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

Abstract: There are disclosed a gel or polymer composition which comprises 100 parts by weight of a polymer blend component comprising 1 to 90% by weight of a poly(vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon) polymer having a syndiotactic configuration and 99 to 10% by weight of a rubbery elastomer and at least 30 parts by weight of an extender oil or a low molecular weight organic component. These gel compositions have super soft properties, heat resistance, and/or damping properties.

Abstract: In a method for making a permeable film, a physical force is applied to a film of a first material containing particles of a second material which is different from the first material. The second material has a higher susceptibility to the physical force than does the first material. Applying the physical force to the film affects the particles which in turn affect the first material of the film, thereby increasing permeability of the film.

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: The instant invention provides a soft gel composition comprising a hydrogenated block copolymer, a polyphenylene ether and a substantially amorphous polyolefin or hydrogenated polydiene blended in respective proportions sufficient to provide the composition with a Shore A hardness of 30 or less, and a service temperature of up to, and including about 150° C.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising (a) an iron-containing compound, (b) a cyclic hydrogen phosphite, and (c) an organoaluminum compound 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 125 to about 175° C. by variations in the catalyst components and the component ratios. The ability to vary the melting temperature over such a broad range 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: The instant invention provides a process for substantially reducing the polymer cement viscosity or reducing the molecular weight distribution of the a conjugated diene polymer synthesized by using a charge of catalytically effective amounts of a rare earth catalyst and an organo magnesium component by adding an organo zinc component to the charge in an amount and under conditions sufficient to reduce the polymer cement viscosity. The invention also contemplates a catalyst compostion for substantially reducing the polymer cement viscosity of a polymer product as well the resultant polymer product.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients including an iron-containing compound, an organomagnesium compound, and a cyclic hydrogen phosphite. This catalyst composition is particularly useful for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene into binary cis-1,4/1,2-polybutadiene.

Abstract: High durometer, polymeric roofing shingles with varying colors and shades of color may be prepared from a composition of matter comprising 100 parts by weight of a ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymer; from 25 to about 400 parts by weight of at least one non-combustible filler per 100 parts of ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymer; from 0 to about 125 parts by weight of at least one combustible filler, per 100 parts of ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymer; from 0 to about 135 parts by weight of a thermoplastic modifying polymer; from 0 to about 10 parts by weight of reinforcing fibers, per 100 parts of ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymer; from about 20 to about 75 parts by weight of a processing oil per 100 parts of ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymer; and from about 1 to about 6 parts by weight of a sulfur cure package having at least two curing accelerators.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping composition. The method includes mixing a centipede polymer, i.e., a poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer, and plasticizers or extenders within a non-vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer to form a relatively high damping gel composition.

Abstract: The instant invention teaches a method for forming a syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene product having a higher syndiotacticity and a higher melting temperature than syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene produced using chromium catalysts known in the prior art. The method includes polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in solution with a solvent, in the presence of catalytically effective amounts of: (a) a chromium compound; (b) an organomagnesium compound; and, (c) a cyclic hydrogen phosphite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peelable laminate suitable for cook-in packaging and a method of cooking a food product. The method includes the steps of:a) enclosing a food product in the peelable laminate, the peelable laminate having(1) an edible film in contact with the food product, and(2) a protective film peelably adhered to the edible film; andb) heating the enclosed food product to at least partially cook the food product, the edible layer adhering to the at least partially cooked food product with an adhesive strength which is greater than the force required to peel the protective film from the edible film. In this manner, the protective film can be peeled from the edible film after cooking without product loss due to adherence of food particles to the film. Furthermore, the peelable laminate prevents or minimizes cook-out and allows a modifier to be transferred to the food product via the edible film during the cooking process.

Abstract: An insulation board (10) insulation board comprising a foam core (11) selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanurate and polyurethane materials and mixtures thereof; the board being devoid of facers. A method of covering roofs comprises applying insulation boards to a roof deck, the insulation boards comprising a foam core selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanurate and polyurethane materials and mixtures thereof, the boards being devoid of facers; and, applying a weather protective layer over the insulation boards.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping, soft polymer gel. The method includes: reacting in a suitable solvent a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleic anhydride) and a primary amine to form a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer. The poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer while remaining in solvent is grafted with a maleated polyalkylene through the use of a grafting agent such as an alkyl diamine to form a polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product. The solvent is then removed from the polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product and the polymer is mixed with extender such as oil sufficient to form the gel. During oil extension the graft copolymer is further crosslinked due to the presence of additional alkyl diamine.

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 walkway pad composition comprises 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer; from about 60 to 700 parts by weight of a filler selected from the group consisting of reinforcing and non-reinforcing materials and mixtures thereof, per 100 parts of the terpolymer; from about 40 to 175 parts by weight of a processing material and mixtures thereof, per 100 parts of the terpolymer; and from about 2 to 10 parts by weight of a cure package, per 100 parts of the EPDM terpolymer, the composition being devoid of any additional polymeric components. The 100 percent EPDM walkway pad composition has better low temperature properties and superior weathering resistance, and heat aging resistance compared to other walkway pad compositions which may include other polymeric components such as natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polybutadiene, and butyl (IR) rubber. Up to about 25 parts by weight of ethylene-propylene copolymers may be substituted for the EPDM terpolymers.

Abstract: A multilayer film has a first outer layer, an inner layer, and a second outer layer. The first outer layer comprises a homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. The inner layer comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. The second outer layer comprises a second ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. The inner layer is between the first outer layer and the second outer layer, and is chemically different from the first outer layer and the second outer layer. The multilayer film has an O.sub.2 -transmission rate of from about 500 to 50,000 cc/m.sup.2 24hr STP, and a modulus of at least 60,000 psi. The multilayer film is especially useful for the packaging of O.sub.2 -sensitive products, such as produce. The high modulus of the film enhances its performance in form-fill-and-seal operations.

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

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping compound. The method includes: reacting a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer with a maleated polyalkylene and an alkyl diamine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product; and, dispersing the polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product within a rubber formulation to form a relatively high damping compound. The present invention also contemplates a rubber compound composition and an article manufactured from the composition.

Abstract: A film includes a layer derived from PVDC-containing composition having properties such as good thermal stability, enhanced extrudability, improved oxygen barrier properties, and reduced stickiness to metal surfaces. The composition includes a three components: a vinylidene chloride-containing polymer, a processing aid polymer, and a material useful for preventing the degradation of PVDC.