Title of Invention

MODIFIED NATURAL RUBBER OR MODIFIED NATURAL RUBBER LATEX, AND RUBBER COMPOSITION AND PNEUMATIC TIRE

Abstract [Task] It is to provide a rubber composition compounded with a modified natural rubber having excellent reinforcing property and affinity to a filler and capable of improving a loss factor and a wear resistance. [Means for solution] There is provided a rubber composition comprising a modified natural rubber, which is obtained by graft-polymerizing natural rubber latex with a polar group-containing monomer and then coagulating and drying, and carbon black or silica.
Full Text SPECIFICATION
MODIFIED NATURAL RUBBER OR MODIFIED NATURAL RUBBER
LATEX, AND RUBBER COMPOSITION AND PNEUMATIC TIRE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a modified natural rubber or a modified
natural rubber latex and a rubber composition using such a modified natural
rubber or modified natural rubber latex as well as a pneumatic tire using such a
rubber composition.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There is well-known a technique of grafting natural rubber with a
vinyl compound, and MG latex and the like are already produced and are put into
a practical use as an adhesive or the like (e.g. JP-A-2000-319339, JP-A-2002-
138266). In this grafted natural rubber, however, a greater amount of the vinyl
compound (20-50% by weight) is grafted as a monomer for changing the
characteristics of natural rubber itself, so that the physical properties inherent to
natural rubber (viscoelasticity, stress-strain curve in a tensile test or the like) is
largely changed. Also, when the grafted natural rubber is compounded with
carbon black and/or silica, the serious viscosity rise is caused to decrease the
processability. Furthermore, as a greater amount of the other monomer is
introduced into the molecular chain of natural rubber, the physical properties
become entirely different from those inherent to natural rubber. Therefore,
there is caused a problem that such a grafted natural rubber can not quite utilize
the conventional methods making the beat use of the physical properties inherent
to natural rubber.
[0003] As a technique for improving the reinforcing property and affinity of
a polymer with a filler such as carbon black, silica or the like, there are developed
a terminal modification, a copolymerization with a monomer containing a
functional group and so on in the field of synthetic rubbers. On the other hand,
natural rubber is used in a greater amount owing to the excellent physical
properties, but there is not known a technique that natural rubber itself is largely
improved so as to make the reinforcing property and affinity to the filler equal to
those of the above modified synthetic rubber.


[0004] On the other hand, there are proposed a technique wherein an ester of
a polyvalent alcohol with an unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic compound
having an unsaturated bond, or a vinyl monomer is compounded with natural
rubber to conduct graft polymerization, a technique of epoxidizing natural rubber,
and so on (e.g. JP-A-5-287121, JP-A-6-329702, JP-A-9-25468, JP-A-2002-
348559). Particularly, the former technique is not a technique aiming at the
improvement of the reinforcing property and affinity to the filler such as carbon
black, silica or the like, but is a technique of largely changing the physical
properties inherent to natural rubber. In these techniques, however, there are
problems that an odor is generated in the mastication or the like, and a freeze
resistance is poor in such an area that ambient temperature becomes not higher
than 10°C in winter season. Furthermore, it can not be said that these
techniques develop the sufficient improving effects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is, therefore, an object of the invention to solve the aforementioned
problems of the conventional techniques and to provide a modified natural rubber
having excellent odor reduction and freeze resistance in storing while maintaining
the physical properties inherent to natural rubber.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a novel modified
natural rubber latex.
[0007] It is the other object of the invention to provide a modified natural
rubber having excellent reinforcing property and affinity to a filler such as carbon
black, silica or the like and capable of improving a loss factor and a wear
resistance.
[0008] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a rubber
composition compounded with the above modified natural rubber and a
pneumatic tire using the same.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is the provision of a
modified natural rubber characterized by graft-polymerizing natural rubber latex
with a polar group-containing monomer at a grafting ratio of 0.01-5.0% by mass
and then coagulating and drying.
[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is the provision
of a method of producing a modified natural rubber, characterized in that a polar


group-containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex and grafted at a
grafting ratio of 0.01-5.0% by mass through an emulsion polymerization and then
the resulting polymer is coagulated and dried.
[0011] In a preferable embodiment of the first and second aspects of the
invention, the polar group is at least one selected from the group consisting of
amino group, imino group, nitrile group, ammonium group, imido group, amido
group, hydrazo group, azo group, diazo group, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group,
carbonyl group, epoxy group, oxycarbonyl group, sulfide group, disulfide group,
sulfonyl group, sulfinyl group, thiocarbonyl group, nitrogen-containing
heterocyclic group and oxygen-containing heterocyclic group.
[0012] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is the provision of a
rubber composition comprising a modified natural rubber, which is obtained by
graft-polymerizing natural rubber latex with a polar group-containing monomer
and then coagulating and drying, and carbon black and/or silica.
[0013] In a preferable embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, a
grafting ratio of the polar group-containing monomer is 0.01-5.0% by mass,
preferably 0.1-3.0% by mass, more preferably 0.2-1.0% by mass per the natural
rubber latex.
[0014] In another preferable embodiment of the third aspect of the invention,
the polar group is at least one selected from the group consisting of amino group,
imino group, nitrile group, ammonium group, imido group, amido group, hydrazo
group, azo group, diazo group, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, carbonyl group,
epoxy group, oxycarbonyl group, sulfide group, disulfide group, sulfonyl group,
sulfinyl group, thiocarbonyl group, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group and
oxygen-containing heterocyclic group.
[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is the provision of
a pneumatic tire characterized by applying a rubber composition described in the
third aspect to a tire constituting member.
[0016] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is the provision of a
modified natural rubber latex characterized by adding a tin-containing monomer
to natural rubber latex and graft-polymerizing them.
[0017] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is the provision of
a modified natural rubber characterized by adding a tin-containing monomer to


natural rubber latex and graft-polymerizing them and then coagulating and drying.
[0018] In a preferable embodiment of the fifth and sixth aspects of the
invention, the tin-containing monomer is at least one selected from the group
consisting of allyl tri-n-butyl tin, allyl trimethyl tin, allyl triphenyl tin, allyl tri-n-
octyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-butyl tin, (meth)acryloxy trimethyl tin,
(meth)acryloxy triphenyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-octyl tin, vinyl tri-n-butyl tin,
vinyl trimethyl tin, vinyl triphenyl tin and vinyl tri-n-octyl tin.
[0019] In another preferable embodiment of the fifth and sixth aspects of the
invention, a grafting ratio of the tin-containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by mass
per a rubber component of the natural rubber latex.
[0020] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is the provision
of a method of producing a modified natural rubber latex, characterized in that a
tin-containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex and grafted through an
emulsion polymerization.
[0021] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is the provision
of a method of producing a modified natural rubber, characterized in that a tin-
containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex and grafted through an
emulsion polymerization, and then the resulting polymer is coagulated and dried.
[0022] In a preferable embodiment of the seventh and eighth aspects of the
invention, the tin-containing monomer is at least one selected from the group
consisting of allyl tri-n-butyl tin, allyl trimethyl tin, allyl triphenyl tin, allyl tri-n-
octyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-butyl tin, (meth)acryloxy trimethyl tin,
(meth)acryloxy triphenyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-octyl tin, vinyl tri-n-butyl tin,
vinyl trimethyl tin, vinyl triphenyl tin and vinyl tri-n-octyl tin.
[0023] In another preferable embodiment of the seventh and eighth aspects of
the invention, a grafting ratio of the tin-containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by
mass per a rubber component of the natural rubber latex.
[0024] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is the provision of
a rubber composition comprising a modified natural rubber described in the sixth
aspect and carbon black.
[0025] According to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is the provision of
a modified natural rubber latex characterized by adding an alkoxysilyl group-
containing monomer to natural rubber latex and graft-polymerizing them.


[0026] According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, there is the
provision of a modified natural rubber characterized by adding an alkoxysilyl
group-containing monomer to natural rubber latex and graft-polymerizing them
and then coagulating and drying.
[0027] In a preferable embodiment of the tenth and eleventh aspects of the
invention, a grafting ratio of the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is
0.01-10.0% by mass per a rubber component of the natural rubber latex.
[0028] According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is the provision
of a method of producing a modified natural rubber latex, characterized in that an
alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex and
grafted through an emulsion polymerization.
[0029] According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, there is the
provision of a method of producing a modified natural rubber, characterized in
that an alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex
and grafted through an emulsion polymerization and then the resulting polymer is
coagulated and dried.
[0030] In a preferable embodiment of the twelfth and thirteenth aspects of
the invention, a grafting ratio of the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is
0.01-10.0% by mass per a rubber component of the natural rubber latex.
[0031] According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, there is the
provision of a rubber composition comprising a modified natural rubber
described in the eleventh aspect and silica.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0032] The modified natural rubber according to the first to third aspects of
the invention is obtained by adding a polar-group-containing monomer to natural
rubber latex and further adding a polymerization initiator and conducting an
emulsion polymerization and then coagulating and drying the resulting polymer.
Thus, a small amount of the polar group-containing monomer is graft-
polymerized (emulsion-polymerized) to the natural rubber latex, so that the
physical properties inherent to natural rubber are sufficiently maintained without
deteriorating the processability and the reinforcing property and affinity to a
filler can be improved. Also, the monomer to be graft-polymerized has a polar
group, so that odor produced in the mastication or the like can be decreased.


Because, it is guessed that a substance causing the odor is caught by the polar
group to bring about the decrease of the odor. Furthermore, the graft
polymerization of the polar group-containing monomer to the molecule of the
natural rubber somewhat changes the steric structure of the natural rubber
molecule to largely delay the static crystallization rate and hence the freeze
resistance in the storing at a low-temperature area can be considerably improved.
Moreover, when such a modified natural rubber is compounded with a filler such
as carbon black, silica or the like to form a rubber composition, the properties
such as loss factor, wear resistance and the like can be considerably improved.
[0033] The natural rubber latex used in the invention is an ordinary latex and
may include a field latex, an ammonia-treated latex, a centrifugally concentrated
latex, a deproteinized latex treated with a surfactant or an enzyme and a
combination of two or more latexes.
[0034] The polar group-containing monomer used in the invention is not
particularly limited unless at least one polar group is included in the molecule of
the monomer. As a concrete example of the polar group may be preferably
mentioned amino group, imino group, nitrile group, ammonium group, imido
group, amido group, hydrazo group, azo group, diazo group, hydroxyl group,
carboxyl group, carbonyl group, epoxy group, oxycarbonyl group, sulfide group,
disulfide group, sulfonyl group, sulfinyl group, thiocarbonyl group, nitrogen-
containing heterocyclic group and oxygen-containing heterocyclic group.
The polar group-containing monomers may be used alone or in a combination of
two or more.
[0035] As an amino group-containing monomer, there are polymerizable
monomers containing in their molecule at least one amino group selected from
primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups. Among them, a tertiary amino
group-containing monomer such as dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate or the like
is particularly preferable. These amino group-containing monomers may be
used alone or in a combination of two or more.
[0036] As a primary amino group-containing monomer are mentioned
acrylamide, methacrylamide, 4-vinylanilene, aminomethyl (meth)acrylate,
aminoethyl (meth)acrylate, aminopropyl (meth)acrylate, aminobutyl
(meth)acrylate and so on.


[0037] As a secondary amino group-containing monomer are mentioned (1)
anilinostyrenes such as anilinostyrene, p-phenyl-p-anilinostyrene, p-cyano-p-
anilinostyrene, β-cyano-β-methyl-β-anilinostyrene, β-chloro-p-anilinostyrene, β-
carboxy-p-anilinostyrene, β-methoxycarbonyl-p-anilinostyrene, β-(2-
hydroxyethoxy)carbonyl-p-anilinostyrene, p-formyl-p-anilinostyrene, β-formyl-
β-methyl-p-anilinostyrene, β-carboxy-p-carboxy-β-phenyl-p-anilinostyrene and
the like; (2) anilinophenyl butadienes such as l-anilinophenyl-1,3-butadiene, 1-
anilinophenyl-3-methyl-1,3-butadiene, 1-anilinophenyl-3-chloro-1,3-butadiene,
3-anilinophenyl-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, 1-anilinophenyl-2-chloro-1,3-butadiene,
2-anilinophenyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-anilinophenyl-3-methyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-
anilinophenyl-3-chloro-1,3-butadiene and the like; and (3) N-monosubstituted
(meth)acrylamides such as N-methyl (meth)acrylamide, N-ethyl (meth)acrylamide,
N-methylol acrylamide, N-(4-anilinophenyl) methacrylamide and the like.
[0038] As a tertiary amino group-containing monomer are mentioned N,N-
disubstituted aminoalkyl acrylate, N,N-disubstituted aminoalkyl acrylamide,
vinyl compound containing pyridyl group and so on.
[0039] As the N,N-disubstituted aminoalkyl acrylate are mentioned esters of
acrylic acid or methacrylic acid such as N,N-dimethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylate,
N,N-dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminopropyl
(meth)acrylate, N,N-dimethylaminobutyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminoethyl
(meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminobutyl
(meth)acrylate, N-methyl-N-ethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-dipropyl-
aminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-dibutylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-
dibutylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-dibutylaminobutyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-
dihexylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-diocytylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate,
acryloylmorpholine and so on. Particularly, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl
(meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N,N-dipropylaminoethyl
(meth)acrylate, N,N-dioctylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, N-methyl-N-
ethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate and the like are preferable.
[0040] As the N,N-disubstituted aminoalkyl acrylamide are mentioned
acrylamide compounds or methacrylamide compounds such as N,N-
dimethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylamide, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl
(meth)acrylamide, N,N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide, N,N-


dimethylaminobutyl (metl^acrylamide, N,N-diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylamide,
N,N-diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide, N,N-diethylaminobutyl
(meth)acrylamide, N-methyl-N-ethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylamide, N,N-
dipropylaminoethyl (meth)acrylamide, N,N-dibutylaminoethyl (meth)acrylamide,
N,N-dibutylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide, N,N-dibutylaminobutyl
(meth)acrylamide, N,N-dihexylaminoethyl (meth)acrylamide, N,N-
dihexylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide, N,N-dioctylaminopropyl
(meth)acrylamide and so on. Particularly, N,N-dimethylaminopropyl
(meth)acrylamide, N,N-diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide, N,N-
dioctylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide and the like are preferable.
[0041] Also, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group may be used instead of
the amino group. As a nitrogen-containing heterocycle are mentioned pyrrole,
histidine, imidazole, triazolidine, triazole, triazine, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine,
indole, quinoline, purine, phenazine, pteridine, melamine and so on.
The nitrogen-containing heterocycle may contain the other heteroatom in its ring.
[0042] As the vinyl compound containing pyridyl group are mentioned, for
example, 2-vinylpyridine, 3-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, 5-methyl-2-
vinylpyridine, 5-ethyl-2-vinylpyridine and so on. Particularly, 2-vinylpyridine,
4-vinylpyridine and the like are preferable.
[0043] As the nitrile group-containing monomer are (meth)acrylonitrile,
vinylidene cyanide and so on. They may be used alone or in a combination of
two or more.
[0044] As the hydroxyl group-containing monomer are mentioned polymer-
izable monomers having in one molecule at least one hydroxyl group selected
from primary, secondary and tertiary hydroxyl groups. As such a monomer,
there are hydroxyl group-containing unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers,
hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether monomers, hydroxyl group-containing
vinylketone monomers and the like. As a concrete example of such a hydroxyl
group-containing monomer, there are hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates such as 2-
hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl
(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, 4-
hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate and the like; mono(meth)acrylates of polyalkylene
glycol (number of alkylene glycol units is, for example, 2-23) such as


polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and the like; hydroxyl group-
containing unsaturated amides such as N-hydroxymethyl (meth)acrylamide, N-
(2-hydroxyethyl) (meth)acrylamide, N,N-bis(2-hydroxymethyl) (meth)acrylamide
and the like; hydroxyl group-containing vinylaromatic compounds such as o-
hydroxystyrene, m-hydroxystyrene, p-hydroxystyrene, o-hydroxy-α-
methylstyrene, m-hydroxy-a-methylstyrene, p-hydroxy-α-methylstyrene, p-
vinylbenzyl alcohol and the like; and (meth)acrylates. Among them, the
hydroxyl group-containing unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers, hydroxyalkyl
(meth)acrylates, hydroxyl group-containing vinylaromatic compounds are
preferable, and the hydroxyl group-containing unsaturated carboxylic acid
monomers are particularly preferable. As the hydroxyl group-containing
unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, there are esters, amides, anhydrides and
the like of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid
and the like, and ester compounds of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid are
particularly preferable.
[0045] As the carboxyl group-containing monomer are mentioned unsaturated
carboxylic acids such as (meth)acrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic
acid, tetraconic acid, cinnamic acid and the like; free carboxyl group-containing
esters such as monoesters of a non-polymerizable polyvalent carboxylic acid
such as phthalic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid or the like with a hydroxy group-
containing unsaturated compound such as (meth)allylalcohol, 2-hydroxyethyl
(meth)acrylate or the like, and salts thereof. Among them, the unsaturated
carboxylic acids are particularly preferable. These monomers may be used
alone or in a combination of two or more.
[0046] As the epoxy group-containing monomer are mentioned (meth)allyl
glycidyl ether, glycidyl (meth) acrylate, 3,4-oxycyclohexyl (meth)acrylate and so
on. These monomers may be used alone or in a combination of two or more.
[0047] As the initiator for graft polymerization, use may be made of various
initiators, e.g. an initiator for emulsion polymerization and the like without being
particularly limited, and also the method of adding the initiator is not particularly
limited. As the usually used initiator are mentioned benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen
peroxide, cummene hydroperoxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, di-tert-butyl
peroxide, 2,2-azobisisobutylonitrile, 2,2-azobis(2-diaminopropane)hydrochloride,


2,2-azobis(2-diaminopropane)dihydrochloride, 2,2-azobis(2,4-dimethyl-
valeronitrile), potassium persulfate, sodium persulfate, ammonium persulfate and
so on. Moreover, it is preferable to use a redox type polymerization initiator for
lowering the polymerization temperature. As a reducing agent to be combined
with a peroxide used in the redox type polymerization initiator are mentioned
tetraethylene pentamine, mercaptanes, acidic sodium sulfite, reducing metal ion,
ascorbic acid and so on. Particularly, a combination of tert-butyl hydroperoxide
and tetraethylene pentamine is preferable as the redox type polymerization initiator.
[0048] The graft polymerization according to the invention is a usual
emulsion polymerization wherein the polar group-containing monomer is added
to natural rubber latex and polymerized at a given temperature with stirring.
In this case, the polar group-containing monomer is previously added with water
and an emulsifying agent and sufficiently emulsified and added to the natural
rubber latex, or the polar group-containing monomer is directly added to natural
rubber latex and an emulsifying agent may be added before or after the addition
of the polar group-containing monomer, if necessary. The emulsifying agent is
not particularly limited and includes, for example, a nonionic surfactant such as
polyoxyethylene lauryl ether or the like.
[0049] Considering that the freeze resistance and odor reduction are improved
while maintaining the physical properties inherent to natural rubber, or considering
that the loss factor and wear resistance are improved without deteriorating the
processability in the compounding with carbon black or silica, it is important to
evenly introduce a small amount of the polar group into the natural rubber
molecule. For this end, an amount of the polymerization initiator added is
preferably 1-100 mol%, more preferably 10-100 mol% per 100 mol of the polar
group-containing monomer. The aforementioned components are charged into a
reaction vessel and graft-polymerized at 30-80°C for 10 minutes to 7 hours to
obtain a modified natural rubber latex. The thus obtained modified natural
rubber latex is further coagulated and washed and dried by using a drying
machine such as vacuum drier, air drier, drum drier or the like to obtain a
modified natural rubber.
[0050] In the modified natural rubber according to the invention, a grafting
ratio of the polar group-containing monomer is preferably 0.01-5% by mass,


more preferably 0.1-3.0% by mass, most preferably 0.2-1% by mass based on a
rubber component of the natural rubber latex. When the grafting ratio of the
polar group-containing monomer is less than 0.01% by mass, there is a fear that
the effect of improving the odor reduction or the freeze resistance in the storing
is not sufficiently obtained or the effect of improving the loss factor and wear
resistance in the rubber composition is not sufficiently obtained. While, when
the grafting ratio exceeds 5% by mass, the physical properties inherent to natural
rubber (viscoelasticity, stress-strain curve in a tensile test or the like) is largely
changed and hence the conventional methods making the beat use of the physical
properties inherent to natural rubber can not be quite utilized and also there is a
fear that the processability is largely deteriorated.
[0051] The rubber composition according to the third aspect of the invention
comprises the above modified natural rubber as a rubber component. In this
case, it is preferable that the content of the modified natural rubber is at least
15% by mass. When the content is less than 15% by mass, there is a fear that
the effect of improving the loss factor and wear resistance as the rubber
composition is not obtained.
[0052] As a rubber component used together with the modified natural rubber
are mentioned usual natural rubber and diene-based synthetic rubbers. As the
diene-based synthetic rubber, there are styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBR),
polybutadiene (BR), polyisoprene (IR), butyl rubber (IIR), ethylene-propylene
copolymer and a mixture thereof.
[0053] Further, the rubber composition contains carbon black and/or silica as
a filler. An amount of the filler compounded is 30-120 parts by mass based on
100 parts by mass of the rubber component. When the amount is less than
30 parts by mass, the effect of improving the reinforcing property and other
properties is not sufficiently developed, while when it exceeds 120 parts by mass,
the processability lowers.
[0054] As the carbon black can be used all of commercially available ones.
Among them, it is preferable to use carbon blacks of SAF, ISAF, HAF, FEF and
GPF grades. As the silica can be used all of commercially available ones.
Among them, it is preferable to use wet silica, dry silica or colloidal silica.
Particularly, silica is preferable to have a BET of not less than 150 m2/g, more


preferably not less than 170 m2/g, most preferably not less than 190 m2/g.
As the silica satisfying such a requirement, there are commercially available
products such as Nipsil AQ, Nipsil KQ and the like.
[0055] The rubber composition can be properly compounded with the
additives usually used in the rubber industry such as other reinforcing filler,
vulcanizing agent, vulcanization accelerator, antioxidant, softening agent and the
like, if necessary.
[0056] Further, the fourth aspect of the invention lies in a pneumatic tire
applying the above rubber composition to a tire constituting member. Since the
rubber composition according to the third aspect of the invention considerably
improves the properties such as loss factor, wear resistance and the like as
previously mentioned, it is particularly preferable to use such a rubber
composition in a tire tread.
[0057] The modified natural rubber latex according to the fifth aspect of the
invention is obtained by adding a tin-containing monomer to the natural rubber
latex and further adding the polymerization initiator to conduct emulsion
polymerization. Also, the modified natural rubber according to the sixth aspect
of the invention is obtained by coagulating and drying the thus obtained polymer
product. In the modified natural rubber obtained by introducing the tin-
containing monomer into the natural rubber molecule, the reinforcing property
and affinity to carbon black are largely improved and hence the effect of
considerably improving the loss factor and wear resistance is developed in the
rubber composition compounded with carbon black.
[0058] The natural rubber latex and polymerization initiator used in the fifth
and sixth aspects are the same as previously mentioned.
[0059] As the tin-containing monomer, mention may be made of allyl tri-n-
butyl tin, allyl trimethyl tin, allyl triphenyl tin, allyl tri-n-octyl tin, (meth)acryloxy
n-butyl tin, (meth)acryloxy trimethyl tin, (meth)acryloxy triphenyl tin,
(meth)acryloxy n-octyl tin, vinyl tri-n-butyl tin, vinyl trimethyl tin, vinyl
triphenyl tin, vinyl tri-n-octyl tin and so on. These tin-containing monomers
may be used alone or in a combination of two or more.
[0060] The above graft polymerization is a usual emulsion polymerization
wherein the tin-containing monomer is added to the natural rubber latex and


polymerized at a given temperature with stirring. In this case, the tin-containing
monomer is previously added with water and an emulsifying agent and
sufficiently emulsified and added to the natural rubber latex, or the tin-containing
monomer is directly added to natural rubber latex and an emulsifying agent may
be added before or after the addition of the tin-containing monomer, if necessary.
The emulsifying agent is not particularly limited and includes, for example, a
nonionic surfactant such as polyoxyethylene lauryl ether or the like.
[0061] Considering that the modified natural rubber is compounded with
carbon black to form a rubber composition improving the loss factor and wear
resistance without deteriorating the processability, it is important to evenly
introduce a small amount of a polar group in the tin-containing monomer into the
natural rubber molecule. For this end, an amount of the polymerization initiator
added is preferably 1-100 mol%, more preferably 10-100 mol% per 100 mol of
the tin-containing monomer. The aforementioned components are charged into
a reaction vessel and graft-polymerized at 30-80°C for 10 minutes to 7 hours to
obtain a modified natural rubber latex. The thus obtained modified natural
rubber latex may be used at a latex state as it is, or may be used at a solid state
after the coagulation and drying. In case of applying to the rubber composition,
it is preferable to use as a solid rubber. In case of the solid rubber, the rubber
latex is first coagulated and washed and then dried by using a drying machine
such as vacuum drier, air drier, drum drier or the like.
[0062] In the modified natural rubber latex and the modified natural rubber
according to the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention, a grafting ratio of the
tin-containing monomer is preferable to be 0.01-10% by mass based on a rubber
component of the natural rubber latex. When the grafting ratio of the tin-
containing monomer is less than 0.01% by mass, there is a fear that the effect of
improving the loss factor and wear resistance as the rubber composition is not
sufficiently obtained. While, when the grafting ratio exceeds 10% by mass, the
physical properties inherent to natural rubber (viscoelasticity, stress-strain curve
in a tensile test or the like) is largely changed and hence the conventional
methods making the beat use of the physical properties inherent to natural rubber
can not be quite utilized and also there is a fear that the processability is largely
deteriorated.


[0063] When the above modified natural rubber is compounded with carbon
black to prepare a rubber composition, the reinforcing property and affinity to
carbon black are improved as compared with those in the conventional rubber
composition comprising non-modified natural rubber and carbon black and hence
the loss factor and wear resistance are considerably improved. Moreover, all of
commercially available carbon blacks can be used. Among them, it is
preferable to use carbon blacks of SAF, ISAF, HAF, FEF and GPF grades.
[0064] The rubber composition according to the eighth aspect of the
invention may be properly compounded with the additives usually used in the
rubber industry such as other reinforcing filler, vulcanizing agent, vulcanization
accelerator, antioxidant, softening agent and the like, if necessary.
[0065] The modified natural rubber latex according to the ninth aspect of the
invention is obtained by adding an alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer to the
natural rubber latex and further adding the polymerization initiator to conduct
emulsion polymerization. Also, the modified natural rubber according to the
tenth aspect of the invention is obtained by coagulating and drying the thus
obtained polymer product. In the modified natural rubber obtained by
introducing the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer into the natural rubber
molecule, the reinforcing property and affinity to silica are largely improved and
hence the effect of considerably improving the loss factor and wear resistance is
developed in the rubber composition compounded with silica.
[0066] The natural rubber latex and polymerization initiator used in the ninth
and tenth aspects are the same as previously mentioned.
[0067] As the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer, mention may be made
of (meth)acryloxymethyl trimethoxysilane, (meth)acryloxymethyl
methyldimethoxysilane, (meth)acryloxymethyl dimethylmethox ysilane,
(meth)acryloxymethyl triethoxysilane, (meth)acryloxymethyl
methyldiethoxysilane, (meth)acryloxymethyl dimethylethoxysilane,
(meth)acryloxymethyl tripropoxysilane, (meth)acryloxymethyl
methyldipropoxysilane, (meth)acryloxymethyl dimethylpropoxysiiane, y-
(meth)acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane, γ-(meth)acryloxypropyl
methyldimethoxysilane, γ-(meth)acryloxypropyl dimethylmethoxysilane, γ-
(meth)acryloxypropyl triethoxysilane, γ-(meth)acryloxypropyl


methyldiethoxysilane, γ-(meth)acryloxypropyl dimethylethoxysilane, γ-
(meth)acryloxypropyl tripropoxysilane, γ-(meth)acryloxypropyl
methyldipropoxysilane, γ-(meth)acryloxypropyl dimethylpropoxysilane, γ-
(meth)acryloxypropyl methyldiphenoxysilane, γ-(meth)acryloxypropyl
dimethylphenoxysilane, γ-(meth)acryloxypropyl methyldibenzyloxysilane, γ-
(meth)acryloxypropyl dimethylbenzyloxysilane, trimethoxy vinylsilane, triethoxy
vinylsilane, 6-trimethoxysilyl-l,2-hexene, p-trimethoxysilyl styrene and so on.
These alkoxysilyl group-containing monomers may be used alone or in a
combination of two or more,
[0068] The above graft polymerization is a usual emulsion polymerization
wherein the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is added to the natural rubber
latex and polymerized at a given temperature with stirring. In this case, the
alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is previously added with water and an
emulsifying agent and sufficiently emulsified and added to the natural rubber
latex, or the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is directly added to natural
rubber latex and an emulsifying agent may be added before or after the addition
of the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer, if necessary. The emulsifying
agent is not particularly limited and includes, for example, a nonionic surfactant
such as polyoxyethylene lauryl ether or the like.
[0069] Considering that the modified natural rubber is compounded with
silica to form a rubber composition improving the loss factor and wear resistance
without deteriorating the processability, it is important to evenly introduce a
small amount of a polar group in the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer into
the natural rubber molecule. For this end, an amount of the polymerization
initiator added is preferably 1-100 mol%, more preferably 10-100 mol% per
100 mol of the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer. The aforementioned
components are charged into a reaction vessel and graft-polymerized at 30-80°C
for 10 minutes to 7 hours to obtain a modified natural rubber latex. The thus
obtained modified natural rubber latex may be used at a latex state as it is, or may
be used at a solid state after the coagulation and drying. In case of applying to
the rubber composition, it is preferable to use as a solid rubber. In case of the
solid rubber, the rubber latex is first coagulated and washed and then dried by
using a drying machine such as vacuum drier, air drier, drum drier or the like.


[0070] In the modified natural rubber latex and the modified natural rubber
according to the ninth and tenth aspects of the invention, a grafting ratio of the
alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is preferable to be 0.01-10% by mass
based on a rubber component of the natural rubber latex. When the grafting
ratio of the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is less than 0.01% by mass,
there is a fear that the effect of improving the loss factor and wear resistance as
the rubber composition is not sufficiently obtained. While, when the grafting
ratio exceeds 10% by mass, the physical properties inherent to natural rubber
(viscoelasticity, stress-strain curve in a tensile test or the like) is largely changed
and hence the conventional methods making the beat use of the physical
properties inherent to natural rubber can not be quite utilized and also there is a
fear that the processability is largely deteriorated.
[0071] When the above modified natural rubber is compounded with silica to
prepare a rubber composition, the reinforcing property and affinity to silica are
improved as compared with those in the conventional rubber composition
comprising non-modified natural rubber and silica and hence the loss factor and
wear resistance are considerably improved. Moreover, all of commercially
available silicas can be used. Among them, it is preferable to use wet silica, dry
silica and colloidal silica.
[0072] The rubber composition according to the fourteenth aspect of the
invention may be properly compounded with the additives usually used in the
rubber industry such as other reinforcing filler, vulcanizing agent, vulcanization
accelerator, antioxidant, softening agent and the like, if necessary.
[0073] The following examples are given in illustration of the invention and
are not intended as limitations thereof.
[0074] Production Example 1
(1) Step of modifying natural rubber latex
A field latex is subjected to a centrifugal separation with a latex
separator (made by Saito Enshin Kogyo Co., Ltd.) at a revolution speed of
7500 rpm to obtain a concentrated latex having a dry rubber concentration of
60%. 1000 g of the concentrated latex is charged into a stainless reaction vessel
provided with a stirrer and a temperature-regulated jacket, and an emulsion
previously formed by adding 10 ml of water and 90 mg of an emulsifying agent

(Emulgen 1108, made by Kao Corporation) to 30 g of N,N-diethylaminoethyl
methacrylate is added together with 990 ml of water, and then stirred for
30 minutes while bubbling with nitrogen. Then, 1.2 g of tert-butyl hydro-
peroxide and 1.2 g of tetraethylene pentamine are added as a polymerization
initiator to conduct reaction at 40°C for 30 minutes, whereby a modified natural
rubber latex is obtained.
[0075] (2) Step of coagulation and drying
Then, the modified natural rubber latex is coagulated by adding
formic acid to adjust pH to 4.7. The thus obtained solid matter is treated by a
clapper 5 times and crumbed through a shredder and dried by a hot air drier at
110°C for 210 minutes to obtain a modified natural rubber A. It is confirmed
from the weight of the thus obtained modified natural rubber A that a conversion
of N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate as a polar group-containing monomer
is 100%. Also, as the separation of a homopolymer is carried out by extracting
the modified natural rubber A with a petroleum ether and further extracting with
a 2:1 mixed solvent of acetone and methanol, it is confirmed that the
homopolymer is not detected from the analysis of the extract and 100% of the
monomer added is introduced into the natural rubber molecule. In this example,
3.0 g of N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate is added to 600 g of latex (60% of
1000 g of the concentrated latex), so that the grafting ratio is 3.0/600 = 0.5%.
[0076] Production Examples 2-8
Modified natural rubbers B, C, D, E, F, G, H are obtained in the same
manner as in Production Example 1 except that 2.1 g of 2-hydroxyethyl
methacrylate in Production Example 2, 1.7 g of 4-vinylpyridine in Production
Example 3, 2.1 g of itaconic acid in Production Example 4, 1.4 g of methacrylic
acid in Production Example 5, 1.7 g of acrylonitrile in Production Example 6,
2.3 g of glycidyl methacrylate in Production Example 7 and 2.8 g of
methacrylamide in Production Example 8 are used instead of 3.0 g of N,N-
diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, respectively. As the modified natural rubbers
B-H are analyzed in the same manner as in Production Example 1, it is confirmed
that 100% of the monomer added is introduced into the natural rubber molecule.
[0077] Production Examples 9, 10
Modified natural rubbers I, J are obtained in the same manner as in


Production Example 1 except that the addition amount and kind of the polar
group-containing monomer, amounts of the emulsifying agent and polymeriza-
tion initiator and the reaction time are changed as shown in Table 1, respectively.
As the modified natural rubbers I, J are analyzed in the same manner as in
Production Example 1, it is conformed that a conversion of the monomer is
98.2% in the modified natural rubber I and 98.7% in the modified natural rubber
J, respectively. Also, as the amount of homopolymer is analyzed by extraction,
it is confirmed to be 4.8% of the monomer in the modified natural rubber I and
4.1% of the monomer in the modified natural rubber J, respectively.
[0078] Production Example 11
A solid natural rubber K is obtained by directly coagulating and
drying natural rubber latex without modification.
[0079] Production Examples 12-15
Modified natural rubbers L, M, N are obtained in the same manner as
in Production Example 1 except that 3.0 g of N,N-dimethylvinyl benzylamine in
Production Example 12, 3.0 g of N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) methacrylamide in
Production Example 13, 3.0 g of N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) acrylamide in
Production Example 14 and 1.7 g of 2-vinylpyridine in Production Example 15
are used instead of 3.0 g of N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, respectively.
As the modified natural rubbers L-N are analyzed in the same manner as in
Production Example 1, it is confirmed that 100% of the monomer added is
introduced into the natural rubber molecule.


[0081] Examples 1-12, Comparative Examples 1-3
With respect to the modified natural rubbers A-O of Production
Examples 1-15, the hardness and odor concentration are measured by the
following methods to obtain results as shown in Table 2.
[0082] The hardness is measured according to JIS K6253 (1997) after each of
the modified natural rubbers is kept in a refrigerator of 5°C for 84 hours or in air
of 24°C for 48 hours.
[0083] The odor concentration is measured as follows. At first, each
modified natural rubber is masticated, and at a time of reaching a masticating
temperature to 140°C, an odor gas is gathered from an discharge port of a mixing
machine into a tedlar bag through a pump. Then, a regulated amount of air
having no odor is charged into a sampling bag through a pump and sealed with a
stopper, and a given amount of odor gas sample is taken out from the tedlar bag


through an injection syringe and poured into the sampling bag to obtain a diluted
odor gas sample. The odor of the diluted odor gas sample is smelled by four
panelists to measure a multiple of dilution until the odor is not feelingly smelled
and an average value thereof is calculated. The odor concentration is evaluated
by the average value of the dilution multiple, in which the smaller the value, the
lower the odor.



[0085] Examples 13-40, Comparative Examples 4-5
A rubber composition is prepared by using the modified natural
rubbers A-J and L-0 obtained in Production Examples 1-10 and 12-15,
respectively, according to a compounding recipe I or II shown in Table 3.
For the comparison, a rubber composition is prepared by using the natural rubber
K of Production Example 11 according to the same compounding recipe.
[0086] With respect to these rubber compositions is measured a Mooney
viscosity (ML1+4, 130°C). Further, the properties of a vulcanizate such as
tensile strength (MPa), loss factor (tan 6, 50°C) and wear resistance (represented
by an index on the basis that Comparative Example 4 or 5 is 100) are measured
after the rubber composition of the compounding recipe I is vulcanized at 145°C
for 33 minutes and the rubber composition of the compounding recipe II is
vulcanized at 160°C for 15 minutes. The measured results are shown in Table 4.
[0087] Moreover, the measuring method of each property is as follows.
[0088] (1) The Mooney viscosity of the rubber composition (ML1+4, 130°C)
is measured according to JIS K6300-1994.
[0089] (2) Tensile strength
A strength at break (Tb) is measured according to JIS K6301-1995.
[0090] (3) tan δ
A value of tan δ is measured by using a viscoelasticity measuring
device (made by Rheometrix Corporation) under conditions that a temperature is
50°C, a strain is 5% and a frequency is 15 Hz. The smaller the value, the lower
the loss factor.
[0091] (4) Wear resistance
The wear resistance is evaluated by measuring a worn amount at a slip
ratio of 60% and room temperature by means of a Lambourn abrasion tester and
represented by an index on the basis that Comparative Example 4 or 5 is 100.
The larger the index value, the better the wear resistance.





[0094] Production Example 16
(1) Step of modifying natural rubber latex
A field latex is subjected to a centrifugal separation with a latex
separator (made by Saito Enshin Kogyo Co., Ltd.) at a revolution speed of
7500 rpm to obtain a concentrated latex having a dry rubber concentration of
60%. 1000 g of the concentrated latex is charged into a stainless reaction vessel
provided with a stirrer and a temperature-regulated jacket, and an emulsion
previously formed by adding 10 ml of water and 0.21 g of an emulsifying agent
(Emulgen 1108, made by Kao Corporation) to 5 g of allyl tri-n-butyl tin is added
together with 990 ml of water, and then stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes
while bubbling with nitrogen. Then, 1.2 g of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and 1.2 g
of tetraethylene pentamine are added as a polymerization initiator to conduct
reaction at 40°C for 30 minutes, whereby a modified natural rubber latex is
obtained.
[0095] (2) Step of coagulation and drying
Then, the modified natural rubber latex is coagulated by adding
formic acid to adjust pH to 4.7. The thus obtained solid matter is treated by a
clapper 5 times and crumbed through a shredder and dried by a hot air drier at
110°C for 210 minutes to obtain a modified natural rubber P. It is confirmed
from the weight of the thus obtained modified natural rubber P that a conversion
of allyl tri-n-butyl tin as a tin-containing monomer is 100%. Also, as the
separation of a homopolymer is carried out by extracting the modified natural
rubber P with a petroleum ether and further extracting with a 2:1 mixed solvent
of acetone and methanol, it is confirmed that the homopolymer is not detected
from the analysis of the extract and 100% of the monomer added is introduced
into the natural rubber molecule.
[0096] Production Examples 17-19
Modified natural rubbers Q, R, S are obtained in the same manner as
in Production Example 16 except that 7.3 g of allyl tri-n-octyl tin in Production
Example 17, 6.0 g of acryloxy tri-n-butyl tin in Production Example 18, and
5.2 g of vinyl tri-n-butyl tin in Production Example 19 are used instead of 5 g of
allyl tri-n-butyl tin, respectively. As the modified natural rubbers Q-S are
analyzed in the same manner as in Production Example 16, it is confirmed that

100% of the monomer added is introduced into the natural rubber molecule.
[0097] Production Example 20
A solid natural rubber T is obtained by directly coagulating and
drying natural rubber latex without modification.
[0098] Examples 41-44, Comparative Example 6
A rubber composition is prepared by using the modified natural
rubbers β-S obtained in Production Examples 16-19, respectively, according to a
compounding recipe shown in Table 5. For the comparison, a rubber composition
is prepared by using the natural rubber T of Production Example 20 according to
the same compounding recipe.
[0099] Table 5

[0100] With respect to these rubber compositions is measured a Mooney
viscosity (ML1+4, 130°C). Further, the properties of a vulcanizate such as
tensile strength (MPa), loss factor (tan 6, 50°C) and wear resistance (represented
by an index on the basis that Comparative Example 6 is 100) are measured after
the rubber composition is vulcanized at 145ºC for 33 minutes. The measured
results are shown in Table 6.
[0101] Moreover, the measuring method of each property is as follows.
[0102] (1) The Mooney viscosity of the rubber composition (ML1+4, 130°C)
is measured according to JIS K6300-1994.
[0103] (2) Tensile strength
A strength at break (Tb) is measured according to JIS K6301-1995.

[0104] (3) tan 5
A value of tan 6 is measured by using a viscoelasticity measuring
device (made by Rheometrix Corporation) under conditions that a temperature is
50°C, a strain is 5% and a frequency is 15 Hz. The smaller the value, the lower
the loss factor.
[0105] (4) Wear resistance
The wear resistance is evaluated by measuring a worn amount at a slip
ratio of 60% and room temperature by means of a Lambourn abrasion tester and
represented by an index on the basis that Comparative Example. 6 is 100.
The larger the index value, the better the wear resistance.
[0106] Table 6

[0107] As seen from the results of Table 6, the rubber compositions
comprising the modified natural rubbers β-S of Examples 41-44 are superior in
all of the tensile strength, loss factor (tan 5) and wear resistance to the rubber
composition of Comparative Example 6.
[0108] Production Example 21
(1) Step of modifying natural rubber latex
A field latex is subjected to a centrifugal separation with a latex
separator (made by Saito Enshin Kogyo Co., Ltd.) at a revolution speed of
7500 rpm to obtain a concentrated latex having a dry rubber concentration of 60%.
1000 g of the concentrated latex is charged into a stainless reaction vessel provided
with a stirrer and a temperature-regulated jacket, and 1000 ml of water, 0.19 g of
an emulsifying agent (Emulgen 1108, made by Kao Corporation) and 4.1 g of γ-
methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane are added, and then stirred for 15 minutes
while bubbling with nitrogen. Then, 1.2 g of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and 1.2 g

of tetraethylene pentamine are added as a polymerization initiator to conduct
reaction at 40°C for 30 minutes, whereby a modified natural rubber latex is
obtained.
[0109] (2) Step of coagulation and drying
Then, the modified natural rubber latex is coagulated by adding
formic acid to adjust pH to 4.7. The thus obtained solid matter is treated by a
clapper 5 times and crumbed through a shredder and dried by a hot air drier at
110°C for 210 minutes to obtain a modified natural rubber U. It is confirmed
from the weight of the thus obtained modified natural rubber U that a conversion
of γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane as an alkoxysilyl group-containing
monomer is 100%. Also, as the separation of a homopolymer is carried out by
extracting the modified natural rubber U with a petroleum ether and further
extracting with a 2:1 mixed solvent of acetone and methanol, it is confirmed that
the homopolymer is not detected from the analysis of the extract and 100% of the
monomer added is introduced into the natural rubber molecule.
[0110] Production Examples 22-24
Modified natural rubbers V, W, X are obtained in the same manner as
in Production Example 21 except that 2.4 g of vinyltrimethoxy isilane in
Production Example 22, 3.1 g of vinyltriethoxy silane in Production Example 23,
and 6.4 g of N-[2-(vinylbenzylamino)ethyl]-3-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane in
Production Example 24 are used instead of 4.1 g of γ-methacryloxypropyl
trimethoxy silane, respectively. As the modified natural rubbers V-X are
analyzed in the same manner as in Production Example 21, it is confirmed that
100% of the monomer added is introduced into the natural rubber molecule.
[0111] Production Example 25
A solid natural rubber Y is obtained by directly coagulating and
drying natural rubber latex without modification.
[0112] Examples 45-48, Comparative Example 7
A rubber composition is prepared by using the modified natural
rubbers U-X obtained in Production Examples 21-24, respectively, according to a
compounding recipe shown in Table 7. For the comparison, a rubber
composition is prepared by using the natural rubber Y of Production Example 25
according to the same compounding recipe.



[0114] With respect to these rubber compositions is measured a Mooney
viscosity (ML1+4, 130°C). Further, the properties of a vulcanizate such as
tensile strength (MPa), loss factor (tan 5, 50° C) and wear resistance (represented
by an index on the basis that Comparative Example 7 is 100) are measured after
the rubber composition is vulcanized at 160°C for 15 minutes. The measured
results are shown in Table 8.
[0115] Moreover, the measuring method of each property is as follows.
[0116] (1) The Mooney viscosity of the rubber composition (ML1+4, 130°C)
is measured according to JIS K6300-1994.
[0117] (2) Tensile strength
A strength at break (Tb) is measured according to JIS K6301-1995.
[0118] (3) tan 6
A value of tan 6 is measured by using a viscoelasticity measuring
device (made by Rheometrix Corporation) under conditions that a temperature is
50°C, a strain is 5% and a frequency is 15 Hz. The smaller the value, the lower
the loss factor.

[0119] (4) Wear resistance
The wear resistance is evaluated by measuring a worn amount at a slip
ratio of 60% and room temperature by means of a Lambourn abrasion tester and
represented by an index on the basis that Comparative Example 7 is 100.
The larger the index value, the better the wear resistance.
[0120] Table 8

[0121] As seen from the results of Table 8, the rubber compositions
comprising the modified natural rubbers U-X of Examples 45-48 are superior in
all of the tensile strength, loss factor (tan 6) and wear resistance to the rubber
composition of Comparative Example 7.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0122] As mentioned above, the modified natural rubbers according to the
first aspect of the invention develop the effect of considerably improving the
odor reduction in the mastication and the freeze resistance in the storing while
maintaining the physical properties inherent to natural rubber as compared with
the conventional non-modified natural rubber and are excellent in the reinforcing
property and affinity to the filler such as carbon black, silica or the like as
compared with the conventional non-modified natural rubber. When such a
modified natural rubber is used to form a rubber composition containing carbon
black and/or silica, there is obtained the effect of considerably improving the loss
factor and wear resistance of the rubber composition. Further, when such a
rubber composition is applied to a tire constituting member of a pneumatic tire,
there can be produced a tire having excellent loss factor and wear resistance.
[0123] Also, the modified natural rubber latex and modified natural rubber
according to the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention are excellent in the

reinforcing property and affinity to carbon black as compared with the
conventional non-modified natural rubber. Therefore, when such a modified
natural rubber is used to form a rubber composition containing carbon black,
there is obtained the effect of considerably improving the loss factor and wear
resistance of the rubber composition.
[0124] Furthermore, the modified natural rubber latex and modified natural
rubber according to the tenth and eleventh aspects of the invention are excellent
in the reinforcing property and affinity to silica as compared with the conventional
non-modified natural rubber. Therefore, when such a modified natural
rubber is used to form a rubber composition containing silica, there is obtained
the effect of considerably improving the loss factor and wear resistance of the
rubber composition.

CLAIMS
1. A modified natural rubber characterized by graft-polymerizing natural
rubber latex with a polar group-containing monomer at a grafting ratio of 0.01-
5.0% by mass and then coagulating and drying.
2. A modified natural rubber according to claim 1, wherein the polar
group is at least one selected from the group consisting of amino group, imino
group, nitrile group, ammonium group, imido group, amido group, hydrazo group,
azo group, diazo group, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, carbonyl group, epoxy
group, oxycarbonyl group, sulfide group, disulfide group, sulfonyl group,
sulfinyl group, thiocarbonyl group, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group and
oxygen-containing heterocyclic group.
3. A method of producing a modified natural rubber, characterized in that
a polar group-containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex and grafted at
a grafting ratio of 0.01-5.0% by mass through an emulsion polymerization and
then the resulting polymer is coagulated and dried.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the polar group is at least one
selected from the group consisting of amino group, imino group, nitrile group,
ammonium group, imido group, amido group, hydrazo group, azo group, diazo
group, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, carbonyl group, epoxy group,
oxycarbonyl group, sulfide group, disulfide group, sulfonyl group, sulfinyl group,
thiocarbonyl group, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group and oxygen-
containing heterocyclic group.
5. A rubber composition comprising a modified natural rubber, which is
obtained by graft-polymerizing natural rubber latex with a polar group-
containing monomer and then coagulating and drying, and carbon black and/or
silica.
6. A rubber composition according to claim 5, wherein a grafting ratio of
the polar group-containing monomer is 0.01-5.0% by mass per the natural rubber
latex.
7. A rubber composition according to claim 6, wherein the grafting ratio
is 0.1-3.0% by mass per the natural rubber latex.
8. A rubber composition according to claim 5, wherein the polar group is
at least one selected from the group consisting of amino group, imino group,


nitrile group, ammonium group, imido group, amido group, hydrazo group, azo
group, diazo group, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, carbonyl group, epoxy
group, oxycarbonyl group, sulfide group, disulfide group, sulfonyl group,
sulfinyl group, thiocarbonyl group, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group and
oxygen-containing heterocyclic group.
9. A pneumatic tire characterized by applying a rubber composition as
claimed in claim 5 to a tire constituting member.
10. A modified natural rubber latex characterized by adding a tin-
containing monomer to natural rubber latex and graft-polymerizing them.
11. A modified natural rubber latex according to claim 10, wherein the
tin-containing monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of allyl
tri-n-butyl tin, allyl trimethyl tin, allyl triphenyl tin, allyl tri-n-octyl tin,
(meth)acryloxy n-butyl tin, (meth)acryloxy trimethyl tin, (meth)acryloxy
triphenyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-octyl tin, vinyl tri-n-butyl tin, vinyl trimethyl tin,
vinyl triphenyl tin and vinyl tri-n-octyl tin.
12. A modified natural rubber latex according to claim 10, wherein a
grafting ratio of the tin-containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by mass per a rubber
component of the natural rubber latex.
13. A modified natural rubber characterized by adding a tin-containing
monomer to natural rubber latex and graft-polymerizing them and then
coagulating and drying.
14. A modified natural rubber according to claim 13, wherein the tin-
containing monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of allyl tri-
n-butyl tin, allyl trimethyl tin, allyl triphenyl tin, allyl tri-n-octyl tin,
(meth)acryloxy n-butyl tin, (meth)acryloxy trimethyl tin, (meth)acryloxy
triphenyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-octyl tin, vinyl tri-n-butyl tin, vinyl trimethyl tin,
vinyl triphenyl tin and vinyl tri-n-octyl tin.
15. A modified natural rubber according to claim 13. wherein a grafting
ratio of the tin-containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by mass per a rubber
component of the natural rubber latex.
16. A method of producing a modified natural rubber latex, characterized
in that a tin-containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex and grafted
through an emulsion polymerization.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the tin-containing monomer
is at least one selected from the group consisting of allyl tri-n-butyl tin, allyl
trimethyl tin, allyl triphenyl tin, allyl tri-n-octyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-butyl tin,
(meth)acryloxy trimethyl tin, (meth)acryloxy triphenyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-
octyl tin, vinyl tri-n-butyl tin, vinyl trimethyl tin, vinyl triphenyl tin and vinyl tri-
n-octyl tin.
18. A method according to claim 16, wherein a grafting ratio of the tin-
containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by mass per a rubber component of the
natural rubber latex.
19. A method of producing a modified natural rubber, characterized in
that a tin-containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex and grafted
through an emulsion polymerization, and then the resulting polymer is
coagulated and dried.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the tin-containing monomer
is at least one selected from the group consisting of allyl tri-n-butyl tin, allyl
trimethyl tin, allyl triphenyl tin, allyl tri-n-octyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-butyl tin,
(meth)acryloxy trimethyl tin, (meth)acryloxy triphenyl tin, (meth)acryloxy n-
octyl tin, vinyl tri-n-butyl tin, vinyl trimethyl tin, vinyl triphenyl tin and vinyl tri-
n-octyl tin.
21. A method according to claim 19, wherein a grafting ratio of the tin-
containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by mass per a rubber component of the
natural rubber latex.
22. A rubber composition comprising a modified natural rubber as claimed
in claim 13 and carbon black.
23. A modified natural rubber latex characterized by adding an
alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer to natural rubber latex and graft-
polymerizing them.
24. A modified natural rubber latex according to claim 23, wherein a
grafting ratio of the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by
mass per a rubber component of the natural rubber latex.
25. A modified natural rubber characterized by adding an alkoxysilyl
group-containing monomer to natural rubber latex and graft-polymerizing them
and then coagulating and drying.

26. A modified natural rubber according to claim 25, wherein a grafting
ratio of the alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by mass per a
rubber component of the natural rubber latex.
27. A method of producing a modified natural rubber latex, characterized
in that an alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex
and grafted through an emulsion polymerization.
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein a grafting ratio of the
alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by mass per a rubber
component of the natural rubber latex.
29. A method of producing a modified natural rubber, characterized in
that an alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is added to natural rubber latex
and grafted through an emulsion polymerization and then the resulting polymer is
coagulated and dried.
30. A method according to claim 29, wherein a grafting ratio of the
alkoxysilyl group-containing monomer is 0.01-10.0% by mass per a rubber
component of the natural rubber latex.
31. A rubber composition comprising a modified natural rubber as
claimed in claim 25 and silica.

[Task] It is to provide a rubber composition compounded with a modified natural
rubber having excellent reinforcing property and affinity to a filler and capable of
improving a loss factor and a wear resistance.
[Means for solution] There is provided a rubber composition comprising a
modified natural rubber, which is obtained by graft-polymerizing natural rubber latex
with a polar group-containing monomer and then coagulating and drying, and carbon
black or silica.

Documents:

2349-KOLNP-2005-FORM-27.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-abstract.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-claims.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-correspondence.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-description (complete).pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-examination report.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 1.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 18.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 2.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 26.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 3.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 5.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-priority document.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

2349-kolnp-2005-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 226759
Indian Patent Application Number 2349/KOLNP/2005
PG Journal Number 52/2008
Publication Date 26-Dec-2008
Grant Date 24-Dec-2008
Date of Filing 23-Nov-2005
Name of Patentee BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
Applicant Address 10-1, KYOBASHI 1-CHOME, CHUO-KU, TOKYO
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 KONDO, HAJIME C/O BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, TECHNICAL CENTER, 3-1-1, OGAWAHIGASHI-CHO, KODAIRA-SHI, TOKYO, 1878531
PCT International Classification Number C08F 253/00
PCT International Application Number PCT/JP2004/008014
PCT International Filing date 2004-06-02
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 2003-156545 2003-06-02 Japan
2 2003-156,533 2003-06-02 Japan
3 2003-156,579 2003-06-02 Japan
4 2003-156,588 2003-06-02 Japan