Abstract: Disclosed is a process for hydrogenating a block copolymer comprising admixing a block copolymer cement with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst wherein the heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst is a metal catalyst on a porous alumina support, the porous alumina support having the properties: (a) from about 40 to about 60 percent of the pore volume of the support have a diameter greater than 1000 nm; (b) from about 50 to about 70 percent of the pore volume of the support have a diameter greater than 100 nm; and (c) the support has a multi-modal pore structure with from about 5 to about 20 percent of the total pore volume of the porous alumina support being within a pore mode having a diameter in the range of from about 3000 nm to about 5000 nm. It is also disclosed that alumina can be used to remove a polymerization catalyst, such as Lithium, from a block copolymer cement.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: The present invention provides block copolymers which have reduced solvent sensitivity and which overcome the foregoing disadvantages. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an asymmetric block copolymer of the structure A-B-C-A wherein each A block is formed of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, preferably styrene, and has a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 50,000. B is a polybutadiene block having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 15,000 and a vinyl content of less than 25% by weight, and C is an elastomeric conjugated diene polymer block having a weight average molecular weight of 25,000 to 200,000 and has a vinyl content of 30 to 90%, preferably 35 to 80%, and most preferably 35 to 70% by weight. In the second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hydrogenated block copolymer of the formula A-B-C-B-A wherein A, B, and C have the definitions set forth above.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: The present invention provides organic polymers and compounds containing such polymers which have enhanced melt processing characteristics. A composition of the present invention includes at least one organic polymer and from 0.1 percent by weight to 5 percent by weight of a diblock copolymer of polystyrene and a polysiloxane or polyethylene and a polysiloxane. The overall weight average molecular weight of the diblock copolymer ranges from 500 to 50,000. The polysiloxane content of the block copolymer is from 20 to 90 percent by weight. The organic polymer incorporating the above-described melt processing aid can be incorporated into a compound of the organic polymer and another polymer and/or an oil and/or a filler material. Preferably, the composition includes two different organic polymers, especially including a block copolymer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a “hook” for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: This invention relates to anionically polymerized block copolymers comprised of at least one block of polyethylene and at least one block of a polymerized cyclic siloxane monomer wherein said cyclic siloxane monomer contains at least one functional group containing a fluorocarbon substituent, e.g., 2,4,6-tris(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)-1,3,5-trimethylcyclotrisiloxane. The fluoro-functionality may instead be introduced into the polymer by using said siloxane monomer to end cap the polymer. These copolymers can be used in extruded release coating films prepared by blending the copolymer with a film grade polymer. They can also be used to modify surface adhesion, promote flow in polymer processing or coat a polymeric surface to impart properties such as a barrier to water vapor transmission, or solvent resistance.

Abstract: This invention is a solventless process for anionically polymerizing polysiloxane polymers. No volatile hydrocarbon solvent is used. A cyclic siloxane monomer and any comonomer are introduced into a molten polymer phase of a low molecular weight polymer that has a melting point within the polymerization temperature range for the cyclic siloxanes and the comonomer, for example, 30 to 80° C. which is the melting point range for polyethylene wax which is preferred. A non-volatile hydrocarbon oil with a melting point in this range may also be used, especially if a final polymer containing oil is desired. The cyclic siloxane monomer is anionically polymerized in the molten polymer phase or the oil at 30 to 150° C. Ethylene and styrene are preferred comonomers. The low molecular polymer or non-volatile oil is not separated from the polysiloxane after termination of the polymerization.

Abstract: A method for producing a saturated siloxane polymer is provided. In one aspect, the method comprises hydrogenating an aromatic siloxane monomer by contacting it with hydrogen in a temperature of 100° C. to 200° C. and a hydrogen pressure of 1000 to 2000 psi for 1 to 6 hours in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a hydrogenated siloxane monomer, and anionically polymerizing the hydrogenated siloxane monomer.

Abstract: This invention is a silicone oil gel composition which is comprised of a silicone block copolymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene-polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers and polystyrene-polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers wherein the overall number average molecular weight is from 2000 to 251,000, the polystyrene content (PSC) is 40% or less by weight, the polystyrene block number average molecular weight is from 1000 to 30,000, and the polyethylene number average block molecular weight is from 1000 to 20,000, the polydimethylsiloxane number average molecular weight is from 1000 to 250,000, wherein the block copolymer is dissolved in a silicone oil which is a cyclic or linear siloxane monomer. Preferred siloxane monomers for use herein are (Me2SiO)3, (Me2SiO)4, and (Me2SiO)5.

Abstract: A silicone oil gel composition which is comprised of a polysiloxane block copolymer which has at least two blocks of polystyrene, polyethylene, and hydrogenated polyisoprene wherein the overall number average molecular weight is from 1000 to 50,000, the polystyrene content is 15% or less by weight, the polystyrene block weight average molecular weight is from 0 to 10,000, the polyethylene block number average molecular weight is from 0 to 10,000, the hydrogenated polyisoprene block number average molecular weight is from 0 to 10,000, the polysiloxane block number average molecular weight is from 1000 to 49,000, wherein the block copolymer is dissolved in a silicone oil which is a hydrogenated silicone oil.

Abstract: This invention is a silicone oil gel composition which is comprised of a silicone block copolymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene-polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers and polyethylene-polydimethylsiloxane-polydiphenylsiloxane block copolymers wherein the overall number average molecular weight ranges from 1000 to 21,000, preferably 1000 to 6000. The polyethylene blocks have a number average molecular weight of 400 to 3000, preferably 400 to 1500, the polydimethylsiloxane blocks have a number average molecular weight of 600 to 20,000, preferably 600 to 10,000, and the polydiphenylsiloxane blocks have a number average molecular weight of 200 to 2000, preferably 600 to 1200, wherein the block copolymer is dissolved in a silicone oil which is a polydimethylsiloxane polymer having a number average molecular weight of from 1000 to 1,000,000, preferably 4000 to 30,000.

Abstract: The present invention is a freeze-dried polystyrene-polysiloxane foam having a density of 0.05 to 0.8 grams per cubic centimeter and a void volume of 20 to 99 percent. These foams exhibit good compressibility and rebound and are useful in insulation and sound-deadening applications.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer produced without a hydrogenation step is functionalized utilizing a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation. The base polymers can be produced by copolymerizing an .alpha.-olefin capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer which provides a "hook" for grafting to with a living polystyrene chain. Another method is to copolymerize an .alpha.-olefin monomer system capable of producing an amorphous backbone with a comonomer containing a functional group from which an anionically polymerizable monomer is grown from the backbone. A third method involves copolymerizing an .alpha.-olefin monomer system capable of giving an amorphous backbone with an olefin-terminated polystyrene comonomer. In a less preferred embodiment, a conventional EPDM polymer can be metallated and a monoalkenyl aromatic compound anionically polymerizable monomer grown from the backbone.

Abstract: In the production of "inside-out" star polymers where a first polymer lithium chain is formed, coupled and thereafter additional monomer is introduced to produce the "out" polymer chains, improved control over the second polymerization is obtained by coupling with a mixture of a monoalkenyl-substituted aromatic compound and a polyalkenyl-substituted aromatic compound. For example, a mixture of divinylbenzene and styrene can be used. In another embodiment, an ether is introduced after completion of the first polymer chain formation. The presence of the ether also improves the second stage chain formation. Utilization of both the mixed coupling agents and the ether, preferably a diether such as 1,2-diethoxyethane gives the greatest control over the uniformity of the second stage polymerization, making possible the production of narrower molecular weight distribution polymer having no indication of bimodal distribution. The narrow molecular weight distribution is advantageous in many applications.

Abstract: A method of producing graft block copolymers which comprises (a) grafting a halosilane of the formulaHSiX.sub.n R.sub.3-nwherein X is halogen, R is alkyl or aryl, and n=1-3, onto a .alpha.-olefin/diene copolymer made from at least one .alpha.-olefin and at least one diene, (b) anionically polymerizing at least one anionically polymerizable monomer to form living polymer chains, and (c) reacting the products of (a) and (b) together wherein the living polymer chains react with the halosilane groups on the .alpha.-olefin/diene copolymer and are added thereto as pendant side chains.

Abstract: Random copolymers of a conjugated diene and at least 50% by weight of a vinyl aromatic compound are prepared by slowly reacting the monomers in a non-polar solvent in the presence of a chelating modifier such as ethylene glycol diethyl ether which results in at least 50% 1,2-polymerization of the conjugated diene.

Abstract: The invention described herein is an asymmetric radial block copolymer having at least one set of arms formed of at least one polymer block of at least one vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and/or at least one polymer block formed of at least one conjugated diene and at least one set of arms formed of at least one polymer block of at least one acrylic monomer.