Abstract: A styrenic block copolymer having one or more polymer blocks A and one or more polymer blocks B is disclosed, where “A” is a poly(vinylaromatic) block having a molecular weight of greater than 5 kg/mol. The “B” block has a molecular weight of more than 15 kg/mol, and comprises polymerized 1,3-diene units and vinylaromatic units, wherein the polymerized vinylaromatic units represent 5-40 wt. % of the overall weight of the block “B”. The polymerized 1,3-diene units comprise more than 80 wt. % of polymerized isoprene units in which 45-80 mol % are 1,4-isoprene addition units. The blocks “A” and “B” represent from >5 to <40 wt. %, and >33 to <95 wt. %, respectively, relative to the overall weight of the block copolymer. The polymers have physical properties that make them valuable, e.g., as vibration damping materials.

Abstract: A rubber composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a blend based on 100 parts by weight (phr) of diene elastomers: 5 to 95 phr of a first diene elastomer, 5 to 50 phr of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC), 50 to 200 phr of a filler, up to 25 phr of a plasticizer. The HSBC has a melt flow ratio of 1.0 to 50.0 measured according to ASTM D-1238 at 230° C. and 2.16 kg load, a Shore A hardness of 40 to 80 measured according to ASTM D-2240, a DMA peak tan delta temperature of 0° C. to 40° C. at 1 Hz measured according to ASTM D-4065, and an order-disorder transition temperature of 200° C. to 300° C. The composition does not comprise a resin, a plasticizer, or comprises a resin or a plasticizer in an amount of less than 20 phr.

Abstract: A styrenic block copolymer having one or more polymer blocks A and one or more polymer blocks B is disclosed, where “A” is a poly(vinylaromatic) block having a molecular weight of greater than 5 kg/mol. The “B” block has a molecular weight of more than 15 kg/mol, and comprises polymerized 1,3-diene units and vinylaromatic units, wherein the polymerized vinylaromatic units represent 5-40 wt. % of the overall weight of the block “B”. The polymerized 1,3-diene units comprise more than 80 wt. % of polymerized isoprene units in which 45-80 mol % are 1,4-isoprene addition units. The blocks “A” and “B” represent from >5 to <40 wt. %, and >33 to <95 wt. %, respectively, relative to the overall weight of the block copolymer. The polymers have physical properties that make them valuable, e.g., as vibration damping materials.

Abstract: A rubber composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a blend based on 100 parts by weight (phr) of diene elastomers: 5 to 95 phr of a first diene elastomer , 5 to 50 phr of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC), 50 to 200 phr of a filler, up to 25 phr of a plasticizer. The HSBC has a melt flow ratio of 1.0 to 50.0 measured according to ASTM D-1238 at 230° C. and 2.16 kg load, a Shore A hardness of 40 to 80 measured according to ASTM D-2240, a DMA peak tan delta temperature of 0° C. to 40° C. at 1 Hz measured according to ASTM D-4065, and an order-disorder transition temperature of 200° C. to 300° C. The composition does not comprise a resin, a plasticizer, or comprises a resin or a plasticizer in an amount of less than 20 phr.

Abstract: A tire rubber composition comprising a rubber compound and a processing oil, wherein the processing oil comprises a modified tall oil pitch, methods of making tires from such compositions, and tires comprising such compositions.

Abstract: A tire rubber composition comprising a rubber compound and a processing oil, wherein the processing oil comprises a modified tall oil pitch, methods of making tires from such compositions, and tires comprising such compositions.