| abstract |
end-of-chain modified elastomeric polymer, elastomeric polymer composition, tire tread and method for making a vulcanized elastomeric polymer composition. The present invention relates to a modified end-of-chain polymer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a sulfide silane modifier. A preferred class of modifiers includes compounds represented by the formula: where: si is silicon; s is sulfur; o is oxygen; x is an integer selected from 1, 2 and 3; y is an integer selected from o, 1 and 2; x + y = 3; r is the same or different and is alkyl (C 1-1 -C 16); and r is aryl, and aryl alkyl, or (C 1-1 -C 16) alkyl. The invention further includes methods for making such end-of-chain modified polymers, their use in preparing vulcanized elastomeric polymer compositions, and articles made of such compositions, including tires, tire treads, belts, and the like. the subject compositions exhibit lower tan <sym> values at 60 <198> c while maintaining good processing characteristics, and good balance of physical properties including abrasion resistance, creep resistance, modulus and elongation at break. |