Elastomer composites are produced by novel continuous flow methods and apparatus in which fluid streams of particulate filler and elastomer latex are fed to the mixing zone of a coagulum reactor to form a mixture in semi-confined flow continuously from the mixing zone through a coagulum zone to a discharge end of the reactor. The particulate filler fluid is fed under high pressure to the mixing zone, such as to form a jet stream to entrain elastomer latex fluid sufficiently energetically to substantially completely coagulate the elastomer with the particulate filler prior to the discharge end. Highly efficient and effective elastomer coagulation is achieved without the need for a coagulation step involving exposure to acid or salt solution or the like. Novel elastomer composites are produced. Such novel elastomer composites may be cured or uncured, and combine material properties, such as choice of filler, elastomer, level of filler loading, and macro-dispersion, not previously achieved.

Novel elastomer composites, method and apparatus

Elastomer composite blends are produced by novel wet/dry mixing methods and apparatus. In the wet mixing step or stage, fluid streams of particulate filler and elastomer latex are fed to the mixing zone of a coagulum reactor to form a mixture in semi-confined flow continuously from the mixing zone through a coagulum zone to a discharge end of the reactor. The particulate filler fluid is fed under high pressure to the mixing zone, such as to form a jet stream to entrain elastomer latex fluid sufficiently energetically to substantially completely coagulate the elastomer with the particulate filler prior to the discharge end. Highly efficient and effective elastomer coagulation is achieved without the need for a coagulation step involving exposure to acid or salt solution or the like. Elastomer composites are produced. Such elastomer composites may be cured or uncured, and combine material properties, such as choice of filler, elastomer, level of filler loading, and macro-dispersion, not previously achieved. The coagulum produced by such wet mixing step, with or without intermediate processing steps, is then mixed with additional elastomer in a dry mixing step or stage to form elastomer composite blends. The additional elastomer to the coagulum may be the same as or different from the elastomer(s) used in the wet mixing step.

Elastomer composite blends and methods for producing them

The invention relates to a rubber composition for tyres, comprising at least a diene elastomer, an inorganic reinforcing filler, and a coupling agent linking the inorganic filler and the diene elastomer. The composition is characterised in that the coupling agent is an azo-silane compound having formula (I) (G1)3-a(G2)aSi-Z-NH-C(0)-N=N-C(0)-NH-Z-Si(G1)3-a(G2)a, wherein: - G1, which may be identical or different, each represent a monovalent hydrocarbon group selected from among optionally substituted, linear or branched alkyls having between 1 and 18 carbon atoms, cycloalkyls or aryls, optionally substituted, having between 5 and 18 carbon atoms; - G2, which may be identical or different, each represent a hydroxyl group or a monovalent group taking the form (G3)n-OG1, in which G3 is a divalent linking group comprising between 1 and 18 carbon atoms and containing one or more heteroatoms selected from among O, S, Si and N, and n is a number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 18; - Z represents a divalent linking group comprising between 1 and 18 carbon atoms; and - a is equal to 1, 2 or 3.

Rubber tyre composition comprising an azo-silane coupling agent

Elastomer composites, method and apparatus

A screen apparatus, which in certain aspects is a screen apparatus having a support, screening material on the support, and energizable identification apparatus on (exteriorly, interiorly, and/or within) the support for identifying the screen apparatus; a vibratory separator with such a screen apparatus; and a vibratory separator or shaker with energizable identification apparatus.

Shale shakers and screens with identification apparatuses

Elastomeric compositions are produced by novel continuous flow methods and apparatus in which fluid streams of particulate filler and elastomer latex are fed to the mixing zone of a coagulum reactor to form a mixture flowing continuously from the mixing zone through a coagulum zone to a discharge end of the reactor. The particulate filler fluid is fed under high pressure to the mixing zone, such as to form a jet stream to entrain elastomer latex fluid sufficiently energetically to substantially completely coagulate the elastomer with the particulate filler prior to the discharge end. Semi-confined flow of the mixture in the coagulum zone is achieved preferably with progressively increasing cross-sectional dimension of the coagulum zone from the mixing zone to the discharge end. Highly efficient and effective elastomer coagulation can be achieved without the need for a coagulation step involving exposure to acid or salt solution or the like. In addition to elastomeric compositions comparable to those achievable using traditional acid or salt coagulation techniques, novel elastomeric compositions can be prepared employing previously unworkable fillers, such as carbon black of exceptionally high surface area and low structure, etc., and/or having heretofore unachievable performance properties, filler dispersion levels, elastomer molecular weight distribution or a combination of any of these.

Scott A. Westveer

Papers

Novel elastomer composites, method and apparatus

Elastomer composites, method and apparatus

Methods for producing elastomeric compositions