Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer blend that includes (a) 50 to 90 percent by weight of a first elastomeric polymer having a high molecular weight, (b) 5 to 50 percent by weight, preferably 5 to 40 percent by weight, more preferably 10 to 35 percent by weight, of a second elastomeric polymer having a low molecular weight and being coupled, wherein the amounts of the components (a) and (b) are based on the total weight of the polymer blend.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer blend that includes (a) 50 to 90 percent by weight of a first elastomeric polymer having a high molecular weight, (b) 5 to 50 percent by weight, preferably 5 to 40 percent by weight, more preferably 10 to 35 percent by weight, of a second elastomeric polymer having a low molecular weight and being coupled, wherein the amounts of the components (a) and (b) are based on the total weight of the polymer blend.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of modified elastomeric polymers includes (i) providing and polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer and, optionally, one or more aromatic vinyl monomer in the presence of an anionic initiator and a compound according to Formula 1, e.g. 2,2-di-(2-oxolanyl)propane or a derivative thereof, to provide a living anionic polymer; and (ii) adding a “sulfanylsilane” compound to the living anionic polymer. Elastomeric polymers obtainable according to the above process and compositions including the elastomeric polymer and, optionally, further constituents such as oil, filler and/or vulcanizing agent are described. A process for the preparation of a cross-linked elastomeric polymer that includes adding a vulcanizing agent to the elastomeric polymer, as well as articles and compositions that include the elastomeric polymer, the cross-linked elastomeric polymer or both are described.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous polymerization of a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: polymerizing the monomers in the presence of an initiator, and at least one polar agent selected from Formula 1; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl, and preferably a C1-C4 alkyl; R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl, and preferably hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; and wherein a 1,2-diene is added to the polymerization, and the 1,2-diene to active initiator (active for polymerization) molar ratio is from 0.1 to 1.0, preferably from 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.85; and wherein the polar agent to the active initiator molar ratio is from 0.05 to 0.6, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.3.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous polymerization of a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: polymerizing the monomers in the presence of an initiator, and at least one polar agent selected from Formula 1; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl, and preferably a C1-C4 alkyl; R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl, and preferably hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; and wherein a 1,2-diene is added to the polymerization, and the 1,2-diene to active initiator (active for polymerization) molar ratio is from 0.1 to 1.0, preferably from 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.85; and wherein the polar agent to the active initiator molar ratio is from 0.05 to 0.6, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.3.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous polymerization of a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: polymerizing the monomers in the presence of an initiator, and at least one polar agent selected from Formula 1; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl, and preferably a C1-C4 alkyl; R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl, and preferably hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; and wherein a 1,2-diene is added to the polymerization, and the 1,2-diene to active initiator (active for polymerization) molar ratio is from 0.1 to 1.0, preferably from 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.85; and wherein the polar agent to the active initiator molar ratio is from 0.05 to 0.6, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.3.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of a polymer containing monomeric units derived from a styrene monomer and a 1,3-butadiene monomer includes polymerizing the monomeric units in the presence of an initiator, a first polar agent, and a second polar agent. The first polar agent includes a structure (I): R1?R2?N-Q-NR3?R4?; and the second polar agent comprises a structure (II): R1?, R2?, R3?, and R4? are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen; Q contains an alkylene group; R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl group; and R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen. Polymers prepared by the above process are described, as are compositions containing such a polymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of modified elastomeric polymers includes (i) providing and polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer and, optionally, one or more aromatic vinyl monomer in the presence of an anionic initiator and a compound according to Formula I, e.g. 2,2-di-(2-oxolanyl)propane or a derivative thereof, to provide a living anionic polymer; and (ii) adding a “sulfanylsilane” compound to the living anionic polymer. Elastomeric polymers obtainable according to the above process and compositions including the elastomeric polymer and, optionally, further constituents such as oil, filler and/or vulcanizing agent are described. A process for the preparation of a cross-linked elastomeric polymer that includes adding a vulcanizing agent to the elastomeric polymer, as well as articles and compositions that include the elastomeric polymer, the cross-linked elastomeric polymer or both are described.

Abstract: A polymer has at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content containing 4 to 6 styrene units from about 27 to about 50 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 30 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-butadiene; and (c) a styrene content from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total weight of polymer. Processes for the polymerization of such a polymer, compositions containing such a polymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition are described.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 4 consecutive styrene units from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; (c) a styrene content from about 20 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 6 consecutive styrene units from about 15 to about 35 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; and (c) a styrene content from about 35 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 6 consecutive styrene units from about 15 to about 35 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; and (c) a styrene content from about 35 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.

Abstract: A polymer having at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content with more than 4 consecutive styrene units from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 25 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-diene; (c) a styrene content from about 20 to about 75 weight percent based on total weight of polymer; and (d) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 1.5 or less.

Abstract: A polymer has at least the following characteristics: (a) a block styrene content containing 4 to 6 styrene units from about 27 to about 50 weight percent based on total styrene content in the polymer; (b) a vinyl content from about 30 to about 80 weight percent based on total amount of polymerized 1,3-butadiene; and (c) a styrene content from about 40 to about 70 weight percent based on total weight of polymer. Processes for the polymerization of such a polymer, compositions containing such a pofymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition are described.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of a polymer containing monomeric units derived from a styrene monomer and a 1,3-butadiene monomer includes polymerizing the monomeric units in the presence of an initiator, a first polar agent, and a second polar agent. The first polar agent includes a structure (I): R1?R2?N-Q-NR3?R4?; and the second polar agent comprises a structure (II): R1?, R2?, R3?, and R4? are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen; Q contains an alkylene group; R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl group; and R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group and hydrogen. Polymers prepared by the above process are described, as are compositions containing such a polymer, and articles containing at least one component formed from such a composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous polymerization of a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: polymerizing the monomers in the presence of an initiator, and at least one polar agent selected from Formula 1; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl, and preferably a C1-C4 alkyl; R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl, and preferably hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; and wherein a 1,2-diene is added to the polymerization, and the 1,2-diene to active initiator (active for polymerization) molar ratio is from 0.1 to 1.0, preferably from 0.1 to 0.9, and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.85; and wherein the polar agent to the active initiator molar ratio is from 0.05 to 0.6, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.3.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of low branch content polybutadiene comprising: (a) a first butadiene polymerisation stage; (b) treatment of the polymer solution obtained upon completion of stage (a) with a coupling agent selected from: (i) polyunsaturated natural oils; (ii) butadiene and/or isoprene oligomers; (iii) butadiene and/or isoprene co-polymers with vinylarene monomers; the unsaturations present in compounds (i)–(iii) being at least partially substituted with groups selected from epoxides, anhydrides and esters; (c) recovery of the low branch content polybutadiene obtained upon completion of stage (b).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of low branch content polybutadiene comprising: (a) a first butadiene polymerisation stage; (b) treatment of the polymer solution obtained upon completion of stage (a) with a coupling agent selected from: (i) polyunsaturated natural oils; (ii) butadiene and/or isoprene oligomers; (iii) butadiene and/or isoprene co-polymers with vinylarene monomers; the unsaturations present in compounds (i)-(iii) being at least partially substituted with groups selected from epoxides, anhydrides and esters; (c) recovery of the low branch content polybutadiene obtained upon completion of stage (b)