A rubber composition is provided that includes a partially halogenated diene polymer that has a controllable microstructure, and no more than about 50% of the n repeat units are in blocks of three or more consecutive units. In embodiments, a reinforcing filler is also included in the rubber composition. In embodiment, the rubber composition is formed into a tire component. A method of making the composition is also provided.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of halogenated butyl rubber and an apparatus for the production of rubber cement for use in the production of halogenated butyl rubber. The process and apparatus permit direct mixing of aqueous rubber slurry with a non-halogenated organic solvent to make a rubber cement solution. The water layer is then separated from the partially dissolved rubber cement and the cement phase is sent for halogenation. The apparatus is an enclosed vessel comprised of at least one dissolving zone and at least one separator zone. The process and apparatus advantageously employ recycle of rubber cement in order to disrupt an interface layer that forms between the water and rubber cement, to thereby improve continuously operation of the process.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of halogenated butyl rubber and an apparatus for the production of rubber cement for use in the production of halogenated butyl rubber. The process and apparatus permit direct mixing of aqueous rubber slurry with a non-halogenated organic solvent to make a rubber cement solution. The water layer is then separated from the partially dissolved rubber cement and the cement phase is sent for halogenation. The apparatus is an enclosed vessel comprised of at least one dissolving zone and at least one separator zone. The process and apparatus advantageously employ recycle of rubber cement in order to disrupt an interface layer that forms between the water and rubber cement, to thereby improve continuously operation of the process.

The invention relates to an efficient polymerization process and its use to produce novel copolymers with a specific microstructure. In particular, the invention relates to butyl rubbers with novel microstructure, preferably those obtainable by copolymerization of monomer mixtures comprising isobutylene and isoprene in diluents comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene. In a further aspect the invention relates to halogenated copolymers obtainable from such novel copolymers by halogenation.

The invention relates to an efficient polymerization process and its use to produce novel copolymers with a specific microstructure. In particular, the invention relates to butyl rubbers with novel microstructure, preferably those obtainable by copolymerization of monomer mixtures comprising isobutylene and isoprene in diluents comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene. In a further aspect the invention relates to halogenated copolymers obtainable from such novel copolymers by halogenation.

In some embodiments a process includes introducing an aqueous solution to a first hydrocarbon solvent to form an emulsion, wherein the aqueous solution comprises an oxidizing agent containing solution and a surfactant containing solution. The process further includes introducing a cement to the emulsion to form a first mixture within a reactor, wherein the cement comprises a butyl rubber elastomer and a second hydrocarbon solvent that is the same as or different than the first hydrocarbon solvent. The process further includes introducing a halogen source to the first mixture contained within the reactor to form a second mixture comprising a halobutyl rubber elastomer. The process further includes introducing a neutralizing agent with the second mixture to form a third mixture. The process further includes isolating the halobutyl rubber elastomer from the third mixture.

In some embodiments a process includes introducing an aqueous solution to a first hydrocarbon solvent to form an emulsion, wherein the aqueous solution comprises an oxidizing agent containing solution and a surfactant containing solution. The process further includes introducing a cement to the emulsion to form a first mixture within a reactor, wherein the cement comprises a butyl rubber elastomer and a second hydrocarbon solvent that is the same as or different than the first hydrocarbon solvent. The process further includes introducing a halogen source to the first mixture contained within the reactor to form a second mixture comprising a halobutyl rubber elastomer. The process further includes introducing a neutralizing agent with the second mixture to form a third mixture. The process further includes isolating the halobutyl rubber elastomer from the third mixture.

The present invention relates to a process for modifying the surface polarity of elastomeric rubber substrates to facilitate their cold bonding to other rubber substrates or non-elastomeric substrates of a different material, preferably metal, by chlorinating the elastomeric rubber substrate surface by treatment with a chloride-containing composition and a peroxymonosulfate-containing composition. Further aspects relate to the thus-obtained surface-modified rubber substrates, processes of bonding them to other substrates by use of an adhesive, as well as the thus-obtained bonded substrates.

The present invention relates to a process for modifying the surface polarity of elastomeric rubber substrates to facilitate their cold bonding to other rubber substrates or non-elastomeric substrates of a different material, preferably metal, by chlorinating the elastomeric rubber substrate surface by treatment with a chloride-containing composition and a peroxymonosulfate-containing composition. Further aspects relate to the thus-obtained surface-modified rubber substrates, processes of bonding them to other substrates by use of an adhesive, as well as the thus-obtained bonded substrates.