METHOD FOR MODIFYING THE PROPERTIES OF FURAZANO OXIDE RUBBER AND FOR THE PREPARATION OF RUBBER COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING THE SAME

摘要

Modified polymer rubber compositions prepared in solution and which exhibit desirable properties, particularly when used to form tires are described. The modified rubber compositions comprise the reaction product, prepared in solution, of at least one rubber having an unsaturated carbon chain and up to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the rubber, of at least one aromatic furazan oxide of the partial formula CHEM wherein the depicted carbon atoms are a part of a single fused aromatic ring. The reaction is conducted by heating the solution at an elevated temperature which may be any temperature up to the decomposition temperature of the furazan oxide. The uncured polymer rubber compositions of the invention do not have the strong characteristic odor of the furazan oxide decomposition products which facilitate handling and storage of these materials. Filled vulcanizates also are described, and these vulcanizates are prepared by vulcanizing a composition comprising at least one of the above-described uncured polymer rubber compositions and one or more reinforcing fillers normally used in rubber compounding. The filled vulcanizates exhibit desirable properties such as decreased hysteresis, increased rebound and, when used in the tread of tires, the tires show lower running temperatures and reduced rolling resistance.