Abstract: A process for preparing conjugated diene polymers by polymerizing conjugated diene monomers in the presence of a catalyst composition that is formed by combining an iron-containing compound, a hydrogen phosphite, and an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising (a) an iron-containing compound, (b) an organomagnesium compound and (c) a dihydrocarbyl hydrogen phosphite is disclosed for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene. The use of the catalyst composition of this disclosure avoids the use of environmentally detrimental components such as carbon disulfide and halogenated solvents. The melting temperature of the syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene can be varied from about 100 to about 190° C. by variations in the catalyst components and the component ratios. The ability to vary the melting temperature with a single catalyst composition is very desirable. 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: A polymer gel composition useful in the fabrication of a vibration damping material comprises a maleated polyalkylene grafted via a grafting agent such as a diamine to a poly(alkenyl-co-maleimide), an epoxy polymer and, optionally, an extender such as a phthalate oil.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping compound. The method includes: reacting a poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleic acid anhydride) polymer with a primary amine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer plasticizer, and, dispersing the poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer plasticizer within a rubber formulation to form a relatively high damping compound.

Abstract: A process for interpolymerizing a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer and a block polymer is disclosed. The process includes the following steps: (a) forming a block polymer precursor of at least one polymeric block containing conjugated diene monomer contributed units in the presence of an anionic initiator and in an inert diluent, the block polymer precursor having living ends; and (b) thereafter adding to the block polymer precursor a charge of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer and an additional charge of an anionic initiator to simultaneously form (1) a block polymer having a terminal block formed from the charge of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer attached to the block polymer precursor and (2) a poly(vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon) polymer interpolymerized with the block polymer. The practice of this process produces a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon block terminated block polymer, such as SBS, interpolymerized with a polymer formed from vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer, such as polystyrene.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising at least two end segments that make up less than 15% of the total polymer composition. Each end segment has a vinyl content greater than about 45%. However, the vinyl content is less than about 35% throughout the remainder of the polymer composition.

Abstract: A process of preparing a diblock/triblock composition in a single reaction vessel includes reacting a first monomer, such as styrene, with a first portion of an anionic catalyst in a suitable solvent to form a first polymer block of the triblock. A second step includes adding a second portion of the catalyst and a second monomer, such as butadiene (when the first monomer is styrene). A portion of the resulting living diblock polymer is then terminated by addition of a chain transfer agent, which forms a second anionic catalyst in the process. Further sequential additions of the second and first monomers copolymerize with both the remaining living diblock and with the second anionic catalyst to complete the triblock polymer and form a second portion of diblock polymer.

Abstract: A process for forming an elastomeric polymer gel composition includes forming a blend by combining a poly(alkenyl-co-maleimide) that includes a maleimide and at least one monomer contributed unit derived from vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons, R1R2 ethylenes, and alkyl vinyl ethers; with a maleated polyalkylene. This is followed by addition of a crosslinking agent, which is allowed to react with the poly(alkenyl-co-maleimide) and maleated polyalkylene to form a polyalkyenyl grafted poly(alkenyl-co-maleimide). The polyalkenyl grafted poly(alkenyl-co-maleimide) is further blended with a polyester.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process for forming a diene-rubber grafted centipede polymer. The process includes copolymerizing a copolymer comprising a maleimide and at least one block chosen from the group consisting of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons, R1R2ethylenes, or alkyl vinyl ethers with an amine. The amine is further functionalized with at least one functional group capable of grafting to a diene rubber. The copolymer is cocured with a diene rubber to form the diene-rubber grafted centipede polymer.

Abstract: A polymeric gel composition comprising a polymer including an anhydride unit and an alkenyl unit, a crosslinking agent, a maleated polyalkylene, an extender, and an organic fatty acid is provided. The polymeric gel composition has superior high-temperature stability, mechanical strength, and moldability.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients including (a) a molybdenum-containing compound, (b) a hydrogen phosphite, and (c) a blend of two or more sterically distinct organoaluminum compounds. This catalyst composition is particularly useful for polymerizing conjugated dienes. When this catalyst composition is used to polymerize 1,3-butadiene into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene, the ratio of the organoaluminum compounds can be adjusted to vary the melting temperature and molecular weight of the polymer product.

Abstract: A process for preparing blends of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene and rubbery elastomers comprising the steps of (1) providing a mixture of high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber cement and 1,3-butadiene monomer, and (2) combining (a) an iron-containing compound, (b) a hydrogen phosphite, and (c) an organoaluminum compound to form a catalyst composition outside the presence of the mixture of rubber cement and monomer, and (3) adding the catalyst composition to the mixture and thereby polymerizing the 1,3-butadiene monomer into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene within the rubber cement.

Abstract: There are disclosed a block copolymer of at least one elastomeric block and at least one syndiotactic polystyrene block which comprises 100 parts by weight of a polymer component comprising 1 to 80% by weight of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) block(s) and 99 to 20% by weight of rubbery elastomeric block(s) and at least 30 parts by weight of an extender. These extended block copolymer compositions display the characteristics of thermoplastic elastomers and are useful for high temperature applications possessing unique softness.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising a iron-containing compound, an organomagnesium compound, and a silyl phosphonate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a sealant composition by mixing an elastomer in the substantial absence of an organic solvent and separately dispersing a quinoid curing agent in a polymer having a molecular weight below about 5,000 to form a curing agent concentrate. Thereafter, combining the curing agent concentrate with the elastomer to form the sealant composition. The composition is a rubber masterbatch having many applications and is advantageously, substantially free from organic solvents.

Abstract: Blends of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene and rubbery elastomers are prepared by a process that comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene within a rubber cement of at least one rubbery elastomer by using a catalyst composition that is formed by combining (a) a molybdenum-containing compound, (b) a hydrogen phosphite, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: Blends of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene and rubbery elastomers are prepared by a process that comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene within a rubber cement of at least one rubbery elastomer by using a chromium-based catalyst composition that is formed by combining a chromium-containing compound, a hydrogen phosphite, and an organomagnesium compound.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients including an iron-containing compound, a hydrogen phosphite, and a mixture of two or more organoaluminum compounds. This catalyst composition is particularly useful for polymerizing conjugated dienes. When this catalyst composition is used to polymerize 1,3-butadiene into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene the ratio of the organoaluminum compounds can be adjusted to vary the melting temperature and molecular weight of the polymer product.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising (a) an iron-containing compound, (b) an organomagnesium compound and (c) a dihydrocarbyl hydrogen phosphite is disclosed for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene. The use of the catalyst composition of this disclosure avoids the use of environmentally detrimental components such as carbon disulfide and halogenated solvents. The melting temperature of the syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene can be varied from about 100 to about 190° C. by variations in the catalyst components and the component ratios. The ability to vary the melting temperature with a single catalyst composition is very desirable. 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: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients including an iron-containing compound, a hydrogen phosphite, a halogen-containing compound, and an organoaluminum compound. This catalyst composition is particularly useful for preparing oligomers of conjugated dienes.