Process for making copolymers of aromatic vinyl compounds ADD conjugated diolefins having substantial increase in aromatic vinyl compound differential content

摘要

There are disclosed copolymers of aromatic vinyl compounds, e. g., styrene, and conjugated diolefins, e.g., butadiene, possessing a differential content of the aromatic vinyl compound such that in at least one of the end portions of the copolymer the differential content shows a sharp and substantial increase in the direction of the outer extremity of the end portion. Preferred compolymers are styrene-butadiene copolymers having a vinyl content of at least 30%. In special embodiments, the copolymer have a styrene content changing in a portion of no more than 5% of the copolymer chain from a first value to a second value, the second value being at least 25 percentage points greater than the first value, and the portion is present within a 10% terminal portion of the copolymer. The copolymers are useful in the tread portions of tires as tires containing such copolymers in the tread composition have improved rolling resistance and/or grip on wet road surfaces.