Abstract: This invention relates to preparation of nanocomposites comprised of elastomer and a dispersion of an at least partially exfoliated water swellable clay and to rubber compositions containing such nanocomposite and articles of manufacture which contain at least one component thereof. The nanocomposite is prepared by addition of a water suspension of water swellable clay particles to an anionic aqueous emulsion of elastomer particles to form a mixture to which an amine having at least two amine centers is added to intercalate and at least partially exfoliate the water swelled clay particles by an ion exchange within the galleries of the multilayered clay with cation exchangeable ion(s) and to aid in coagulating the elastomer and resultant clay particles to form said nanocomposite.

Abstract: This invention discloses an emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) that can be employed in manufacturing tire tread formulations that have rolling resistance and treadwear characteristics that are similar to those made with solution SBR but with improved traction characteristics. Thus, the emulsion SBR of this invention is superior in many respects for use in tire tread compounds to conventional solution SBR and conventional emulsion SBR. This invention more specifically discloses a styrene-butadiene rubber composition which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from styrene, 1,3-butadiene, and a hydroxy alkyl acrylate monomer, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber composition has a number average molecular weight as determined by field flow fractionation which is within the range of about 50,000 to 150,000, and wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber has a light scattering to refractive index ratio which is within the range of 1.8 to 3.9.

Abstract: This invention discloses an emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) that can be employed in manufacturing tire tread formulations that have rolling resistance and treadwear characteristics that are similar to those made with solution SBR but with improved traction characteristics. Thus, the emulsion SBR of this invention is superior in many respects for use in tire tread compounds to conventional solution SBR and conventional emulsion SBR. This invention more specifically discloses a styrene-butadiene rubber composition which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber composition has a number average molecular weight as determined by thermal field flow fractionation which is within the range of about 50,000 to 150,000, and wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber has a light scattering to refractive index ratio which is within the range of 1.8 to 3.9.

Abstract: This invention discloses an emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) that can be employed in manufacturing tire tread formulations that have rolling resistance and treadwear characteristics that are similar to those made with solution SBR but with improved traction characteristics. Thus, the emulsion SBR of this invention is superior in many respects for use in tire tread compounds to conventional solution SBR and conventional emulsion SBR. This invention more specifically discloses a styrene-butadiene rubber composition which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber composition has a number average molecular weight as determined by thermal field flow fractionation which is within the range of about 50,000 to 150,000, and wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber has a light scattering to refractive index ratio which is within the range of 1.8 to 3.9.

Abstract: This invention discloses an emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) that can be employed in manufacturing tire tread formulations that have rolling resistance and treadwear characteristics that are similar to those made with solution SBR but with improved traction characteristics. Thus, the emulsion SBR of this invention is superior in many respects for use in tire tread compounds to conventional solution SBR and conventional emulsion SBR. This invention more specifically discloses a styrene-butadiene rubber composition which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from styrene, 1,3-butadiene, and a hydroxy alkyl acrylate monomer, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber composition has a number average molecular weight as determined by field flow fractionation which is within the range of about 50,000 to 150,000, and wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber has a light scattering to refractive index ratio which is within the range of 1.8 to 3.9.

Abstract: This invention discloses an emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) that can be employed in manufacturing tire tread formulations that have rolling resistance and treadwear characteristics that are similar to those made with solution SBR but with improved traction characteristics. Thus, the emulsion SBR of this invention is superior in many respects for use in tire tread compounds to conventional solution SBR and conventional emulsion SBR. This invention more specifically discloses a styrene-butadiene rubber composition which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from styrene, 1,3-butadiene, and a hydroxy alkyl acrylate monomer, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber composition has a number average molecular weight as determined by field flow fractionation which is within the range of about 50,000 to 150,000, and wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber has a light scattering to refractive index ratio which is within the range of 1.8 to 3.9.

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.

Abstract: High viscosity elastomers are often difficult to utilize in rubber compositions without first creating a pre-blend of the high viscosity elastomer and a rubber processing oil to reduce their overall viscosity. This invention relates to utilization of a specialized pre-blend of high viscosity and low viscosity elastomers for use in rubber compositions and to the resulting rubber composition. The use of such resulting rubber composition may be for component(s) of tires, particularly including tire treads. The specialized pre-blend of high and low viscosity elastomers is required to be created by blending individual latices or, alternatively, by blending individual polymerizates of elastomers with diverse viscosities.

Abstract: High viscosity elastomers are often difficult to utilize in rubber compositions without first creating a pre-blend of the high viscosity elastomer and a rubber processing oil to reduce their overall viscosity. This invention relates to utilization of a specialized pre-blend of high viscosity and low viscosity elastomers for use in rubber compositions and to the resulting rubber composition. The use of such resulting rubber composition may be for component(s) of tires, particularly including tire treads. The specialized pre-blend of high and low viscosity elastomers is required to be created by blending individual latices or, alternatively, by blending individual polymerizates of elastomers with diverse viscosities.