Abstract: Nanoparticles of functionalized, cross-linked vinyl polymer, usable as reinforcing filler in a polymeric matrix. The vinyl polymer is a copolymer of at least the following monomers, which are all copolymerizable by free-radical polymerization: a non-aromatic vinyl monomer “A”; a monomer “B” bearing a function Z of formula ?Si—X, where X represents a hydroxyl or hydrolysable group; and a cross-linking monomer “C” which is at least bifunctional from the point of view of the polymerization. The vinyl polymer is preferably a polymethacrylate, in particular a copolymer of methyl methacrylate (monomer A), trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (monomer B) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (monomer C), being in the form of nanobeads the diameter of which is of between 10 and 100 nm.

Abstract: Branched block polymers, and the rubber compositions containing them, which can be used, in particular, for manufacturing tires or semi-finished products for tires. Processes for preparing said polymers and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a polymer filler as reinforcing filler, a coupling agent providing the bond between the polymer filler and the elastomer. The polymer filler comprises nanoparticles of non-aromatic vinnyl polymer (“NAVP”) bearing a function Z of formula ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolysable group. The NAVP is in particular a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, in the form of nanobeads the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm.

Abstract: Nanoparticles of functionalised, cross-linked vinyl polymer, usable as reinforcing filler in a polymeric matrix. The vinyl polymer is a copolymer of at least the following monomers, which are all copolymerisable by free-radical polymerisation: a non-aromatic vinyl monomer “A”; a monomer “B” bearing a function Z of formula ?Si—X, where X represents a hydroxyl or hydrolysable group; and a cross-linking monomer “C” which is at least bifunctional from the point of view of the polymerisation. The vinyl polymer is preferably a polymethacrylate, in particular a copolymer of methyl methacrylate (monomer A), trimethoxysilyipropyl methacrylate (monomer B) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (monomer C), being in the form of nanobeads the diameter of which is of between 10 and 100 nm.

Abstract: Nanoparticles of functionalised, cross-linked vinyl polymer, usable as reinforcing filler in a polymeric matrix. The vinyl polymer is a copolymer of at least the following monomers, which are all copolymerisable by free-radical polymerisation: a non-aromatic vinyl monomer “A”; a monomer “B” bearing a function Z of formula ?Si—X, where X represents a hydroxyl or hydrolysable group; and a cross-linking monomer “C” which is at least bifunctional from the point of view of the polymerisation. The vinyl polymer is preferably a polymethacrylate, in particular a copolymer of methyl methacrylate (monomer A), trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (monomer B) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (monomer C), being in the form of nanobeads the diameter of which is of between 10 and 100 nm.

Abstract: Rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a polymeric filler as reinforcing filler and a coupling agent for bonding between the polymeric filler and the elastomer. The polymeric filler includes nanoparticles of a polyvinylaromatic (PVAr) carrying a functional group denoted by Z of formula a ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolyzable group. The PVAr is especially a copolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene, divinylbenzene and trimethoxysilylpropylacrylate or trimethoxysilylpropylmethacrylate, being in the form of nanobeads, the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm. Also described is a method of obtaining such a composition, and use of such a rubber composition for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular tires or rubber semi-finished products intended for these tires, as well as a masterbatch including at least one diene elastomer and such a polymeric filler, and a method of obtaining such a masterbatch.

Abstract: Branched block polymers, and the rubber compositions containing them, which can be used, in particular, for manufacturing tires or semi-finished products for tires. Processes for preparing said polymers and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a polymer filler as reinforcing filler, a coupling agent providing the bond between the polymer filler and the elastomer. The polymer filler comprises nanoparticles of non-aromatic vinnyl polymer (“NAVP”) bearing a function Z of formula ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolysable group. The NAVP is in particular a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, in the form of nanobeads the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm.

Abstract: Nanoparticles of a functionalized and crosslinked polyvinylaromatic (PVAr) that may be used as reinforcing filler in a polymeric composition, the PVAr being a copolymer of at least: a vinylaromatic comonomer “A”; a comonomer “B” carrying a functional group denoted by Z of formula ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolyzable group; a crosslinking comonomer “C” which is at least bifunctional and polymerizable by means of an addition reaction, it being possible for comonomer C to be vinylaromatic, in this case identical or different to comonomer A or non-vinylaromatic. The PVAr comprises, for example, a copolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene, divinylbenzene and trimethoxysilylpropyl(meth)acrylate, being in the form of nanobeads, the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm. This PVAr filler, thanks to a very low density, allows the weight of polymeric compositions, especially elastomer compositions, to be reduced without degrading the reinforcement, and with an notable reduction in hysteresis.

Abstract: Rubber composition, which can be used for the manufacture of tires, based on at least one diene elastomer, one reinforcing filler, one vulcanization system and, as antireversion agent, one itaconimidomaleimide compound of formula (R hydrocarbon radical): Use of such a composition for the manufacture of a finished article or of a semi-finished product made of rubber intended for a motor vehicle ground-contact system, in particular of a tire.

Abstract: Rubber composition, which can be used for the manufacture of tyres, based on at least one diene elastomer, one reinforcing filler, one vulcanization system and, as antireversion agent, one itaconimidomaleimide compound of formula (R hydrocarbon radical): Use of such a composition for the manufacture of a finished article or of a semi-finished product made of rubber intended for a motor vehicle ground-contact system, in particular of a tyre.

Abstract: Rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a polymeric filler as reinforcing filler and a coupling agent for bonding between the polymeric filler and the elastomer, characterized in that said polymeric filler comprises nanoparticles of a polyvinylaromatic (PVAr) carrying a functional group denoted by Z of formula ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolyzable group. The PVAr is especially a copolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene, divinylbenzene and trimethoxysilylpropyl(meth)acrylate, being in the form of nanobeads, the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm. This polymeric filler, thanks to a very low density, allows the weight of the compositions of the invention to be reduced without degrading the reinforcement, and with an appreciable reduction in hysteresis.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a grafted diene elastomer having functional groups along the chain, a rubber composition containing this grafted elastomer and having in particular improved hysteresis properties in the cross-linked state, a preparation process for this composition, a tire tread made from this composition and a tire of reduced rolling resistance which incorporates this tread. A process for obtaining this grafted elastomer includes a radical grafting reaction carried out in solution or without a solvent by means of a reagent of the mercaptan type to graft functional groups on to the chain of a starting elastomer. The starting elastomer is treated with an antioxidant having at least one aromatic amine function before the grafting reaction, so that the grafted elastomer has a macrostructure which is practically identical to that of the starting elastomer.

Abstract: A process is described for obtaining from an “FCC” initial C5 fraction which is enriched with isoprene and purified and usable for the selective polymerization of isoprene. A process is also described for obtaining an isoprene homopolymer from a polymerization medium comprising isoprene and at least one methyl butene, such as said “FCC” C5 fraction which is enriched with isoprene and purified. The process of obtaining the final fraction from the initial C5 fraction includes: a catalytic hydrogenation reaction of said initial C5 fraction by a palladium-based catalyst, which produces an intermediate C5 fraction comprising n-pentenes in a mass ratio which is less than 0.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a grafted diene elastomer having functional groups along the chain, a rubber composition containing this grafted elastomer and having in particular improved hysteresis properties in the cross-linked state, a preparation process for this composition, a tire tread made from this composition and a tire of reduced rolling resistance which incorporates this tread. A process for obtaining this grafted elastomer includes a radical grafting reaction carried out in solution or without a solvent by means of a reagent of the mercaptan type to graft functional groups on to the chain of a starting elastomer. The starting elastomer is treated with an antioxidant having at least one aromatic amine function before the grafting reaction, so that the grafted elastomer has a macrostructure which is practically identical to that of the starting elastomer.

Abstract: A process is described for obtaining, from an “FCC” initial C5 fraction, a final C5 fraction which is enriched with isoprene and purified and usable for the selective polymerization of isoprene. A process is also described for obtaining an isoprene homopolymer from a polymerization medium comprising isoprene and at least one methyl butene, such as said “FCC” C5 fraction which is enriched with isoprene and purified.