Abstract: Vulcanizable elastomeric compositions having enhanced dampening properties, among other things, in which the elastomeric composition contains surface-treated barium sulfate particles formed of a plurality of barium sulfate particles and a reaction product of the barium sulfate and silicon-hydride containing polysiloxane integrally located on the surfaces of the barium sulfate particles. Vulcanized products thereof are also encompassed. The elastomeric compositions of this invention can be vulcanized to retain appropriate shapes to provide tire parts (e.g., treads), v-belts, conveyor belts, sealants, shoe parts, and so forth, having enhanced vibration and noise dampening attributes, but without adversely impacting other performance-related properties of the rubber products.

Abstract: Substantially dry free-flowing particles of amorphous precipitated silica have large sizes and large carrying capacities for organic liquids, and they contain little or no dust.

Abstract: The invention is a natural rubber compound containing a precipitated amorphous silica filter. The silica has a CTAB specific surface area of about 10 m.sup.2 /g to less than 140 m.sup.2 /g; a multi-point BET surface area of about 50-225 m.sup.2 /g; a 5% pH value of about 5.0-8.5; a DBP oil absorption of about 160-310 cm.sup.3 /100 g; a projected surface area of no greater than about 4000 nm.sup.2 ; and a pore volume ratio of pores ranging from 175 to 275 .ANG. in diameter to all pores less than 400 .ANG. in diameter of about 10% to less than 50%.

Abstract: Cured tread rubber compositions of tires contain cured organic rubber, from 40 to 150 phr of reinforcing carbon black, and reinforcing reinforced amorphous precipitated silica wherein the silica has a surface area of from 160 to 340 m.sup.2 /g and a pore diameter at the maximum of the volume pore size distribution function of from 5 to 19 nm. The presence of such reinforcing silica provides improved tire performance characteristics, especially improved paved highway performance, to tires having treads of the cured tread rubber compositions.

Abstract: Cured tread rubber compositions of tires contain cured organic rubber, from 0 to 20 phr of reinforcing carbon black, and from 40 to 120 phr of reinforcing reinforced amorphous precipitated silica wherein the silica has a surface area of from 160 to 340 m.sup.2 /g and a pore diameter at the maximum of the volume pore size distribution function of from 5 to 19 nm. The presence of such reinforcing silica provides improved tire performance characteristics, especially improved paved highway performance, to tires having treads of the cured tread rubber compositions.

Abstract: Particulate amorphous silica, surfactant, monomer, and an aqueous solvent are brought into mutual contact so that as equilibrium is approached the concentration of the surfactant in the liquid phase is below, at, or slightly above the critical micelle concentration; the monomer is then polymerized to form polymeric film associated with at least a portion of the surface of the particulate amorphous silica, the polymeric film being (i) homopolymer of an aliphatic monomer or (ii) copolymer of at least two different monomers.

Abstract: A statistically large population of particles of amorphous precipitated silica is substantially free of particles of amorphous precipitated silica which are retained on a 20 mesh sieve screen, and is characterized by at least 90 percent by weight of said particles of said population being retained on a 200 mesh sieve screen. Such a population may be produced by cracking amorphous precipitated silica particles between the textured rolls of at least one roll pair.

Abstract: There is disclosed the use of matrix-antidegradants in rubber and a process for the production of matrix-antidegradants. More specifically, this invention is directed to microparticles of vulcanized rubber containing high levels of para-phenylenediamine type antiozonants which have a particle diameter of 100 microns or less. The matrix-antidegradant or microparticles prepared according to this invention provide long term protection to rubber articles that are subject to ozone and oxygen attack.

Abstract: There is disclosed the use of microencapsulated antidegradants in rubber and a process for the production of microencapsulated antidegradants. More specifically, this invention is directed to the cellulose acetate microencapsulation of para-phenylene diamine based antiozonants at wall to core ratios greater than 1:1 but less than 4:1. The microcapsules preferably have a particle diameter of less than 50 microns. The microencapsulated antidegradant prepared and used according to this invention provides long term protection to rubber articles that are subject to ozone and oxygen attack.