Abstract: A novel process for the metathetic degradation of nitrile rubbers is provided which uses specific transition metal complex catalysts showing an increased activity.

Abstract: A modified conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic copolymer and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The modified conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic copolymer is formed by modifying a conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic copolymer by reacting with a first modifier in a solvent and then reacting with a second modifier. The solvent contains an organic alkali metal initiator. The first modifier is expressed as chemical formula (I): The second modifier is expressed as chemical formula (II): R1 is selected from one of hydrogen, methyl group or ethyl group. R2 is selected from hydrogen. R3 is selected from one of hydrogen, methyl group or ethyl group. X is selected from one of epoxypropoxy group, isocyanate group or 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl) group. R4 is selected from one of alkyl groups with 2˜3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing a reactive polymer and reacting the reactive polymer with a heterocyclic nitrile compound.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a conjugated diene polymer cyclized product free from coloring, a conjugated diene polymer cyclized product that has a narrow molecular weight distribution and is free from coloring, and a method for producing these conjugated diene polymer cyclized products. [Means for Resolution] A conjugated diene polymer cyclized product having a Gardner color scale of not more than 3.0. A conjugated diene polymer cyclized product having a Gardner color scale of not more than 3.0 and a ratio of weight average molecular weight/number average molecular weight of not more than 1.5. A method for producing a conjugated diene polymer cyclized product includes adding water to a conjugated diene polymer solution obtained by polymerizing a conjugated diene in a solvent by using an organoalkali metal compound as an initiator, thereby terminating the polymerization and then subjecting the subject conjugated diene polymer to a cyclization reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a block copolymer composition and method of making the same having the structures (A2-B)n—X-(A1) or (A2-B2)n—X—(B1A1), where A1 and A2 are each a polymer block of a monoalkenyl arene and B, B1, and B2 are each a polymer block of one or more conjugated dienes or a hydrogenated diene polymer, n is an integer from 2 to 30 and X is the residue of a coupling agent.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitrile compound containing a protected amino group.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and reacting the reactive polymer with a protected polyoxime compound.

Abstract: Provided herein are polyfarnesenes such as farnesene homopolymers derived from a farnesene and farnesene interpolymers derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer; and the processes of making and using the polyfarnesenes. The farnesene homopolymer can be prepared by polymerizing the farnesene in the presence of a catalyst such as a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a Kaminsky catalyst, a metallocene catalyst, an organolithium reagent or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism.

Abstract: Elastomer compositions comprising uncured elastomer and reclaimed elastomer are described. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise reclaimed elastomer material (micronized rubber powder) of broad particle size distribution, which is less expensive than traditional reclaimed elastomer material with narrow particle size distribution. Further, compositions comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with broad particle size distribution perform comparably to those comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with narrow particle size distribution. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise both vulcanized and devulcanized elastomer materials. Advantageously, by using a combination of vulcanized and devulcanized material, it is possible to incorporate a greater percentage by weight of reclaimed material in to an elastomer composition, thus providing additional cost savings while maintaining high levels of mechanical properties.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ethylene-?-olefin copolymer excellent in crosslinking properties; a foamed molded article having a low specific gravity and a low compression set (CS) and a composition capable of producing the foamed molded article, footwear parts composed of a foamed molded article; an ethylenic copolymer composition excellent in balance between weather resistance and mechanical strength, and an electric wire coating material and an electric wire sheath using the ethylenic copolymer composition; and a thermoplastic elastomer capable of producing a molded article excellent in balance between mechanical strength and toughness. The ethylenic copolymer (A) of the present invention is a copolymer composed of only ethylene and an ?-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and is characterized in that vinyl-group content (a) per 1000 carbon atoms as measured by infrared absorption spectroscopy, MFR10/MFR2.16 (b), and the specific gravity (c) are within a specific range.

Abstract: A sulfonated block copolymer which is solid and non-dispersible in water having at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation, wherein the A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. Each A block includes one or more segments selected from polymerized (i) ethylene, (ii) monomers of conjugated dienes having a vinyl content less than 35 mol percent prior to hydrogenation, and (iii) mixtures thereof; and each B block comprising segments of one or more polymerized vinyl aromatic monomers selected from (i) unsubstituted styrene monomers, (ii) ortho-substituted styrene monomers, (iii) meta-substituted styrene monomers, (iv) alpha-methylstyrene, (v) 1,1-diphenylethylene, (vi) 1,2-diphenylethylene and (vii) mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing an epoxidized polymer. The method comprises the steps of: (1) providing a polymer solution containing a polymer having a conjugated diene group; (2) providing a catalyst solution dissolved in the polymer solution, the catalyst solution containing a transition metal ion and a ligand for bonding to the transition metal ion, the transition metal ion being selected from the group consisting of Ti, Mn, V, Mo, W and any combination thereof; and (3) epoxidizing double bonds of the conjugated diene group to produce the epoxidized polymer by providing an epoxidizing agent dissolved in the polymer solution containing the catalyst solution, wherein the epoxidizing agent is meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA) or analogues thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing a reactive polymer and reacting the reactive polymer with a heterocyclic nitrile compound.

Abstract: Proposed is a process for the continuous hydrogenation of carbon-carbon double bonds in an unsaturated polymer to produce a hydrogenated polymer, said unsaturated polymer being based on a conjugated diolefin and at least one other copolymerizable monomer, in the presence of a homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst, wherein said unsaturated polymer, hydrogen and said homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst is passed through a multistage agitated reactor, comprising a cylindrical, elongated shell having closed ends and separated by baffles into a multiplicity of discrete chambers with access from one chamber to another through concentric circular openings, axially centered with said baffles and a continuous rotatable shaft extending concentric with said baffles within said shell with at least one impeller attached thereto positioned in each chamber, said continuous rotatable shaft and said circular openings providing annular openings and said hydrogenated polymer being withdrawn at the opposite end of the multista

Abstract: Provided herein are polyfarnesenes such as farnesene homopolymers derived from a farnesene and farnesene interpolymers derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer; and the processes of making and using the polyfarnesenes. The farnesene homopolymer can be prepared by polymerizing the farnesene in the presence of a catalyst. In some embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism.

Abstract: A rubber composition for tire sidewall which comprises a rubber component, which comprises polybutadiene rubber having a content of the cis-1,4-bond of 92% or greater and a content of the vinyl bond of 1.5% or smaller and natural rubber and/or at least one other diene-based synthetic rubber, and 10 to 70 parts by mass of carbon black having a specific surface area by nitrogen adsorption of 20 to 100 m2/g per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component and does not comprise a softener having an aniline point of 50° C. or lower and a tire using the rubber composition for sidewall. Excellent resistance to cut growth is obtained while sufficient workability is surely exhibited.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a conjugated diene-based polymer, subjected to a vulcanization treatment to make a vulcanized rubber, the vulcanized rubber useful as a material for tire treads excellent in the balance among wet skid characteristics, low hysteresis loss, abrasion resistance, breaking strength and rigidity, and to provide its manufacturing process.

Abstract: Provided is a thermosetting resin composition which can be used for the production of printed circuit boards, having good dielectric properties in high frequency bands so that transmission loss can be significantly lowered, having excellent heat resistance after moisture absorption and thermal expansion properties, and satisfying peeling strength between the resin composition and metal foil. The present invention relates to a thermosetting resin composition of a semi-IPN composite, comprising (A) a polyphenylene ether, and a prepolymer formed from (B) a chemically unmodified butadiene polymer containing 40% or more of a 1,2-butadiene unit having a 1 2,-vinyl group in a side chain of a molecule and (C) a crosslinking agent, in a compatibilized and uncured state; and a resin varnish, a prepreg and a metal clad laminated board using the same.

Abstract: Inventive composite materials are provided. The composite is preferably a nano-composite, and comprises an asphaltene, or a mixture of asphaltenes, blended with a polymer. The polymer can be any polymer in need of altered properties, including those selected from the group consisting of epoxies, acrylics, urethanes, silicones, cyanoacrylates, vulcanized rubber, phenol-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, imides, esters, cyanate esters, allyl resins.

Abstract: A method for providing a polymer having terminal functionality that includes at least one sulfur atom and at least one silicon or tin atom involves reacting a terminally active polymer with a cyclic compound that includes in its ring structure at least one Si or Sn atom and at least one S atom, optionally at adjacent positions of the ring structure.

Abstract: Rubber mixtures containing at least one rubber and an organosilicon compound of the general formula (I) (Q-)kG-Si(—O—CX1X2—CX1X3—)3N. The rubber mixture is prepared by mixing at least one rubber and an organosilicon compound of the formula (I). The rubber mixtures can be used for the production of moldings.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer prepared from a substituted 1,3-butadiene (such as neophytadiene) derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the polymers described herein. Further, the invention provides a method of polymerizing a substituted 1,3-butadiene derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species, the method including reacting a substituted 1,3-butadiene derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species with one or more reagents selected from the group consisting of an anionic initiator, a radical initiator, and a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.

Abstract: Farnesene interpolymer comprises units derived from a farnesene (e.g., ?-farnesene or ?-farnesene) and units derived from at least one vinyl monomer. The farnesene interpolymer can be prepared by copolymerizing the farnesene and at least one vinyl monomer in the presence of a catalyst. In some embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism. In other embodiments, the at least one vinyl monomer is ethylene, an ?-olefin, or a substituted or unsubstituted vinyl halide, vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylamide or methacrylamide, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A polymeric material having low tack which has a straight or branched chain carbon-carbon polymer backbone and a multiplicity of side chains attached to the backbone wherein the side chains, which are attached directly to carbon atoms of the polymer backbone, have the formula wherein R1 is H, —C(O)OR4 or —C(O)Q and R2 is —C(O)OR4 or —C(O)Q provided that at least one of R1 and R2 is the group —C(O)Q; R3 is H or —CH3; R4 is H or an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Q is a group having the formula —O—(YO)b—(ZO)c—R5? wherein each of Y and Z is, independently, an alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms and R5 is H or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a is 3 or 4 and each of b and c is, independently, 0 or an integer of from 1 to 125 provided that the sum b+c has a value in the range of from 10 to 250, preferably from 10 to 120.

Abstract: An amine-containing alkoxysilyl-functionalized polymer, a method of preparing a reactive polymer functionalized with an alkoxysilane functionalizing agent and further reacted with an amino alcohol, the resulting polymer, and vulcanizates thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the step of reacting a reactive polymer with a functionalizing agent defined by formula I or formula II: or combinations thereof, where R1, R2, and R3 are each independently a divalent organic group, R4 and R5 are each independently a monovalent organic group, a is an integer from 0 to 1, x is an integer from 0 to 2, y is an integer from 1 to 3, x+y=3, and ? is a protected amino group.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer defined by the formula ?-R1-?, where ? is a polymer chain, R1 is a bond or a divalent organic group, and ? is a sulfur-containing heterocycle.

Abstract: Butadiene copolymers are brominated using certain quaternary ammonium tribromides as the brominating agent. The bromination process proceeds easily under mild conditions, and produces a brominated product that has excellent thermal stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified polymer, which is obtained by reacting, with an active metal bonded to a polymer, a modifier represented by the general formula (I) (where X1 to X5 each represent a hydrogen atom or a specific monovalent functional group, and at least one of those is other than a hydrogen atom, R1 to R5 each represent a single bond or a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and a plurality of aziridine rings may be bonded through any of X1 to X5 and R1 to R5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparation method of aromatic organosulfur functionalized 1,4-cis polybutadiene comprising: polymerizing 1,3-butadiene or butadiene derivative in the presence of a specific catalyst in a nonpolar solvent to prepare 1,4-cis polybutadiene; and reacting the resultant polybutadiene with an aromatic organosulfur compound. Such prepared aromatic organosulfur functionalized 1,4-cis polybutadiene is without ultrahigh molecular weight region and, thus, has narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A polymer includes directly bonded aromatic pendent groups and at least one moiety defined by one of the following formulas >N—N?CR1R2 or —N?N—CR1R2— where R1 and R2 (a) are independently H or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, allyl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkynyl group, or (b) together form a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, alkenylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, or arylene group. The moiety can be attached to the polymer through one or both of the two open bonds and, where it is attached through only one bond, the other bond attaches to a hydrogen atom, i.e., the moiety is at a terminus of the polymer. Such polymers can be used to provide compositions that also include particulate fillers.

Abstract: The method for producing a modified conjugated diene based (co)polymer, according to the present invention comprises a step of reacting a conjugated diene based (co)polymer with a metal halide compound to obtain a modified conjugated diene based (co)polymer, the conjugated diene based (co)polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 150,000 to 2,000,000 and being obtained by bonding, to a polymer having at least a conjugated diene unit, an alkoxysilyl group and an optionally protected primary amino group. The method can satisfactorily produce a conjugated diene based (co)polymer which has a high Mooney viscosity, excellent shape stability and good processability.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising providing a reactive polymer, where the reactive polymer includes a carbon anion, an oxygen anion, a sulfur anion, or a nitrogen anion, reacting the reactive polymer with carbon disulfide to form a polymer including a dithio carboxyl group, and reacting the polymer including the dithio carboxyl group with a blocking agent.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed toward a method to create an enhanced carbon nanotube spaceframe network. The spaceframe network contains an assembly of regiofunctional carbon nanotube beams by crown-to-crown connection into nodes to form a networked lattice configuration. The inventive method includes selecting crown materials and applying appropriate processing conditions which result in the production of secondary forms. The crown materials include polymers with unsaturated sites, polymeric crowns, silicon boron, poly(hydridocarbyne). The processing conditions include radical initiation, vulcanization, pyrolysis, hydroboration at unsaturation sites, using silicon bearing polymers in the Rf-CNB crowns, dissolution of silicon containing organics into the nodes and poly(hydridocarbyne). The secondary forms include cross-linked polymers, carbonized, graphitized, ceramic, diamond-like along with tailored functionalization.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitrile compound containing a protected amino group.

Abstract: A method for producing a conjugated diene polymer is provided that includes a step of polymerizing a conjugated diene-containing monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an alkali metal catalyst, thus giving a polymer having a catalyst-derived alkali metal at one terminus of a polymer chain comprising a conjugated diene-based monomer unit, and a step of reacting the polymer obtained in the step of polymerizing and a trialkoxysilane compound represented by the formula below. (In the formula, Y and Z independently denote an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, R1, R2, and R3 independently denote an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, m denotes an integer of 1 to 5, and n denotes an integer of 0 to 5.

Abstract: A modified conjugated diene polymer comprises a modifying group based on a low molecular weight compound having two or more tertiary amino groups and one or more alkoxysilyl groups in a molecule which bonds to a conjugated diene polymer obtained by polymerization of a conjugated diene compound or a conjugated diene polymer obtained by copolymerization of a conjugated diene compound and an aromatic vinyl compound. The process for producing the modified conjugated diene polymer comprises the steps of: polymerizing a conjugated diene compound or copolymerizing a conjugated diene compound and an aromatic vinyl compound in a hydrocarbon solvent using an alkali metal initiator and/or an alkaline earth metal initiator; and reacting active terminals of the resulting polymer with a low molecular weight compound having two or more tertiary amino groups and one or more alkoxysilyl groups in the molecule.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer by employing a lanthanide-based catalyst to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a protected oxime compound.

Abstract: A method for microbial and/or enzymatic devulcanization of rubber includes: providing a particulate vulcanized rubber compound, swelling the vulcanized rubber compound in a solvent, and introducing a microbe or enzyme into the solvent containing the particulate vulcanized rubber in order to devulcanize the rubber compound.

Abstract: A primary modified polymer composed of (1) a hydrogenated polymer obtained by hydrogenating at least one non-hydrogenated polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers comprising conjugated diene monomer units and copolymers comprising conjugated diene monomer units and vinyl aromatic monomer units and (2) groups of a primary modifier having a functional group which are bonded to the polymer (1), which has a specific vinyl aromatic monomer unit content, a specific vinyl aromatic polymer block content, a specific weight-average molecular weight, and a specific degree of hydrogenation of the double bonds of conjugated diene monomer units; a secondary modified polymer obtained by reacting a primary modified polymer composed of (?) a base polymer and (?) groups of a primary modifier having a functional group which are bonded to the polymer (?) with a secondary modifier; and compositions comprising the primary or secondary modified polymer and at least one other component.

Abstract: A polylactide copolymer comprises a graft copolymer of a hydrophobic backbone polymer having a plurality of pendant hydroxyl groups and lactide. In one example, a polylactide includes a graft copolymer of a poly(1,5-cyclooctadiene-co5-norbornene-2-methanol) copolymer and lactide. A method of preparing a toughened polylactide comprises forming a hydrophobic backbone copolymer having a plurality of pendant hydroxyl groups and forming a polylactide graft copolymer by reacting the hydrophobic backbone copolymer having a plurality of pendant hydroxyl groups with lactide, wherein polymerized lactide stems from at least one of the plurality of pendant hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes an elastomer, a terminal functional group including at least one heteroatom, and a unit intermediate the elastomer and the functional group; the intermediate unit includes a terminal moiety which, in its anionic form, is less basic than a secondary amino radical ion. Methods of making the functionalized polymer and of using it with particulate filler to make, e.g., a tire tread composition also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalizing agents that are particularly useful for functionalizing living rubbery polymers to make the polymer more compatible with fillers, such as carbon black and silica. These functionalizing agents are comprised of a boron containing compound having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of: wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups and aryl groups, wherein R1, R2, and R3 can be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups, and aryl groups, and wherein R4 represents an alkylene group or a bridging aromatic group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sulphur donor curing agent comprising a combination of between 10 and 90 wt % of a mixture of polysulphides of poly(alkyl phenol) and between 90 and 10 wt. % a compound of the formula R?NHCONHR? were R? and R? are the same or different and are hydrogen oa an alkyl or aryl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and methods of curing an EPDM-type rubber elastomer with the composition which presents no risk of the formation of nitrosamines.

Abstract: The invention relates to phosphorus-containing mixtures containing compounds of the formula RO—PO(A)-CH2—CH2—CO2H and??(I) HO—PO(A)-CH2—CH2—CO2R??(II) in which A is C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, C6-C18-aralkyl or aryl, R is (D,E)C?C(B, R5) or H B, D, E are identical or different and are each H or C1-C18-alkyl R5 is —CO-alkoxy, a process for their preparation and their use.

Abstract: A method for preparing a tire tread, the method comprising vulcanizing a vulcanizable composition comprising a rubber component including a functionalized polymer and a cure system, where the cure system includes sulfur and a disulfide compound represented by the formula I R1—S—S—R3—S—S—R2 where R3 represents a divalent organic group and R1 and R2 each independently include a monovalent organic group including a nitrogen atom.

Abstract: A sulfonated block copolymer which is solid and non-dispersible in water having at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer containing essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups and each B block is a polymer block containing 10 to 100 mol percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups based on the number of monomer units of the B block, and wherein said A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. Also claimed are processes for making such block copolymers, and the various end uses and applications for such block copolymers.

Abstract: A rubber composition obtained by compounding thereinto a rubber component containing 0.5 to 100% by weight of a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having a fullerene bonded thereto in the molecule and having a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 or more excellent processability, superior balance of modulus and heat buildup, excellent cold flowability and superior tan ? balance.

Abstract: Disclosed are waterproofing membranes consisting of a backing impregnated with a bituminous formulation comprising industrial bitumen, a mineral filler, a thermoplastic polymer or a mixture of thermoplastic polymers, characterized in that the mineral filler consists of hollow glass microspheres with a density of between 0.10 and 0.14 g/cm3 and a size of less than 120 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nano-structured diene polymers and their preparation and to their use.