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 macro-molecule also are provided.

Abstract: The rubber composite was fabricated by use of direct vulcanization adhesion method with a sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerators, and the sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerator is used for a rubber composite using a sulfenamide compound as a vulcanization accelerator, the adhesion properties of the steel cord/rubber adhesion boundary surface and the anti-scorch properties can be achieved simultaneously, the sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerator being such that the bond order between an amine generated form the sulfenamide compound and a surface of a metal material is zero, and the distance of the S—N (amine moiety) bond of the sulfenamide compound is less than 1.67 ?, and the electric charge on N of the amine radical generated as a result of dissociation of the S—N bond is ?0.295 or less.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprises a rubber component, sulfur and a sulfeneamide base vulcanization accelerator represented by the following Formula (I), and has an excellent adhesive property with metal such as a steel cord without bringing about problems such as deteriorating in the physical properties and blooming of rubber after vulcanization. (wherein R1 represents a branched alkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms; R2 represents a linear alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a branched alkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; x represents an integer of 1 or 2, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1).

Abstract: A process for making a substantially saturated dendritic hydrocarbon polymer. The process has the following steps: (a) polymerizing an amount of one or more alkadiene monomers and/or one or more alkenylaromatic polymers under anionic conditions in the presence of a di- or tri-functional organic lithium initiator to produce a polyalkadiene defining a multiplicity of lithiated chain ends; (b) reacting the polyalkadiene with an amount of a tri- or di-functional silane coupling agent to form a dendritic polyalkadiene; and (c) hydrogenating the dendritic polyalkadiene to form a substantially saturated dendritic hydrocarbon polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cured rubber composition, its preparation and a tire with a component of such rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified natural rubber that offers higher efficiency of graft polymerization or attachment of a polar group-containing compounds, and that possesses excellent low loss factor, wear resistance and fracture resistance when used as a rubber composition, a rubber composition using the modified natural rubber and a tire using the rubber composition. In the present invention, a polar group-containing compound is graft polymerized or attached under mechanical shear force to a natural rubber raw material having a nitrogen content of 0.4 mass % or less.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern a golf ball including a core having a center, an outer cover layer, and optionally one or more intermediate layers. At least one or more of the core, outer cover layer or one or more intermediate layers includes a sulfonated polyisoprene ionomer having the general formula: where A is an isoprene repeating unit having the formula —(CH2—C(CH3)?CH—CH2)—, B is an isoprene repeating unit or other monomer repeating unit, m is greater than 10, and n is greater than 2, and X is selected from one or both of the following groups; i) Li+, Na+, K+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Mg2+ or ii) an ammonium cation having the general formula [NR1R2R3R4]+. R1, R2, R3 and R4 are selected from one or both of the following hydrogen, a C1-C20 aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic moiety.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined. The invention is further directed to a rubber composition including the functionalized elastomer, and a pneumatic tire including the rubber composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermosetting composition having an excellent thermosetting property, and more particularly to a thermosetting composition comprising (A) a diene-based polymer having two or more unsaturated bonds, (B) a polythiol derived from a mercaptocarboxylic acid, and (c) a thermally radical-generating agent.

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 provides a production method of a crosslinkable polymer material which includes adding 2 -(glycidyloxy)-1-naphthonitrile oxide or 2-[5 -(ethoxycarbonyl)pentyloxy]-1-naphthonitrile oxide by an addition reaction to a polymer material having a multiple bond to which a nitrile oxide is added by an addition reaction so as to introduce a glycidyl group or an ethoxycarbonyl group into the polymer material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of a modified polymer material produced by modifying a polymer material having in a molecule thereof a multiple bond that reacts with a nitrile oxide, includes reacting the polymer material with an aromatic nitrile oxide derivative having a substituent at an ortho-position of a nitrile oxide group of an aromatic nitrile oxide in which the nitrile oxide group is bonded to an aromatic ring.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and a metal ion. The invention is further directed to a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: A modified conjugated diene polymer and a manufacturing method for the same are provided. The modified conjugated diene polymer is manufactured by the method including, forming a conjugated diene polymer by a polymerization step and making it react with a first modifier and then react with a second modifier. The modified conjugated diene polymer has over 97% of cis-1,4 structure. A PDI of the modified conjugated diene polymer is bigger than 1.8 and smaller than 2.5. The first modifier has a chemical formula of X—R1-Si(R2)3. The second modifier has a chemical formula of R3-Si(R4)3.

Abstract: A process for preparing, in one step, a diene block copolymer, of which at least one of these blocks is constituted of a polyether, the number-average molecular weight of which is approximately from 100 to 5000 g/mol, and at least one other of these blocks is constituted of a diene elastomer. The process according to the invention allows a high degree of grafting of the polyether to the polymer chains. Also disclosed is a reinforced rubber composition, especially intended for the manufacture of tires, comprising such a block copolymer which is intended to interact with the reinforcing filler. Such a rubber composition has improved hysteresis properties in the vulcanized state, while retaining satisfactory processing properties in the non-vulcanized state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified polymer obtained by grafting of a compound comprising at least one group Q and at least one group A, bonded together by at least, and preferably, one “spacer” group Sp in which: Q comprises a dipole containing at least, and preferably, one nitrogen atom, capable of being grafted onto the polymer chain by [1,3]-dipolar cycloaddition, A comprises an associative group comprising at least one nitrogen atom, Sp is an atom or a group of atoms forming a bond between Q and A.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprising 0.3 to 10 parts by mass of sulfur and 0.1 to 10 parts by mass of a sulfeneamide base vulcanization accelerator represented by the following Formula (I) based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component: (wherein R1 to R10 are a hydrogen atom, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a branched alkyl group having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, and they may be the same or different; R11 is a hydrogen atom, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a branched alkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; R12 to R15 are a hydrogen atom, a linear alkyl group or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a branched alkyl group or alkoxy group having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, and they may be the same or different; and x represents an integer of 1 or 2).

Abstract: A method for producing a modified conjugated diene polymer includes a step (A) carrying out a primary modification reaction that reacts a heterocumulene compound having two or more specific functional groups with a conjugated diene polymer having a vinyl content of below 10% and a cis-1,4-bond content of 75% or more and possessing an active end to obtain a primary-modified conjugated diene polymer, and a step (B) carrying out a secondary modification reaction that reacts an active hydrogen-containing compound that includes one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of an amino group, an imino group, a mercapto group, and a hydroxyl group with the primary-modified conjugated diene polymer to obtain a secondary-modified conjugated diene polymer. The method can produce a modified conjugated diene polymer that exhibits low heat build-up (low fuel consumption) and excellent wear resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified natural rubber having a reduced tan ?, a method for producing the modified natural rubber, a rubber composition produced using the modified natural rubber, and a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber composition. The present invention also provides a modified natural rubber having a reduced tan ?, a method for producing the modified natural rubber, a rubber composition produced using the modified natural rubber and achieving good fuel economy and abrasion resistance at the same time, and a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber composition. The present invention relates to a modified natural rubber having a phosphorus content of 200 ppm or less and a total content of sodium and potassium of 350 ppm or less. The invention also relates to a modified natural rubber having a phosphorus content of 200 ppm or less and a nitrogen content of 0.2% by mass or less.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for a vinylidene terminated polyolefin comprising: a. ionizing a polyolefin in the presence of a Lewis acid to form an ionized polyolefin; b. reacting the ionized polyolefin from step (a) with one or more dihydrocarbylmonosulfides; and c. reacting the product of step (b) with one or more proton acceptor compounds. In some embodiments, the dihydrocarbylmonosulfide has the formula: R1—S—R2 wherein R1 and R2 are each, independently, hydrocarbyl.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified diene rubber which can be produced economically and improve low-loss properties and wear resistance of a rubber composition made therefrom, as compared with the conventional modified diene rubber. The present invention further provides: a method of producing the modified diene rubber; a rubber composition using the modified diene rubber; and a tire using the rubber composition. Specifically, the present invention provides: a modified diene rubber, produced by first oxidizing diene rubber latex and then adding a polar group-including hydrazide compound to a terminal end of a molecular chain of the diene rubber; a rubber composition, comprising the modified diene rubber; and a tire, comprising a tire member made of the rubber composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel multi functional additive grafted rubber. More particularly the present invention relates to novel grades of rubber and in particular to chemically grafted with cardanol (meta-penta decenyl phenol) and/or its derivatives. Importantly the rubber grades of the invention involve chemically anchored/grafted selective meta alkenyl phenol and/or its derivatives in the backbone of natural or synthetic rubber. Importantly, such rubber variant of the invention have high plasticity, lower Mooney and melt viscosities, better cure properties as compared to conventional virgin natural rubber or natural rubber plasticized with aromatic process oils.

Abstract: A pre-cursor block copolymer for sulfonation which, prior to hydrogenation, has the general configuration A-B-A, A-B-A-B-A, (A-B-A)nX, (A-B)nX, A-D-B-D-A, A-B-D-B-A, (A-D-B)nX, (A-B-D)nX or mixtures thereof, wherein A, B and D blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. Each A and D block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation, and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation. Each A block is a segment of one or more polymerized para-substituted styrene monomers, each B block contains segments of one or more vinyl aromatic monomers selected from polymerized (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, and each D block contains polymers having a glass transition temperature less than 20° C. and a number average molecular weight of between 1,000 and 50,000.

Abstract: A composition of a surface-treated-carbon-black and a functionalized polymer with functionalization along the polymer chain is disclosed, wherein the polymer represents a solution SBR including, but not limited to blends of the SBR (PBR4003) with BR, NR and EPDM, and the SBR polymer functionalization comprises polar, oxygen-containing functional groups, such that the compound exhibits reduced hysteresis and rolling resistance, improved wet traction with excellent abrasion resistance as would be used in passenger, truck and racing tires.

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: Disclosed herein is a non-glossy rubber modified aromatic vinyl-vinyl cyanide copolymer and a method for continuously preparing the same. The copolymer comprises about 80 to about 93% by weight of an aromatic vinyl-vinyl cyanide copolymer grafted onto about 7 to about 20% by weight of a diene-based rubber, and a dispersed phase of the copolymer has an average rubber particle diameter of about 6 to about 20 ?m and a span of about 1.2 to about 2.8.

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: The invention discloses improved processes to halogenate polymers. In particular, the invention discloses to improved processes to halogenate polymers made from C4-1012 isoolefins.

Abstract: For a tire excellent in strength, low-heat buildup property, wet grip property, and driveability, and a rubber composition and a conjugated diene rubber for the tire, a conjugated diene rubber of the present invention includes 5 wt % or more of a structure that 3 or more conjugated diene polymer chains are bound via a denaturing agent, obtained by reaction of each chain and the agent, each chain being that at least one of terminals is an isoprene block having 70 wt % or more of an isoprene monomer unit, and the other is an active terminal, the agent having, per molecule, at least one of an epoxy group(s) and a hydrocarbyloxysilyl group(s), and being that a total number of the epoxy group(s) and hydrocarbyloxy groups in the hydrocarbyloxysilyl group(s) per molecule is 3 or more.

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: 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: 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: The present invention relates to a green technology to produce chlorinated rubber without using carbon tetrachloride and water by using 1,1,2-trichloroethane as the solvent and iodine as the catalyst. The natural rubber reacts with an excessive amount of gaseous chlorine at 60-100° C. for 3-8 hours and the product is then dried. The method of the present invention complies with the environmental requirements of “The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer” by abandoning the usage of CCl4. It also complies with the relevant regulations regarding ship-shell paints. Moreover, it is easy to carry out and is suitable for industrialization.

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 rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, containing less than 2 phr of zinc, phr meaning parts per hundred parts of rubber (elastomer), and based on at least one reinforcing filler and one sulphur-based crosslinking system, comprising a zinc carboxylate of formula: (RCOO)2Zn, in which R represents a hydrocarbon group chosen from cyclic or non-cyclic, linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, aryl groups, aralkyl groups or alkaryl groups having 1 to 16 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a process for preparing such a rubber composition which is suitable for manufacturing tires or semi-finished products made of rubber intended for these tires.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified natural rubber which simultaneously achieves good fuel economy and good heat-aging resistance, and the production method thereof. The present invention also provides a tire rubber composition and a pneumatic tire which are produced using the modified natural rubber. The present invention relates to a modified natural rubber which is obtainable by treating a rubber coagulated from a saponified natural rubber latex, with a basic compound and then with an acidic compound.

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 reverse dispersion retardation film is formed by stretching a film containing a norbornene-based ring-opening copolymer containing a structural unit (A) represented by a general formula (1) and a structural unit (B) represented by a general formula (2), wherein a total amount of the structural unit (A) and an exo-form structural unit, among the structural units (B), is not less than 20 mol % but not more than 65 mol % of all the structural units.

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 dip-forming latex composition comprising a conjugated diene rubber latex and an organic peroxide, wherein the residual effective activity of organic peroxide defined as the ratio of organic peroxide retaining reactivity to the whole organic peroxide contained in the latex composition is 35% or higher. The invention provides a dip-formed article, which exhibits good softness of touch and comfortable fittingness and excellent in tensile strength and resistance to flexing fatigue; which itself hardly suffers coloration especially when the article thereof is worn as a glove for continuous operation for a long time and is hard to reduce adhesiveness and following characteristics to hand while wearing it; and a dip-forming latex composition capable to give such an article by dip-forming 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: Nucleophilic substitution reactions of halogenated polymers and cross-linking nucleophiles are used to produce thermoset ionomers. These cured ionomers are useful in adhesive, antimicrobial applications, as well as in polymer composites and polymer blends. Furthermore, these thermoset ionomers' ion pairs can bear reactive functionality, which provides access to further reactions that were unavailable using previous technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the modification of butyl elastomers, particularly halobutyl elastomers, under solvent free conditions with a phase transfer catalyst in the presence of an alkyl metal salt of an oxygen or sulfur-based nucleophile.

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 nitroso compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce highly branched polymers with a polyolefin backbone structure of ethylene and precise control of the nature of the branching. In particular, the distribution of branch length and number of branches can be more precisely controlled via the polymerization method of the present invention. The method comprises using anionic chemistry to make unsaturated polydienes with a well-defined, highly-branched structure, and then hydrogenating these polydienes to form highly branched or dendritic saturated hydrocarbon polymers. Highly branched or dendritic polyethylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer and atactic polypropylene are among the saturated hydrocarbon polymers that can be anionically synthesized via the proper selection of diene monomer type, coupling agent, and hydrogenation conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the in situ acid end group functionalization of polymer chains which have been prepared by means of atom transfer radical polymerization, and to the simultaneous removal of transition metals from polymer solutions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of a crosslinkable polymer material which includes adding 2-(glycidyloxy)-1-naphthonitrile oxide or 2-[5-(ethoxycarbonyl)pentyloxy]-1-naphthonitrile oxide by an addition reaction to a polymer material having a multiple bond to which a nitrile oxide is added by an addition reaction so as to introduce a glycidyl group or an ethoxycarbonyl group into the polymer material.