Abstract: A sulfur-vulcanizable rubber compound comprises a silane functionalized diene elastomer, a silane coupling agent, and a silica filler. The silane coupling agent excludes an active sulfur moiety. The rubber compound is a reaction product of a siloxyl condensation reaction between the silane functionalized diene elastomer and the non-sulfur containing silane coupling agent. The coupling agent comprises at least one end terminating group reactive with a hydroxyl group contained on the silica filler and a silane moiety contained on a diene-based elastomer.

Abstract: A hydrogenated functionalized polymer obtained by selectively hydrogenating functionalized elastomer double bonds to a predetermined level of saturation, wherein the functionalized elastomer is a reaction product of a living elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1 is C1 to C4 linear alkyl, or C1 to C4 branched alkanediyl; X1, X2, X3 are independently O, S, or a group of formula (II) or (III) where R2 is C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; Z is —R3—X4; R3 is C1 to C18 alkanediyl or dialkyl ether diyl; X4 is a group that is able to react with a pseudo-living chain end.

Abstract: A hydrogenated functionalized polymer comprises a functionalized polydiene that is selectively hydrogenated to achieve a predetermined level of saturation along at least the polydiene portion of the functionalized polydiene. The functionalized polydiene is a reaction product of 1) a living anionic elastomeric polymer initiated with a functional or nonfunctional initiator and 2) a functional polymerization terminator.

Abstract: A hydrogenated functionalized polymer comprises a functionalized polydiene that is selectively hydrogenated to achieve a predetermined level of saturation along at least the polydiene portion of the functionalized polydiene. The functionalized polydiene is a reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I In one embodiment, R1, R2 and R3 are independently C1 to C8 alkyl or C1 to C8 alkoxy, with the proviso that at least two of R1, R2 and R3 are C1 to C8 alkoxy; R4 is C1 to C8 alkyl; Si is silicon; S is sulfur; and Z is R5 or of formula II where R5 is alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl.

Abstract: A hydrogenated functionalized polymer comprises a functionalized polydiene, which selectively hydrogenated to a predetermined level of saturation along at least a polydiene portion of the functionalized polydiene. The functionalized polydiene is a reaction product of a living anionic elastomer initiated with a functionalized lithium initiator of the formula (I) wherein n is 1 to 8; and R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from alkyl groups containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The polymer is also a reaction product of (1) the living anionic elastomer and a functional terminator, both of which produce a polymer having chains of the structural formula (II) Each Polydiene represents polymer chains comprising at least one partially or fully hydrogenated diene monomer. R1 and R2 independently represent alkyl groups containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: It has been discovered that certain monofunctional thiuram compounds can be synthesized at low cost and utilized as vulcanization accelerators which provide excellent cure rates without causing a high level of scorch. The use of these monofunctional thiuram compounds as vulcanization accelerators also result in cured rubber compositions that exhibit reduced compression set, improved age hardening characteristics, and degradation resistant crosslinks. These monofunctional thiuram compounds are of the structural formula: wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent organyl radicals, wherein R1 and R2 contain a total of at least 8 carbon atoms, and wherein R1 and R2 can join together to form a cyclic structure, and wherein R3 represents an organyl radical containing at least 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly found that certain neodymium catalyst systems can be used to copolymerize isoprene and 1,3-butadiene to produce random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers which are not tapered. These random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers have properties which are beneficial for use in rubber formulations for manufacturing a wide variety of rubber products, such as tires, hoses, conveyor belts, power transmission belts, and shoe soles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a route for synthesizing monofunctional thiuram compounds that is safe, environmentally friendly, and cost effective. This method specifically involves synthesizing a monofunctional thiuram by (1) reacting a tetraorganylthiuram disulfide with an organyl mercaptan to produce the monofunctional thiuram and a dithiocarbamate metal salt or a dithiocarbamate metalloid salt under basic conditions, (2) separating the monofunctional thiuram in an organic phase from the dithiocarbamate metal salt or the dithiocarbamate metalloid salt in an aqueous phase, and (3) recovering the monofunctional thiuram from the aqueous phase. The monofunctional thiuram compounds made in accordance with this invention are of particular value as accelerators for use in the vulcanization of rubber. The use of these monofunctional thiuram compounds as accelerators provides good cure rates and as well as good scorch safety.

Abstract: A sulfur-vulcanizable rubber compound comprises a silane functionalized diene elastomer, a silane coupling agent, and a silica filler. The silane coupling agent excludes an active sulfur moiety. The rubber compound is a reaction product of a siloxyl condensation reaction between the silane functionalized diene elastomer and the non-sulfur containing silane coupling agent. The coupling agent comprises at least one end terminating group reactive with a hydroxyl group contained on the silica filler and a silane moiety contained on a diene-based elastomer.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly found that certain neodymium catalyst systems can be used to copolymerize isoprene and 1,3-butadiene to produce random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers which are not tapered. These random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers have properties which are beneficial for use in rubber formulations for manufacturing a wide variety of rubber products, such as tires, hoses, conveyor belts, power transmission belts, and shoe soles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a route for synthesizing monofunctional thiuram compounds that is safe, environmentally friendly, and cost effective. This method specifically involves synthesizing a monofunctional thiuram by (1) reacting a tetraorganylthiuram disulfide with an organyl mercaptan to produce the monofunctional thiuram and a dithiocarbamate metal salt or a dithiocarbamate metalloid salt under basic conditions, (2) separating the monofunctional thiuram in an organic phase from the dithiocarbamate metal salt or the dithiocarbamate metalloid salt in an aqueous phase, and (3) recovering the monofunctional thiuram from the aqueous phase. The monofunctional thiuram compounds made in accordance with this invention are of particular value as accelerators for use in the vulcanization of rubber. The use of these monofunctional thiuram compounds as accelerators provides good cure rates and as well as good scorch safety.

Abstract: The present invention provides a route for synthesizing monofunctional thiuram compounds that is safe, environmentally friendly, and cost effective. This method specifically involves synthesizing a monofunctional thiuram by (1) reacting a tetraorganylthiuram disulfide with an organyl mercaptan to produce the monofunctional thiuram and a dithiocarbamate metal salt or a dithiocarbamate metalloid salt under basic conditions, (2) separating the monofunctional thiuram in an organic phase from the dithiocarbamate metal salt or the dithiocarbamate metalloid salt in an aqueous phase, and (3) recovering the monofunctional thiuram from the aqueous phase. The monofunctional thiuram compounds made in accordance with this invention are of particular value as accelerators for use in the vulcanization of rubber. The use of these monofunctional thiuram compounds as accelerators provides good cure rates and as well as good scorch safety.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel functionalized vegetable oils, a method of making the oils, their use in rubber compositions, and their use in tires.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel silane disulfide vegetable oils, a method of making the oils, their use in rubber compositions, and their use in tires.

Abstract: It has been discovered that certain monofunctional thiuram compounds can be synthesized at low cost and utilized as vulcanization accelerators which provide excellent cure rates without causing a high level of scorch. The use of these monofunctional thiuram compounds as vulcanization accelerators also result in cured rubber compositions that exhibit reduced compression set, improved age hardening characteristics, and degradation resistant crosslinks. These monofunctional thiuram compounds are of the structural formula: wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent organyl radicals, wherein R1 and R2 contain a total of at least 8 carbon atoms, and wherein R1 and R2 can join together to form a cyclic structure, and wherein R3 represents an organyl radical containing at least 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a route for synthesizing monofunctional thiuram compounds that is safe, environmentally friendly, and cost effective. This method specifically involves synthesizing a monofunctional thiuram by (1) reacting a tetraorganylthiuram disulfide with an organyl mercaptan to produce the monofunctional thiuram and a dithiocarbamate metal salt or a dithiocarbamate metalloid salt under basic conditions, (2) separating the monofunctional thiuram in an organic phase from the dithiocarbamate metal salt or the dithiocarbamate metalloid salt in an aqueous phase, and (3) recovering the monofunctional thiuram from the aqueous phase. The monofunctional thiuram compounds made in accordance with this invention are of particular value as accelerators for use in the vulcanization of rubber. The use of these monofunctional thiuram compounds as accelerators provides good cure rates and as well as good scorch safety.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly found that certain neodymium catalyst systems can be used to copolymerize isoprene and 1,3-butadiene to produce random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers which are not tapered. These random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers have properties which are beneficial for use in rubber formulations for manufacturing a wide variety of rubber products, such as tires, hoses, conveyor belts, power transmission belts, and shoe soles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel silane disulfide vegetable oils, a method of making the oils, their use in rubber compositions, and their use in tires.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel functionalized vegetable oils, a method of making the oils, their use in rubber compositions, and their use in tires.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr): (A) from about 20 to about 100 phr of a solution polymerized functionalized isoprene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from ?100° C. to ?50° C., (B) from 0 to about 40 phr of a polybutadiene, (C) from 0 to 20 phr of a process oil, (D) from 40 to 80 phr of a resin having a Tg greater than 30° C., and (E) from 100 to 180 phr of silica.