Abstract: Compounds having improved properties of processability and elasticity after heat aging for molded and extruded rubber parts can be prepared by utilizing improved processability EPM and/or EPDM rubber with effective amounts of carbon black prepared in a manner such that it has an average particle size of from 70 to 120 nanometers, a particle size distribution including from 40 to 225 nanometers sized particles, a surface area of 16 to 30 m.sup.2 /g as measured by the BET adsorption, and a structure of 90 to 125 as measured by DBP absorption. The EPM and EPDM rubber useful in accordance with the invention will include those multimodal polymer blends that comprise at least two fractions having different molecular weight and, optionally, monomer composition. The invention compounds find particular use in automotive industry parts requiring high temperature tolerance, such as coolant hoses.

Abstract: Pneumatic rubber tire with an outer, circumferential tread composed of selected elastomers with spatially defined glass transition temperatures, in conjunction with defined amounts of aromatic processing oil and reinforcing filler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a rubber tread of a cap/base construction wherein the tread cap is composed of cis 1,4-polyisoprene natural rubber, isoprene/butadiene copolymer rubber and cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber, reinforced with precipitated silica and carbon black, and the underlying tread base is composed primarily of natural cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber reinforced with carbon black. The invention particularly relates to truck tires and to bus tires which are collectively referred to herein as "truck tires".

Abstract: The invention provides ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers capable of imparting excellent heat resistance, weather resistance and dynamic fatigue resistance to vulcanized rubbers made therefrom. The ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers have sulfur dispersed therein at a temperature of 90.degree. to 160.degree. C. prior to the addition of vulcanization accelerators or other rubber additives. The ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers contain (A) 90 to 40% by weight of a high-molecular weight ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber having an ethylene content of 60 to 82 mol %, an intrinsic viscosity (.eta.) of 3.0 to 5.0 dl/g as measured at 135.degree. C. in decalin and an iodine value of 8 to 35, (B) 10 to 60% by weight of a low-molecular-weight ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber having an ethylene content of 60 to 82 mol %, an intrinsic viscosity (.eta.) of 0.15 to 0.8 dl/g as measured at 135.degree. C. in decalin and an iodine value of 8 to 35, and (C) sulfur in an amount of 0.

Abstract: The invention provides ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers capable of imparting excellent heat resistance, weather resistance and dynamic fatigue resistance to vulcanized rubbers made therefrom. The ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers have sulfur uniformly dispersed therein by mixing a solution of the sulfur with a solution of the ethylene-propylene-diene rubber prior to the addition of vulcanization accelerators or other rubber additives to the rubbers. The vulcanized rubbers are particularly suitable for use as automobile components which require dynamic fatigue resistance such as muffler hangers, belts, rubber vibration insulators, engine mounts, tire treads for pneumatic tires, sidewalls for pneumatic tires and white sidewalls.

Abstract: The present invention provides performance enhancing shoe components, and methods of making the same, comprising 1,4-polybutadiene and a rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic isoprene rubber, polyisoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber and ethylenepropylene diene modified rubber. The shoe components are most advantageously placed in the user shoe beneath the ball of the foot to increase energy return and thereby enhance athletic performance. The shoe components may be formed as midsoles and parts of midsoles, insoles and parts of insoles, or shoe inserts.

Abstract: A pregellable adhesive containing several polymers, of which at least one is olefinically unsaturated and the other capable of curing by esterification, prepared in such a way that it cures by two different chemical reaction mechanisms which can be activated successively and catalyzed at least substantially independently of one another.

Abstract: A composite comprised of a nitrile group-containing highly saturated copolymer rubber and a fibrous material, which copolymer rubber is a product obtained by hydrogenating the conjugated diene portion of an unsaturated nitrile-conjugated diene copolymer. The highly saturated copolymer rubber has an alkylthio group having 12 to 16 carbon atoms, which include at least three tertiary carbon atoms, and having a sulfur atom which is directly bound to at least one of the tertiary carbon atoms; and the copolymer rubber further has a Mooney viscosity of 15 to 200 and an iodine value not larger than 80. This composite is useful for a belt.

Abstract: A rubber mixture vulcanizable with sulphur, a tire tread manufactured from it and also tires with a vulcanized tread are proposed. The rubber mixture contains in each case 100 parts by weight of elastomers, 20 to 80 parts by weight of a copolymer of conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic compound with very low long chain branching manufactured by solution polymerization in a hydrocarbon solvent, 10 to 50 parts by weight of polybutadiene with very low long chain branching, 10 to 30 parts by weight of polyisoprene with a 3,4 bond content of 50 to 70% by weight and 30 to 100 parts by weight of silica as filler material. Through the special combination of the three elastomers with silica as a filler material one obtains an easily processable mixture which leads to vulcanized tire treads with improved grip on wet and dry surfaces.

Abstract: An ethylene-.alpha.-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer rubber composition comprising a low molecular weight component copolymer composed of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4, 100.degree. C.) of 10 to 150, an .alpha.-olefin content of 30 to 60% by weight and an iodine value of 37 to 65, and a high molecular weight component copolymer composed of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4, 100.degree. C.) of 100 to 500, an .alpha.-olefin content of 15 to 50% by weight and an iodine value of 3 to 15, the ratio of the iodine value of the low molecular weight component copolymer to the iodine value of the high molecular weight component copolymer being at least 4/1. The above composition can inhibit a gel from being produced during processing and achieve a high degree of cross-linking and is excellent in compression set, shape-retention and sponge surface skin.

Abstract: A process for producing reclaimed rubber has the steps of: mixing waste vulcanized rubber with unvulcanized new rubber and a devulcanizing agent; and kneading the resulting mixture in a heating atmosphere for mastication of the unvulcanized new rubber and simultaneously reclamation of the waste vulcanized rubber. Furthermore, the obtained unvulcanized reclaimed rubber can be vulcanized with a vulcanizing agent.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to an anionic polymerization technique for synthesizing rubbery polymers of conjugated diolefin monomers, such as an rubbery copolymer of .alpha.-methylstyrene and 1,3-butadiene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire tread rubber compounds. They have high trans-isomer contents which leads to good treadwear characteristics and a broad molecular weight distribution which enhances processability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a caoutchouc mixture for the manufacture of rubber products with low-temperature application capability, resistance to oil, low crystallization tendency, and high dynamic stressability, on the basis of natural caoutchouc, in particular viscosity-stabilized natural caoutchouc, and the usual mixture ingredients. The essence of said invention lies in that the caoutchouc mixture additionally contains 5 to 30% by weight 1,4-polybutadiene with a high cis-proportion, and 5 to 30% by weight epoxidized natural caoutchouc. An additional mixture variation is introduced.

Abstract: This invention reveals a pneumatic tire having an outer circumferential tread wherein said tread is a sulfur-cured rubber composition comprised of, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber, (1) from about 5 to about 50 parts of 3,4-polyisoprene rubber, wherein said 3,4-polyisoprene rubber has (a) a 3,4-isomer content of from 75 percent to 95 percent, (b) a 1,2-isomer content of from 5 percent to 25 percent, (c) a glass transition temperature from 0.degree. to 25.degree. C. and (d) a number average molecular weight which is within the range of 30,000 to 180,000; and (2) from about 50 to about 95 parts of a rubbery polymer which is co-curable with the 3,4-polyisoprene rubber.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire having a rubber sidewall composition containing trans 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and at least one additional rubber.

Abstract: Intervulcanized compositions having improved curing efficiency are prepared by the free radical curing of a mixture of an ethylenically unsaturated diolefin polymer such as natural or synthetic rubber and a saturated or low unsaturation polymer such as an ethylene propylene elastomers copolymer which contains functional groups pendant to the polymer chain. These functional groups contain an olefinic or vinyl double bond positioned alpha, beta to a substituent group which activates the double bond towards free radical addition reactions with the diolefin polymer. Preferred functionality includes benzylic ester functionality represented by the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl, and R.sub.4 is selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1 to C.sub.28 alkyl, aryl or C.sub.2 to C.sub.28 alkenyl.

Abstract: Thermoplastic vulcanizates from semicrystalline polyolefins and blends of crosslinked rubbers are disclosed. The blends are a mixture of at least two rubbers. One rubber is a copolymer predominantly of C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isomonoolefins (e.g. isobutylene), along with optional monomers of conjugated dienes and/or p-alkylstyrene. This copolymer is optionally halogenated. The second rubber is ethylene/propylene rubber, natural rubber or a rubber polymerized predominantly from a conjugated diene. Such rubbers include polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, butadiene-styrene copolymers or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a rubber tread which is primarily reinforced with silica where the rubber of the said tread is composed of an elastomer base of at least three butadiene based synthetic rubbers comprised of two isoprene/butadiene copolymer elastomers having spatially defined Tg's, and a cis 1,4-polybutadiene elastomer.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses an isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making treads for tires which have improved wear characteristics without compromising traction characteristics or rolling resistance. Said isoprene-butadiene diblock rubber is comprised of (1) a first block which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from 1,3-butadiene and (2) a second block which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from both 1,3-butadiene and isoprene, wherein the repeat units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene in the second block are in an essentially random order, wherein the diblock rubber has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -100.degree. C. to about -70.degree. C., and wherein the diblock rubber has a Mooney viscosity which is within the range of about 50 to about 140.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer article prepared by the process comprising the steps of: (1) blending polymer composition comprising (A) at least one ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, (B) at least one propylene ethylene copolymer, and (C) (1) from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a cross-linking agent, (2) from about 0.1% to about 35% by weight of one or more polymers selected from: (i) at least one co-, or terpolymer of at least one vinyl aromatic compound; (ii) at least one co-, or terpolymer of an alpha-olefin, and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of an acrylic acid, an acrylic ester, a vinyl silane, and a vinyl alcohol; (iii) at least one polyolefin other than a propylene homopolymer or a propylene-ethylene copolymer; (iv) at least one polyetheramide block copolymer; (v) at least one ionomer; (vi) at least one oxidized polyolefin wax, or mixtures of (1) and (2); and forming the polymer composition into the article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a polymer component consisting of 30 to 80 wt. % of an ethylene.cndot..alpha.-olefin.cndot.non-conjugated diene copolymer having a Mooney viscosity of 10 to 100 (ML.sub.1+4 100.degree. C.) and an iodine value of 20 to 45 and containing ethylene and .alpha.-olefin in a weight ratio of 50:50 to 90:10, and 20 to 70 wt. % of a styrene-conjugated diolefin block copolymer, 20 to 150 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler, 3 to 30 parts by weight of sulfur, 0 to 50 parts by weight of a styrene resin and 0 to 100 parts by weight of an extending oil.

Abstract: Diene polymers having a high content of trans-1,4 addition and two distinct melting points in the ranges of 30.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. are useful as additives to tire rubbers to improve processability by reducing compound Mooney viscosity and reducing the shrinkage of various compound stocks.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for all seasons comprises a tread provided with a foamed rubber containing a given amount of a particular resin such as crystalline syndiotactic 1,2 -polybutadiene having specified hardness and average particle size, and having specified expansion ratio, average expanded cell size and storage modulus (E') at -20.degree. C. of a given range, and exhibits satisfactory braking and traction performances at not only dry-on-ice state but also wet-on-ice state while sufficiently holding the steering stability, durability and low fuel consumption in summer season.

Abstract: A rubber compound obtained by compounding a raw rubber, powdered vulcanized scrap rubber with its surface partially processed via a swelling treatment, a vulcanizing agent and a vulcanizing accelerator. When manufacturing the compound, the scrap rubber is treated beforhand under ordinary temperature atomosphere by being mixed with a reclaiming agent that contains petroleum process oil.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprising (i) a nitrile group-containing highly saturated copolymer rubber, which is a product obtained by hydrogenating the conjugated diene portion of an unsaturated nitrile-conjugated diene copolymer, and (ii) an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer rubber. The highly saturated copolymer rubber has an alkylthio group having 12 to 16 carbon atoms, which include at least three tertiary carbon atoms, and has a sulfur atom which is directly bound to at least one of the tertiary carbon atoms; and the highly saturated copolymer. rubber further has a Mooney viscosity of 15 to 200 and an iodine value not larger than 80.

Abstract: Performance enhancing shoe components, and methods of making the same, comprising 1,4-polybutadiene and a rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic isoprene rubber, polyisoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber and ethylenepropylene diene modified rubber. The shoe components may be formed as shoe midsoles and parts of midsoles, shoe soles and parts of soles, shoe insoles and parts of insoles, and shoe inserts.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery copolymers of styrene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire tread rubber compounds. By utilizing these styrene-isoprene rubbers in tire treads, tires having improved wet skid resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance or tread wear characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides plastoelastomer compositions obtained by dynamic vulcanization, in the presence of vulcanizing agents, of a polymeric mixture comprising:a) 15-70 wt % of polypropylene,b) 2-20 wt % of polyisobutene,c) 20-70 wt % of ethylene/propylene/diene elastomer terpolymer (EPDM),d) 0-35 wt % of ethylene/propylene elastomer copolymer (EPM),e) 3-30 wt % of polybutadiene.

Abstract: A composition containing reclaimed vulcanized rubber particles and capable of being recycled by melting is disclosed. A thermoplastic substrate is first melted, and an acid or base deflocculant and emulsifier for the rubber particles is added and mixed. The rubber particles are then added and heated with the substrate under high shear forces to redo the size of the particles, cause them to swell, and to emulsify the surface. The acid or base deflocculant is then neutralized to its isoelectric point, with the surfaces of the altered rubber particles in phase with the thermoplastic substrate.

Abstract: Rubber composition for a base tread, which is obtainable by blending, per 100 parts by weight of a rubber component, 30 to 55% by weight of a carbon black having an iodine adsorption value of from 40 to 100 g/kg, wherein the rubber component comprises (A) 20 to 55% by weight of a star shaped solution-polymerized butadiene rubber and (B) 45 to 80% by weight of a natural rubber or a natural rubber containing a diene rubber other than a star shaped solution-polymerized rubber in an amount of not more than 50% by weight. When using the above-mentioned rubber composition for the base tread of a base portion of a tread having a cap/base two-layer structure, it is possible to save fuel consumption of the tire because of small deformation and uniform shape.

Abstract: A rubber composition which comprises: a rubber material comprising a polymer which is selected from a conjugated diene polymer and a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon-conjugated diene copolymer and contains a low molecular weight polymer component and a high molecular weight polymer component, and at least one of carbon black and white carbon. The low molecular weight polymer component and the high molecular weight polymer component each have a linear structure, a number-average molecular weight in respective specified range, and a molecular weight distribution in respective specified range. The polymer has a total molecular weight distribution in which at least two peaks are present. The low molecular weight polymer component and the high molecular weight polymer component are comprised in the polymer in specified amounts. The rubber composition is advantageously used as tire tread rubber and is excellent in low hysteresis loss property, fracture properties and processability.

Abstract: Pneumatic rubber tire with a tread composed of a rubber blend of a base of at least two synthetic elastomers composed of (i) specialized isoprene/butadiene copolymer elastomer having a low Tg in a range of about -70.degree. to about -100.degree. C. and (ii) a diene based elastomer having a Tg in a range of about -5.degree. to about -30.degree. C. together with a minor amount of natural cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber. Selection of the base of the said two synthetic elastomers having spaced apart, or spatially defined, Tg's of at least 40.degree. C. is an important feature of the tread rubber blend. Representative examples of contemplated elastomers with Tg's in a range of about -5.degree. to about -30.degree. C. are 3,4-polyisoprene elastomer, styrene/isoprene copolymer elastomer and high vinyl polybutadiene elastomers.In one aspect, the tread rubber blend is reinforced with reinforcing filler composed of carbon black or a combination of carbon black and silica accompanied by a coupling agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire innerliner and pneumatic tires containing the same, which are prepared from a composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber, a blend containing 30 to about 50 parts by weight of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a Tg ranging from -45.degree. C. to -65.degree. C. and 70 to 50 parts by weight of a halobutyl rubber.

Abstract: A polypropylene resin composition comprising: (a) 50 to 90% by weight of polypropylene, (b) 50 to 10% by weight of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer elastomer having a Mooney viscosity (ML 1+4 (100.degree. C.)) of 10 to 100, (c) 0.5 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total of the amounts of the components (a) and (b) of a linear olefinic polymer containing hydroxyl group which is liquid at room temperature, and (d) 0.5 to 15 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total of the amounts of the components (a) and (b) of a linear olefinic polymer having a melting point of about 70.degree. to about 90.degree. C. and a number-average molecular weight of 1500 to 6000 and containing hydroxyl group or carbonyl group; and a protective strip for automobiles using the polypropylene resin composition are disclosed. Coating immediately after degreasing is made possible and excellent property for coating can be provided by using the polypropylene resin composition.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of plastoelastomeric preparations comprising an elastomeric phase of an EPDM elastomer and a plastomeric phase of a thermoplastic olefinic polymer, wherein the elastomeric phase is dynamically vulcanized with a vulcanizing binary agent consisting of an alkylphenol-formaldehydic resin and sodium bisulphite.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyolefin compositionshaving high balance of stiffness and impact strength, which comprise (percentage by weight):A) 30%-60% of a propylene homopolymer or copolymer;B) 14%-30% of a fraction comprising copolymers of propylene with ethylene;C) 10%-25% of a copolymer of ethylene with a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 .alpha.-olefin;D) 5%-45% of a mineral filler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a tread which is reinforced with silica where the tread rubbers are of a blend of emulsion SBR with medium to high styrene content, isoprene/butadiene copolymer rubber, cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and natural rubber.

Abstract: A rubber composition for an inner liner comprises a coumarone resin and a member selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, a blend of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, and a blend of synthetic rubbers. The rubber composition for inner liner exhibits good shrinkage resistance and good inner pressure retaining property without deteriorating a running durability of a tire where the rubber composition is used as an inner liner.

Abstract: A rubber composition for tire treads comprising a rubber component consisting essentially of (A) 20 to 100% by weight of a solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber having a Mooney viscosity ML.sub.1+4 of 30 to 200 at 100.degree. C. prepared by copolymerization of styrene, butadiene and a polyvinyl aromatic compound followed by coupling with a trifunctional or tetrafunctional coupling agent, and (B) 0 to 80% by weight of at least one rubber selected from the group consisting of an emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber, a butadiene rubber, natural rubber and a synthetic polyisoprene rubber; and (C) 50 to 250 parts by weight of a carbon black having an iodine adsorption number of not less than 60 mg/g and an oil absorption of not less than 110 ml/100 g per 100 parts by weight of said rubber component; the tan .delta. peak temperature Tg of the cured product of said rubber composition being from -40.degree. to +5.degree. C.

Abstract: A heavy duty vehicle pneumatic tire comprising a tread, wherein the tread is composed of a diene-based rubber composition, and crystalline syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene is incorporated into said rubber composition in an amount of 5 to 60 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of a diene-based rubber component of the rubber composition. The syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene has a melting point of 130.degree. to 170.degree. C., an average particle diameter of not more than 100 .mu.m, and a ratio of a major axis to a minor axis (L/D) being not more than 3. The content of 1,2-structural units in the syndiotactic-1,2 polybutadiene is not less than 75% by weight, and a syndiotacticity of the 1,2-structural units is not less than 75%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition comprising:(i) a rubber component comprising 70 to 90% by weight of a styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber (A) containing 20 to 40% by weight of a styrene content and 30 to 60% by weight of a vinyl content in a butadiene portion, which is obtained by solution polymerization, and 10 to 30% by weight of a polybutadiene rubber (B)(ii) a vulcanizing agent in an amount of 0.75 to 1.75 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber component (i) and(iii) a plasticizer;wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount such that the amount of acetone extract obtained by extracting a vulcanized rubber sample obtained from the rubber composition with a Soxhlet apparatus in an acetone solvent for 24 hours is 20 to 26% by weight of the vulcanized rubber sample, and at least 80% by weight of the acetone extract being the plasticizer.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses an isoprenebutadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making truck tire treads, said rubber being comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 20 weight percent to about 50 weight percent isoprene and from about 50 weight percent to about 80 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order, wherein from about 3% to about 10% of the repeat units in said rubber are 1,2-polybutadiene units, wherein from about 50% to about 70% of the repeat units in said rubber are 1,4-polybutadiene units, wherein from about 1% to about 4% of the repeat units in said rubber are 3,4-polyisoprene units, wherein from about 25% to about 40% of the repeat units in the polymer are 1,4-polyisoprene units, wherein the rubber has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -90.degree. C. to about -75.degree. C.

Abstract: Mixtures of A) polybutadiene gel and B) other rubbers containing C.dbd.C double bonds, the quantity of polybutadiene gel A), based on the sum of A)+B), being 1 to 70% by weight, show as vulcanizates a favorable combination of the properties hysteresis loss and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: Rubber compositions for use in pneumatic tire treads. Specified amounts of NR and/or IR and SBR are combined with a selected class of rubber components of the formula ##STR1## SBR contains in its molecular chains one or more atomic groups of the formula ##STR2## Rebound resilience, skid resistance and fuel saving are greatly improved.

Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire having a rubber sidewall composition containing trans 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and at least one additional rubber.

Abstract: Vulcanizable rubber compositions are disclosed which contain co-activator of vulcanization which is a polymeric amine, that is, a hydrocarbon polymer with pendent alkyl amine groups. The co-activators impart increased rates of vulcanization with little decrease in scorch delay and very little increase in the modulus of the cured compositions. No increase in heat build-up or decrease in flex-fatigue life is shown. Typical polymers forming the backbone of the co-activators include EPDM rubber and polymers from butadiene or isoprene, with optional co-monomers.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided having good rolling resistance properties without sacrificing traction. The tire has a tread that contains 2 to 15 phr thermoplastic reinforcing polymer as a replacement for 5 to 25 phr carbon black.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-layer thermoplastic elastomer sheet comprising a skin layer [I] and a reverse surface layer [II], each layer being composed of a thermoplastic elastomer containing a polyolefin resin (A) and an .alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber (B), wherein a difference [(I.sub.B)-(II.sub.B)] between the amount (I.sub.B) of the .alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber (B) contained in the thermoplastic elastomer of the skin layer (I) and the amount (II.sub.B) of the .alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber (B) contained in the thermoplastic elastomer of the reverse surface layer (II) is in the range of 5 to 85 parts by weight. The two-layer thermoplastic elastomer sheet of the invention is excellent in vacuum forming properties and can provide molded products excellent in the soft touch and having appearance of softness, appearance of flexibility and appearance of warmth. The sheet of the invention can be widely used for interior automotive trim such as an instrument panel.

Abstract: A method for preparing asymmetric radial polymers wherein the different polymeric arms are contacted sequentially with a coupling agent. The method narrows the relative arm distribution of the several asymmetric radial polymers produced and significantly increases the amount of total product having the desired ratio of polymeric arms. Any coupling agent known in the prior art to be useful in the production of asymmetric radial polymers may be used in the method of this invention but coupling agents having from three to about twelve functional groups are most effective.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid golf ball containing at least one rubber portion formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent and an organic peroxide; an improvement being present in that the base rubber is a mixture of(A) a solid polybutadiene rubber containing cis-1,4 bonds in an amount of at least 40%, and(B) either a liquid polybutadiene rubber or a liquid isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubber, or both.