Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing hydrolysis and coupling of substituents of siloxane end capped polymers containing hydrolyzable substituents during contact with water. The Mooney viscosity of siloxane terminated polymers is stabilized during such contact by treating the polymer with a stabilizing amount of stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of: an acid, an acyl halide, methane sulfonic acid, toluene sulfonic acid, sulfuryl chloride, thionylchloride, phosgene, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, SOCl.sub.2 and SO.sub.2 Cl.sub.2, prior to contacting the siloxane terminated polymer with water.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of tapered copolymers by the nonaqueous dispersion polymerization of a mixture of 30 to 70% by weight of a conjugated diolefin monomer, preferably butadiene, and 30 to 70% by weight of a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer, preferably styrene, in a liquid hydrocarbon dispersion medium with an anionic initiator catalyst system in the presence of a block copolymeric dispersing agent. At least one block of the dispersing agent is prepared prior to the dispersion polymerization reaction and at least one block of the dispersing agent is prepared in situ during the dispersion copolymerization. The block of the dispersing agent that is prepared in situ has the polymer structure of the tapered copolymer.

Abstract: An adhesive tape composition includes a polymer blend comprising at least one EPDM rubber, and preferably three EPDM rubbers in substantially equal amounts, and an adhesive-enhancing polymer selected from the group consisting of polyisoprene, polybutadiene, and ethylene-propylene copolymer and mixtures thereof. The tape adhesive composition further includes at least one tackifying additive compatible with said polymer blend and a sulfur and organic accelerator cure package for said polymer blend, the adhesive composition being devoid of butyl rubber which is found in most other adhesive tape compositions. This composition is seen as providing excellent long-term heat aging, weathering resistance, and low temperature properties as compared to adhesive tape compositions containing butyl rubber. Moreover, the adhesive tape composition provides more surface tack, better "quick-grab", and higher green strength as compared to adhesive tape compositions containing 100 percent EPDM rubber.

Abstract: Diene polymers having a high content of trans-1,4 addition and two distinct melting points in the ranges of 30.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. are prepared by polymerizing a 1,3-diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising (a) a carboxylated nickel oxy borate compound; (b) an orKanoaluminum compound; (c) a triaryloxy phosphorus compound and (d) a carboxylic acid preferably a fluorinated carboxylic acid. The resultant polymers are useful as additives to tire rubbers to improve processability by reducing compound Mooney viscosity and reducing the shrinkage of various compound stocks.

Abstract: A heat seamable sheet material for roofing prepared from an uncured polymeric composition of matter which comprises 100 parts by weight of a semi-crystalline polymer and selected from the group consisting of polyolefins prepared from monomers containing at least 2 carbon atoms; from about 20 to 300 parts by weight of one or more non-black mineral fillers per 100 parts of the polymer; and from about 20 to 150 parts by weight of a processing material, per 100 parts of the polymer. The non-black mineral fillers may include hard clays, soft clays, calcined clays, chemically modified clays, mica, talc, alumina trihydrates, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, amorphous precipitated hydrated silica and mixtures thereof. The processing material may be any non-volatile oil, i.e., a paraffinic processing oil.

Abstract: Diene polymers having a high content of trans-1,4 addition and two distinct melting points in the ranges of 30.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. are useful as additives to tire rubbers to improve processability by reducing compound Mooney viscosity and reducing the shrinkage of various compound stocks.

Abstract: An anionic initiator system formed by the reaction product of: (1) an organolithium compound with (2) the reaction product of (a) a secondary amine and (b) diisopropenyl benzene, initiates polymerization to produce a polymer containing tertiary amine functional sites incorporated at the head of the polymer chain. A subclass of these polymers can be compounded to exhibit reduced hysteresis over conventionally prepared polymers.

Abstract: Flat rubber sheets are joined together at their primed surfaces utilizing an adhesive tape composition which features at least one EPDM rubber and will provide a long-term, water-tight barrier. The adhesive tape composition is a solventless, preformed, tacky composition comprising a) at least one crosslinkable EPDM rubber, b) a filler, either of the reinforcing or semi-reinforcing variety, c) one or more compatible tackifiers, d) a softener, and lastly, e) a cure system for the rubbery polymer. The tape composition itself has excellent ozone, moisture, weathering and heat aging resistance as well as superior low temperature properties.

Abstract: An adhesive tape composition includes a polymer blend comprising at least one EPDM rubber, and preferably three EPDM rubbers in substantially equal amounts, and an adhesive-enhancing polymer selected from the group consisting of polyisoprene, polybutadiene, and ethylene-propylene copolymer and mixtures thereof. The tape adhesive composition further includes at least one tackifying additive compatible with said polymer blend and a sulfur and organic accelerator cure, package for said polymer blend, the adhesive composition being devoid of butyl rubber which is found in most other adhesive tape compositions. This composition is seen as providing excellent long-term heat aging, weathering resistance, and low temperature properties as compared to adhesive tape compositions containing butyl rubber. Moreover, the adhesive tape composition provides more surface tack, better "quick-grab", and higher green strength as compared to adhesive tape compositions containing 100 percent EPDM rubber.

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 having an elastomeric solids content of from about 15-20 percent, by weight. Thereafter positioning a splice tape between the primed surfaces to form a seam structure and applying pressure to the structure thus provided to form an adhesively-held lap seam characterized by being water tight and having superior peel strength.

Abstract: A flame retardant asphalt material useful for the processing and formation of a roofing membrane includes from about 40 to about 50 parts by weight of asphalt; from about 10 to about 20 parts by weight of a copolymer; from 0 to about 5 parts by weight of polypropylene homopolymer having at least about 45 percent by weight of crystallinity; from about 10 to about 40 parts by weight of a functional filler having a decomposition temperature above the processing temperature of the material; from about 0 to about 15 parts by weight of a non-functional filler; and, from about 0.5 to about 10 parts by weight of an intumescent material.

Abstract: A chemical resistant static dissipative container liner for facilitating reuse of a metal container by providing a barrier between the metal container and a flammable liquid contained therein is comprised of a suitable polymeric composition having distributed therein an amount of conductive carbon black which is sufficient to imbue the composition with a surface resistivity of from about 1.5.times.10.sup.4 to about 1.3.times.10.sup.8 ohms/square.

Abstract: A rooftop curable heat seamable sheet material for roofing prepared from an uncured polymeric composition of matter comprises 100 parts by weight of a semi-crystalline polymer having more than about 2 percent by weight crystallinity and selected from the group consisting of polyolefins prepared from monomers containing at least 2 carbon atoms from about 20 to 300 parts by weight of a filler selected from the group consisting of reinforcing and non-reinforcing materials and mixtures thereof per 100 parts of polymer; from about 20 to 150 parts by weight of a processing material and mixtures thereof, per 100 parts of polymer; and from about 1.5 to 10 parts by weight of a cure package capable of allowing the composition of matter to cure at temperatures of at least about 50.degree. C.

Abstract: An adhesive tape composition includes a polymer blend comprising at least one EPDM rubber, and preferably three EPDM rubbers in substantially equal amounts, and an adhesive-enhancing polymer selected from the group consisting of polyisoprene, polybutadiene, and ethylene-propylene copolymer and mixtures thereof. The tape adhesive composition further includes at least one tackifying additive compatible with said polymer blend and a sulfur and organic accelerator cure package for said polymer blend, the adhesive composition being devoid of butyl rubber which is found in most other adhesive tape compositions. This composition is seen as providing excellent long-term heat aging, weathering resistance, and low temperature properties as compared to adhesive tape compositions containing butyl rubber. Moreover, the adhesive tape composition provides more surface tack, better "quick-grab", and higher green strength as compared to adhesive tape compositions containing 100 percent EPDM rubber.

Abstract: A laminate seam of flat rubber sheet material for roofing comprising two layers (10, 11) of the sheet material, at least one layer of which is uncured or cured, and one layer of a thermoplastic film (14) interposed between the overlapped edges (12,13) of the two layers of sheeting material to form a seam without the use of an adhesive. A method for covering a roof comprises the steps of applying a thermoplastic film (14) to the edge (12) of at least one layer of a flat rubber sheet material (10); applying a second layer of flat rubber sheet material (11 ) overlapping the thermoplastic film and the edge of the first flat rubber sheet material; heating the overlapped area to a temperature slightly above the peak melt temperature of the thermoplastic film; and, seaming the overlapped area under sufficient heat and pressure to provide an acceptable seam without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: A tubeless pneumatic vehicle tire having resistance to air permeability in the absence of an innerliner comprises a tread, one or more reinforcing belts, sidewalls, one or more body plies and beads. The rubber skim of the innermost body ply is formed from a rubber composition which is resistant to air permeability. The rubber composition comprises: (a) from about 10 to about 60 parts by weight of natural rubber; (b) from about 20 to about 30 parts by weight of a halogenated butyl rubber; (c) from about 20 to about 30 parts by weight of epichlorohydrin rubber; and (d) from about 5 to about 50 parts by weight of a metal salt-containing material selected from the group consisting of a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and a graft copolymer comprising a diene monomer or copolymer backbone having pendently grafted thereto a polymerized metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Vulcanizable elastomeric roof sheet materials for roofing having improved burn resistivity and prepared from a polymeric composition of matter comprise at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins prepared from monomers containing at least two carbon atoms and mixtures thereof, the polymer having a crystallinity of up to about 2 percent by weight; about 20 to 125 parts by weight of one or more non-black mineral fillers per 100 parts of the polymer, about 50 to 110 parts by weight of one or more black-type fillers per 100 parts of the polymer; and from about 50 to 70 parts by weight of a processing material or softener per 100 parts of the polymer.

Abstract: An asphalt material, useful for forming a membrane, comprises a mixture of from about 47 to about 74 parts by weight of asphalt, from about 7 to about 15 parts by weight of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, from about 15 to about 25 parts by weight of a filler component, and from about 1 to about 5 parts by weight of polypropylene homopolymer. A method for preparing a modified-asphalt material comprises the steps of forming a mixture by admixing from about 47 to about 74 parts by weight of asphalt; from about 7 to about 15 parts by weight of a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer; from about 15 to about 25 parts by weight of a filler; and from about 1 to about 5 parts by weight of a polypropylene homopolymer; wherein the polypropylene homopolymer inhibits high temperature crosslinking of the styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer.

Abstract: A portable garden powder duster for applying dusting agent to garden plants is provided. The powder duster comprises an air blower, an air-flow receiving tube removably attached to the air-blower and a dusting agent container removably attached to the bottom of the air-flow receiving tube. The air-flow receiving tube contains a special V-shaped air baffle attached to the bottom of the tube for efficient direction of air flow, a positive air duct located at the bottom of the baffle on the positive or air entering side of the baffle, a circumferential hole located under the air baffle and a rectangular shaped hole located at the bottom of the baffle on the negative side thereof. The air-flow receiving tube has a greater diameter on the positive side of the baffle than on the negative side thereof.

Abstract: A flowable adhesive composition specifically adapted for use in securing rubber sheet material to a substrate surface includes at least one polychloroprene rubber polymer, at least one polymer or copolymer which is comprised primarily of one .or more monoolefins, and a suitable solvent for simultaneously dissolving the polychloroprene and monoolefin based rubbers to form a homogeneous composition which can be applied to the substrate surface and rubber sheet as by pouring, brushing, spraying, rolling, or similar operations.The composition comprises a blend containing at least one polychloroprene rubber and at least one monoolefin based polymeric elastomer. The rubber adhesive composition of the invention exhibits good initial bond strength and excellent resistance to creep, while simultaneously demonstrating the ability to retain good adhesive properties upon repeated exposure to moisture.