Bridgestone Corporation

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC

Ryan J Hue

Laura S Kocsis

Terrence Eugene Hogan

Erin Sheepwash

Walter A Salamant

Jeffrey A Cicerchi

Yuan Liu

Jeffrey M Magistrelli

Disclosed herein area process for preparing a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, and tires having a component made using the modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer. The processes make use of a functionalizing compound of formula (I) to prepare the modified high-cis polybutadiene from a quantity of 1,3-butadiene monomer using a specified catalyst system.

Modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, related methods and tire components

A functionalized macromolecule includes a hydrogenated interpolymer portion, a non-hydrogenated polymer portion, and the radical of a functional coupling agent covalently bonded to and linking those portions. The functional group of the coupling agent exhibits interactivity with silica. The interpolymer can include vinyl aromatic mer and conjugated diene mer, with at least some of the latter, typically at least 50 mole percent, having been hydrogenated.

Functionalized hydrogenated interpolymer with non-hydrogenated segment

A method of preparing a sidewall support, the method comprising the steps of (i) providing a vulcanizable composition including an elastomer, a filler, a curative, and a eutectic composition; (ii) fabricating the vulcanizable composition into a green sidewall support; and (iii) subjecting the green sidewall support to curing conditions.

Sidewall supports for pneumatic tires

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Akron, OH, United States of America

Ryan J Hue