Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomers having improved processability are prepared by incorporating one or more organic sulfate or sulfonate salts into blends of thermoplastic polymers and olefinic rubber and melt processing the mixture. The rubber component of the mixture is preferably at least partially cured.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of gas hydrates in a petroleum fluid having hydrate-forming constituents is claimed. More specifically, the method can be used to treat a petroleum fluid, such as natural gas conveyed in a pipe, to inhibit the formation of a hydrate flow restriction in the pipe. The hydrate inhibitors used for practicing the method comprise substantially water soluble homopolymers and copolymers of surfactant monomers, wherein the surfactant monomer unit may be represented by the formula: where R1 and R2 independently are hydrogen or a methyl group, M is a metal cation, n is a number sufficient to produce a number average molecular weight between 1000 and 6,000,000, and o is a number from 1 to 5.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising units of an unsaturated dicarboxylic monomer and an ethylene .alpha.-olefin macromer is disclosed. The macromer is an unsaturated ethylene .alpha.-olefin polymer comprising units of from ethylene and at least one .alpha.-olefin represented by the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR.sup.a, wherein R.sup.a is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 linear alkyl group or a C.sub.3 to C.sub.18 branched alkyl group; the ethylene .alpha.-olefin polymer has a number average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 100,000; and at least about 30% of the unsaturation in the ethylene .alpha.-olefin polymer is terminal vinylidene. The copolymer has a carbon-carbon backbone and contains succinic groups and hydrocarbyl groups. The copolymer can be derivatized by reaction with nucleophilic reactants including monoamines, polyamines, monoalcohols, polyols, amino alcohols, reactant metal compounds and mixtures thereof. The derivatized copolymers can be post-treated (e.g., borated) with one or more post-treating agents (e.g.

Abstract: Graft copolymers having cationic units pendant to the backbone chain are disclosed. These polymers are prepared by reacting a polymer containing halogenated paramethylstyrene units in the chain, e.g., a brominated copolymer of isobutylene and para-methylstyrene, with an anionically polymerized polymer made using an organolithium initiator compound having the formula R.sub.1 R.sub.2 Z R.sub.3 --Li where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl radicals, R.sub.3 is a direct link or an organic radical and Z is nitrogen or phosphorous. Reaction of the anionically polymerized polymer having an R.sub.1 R.sub.2 Z R.sub.3 --end group with the halogenated polymer leads to graft polymers coupled by a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a latex comprising water and a layered material intercalated with a polymer. The invention also relates to a nanocomposite material comprising a layered material intercalated with a polymer. The latex can be produced by forming a dispersion of layered material in water, adding surfactant, polymerizable monomer or monomers, and a polymerization initiator to the mixture and then polymerizing the monomer to form a latex. The latex can also be formed from preformed polymers. Composite materials formed from latexes produced by either method have improved mechanical properties and reduced air permeability.

Abstract: This invention provides for novel road paving binder compositions and the method of making them. One embodiment is a road paving binder composition of a storage stable blend of a sulfonated, unhydrogenated random copolymer of styrene and butadiene having a sulfonation level of from 1 to 100 meq S0.sub.3 H/100 g of polymer and a sulfonated asphalt. Another is a method of making a storage stable polymer modified asphalt composition by combining a sulfonated unhydrogenated random styrene butadiene copolymer having a sulfonation level of from about 1 to 100 meq S0.sub.3 H per 100 g of polymer and a sulfonated asphalt at a temperature of at least about 180.degree. C. to produce a storage stable polymer modified asphalt. Yet another is a method of making a storage stable polymer modified asphalt by combining a sulfonated unhydrogenated random styrene and butadiene copolymer having a sulfonation level of from about 1 to 100 meq S0.sub.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a coated breaker chemical in which the coating comprises a blend of a neutralized sulfonated ionomer and asphalt. Preferably, the coating contains from about 1 to 20 wt. % asphalt and from 99 to 80 wt. % of the neutralized sulfonated ionomer. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coating contains about 7 wt. % asphalt and about 93 wt. % of the neutralized sulfonated ionomer.

Abstract: There is provided a coated agricultural substrate in which the coating comprises a blend of a neutralized sulfonated ionomer and asphalt. Preferably, the coating contains from about 1 to 20 wt. % asphalt and from 99 to 80 wt. % of the neutralized sulfonated ionomer. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coating contains about 7 wt. % asphalt and about 93 wt. % of the neutralized sulfonated ionomer.

Abstract: Disclosed in this invention are novel road paving binder compositions and the method of making same. The compositions are made by combining an asphalt that contains sulfonate or sulfonic acid groups, a polymer preferably of butyl rubbers, styrene-butadiene linear diblock polymer, styrene-butadiene-styrene linear or radial triblock polymer and EPDM that has been sulfonated, and mixtures thereof, and a basic neutralizing agent that contains cations having a valence from +1 to +3. The amounts of each are effective to allow formation of one continuous phase or two interdispersed phases that do not segregate on standing at elevated temperatures associated with road paving. The amount of polymer is an amount less than 7 wt. % of total polymer-asphalt composition that is sufficient to produce an asphaltic composition having a viscosity at 135.degree. C. in the range of from about 150 cPs to about 2000 cPs or from about 3000 cPs to about 8000 cPs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastic reinforced elastomeric blend compositions which exhibit improved tensile strengths, wherein the elastomeric blend compositions comprises a blend of a metal neutralized sulfonated polymer with about 1 to about 40 weight percent of a metal neutralized copolymer of ethylene and methacrylate.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric compositions comprising unhydrogenated or substantially unhydrogenated sulfonated copolymers of (poly)styrene and a (poly)conjugated diene, e.g., (poly)butadiene or (poly)isoprene, preferably (poly)butadiene containing less than about 1.0 wt. %, preferably less than about 0.8 wt. % sulfur, preferably from about 0.2 to about 0.7, more preferably from about 0.22 to about 0.6 wt. % sulfur, as well as base-neutralized products thereof. The invention includes the polymeric compositions produced by the process of sulfonating unhydrogenated copolymers of (poly)styrene and a conjugated diene, e.g., (poly)butadiene or (poly)isoprene, preferably (poly)butadiene, which process optionally includes base neutralizing the sulfonated copolymer. This invention further relates to the process for making these novel copolymers comprising combining an unhydrogenated or substantially unhydrogenated copolymer of (poly)styrene and a conjugated diene, e.g.

Abstract: A water soluble polymer which is characterized by the formula: ##STR1## wherein x is 50 mole percent or 662/3 mole percent or 75 mole percent and y+z is 50 mole percent, when x is 50 mole percent, y+z is 331/3 mole percent, when x is 662/3 mole percent, and y+z is 25 mole percent, when x is 75 mole percent, wherein the molar ratio of y to z is about 100:1 to 1:100, and M.sup.+ is hydrogen or a metal cation selected from the group consisting of lead, aluminum, iron and Groups IA, IIA, IB and IIB of the Periodic Table of Elements and the level of sulfonation based upon the styrene monomer is about 75 to about 100 mole percent, and R is an alkyl group having about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A water soluble and brine soluble rod-like polymer having recurring any units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is a 2 to 22 straight chained or branched chained alkyl or cycloalkyl group and the level of sulfonation is about 20 to about 100 mole %, and M is a tertiary amine or a metal cation selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, lead, Groups IA, IIA, IB and IIB of the Periodic Table of Elements.

Abstract: The synthesis of a novel family of cationic monomers capable of forming viscoelastic fluids are described within. These monomers are formed primarily through the reaction of allyl halides and dimethyl alkylamines. The rheological properties of the fluids can be dramatically modified with changes in alkyl length and/or counterion structure. In addition, it is noted that these viscoelastic fluids have properties quite similar to conventional polymer solutions even though the former structures are held together through physical forces and not through chemical bonding as in the latter materials. In addition, the properties of this unique family of cationic monomers are capable of forming viscoelastic fluids in high brine solutions. Even though the counterion attached to the monomer contributes greatly to the rheological properties, addition of soluble acid, bases and salts do not destroy (through ion exchange mechanisms) the viscoelastic properties of these fluids.

Abstract: A novel family of cationic monomers and copolymers containing an alkyl moiety of variable carbon length can be prepared. The cationic-type copolymers are formed through conventional synthesis techniques and the solutions formed with these materials possess rheological properties markedly different than conventional cationic polyelectrolytes.

Abstract: Intramolecular polymer complexes synthesized from acrylamide, sodium styrene sulfonate, and methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, having viscosity-polymer concentration relationships that are invarient with the addition of high levels of acid, base, or salt to the fresh water system. These complexes possess a "balance" between conventional polyelectrolyte and polyampholyte behavior.

Abstract: The synthesis of a novel family of cationic monomers capable of forming viscoelastic fluids are described within. These monomers are formed primarily through the reaction of allyl halides and dimethyl alkylamines. The rheological properties of the fluids can be dramatically modified with changes in alkyl length and/or counterion structure. In addition, it is noted that these viscoelastic fluids have properties quite similar to conventional polymer solutions even though the former structures are held together through physical forces and not through chemical bonding as in the latter materials. In addition, the properties of this unique family of cationic monomers are capable of forming viscoelastic fluids in high brine solutions. Even though the counterion attached to the monomer contributes greatly to the rheological properties, addition of soluble acid, bases and salts do not destroy (through ion exchange mechanisms) the viscoelastic properties of these fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to elastomeric reinforced thermoplastic blend compositions which exhibit improved mechanical properties, wherein the thermoplastic blend compositions comprise a blend of a metal neutralized copolymer of ethylene and methacrylate with about 1 to about 40 weight percent of a metal neutralized EPDM terpolymer.

Abstract: A solution comprising(a) water; and(b) about 0.01 to about 10 weight % of a water soluble polymerizable monomer characterized by the formula ##STR1## wherein n is a 6-22 straight chained or branched chained alkyl or cycloalkyl group and the ration of t to s is about 1/5 to 5/1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the viscosification of an aqueous liquid which includes the steps of forming a solvent system of an organic liquid or oil and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 weight percent of the solvent system, a viscosity of the solvent system being less than about 1,000 cps; forming an interpolymer complex of neutralized sulfonated polymer (water insoluble) and copolymer of styrene/vinylpyridine in the solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of the water insoluble interpolymer complex polymer in the solution being about 0.01 to about 0.5 weight percent, a viscosity of the solution being less than about 200 cps; and admixing or contacting said solution with about 5 to about 500 volume percent water, the water being immiscible with the organic liquid and the polar cosolvent and interpolymer complex transferring from the organic liquid to the water phase, thereby causing the water phase to gel (i.e., thicken).