Abstract: Disclosed is an excellent gas barrier laminate whose gas-barrier property has little dependency on temperature and which hardly causes fracture even when the laminate is stretched. A gas barrier film comprising a polymer (A) of an unsaturated carboxylic acid compound monovalent metal salt (a), wherein the polymer (A) contains a modified vinyl alcohol polymer (B); a gas barrier laminate comprising a base layer and the gas barrier film formed on at least one surface of the base layer; and a method for production of a gas barrier laminate comprising the steps of: coating a solution of an unsaturated carboxylic acid compound monovalent metal salt (a) having a polymerization degree less than 20 on at least one surface of a base layer, wherein the solution contains a modified vinyl alcohol polymer (B); performing the polymerizaton to form a layer of the polymer (A) of the unsaturated carboxylic acid compound monovalent metal salt (a) containing the modified vinyl alcohol polymer (B).

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing polymers bearing a terminal propionic acid. The method involves first reacting a water soluble and non-peptidic polymer comprising at least one hydroxyl group with a tertiary alkyl acrylate in the presence of a catalyst to form a propionic acid ester of the polymer, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 Da; and then treating the propionic acid ester of the polymer with a strong acid to form a propionic acid of the polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber which is excellent in electrolyte absorption and retentivity and oxidation resistance and is suitable for use as a separator for alkaline secondary batteries. The invention is an ethylene/vinyl alcohol-derived copolymer fiber comprising an ethylene/vinyl alcohol-derived copolymer (A) having the following structural unit (1): (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group; X represents a bonding chain other than ether bond; n represents 0 or 1; and R2 to R4 each represent a hydrogen atom or an organic group).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a new acetoacetic ester group-containing polyvinyl alcohol-based resin that contains less amount of water-insoluble matter and is excellent in transparency and viscosity stability when converted into an aqueous solution, and that realizes excellent water resistance by combined use of a crosslinking agent. The invention provides an acetoacetic ester group-containing polyvinyl alcohol-based resin containing a structural unit represented by the general formula (1): wherein at least one of R1 and R2 represents an acetoacetyl group, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 each independently represents an arbitrary substituent, and X represents a single bond or an arbitrary bonding chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane useful for water purification comprising a porous base membrane and a hydrophilic coating disposed on the porous base membrane. The hydrophilic coating comprises structural units derived from a hydrophilic polymer and structural units derived from a first electron beam reactive group, and structural units derived from a second electron beam reactive group. The hydrophilic polymer has a number average molecular weight of greater than 2500 Daltons and comprises at least two electron beam reactive groups having different structures. The hydrophilic coating is covalently bound to the porous base membrane through structural units derived from the electron beam reactive groups. Also disclosed are processes for forming and employing the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modifying acetylized polyvinyl alcohols by reacting the same with epoxides in the polymer melt. Also disclosed is the use of said products in ceramic applications, for example.

Abstract: A composition includes a coupling agent composition and a polymer precursor. The coupling agent composition includes an aromatic amine and a first cycloolefin substituted with at least one epoxy group. The polymer precursor includes a second cycloolefin. The coupling agent composition is capable of bonding to a filler having a corresponding binding site and the coupling agent composition is compatible with a metathesis catalyst capable of catalyzing a ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction when contacted to the first cycloolefin or the second cycloolefin. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A composition includes a first cycloolefin substituted with at least one epoxy group and an aromatic amine. The composition is capable of bonding to a filler having a corresponding binding site. The composition is compatible with a metathesis catalyst capable of catalyzing a ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction when contacted to the first cycloolefin. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous emulsion having excellent polymerization stability and standing stability and a redispersible powder. Specifically, the present invention relates to an aqueous emulsion of a polymer obtained by polymerizing an acrylic monomer in the presence of a polyvinyl alcohol containing an acetoacetic ester group; wherein the polyvinyl alcohol containing an acetoacetic ester group has block character [?] of 0.3 to 0.6, hydrolysis degree of at least 97% by mol and acetoacetic esterification degree of 0.01 to 1.5% by mol, and the value obtained by dividing the maximum value by the minimum value of the respective average acetoacetic esterification degree for each of the polyvinyl alcohol containing an acetoacetic ester group separated by particle size of 44 to 74, 74 to 105, 105 to 177, 177 to 297, 297 to 500 and 500 to 1680 ?m is 1.0 to 3.0. Also, the present invention relates to a redispersible fiber obtained by drying the aqueous emulsion.

Abstract: A resin composition is provided which comprises from 50 to 95% by weight of a modified ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (C) obtained by reacting an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A) with a monovalent epoxy compound (B) having a molecular weight of 500 or less, and from 5 to 50% by weight of a soft resin (F) that has at least one functional group able to react with a hydroxyl group and has a Young's modulus at 23° C., 50% RH of 500 MPa or less, wherein the soft resin (F) is dispersed with an average particle diameter of 0.1 ?m or less in a matrix of the modified ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (C). This resin composition is excellent in barrier properties and also in flex resistance and impact resistance at low temperature.

Abstract: Silane-modified polyvinyl alcohols are obtained by treating vinyl alcohol polymers with one or more ethylenically unsaturated, silane-containing monomers at elevated temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel graft polymer that has excellent proton conductivity, is capable of regulating hydrogen permeability, methanol permeability, and the like, and can serve as a starting material for a polymer electrolyte membrane, which facilitates moisture balance control and efficient operation of a fuel cell. A polymer electrolyte membrane composed of such graft polymer is also provided. This graft polymer comprises a main chain comprising a hydroxyl group-containing polymer and a graft chain comprising a polymer containing a sulfonic acid group-containing monomer.

Abstract: A copolymer comprises a first monomer including a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group linked to the hydrophilic group, and a second monomer polymerized to the first monomer. The hydrophobic group is oil-repellant. A receding contact angle of a low surface energy fluid on the copolymer is greater than an advancing contact angle of a high surface energy fluid on the copolymer.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin which exhibits excellent storage stability, affinity, miscibility, or solubility with respect to a variety of compounds, and high sensitivity can be solidified even under hydrous conditions as well as exhibiting high cure-related sensitivity and high flexibility and being uniformly solidified even under highly hydrous conditions, a photosensitive resin composition containing the resin, and a novel compound. The photosensitive resin is a saponified poly(vinyl acetate)-based photosensitive resin having a structural unit represented by formula (1): (wherein R1 represents H or Me; R2 represents a linear or branched C2-C10 alkylene group; n is an integer of 1 to 3; X represents m is an integer of 0 to 6; and Y represents an aromatic ring or a single bond).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a first generation polymer comprising a step which consists in free radical polymerization of a composition comprising: at least an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a source of free radicals, at least a dithiophosphoroester compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels having advantageous physical properties, and covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions made by such methods, as well as articles of manufacture comprising such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions. The physical properties of the produced hydrogels can be adjusted by varying controlled parameters such as the proportion of physical associations, the concentration of polymer and the amount of radiation applied. Such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels can be made translucent, preferably transparent, or opaque depending on the processing conditions. The stability of the physical properties of the produced vinyl polymer hydrogel can be enhanced by controlling the amount of covalent crosslinks.

Abstract: A medical device with a hydrophilic and lubricious coating, wherein the coating includes a hydrophilic polymeric unit layer deposited on the medical device and cross-linked with a plasma deposited double bond monomer. The hydrophilic polymeric unit can include ethylene oxide with one or more primary or secondary alcohol groups or glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, and the double bond monomer includes monomers containing at least one double bond, preferably a C?C, C?N or C?O bond, including N-trimethylsilyl-allylamine, ethylene, propylene and allyl alcohol.

Abstract: A dispersing agent suitable for suspension polymerization of vinyl compounds, comprising a polyvinyl alcohol resin containing carbonyl groups in its molecule and having a block character of remaining fatty acid ester groups of at least 0.5 and an absorbance of at least 0.1 measured at each of wavelengths of 215 nm, 280 nm and 320 nm with respect to a 0.1% by weight aqueous solution of the polyvinyl alcohol resin, wherein the ratio of absorbance at 320 nm to absorbance at 280 nm is at least 0.3. The dispersing agent has an excellent surface activity and can suppress foaming which may occur in the suspension polymerization of vinyl compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the heat-resistant of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), the method is characterized by using a mixture of acetic acid, magnesium dihydrogen phosphate, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate at a certain ratio as an acid-treating solution in the acid-treating procedure of a process for preparing EVOH. The EVOH produced by the method of the present invention exhibits an excellent heat-resistance and does not become yellowing attributed to the elevated processing temperature. Also, the EVOH generated by the method of the present invention exhibits a uniform heat-resistance since the additives are dispersed evenly in the EVOH.

Abstract: The invention is a film of a vinyl alcohol polymer that contains from 0.01 to 20 mol % of cationic group-containing units and contains from 0.5 to 24 mol % of ?-olefin units having at most 4 carbon atoms. The polyvinyl alcohol film gives polarizing films and polarizer which are resistant to water and have good polarizing properties and which are free from a problem of irregular coloration.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for formation of a preformed stabilizer for use in formation of graft polyols. The preformed stabilizer has a reduced level of transesterification products and results in less reactor fouling. The preformed stabilizer is prepared in the presence of phosphorous compounds, which reduces the unwanted transesterification products.

Abstract: Functionalized propylene polymer compositions useful as coupling/compatibilizing agents are provided. The compositions are a mixture of two different functionalized propylene polymers. Polypropylene composites containing fillers and/or non-compatible resins and formulated using the mixed functionalized coupling/compatibilizing agents are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymers obtainable by free-radical polymerization of a) 80 to 20% by weight of hydroxy-C1–C6-alkyl (meth)acrylate and, where appropriate, one or more compounds of the formula (A) or (B) with R1=H, C1–C6-alkyl, R2=H, CH3 R3=C1–C24-alkyl or mixtures thereof in the presence of b) 20 to 80% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and c) where appropriate 0 to 20% by weight of other polymerizable compounds (C), a process for their preparation, and their use as coating agent, binder and/or film-forming excipient in pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Abstract: The invention is a film of a vinyl alcohol polymer that contains from 0.01 to 20 mol % of cationic group-containing units and contains from 0.5 to 24 mol % of ?-olefin units having at most 4 carbon atoms. The polyvinyl alcohol film gives polarizing films and polarizer which are resistant to water and have good polarizing properties and which are free from a problem of irregular coloration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a partially cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, obtained by reacting a polyvinyl alcohol with a polycarboxylic acid, in particular a hydroxypolycarboxylic acid. The partially cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol can be used to produce foils, which have a good water-solubility or water-swelling capacity. Due to this property, such foils can be used as packing material for detergents, cosmetics and the like. According to the invention, the packing dissolves in water, releases its contents or is suitable for releasing (permeation) chemical compounds or agents.

Abstract: The present invention discloses water-soluble compositions comprising a blend of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(vinyl alcohol) that have improved ductility over water-soluble compositions comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) alone. In one desirable embodiment of the present invention, the poly(ethylene oxide) component of the blend is grafted. Grafted poly(ethylene oxide) resins have improved processability and improved blend compatibility with poly(vinyl alcohol). Films comprising a melt blend of poly(vinyl alcohol) and grafted poly(ethylene oxide) have improved melt processability as well as other improved properties. Films comprising compositions of the present invention have improved ductility over films comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) alone while retaining much of the high strength and water solubility exhibited by such poly(vinyl alcohol) films.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble film which comprises a modified polyvinyl alcohol containing an N-vinylamide monomer unit in an amount of 1 to 10 mole percent, and a carboxyl group and a lactone group in a total amount of 0.020 to 4.0 mole percent in the molecule, and having a degree of polymerization of 300 to 3000, and a degree of hydrolysis of 75 to 99.5 mole percent. Further, the present invention provides a package obtained by packaging an acidic substance, a chlorine-containing compound, or the like using the water-soluble film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crosslinked polymers, synthesized through ring-opening polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated epoxides, in combination with &agr;-hydroxy acids using a hydrophilic macroinitiator, such as poly(ethylene glycol), to form substituted copolymers having ethylenically unsaturated functionality randomly distributed along the polyester polymer backbone. That copolymer is subsequently crosslinked to form a hydrogel network. More particularly, the present invention relates to the synthesis of biodegradable poly(&agr;-hydroxy acid-co-glycidyl methacrylate)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(&agr;-hydroxy acid-co-glycidyl methacrylate) copolymers, which are subsequently crosslinked to form hydrogel networks. The invention also relates to the use of these hydrogel networks in various applications, in particular, for the controlled release of drugs and proteins.

Abstract: There are provided a porous hollow fiber membrane capable of economically and efficiently recovering germanium which has heretofore been entirely disposed as a waste, and a method for recovery of germanium oxide using such a porous hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparation of final graft polyols via a continuous process. In, addition, a final graft polyol formed by the process is disclosed. The process includes the steps of reacting a plurality of ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a reaction moderator with a macromer having induced unsaturation in the presence of a carrier polyol, a free radical polymerization initiator, and a first graft polyol. The process provides for the preparation of a final graft polyol having a solids level of from 30 to 70% in a continuous process. The final graft polyol produced by the process has a lower viscosity over a range of solids levels, a reduced amount of very large irregularly shaped particles, a reduced viscosity change in response to a change in reaction temperature compared to a typical graft polyol, a reduced tendency to foul the continuous reactor, and a broader particle size distribution compared to an identical graft polyol prepared by a semi-batch process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic vulcanizate comprising four components (A, B. C, D), notably: a thermoplastic (A); a substantially non-cross-linked polyethylene (B); an at least partially vulcanized rubber (C); a softener (D); as well as standard blend ingredients (E). The above mixture contains between 5 and 20% by weight thermoplastic (A), in relation to the sum of the four components (A, B, C, D). The invention also relates to advantageous material parameters and process steps.

Abstract: The invention provides a biodegradable polymer composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and a phenol-containing compound mixed with the polymer. The phenol-containing compound is present in the biodegradable polymer at an amount sufficient to slow the degradation rate of the biodegradable polymer. The invention also pertains to a method for slowing the degradation rate of a biodegradable polymer.

Abstract: A method for making a hydrophilic and lubricious coating, the coating so made and a medical device including such coating, wherein the coating includes a hydrophilic polymeric unit layer cross-linked with a plasma deposited double bond monomer. The hydrophilic polymeric unit can include ethylene oxide with one or more primary or secondary alcohol groups or glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, and the double bond monomer includes monomers containing at least one double bond, preferably a C═C, C═N or C═O bond, including N-trimethylsilyl-allylamine, ethylene, propylene and allyl alcohol. The invention also provides products containing such coatings and their uses in medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Abstract: There is provided an acrylic resin film having good matted appearances and good printing characteristics, e.g., little suffering missing prints when printed. There is provided an acrylic resin film having a differential 60° surface gloss of 5% or more between the front and back sides, and thickness of 300 &mgr;m or less; a method of producing the above-described acrylic resin film, where a molten acrylic resin composition is extruded, and then rolled between a mirror-ground roll and rubber or embossed roll into the film; and a laminate (formed article coated with the acrylic resin film) with a side having a higher 60° surface gloss coming into contact with a base.

Abstract: Biodegradable biocompatible hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and methods for their preparation. The methods for preparation of the hydrogels involve the use of prepolymers. The prepolymers have a PVA backbone and pendant chains that include a polymerizable group. In one embodiment, the pendant chains also include a biodegradable region. In another embodiment, biodegradable regions are incorporated into the hydrogel during its formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating material that resin-coats a light-receiving plane side of a photovoltaic element, and which can increase a conversion efficiency by effectively using light incident on the photovoltaic element and is excellent in weatherability, because the coating material comprises a resin that is a polymer blend containing at least a first polymeric material, and a second polymeric material made by bonding a polymer component (A) and a polymer component (B), wherein the polymer component (A) includes a functional group with comparatively high compatibility with the first polymeric material, and a polymer component (B) includes a functional group with compatibility with the first polymeric material that is lower than the compatibility of the functional group of the polymer component (A), and wherein the polymer component (B) forms an aggregate.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition for use as a skin adhesive, the composition formed by polymerizing with cross-linking and/or entanglement an aqueous reaction mixture comprising effective amounts of at least one monomer dissolved or suspended therein and capable of forming a hydrogel on polymerization, optionally at least one cross-linking agent for the monomer, and water, said composition having an elastic modulus (G′) and a viscous modulus (G″), wherein the degree of polymerization and/or the degree of cross-linking and/or entanglement are selected to control the skin adhesion properties of the bioadhesive composition having regard to the rate of change of tan delta (G″÷G″) against frequency in a diagnostic portion of the frequency range 0.01 to 300 rad/s, typically the lower end of the said frequency range below about 100 rad/s.

Abstract: There is provided a treating agent for a sheet surface comprising a graft copolymer composed of a back bone polymer and branch polymer, either of which is a polymer having vinyl alcohol units, and the other of which is a polymer having cationic groups, the treating agent is applied onto a pulp sheet or plastic sheet, and the coated sheet is used in ink jet printing. Cationic groups are introduced by graft copolymerization using di(meth)allylamine-based and/or (meth)acryl-based monomer. Alternatively, the graft copolymer of the present invention is obtained by grafting N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide monomer followed by hydrolysis thereof. A formula weight ratio of vinylalcohol units and the introduced cationic groups of 1:20 to 2:1 is preferable in terms of balanced performance.

Abstract: A resin composition suitable for forming ink receptive layer of recording sheets and having excellent ink receptivity, feathering prevention, gloss and weatherability, which comprises (A) an oxyalkylene group-containing polyvinyl alcohol resin and (B) a cationic group-containing polyvinyl alcohol resin, wherein a 15% by weight aqueous solution of the resin composition has a transparency according to JIS K 6726 of at least 50%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a film for packaging chemical agents, which contains an oxyalkylene unit-containing polyvinyl alcohol resin (A) and a carboxyl-containing polyvinyl alcohol resin (B), and preferably further containing a sulfo-containing polyvinyl alcohol resin (C). This film shows fine solubility in water even after a long-term packaging of an acidic chemical agent or alkaline chemical agent, and is superior in mechanical strength. Thus, the film for packaging chemical agents of the present invention is suitably used for packaging a chemical agent, such as powdered soap, synthetic detergent, agricultural chemical, antibacterial, deodorant, insecticide and the like, which is cast into water when in use.

Abstract: The use of methylpropane-1,3-diol mono(meth)-acrylate to prepare oxidatively and/or thermally curable coating compositions, adhesives, and sealing compounds.

Abstract: A redispersible synthetic resin powder comprising particles of a polymer made from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated monomers and diene monomers, and a polyvinyl alcohol resin having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of acetoacetoxy group and mercapto group and having a block character [&eegr;] of 0.3 to 0.6, wherein said polyvinyl alcohol resin is adsorbed onto the surface of said particles. The powder has excellent redispersibility, blocking resistance, film forming property and water resistance, can be easily dispersed into water to form emulsions and is also useful as an admixture for cement and mortar.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.

Abstract: There is a vinyl 4-hydroxybenzal-vinylalcohol-vinyl acetate copolymer, a 4-t-butoxycarbonyloxybenzal-vinyl alcohol-vinyl acetate copolymer and a vinyl 4-t-butoxycarbonyloxybenzal-vinyl 4-hydroxybenzal-vinyl alcohol-vinyl acetate copolymer suitable for photoresist and methods for preparing the same. The latter two polymers contain 4-hydroxybenzal groups all or parts of which are protected with t-butoxycarbonyl group. Superior in transparency, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and adhesiveness to silicon wafer, the photoresists prepared from the protected copolymers can enhance the resolution of fine circuit by virtue of low weight loss upon the thermal treatment after exposure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to a humid environment. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to a humid environment. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.

Abstract: The invention is directed at an ion-conductive solid polymer-forming composition, a binder resin and an ion-conductive solid polymer electrolyte comprising (A) a polymeric compound containing polyvinyl alcohol units and having an average degree of polymerization of at least 20, in which compound some or all of the hydroxyl groups on the polyvinyl alcohol units are substituted with oxyalkylene-containing groups to an average molar substitution of at least 0.3, (B) an ion-conductive salt, and (C) a compound having crosslinkable functional groups. The composition and the polymer electrolyte obtained therefrom have a high ionic conductivity and a high tackiness. Moreover, the polymer electrolyte has a semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure, giving it excellent shape retention.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel polymeric compound comprising polyvinyl alcohol units and having an average degree of polymerization of at least 20, in which some or all of the hydroxyl groups on the polyvinyl alcohol units are substituted with oxyalkylene-containing groups to an average molar substitution of at least 0.3; a binder resin composed of this polymeric compound; an ion-conductive polymer electrolyte composition having a high ionic conductivity and high tackiness which lends itself well to use as a solid polymer electrolyte in film-type cells and related applications; and a secondary cell.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition and a solid polymer electrolyte for electric double-layer capacitors are endowed with high ionic conductivity, high tackiness and shape retention. The invention is also directed at a polarizable electrode-forming composition and a polarizable electrode having a high adhesion, high dielectric properties, and excellent shape retention. A high-performance electric double-layer capacitor arrived at using the above compositions and components is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.