Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: A novel solvent-free, hot melt adhesive composition suitable for bonding a polar leather layer to a non-polar substrate is claimed. The composition comprises a block copolymer having at least one mono alkenyl arene polymer block and at least one controlled distribution copolymer block of at least one conjugated diene and at least one mono alkenyl arene, a hydrogenated tackifying resin, a resin compatible with the mono alkenyl arene blocks, optionally a functionalized poly(alkylene) resin, and stabilizers and/or auxiliaries. A process for bonding a polar leather layer to a non-polar substrate by application of the novel solvent-free, hot melt adhesive composition is also provided.

Abstract: Lithium-terminated polymers of one or more conjugated dienes and of one or more mono alkenyl arenes are coupled by reaction with an alkoxy silane coupling agent having the formula Rx—Si—(OR?)y, where x is 0 or 1, x+y=4, R and R? are the same or different, R is selected from aryl hydrocarbon radicals, linear alkyl hydrocarbon radicals and branched alkyl hydrocarbon radicals, and R? is selected from linear and branched alkyl hydrocarbon radicals, such that the resulting polymer composition contains less than about ten weight percent of uncoupled polymer diblock. The polymer compositions are subsequently selectively hydrogenated, and are useful in a variety of compounds and end use applications.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel tetrablock copolymer having the general configuration of A1-B1-A2-B2, where the A1 and A2 blocks are mono alkenyl arene and the B1 and B2 blocks are blocks of hydrogenated butadiene, having a 1,2-vinyl content of between 25% and 60%. The blocks have well defined molecular weight ranges, resulting in a polymer having a unique set of property advantages. Also disclosed are elastomeric compositions containing the linear hydrogenated block copolymer, a styrene polymer, an ethylene polymer and a tackifying resin. These elastomeric compositions have particular utility in injection molded parts and in extruded parts such as extruded films and fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is a polymer modified bituminous composition having improved phase stability, heat aging and viscosity characteristics. The bituminous compositions are blends comprising bitumen and from about 0.5 to about 25% of a novel anionic block copolymer where one of the blocks is a controlled distribution copolymer of a conjugated diene and a mono-alkenyl arene having a specific arrangement of the monomers in the copolymer block. The composition of the invention is useful for paving, roofing felts, water-proof membrane, adhesive, mopping asphalt, carpet backing and pipe coating applications.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polyurethanes are formed from a hydrogenated polydiene diol having from 1.6 to 2 terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule and a number average molecular weight between 500 and 20,000, an isocyanate having two isocyanate groups per molecule, and optionally a chain extender having two hydroxyl groups per molecule. The thermoplastic polyurethanes have excellent resistance to moisture as evidenced by retention of more than 70%, preferably at least 85%, of original tensile strength after aging in water for 7 days at a temperature of at least 70.degree. C. Preparation by a prepolymer method with subsequent addition of the chain extender is preferred.

Abstract: Star polymers of isoprene or butadiene having terminal hydroxyl groups have reduced viscosity when the hydroxyl groups are located on polymeric arms that are grown from the core of the star molecules. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, and binders.

Abstract: The present invention includes star polymers which can be used as viscosity index improvers in oil compositions formulated for high performance engines. The star polymers have triblock copolymer arms of hydrogenated polyisoprene-polybutadiene-polyisoprene, which provide excellent low temperature performance in lubricating oils, and can be used in the presence of low pour point depressant concentrations.

Abstract: The present invention is the synthesis of star polymers containing polyisobutylene (PIB) via the arm-first, core-last method. These polymers are superior in properties to known hydrogenated polyisoprene star-branched polymers due to their inherent lack of unsaturation.

Abstract: A crosslinkable low viscosity short arm star polymer blend made by anionically polymerizing a conjugated diene and, optionally, a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon to form living polymer arms and coupling said arms with a coupling agent for star polymers and blending said star polymer with a compatible organic liquid such that the amount of organic liquid in the blend ranges from 5 to 50 percent by weight. A preferred embodiment is an epoxidized version which is selectively epoxidized at the exterior sections of the polymer to enhance the crosslinkability of the polymer.

Abstract: An epoxidized diene star polymer having greater than 4 arms and comprising from 0.05 to 5 Meq of di-, tri- and tetra-substituted olefinic epoxides and the molecular weights of the arms are from 1,500 to 15,000.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70% Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70%. Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70% Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.