Abstract: A multilayer flexible tube includes an inner layer including a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the melt processable fluoropolymer includes a terpolymer including a tetrafluoroethylene, a hexafluoropropylene, and a vinylidene fluoride (THV); a tie layer including a polymeric blend of a terpolymer including a tetrafluoroethylene, a hexafluoropropylene, and a vinylidene fluoride (THV) with a poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a polyamide, a polyetheramide block copolymer, or combination thereof; and an outer layer including a melt processable polymer having a shore hardness less than a shore hardness of the inner layer.

Abstract: A method for method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing an active polymerization mixture including a reactive polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst; introducing a heterocyclic nitrile compound with the reactive polymer to form a functionalized polymer within the polymerization mixture; introducing a quenching agent to the polymerization mixture including the functionalized polymer, where the ratio of water or protic hydrogen atoms in the quenching agent to the lanthanide atoms in the lanthanide-based catalyst is less than 1500 to 1.

Abstract: Methods are described for the preparation of polymers using a lanthanide-based coordination catalyst and arresting polymerization using a reduced amount of a Lewis base while retaining the reactivity of the polymer chain ends toward functionalization agents. The Lewis base is a meso-enriched oxolanyl Lewis base. The resulting functionalized polymer has a higher level of purity and can be used in products such as tires.

Abstract: A multilayer tube includes: an inner layer including a fluoroelastomer, wherein the fluoroelastomer has a flex modulus of less than about 40 MPa; a tie layer adjacent to the inner layer; and an outer layer adjacent to the tie layer, wherein the outer layer includes a non-fluoroelastomer.

Abstract: A multilayer tube includes an inner layer including a crosslinked fluoroelastomer rubber; and an outer layer including a crosslinked non-fluoroelastomer rubber, wherein the multilayer tube has a shore A hardness of about 40 to about 90.

Abstract: A method is described for the formation of an active catalyst system for use in the in-line bulk polymerization of polydienes. The method provides a homogeneous, active catalyst system which is capable of being transported to a polymerization reactor for use without causing blockages in piping, thereby saving time and production costs. The catalyst system is formed in-line in a continuous method to avoid prolonged storage periods of the catalyst that can otherwise lead to degradation and disposal of the aged catalyst system.

Abstract: A multilayer flexible tube includes an inner layer including a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the melt processable fluoropolymer includes a terpolymer including a tetrafluoroethylene, a hexafluoropropylene, and a vinylidene fluoride (THV); a tie layer including a polymeric blend of a terpolymer including a tetrafluoroethylene, a hexafluoropropylene, and a vinylidene fluoride (THV) with a poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a polyamide, a polyetheramide block copolymer, or combination thereof; and an outer layer including a melt processable polymer having a shore hardness less than a shore hardness of the inner layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-layered tubings that are fuel resistant and resistant to delamination. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a length of tubing having an annular cross-section including an annular fluoropolymer layer formed from at least 75 wt % fluoropolymer (e.g., at least 75 wt % of a PVDF polymer), the fluoropolymer layer having an outer surface and an inner surface; and disposed about the fluoropolymer layer, an annular thermoplastic layer formed from at least 75 wt % thermoplastic (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyamide and/or thermoplastic polyester), the thermoplastic polyurethane layer having an inner surface in contact with the outer surface of the fluoropolymer layer and an outer surface, wherein the fluoropolymer layer is covalently bound to the thermoplastic polyurethane layer, for example, by electron beam treatment.

Abstract: Methods are described for the preparation of polymers using a lanthanide-based coordination catalyst and arresting polymerization using a reduced amount of a Lewis base while retaining the reactivity of the polymer chain ends toward functionalization agents. The Lewis base is a meso-enriched oxolanyl Lewis base. The resulting functionalized polymer has a higher level of purity and can be used in products such as tires.

Abstract: A method is described for the formation of an active catalyst system for use in the in-line bulk polymerization of polydienes. The method provides a homogeneous, active catalyst system which is capable of being transported to a polymerization reactor for use without causing blockages in piping, thereby saving time and production costs. The catalyst system is formed in-line in a continuous method to avoid prolonged storage periods of the catalyst that can otherwise lead to degradation and disposal of the aged catalyst system.

Abstract: A tubular for fuel delivery including a plurality of first-type layers; and a plurality of second-type layers each disposed between a pair of adjacent first-type layers, wherein the plurality of first-type layers includes at least two first-type layers, wherein the plurality of second-type layers includes at least two second-type layers, and wherein a Melt Flow Index, MFI1, of each of the plurality of first-type layers is different than a Melt Flow Index, MFI2, of each of the plurality of second-type layers, as measured at a same temperature, wherein the tubular for fuel delivery has a resistance to fuel permeation of less than about 15 g/day/m2.

Abstract: A method for method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing an active polymerization mixture including a reactive polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst; introducing a heterocyclic nitrile compound with the reactive polymer to form a functionalized polymer within the polymerization mixture; introducing a quenching agent to the polymerization mixture including the functionalized polymer, where the ratio of water or protic hydrogen atoms in the quenching agent to the lanthanide atoms in the lanthanide-based catalyst is less than 1500 to 1.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-layered tubings that are fuel resistant and resistant to delamination. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a length of tubing having an annular cross-section including an annular fluoropolymer layer formed from at least 75 wt % fluoropolymer (e.g., at least 75 wt % of a PVDF polymer), the fluoropolymer layer having an outer surface and an inner surface; and disposed about the fluoropolymer layer, an annular thermoplastic layer formed from at least 75 wt % thermoplastic (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyamide and/or thermoplastic polyester), the thermoplastic polyurethane layer having an inner surface in contact with the outer surface of the fluoropolymer layer and an outer surface, wherein the fluoropolymer layer is covalently bound to the thermoplastic polyurethane layer, for example, by electron beam treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to rubber compositions containing a chemical additive capable of generating or enhancing strain-induced crystallization into the compositions, and tires containing the rubber compositions in one or more components such as sidewalls or treads. The chemical additive is at least one fatty acid amide compound of formula (I). As well, certain embodiments relate to methods for achieving reduced wear or improved durability in a tire tread or tire sidewall by using the chemical additives.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to rubber compositions containing a chemical additive capable of generating or enhancing strain-induced crystallization into the compositions, and tires containing the rubber compositions in one or more components such as sidewalls or treads. The chemical additive is at least one nucleating agent of formula (I) or formula (II). As well, certain embodiments relate to methods for achieving reduced wear or improved durability in a tire tread or tire sidewall by using the chemical additives.

Abstract: A process for preparing a blend of cis-1,4-polybutadiene and syndiotactic 1,2 polybutadiene, the process comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst to form a polymerization mixture including cis-1,4-polybutadiene, and (ii) polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a cobalt-based catalyst within the polymerization mixture including cis-1,4-polybutadiene to form syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene and thereby produce a blend of cis-1,4-polybutadiene and syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are solution polymerization processes for producing a high-cis polydiene. The processes include polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of at least one thiol compound and a lanthanide-based catalyst composition to produce a polydiene having a cis-1,4-linkage content of 90-99%. The at least one thiol compound is represented by the general formula R—S—H, where R is a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group. The lanthanide-based catalyst composition comprises (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an alkylating agent, and (c) a halogen source, where (c) may optionally be provided by (a), (b), or both (a) and (b). The molar ratio of the at least one thiol compound to the lanthanide compound used in the polymerization process ranges from 0.01:1 to 100:1. Improved solution polymerization processes regarding the same are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A tubular including a plurality of first-type layers; and a plurality of second-type layers each disposed between a pair of adjacent first-type layers, wherein the plurality of first-type layers includes at least two first-type layers, wherein the plurality of second-type layers includes at least two second-type layers, and wherein a Melt Flow Index, MFI1, of each of the plurality of first-type layers is different than a Melt Flow Index, MFI2, of each of the plurality of second-type layers, as measured at a same temperature. In an embodiment, at least one of the first-type layers and the second-type layers is adapted to provide a barrier against escape of gases, liquids, or a combination thereof from the tubular.

Abstract: A method for producing a polydiene, the method comprising of combining a lanthanide compound, an alkylating agent, a halogen source, and optionally conjugated diene monomer to form an active preformed catalyst; independent of step (i), introducing an amine with conjugated diene monomer to be polymerized; independent of step (i), introducing the active preformed catalyst to the conjugated diene monomer to be polymerized to form an active polymerization mixture, where the active polymerization mixture includes less than 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the active polymerization mixture, of a solvent; and allowing the monomer to be polymerized to polymerize in the presence of the amine.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to rubber compositions containing a chemical additive capable of generating or enhancing strain-induced crystallization into the compositions, and tires containing the rubber compositions in one or more components such as sidewalls or treads. The chemical additive is at least one fatty acid amide compound of formula (I). As well, certain embodiments relate to methods for achieving reduced wear or improved durability in a tire tread or tire sidewall by using the chemical additives.