Patent ID: 7906593
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: B60C,C08C,C08L

Abstract:
1. An end coupled in-chain functionalized conjugated diene elastomer which is comprised of a conjugated diene-based elastomer comprised of: (A) a polymer of at least one of isoprene or 1,3-butadiene or their mixtures, or (B) polymer of styrene or alpha methyl styrene with at least one of isoprene or 1,3-butadiene or their mixtures, wherein said conjugated diene elastomer is in-chain functionalized by containing a plurality of functionalized styrene units distributed in the elastomer chain comprised of: (C) p- and/or m-(2-pyrrolidinoethyl) styrene or their mixture, or (D) m-(2-pyrrolidino-1-methylethyl) alpha-methylstyrene; wherein said in-chain functionalized conjugated diene-based elastomer is end coupled with an alkoxysilane agent comprised of a capped organoalkoxymercaptosilane in the sense of having its mercapto moiety capped with a moiety which uncaps the said mercapto moiety upon heating to an elevated temperature in the presence of an amine rubber sulfur cure activator; wherein said end coupled in-chain functionalized conjugated diene-based elastomer is of a bimodal molecular weight configuration with from 20 to 60 percent of said in-chain functionalized conjugated diene-based elastomer being end coupled.