Patent ID: 8642704
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: C08C,C08F,C08K,C08L

Abstract:
1. A method for preparing a cured tire component, the method comprising: providing a rubber formulation comprising at least one vulcanizable rubber, a filler, and a curing agent, where the at least one vulcanizable rubber is a functional polymer that is formed by anionically-polymerizing at least one diene monomer selected from the group consisting of 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-hexadiene, myrcene, and at least one vinyl aromatic monomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, α-methyl styrene, p-methylstyrene, and vinylnaphthalene, to form a reactive polymer having a living polymer end, contacting the reactive polymer with an isocyanato alkoxysilane or isothiocyanato alkoxysilane, where said isocyanato alkoxysilane or isothiocyanato alkoxysilane reacts with the living polymer end, to thereby form a polymer that is defined by the formula  where A is oxygen or sulfur, R forming the rubber formulation into an uncured tire component; and vulcanizing the uncured tire component to form a cured tire component.