A method for preparing cis-1,4-polydienes, the method comprising the steps of preparing a preformed, active lanthanide-based catalyst, aging the active lanthanide-based catalyst for more than 5 days to thereby formed an aged catalyst, and introducing the aged catalyst and conjugated diene monomer to be polymerized to thereby form an active polymerization mixture in which the conjugated diene monomer is polymerized to form a polydiene having a reactive chain end.

The embodiments described herein generally relate to an electronic communication module suitable for incorporating into a tire or tire retread, where the electronic communication module comprises a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by a rubber composition. Certain embodiments also relate to tires or tire retreads containing the electronic communication module. In addition, certain embodiments relate to methods for improving the readability of a radio device incorporated into a tire or tire retread.

Recycled elements and/or renewable resources, such as recycled carbon black or recycled carbon black and recycled particulate rubber, are incorporated into a rubber composition. The rubber composition can be used to manufacture tires or various tire components including tire subtreads.

Recycled elements and/or renewable resources, such as recycled carbon black or recycled carbon black and recycled particulate rubber, are incorporated into a rubber composition. The rubber composition can be used to manufacture tires or various tire components including tire subtreads.

To provide a conductive roll for an electrophotographic apparatus that includes a conductive rubber elastic body layer having a lower hardness and lower settling properties than a conventional conductive rubber elastic body layer.

A conductive roll 10 for an electrophotographic apparatus includes a shaft body 12, and a conductive rubber elastic body layer 14 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft body 12, the conductive rubber elastic body layer 14 containing polar rubber, non-polar rubber, and a dispersing agent, wherein the polar rubber is at least one of nitrile rubber, hydrin rubber, and chloroprene rubber, wherein the non-polar rubber is at least one of isoprene rubber, hydrogenated isoprene rubber, and natural rubber, and wherein the dispersing agent is at least one of a polymer containing a block made of a nitrile rubber component and a block made of an isoprene rubber component, modified natural rubber, and modified isoprene rubber.

To provide a conductive roll for an electrophotographic apparatus that includes a conductive rubber elastic body layer having a lower hardness and lower settling properties than a conventional conductive rubber elastic body layer.

A conductive roll 10 for an electrophotographic apparatus includes a shaft body 12, and a conductive rubber elastic body layer 14 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft body 12, the conductive rubber elastic body layer 14 containing polar rubber, non-polar rubber, and a dispersing agent, wherein the polar rubber is at least one of nitrile rubber, hydrin rubber, and chloroprene rubber, wherein the non-polar rubber is at least one of isoprene rubber, hydrogenated isoprene rubber, and natural rubber, and wherein the dispersing agent is at least one of a polymer containing a block made of a nitrile rubber component and a block made of an isoprene rubber component, modified natural rubber, and modified isoprene rubber.

To provide a conductive roll for an electrophotographic apparatus that includes a conductive rubber elastic body layer having a lower hardness and lower settling properties than a conventional conductive rubber elastic body layer.

A conductive roll 10 for an electrophotographic apparatus includes a shaft body 12, and a conductive rubber elastic body layer 14 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft body 12, the conductive rubber elastic body layer 14 containing polar rubber, non-polar rubber, and a dispersing agent, wherein the polar rubber is at least one of nitrile rubber, hydrin rubber, and chloroprene rubber, wherein the non-polar rubber is at least one of isoprene rubber, hydrogenated isoprene rubber, and natural rubber, and wherein the dispersing agent is at least one of a polymer containing a block made of a nitrile rubber component and a block made of an isoprene rubber component, modified natural rubber, and modified isoprene rubber.

Provided is a rubber composition comprising: a rubber component containing diene-based rubber; a filler, and a compound represented by formula (I) below: ##STR00001##
(wherein: A is an aryl group and has at least two polar groups, which may be the same or different from each other; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently at least one substituent selected from a group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an acyl group, an amide group, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, and an aryl group; and further, the substituent may include one or more of O, S, and N atoms), so as to provide a rubber composition excellent in low heat generating property and wear resistance.

Provided is a rubber composition comprising: a rubber component containing diene-based rubber; a filler, and a compound represented by formula (I) below: ##STR00001##
(wherein: A is an aryl group and has at least two polar groups, which may be the same or different from each other; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently at least one substituent selected from a group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an acyl group, an amide group, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, and an aryl group; and further, the substituent may include one or more of O, S, and N atoms), so as to provide a rubber composition excellent in low heat generating property and wear resistance.

Provided is a method for preparing a modified filler. The method includes in sequence providing an acidified aqueous slurry of an untreated inorganic filler which has not been previously dried; an emulsifier material; and a hydrophobating agent having the following structural formula (I):
R.sub.a.sup.−M-X.sub.(4−a)  (I)
wherein: R is C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 alkyl, M is silicon, titanium or zirconium, X is OR′ or halogen, R′ is C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, and a is 1;
washing and/or filtering the acidified aqueous slurry to obtain a modified filler; and, optionally, drying the modified filler. Polymeric compositions and articles also are provided.