A composite material consisting of a bio-filler and a thermoplastic matrix is described. The bio-filler derives from the lees taken as solid/liquid residue from the bottom of containers containing wine or must, after fermentation, during storage or after any other treatment of wine or must, as well as after filtration, centrifugation or after any process of separation of wine or must. A process for obtaining such a bio-filler and three processes for obtaining an article with such a composite material is also described.

A method of preparing functionalized elastomers, including epoxy ring-opening an epoxidized elastomer with a C.sub.1-C.sub.32 hydrocarbyl-substituted thiol to provide a functionalized elastomer comprising an epoxy functional group, a hydroxy functional group, and a C.sub.1-C.sub.32 hydrocarbyl-substituted thio functional group. The hydroxy functional group and the C.sub.1-C.sub.32 hydrocarbyl-substituted thio functional group are vicinal functional groups.

A method of preparing functionalized elastomers, including epoxy ring-opening an epoxidized elastomer with a C.sub.1-C.sub.32 hydrocarbyl-substituted thiol to provide a functionalized elastomer comprising an epoxy functional group, a hydroxy functional group, and a C.sub.1-C.sub.32 hydrocarbyl-substituted thio functional group. The hydroxy functional group and the C.sub.1-C.sub.32 hydrocarbyl-substituted thio functional group are vicinal functional groups.

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.

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.

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.

The present invention provides a maleimide-based copolymer, a method for producing same, and a resin composition obtained using same.

This maleimide-based copolymer contains 40-60 mass % of aromatic vinyl monomer units, 5-20 mass % of vinyl cyanide monomer units, and 35-50 mass % of maleimide monomer units, and is such that a 4 mass % tetrahydrofuran solution of the copolymer has a transmittance of 90% or more for light having a wavelength of 450 nm at an optical path length of 10 mm, and the residual maleimide-based monomer amount is less than 300 ppm. This maleimide-based copolymer preferably further contains 0-10 mass % of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride monomer units, and preferably has a glass transition temperature of 165° C. or higher.

The present invention provides a maleimide-based copolymer, a method for producing same, and a resin composition obtained using same.

This maleimide-based copolymer contains 40-60 mass % of aromatic vinyl monomer units, 5-20 mass % of vinyl cyanide monomer units, and 35-50 mass % of maleimide monomer units, and is such that a 4 mass % tetrahydrofuran solution of the copolymer has a transmittance of 90% or more for light having a wavelength of 450 nm at an optical path length of 10 mm, and the residual maleimide-based monomer amount is less than 300 ppm. This maleimide-based copolymer preferably further contains 0-10 mass % of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride monomer units, and preferably has a glass transition temperature of 165° C. or higher.

Provided is a rubber composition having excellent adhesiveness to a metal member even if no cobalt salt is contained. The rubber composition contains a rubber component, a rubber-metal adhesion promoter containing Bi, and an organic acid salt of metal other than Bi, where a content of metal element other than Bi with respect to a content of Bi element (content of metal element other than Bi/content of Bi element) in the rubber composition is more than 14 and 100 or less in terms of molar ratio, a content of the rubber-metal adhesion promoter is more than 1.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and the amount of substance of metal element other than Bi contained in the organic acid salt of metal other than Bi in the rubber composition is 0.01 mol or more.