Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer 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 a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a graft copolymer, comprising the steps of: obtaining a first polymer comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the first polymer derived from at least one monomer, the at least one monomer comprising a conjugated diene monomer; polymerizing a second monomer in the presence of a thiocarbonylthio RAFT chain transfer agent to form a polymer comprising a terminal thiocarbonylthio group; cleaving the terminal thiocarbonylthio group to a thiol group to form the second polymer comprising a terminal thiol group; reacting the second polymer with the first polymer to form a graft copolymer, the graft copolymer comprising a backbone derived from the first polymer and sidechains derived from the second polymer.

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 self-healing rubber composition comprising a functionalized elastomer 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 a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and a partitioned metal ion. The invention is further directed to a pneumatic tire comprising the self-healing rubber composition.

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 making a cord-reinforced rubber article, comprising the steps of (A) atomizing a mixture of a halogenated hydrocarbon, a carrier gas, and at least one member of the group consisting of hydrocarbon sulfides and polymerizable monomers, to form an atomized mixture; (B) generating an atmospheric pressure plasma from the atomized mixture; (C) exposing a reinforcement cord to the atmospheric pressure plasma to produce a treated reinforcement cord; and (D) contacting the treated reinforcement cord with a rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and at least one member of the group consisting of methylene donors and methylene acceptors.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, expressed as parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), (A) 100 phr of a solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber with a bound styrene content of from 20 to 50 percent by weight, a vinyl 1,2 content of from 10 to 40 percent by weight based on the rubber weight, and a Tg of from about ?40° C. to about ?10° C.; (B) 5 to 60 phr of a low PCA process oil having a polycyclic aromatic content of less than 3 percent by weight as determined by the IP346 method; (C) 90 to 150 phr of silica having a CTAB specific surface area (SCTAB) of between 40 and 525 m2/g, a BET specific surface area (SBET) of between 45 and 550 m2/g; (D) 10 to 20 phr of sulfur containing organosilicon compound; (E) 5 to 30 phr of a polyterpene resin, and (F) less than 10 phr of carbon black.

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 functionalized elastomer 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 a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising an oligopeptide or modified oligopeptide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one pair of parallel annular beads, at least one carcass ply wrapped around said beads, at least two belts or breakers disposed over said carcass ply in a crown area of said tire, tread disposed over said belts or breakers, and sidewalls disposed between said tread and said beads, and wherein the radially top belt or breaker is reinforced with an organic polymer cord, wherein the organic polymer cord is chemically fused.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer 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 a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising an oligopeptide or modified oligopeptide.

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: A pneumatic tire having a tread, the tread comprising a rubber composition comprising: a 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 capable of exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST); optionally, at least one additional diene based elastomer; and a filler selected from the group consisting of carbon black and silica.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a graft copolymer, comprising the steps of: obtaining a first polymer comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the first polymer derived from at least one monomer, the at least one monomer comprising a conjugated diene monomer; polymerizing a second monomer in the presence of a thiocarbonylthio RAFT chain transfer agent to form a polymer comprising a terminal thiocarbonylthio group; cleaving the terminal thiocarbonylthio group to a thiol group to form the second polymer comprising a terminal thiol group; reacting the second polymer with the first polymer to form a graft copolymer, the graft copolymer comprising a backbone derived from the first polymer and sidechains derived from the second polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer 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 a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and an encapsulated metal salt. The invention is further directed to a pneumatic runflat tire comprising a sidewall insert, the insert comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer 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 a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and a metal ion. The invention is further directed to a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a graft copolymer, comprising the steps of obtaining a first polymer comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the first polymer derived from at least one first monomer, the at least one first monomer comprising a conjugated diene monomer; obtaining a second polymer, the second polymer capable of exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and comprising a terminal functional group capable of reacting with the carbon-carbon double bond; a reacting the second polymer with the first polymer to form a graft copolymer, the graft copolymer comprising a backbone derived from the first polymer and sidechains derived from the second polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer 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 a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 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 capable of exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread, the tread comprising a rubber composition comprising: a 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 capable of exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST); optionally, at least one additional diene based elastomer; and a filler selected from the group consisting of carbon black and silica.