Abstract: A vulcanizate that has improved damping properties where the vulcanizate is prepared by the steps comprising blending a saturated damping additive within a vulcanizable composition of matter, wherein the vulcanizable composition of matter includes a vulcanizable elastomer, and effecting vulcanization of the elastomer.

Abstract: A polymer composition useful to produce a vulcanizate having improved compound scorch safety is described. The polymer composition includes three components. The first component is a polymer selected from the group comprising nitrile polymers and ethylene polymers. The second component is a salt of a strong base and a weak acid, the salt comprising a metal selected from Group I of the Periodic Table of Elements. The third component is a vulcanization system comprising an inorganic peroxide compound and a sulfur containing compound. The polymer compositions may further comprise optional ingredients such as one or more of: a polycarbodiimide and a filler. Vulcanizates produced from the polymer composition have a surprising and unexpected combination of properties.

Abstract: A novel process has been developed for the treatment of crosslinked ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM) elastomer material to decrease its residual peroxide levels. EPDM is used to form the seats and neck gaskets of metering valves used in metered-dose inhalers (MDI). For filled and inverted MDI units these EPDM components are in direct contact with the pharmaceutical formulation media. The process involves exposing the EPDM valve components to a solution of 2-mercaptoethanol, a chemical reducing agent. The 2-mercaptoethanol greatly diminishes the residual peroxide levels in EPDM by reducing the peroxide functional groups to the corresponding hydroxyl groups. EPDM components treated in this manner have demonstrated very low peroxide levels and, consequently, greatly improved compatibility with the pharmaceutical formulation in the inhaler. An advantage of this approach is that the treated EPDM would likely retain its favorable physical properties and its good performance in metering valves.

Abstract: A rubber composition which contains substantially hollow, irregularly-shaped particles, and/or fragments thereof derived from a surface-modified carbon black aggregate from the which the carbon black core has been removed. For example, an irregularly-shaped carbon black aggregate may be surface-modified to have interconnecting domains of at least one inorganic material on its surface and the carbon black core removed by an oxidation process leaving an irregularly-shaped, substantially hollow particle and/or fragments thereof of said inorganic materials. An article having a component of such rubber composition is also provided such as, for example, a tire or an industrial product.

Abstract: A method for scavenging amines within polymeric compositions of matter comprising the step of adding to a polymeric composition of matter at least one triazine compound, wherein said triazine compound is defined according to the formula: where X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halides, amines, and organic groups having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, Y is selected from the group consisting of halides, alkoxy derivatives, amine derivatives, aryloxy derivatives, and urea derivatives, with the proviso that the substituent Y is displacable by a reaction with a secondary amine, and Z is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy derivatives, amino derivatives, aryloxy derivatives, and urea derivatives, with the proviso that the substituent Z is displacable by a reaction with a secondary amine.

Abstract: A process for producing a vulcanizable rubber composition containing silica and carbon black, comprises the step of intimately mixing at a temperature of from 130° to 180° C. at least a first cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer with a first carbon black-based reinforcing filler, so as to obtain a first rubber composition capable of allowing a subsequent effective dispersion of a second silica-based reinforcing filler and of a second cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer. The rubber composition thus obtained shows a homogeneous dispersion of the reinforcing fillers, in particular of the silica-based reinforcing filler, constant physical-mechanical characteristics, and improved drawability, and is particularly suitable for the manufacture of tire treads with low rolling resistance.