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 phosphino- and phosphate-silane functionalized polymers, methods of preparing a reactive polymer functionalized with an alkoxysilane having a phosphorous-containing group as a functionalizing reagent, the resulting polymer and vulcanizates thereof. The vulcanizates of the functionalized polymers can be used to produce vulcanized products, including tires.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer can be prepared by a process that includes reacting (a) an ethylenically unsaturated reactant polymer which, at its terminus, includes Si-containing repeat unit(s) with (b) one or more silanes, at least one of which includes at least one primary amine, secondary amine, phosphine, hydroxyl, thiol, cyano, urea or thiourea group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are copolymers end-functionalized with functionalized silanes of specified structure, rubber compositions comprising the copolymer, and related processes for preparing the end-functionalized copolymer. The present disclosure also relates to tires having at least one component (e.g., a tread) containing the end-functionalized copolymer or a rubber composition thereof. The copolymer comprises 55-80% by weight of a conjugated diene monomer and 20-45% by weight of an aromatic vinyl monomer lacking any nitrogen substitution on its aromatic ring, wherein the total amount of conjugated diene monomer and aromatic vinyl monomer comprise 100% (of the total monomers in the copolymer), and the end-functionalization comprises at least one group having formula (I).

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: Radical polymerization techniques can be used to polymerize monomers that include a class of hydroxyaryl compounds so as to provide polymers that exhibit desirable properties including, but not limited to, reduced hysteresis. Compositions such as vulcanizates in which such polymers can be utilized and products such as tire components that incorporate and/or are manufactured from such compositions also are provided.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compositions incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities, silica or other particulate filler(s) that contain or include oxides of silicon and a group or compound that can act to covalently bond the filler particles and the polymer. The group can be provided as a substituent of the filler particle, or a discreet compound can be provided in the composition.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compositions incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities, silica or other particulate filler(s) that contain or include oxides of silicon and a group or compound that can act to covalently bond the filler particles and the polymer. The group can be provided as a substituent of the filler particle, or a discreet compound can be provided in the composition.

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: The present disclosure is directed to rubber compositions containing a chemical additive capable of generating or enhancing strain-induced crystallization into the compositions, and tires containing the rubber compositions in one or more components such as sidewalls or treads. The chemical additive is at least one fatty acid amide compound of formula (I). As well, certain embodiments relate to methods for achieving reduced wear or improved durability in a tire tread or tire sidewall by using the chemical additives.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing ?-methylstyrene 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: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing ?-methylstyrene 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: Compositions and methods are included for preparing a hairy polymeric nanoparticle including first and second shell block polymer arms are at least partially phase-separated and surround a polymeric core. One type of polymeric arm can have a greater polarity than the other type(s) of polymeric arms. A rubber composition including the hairy nanoparticles is also provided.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing ?-methylstyrene 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: Elastomeric compounds having increased cold flow resistance may be obtained by utilizing from 10-100 phr of a functionalized rubbery polymer containing specified types of functionalizing units, at least 0.01 phr of a multivalent metal organic salt and 0-90 phr of at least one additional rubbery polymer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, wherein the at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to the diene block(s). The disclosure also relates to methods of making such block interpolymers. Also disclosed is a rubber composition comprising: (a) a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, and (b) a filler, wherein said at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to said diene block(s).

Abstract: A macromolecule includes a functional group including imine functionality bonded to a polymer chain. Where desired, the functional group also can contain additional (e.g., amine and/or silane) functionality. The material can be provided by reacting a polymer including carbonyl functionality with a compound including a primary amino group. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black and silica.

Abstract: Elastomeric compounds having increased cold flow resistance may be obtained by utilizing from 10-100 phr of a functionalized rubbery polymer containing specified types of functionalizing units, at least 0.01 phr of a multivalent metal organic salt and 0-90 phr of at least one additional rubbery polymer.

Abstract: A group of compounds defined by the general formula (I) can be used to anionically initiate polymerization of unsaturated monomers. In the formula, M is an alkali metal atom, R1 is an aryl group having at least one OR2 substituent group where each R2 is a group that is nonreactive toward M, and R is a hydrocarbyl group. The subject initiators can be used in semi-batch and continuous polymerization processes, even those which are performed at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A carbanionic polymer chain that contains polyene mer can be provided with a terminal functionality separated from the polymer chain by a sulfide linkage. The terminally functionalized polymer can be provided by reacting a carbanionic polyene-based polymer with an episulfide compound to provide a polymer with a terminal thiolate moiety, followed by reaction with an epoxide compound that also includes at least one other heteroatom-containing functional group.