Abstract: A composite recovery board (10) containing a foam core (11) of polyisocyanurate, polyurethane materials or mixtures thereof; a facer (15), applied to one major surface (13) of the foam core, where the facer includes polymer materials, reinforced polymer materials, cellulosic materials, paper, aluminum foil or trilaminates thereof, wherein the reinforced polymer material and the cellulosic material are reinforced with glass strands, glass fibers, or mixtures thereof; and, gypsum board (14), applied to the opposite major surface (12) of the foam core. A method of reroofing a roof by applying composite recovery boards of the present invention to a roof deck; and, applying a weather protective layer over the recovery boards.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of aliphatic solvent needed for maintaining aminoalkyllithium initiators in solution comprising the step of combining at least one aminoalkyllithium compound with a second, dissimilar lithioamine.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain carrying at least one functional group selected from alkyl, dialkyl and cycloalkyl amine radicals having the general formula ##STR1## and cyclic amine radicals having the general formula ##STR2## where R.sub.1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, and R.sub.2 is an alkylene, substituted alkylene, oxy- or N-alkylamino-alkylene group having from about 3 to about 16 methylene groups. The invention also provides products based upon such polymers.

Abstract: Novel silicon-containing derivatives of crystalline, high-trans-1,4 polybutadiene in which organosilicon-containing groups are bonded to the 1,2-vinyl carbon atoms along the main chain of the butadiene polymers through the carbon-silicon linkages. These derivatives of butadiene polymers are produced by the addition reaction of an organosilicon-compound having one hydrogen atom directly bonded to the silicon atom in the molecule to the double bonds in the 1,2-vinyl group butadiene polymers. These derivatives having good compatibility with siliceous fillers and when blended with filled diene rubbers are cured to elastomer compositions having excellent properties suitable for the production of tires.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst composition, comprising: (a) an organolithium compound; and, (b) an organic acid salt of lanthanide series element; wherein: (1) only components (a) and (b) are required to promote the synthesis of 1,4-trans-polybutadiene; (2) the ratio of component (a) to component (b) is selected to maximize formation of the trans structure of said 1,4-trans-polybutadiene; and, (3) components (a) and (b) are selected for enabling further diblock synthesis. The invention further contemplates a process for using the catalyst to synthesize 1,4-trans-polybutadiene and other polymers and copolymers having trans configuration in the conjugated diene monomer contributed units.

Abstract: Composites of high melting point thermoplastics such as polyphenylene sulfide or polyimide and high modulus fibers such as carbon, graphite, or boron can be bonded to rubber using a primer such as a metal primer. The composite desirably has a modulus of elasticity of at least 750,000 psi and can be used as a belt in a no-flat tire.

Abstract: The instant invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping, soft polymer gel. The method includes: reacting a poly(maleimide-co-alkenyl benzene) polymer with a nylon and an alkyl diamine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a nylon grafted poly(maleimide-co-alkenyl benzene) polymer product; and, dispersing the nylon grafted poly(maleimide-co-alkenyl benzene) polymer product with an extender oil sufficient to form the gel. The instant invention also contemplates a polymer gel composition, a polymer composition and an article manufactured from the polymer gel composition.

Abstract: A roofing primer composition including a bromobutyl rubber, a polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane is the reaction product of a phenolic resin and an isocyanate having more than two functionalities, the polyurethane being formed in the presence of a catalyst, and a solvent, wherein the solvent is preferably selected from the group consisting of parachlorobenzotrifluoride, 1-dodecene, toluene, hexane, heptane methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichlorethane, xylene, methanol, 1-tetradecene, chloroform, tetrachloro ethylene and ethanol. This primer composition exhibits improved adhesion during application, exhibits improved shelf life, is not water sensitive, and can contain a low volatile solvent.

Abstract: A process for preparing a lap seam for roofing comprising applying a butyl rubber-containing primer with a mesh pad to the EPDM membrane surfaces to be joined. The primer is applied with a long-handled applicator to permit the roofer to stand during priming. Thereafter a splice tape is positioned between the primed surfaces to form a seam structure and pressure is applied to the structure thus provided to form an adhesively-held lap seam characterized by being watertight and having superior peel strength when compared to other methods of making seam tapes.

Abstract: An acyclic alkane soluble anionic polymerization initiator includes a mixture of from about 90 to about 10 parts by weight of a lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.1 Li and from about 10 to about 90 parts by weight of at least one other lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.2 Li. A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are selected from the dialkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl and dicycloalkyl amine radicals and cyclic amine radicals. There is also provided a method of forming a mixture of anionic polymerization initiators, a functionalized polymer and a method of forming a functionalized polymer.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic tire having decreased rolling resistance employing at least one tire component selected from the group consisting of subtreads, black sidewall, body ply skims and bead fillers, prepared from a vulcanizable elastomeric composition having reduced hysteresis comprises from about 10 to 100 parts by weight of an elastomer comprising a plurality of polymer molecules, wherein substantially each polymer molecule contains at least one functional group at the site of initiation, and having a hysteresis reduction of at least about 10 percent compared to the same elastomer without a functional group on substantially each polymer molecule; from about 0 to 90 parts by weight of an elastomer having greater hysteresis than the elastomer having reduced hysteresis and selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and blends thereof; and, from about 20 to about 100 parts by weight of carbon black, per 100 parts of the elastomer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the regulation of the molecular weight of high cis polybutadiene prepared by polymerizing butadiene under solution polymerization conditions employing as the catalyst system a mixture of (a) organoaluminum compounds; (b) organonickel compounds; and (c) fluorine containing compounds; said polymerization being conducted in the presence of alkali or alkaline earth metal salts of organic carboxylic acids.

Abstract: A sealing system and method for a metal roof having a plurality of sheet metal panels attached to a roof deck covered by a layer of insulation, such as polystyrene. The joints and seams formed at junctions of adjacent plates are sealed with a nonflammable or low combustible, char forming, non absorbent layer of material which is applied over the seams in a liquid or slurry form, which subsequently hardens to form a liquid proof seal to reduce the flow of molten polystyrene from melting of the adjacent layer of insulation, into the fire below.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of anionic synthesis of stable macrocyclic polymers that are compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds exhibiting reduced hysteresis properties. Cyclic organometallic compounds containing divalent metal atoms of Groups IIA and IIB of the Periodic System are employed as initiators of anionic polymerization of conjugated diene, vinyl aromatic and/or triene monomers. Coupling of the living ends of the resulting macrocyclic polymers or copolymers with a coupling agent or a coupling agent that is also a functionalizing agent results in stable macrocyclic polymers with improved hysteresis properties.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of aliphatic solvent needed for maintaining aminoalkyllithium initiators in solution comprising the step of combining at least one aminoalkyllithium compound with a second, dissimilar lithioamine.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer according to the invention includes a polymer molecule having the general formula AYLi where A is a cyclic amine-containing radical having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a divalent alkylene, an oxy- or amino-alkylene, or substituted alkylene having from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is a linear-, branched-, or cyclo-alkylene having from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms; and Y is a divalent polymer radical and Li is a lithium atom bonded to a carbon atom of Y.

Abstract: Block copolymers are described which comprise alternating blocks of (A) a polysiloxane; and (B) a copolymer of a 1,3-conjugated diene and a monovinyl aromatic compound. The block copolymers can be prepared by reacting a polysiloxane with a dilithiated copolymer of a conjugated diene and a monovinyl aromatic compound and thereafter neutralizing the reaction product with a protonic acid or a polyfunctional alkyl silane or silicon tetrachloride. Cured elastomer compositions exhibiting surface release characteristics are obtained by curing a mixture comprising the above-described block copolymer in the presence of a curing system comprising a peroxide and sulfur. Multilayer elastomer structures useful in manufacturing articles from elastomeric materials also are described wherein at least a portion of an outer layer of the multilayer elastomer structure has release characteristics and comprises the cured block copolymers of the present invention.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene is described using a catalyst system comprising (a) a chromium-containing compound, (b) an organoaluminum hydride, and (c) a hydrogen phosphite. The use of the catalyst system avoids the use of environmentally detrimental components such as carbon disulfide and halogenated solvents. The syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene can be used as a plastic or as an additive for rubber compositions wherein it can crosslink with conventional rubbers using conventional crosslinking agents.

Abstract: The reduction of hysteresis in a silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound is produced by mixing diene monomer and optionally monovinyl aromatic monomer with a lithium amine initiator and, optionally, a modifier; effecting polymerization conditions; terminating polymerization with an amino group producing terminator to form an amine functionalized diene elastomer; compounding the amine functionalized diene elastomer with an amorphous silica filler and a vulcanization agent; and, effecting vulcanization. A pneumatic tire tread stock incorporating the vulcanized elastomer compound exhibits decreased rolling resistance in the tire.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer comprising a polymer having at least one cyclic amine end group defined according to formula (I) ##STR1## where Z is an anionically-polymerized polymer; R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of organic groups containing from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms and a bridging bond; each R.sub.2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, organic groups containing from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, and a bridging bond; each R.sub.3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic groups containing from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; a is an integer from 4 to about 16; and b is an integer from 0 to about 12; and optionally including a bridge, formed by the selection of two of said bridging bonds, the bridge having 0 to about 6 carbon atoms between the bridging ring members.