(Vinyl sulfoxide)-capped elastomers and compositions containing them having reduced hysteresis properties

摘要

Poly (vinyl sulfoxide)- and (vinyl sulfoxide)-capped elastomers made by capping a lithium terminated elastomer (such as a lithium terminated styrene-butadiene rubber) with more than 0.5 equivalent of vinyl sulfoxide monomer provide compounded elastomer vulcanizates of lowered hysteresis characteristics. Such low hysteresis vulcanizates are useful in making road-contacting tread components of pneumatic tires. Tires with such tread components exhibit low rolling resistance and reduced heat build-up during use.