Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a diene-based rubber/inorganic compound complex capable of allowing a silicic acid compound including silica and the like to be dispersed uniformly and allowing a reinforcing effect to be exerted sufficiently, and a rubber composition containing said complex.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for improving the processability, storage stability and/or cure rate of an uncured silica reinforced rubber composition where silica comprises the major filler in the reinforced rubber composition, which comprises combining a mixture comprising, rubber, silica and at least one organic compound having a low molecular weight and a functional group wherein said functional group is at least an epoxy group, such as an epoxy/ether, epoxy/hydroxyl, epoxy/ester, epoxy/amine, ether/amine, episulfide, episulfide/ether, episulfide/hydroxyl, episulfide/ester functional group located in a terminal or sterically unhindered position in the molecule of said organic compound where the molecular weight of said organic compound having a low molecular weight is less than 7,000, or the organic compound comprises an abietyl, styrenated resorcinol formaldehyde, or ester hydroxyl organic compound having a hydroxyl, ester, and optionally, an ether group, such as an ester diol.

Abstract: An oil-extended rubber comprising a conjugated diene rubber having a specific amount of isoprene units, and an extender oil incorporated therein, characterized in that the rubber is obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising 1,3-butadiene and an aromatic vinyl monomer with the aid of an organic active metal as an initiator in a hydrocarbon medium; subsequently adding isoprene to continue polymerization, then; reacting the resulting polymer having an activated terminal with a coupling agent. A rubber composition comprising the oil-extended rubber is suitable for tread of tire having a low fuel consumption.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprises a polar group-containing diene polymer synthesized through an emulsion polymerization as a rubber component, and an inorganic filler represented by a formula of mM.xSiOy.zH2O wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, titanium and calcium, an oxide or a hydroxide of such a metal or an hydrate thereof, m is an integer of 1 to 5, x is an integer of 0 to 10, y is an integer of 2 to 5 and z is an integer of 0 to 10.

Abstract: A process for reducing odor emission in aqueous polymer dispersions and in polymer powders comprises admixing an aqueous dispersion of a polymer obtained by free-radical polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, after conclusion of the polymerization, with an odor-reducing composition containing a) one or more water-soluble compounds selected from metal salts of copper(II), silver, aluminum, zinc and iron(III), potassium permanganate, imidazoline, and imidazoline derivatives, optionally in combination with b) one or more water-soluble reducing agents selected from ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, iron(II) salts, zinc formaldehydesulfoxylate and alkali metal formaldehydesulfoxylate, and optionally drying the thus treated aqueous polymer dispersion to form a polymer powder.

Abstract: A process for preparing an enlarged latex, which comprises (1) causing (a) an anionic surfactant and (b) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a cationic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant to exist in a latex, (2) adding, as an aggregating and enlarging agent, at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) an inorganic acid, (ii) an organic acid, (iii) a substance which forms an acid in water, (iv) a combination of at least two substances which are reacted with each other to form an acid, and (v) a substance which forms an acid by exposure to active rays to the latex in the presence of these surfactants, and (3) causing the acid derived from the aggregating and enlarging agent to act on the latex, thereby enlarging the particle diameter of the latex, an enlarged latex obtained by the preparation process, a graft copolymer obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable monomer with the enlarged latex, and a resin composition comprising the graft copolymer and a thermoplastic resi

Abstract: Disclosed are oil-extended 1,2-polybutadiene containing an extender oil in a specific amount based on 1,2-polybutadiene and a production method thereof, and a composition further containing another (co)polymer, a foaming agent, a crosslinking agent, a softening agent and other additives. The resulting oil-extended 1,2-polybutadiene and the composition thereof has excellent functions characterizing conventional 1,2-polybutadiene and is further excellent in wear resistance, fluidity (processability), coloring properties (high distinctness of images), flexibility, attachability and the like, so that they can be applied to various formed articles, shoe sole materials and laminate having high performances.

Abstract: A fine-particle, free-flowing rubber powder containing silicatic fillers, one or more organosilanes having trialkoxysilyl groups, and a rubber prepared by solution polymerization is prepared by a process that starts from a two-phase system: 1) filler in water, and 2) rubber in organic solvent. A rubber/silicatic filler/silane composite is formed during transfer, under gentle conditions, of the various reactants into a single phase. The process features a high degree of freedom in selecting forms of filler and in selecting the organosilane and gives a finished rubber powder in which a silicatic filler and an organosilane have undergone complete chemical reaction.

Abstract: An aggregate including a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase is described, wherein a difference between BET (N2) surface area and t-area of the aggregate is from about 2 to 10 m2/g; a difference between BET (N2) surface area and t-area of from about 1 to 50 m2/after HF treatment; a ratio of from about 0.1 to 10; a weight average aggregate size measured by DCP after HF treatment that is reduced by about 5% to 40%; a silica ash content in the aggregate of from about 0.05% to 1% based on the weight of the aggregate after HF treatment and based on ash resulting from silicon-containing compound; and a BET surface area of silica ash in the aggregate of from about 200 m2/g to 700 m2/g, wherein the silicon-containing species phase is present primarily at the surface of the aggregate.

Abstract: An elastomer composition based on at least one diene elastomer, an inorganic filler as reinforcing filler, a polyfunctional organosilane as (inorganic filler/diene elastomer) coupling agent bearing at least two functions denoted “X” and “Y” which are graftable, on the one hand, to the elastomer by means of the X function and, on the other, to the inorganic filler by means of the Y function, characterised in that said Y function is a hydroxysilyl function (≡Si—OH). Preferably, this organosilane is a hydroxysilane polysulfide, the diene elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polybutadienes, natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprenes, butadiene copolymers, isoprene copolymers and the reinforcing inorganic filler is a siliceous or aluminous filler of the highly dispersible type. Tires or semi-finished products for tires, in particular treads for tires comprising a composition according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for hydrogenating ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in polymers P by reacting an aqueous dispersion of at least one polymer P with hydrogen in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst comprising at least one transition metal selected from rhodium and/or ruthenium and at least one nonionic phosphorus compound capable of forming a coordinative compound with the transition metal, which comprises incorporating the hydrogenation catalyst into the aqueous dispersion of the polymer P without adding a solvent. The present invention also relates to the aqueous dispersions of the hydrogenated polymers P obtainable by this process and to coating compositions comprising such dispersions.

Abstract: A rubber compound, cross-linkable with sulfur, is described, containing:

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a method for producing an exfoliated nanocomposite. The method involves charging to water, as the continuous phase, monomers, polymerizable surfactant, and water-soluble initiator. The monomers are allowed to polymerize under agitation to form an emulsion of polymers, and the polymerizable surfactant is bound to the polymers so formed, with an ionic end of the polymerizable surfactant extending from the polymers to provide surface charges. Thereafter, a suspension of nanofillers in water is charged to the emulsion. The nanofillers are oppositely charged from the ionic end of the polymerizable surfactant such that they electrostatically bind to the polymers within the emulsion. The water is subsequently decanted to produce a nanocomposite with an exfoliated structure.

Abstract: This invention provides a rubber composition comprising: a softening agent including a hydrogenated naphthenic oil of which an extract quantity of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) by IP 346 method is controlled to less than 3% by weight and blending at least one selected from a group of (1) a styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber with a bond styrene quantity in molecular of from 10% by weight to 60% by weight and with a vinyl bond quantity of the butadiene part of from 10% to 80% and (2) a butadiene rubber with a cis bond quantity of at least 30%. The rubber composition is superior in fracture characteristics, loss characteristic and wear resistance, and it is applicable to various rubber products, a pneumatic tire and, in particular, a tire tread.

Abstract: The invention provides a diene-based rubber-inorganic compound composite material comprising a diene-based rubber and at least one inorganic compound selected from silica and a compound represented by the following formula (I):

Abstract: An ink composition comprising at least a pigment, a compound represented by the following formula (1) and/or a compound represented by the following formula (2), water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a sulfone group-containing (co) polymer: 1

Abstract: A golf ball is characterized by comprising a molded and vulcanized product of a rubber composition as a constituent component, the rubber composition comprising 100 pbw of a base rubber including 60-100 wt % of a polybutadiene containing art least 60 wt % of cis-1,4-bond, having a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4 (100° C.)) of at least 40, and synthesized using a rare-earth catalyst, 10-60 pbw of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, 0.1-5 pbw of an organosulfur compound, 5-80 pbw of an inorganic filler, and at least two organic peroxides including an organic peroxide having the shortest half-life at 155° C. designated (a) and another organic peroxide having the longest half-life at 155° C. designated (b), a ratio of half-lives (bt/at) being from 7 to 20 wherein at is the half-life of (a) and bt is the half-life of (b), a total content of the organic peroxides being 0.1-0.8 pbw per 100 pbw of the base rubber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition which can sufficiently improve performance on ice and snow and wet gripping properties, and a pneumatic tire using the same. The rubber composition comprises, based on 100 parts by weight of diene rubber (A), 2 to 20 parts by weight of short fiber (B) having an average fiber diameter of 10 to 100 &mgr;m and average fiber length of 0.01 to 4 mm, 1 to 10 parts by weight of particles (C) having a Moh's hardness of at least 5 and average particle size of at most 500 &mgr;m, and 1 to 15 parts by weight of starch/plasticizer composite material (D), and the pneumatic tire has a tread made of the rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating composition for producing difficult-to-wet surfaces, comprising i) at least one finely divided powder whose particles have a hydrophobic surface and a porous structure characterized by a BET surface area (determined in accordance with DIN 66131) of at least 1 m2/g, and ii) at least one film-forming binder characterized by a surface tension <50 mN/m, the weight ratio of powder to binder being at least 1:4. It also provides a process for producing difficult-to-wet surfaces, and provides for the use of the coating compositions for producing surfaces having a self-cleaning effect and for reducing the flow resistance for liquids in pipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shaped article for high purity applications containing at least one peroxide curable compound containing a substantially gel-free butyl polymer. In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a sealing material and a medical device containing at least one peroxide-curable compound containing a substantially gel-free butyl polymer. In still another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a fuel cell containing at least one peroxide curable compound containing a substantially gel-free butyl polymer. In still another of its aspects, the present invention relates to halogen-free and sulfur-free shaped articles.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprised of an elastomer(s) reinforced with a particulate carbon black composite, and a coupling agent. Said carbon black composite contains integral silica on the surface thereof, wherein said carbon black composite is prepared by co-precipitating carbon black and silica from a dispersion of carbon black in sodium silicate to provide integral silica domains on the outer surface of the carbon black. Said carbon black composite is further functionalized by reacting it with a trialkoxy silane. A tire having a component comprised of such rubber composition, such as, for example, a tire tread is contemplated.

Abstract: A composite barrier membrane coated on a substrate and membrane is formed by phase inversion technique utilizing a water-insoluble wax and a water-insoluble polymer dissolved in a solvent. The barrier membrane coated upon the substrate is used to control transmembrane transport of a liquid and a gas. The substrate can be a starch based food package material, a protein based food package materials, a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, or a paper product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conjugated diene-based rubber composition reinforced with particulate alumina in combination with a non-silane coupling agent as tetrathiodipropionic acid and/or trithiodipropionic acid. The invention includes an article of manufacture, including a tire, having at least one component comprised of such rubber composition.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a rubber composition which includes at least one sulfur-vulcanizable elastomer containing olefinic unsaturation, a first processing aid, and a second processing aid of the formula: wherein each of R1 and R2 independently is selected from the group consisting of alkyls having from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, and alkenyls having from 12 to 24 carbon atoms. The elastomer is present in an amount of 100 parts by weight. Also, the first processing aid may be present in an amount of 0 to 20 phr, and the second processing aid may be present in an amount of 0.2 to 20 phr. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of making the rubber composition described immediately above, with the method including the step of mixing the elastomer, first processing aid, and second processing aid.

Abstract: A reinforcing aluminum-based filler which can be used for reinforcing diene rubber compositions intended for the manufacture of tires, comprising an aluminum (oxide-)hydroxide corresponding, with the exception of any impurities and the water of hydration, to the general formula (a and b being real numbers):

Abstract: An elastomeric composition includes a single S-EB-S block copolymer having at least about 15 weight percent of styrene end blocks, wherein the weight average molecular weight of the styrene end blocks is at least about 7,000 Daltons and the weight average molecular weight of ethylene-butylene midblocks is at least about 60,000 Daltons, and a plasticizer in an amount sufficient to provide tactility in products made from the composition. To prepare articles such as medical film protective devices, the elastomeric composition is dissolved in a sufficient amount of a solvent to permit dip forming. A form having the shape of the desired product is dipped into the solution to build up a film of the elastomeric composition on the form. The dip-formed elastomeric films are free of pinholes and resistant to oxidative and ozone attack. The films are particularly suitable for use in products such as examination, surgical, and industrial gloves and condoms.

Abstract: Mixture of at least one filler and organosilicon compounds of the general formula Y—Sx-Z, wherein the filler is surface-treated, hydrophobic, precipitated silica, are prepared by homogeneously applying an organosilicon compound from a nozzle to the surface-treated, hydrophobic, precipitated silica in a mixing unit at a temperature of less than 50° C. The mixture can be used in rubber mixtures.

Abstract: An oil-extended rubber comprising 100 weight parts of a rubber ingredient comprising a conjugated diene rubber wherein the ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) is in the range of 1.2 to 2.2, and the conjugated diene monomer units have a vinyl bond unit content of at least 20%, and 5-100 weight parts of a process oil having a total acid value of not larger than 1.0 mgKOH/g, a pour point of not higher than 50° C. and an aromatic carbon content of at least 20%. A rubber composition comprising 100 weight parts of the above-mentioned rubber ingredients, 5-100 weight parts of the process oil and 10-200 weight parts of a reinforcing agent. This rubber composition gives a crosslinked article having high tensile strength, high abrasion resistance and reduced heat build-up, and is useful, for example, as an automobile tire material.

Abstract: A conjugated diene rubber gel comprising 80-99 weight % of conjugated diene monomer units and 20-1 weight % of aromatic vinyl monomer units and having a swelling index of 16 to 70 as measured in toluene. A rubber vulcanizate made from a rubber composition comprising this conjugated diene rubber gel and a rubber capable of being crosslinked with sulfur exhibits good abrasion resistance and low heat-build up without deterioration of mechanical properties, and thus, is suitable for tire materials. This conjugated diene rubber gel can be produced with high efficiency by emulsion-polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising 50-99.9 weight % of a conjugated diene monomer, 0-30 weight % of an aromatic vinyl monomer, 0-20 weight % of other ethylenically unsaturated monomer and 0.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to a solventless liquid isoprene compound. The compound includes a liquid isoprene rubber. The compound also includes a curing agent selected from sulfur and/or sulfur donors. The curing agent is present in an amount of at least about 3% by weight of the compound. The compound contains substantially no solvent. In another embodiment, this invention relates to a solventless liquid isoprene compound. The compound includes a liquid isoprene rubber. The compound also includes a nonsulfur curing agent. The curing agent is present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight of the compound. The compound contains substantially no solvent.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive compositions comprising (a) a synthetic polymer latex; and (b) an aqueous dispersion of thinned, derivatized starch are disclosed.

Abstract: Articles are formed from a thermosetting composition based on polybutadiene or polyisoprene resins which are subjected to a high temperature cure step of greater than 250° C. The thermosetting compositions may include fillers such as particulate ceramic fillers and may also include woven webs for improved dimensional stability and decreased brittleness. The formation process of this invention is particularly well suited for making electrical circuit substrates for microwave and digital circuits, typically in the form of the thermosetting composition being laminated on one or both opposed surfaces to metal conductive foil (e.g., copper).

Abstract: A rubber composition is disclosed wherein the rubber composition contains at least (a) a rubber component; (b) a silica filler; (c) a coupling agent; and (d) a cure-enhancing amount of at least one polyalkylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight less than 200. The compositions may also include suitable amounts of other ingredients such as carbon black, antiozonants, antioxidants, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved water-based polymer coating composition comprising a polymer resin, water and surfactant. As an improvement over prior water-based polymer coating compositions an anionic and/or nonionic surfactant is present in an amount effective to plasticize the coating formed from the composition. A water-based polymer coating composition of the invention is also substantially free from cosolvents. The invention also relates to a method of coating a substrate and a substrate which has been coated with a coating formulation of the invention.

Abstract: A reversibly discoloring ink composition which changes color reversibly and instantly in response to irradiation with light of a given wavelength distribution. The discoloring composition has fine particles comprised of one or more rare earth oxides represented by the general formula M2O3, wherein M is Ho, Nd, or Pr, and a light-transmissive base material having the fine particles dispersed therein. In an embodiment, a color changing decorative layer formed of the reversibly discoloring ink is printed on the upper layer of a dial plate or other wristwatch part.

Abstract: Processes for preparing a carbon black product having an organic group attached to the carbon black. In one process at least one diazonium salt reacts with a carbon black in the absence of an externally applied electric current sufficient to reduce the diazonium salt. In another process at least one diazonium salt reacts with a carbon black in a protic reaction medium. Carbon black products which may be prepared according to process of the invention are described as well as uses of such carbon black products in plastic compositions, rubber compositions, paper compositions, and textile compositions.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that rubbery polymers having a high vinyl content and a low degree of branching can be synthesized with an initiator system that is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator selected from the group consisting of allylic lithium compounds and benzylic lithium compounds, (b) a Group I metal alkoxide, and (c) a polar modifier; wherein the molar ratio of the Group I metal alkoxide to the polar modifier is within the range of about 0.1:1 to about 10:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the Group I metal alkoxide to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.01:1 to about 20:1. These high vinyl polymers offer reduced levels of hysteresis and better functionalization efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for forming a removable coating for an optical substrate. In this form, the composition is an aquesous emulsion having one or more substantially non-polar polymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conjugated diene-based rubber composition reinforced with silica-based reinforcement together with a non-silane coupling agent as a combination of 1-thioglycerol(3-mercapto-1,2-propanediol) and 2,2′-benzothiazyl disulfide. Said coupling agent materials may be provided for mixing with said diene-based rubber(s), for example, as individual materials, as at least one of said materials being supported on a carbon black carrier or as being pre-reacted, or otherwise pre-treated, with synthetic silica aggregates. The invention includes an article of manufacture, including a tire, having at least one component comprised of such rubber composition.

Abstract: Rubber mixtures which comprise (a) a rubber or a mixture of rubbers, (b) a silicatic filler, (c) an organosilane of the general formula (I) R1R2R3Si—R4—SH  (I) (d) an alkylsilane of the general formula (II) R1R2R3Si—R5  (II). They are prepared by mixing the rubber or the mixture of rubbers, the silanes according to the formulae I and II and the silicatic filler in a mixing unit and adding the silanes according to the formulae I and II together or separately in succession. They can be used in shaped articles.

Abstract: Pulverulent rubber powder containing filler which remains free-flowing even after exposure to mechanical stresses, a process for the production thereof, in which the rubber powder is obtained in two precipitation steps, and the use of these powders for the production of vulcanizable rubber compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conjugated diene-based rubber composition reinforced with particulate alumina in combination with a non-silane coupling agent as tetrathiodipropionic acid and/or trithiodipropionic acid. The invention includes an article of manufacture, including a tire, having at least one component comprised of such rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of incorporating a water insoluble organic chemical into a styrene-butadiene rubber latex dispersion and the resulting styrene-butadiene rubber latex dispersion. A styrene-butadiene rubber latex dispersion is provided comprising an aqueous phase and a disperse phase, with the disperse phase including particles of styrene-butadiene rubber. An organic solvent that is miscible in water and the water insoluble organic chemical are added together to the styrene-butadiene rubber latex dispersion. The addition of the water-miscible organic solvent allows the water insoluble organic chemical to pass from the aqueous phase into the disperse phase thus limiting separation of the water insoluble organic chemical from the latex dispersion. The resulting SBR latex has increased properties over conventional latices that use the same amount of the water insoluble organic chemical but that do not include the water-miscible organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a coupling system (white filler/diene elastomer) for a rubber composition based on diene elastomer reinforced with a white filler, formed by the association of a polysulphurized alkoxysilane, a zinc dithiophosphate and a guanidine derivative. The invention also provides a rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, comprising, as base constituents, one or more diene elastomer(s), a reinforcing white filler, a polysulphurized alkoxysilane coupling agent with which are associated a zinc dithiophosphate and a guanidine derivative. Also provided is a process for preparing such a rubber composition, and a tire or semi-finished product, in particular a tread for a tire, comprising a rubber composition according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tires suitable for bearing heavy loads, and to the use of a rubber composition to form the treads of such tires which delays the appearance of irregular wear on the treads of such tires during travel. The invention applies to tires for motor vehicles, such as heavy vehicles, construction vehicles or aircraft.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tread comprised of (a) a diene-based elastomer containing olefinic unsaturation and (b) from 1 to 150 phr of a metal oxide aerogel.

Abstract: A rubber composition having improved properties containing a starting rubber (e.g., diene rubber) and a polysiloxane having the following alkoxysilyl group (I) and/or acyloxysilyl group (II) and having an average degree of polymerization of 3 to 10,000: ≡Si—OR1  (I) ≡Si—OCOR2  (II) wherein, R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or an organic group containing an ether bond and R2 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 21 carbon atoms.

Abstract: It is important for rubbery polymers that are used in tires, hoses, power transmission belts and other industrial products to have good compatibility with fillers, such as carbon black, silica, clay (including organoclays), and mixtures thereof. To attain improved interaction with fillers such rubbery polymers can be functionalized with various compounds, such as amines. The present invention discloses a process for synthesizing a rubbery polymer that is functionalized to attain improved compatibility with fillers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bituminous composition which comprises a bitumen component, less than 15% by weight of a block copolymer composition, based on total weight of block copolymer composition and bitumen component, and more than 40% by weight of a filler, based on total weight of block copolymer, bitumen component and filler, which block copolymer composition comprises at least one block of a conjugated diene and at least two blocks of a monovinylaromatic hydrocarbon, wherein the block copolymer composition has a vinyl content of at least 25% by weight based on the total diene content and optionally a diblock content of 25 wt % or less, and any diblock copolymer present has an apparent molecular weight which is in the range of from 60,000 to 170,000. The bituminous composition can be used in sound or vibration damping applications and/or in a backing layer for comprising a floor covering.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion, preferably a latex, of a polar group modified polyphenylene ether or a polar group modified block copolymer of a vinly aromatic monomer and a conjugated diene, said dispersion having a mean, volume average particle size dispersed phase of less than 2.0 &mgr;m is disclosed. The latex is particularly suited for use in the formation of a coating on an inorganic filler for use in formation of thermoplastic resin blends or composites.