Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer having the formula (P-Bn)q-X where P is a polydiene segment, B is a styrenic monomer residue, n is the number of styrenic monomer residues, and Bn is a polystyrenic segment; X is a multifunctional terminator residue, and q is the number of (P-Bn) chains coupled to X; wherein for q=1, the weight percent of the functionalized elastomer is at least 90 percent by weight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer having the formula (P-Bn)q-X where P is a polydiene segment, B is a styrenic monomer residue, n is the number of styrenic monomer residues, and Bn is a polystyrenic segment; X is a multifunctional terminator residue, and q is the number of (P-Bn) chains coupled to X; wherein for q=1, the weight percent of the functionalized elastomer is at least 90 percent by weight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymer blend, the blend including a diene-based elastomer grafted with a substituted acrylamide polymer through a sulfur atom, and from 1 to 20 percent by weight of an additional polymer miscible with the substituted acrylamide polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bifunctionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of (1) a living anionic elastomeric polymer initiated with a functional initiator and (2) a functional polymerization terminator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1 is C1 to C4 linear or branched alkanediyl; Z is R2, —OR3, or —R4—X; R2, R3 are independently C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; R4 is C1 to C18 alkanediyl; X is halogen or a group of structure II, III, IV, V or VI wherein R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are independently H or C1 to C8 alkyl; R10 is C2 to C8 alkanediyl; R11 and R12 are independently H, aryl or C1 to C8 alkyl; Q is N or a group of structure VII wherein R13 is C1 to C8 alkyl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising a bifunctionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of 1) a living anionic elastomeric polymer initiated with a functional initiator and 2) a functional polymerization terminator; and a filler selected from silica and carbon black. The invention is further directed to a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1 is C1 to C4 linear or branched alkanediyl; Z is R2, —OR3, or —R4—X; R2, R3 are independently C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; R4 is C1 to C18 alkanediyl; X is halogen or a group of structure II, III, IV, V or VI wherein R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are independently H or C1 to C8 alkyl; R10 is C2 to C8 alkanediyl; R11 and R12 are independently H, aryl or C1 to C8 alkyl; Q is N or a group of structure VII wherein R13 is C1 to C8 alkyl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1 is C1 to C4 linear alkyl, or C1 to C4 branched alkanediyl; X1, X2, X3 are independently O, S, or a group of formula (II) or (III) where R2 is C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; Z is R3, —OR4, or —R5—X4; R3, R4 are independently C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; R5 is C1 to C18 alkanediyl or dialkyl ether diyl; X4 is halogen or a group of structure IV, V, VI, VII or VIII wherein R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are independently H or C1 to C8 alkyl; R11 is C2 to C8 alkanediyl; R12 and R13 are independently H, aryl or C1 to C8 alkyl; Q is N or a group of structure IX wherein R14 is C1 to C8 alkyl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a polymer blend comprising a copolymer and an additional polymer, the copolymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and polymeric sidechains bonded to the backbone chain, the sidechains comprising a polymer immiscible with the backbone; the additional polymer consisting of a polymer miscible with the polymeric sidechains.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a polymer blend comprising a copolymer and an additional polymer, the copolymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and polymeric sidechains bonded to the backbone chain, the sidechains comprising a polymer immiscible with the backbone; the additional polymer consisting of a polymer miscible with the polymeric sidechains.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymer blend comprising a first polymer and a second polymer, the first polymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and polymeric sidechains bonded to the backbone chain, the sidechains comprising a polymer immiscible with the backbone; the second polymer consisting of a polymer miscible with the polymeric sidechains.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of increasing the green strength of a rubber composition, comprising the step of combining in the rubber composition, a copolymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain comprising a diene based elastomer selected from the group consisting of solution polymerized styrene butadiene rubber, emulsion polymerized styrene butadiene rubber, natural polyisoprene rubber, synthetic polyisoprene rubber, and polybutadiene; and polymeric sidechains bonded to the backbone chain, the sidechains comprising a polymer derived from an N-substituted monoalkyl acrylamide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a component, the component comprising a rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and 1 to 100 phr of: A) a twin polymerization reaction product of a silyl ether; or B) a twin polymerization reaction product of a boronic acid ester; or C) a twin polymerization reaction product of a titanium compound derived from tetraethyl orthotitanate and furfuryl alcohol; or D) a twin polymerization reaction product of a tungsten compound; The invention is further directed to the corresponding rubber compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a component, the component comprising a rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and 1 to 100 phr of: A) a twin polymerization reaction product of a silyl ether; or B) a twin polymerization reaction product of a boronic acid ester; or C) a twin polymerization reaction product of a titanium compound derived from tetraethyl orthotitanate and furfuryl alcohol; or D) a twin polymerization reaction product of a tungsten compound; The invention is further directed to the corresponding rubber compositions.