rubber compositions and tires. The terminating compounds can provide terminating groups on the polymer. Polymers can be homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers, and can include repeat units provided from conjugated diene monomers. Rubber compositions can be made from the polymers, and tires and various parts of tires can be made from those rubber compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a rubber composition, comprising the steps of mixing cellulose fibers and water to form a first mixture; mixing the first mixture with an aqueous diene-based elastomer latex to form a second mixture comprising cellulose fibers, elastomer, and water; and separating the cellulose fibers and elastomer from the water to form a elastomer/cellulose masterbatch.

Abstract: The invention includes terminating compounds, polymers, rubber compositions and tires. The terminating compounds can provide terminating groups on the polymer. Polymers can be homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers, and can include repeat units provided from conjugated diene monomers. Rubber compositions can be made from the polymers, and tires and various parts of tires can be made from those rubber compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a component comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), (A) from about 60 to about 90 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber functionalized with an alkoxysilane group and a primary amines; (B) from about 40 to about 10 phr of polybutadiene having a microstructure comprised of about 96 to about 99 percent cis 1,4-isomeric units, about 0.1 to about 1 percent trans 1,4-isomeric units and from about 1 to about 3 percent vinyl 1,2-isomeric units; a number average molecular weight (Mn) in a range of from about 75,000 to about 150,000 and a heterogeneity index (Mw/Mn) in a range of from about 3/1 to about 5/1; and (C) from about 50 to about 150 phr of silica.

Abstract: A process of preparing a nanocomposite comprised of an elastomer and at least partially exfoliated, intercalated water-swellable clay.

Abstract: The invention includes terminating compounds, polymers, rubber compositions and tires. The terminating compounds can provide terminating groups on the polymer. Polymers can be homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers, and can include repeat units provided from conjugated diene monomers. Rubber compositions can be made from the polymers, and tires and various parts of tires can be made from those rubber compositions.

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 from about 50 to about 100 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene (VPSBR) elastomer comprising units derived from monomers comprising styrene, 1,3-butadiene, and vinylpyridine monomers which have the structural formula: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a straight chain or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein the VPSBR comprises from about 0.1 to about 8 percent by weight of vinylpyridine monomer; from 0 to about 50 phr of at least one additional diene-based elastomer; from about 5 to about 15 phr of an at least partially exfoliated clay; and from about 1 to about 40 phr of a polyoctenamer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing an amphiphilic block copolymer, including the steps of: (1) preparing a first aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) 4-vinylpyridine, (b) a trithiocarbonate RAFT agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium by the reaction of a latent surfactant with a surfactant activator; (2) polymerizing the 4-vinylpyridine within the first aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of a first free radical initiator to produce a poly(4-vinylpyridine); (3) protonating the poly(4-vinylpyridine) to form a protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator; (4) preparing a second aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and a monomer containing ethylenic unsaturation but is exclusive of a surfactant; and (5) polymerizing the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and monomer containing ethylenic u

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition comprising: an vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene (VPSBR) elastomer derived from monomers comprising vinylpyridine, styrene, and butadiene, wherein the VPSBR comprises from about 0.1 to about 8 percent by weight of vinylpyridine; and from about 5 to about 15 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of VPSBR, of an at least partially exfoliated clay.

Abstract: A process of preparing a nanocomposite comprised of an elastomer and at least partially exfoliated, intercalated water-swellable clay, comprising the steps of (A) forming a first blend of water-swelled clay and anionic polymer particle emulsion by blending: (1) an aqueous mixture comprised of water and a multilayered water-swellable clay, exclusive of an intercalant for said clay, wherein said water-swellable clay is comprised of a plurality of stacked platelets with water-expanded galleries between said platelets, wherein said galleries contain naturally occurring cationic ion exchangeable ions therein, and (2) an emulsion of anionic synthetic vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene terpolymer (VPSBR) elastomer particles as an aqueous pre-formed elastomer emulsion having a pH in a range of from about 6 to about 11, comprised of anionic elastomer particles (elastomer particles having anions on the surface derived from an anionic surfactant) prepared by aqueous free radical induced polymerization of monomers in th

Abstract: This invention relates to a rubber composition which contains a dispersion of a particulate hydrophilic water absorbing polymer and tire with a tread thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing an amphiphilic block copolymer, including the steps of: (1) preparing a first aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) 4-vinylpyridine, (b) a trithiocarbonate RAFT agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium by the reaction of a latent surfactant with a surfactant activator; (2) polymerizing the 4-vinylpyridine within the first aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of a first free radical initiator to produce a poly(4-vinylpyridine); (3) protonating the poly(4-vinylpyridine) to form a protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator; (4) preparing a second aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and a monomer containing ethylenic unsaturation but is exclusive of a surfactant; and (5) polymerizing the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and monomer containing ethylenic u

Abstract: Mercaptans are normally used as chain transfer agents in emulsion polymerizations. The mercaptans used in commercial applications are typically complex mixtures of hundreds of similar compounds having boiling points within a narrow range. The chain transfer activity of different mercaptans with such mixtures can vary substantially. To further complicate the situation, the distribution of various mercaptans can also vary substantially between lots of material obtained from commercial sources. Thus, consistent molecular weight control is typically difficult to attain in free radical emulsion polymerizations. This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that dibenzyltrithiocarbonate will act as a pure compound to effectively and consistently control molecular weight in free radical emulsion polymerizations. The polydispersity of polymers made using dibenzyltrithiocarbonate as a molecular weight regulator is similar to that obtained using conventional mercaptan systems.