A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing a reactive polymer and reacting the reactive polymer with a heterocyclic nitrile compound.

A modified conjugated diene-based polymer, and more particularly, a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having a unimodal molecular weight distribution curve measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), molecular weight distribution (PDI; MWD) of less than 1.7, and a Si content of 100 ppm or more based on weight, and a rubber composition including the same.

The present invention relates to compositions for elastomeric compounds for tyres, in particular for tyre treads, comprising particular reversible cross-linking agents, tyre components and tyres for vehicle wheels which comprise them. The present elastomeric compounds, due to their particular hysteretic behaviour, allow manufacturing tyres characterised by a lower rolling resistance during moderate driving and at the same time greater resistance to tearing and road grip during sports driving.

The present invention relates to a rubber modifier, a conjugated diene-based polymer including a functional group derived from the modifier, and a method for preparing a modified and conjugated diene-based polymer using the modifier. The modifier is used as the modifier of a conjugated diene-based polymer and combined with a conjugated diene-based polymer chain to easily introduce a functional group having affinity with a filler. Accordingly, a modified and conjugated diene-based polymer prepared using a compound of the rubber modifier may have excellent affinity with a filler, and as a result, molded articles (for example, tires) manufactured from a rubber composition including the polymer may have excellent tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and wet traction.

The present invention relates to a rubber modifier, a conjugated diene-based polymer including a functional group derived from the modifier, and a method for preparing a modified and conjugated diene-based polymer using the modifier. The modifier is used as the modifier of a conjugated diene-based polymer and combined with a conjugated diene-based polymer chain to easily introduce a functional group having affinity with a filler. Accordingly, a modified and conjugated diene-based polymer prepared using a compound of the rubber modifier may have excellent affinity with a filler, and as a result, molded articles (for example, tires) manufactured from a rubber composition including the polymer may have excellent tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and wet traction.

A method of production of modified conjugated diene rubber includes causing an aromatic compound having three or more carbon atoms directly bonded to an aromatic ring in one molecule to react with an alkali metal atom so as to obtain an alkali metal-reacted aromatic compound; polymerizing a monomer at least containing a conjugated diene compound by using the alkali metal-reacted aromatic compound so as to obtain a conjugated diene rubber having an active end; causing the active end of the conjugated diene rubber having an active end to react with an activity control agent so as to obtain a conjugated diene rubber reacted with an activity control agent; and causing the active end of the conjugated diene rubber reacted with an activity control agent to react with a modifier having an alkoxy group and a halogen atom-containing group so as to obtain a modified conjugated diene rubber.

A method of production of modified conjugated diene rubber includes causing an aromatic compound having three or more carbon atoms directly bonded to an aromatic ring in one molecule to react with an alkali metal atom so as to obtain an alkali metal-reacted aromatic compound; polymerizing a monomer at least containing a conjugated diene compound by using the alkali metal-reacted aromatic compound so as to obtain a conjugated diene rubber having an active end; causing the active end of the conjugated diene rubber having an active end to react with an activity control agent so as to obtain a conjugated diene rubber reacted with an activity control agent; and causing the active end of the conjugated diene rubber reacted with an activity control agent to react with a modifier having an alkoxy group and a halogen atom-containing group so as to obtain a modified conjugated diene rubber.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a branched elastomeric polymer by polymerization of a conjugated diene in the presence of a specific branching agent and a specific stabilizing compound. The branched elastomeric polymer exhibits improved storage stability, as reflected by a constant, or less variable, polymer viscosity over time and with reduced temperature dependence.

A support assembly for a vehicle travels along a road surface and rotates relative to the road surface and the vehicle. The first support assembly includes a spherical tread layer for contacting the road surface, a foam layer adjacent the spherical tread layer, the foam layer including adjustable elements for altering an outer physical contour of the spherical tread layer, the outer physical contour contacting the road surface, a spherical wheel/tire for supporting the spherical tread layer and the vehicle, and a drive system magnetically driving rotation of the spherical wheel/tire relative to the vehicle such that no portion of the spherical tread layer physically contacts the vehicle.

A conjugated diene-based polymer, having a value ? of 0.65 to 0.97 as defined by the following mathematical expression (i):

?=(p+(0.5?r))/(p+q+(0.5?r)+s) (i)

where p, q, r, and s represent compositional molar ratios of structural units in the conjugated diene-based polymer represented by the following formulas (1) to (4), respectively:

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The conjugated diene-based polymer contains, in an amount of 25 to 75 mass %, a polymer (A1) including a multi-branched structure having 4 or more molecular chains, and the polymer (A1) has a functional group containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur at one or both of a terminal and a branching point of the polymer (A1).