Abstract: A process for producing a stable silica/hydrocarbon solution includes ultrasonically mixing silica and a silane in a hydrocarbon solvent. The solution may be dried to obtain a surface-modified silica. The solution may be mixed with a polymer cement to produce silica-rubber (e.g., silica-SSBR) masterbatch products.

Abstract: A process for producing a stable silica/hydrocarbon solution includes ultrasonically mixing silica and a silane in a hydrocarbon solvent. The solution may be dried to obtain a surface-modified silica. The solution may be mixed with a polymer cement to produce silica-rubber (e.g., silica-SSBR) masterbatch products.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a modified high cis polydiene polymer, processes for preparing the modified high cis polydiene polymer, and tire rubber compositions containing the modified high cis polydiene polymer. The processes make use of a functionalizing compound of formula I or formula II and a coupling agent to prepare the modified high cis polydiene polymer from a quantity of conjugated diene monomer polymerized using a lanthanide-based catalyst system. The modified high cis polydiene polymer includes at least one polymer chain having a residue from the functionalizing compound and a residue from the coupling agent and can be utilized in tire rubber compositions in combination with other ingredients such as fillers.

Abstract: A coupling agent, a rubber composition, and a shaped article formed from the rubber composition, such as a pneumatic tire, are described. The coupling agent is represented by Formula I, and is capable of linking a substrate, such as a mineral oxide, carbon black or brass, to an unsaturated elastomer: FG1-LG1-Sa-LG2-FG2 ??Formula I where FG1 and FG2 each represent a functionalized arylene group, which can be the same or different; LG1 and LG2 each represent a linking group, which can be the same or different; and Sa represents a sequence of two or more connected sulfur atoms, where a is a number which is at least 2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are coupled polymer products comprising polymer with up to five polymer chains bonded to a functionalizing compound of either formula (II) or formula (III), wherein the polymer chains are comprised of conjugated diene-containing monomers optionally in combination with vinyl aromatic monomers and further include vinyl group-functionalized aminosilane compound of formula (I) bonded within the polymer chain. Also disclosed are processes for producing the coupled polymer products as well as a rubber composition containing the coupled polymer product and tire components comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: A sulfur-vulcanizable rubber compound comprises a silane functionalized diene elastomer, a dual silane coupling system, and a silica filler. The non-active sulfur containing 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 dual silane coupling system. The dual coupling system comprises a non-active sulfur containing silane coupling agent for reacting with an associated precipitated silica to produce a hydrophobic silica; and a crosslinking reagent for reacting with the non-active sulfur containing silane coupling agent and an associated polymer.

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: Disclosed herein are a functionalized diene monomer-containing polymer containing first and second functionalizing groups, processes for preparing the functionalized polymer, and rubber compositions containing the functionalized polymer. The functionalized polymer contains polymer chains comprises of at least one conjugated diene monomer optionally in combination with at least one vinyl aromatic monomer wherein each polymer chain is functionalized at its chain end with at least the first functionalizing group and is coupled via the first functionalizing group to the second functionalizing group.

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: Disclosed herein are a terminal-functionalized polymer, rubber compositions containing the polymer, and related processes for preparing the polymer. The functionalizing compound used to prepare the terminal-functionalized polymer has a specified formula which includes a silicon atom and a moiety containing at least two carbon-carbon double bonds in a conjugated configuration.

Abstract: An ethylenically unsaturated polymer includes at a terminus the radical of an allylic compound that includes a functional group free of active hydrogen atoms that is bonded to the allylic C atom through a S, P, Si or Sn atom and a vinyl aromatic compound. The polymer can be used as a component of a variety of elastomeric compounds used in the production of vulcanizates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a modified high cis polydiene polymer, processes for preparing the modified high cis polydiene polymer, and tire rubber compositions containing the modified high cis polydiene polymer. The processes make use of a functionalizing compound of formula I or formula II and a coupling agent to prepare the modified high cis polydiene polymer from a quantity of conjugated diene monomer polymerized using a lanthanide-based catalyst system. The modified high cis polydiene polymer includes at least one polymer chain having a residue from the functionalizing compound and a residue from the coupling agent and can be utilized in tire rubber compositions in combination with other ingredients such as fillers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coupled polymer product comprising polymer with up to four polymer chains bonded to a functionalizing compound of formula II, wherein the polymer chains are comprised of conjugated diene-containing monomers optionally in combination with vinyl aromatic monomers and further include vinyl group-functionalized silane compound of formula I bonded within the polymer chain. Also disclosed are processes for producing the coupled polymer product as well as a rubber composition containing the coupled polymer product and tire components comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a functionalized diene monomer-containing polymer containing first and second functionalizing groups, processes for preparing the functionalized polymer, and rubber compositions containing the functionalized polymer. The functionalized polymer contains polymer chains comprises of at least one conjugated diene monomer optionally in combination with at least one vinyl aromatic monomer wherein each polymer chain is functionalized at its chain end with at least the first functionalizing group and is coupled via the first functionalizing group to the second functionalizing group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a terminal-functionalized polymer, rubber compositions containing the polymer, and related processes for preparing the polymer. The functionalizing compound used to prepare the terminal-functionalized polymer has a specified formula which includes a silicon atom and a moiety containing at least two carbon-carbon double bonds in a conjugated configuration.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are terminal-functionalized polymers functionalized with silicon-containing functionalizing agents, rubber compositions including the polymers, methods for improving the cold flow resistance of a polymer, methods for improving the filler dispersion of a silica-filled rubber composition, and processes for preparing the terminal-functionalized polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a functionalized diene monomer-containing polymer containing first and second functionalizing groups, processes for preparing the functionalized polymer, and rubber compositions containing the functionalized polymer. The functionalized polymer contains polymer chains comprises of at least one conjugated diene monomer optionally in combination with at least one vinyl aromatic monomer wherein each polymer chain is functionalized at its chain end with at least the first functionalizing group and is coupled via the first functionalizing group to the second functionalizing group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a terminal-functionalized polymer, rubber compositions containing the polymer, and related processes for preparing the polymer. The functionalizing compound used to prepare the terminal-functionalized polymer has a specified formula which includes a silicon atom and a moiety containing at least two carbon-carbon double bonds in a conjugated configuration.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.