Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making dilithium initiators in high purity. This process can be conducted in the absence of amines which is desirable since amines can act as modifiers for anionic polymerizations. The dilithium compounds made are highly desirable because they are soluble in aromatic solvents.

Abstract: A flexible hose construction with kink, crush, and burst resistance. The hose is constructed of a tubular member and a reinforcement strip at least partially embedded in the tubular member. The reinforcement strip is wound in a helical pattern encircling a central lumen of the tubular body. The material forming the reinforcement strip has a greater initial modulus than the material forming the tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the incorporation of functionalized polyethylenes, in amount of about 1% to 95% by weight based upon the weight of the total crosslinkable material, into ethylene alpha olefin elastomers, such as EPDM elastomer compositions, which are crosslinked by peroxides, which results in improved properties, such as hardness and modulus of elongation, and can result in improved higher abrasion resistance, wear resistance, coefficient of friction, tensile strength, and other properties through a broad temperature range, which are beneficial to power transmission products, such as power transmission belts.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that kenaf balls that are comprised of an entangled mass of kenaf fibers are highly useful for absorbing oil and other organic liquids from oil spill areas on land or water. In fact, the kenaf balls of this invention are capable of absorbing oil in an amount of over 1000% of their own weight and in some cases even over 1800% of their own weight. The subject invention more specifically discloses a kenaf ball which is comprised of an entangled mass of kenaf fibers, wherein the kenaf ball has a density which is within the range of about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.15 g/cc, and wherein the kenaf ball has a mass which is within the range of 0.2 grams to about 10 grams.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a navigation system for communicating narrative information to a traveler moving through a geographic region.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a modified crosslinked elastomeric particle which comprises a two-step polymerization of a conjugated diolefin monomer and a vinyl aromatic monomer by emulsion polymerization, wherein the particle is synthesized by the steps of (1) polymerizing a conjugated diolefin monomer, alone or in combination with a vinyl aromatic monomer, and optionally a crosslinking monomer, to create a crosslinked elastomeric core having residual double bonds and an outer surface; (2) polymerizing a monomer of a vinyl aromatic monomer, alone or in combination with a diolefin monomer, to create a polymeric shell, wherein the polymeric shell is grafted to the outer surface of the polymeric core by reacting with the residual double bonds of the polymeric core; and (3) coagulating the core-shell emulsion latex solution to recover the particles.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovered that crosslinked core-shell particles can be used as a filler in low cost emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) with excellent results being attained. In fact, such core-shell particle filled ESBR exhibits performance similar to silica filled solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) in terms of dynamic response, Payne effect, rebound and tan ? at 0° C. and 100° C. The utilization of such crosslinked core-shell particles in rubber compounds offers the additional advantage of weight reduction since the core-shell particles are significantly less dense than carbon black or silica fillers. The use of the crosslinked core-shell polymers of this invention in rubber formulations in place of silica also offers the advantage of not needing any expensive silane coupling agents to attain required levels of polymer/filler interaction. Accordingly, no silane coupling agent is used in the rubber compounds of this invention which leads to reduced cost.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flame retardant polycarbonate composition which is comprised of a polycarbonate, a phosphoric acid ester, a functionalized acrylic polymer, and an alkyl methacrylate-diene-vinyl aromatic terpolymer, wherein the polycarbonate is present in the composition in an amount of at least about 85 weight percent, wherein the phosphoric acid ester is present at a level which is within the range of about 1 weight percent to about 12 weight percent, wherein the functionalized acrylic polymer is present at a level which is within the range of about 0.5 weight percent to about 4.5 weight percent, and wherein the alkyl methacrylate-diene-vinyl aromatic terpolymer is present at a level which is within the range of about 0.5 weight percent to about 4.5 weight percent, with the proviso that the sum of the amount of the functionalized acrylic polymer and the alkyl methacrylate-diene-vinyl aromatic terpolymer present in the composition does not total more than 5 weight percent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simulated wood surface covering which is particularly useful in decking and flooring applications, said simulated wood surface covering being comprised of strips adapted to be interconnected aside of each other thereby forming an assembled simulated wood surface covering of desired dimensions to cover a substrate, wherein the strips are adapted to be interconnected through shiplaps having tongues and rabbets, wherein the rabbets have an included angle which is within the range of 70° to 89°, wherein the strips are comprised of a plastic composition which is comprised of polyvinyl chloride, a non-migrating plasticizer, and a coloring agent, wherein the strips have sufficient flexibility to conform to curved surfaces and to surface irregularities, wherein the upper surface of the strips are roughened to imitate the grain structure of wooden material.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a dendrimer of a rubbery polymer comprising: (a) reacting a lithium terminated rubbery polymer with a halogenated silicon containing compound to produce a polymer which is terminated with halogenated silicon moieties, wherein the halogenated silicon contain compound has at least four halogen atoms which are bonded directly to silicon atoms, wherein the ratio of the lithium terminated rubbery polymer to halogen atoms in the halogenated silicon containing compound is within the range of 2:n to (n?1):n, wherein n represents the number of halogen atoms that are bonded directly to silicon atoms in the halogenated silicon containing compound, wherein the halogenated silicon containing compound contains at least three halogen atoms which are bonded directly to a silicon atom; (b) reacting the polymer which is terminated with halogenated silicon moieties with a molar excess of a tertiary alcohol to produce a polymer which is terminated with hydroxy silyl moieties; a

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for manufacturing an elastomeric article by liquid injection molding, said process comprising the steps of: (I) heating a curable composition comprised of (1) a liquid polymer comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000, and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety, (2) a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst, and (3) a tetrakis(dialkyl siloxy) silane crosslinking agent, to a temperature which is within the range of 30° C. to 100° C.; (II) injecting the heated curable composition into a mold at a temperature which is within the range of 100° C. to 210° C. to produce the elastomeric article; and (III) removing the elastomeric article from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adhesion promoter for bonding fluoropolymers and, more specifically, for bonding a fluoroplastic layer to a fluroelastomer layer in a multi-layered article, such as a fuel filler hose. In one embodiment, the adhesion promoter includes a solvent, a polyallyamine (PAA), and an organo-onium compound. The solvent can include an organic solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g., methanol, ethanol, or isopropanol. The polyallylamine includes a homopolymer of 2-propen-1-amine, and the organo-onium compound can include an organic phosphonium salt. The final composition of the adhesion promoter can include solvent in the range of about 80% by weight to about 99% by weight; polyallylamine in the range of about 0.5% by weight to about 10% by weight; and organo-onium compound in the range of about 0.5% by weight to about 10% by weight. Such adhesion promoter may further optionally include a silane, such as an organosilane.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an emulsion polymerization process that comprises: (1) preparing an aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; and (2) initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simulated wood surface covering which is particularly useful in decking and flooring applications, said simulated wood surface covering being comprised of strips adapted to be interconnected aside of each other thereby forming an assembled simulated wood surface covering of desired dimensions to cover a substrate, wherein the strips are comprised of a simulated wood composition which is comprised of polyvinyl chloride, a non-migrating plasticizer, and a coloring agent, wherein the strips have sufficient flexibility to conform to curved surfaces and to surface irregularities, wherein the upper surface of the strips are roughened to imitate the grain structure of wooden material, wherein the strips are void of longitudinal slots wherein a pressure sensitive adhesive covers the underside of the strips, and wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is covered by a backing so that the pressure sensitive adhesive is sandwiched between the strips and the backing.

Abstract: The subject invention reveals a process for preparing a silica/rubber blend which comprises dispersing silica, a silica coupling agent, and a low molecular weight end-group functionalized diene rubber throughout a cement of a conventional rubbery polymer, and subsequently recovering the silica/rubber blend from the organic solvent. It further reveals a tire having a tread that is made from such a silica/rubber blend.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric composition which has an excellent combination of properties for use in making seals and gaskets for utilization in appliances, automotive applications, and building applications, such as window glazing gaskets. These polymeric compositions offer excellent dimensional stability, low compression set, outstanding sealing characteristics, low temperature flexibility, heat resistance and ultra-violet light resistance.