Abstract: A substantially gel free C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isoolefin homopolymer rubber, butyl copolymer rubber, halogenated butyl rubber (e.g., chlorinated or brominated), or mixtures thereof, comprising a molecular weight distribution such that the ratio of the moments of said molecular weight distribution, Mz/Mw, is equal to or exceeds 2.0, and that portion of said molecular weight distribution which is equal to and greater than 4 times the peak molecular weight, Mp, comprises greater than 8 percent of the total polymer species, and Mp is greater than about 250,000 and wherein said polymer species of molecular weight less than Mp are substantially branch free. Various means are disclosed for effecting the molecular weight distribution including blending of homopolymers and/or copolymers of appropriate molecular weight and molecular weight distribution and direct polymerization using a functional reagent to introduce branching.

Abstract: A method for removing a tertiary halide from an olefin hydrocarbon stream which comprises contacting the hydrocarbon stream with activated alumina at a temperature of about -40.degree. to about 120.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing a heat shrinkable film by extruding a blend of elastomer, hydrocarbon oil and polyolefin to form a film, stretch orienting the film to form a stretched film, annealing the stretched film while still under stress, then cooling while further maintaining stress on the film. This invention further provides a process for preparing an elasticized composite material by attaching strips of the heat shrinkable film to a flexible substrate and then heating the composite.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions of matter useful as gasketing materials as well as flexible boots and seals which are soft, have low compression set and high tensile. The compositions comprise a polyolefin resin and at least two different rubbers, one of which is vulcanized to a fully cured state by a cure system which leaves the other rubber(s) unvulcanized. The preferred embodiment comprises a blend of polypropylene and ethylene vinylacetate as the polyolefin resin component, EPDM as the uncured rubber component and a ZnO cured halogenated butyl rubber. In another embodiment of the invention, the resin is excluded and the uncured rubber is a high crystallinity EPDM.

Abstract: Preparation of halothio-sulfonamide-modified terpolymers having a low degree of unsaturation is accomplished by preferably reacting N-chlorothio-sulfonamide with an ethylene-(alpha-olefin)-diene monomer terpolymer comprising, for example, 1,4- hexadiene and/or dicyclopentadiene, in the presence of a catalyst of the formula MAn, where A is an anion or mixture of anions of a weak acid, and M is a metal selected from copper, antimony, bismuth and tin and n is a number which corresponds to the oxidation state of M divided by the valence of said weak acid anion. The reaction is preferably carried out in a melt phase process. Additionally, metals such as zinc and iron can be used at low concentrations in a melt phase process or at short reaction times in a solution process. Mixtures of such modified terpolymers with highly unsaturated rubbery polymers and vulcanizates of such mixtures are particularly useful in pneumatic tire sidewalls.

Abstract: Heat shrinkable thermoplastic compositions are prepared by blending an ethylene copolymer resin with an EPDM rubber and dynamically vulcanizing the rubber. The ethylene copolymer resin is a copolymer of ethylene with an alkyl ester of an alpha, beta monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid as well as copolymers of ethylene with the acid per se. The preferred copolymer is ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer. Uncured rubber can be included in the composition.

Abstract: A two-step process for production of thermoplastic elastomer, which comprises dynamically vulcanizing polypropylene and olefinic rubber in the presence of peroxide (1st step), and dynamically vulcanizing the vulcanized mixture, polypropylene and halogenated butyl rubber in the presence of zinc oxide (2nd step). In another method (a) polyolefin and olefin rubber are dynamically cross-linked in the presence of an organic peroxide and (b) in a separate second operation a dynamically vulcanized blend comprising polyolefin and halogenated butyl rubber is prepared and mixed with (a) to disperse (a) and (b) in one another. The thermoplastic elastomer composition is useful in materials for parts of automobiles.In an example, pp 9 wt. % parts, EPDM 21 wt. % parts, peroxide 0.3 wt. % part and divinylbenzene 0.5 wt. % part were blended and supplied to the first hopper (1) of biaxial extruder as shown in a figure. In the first blending zone (2), temperature and residence time are 200.degree. C.

Abstract: Soft, resilient thermoplastic compositions with good physical strength useful as molded parts including hoses, seals and gaskets which exhibit good flow and good surface characteristics in injection molded parts. The compositions comprise ethylene copolymer resin (e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate), halogenated butyl rubber and polychloroprene wherein the rubbers have been dynamically vulcanized to a fully cured state in the presence of the ethylene copolymer resin.

Abstract: An oriented thermoplastic elastomer comprising an elastomer, EVA, and process oil is prepared by stretch orienting the film at an elevated temperature and annealing the film to freeze in stresses and strains in the film. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer is provided with a thin coating of a thermoplastic to provide nonblocking.

Abstract: Protection against molecular weight depression in the polymerization reaction producing polyisobutylene rubber or butyl rubber is achieved through addition of minor amounts of certain metal alkyls, particularly the lower alkyl aluminum compounds or lower alkyl aluminum hydrides which function as buffering, neutralizing or complexing agents against polymerization poisons and extraneous catalyst activators.

Abstract: Compositions of matter useful in the preparation of film which is soft and has high tensile, tear and impact strength. The compositions comprise polyolefin plastics blended with an elastomeric plasticizer; the latter comprises polyethylene or a copolymer of ethylene and an unsaturated ester of a lower carboxylic acid, olefinic elastomer and hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: An oriented thermoplastic elastomer comprising an elastomer, EVA, and process oil is prepared by stretch orienting the film at an elevated temperature and annealing the film to freeze in stresses and strains in the film. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer is provided with a thin coating of a thermoplastic to provide nonblocking.

Abstract: Nonvulcanized, thermoplastic elastomeric compositions useful in high quality, low voltage insulation. The compositions comprise polyolefin plastics blended with a copolymer of ethylene and an unsaturated ester of a lower carboxylic acid, olefinic elastomer and mineral filler and/or carbon black filler, and, optionally, hydrocarbon oil. Preferably the filler is alumina trihydrate which results in a flame-retardant insulation useful in building and communication wire.

Abstract: Modified polymer compositions comprising elastomers blended with not more than 50 parts by weight of a crystalline polyolefin are prepared by reaction of the polymers with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its acid anhydride. The modified composition optionally containing a filler, is particularly suitable for laminating to metals and other polymers; laminates show superior hot water resistance, salt water resistance and thermal shock resistance.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions of matter useful as gasketing materials as well as flexible boots and seals which are soft, have low compression set and high tensile. The compositions comprise a polyolefin resin and at least two different rubbers, one of which is vulcanized to a fully cured state by a cure system which leaves the other rubber(s) unvulcanized. The preferred embodiment comprises a blend of polypropylene and ethylene vinylacetate as the polyolefin resin component, EPDM as the uncured rubber component and a ZnO cured halogenated butyl rubber. In another embodiment of the invention, the resin is excluded and the uncured rubber is a high crystallinity EPDM.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric blend of a polyolefin component, an isobutylene-backbone elastomer component, and a copolymer component of ethylene and an unsaturated ester of a lower carboxylic acid. Useful in the preparation of film, molded and extruded articles. The incorporation of an ethylene copolymer component, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, etc., results in compositions with the advantages of elastomer modified polyolefin blends, but which exhibit lower melt viscosity and improved processability.

Abstract: Continuous halogenation of olefinically unsaturated rubber is achieved in an extruder-reactor employing reactants, conditions and design features directed to maximizing mixing and contact of the rubber with the halogenating agent and neutralizing agent while simultaneously minimizing side reactions and polymer degradation. The rubber passes through three extruder-reactor zones under controlled conditions to achieve halogenation: feed, reaction, and neutralization; optionally a wash and exit zone can be utilized. The halogenated rubber, for example, halogenated butyl rubber can be vulcanized in the absence of sulfur, e.g., with zinc oxide and stearic acid, and is useful in all applications where commercially available chlorinated and brominated rubbers are presently employed.

Abstract: Rubbery polymer compositions, e.g. based on chlorobutyl rubber, having improved adhesion to mineral substrates such as glass or metal, are produced by a stepwise reaction sequence. In a first stage the rubbery polymer is reacted with a reactive silane such as an amino trialkoxy silane, in a second stage the product is mixed with an epoxy resin, and in a third stage a further amount of reactive silane is reacted with the epoxy containing compound.

Abstract: The incorporation of minor amounts of mineral rubber (blown asphalt) in compositions comprising blends of both chlorobutyl and bromobutyl rubbers results in high adhesion to natural rubber or natural rubber/polybutadiene rubber substrates.

Abstract: Continuous halogenation of olefinically unsaturated rubber is achieved in an extruder - reactor employing reactants, conditions and design features directed to maximizing mixing and contact of the rubber with the halogenating agent and neutralizing agent while simultaneously minimizing side reactions and polymer degradation. The rubber passes through five extruder-reactor zones under controlled conditions to achieve halogenation: feed, reaction, neutralization, wash and exit. The halogenated rubber, for example, halogenated butyl rubber can be vulcanized in the absence of sulfur, e.g., with zinc oxide and stearic acid, and is useful in all applications where commercially available chlorinated and brominated rubbers are presently employed.