Abstract: A tire tread comprising the vulcanized residue of a vulcanizable composition including (i) a poly(alkylene oxide) grafted polydiene or polydiene copolymers; (ii) a natural or synthetic elastomer; (iii) silica filler; and (vi) a curative, where the poly(alkylene oxide) grafted polydiene or polydiene copolymers includes a sulfur or methacrylate linkage between a polydiene or polydiene copolymer chain and a poly(alkylene oxide) chain.

Abstract: A method for preparing a branched polymer, the method comprising (i) preparing a multi-site initiator by reacting polyalkenyl compound with an alkyl lithium compound; (ii) introducing the multi-site initiator, monomer, and a potassium alkoxide to form a polymerization mixture, where the polymerization mixture includes a molar ratio of potassium to lithium of greater than 0.150:1; and (iii) allowing the monomer to polymerize and form a branched polymer.

Abstract: A flowable dispersion at room temperature of syndiotactic poly butadiene particles in an aqueous mixture that includes at least one emulsifier. The dispersion reduces the need for temperature control equipment for storing or transferring the dispersion during processing. The syndiotactic poly butadiene particles in the dispersion are formed from a syndiotactic poly butadiene cement including hydrocarbon solvents resulting from a polymerization process that are subsequently removed from the dispersion by evaporation.

Abstract: A vulcanizable composition comprising (i) a base rubber component; (ii) a low molecular weight polydiene additive, where the low molecular weight polydiene additive is characterized by an Mn of less than 100 kg/mol, an Mw of less than 110 kg/mol, a Tg of greater than ?30° C., and a vinyl content, relative to the diene mer units, of greater than 35 mol %; (iii) a filler; and (iv) a curative.

Abstract: A vulcanizate prepared by a method comprising introducing an elastomer, a filler, and a polar polysulfide crosslinking agent to form a masterbatch and introducing a curative to the masterbatch to form a vulcanizable composition. Vulcanizing the composition to graft the polar group from the crosslinking agent onto an elastomer to increase the hydrophilicity of the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are coupled polymer products comprising polymer with up to five polymer chains bonded to a functionalizing compound of either formula (II) or formula (III), wherein the polymer chains are comprised of conjugated diene-containing monomers optionally in combination with vinyl aromatic monomers and further include vinyl group-functionalized aminosilane compound of formula (I) bonded within the polymer chain. Also disclosed are processes for producing the coupled polymer products as well as a rubber composition containing the coupled polymer product and tire components comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a functionalized diene monomer-containing polymer containing first and second functionalizing groups, processes for preparing the functionalized polymer, and rubber compositions containing the functionalized polymer. The functionalized polymer contains polymer chains comprises of at least one conjugated diene monomer optionally in combination with at least one vinyl aromatic monomer wherein each polymer chain is functionalized at its chain end with at least the first functionalizing group and is coupled via the first functionalizing group to the second functionalizing group.

Abstract: A vulcanizate prepared by a method comprising introducing an elastomer, a filler, and a polar polysulfide crosslinking agent to form a masterbatch and introducing a curative to the masterbatch to form a vulcanizable composition. Vulcanizing the composition to graft the polar group from the crosslinking agent onto an elastomer to increase the hydrophilicity of the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coupled polymer product comprising polymer with up to four polymer chains bonded to a functionalizing compound of formula II, wherein the polymer chains are comprised of conjugated diene-containing monomers optionally in combination with vinyl aromatic monomers and further include vinyl group-functionalized silane compound of formula I bonded within the polymer chain. Also disclosed are processes for producing the coupled polymer product as well as a rubber composition containing the coupled polymer product and tire components comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a functionalized diene monomer-containing polymer containing first and second functionalizing groups, processes for preparing the functionalized polymer, and rubber compositions containing the functionalized polymer. The functionalized polymer contains polymer chains comprises of at least one conjugated diene monomer optionally in combination with at least one vinyl aromatic monomer wherein each polymer chain is functionalized at its chain end with at least the first functionalizing group and is coupled via the first functionalizing group to the second functionalizing group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are coupled polymer products comprising polymer with up to five polymer chains bonded to a functionalizing compound of either formula (II) or formula (III), wherein the polymer chains are comprised of conjugated diene-containing monomers optionally in combination with vinyl aromatic monomers and further include vinyl group-functionalized aminosilane compound of formula (I) bonded within the polymer chain. Also disclosed are processes for producing the coupled polymer products as well as a rubber composition containing the coupled polymer product and tire components comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coupled polymer product comprising polymer with up to four polymer chains bonded to a functionalizing compound of formula II, wherein the polymer chains are comprised of conjugated diene-containing monomers optionally in combination with vinyl aromatic monomers and further include vinyl group-functionalized silane compound of formula I bonded within the polymer chain. Also disclosed are processes for producing the coupled polymer product as well as a rubber composition containing the coupled polymer product and tire components comprising the rubber composition.