Abstract: A method of producing cis-1,4-polydienes, the method comprising the step of contacting conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst system in the presence of less than 20% by weight of organic solvent based on the total weight of monomer, organic solvent, and resulting polymer, where the lanthanide-based catalyst system is the combination of or reaction product of (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an organoaluminum hydride, (c) a trihydrocarbylaluminum, and (d) a halogen-containing compound.

Abstract: A method for improving the feel and rebound velocity of a golf ball, the method comprising preparing a golf ball from a rubber composition that comprises a rubber, from about 3 to about 12 parts by weight of a processing additive per 100 parts by weight rubber, from about 18 to about 32 parts by weight of a multi-functional crosslinking agent per 100 parts by weight rubber, from about 0.2 to about 1.0 parts by weight of a cure initiator per 100 parts by weight rubber, from about 0 to about 25 parts by weight zinc oxide per 100 parts by weight rubber, and from about 0 to about 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the hydrogenation of a polymer under supercritical conditions. A reaction mixture of hydrogen, at least one polymer, at least one hydrogenation catalyst, and appropriate solvent(s) for the at least one polymer and catalyst is provided and is pressurized and heated to meet or exceed a determined critical pressure and determined critical temperature for the reaction mixture. The hydrogenation occurs under these supercritical conditions, thereby overcoming the hydrogen solubility and mass transfer problems typically encountered in hydrogenation methods at subcritical conditions, wherein hydrogen must be pressurized into solvent to reach the polymer.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an organoaluminum hydride, and (c) a tin halide compound.

Abstract: A self-adhering walkway pad (20) comprises an elastomeric pad having upper and lower surfaces (21, 22) and a 100 percent solids tape (25) pre-applied to the lower surface of the pad, prior to use in the field. A method for applying walkway pads to roofing membranes comprises, affixing a 100 percent solids tape to one flat surface of a walkway pad, prior to use in the field, the opposite side of the tape carrying a protective layer of release paper; stripping the release paper from the tape immediately prior to use; subsequently placing the exposed surface of the tape directly onto the upper surface of the roofing membrane and, applying force directly to the walkway pad to enhance the bond between the pad and the membrane, created by the tape.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the steps of preparing a pseudo-living polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst, and reacting the pseudo-living polymer with at least one functionalizing agent defined by the formula (I) where A is a substituent that will undergo an addition reaction with a pseudo-living polymer, R1 is a divalent organic group, R2 is a monovalent organic group, and each R4, which may be the same or different, is a monovalent organic group or a substituent defined by —OR5 where R5 is a monovalent organic group, with the proviso that A, R1, R2, R4, and R5 are substituents that will not protonate a pseudo-living polymer. Also, the functionalized polymer and a vulcanizable composition containing the polymer.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the steps of preparing a pseudo-living polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst, where said pseudo-living polymer is characterized by having greater than about 85 percent of the polymer in the cis microstructure and less than about 3 percent of the polymer is in the 1,2- or 3,4-microstructure, and reacting the pseudo-living polymer with at least one functionalizing agent defined by the formula (I) or (II) where Z is a substituent that will react or interact with organic or inorganic fillers; R1 is a single bond or a divalent organic group; R2 is a monovalent organic group or a divalent organic group that forms a cyclic organic group with R13 or R14; R3 is a single bond, a divalent organic group, or a trivalent organic group that forms a cyclic organic group with R4 or R5; R13 is a single bond, a divalent organic group, or a trivalent organic group that forms a cyclic organic group with R2 or R14; R4 is a mo

Abstract: An apparatus for seaming roofing membranes to one another, wherein one of the membranes is secured to an underlying support structure by at least one protruding fastener is provided. The apparatus includes a wheeled carriage having an upwardly extending push/pull bar. A power supply propels the wheeled carriage and energizes a heating assembly that generates a heated airflow sufficient to fuse the roofing membranes to one another. A nozzle is coupled to the heating assembly for directing the heated airflow between the two membranes. A variable pressure roller assembly is coupled to the carriage and has a single durometer material carried by an axle that may have different diameter sections. The roller passes over the at least one protruding fastener while still applying a uniform pressure so as to form a substantially continuous width seam except where interrupted by the protruding fastener.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers and polymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. The fluorooxetane oligomers or polymers can be copolymerized with generally cyclic ethers. Alternatively, the polyfluorooxetane oligomer or polymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing conjugated diene polymers comprising the steps of contacting, within an hydrocarbon solvent and within a continuous reactor, conjugated diene monomer and a catalyst composition prepared by combining: (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an alkylating agent, and (c) a halogen-containing compound, and maintaining a non-ideal flow pattern within the continuous reactor so that 10% of the reagents entering the reactor at a reference time t0 are still present within the continuous reactor at a time t0+xtrt, where trt is the residence time corresponding to ideal flow within the continuous reactor and x is a numeral greater than 1.5.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol copolymer latex composition comprises an intimate polymer composition obtained from 10% to 60% by weight of a substantially hydrolyzed low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH); 2% to 80% by weight of at least one diene; 2% to 80% by weight of at least one hydrophobic monomer other than a diene and optionally either up to 10% by weight of at least one hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer or up to 40% by weight of a cationic monomer. The copolymer latex composition can be prepared as an emulsion from an aqueous blend of the above listed monomers which are generally added at various stages during the polymerization and a free radical initiator, surfactants, and, if desirable, chain transfer agents. Up to 80% of the PVOH may be added after the monomers have been polymerized.

Abstract: Stand-up roller apparatus (20) for applying a uniform pressure to roofing membranes during installation on roofs according to the present invention comprises an elongated handle (21); a bracket (22) carried at one end of the handle; a roller assembly (23), rotatably affixed to the bracket and providing a sleeve, directly engageable with a roofing membrane being applied, wherein the dead weight of the apparatus is sufficient to join the applied roofing membrane to a mating surface on the roof without the application of additional downward force by the operator.

Abstract: A composition comprises an oxetane oligomer or polymer or copolymer block wherein each repeat group has at least one ether side chain which is terminated by a fluorinated aliphatic group and optionally with the proviso that at least two different repeat units of the oligomer or polymer or copolymer have different Rf groups. The oxetane block is connected to a hydrocarbon polymer block derived from a mono or polyhydroxyl initiator. The terminal fluorinated alkyl groups impart good stain resistance to the oligomer or polymer or copolymer. In another embodiment, a fluorinated aliphatic or alkyl alcohol is reacted with an amino dicarboxylic acid with the reaction product thereof being subsequently grafted to a maleated polyolefin or a maleated polymer derived from a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer. The fluorinated alcohol also imparts good stain resistance to the grafted copolymer. Both compounds can be utilized as an additive in polymers as for example various polyolefins.

Abstract: A tire comprising a tread, where said tread includes a vulcanized rubber, where said vulcanized rubber includes from about 0.5 to about 40 weight percent epoxidized rubber; from about 1 to about 35 parts by weight of a functionalized polyolefin per 100 parts by weight of said vulcanized rubber; and from about 1 to about 100 parts by weight silica per 100 parts by weight of said vulcanized rubber.

Abstract: A tire component formed by a process comprising the steps of (A) vulcanizing a rubber composition comprising, (1) a rubber, (2) a modified polyolefin additive, (3) an aluminum hydroxide filler, and (4) a rubber vulcanizing agent.

Abstract: The use of high density metal oxide fillers in vulcanizable rubber compounds is disclosed. The use of the fillers reduce or eliminate the need for conventional fillers, such as carbon black or silica, because viscoelastic performance properties of vulcanized rubber compounds with high density metal oxide fillers therein predict improved wet traction and rolling resistance, two key factors in the use of rubber compounds as vehicle tire treads. Methods of making and using such rubber compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: A foam profile prepared by a process comprising the steps of foaming a thermoplastic vulcanizate, where the thermoplastic vulcanizate is prepared by a process comprising the step of dynamically vulcanizing a rubber within a mixture that includes from about 15 to about 95 percent by weight of the rubber and from about 5 to about 85 percent by weight of a thermoplastic component based upon the total weight the rubber and thermoplastic component combined, where the thermoplastic component includes from about 65 to about 90 percent by weight of a conventional thermoplastic resin and from about 10 to about 35 percent by weight of a random propylene copolymer based upon the total weight of the thermoplastic component.

Abstract: A polar surfactant, preferably organic, is disclosed to increase dispersion of reinforcing filler aggregates in rubber compositions. The surfactant acts on binders present in the reinforcing filler aggregates so that the surfactant associates with the water soluble binder on carbon black to increase carbon black dispersion. The polar surfactant has an hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value of about 3 to about 35. Rubber products using the composition and methods of making the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) an lanthanide compound, (b) an alkylating agent, (c) a nickel-containing compound, and optionally (d) a halogen-containing compound, with the proviso that the halogen-containing compound must be present where none of the lanthanide compound, the alkylating agent, and the nickel-containing compound contain a labile halogen atom.

Abstract: A composition comprising an elastomer, a filler, and a comb-like polymer, the comb-like polymer comprising a backbone and a plurality of side chains, the backbone having a length greater than or equal to the entanglement length, the side chains having a length greater than about 33% of the entanglement length, the backbone including at least one side chain per entanglement length, and the comb-like polymer having a Tg of less than −5° C.