Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst system for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, or styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, that are amine functionalized and have a high trans microstructure. The catalyst system, in one embodiment, includes (a) an organolithium amine compound, (b) a group IIa metal salt of an amino glycol or a glycol ether, (c) an organoaluminum compound, and optionally (d) an amine compound. The amine functionalized rubbery polymers can be utilized in tire tread rubbers where the rubbery polymers may provide desirable wear properties without substantially sacrificing other performance characteristic(s), e.g., traction properties.

Abstract: A functional styrene-butadiene copolymer is disclosed. More specifically, the copolymer is prepared by radical polymerization of a styrene monomer, a butadiene monomer and an epoxy acrylate monomer in an emulsion state and ring-opening of the resultant styrene-butadiene-epoxy acrylate copolymer. When blended with silica, the disclosed copolymer provides excellent wet stopping performance and superior wear resistance. Therefore, it can be usefully applied for industrial materials including fuel-efficient tires, snow tires, belts, hoses, etc.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a coupled interpolymer such as polybutadiene which may be suitable for HIPS and ABS have been discovered. The coupled interpolymer composition comprises an interpolymer comprising one or more monomeric units derived from a diene wherein the coupled interpolymer composition is characterized by: (A) a halide content of less than about 30 ppm based on the total weight of the coupled interpolymer; (B) a molecular weight distribution of from about 1.6 to about 2.4; and (C) a vinyl content of from about 5 to about 15 weight percent based on the total weight of the coupled interpolymer.

Abstract: Metal complexes, catalyst compositions containing the metal complexes, and processes for making the metal complexes and the catalyst compositions are described for the manufacture of polymers from ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable monomers. The metal complexes have chemical structures corresponding to one of the following formulae: wherein MI and MII are metals; T is nitrogen or phosphorus; P is a carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus atom; groups R1, R2 and R3 may be linked to each other; Y is a divalent bridging group; X, X1, and X2 are anionic ligand groups with certain exceptions; D is a neutral Lewis base ligand; and s, o, k, i, ii, p, m, a, b, c, d, e, t, and y are numbers as further described in the claims.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for producing polymers of isoprene derived from renewable resources such as isoprene produced from cultured cells that use renewable carbon sources. A starting isoprene composition, such as a bioisoprene composition, is distinguished from petroleum based isoprene by the purity profile (such as lower levels of certain C5 hydrocarbons other than isoprene, presence of certain compounds associated with the biological process for production) and the relative content of the carbon isotopes. Polymers obtained by polymerization of such starting isoprene composition according to this invention, such as a polyisoprene homopolymer or a copolymer having repeat units that are derived from isoprene, are distinguishable from isoprene containing polymers from petrochemical resources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymeric composition that includes a coupled block copolymer having a plurality of arms comprising at least two blocks of a monovinylaromatic hydrocarbon that are located on at least two of the plurality of arms, and at least one block of a conjugated diene located on at least one of the plurality of arms, and optionally one or more block copolymers comprising at least one block of monovinylaromatic hydrocarbon and at least one block of a conjugated diene, the block copolymer may be selected from linear copolymers, linear triblock copolymers, multiarm coupled block copolymers, and mixtures thereof. The molecular weight of the polymeric composition is in the range from about 100 kg/mol to about 400 kg/mol.

Abstract: A heterogeneous rubbery polymer is provided that includes a polymer chain derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein from greater than 20 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of units in the rubbery polymer are derived from the vinyl aromatic monomer and from about 60 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of units in the rubbery polymer are derived from the conjugated diolefin monomer. The polymer chain is further characterized by having greater than zero and less than about 30 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 1 vinyl aromatic unit, from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 5 to 8 vinyl aromatic units, and greater than zero and less than about 5 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 9 or more vinyl aromatic units.

Abstract: A polymer latex suitable for use in gypsum wallboard or other applications. The polymer latex is a styrene butadiene latex that is substantially stable against divalent ions. The polymer latex includes styrene, butadiene, and an ionic monomer comprised of a 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propanesulfonic acid salt. The polymer latex may also include hydrophilic adjunct comonomers. The latex includes at least 0.25 wt. % of the ionic monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a styrene-butadiene latex, a preparation method thereof and a coating liquid containing the same, more precisely a styrene-butadiene latex binder for ink-jet paper containing ethylenically unsaturated monomer by 0.1-1.5 weight parts with lowering surface negative charge density, a preparation method thereof and a coating liquid containing the same. The present invention provides a coating liquid for ink-jet paper having excellent price competitiveness and coating work-ability and at the same time reducing energy cost for drying process and thereby provides an ink-jet paper with excellent printing quality.

Abstract: Provided herein are composition comprising a farnesene interpolymer. The farnesene interpolymer can be derived from a farnesene and at least one vinyl monomer. In some embodiments, the mole percent ratio of the farnesene to the at least one vinyl monomer is from about 1:4 to about 100:1. 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.

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.

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.

Abstract: The present patent of invention application refers to styrene-butadiene copolymers (SBR) that are prepared using aqueous emulsion polymerization technology and are intended for the adhesive and sealing industry, being particularly useful in the preparation of contact adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) and widely applicable in the footwear and furniture industries. The use of this kind of elastomer in processes for preparing adhesives, having an aqueous or solvent base, provides high cohesion to adhesive compositions without compromising or jeopardizing the adhesion. The present invention is also intended to protect the process for obtaining SBR copolymers, simultaneously comprising: aqueous emulsion polymerization at high temperatures, the use of a specific surfactant and the maintenance of the Mooney viscosity and the combined styrene content in the copolymer in high ranges.

Abstract: The invention includes terminating compounds, polymers, rubber compositions and tires. The terminating compounds can provide terminating groups on the polymer. Polymers can be homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers, and can include repeat units provided from conjugated diene monomers. Rubber compositions can be made from the polymers, and tires and various parts of tires can be made from those rubber compositions.

Abstract: A chewing gum contains a water-insoluble gum base portion containing a solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene random copolymer elastomer which is cud-forming and chewable at mouth temperature; a water-soluble bulk portion; and at least one flavor component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst system for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, or styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, that are amine functionalized and have a high trans or high vinyl microstructure. The catalyst system, in one embodiment, includes an organolithium amine compound, and one or more of (a) a group IIa metal salt of an amino glycol or a glycol ether, (b) an organoaluminum compound, or (c) an amine compound. The amine functionalized rubbery polymers can be utilized in tire tread rubbers where the rubbery polymers may provide desirable wear properties without substantially sacrificing other performance characteristic(s), e.g., traction properties.

Abstract: A novel process is used to prepare synthetic rubbers (B) which feature very narrow molecular weight distribution and a correspondingly low value for the polydispersity index. The preparation process encompasses the treatment of a synthetic rubber with ultrasound, where the resultant synthetic rubber (B) has a lower weight-average molecular weight (Mw) than the synthetic rubber (A) used. The resultant synthetic rubbers (B) have excellent suitability for processing via extruder processes or injection-moulding processes.

Abstract: The current invention involves periodically ordered nanostructured materials and methods of using and modifying the materials. In some embodiments, the invention provides periodically structured microphase separated polymeric articles that include periodically occurring separate domains. The polymeric species comprising one or more of the domains, for some embodiments, contains an inorganic species capable of forming an inorganic oxide ceramic. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for modifying the polymeric articles by oxidation and/or radiation to form periodically structured porous and relief articles that, in some embodiments, include a ceramic oxide in their structure. The invention also provides methods of use for the novel articles and novel structures constructed utilizing the articles.

Abstract: The thermoplastic ABS resin composition according to the present invention comprises (a) 2 to 25 parts by weight of a graft copolymer particle containing rubbers having a volume average particle diameter range from 0.05 ?m to less than 0.18 ?m; (b) 2 to 25 parts by weight of a graft copolymer particle containing rubbers having a volume average particle diameter range from 0.18 ?m to less than 0.4 ?m; (c) 2 to 18 parts by weight of a graft copolymer particle containing rubbers having a volume average particle diameter range from 0.4 ?m to less than 4 ?m; (d) 10 to 70 parts by weight of a branched vinyl cyanide-vinyl aromatic copolymer; and (e) 1 to 60 parts by weight of a long-chain linear vinyl cyanide-vinyl aromatic copolymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polymerization initiator capable of introducing an active amino proton into a polymerization starting terminal without losing polymerization activity, and a novel modified conjugated diene polymer being excellent in the interaction with a filler and capable of improving a low heat buildup of a rubber composition, and more particularly to a polymerization initiator being a diamine compound in which one amino group is protected with a silylating agent and an active proton of the other amino group is replaced with an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, and a modified conjugated diene polymer which can be produced by using such a polymerization initiator and is a homopolymer of a conjugated diene compound or a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and an aromatic vinyl compound and has a residue derived from a diamine compound at its polymerization starting terminal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear or branched diene elastomer having cyclic vinyl units. A linear diene elastomer according to the invention results from at least one conjugated diene and it comprises cyclic vinyl units in a mass content of greater than or equal to 15% while having a number-average molecular weight falling within a range of from 10,000 to 300,000 g/mol.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising a polyfarnesene. The polyfarnesene can be a farnesene homopolymer derived from a farnesene (e.g., ?-farnesene or ?-farnesene) or a farnesene interpolymer derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer. 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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sulfur-containing conjugated diolefin copolymer rubber composed of a conjugated diolefin and an aromatic vinyl compound, wherein (1) the content of sulfur bound to the rubber is 0.01 mmol % or more, (2) the content of the aromatic vinyl compound polymerization unit is not less than 5 wt % and less than 45 wt % relative to the amount of the copolymer rubber, and (3) the content of a vinyl bond (a 1,2-bond) in the conjugated diolefin polymerization unit is 30 mol % or more relative to the amount of the conjugated diolefin polymerization unit. In the the copolymerization between the conjugated diolefin and the aromatic vinyl compound, a specific sulfur-containing polymerization terminator is used to terminate the reaction of the copolymerization. The sulfur-containing conjugated diolefin copolymer rubber has good processability and a good balance among wear resistance, fracture properties and low hysteresis loss.

Abstract: A puncture sealing agent that is excellent in storage stability, and good in puncture sealing properties, and the like, is provided. A puncture sealing agent containing at least a synthetic rubber latex, wherein the gelation ratio as evaluated in a Maron-type mechanical stability test performed in accordance with JIS K 6387 is 0.001 to 10%.

Abstract: A synthesis process of trans-1,4-polyisoprene, using bulk precipitation polymerization of isoprene catalyzed by supported titanium catalyst TiCl4/MgCl2. The process includes prepolymerizing carried out in a prepolymerization reactor with an anchor agitator; polymerizing carried out in a polymerization reactor with a helical ribbon agitator; and devolatilizing and drying carried out in a vacuum rake dryer. Not only does the process require lower energy consumption and thus a lower production cost, but it also eliminates the emission of three wastes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel dicarbanionic initiator of formula (I). The present process further provides a process for the preparation of dicarbanionic initiator of formula (I) comprising reacting 1-bromo-4-(4?-bromophenoxy)-2-pentadecyl benzene of formula (II) with alkyllithium compound for an effecting halogen-lithium exchange reaction of 1-bromo-4-(4?-bromophenoxy)-2-pentadecyl benzene with sec-butyllithium in the presence of a non polar solvent, at a temperature in the range of 0 to 25° C. and its use as an initiator for the synthesis of telechelic polydienes and polystyrenes and SBS or SIS triblock copolymers.

Abstract: The inventive heat-shrinkable polystyrene film is high in shrinkability in the longitudinal direction that is its main shrinkage direction, is excellent in perforated line openability, and has high toughness. The heat-shrinkable polystyrene film is characterized by particular values with respect to hot-water heat shrinkage ratio in the longitudinal and width directions, right angle tear strength in the width direction, and breaking energies in the longitudinal and width directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a modified polymer, comprising modifying a polymer having an active site of an organometal type in a molecule by reacting the site thereof with a hydrocarbyloxysilane compound and adding a condensation accelerator to the reaction system in the middle of the above reaction and/or after completion thereof and a rubber composition comprising the modified polymer obtained by the process described above, preferably a rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of (A) a rubber component containing at least 30% by weight of the above modified polymer and 10 to 100 parts by weight of (B) silica and/or carbon black.

Abstract: Provided in this invention is an impact absorber composition comprising a copolymer containing an aromatic vinyl compound, wherein the peak of tan ? of the copolymer obtained from the measurement of the dynamic viscoelasticity is in the range of more than 0° C. to 20° C. or less, the value of tan ? is 0.4 or more in the whole temperature range of 5° C. to 15° C., and the value of tan ? at 15° C. is 0.5 or more.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing an amphiphilic block copolymer, including the steps of: (1) preparing a first aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) 4-vinylpyridine, (b) a trithiocarbonate RAFT agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium by the reaction of a latent surfactant with a surfactant activator; (2) polymerizing the 4-vinylpyridine within the first aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of a first free radical initiator to produce a poly(4-vinylpyridine); (3) protonating the poly(4-vinylpyridine) to form a protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator; (4) preparing a second aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and a monomer containing ethylenic unsaturation but is exclusive of a surfactant; and (5) polymerizing the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and monomer containing ethylenic u

Abstract: A process for the solution polymerization of olefins with improved on-stream time is provided. The solution polymerization process of the current invention comprises a method for the on-line removal of foulant material from one or more heat exchangers downstream of a polymerization reactor. Removal of foulant material is accomplished by deliberately applying a positive pressure differential across a heat exchanger. In the process of the current invention, reactor shut down is not required for the purpose of cleaning foulant material from a heat exchanger.

Abstract: Functionalized translucent compounds are disclosed. The functionality appears at surface(s) of articles molded or extruded from thermoplastic compounds containing functionalized surface agents that are reactive physically or chemically with desired chemicals.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for manufacturing an elastomeric article by liquid injection molding, said process comprising the steps of: (I) heating a curable composition comprised of (1) a liquid polymer comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000, and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety, (2) a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst, and (3) a tetrakis(dialkyl siloxy) silane crosslinking agent, to a temperature which is within the range of 30° C. to 100° C.; (II) injecting the heated curable composition into a mold at a temperature which is within the range of 100° C. to 210° C. to produce the elastomeric article; and (III) removing the elastomeric article from the mold.

Abstract: A method for copolymerizing alkenyl aromatic monomer and conjugated diene in the gas phase. Other embodiments include methods for forming anionic gas-phase polymerization using a solid-supported anionic polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the manufacture of nanoscale particles of Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR). As SBR particles are elastic in nature, conventional methods of size reductions such as impacting, grinding are unable to achieve the final size. The present invention successfully achieves size reduction of the elastic material to nano scale by carefully controlled hydrodynamic cavitation techniques.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the invention, methods of forming medical articles are provided, which comprise (a) preparing a melt phase that comprises a molten polymer and a supercritical fluid, (b) forming a polymeric region from the melt phase, and (c) cooling the polymeric region. In certain embodiments, the supercritical fluid is formed from chemical species (e.g., CO2, propane, etc.) that are gases at room temperature (25° C.) and atmospheric pressure (1 atm). According to another aspect of the present invention, medical articles are provided which comprise melt-processed polymeric materials. The polymeric materials have a composition that cannot be melt processed without the use of melt-viscosity reducing additives due to thermal degradation, and yet the polymeric material does not contain such additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to golf balls containing a centipede polymer in one or more core layers, one or more cover layers, one or more intermediate layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified asphalt composition obtained by blending asphalt with a complex block copolymer, which is prepared by polymerizing styrene in the presence of an anionic polymerization initiator to prepare a polystyrene solution, adding butadiene to the polystyrene solution, and then further polymerizing styrene, and wherein a triblock copolymer and diblock copolymer are present at a specific proportion. The modified asphalt composition of the present invention exhibits superior ductility at low temperature, while exhibiting comparable or better softening point as compared to conventional compositions, and, thus, is applicable to road paving, waterproof sheets and sealants.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyolefin-based resin composition comprises, in the first polymerization stage, polymerizing an ?-olefin having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, a styrene or a cyclic olefin in the presence of a specific catalyst and, in the second polymerization stage, copolymerizing the obtained polymer with an ?-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, a styrene or a cyclic olefin in the presence of a polyene. A polypropylene composition has a branching parameter a and a branching index g in specific ranges. The curve showing the change in viscosity under elongation with time, the degradation parameter D or the content of a high molecular weight component is specified. The polyolefin-based resin composition exhibits excellent uniformity and improved workability in melting due to improved tension in melted condition. The polypropylene composition exhibits excellent melting elasticity and secondary workability and provides foamed molded articles, sheets and blow molded articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear or branched diene elastomer having cyclic vinyl units. A linear diene elastomer according to the invention results from at least one conjugated diene and it comprises cyclic vinyl units in a mass content of greater than or equal to 15% while having a number-average molecular weight falling within a range of from 10,000 to 300,000 g/mol.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a block copolymer hydrogenation product suitable for a sheet and a heat shrinkable film which are excellent in solvent resistance, rigidity, elongation and transparency, which is excellent in a balance of physical properties such as solvent resistance, natural shrinkability, low-temperature shrinkability, rigidity, transparency and low-temperature elongation, and a composition thereof.

Abstract: [Problem] A puncture sealing agent that is excellent in storage stability, and good in puncture sealing properties, and the like, is provided. [Solution means] A puncture sealing agent containing at least a synthetic rubber latex, wherein the gelation ratio as evaluated in a Maron-type mechanical stability test performed in accordance with JIS K 6387 is 0.001 to 10%.

Abstract: An initiator is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers, to provide a functional head group on the polymer. A polymer having a functional head group derived from a sulfur containing anionic initiator, and optionally as additional functional group resulting from the use of a functional terminating reagent, coupling agent or linking agent is also provided. A method is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers comprising the step of polymerizing the monomers with a sulfur containing anionic initiator to provide a functional head group on the polymer. An elastomeric compound, comprising a functional polymer and filler is also described. Also provided is a tire having decreased rolling resistance resulting from a tire component containing a vulcanizable elastomeric compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making selectively hydrogenated block copolymers of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dienes comprising: a) anionically polymerizing vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dienes to produce block copolymers with living chain ends; b) terminating the living chain ends; to produce a terminated block copolymer, with a member from the group consisting of an alcohol, hydrogen, and mixtures thereof, to prepare a terminated block copolymer; and c) contacting the terminated block copolymers with hydrogen at a temperature of from 20 to 175° C. in the presence of a catalyst prepared by combining a cobalt carboxylate with an aluminum alkyl, wherein: (i) if the polymer is terminated with an alcohol and the alcohol is a linear alcohol, the linear alcohol is used to terminate the living chain ends in an amount such that the alcohol:living chain end molar ratio is from 0.05 to 1.

Abstract: Disclosed are a conjugated diolefin (co) polymer rubber formed from either a conjugated diolefin or a conjugated diolefin and an aromatic vinyl compound, wherein the (co) polymer rubber has a primary amino group and an alkoxysilyl group which are bonded to a (co) polymer chain; a process for producing the same; a rubber composition; a composite; and a tire. The (co) polymer rubber has satisfactory processability, and can give an automotive tire tread having a balance among wear resistance, failure characteristics, low hysteresis loss and wet-skid characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a batch process for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as styrene-butadiene rubber, having a high trans microstructure. In one embodiment, the batch process involves mixing a catalyst system with styrene and butadiene monomers in a single reactor, with additional butadiene monomer being added after a desired period of time to further drive styrene conversion and, thus, provide a desirable high trans rubbery polymer, e.g., styrene-butadiene rubber. The copolymerization process can be conducted at a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 180° and over a period of about 1 to about 4 hours. The catalyst system can include (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a group IIa metal salt, and (c) an organoaluminum compound. The catalyst system may further optionally include an amine compound and/or an organomagnesium compound.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous styrene-butadiene polymer dispersion by free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomer mixture M containing from 40 to 80% by weight of styrene as monomer M1, from 20 to 60% by weight of butadiene as monomer M2, and from 0 to 40% by weight, based on 100% by weight of monomers, of ethylenically unsaturated comonomers M3 other than styrene and butadiene by a monomer feed technique in the presence of from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight, based on 100% by weight of monomers, of at least one hydrocarbon HC having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, which is selected from compounds which on abstraction of a hydrogen atom form a pentadienyl radical or a 1-phenylallyl radical and from ?-methylstyrene dimer comprises including at least 30% of the hydrocarbon HC in the initial charge to the polymerization vessel and supplying the remainder of the hydrocarbon HC to the polymerization reaction in the course of that reaction.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous styrene-butadiene polymer dispersion by free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomer mixture M containing from 40 to 80% by weight of styrene as monomer M1, from 20 to 60% by weight of butadiene as monomer M2, and from 0 to 40% by weight, based on 100% by weight of monomers, of ethylenically unsaturated comonomers M3 other than styrene and butadiene by a monomer feed technique in the presence of from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight, based on 100% by weight of monomers, of at least one hydrocarbon HC selected from compounds having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which on abstraction of a hydrogen atom form a pentadienyl radical or a 1-phenylallyl radical and from ?-methylstyrene dimer comprises supplying the monomers to be polymerized to the polymerization reaction over the course of 3 hours.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rubbery polymers, such as polybutadiene rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber, that contain tin coupling agents and provide desirable dispersion of carbon black in rubber compounds, such as for use in tire treads. The tin coupling agents are defined by the general formulas (I) (X3Sn)2O or (II) (X3Sn)O—(CH2)n—O(X3Sn), wherein X is a halogen and n is 1 to 20. A method of rubbery polymer synthesis, in one embodiment, involves mixing anionically polymerizable conjugated diene monomers with optional vinyl aromatic and an anionic-polymerization initiator, i.e., an organolithium compound, to form a mixture of living polymers. A tin coupling agent is added to the mixture of living polymers effecting polymerization conditions to form the tin coupled rubbery polymer. Such tin coupled rubbery polymers can be utilized in tire tread rubbers where the rubbery polymers may provide desirable wear properties without substantially sacrificing other performance characteristics.

Abstract: A multi-functional polymer defined by the formula (Q—RnZ—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.