Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that elongated silica has superior characteristics for reinforcing rubbery elastomers as compared to conventional silica. More specifically, elongated silica provides a higher level of reinforcement for elastomers at the same level of loading. Accordingly, elongated silica can be employed to attain an equivalent level of reinforcement at a lower level of loading. This results in lower weight compositions and potential cost savings. Rubber compounds that are reinforced with elongated silica offer significant advantages in tires including reduced rolling resistance, increased tread life, and, of course, reduced weight.

Abstract: The subject invention reveals a process for preparing a silica/rubber blend which comprises dispersing silica, a silica coupling agent, and a low molecular weight end-group functionalized diene rubber throughout a cement of a conventional rubbery polymer, and subsequently recovering the silica/rubber blend from the organic solvent. It further reveals a tire having a tread that is made from such a silica/rubber blend.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing rubber compositions that exhibit unique combinations of properties that are desirable for tire tread applications for enhanced snow/ice and wet traction, low rolling resistance and increased treadwear performance in comparison with conventional silica compounds. Specifically, a high reactively silane coupling agent, such as a mercaptosilane, is used in combination with a silane coupling typically used for silica tread compounds such as bis(triethoxylsilylpropyl)disulfide to treat silica pellets in a hydrocarbon solvent at elevated temperatures. The treated silica is then blended with solution elastomer cement in a hydrocarbon solvent. The deposited reactive silanes partially react with the elastomer molecules forming a layer of polymer grafted on the silica surfaced. This structure significantly improves the silica retention during the steam stripping operation. Almost 100% (99+%) silica retention has been achieved by this invention.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that elongated silica has superior characteristics for reinforcing rubbery elastomers as compared to conventional silica. More specifically, elongated silica provides a higher level of reinforcement for elastomers at the same level of loading. Accordingly, elongated silica can be employed to attain an equivalent level of reinforcement at a lower level of loading. This results in lower weight compositions and potential cost savings. Rubber compounds that are reinforced with elongated silica offer significant advantages in tires including reduced rolling resistance, increased tread life, and, of course, reduced weight. The subject invention more specifically relates to a silica reinforced rubber composition which is comprised of (1) a rubbery polymer and (2) an elongated silica, wherein the elongated silica has a width that is within the range of about 5 nm to about 40 nm and wherein the elongated silica has a length of about 40 nm to about 300 nm.

Abstract: The subject invention reveals a process for preparing a silica/rubber blend which comprises dispersing silica, a silica coupling agent, and a low molecular weight end-group functionalized diene rubber throughout a cement of a conventional rubbery polymer, and subsequently recovering the silica/rubber blend from the organic solvent. It further reveals a tire having a tread that is made from such a silica/rubber blend.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of a silica reinforced elastomer via preparation of a silica-elastomer masterbatch as a composite of synthetic silica and an emulsion polymerization prepared synthetic elastomer. Such masterbatch is prepared by introducing such silica and a silane into a latex of the synthetic elastomer and recovering the composite thereof The invention further includes a rubber composition of at least two elastomers wherein at least one of said elastomers is such masterbatched composite. A tire having a component of such rubber composition, particularly a tire tread, is specifically contemplated.

Abstract: The subject invention reveals a process for preparing a silica/rubber blend which comprises dispersing silica, a silica coupling agent, and a low molecular weight end-group functionalized diene rubber throughout a cement of a conventional rubbery polymer, and subsequently recovering the silica/rubber blend from the organic solvent. It further reveals a tire having a tread that is made from such a silica/rubber blend.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing rubber compositions that exhibit unique combinations of properties that are desirable for tire tread applications for enhanced snow/ice and wet traction, low rolling resistance and increased treadwear performance in comparison with conventional silica compounds. Specifically, a high reactively silane coupling agent, such as a mercaptosilane, is used in combination with a silane coupling typically used for silica tread compounds such as bis(triethoxylsilylpropyl)disulfide to treat silica pellets in a hydrocarbon solvent at elevated temperatures. The treated silica is then blended with solution elastomer cement in a hydrocarbon solvent. The deposited reactive silanes partially react with the elastomer molecules forming a layer of polymer grafted on the silica surfaced. This structure significantly improves the silica retention during the steam stripping operation. Almost 100% (99+%) silica retention has been achieved by this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique to efficiently and effectively disperse silica throughout a rubbery polymer. By utilizing this technique mechanical mixing procedures that are energy intensive and require large capital investments in mixing equipment can be significantly reduced. By reducing the amount of shearing forces to which the rubber is subjected polymer degradation is also significantly reduced. The utilization of the technique of this invention also results in a uniform blend of the silica throughout the rubber and consequently better interaction between the silica and the rubber. This results in better physical properties, such as higher modulus.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of a silica reinforced elastomer via preparation of a silica-elastomer masterbatch as a composite of synthetic silica and an emulsion polymerization prepared synthetic elastomer. Such masterbatch is prepared by introducing such silica and a silane into a latex of the synthetic elastomer and recovering the composite thereof The invention further includes a rubber composition of at least two elastomers wherein at least one of said elastomers is such masterbatched composite. A tire having a component of such rubber composition, particularly a tire tread, is specifically contemplated.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that elongated silica has superior characteristics for reinforcing rubbery elastomers as compared to conventional silica. More specifically, elongated silica provides a higher level of reinforcement for elastomers at the same level of loading. Accordingly, elongated silica can be employed to attain an equivalent level of reinforcement at a lower level of loading. This results in lower weight compositions and potential cost savings. Rubber compounds that are reinforced with elongated silica offer significant advantages in tires including reduced rolling resistance, increased tread life, and, of course, reduced weight. The subject invention more specifically relates to a silica reinforced rubber composition which is comprised of (1) a rubbery polymer and (2) an elongated silica, wherein the elongated silica has a width that is within the range of about 5 nm to about 40 nm and wherein the elongated silica has a length of about 40 nm to about 300 nm.

Abstract: A process for achieving a significant reduction in the volatile organic compound content (VOC) of an aqueous polymerization system includes the steps of contacting the aqueous polymerization system with an organic solvent and allowing said organic solvent to be absorbed into polymer particles of said aqueous polymerization system, contacting said aqueous polymerization system and organic solvent with a gas or vapor at temperature and pressure conditions which cause mass transfer of the volatile organic compounds from said latex into said gas or vapor phase, and separating said gas or vapor from said aqueous polymerization system. The solvent is generally absorbed into the polymer particles of the latex and serves as a stripping aid, especially with respect to higher molecular weight compounds which tend to remain trapped in the polymer particles during conventional stripping processes.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for producing a neutralized latex that is useful in the manufacture of water reducible coatings which involves.(1) free radical aqueous emulsion polymerizing at a pH of less then about 3.5, a monomer mixture which comprises based on 100 weight percent monomers: (a) from about 45 to about 85 weight percent vinyl aromatic monomers, (b) from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of at least one alkyl acrylate monomer, and (c) from about 1 to about 6 weight percent of at least one unsaturated carbonyl compound; in the presence of about 0.5 to 4.0 phm at least one phosphate ester surfactant; in the presence of about 0.5 to 4.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for producing a neutralized latex that is useful in the manufacture of water reducible coatings which involves:(1) free radical aqueous emulsion polymerizing at a pH of less than about 3.5, a monomer mixture which comprises based on 100 weight percent monomers: (a) from about 45 to about 85 weight percent vinyl aromatic monomers, (b) from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of at least one alkyl acrylate monomer, and (c) from about 1 to about 6 weight percent of at least one unsaturated carbonyl compound; in the presence of about 0.5 to 4.0 phm at least one phosphate ester surfactant; in the presence of about 0.5 to 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a free radical emulsion polymerization process. The latex is prepared by polymerizing (a) at least one conjugated diene, (b) at least one non-carboxylic vinyl aromatic or aliphatic comonomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, .alpha.-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene, vinyl toleuene, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, vinyl pyridine, methylmethacrylate, hexylacrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate or mixtures thereof, and (c) at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, 3-carboxyethylacrylate, itaconic acid or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A phosphorus modified latex composition useful in the coating of substrates with inorganic fillers. A latex particle having phosphorus groups intimately bound to the particle's surface formed by the emulsion polymerization of a latex with a phosphorus compound. Also a method of preparing a composite sheet and a paper coating latex with the phosphorus modified latex is provided.

Abstract: A phosphorus modified latex composition useful in the coating of substrates with inorganic fillers. A latex particle having phosphorus groups intimately bound to the particle's surface formed by the emulsion polymerization of a latex with a phosphorus compound. Also a method of preparing a composite sheet and a paper coating latex with the phosphorus modified latex is provided.