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: There are provided a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having a good balance between the hysteresis loss properties and the wet skid resistance, practically sufficient abrasion resistance and fracture strength, and high processability when formed into a vulcanized product, and a modified conjugated diene-based polymer composition. A method for producing a modified conjugated diene-based polymer, comprising: a polymerization step of polymerizing a conjugated diene compound or copolymerizing a conjugated diene compound with an aromatic vinyl compound using an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth metal compound as a polymerization initiator to obtain a conjugated diene-based polymer having a reactive end, and a modifying step of reacting a compound having a specific structure with the reactive end of the conjugated diene-based polymer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a modified conjugated diene-based polymer suitable for preparing a polymer composition excellent in the fuel cost saving effect. The present invention provides a process for producing a modified conjugated diene-based polymer, comprising reacting a conjugated diene-based polymer having a monomer unit based on a conjugated diene compound and a monomer unit based on a compound represented by the following formula (1), with an organometallic compound, and reacting the resulting reaction product with a hydrocarbyloxysilane compound: wherein R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, at least one of R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is an alkyl group, R16, R17 and R18 each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group, R19 represents a hydrocarbylene group, and k represents 0 or 1.

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: A polymer includes at a terminus a cyclic amine radical bonded to the polymer through a ring nitrogen atom. The polymer can be provided by using a lithiated version of the cyclic amine to initiate polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The polymer can be used in the production in a variety of vulcanizates.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising providing a reactive polymer, where the reactive polymer includes 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 a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methodology for determining various rubber composition factors that play a role in the structural and functional attributes of the rubber. The present invention also relates to tire treads that are derived using the methodology for optimizing the same as described herein.

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 sheet material that includes an elastic component or material (e.g., film, nonwoven web laminated to the elastic component, etc.) is provided. The elastic component is formed from a styrenic block copolymer composition containing from about 10 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer; and from about 10 wt % to about 90 wt. % of styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer. The styrenic block copolymer composition has good viscosity stability during extrusion and thus may be readily formed into an elastic sheet material. The elastic sheet material may be subsequently crosslinked to achieve the desired elastic and mechanical properties.

Abstract: Provided are an organically modified silica master batch elastomer having superior affinity for silica and a method for preparing the same. A copolymer solution-polymerized from a conjugated diene-based monomer and a vinyl aromatic monomer is mixed in solution with organically modified silica having the silica modified with a specific aliphatic hydrocarbon to prepare the organically modified silica master batch elastomer. The organically modified silica master batch elastomer according to the present invention has improved mechanical properties, abrasion resistance and blending processability over the existing master batch elastomers containing common silica. Thus, when it is used as a tire material, improved fuel efficiency, abrasion resistance and wet traction may be expected.

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: 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 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: 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: 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: A method is provided for synthesizing a core-shell nanoparticle that includes the following steps: providing a polymeric seed (in a solvent) that includes a mono-vinyl monomer cross-linked with a cross-linking agent to form the core of the nanoparticle, the core has an average diameter of from about nanometers to about 10,000 nanometers, and the core has polymer chains with living ends; adding a stabilizer to stabilize the seed and prevent the seed from precipitating out of solution; and grafting a shell species onto the living ends of the core to form the shell of the nanoparticle. A core-first synthesized nanoparticle, along with a rubber composition and tire product are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a hydrogenated block copolymer, including the steps of: (a) forming a block copolymer by allowing a living polymer having a specific structure to react with a tetra- or more functional silane coupling agent; (b) hydrogenating the block copolymer to form a hydrogenated block copolymer; (c) isolating the resultant hydrogenated block copolymer; and (d) deactivating a functional group in the silane coupling agent and/or an unreacted functional group present in a coupling agent residue in the block copolymer or the hydrogenated block copolymer prior to the step (c), in which the number of functional groups derived from the coupling agent in the hydrogenated block copolymer recovered in the step (c) is 1.5 or less per block copolymer molecule; a hydrogenated block copolymer obtained by the method; and a composition containing the hydrogenated block copolymer.

Abstract: Elastomeric films which are both soft and thermally, UV and oxidatively stable are provided. The films are composed of coupled, selectively hydrogenated block copolymers having a relatively high molecular weight and high vinyl content. In addition to the block copolymer other components may be present in formulated films such as other block copolymers, hydrocarbon resins, polyolefins, metallocene polyolefins, homopolystyrene or mineral oils. The softness of the films is determined by the stress at 100% tensile elongation where the films with suitable softness have a 100% stress of about 100 psi or less. While soft, the films also are strong with tensile strengths of 1000 psi or more and suitable hysteresis properties. The elastomeric films are useful as integral components of personal hygiene articles such as gloves, diapers, incontinence products, disposable swimwear and disposable undergarments.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing diphenylethylene-type functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

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

Abstract: Butadiene copolymers are brominated in solution using bromine as the brominating agent. The bromination is conducted in the presence of an excess of an aliphatic alcohol, relative to the amount of bromine that is used. The bromination proceeds rapidly at mild conditions, and is selective in that only aliphatic carbon-carbon double bonds are brominated, and unwanted bromination at tertiary carbon atoms is largely or completely avoided. The resulting brominated polymers are characterized in having very good thermal stability.

Abstract: Sulfenamide derivatives of 4-alkyl substituted 2-mercapto benzothiazole (4m-MBT) as accelerators used in vulcanizable rubber composition having improved ‘Reversion Resistance’ and ‘Modulus & Hardness Stabilization’ properties for sulphur vulcanized tire compounds predominantly based on Natural Rubber or its blends with Polybutadiene (BR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) in which Natural Rubber is the major component thereby improving the overall tire performance, ride safety and tyre service life.

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 macromolecule including a polymer and a polyhedral radical chemically bonded to a terminus of the polymer provides numerous processing and performance advantages. Further functionalization of this macromolecule also is described as being advantageous in certain circumstances. Methods of providing, functionalizing, and utilizing the macromolecule also are provided.

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: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds in diene-based polymers in bulk form by treatment of said diene-based polymer with hydrogen in the presence of an iridium containing catalyst and in the absence of any organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of synthesizing a conducting polymer using a polymer, having a substituent in a part, as a dopant, in which a variety of polymers is substituted with a predetermined functional group to serve as a dopant such that the substituted functional group functions as the dopant of the conducting polymer, or a monomer having a substituent able to act as a dopant is copolymerized to prepare a polymer dopant having a substituent in a part thereof. The partially substituted polymer dopant may serve as a dopant upon synthesis of the conducting polymer or upon additional doping of the synthesized polymer. Compared to a conventional monomer dopant, the polymer dopant does not emit low-molecular-weight material, and has higher solubility. Further, compared to a polymer dopant having a substituent such as a sulfonic acid group throughout, the synthesized conducting polymer can have superior mechanical properties and maximum conductivity.

Abstract: A chain end modified polymer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a silane-sulfide modifier A preferred class of modifiers includes compounds represented by the formula: (RO)x(R)ySi—R?—S—SiR3, wherein Si is silicon; S is sulfur; O is oxygen; x is an integer selected from 1, 2 and 3; y is an integer selected from 0, 1, and 2; x+y=3; R is the same or different and is: (C1-C16) alkyl; and R? is aryl, alkylaryl, or (C1-C16) alkyl. The invention further includes methods for making such chain end modified polymers, their use in preparing vulcanized elastomeric polymer compositions, and articles made from such compositions, including pneumatic tires, tire treads, belts, and the like. The subject compositions exhibit lower Tan ? at 60° C. values, while maintaining good processing characteristics, and a good balance of physical properties, including: abrasion resistance, tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break.

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: 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: 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: A process for forming a nanoparticle composition is provided. The process includes polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent to form a first reaction mixture, and charging excess alkenylbenzense monomer and anionic catalyst to form mono-block and diblock polymers. Micelles of said mono-block and diblock polymers are formed, and at least one crosslinking agent is added to cross-link the micelles and form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles preferably have a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and an outer layer including monomer units selected from the group consisting of conjugated dienes, alkenylbenzenes, alkylenes, and mixtures thereof, and a size distribution of between about 1 and 1000 nm.

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: Halide displacement from brominated polyisobutylene-co-isoprene) (MIR) under homogeneous and phase-transfer catalyzed reaction conditions is used to prepare acrylate, styrenic and maleimide functionalized elastomers in high yield. These macro-monomer derivatives cross-link efficiently under peroxide initiation to give high modulus, thermoset products that cannot otherwise be accessed from isobutylene-rich elastomers. The extent of cure scales with content of activated C?C, and can extended by co-oligomerization of pendant unsaturation with that contained within multi-functional co-agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a substantially hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer, which has a hydrogenation level of greater than 90 percent. The resulting substantially hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer has advantageous physical properties suitable for use in discs, optical films, light guide plates, etc.

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: The invention provides a process for polymerizing a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: A) adding less than 60 weight percent of the total amount of the butadiene used in the polymerization, to a reactor comprising the total amount of styrene used in the polymerization and solvent; B) adding at least one initiator to the reactor, and allowing the reaction to proceed for a time t; C) adding the remaining amount of butadiene to the reactor in two or more separate additions; and wherein for each butadiene addition, the amount of subsequent butadiene added is less than, or equal to, the amount of butadiene added in the immediately prior addition; and wherein for each butadiene addition, the butadiene is added over a time, tnc, and after each addition, the reaction is allowed to proceed for a time, tnr, wherein n is the number of the butadiene addition, and for each addition, n is independently greater than, or equal to, 1.

Abstract: It is depicted a polymer composition with elastomeric properties at wide temperature ranges of the type comprising polymers and/copolymers resulting from substituted or unsubstituted vinyl aromatic monomers and from dienic monomers, which is homogeneous and compatible in nature, with such composition being based on stereoregular polymers and without requiring the additional use of compatibilizing agents. Likewise, it is depicted the process to obtain the same, as well as to hydrogenise them, without requiring the use of additional catalyzers or processes.

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: A process for producing a modified conjugated diene-based copolymer comprising bringing a modifier into reaction with the active end of a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and an aromatic vinyl compound having the active end, wherein a compound having (i) a hydrolyzable functional group having silicon and (ii) a group which can be converted into a protonic amino group or a protonic amino group protected with an eliminable functional group after the reaction is used as the modifier, a step of adding a condensation catalyst is conducted after the modifier is brought into the reaction, and the content of the unit of the aromatic vinyl compound and the structure of the chain of the aromatic vinyl compound are specified.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing a reactive polymer and reacting the reactive polymer with an imide compound containing a protected amino group.

Abstract: A multi-functional polymer defined by the formula (Q-R¦n—Z—P2—Y where (Q-R)n is a functionality cluster, Q is a functional group, R is a multi-valent organic group, P2 is a long-chain polymer, n is an integer from about 2 to about 10, Y is a proton, a weak functional group, or a selective functional group, and Z is a branch point where the functionality clusters join the long-chain polymer.

Abstract: A vulcanized rubber composition comprising the vulcanization product of a functional polymer, where the functional polymer is defined by the formula where R is selected from C1 to C6 trialkyl-silyl groups, C1 to C20 alkyl groups, C4 to C20 cycloalkyl groups, C6 to C20 aryl groups, thienyl, furyl, and pyridyl groups; and R may optionally have attached thereto any of the following functional groups: C1 to C10 alkyl groups, C6 to C20 aryl groups, C2 to C10 alkenyl groups, C3 to C10 non-terminal alkynyl groups, ethers, tert-amines, oxazolines, thiazolines, phosphines, sulfides, silyls, and mixtures thereof; where R1 is selected from C2 to C8 alkylene groups, where X is NR, and where ? is a polymer chain.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogenated block copolymer having excellent flexibility, heat resistance, abrasion resistance and surface texture (no stickiness, oil bleeding etc.) and good processability, and a composition thereof. The present invention provides a hydrogenated block copolymer that has therein at least one of each of a vinyl aromatic compound polymer block A, a hydrogenated polymer block B of a random copolymer comprising a conjugated diene and a vinyl aromatic compound, and a hydrogenated polymer block C of a conjugated diene polymer having a vinyl bond content of not less than 30%, the hydrogenated block copolymer having a vinyl aromatic compound content of more than 50 wt % and less than 95 wt %, and a composition containing the hydrogenated block copolymer.

Abstract: A process for providing interaction between particulate filler and a functionalized polymer involves a composition that includes at least three components: (1) a polymer that includes a functional group including an acidic cation of a primary or secondary amine functionality, (2) a material including a functionality capable of reacting with the acidic cation, and (3) particulate filler. The amine functionality from (1) is allowed to interact with (3) after being neutralized by the action of the acid-reactive functionality from (2). The process is useful in the formation of vulcanizates and articles made therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides a elastomeric polymer composition comprising the reaction product of at least the following: i) a living anionic elastomeric polymer; ii) a silane modifier compound represented by the Formula I or Formula 2: (RIO)3Si—R4—S—SiR33, Formula 1 (R13O)3Si—R9-N(SiR10R11R12 Formula 2 iii) a modifier compound represented by one of the following Formulas 3 to 6: (R1O)x(R2)ySi—R4—S—SiR33, Formula 3 (R13O)P(R14)qSi—R9—N(SiR10R11R12)2 Formula 4, Formule 5, Formule 6

Abstract: A polymer nanoparticle is provided. The nanoparticle includes an inner layer having alkenylbenzene monomer units. The nanoparticle further includes an outer layer having monomer units selected from conjugated dienes, alkylenes, alkenylbenzenes, and mixtures thereof. The nanoparticle has at least one functional group associated with the outer layer. Applications of use as additives for rubber, including the rubber compositions, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polymers, including triblock polymers, as well as methods of preparing the polymers, and compositions that include such polymers. The polymers can include at least three blocks, the first block that includes poly(styrene), the second block that includes a random arrangement of poly(ethylene) and poly(butylene), and a third block that includes functionalized poly(isoprene). Units of the functionalized poly(isoprene) block can include hydroxyl groups and one or more ether linked side chains comprising R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, as defined herein, or a combination thereof. The polymers can be used to provide antifouling coatings, for example, for marine ship hulls.

Abstract: Provided herein are farnesene interpolymers derived from a farnesene and at least one vinyl monomer. In certain embodiments, the farnesene is ?-farnesene, ?-farnesene or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one vinyl monomer is ethylene, an ?-olefin such as styrene, or a substituted or unsubstituted vinyl halide, vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylamide or methacrylamide, or a combination thereof.