Abstract: Embodiments are directed to anionic rubber polymerization processes conducted in a non-aqueous dispersion utilizing conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic monomers and a dispersing agent formed in-situ during the polymerization process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polyolefin grafted polydiene polymers, wherein the polyolefin grafted polydiene polymers comprises a polydiene having a polydiene polymer backbone, a polyolefin, and at least one sulfur containing functionalizing agent which grafts the polyolefin onto at least one non-terminal position on the polydiene polymer backbone.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer, the method comprising polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst system including (i) a lanthanide-containing compound, (ii) triethyl aluminum, (iii) an aluminum hydride, and (iv) a halogen-containing compound; or a method for preparing a polymer, the method comprising polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst system including (i) a nickel-containing compound, (ii) triethyl aluminum, (iii) an aluminum hydride, and (iv) a halogen-containing compound selected from fluorine-containing compounds and chlorine-containing compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein area process for preparing a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, and tires having a component made using the modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer. The processes make use of a functionalizing compound of formula (I) to prepare the modified high-cis polybutadiene from a quantity of 1,3-butadiene monomer using a specified catalyst system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of preparing an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer, the method comprising: introducing an anionic polymerization initiator to a reactor comprising a reactive mixture including conjugated diolefin monomer and solvent to form a living polymer via anionic polymerization; introducing alkoxysilane to the reactor to mix with the living polymer to form an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; adding at least one aliphatic carboxylic acid having at least 10 carbons to the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; and removing solvent from the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a process for preparing a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, and tire components made using the modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer. The processes make use of a functionalizing compound of formula (I) to prepare the modified high-cis polybutadiene from a quantity of 1,3-butadiene monomer using a specified catalyst system.

Abstract: A process for preparing a stabilized diene copolymer which is modified by reaction with an imine-group containing hydrocarbyloxy silane and subsequently stabilized with a hydrocarbyl hydrocarbyloxy silane.

Abstract: Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: Methods are described for the preparation of polymers using a lanthanide-based coordination catalyst and arresting polymerization using a reduced amount of a Lewis base while retaining the reactivity of the polymer chain ends toward functionalization agents. The Lewis base is a meso-enriched oxolanyl Lewis base. The resulting functionalized polymer has a higher level of purity and can be used in products such as tires.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polyolefin grafted polydiene polymers, wherein the polyolefin grafted polydiene polymers comprises a polydiene having a polydiene polymer backbone, a polyolefin, and at least one sulfur containing functionalizing agent which grafts the polyolefin onto at least one non-terminal position on the polydiene polymer backbone.

Abstract: A vulcanizable composition for preparing bead filler, the composition comprising a vulcanized rubber; and a vinyl aromatic-containing block copolymer compound, where the vinyl aromatic-containing copolymer is defined by the formula II d-Vo-D-V?-???II where each V is independently a polyvinyl aromatic block, D is a polydiene block, w is a hydrogen atom, a functional group, or a polymeric segment or block, and where d is a polydiene block, and where the overall vinyl content of the block copolymer is greater than 65%.

Abstract: A functionalized polyamide is prepared by reacting a thio acid with an amide monomer or a mixture of a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid. In the reaction, the amide monomer is preferably a lactam compound, the thio acid has a formula of HOOC-A-SH wherein A represents an alkylene group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, the diamine is an aliphatic diamine and the dicarboxylic acid is a aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. The functionalized polyamide can be vulcanized directly with rubber, which results in the use of less dip for adhering the tire cord to the rubber.

Abstract: Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: An oxolanyl compound-containing composition comprising specified amounts of the meso-isomer of one or more of the oxolanyl compounds of specified structure is provided. Also provided are methods for the use of such compositions as vinyl content modifiers in polymerization processes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of preparing an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer, the method comprising: introducing an anionic polymerization initiator to a reactor comprising a reactive mixture including conjugated diolefin monomer and solvent to form a living polymer via anionic polymerization; introducing alkoxysilane to the reactor to mix with the living polymer to form an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; adding at least one aliphatic carboxylic acid having at least 10 carbons to the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; and removing solvent from the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: A vulcanizate prepared by a method including introducing an elastomer, a filler, and a mercapto-functional siloxane to form a masterbatch, where the mercapto-functional siloxane is selected from the group consisting of poly(dimethylsiloxane-co-mercaptopropylmethylsiloxane) and dimethoxy mercapto propyl terminated siloxanes, introducing a curative to the masterbatch to form a vulcanizable composition, and subjecting the vulcanizable composition to curing conditions.

Abstract: A process for preparing a copolymer including one or more mer units deriving from the polymerization of 1,1-bis(hydrocarbylthio)hydrocarbyl-1-ene monomer, the process comprising anionically polymerizing conjugated diene monomer, 1,1-bis(hydrocarbylthio)hydrocarbyl-1-ene monomer, and optionally monomer copolymerizable therewith.

Abstract: Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: Methods are described for the preparation of polymers using a lanthanide-based coordination catalyst and arresting polymerization using a reduced amount of a Lewis base while retaining the reactivity of the polymer chain ends toward functionalization agents. The Lewis base is a meso-enriched oxolanyl Lewis base. The resulting functionalized polymer has a higher level of purity and can be used in products such as tires.

Abstract: Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.