Abstract: Various fabrication properties of polyvinyl chloride are improved such as melt flow by treating the polyvinyl chloride resin with a low inherent viscosity-high glass transition temperature enhancing agent. The treatment occurs as a suspension or mass overpolymerization on the polyvinyl chloride resin by reacting at least one high glass transition temperature enhancing agent with at least one chain transfer agent. The formed high glass transition temperature-low inherent viscosity agent imparts a high glass transition temperature to the polyvinyl chloride resin and also reduces the inherent viscosity to a level below the inherent viscosity formed by the combined effect of the polyvinyl chloride resin and the glass transition temperature agent.

Abstract: Flexible elastomers are provided having a Shore A hardness of less than or equal to about 95. In one embodiment, the elastomers are blends of an overpolymer and/or graft polymer with a plasticizer or blending agent. In another embodiment, the overpolymers are flexible without the need for a plasticizer or blending agent. These overpolymers have an ethylene copolymer substrate overpolymerized with a vinyl chloride type monomer and optionally a comonomer, including an acrylate comonomer. The elastomers are distinguished by the Shore A values and in some instances by haze values of less than or equal to about 50 percent.

Abstract: Flexible blend compositions are provided having a Shore A hardness of less than or equal to about 90. The compositions are blends of an overpolymer and/or graft polymer with a plasticizer or blending agent. The overpolymer has an ethylene copolymer substrate overpolymerized with a vinyl chloride type monomer or comonomer and optionally including an acrylate comonomer. The compositions are distinguished by an absence of shrinkage in hot oil. The compositions generally tend to swell in hot oil.

Abstract: Polyvinyl chloride resins are treated with a low inherent viscosity-high glass transition temperature enhancing agent to impart improved processing properties thereto, especially melt flow, which are desirable in various melt type fabrication processes such as custom injection molding. The high glass transition temperature-inherent viscosity enhancing agent is made by polymerizing one or more high glass transition temperature agent forming monomers in the presence of a chain transfer agent. The agent has a high glass transition temperature as well as a low inherent viscosity. The high glass transition temperature-inherent viscosity enhancing agent is produced as an overpolymer in a mass polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Polymer blends of a halogen-containing polymer and a carboxyl-containing polymer are covulcanized using as the cure system (1) a metal oxy compound and (2) a quaternary ammonium salt or a monofunctional tertiary amine. The vulcanizates exhibit excellent physical properties, and are useful in fabricating hose, belting, gaskets, o-rings, and the like.