Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a partially hydrogenated butadiene polymer comprising no more than 3 mol % 1,2-butadiene-recurring units (A) and no more than 3 mol % ethylene recurring units (D), calculated on the total content mol/mol of recurring units, wherein a butadiene polymer comprising 1,2-butadiene recurring units (A) and 1,4-butadiene recurring units (B) is hydrogenated in the presence of hydrogen and a titanium-, zirconium- and/or hafnium-based metallocene compound as hydrogenation catalyst and a cocatalyst, characterized in that: a) the hydrogenation catalyst has a reaction rate ratio of r1/r2 greater than 5, wherein r1 and r2 are the hydrogenation rates of recurring units (A) and (B) respectively at the same reaction conditions, b) the cocatalyst is an alkali metal hydride, added as such or prepared in situ, and c) hydrogenation of the conjugated diene is carried out until at least 97% of recurring units (A) have been hydrogenated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for precleaning a patterned substrate with a plasma comprising a mixture of argon, helium, and hydrogen. Addition of helium to the gas mixture of argon and hydrogen surprisingly increases the etch rate in comparison to argon/hydrogen mixtures. Etch rates are improved for argon concentrations below about 75% by volume. RF power is capacitively and inductively coupled to the plasma to enhance control of the etch properties. Argon, helium, and hydrogen can be provided as separate gases or as mixtures.

Abstract: A high yield of three armed radial anionic polymers is produced by the process of coupling metal terminated anionic polymers with a trialkoxysilane having a silicon-hydrogen bond, preferably trimethoxysilane. The metal terminated anionic polymer is preferably produced by initiating polymerization with a protected functional initiator which is readily converted to terminal hydroxyl groups or derivatives thereof for use in adhesives, sealants, and coatings.

Abstract: A block copolymer is provided, the block copolymer halogenated polystyrene comprises the formula:S'--A--(A--S').sub.min which m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, A is a saturated polyalkylene, and S' is a nuclear brominated poly(vinyl aromatic) having from about 0.5 to about 5 bromines per styrene unit. The vinyl aromatic blocks are substantially free of halogen other than bromine and the polyalkylene is substantially free of halogen. The compositions retain the elastomeric properties of the non-halogenated form of the compounds while having significantly reduced flammability along with improved tensile strength and high temperature properties.

Abstract: A block copolymer is provided, the block copolymer halogenated polystyrene comprises the formula:S'--A--(A--S').sub.min which m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, A is a saturated polyalkylene, and S' is a nuclear brominated poly(vinyl aromatic) having from about 0.5 to about 5 bromines per styrene unit. The vinyl aromatic blocks are substantially free of halogen other than bromine and the polyalkylene is substantially free of halogen. The compositions retain the elastomeric properties of the non-halogenated form of the compounds while having significantly reduced flammability along with improved tensile strength and high temperature properties.

Abstract: A super-tough polymeric composition comprising an engineering thermoplastic and a modified radial polymer. The engineering thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polyamides, thermoplastic polyesters, polyphenylene ether resins, polyarylene sulfide resins, polysulfone and the like. The modified radial polymer is modified by grafting a compound containing a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative group. The modified, radial polymer has from about 3 to about 50 arms, as determined using light scattering techniques and the arms will be olefin polymers. The polymer compositions will yield shaped articles which fail ductilely when tested using ASTM procedure D-256 at room temperature and some at -20.degree. F.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polymers by bulk polymerizing a monomer feedstock composed of styrene or styrene-like monomers and/or anionically copolymerizable comonomers employing an anionic initiator and a conventional spray-tower as reactor in the absence of a quenching solvent that fills the lower portion of the spray-tower, and the polymers so produced.

Abstract: Adhesives, sealants, coatings and polymer blends made with conjugated diene polymers having about one terminal hydroxyl group per molecule reacted with conventional epoxy or acrylic resins.

Abstract: The capping of anionic polymers to make functionalized polymers is improved by using alkoxy silyl compounds having protected functional groups, such as acetal groups, as the capping agent. The protected functional groups are stable under a variety of conditions and then readily convert to more reactive terminal functional groups useful for making adhesives, sealants and coatings.

Abstract: The capping of anionic polymers to make functionalized polymers is used to make heterotelechelic polymers by using a protected functional initiator to polymerize a polymer comprising a conjugated diene and then capping the polymer with low surface energy fluorocarbons. The protected functional groups are stable under a variety of conditions and then readily convert to more reactive terminal functional groups useful for making sealants, coatings, molded or extruded goods and fibers having low surface energy.

Abstract: Polymers containing ketone groups such hydroesterified 1,3-butadiene polymers, including styrenic block copolymers, are hydrogenated with a cobalt/aluminum catalyst which substantially converts ketone groups to alcohol groups and improves polymer stability.

Abstract: Blends of a sulfonated thermoplastic block polymer and a compatible extender oil are described. The block copolymer is first selectively hydrogenated and thereafter modified by grafting sulfonic acid containing functional groups primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks. Neutralization of the acid groups to a metal salt is preferred to prepare oil extended blends that retain substantial amounts of non-extended mechanical properties.

Abstract: A super-toughened multiphase thermoplastic composition is provided by combining at least one modified selectively hydrogenated conjugated diene/alkenyl arene block copolymer to which has been grafted an effective amount of succinic groups primarily in the selectively hydrogenated conjugated diene blocks thereof and optionally at least one unmodified selectively hydrogenated conjugated diene/alkenyl arene block copolymer with at least one .alpha.,.omega.-polyamide.

Abstract: Star polymers having first polymeric arms comprising a hydrogenated conjugated diene and smaller second polymeric arms of a methacrylate resist coupling of methacrylate blocks attached to different cores and have improved performance as viscosity index improvers. The polymerized methacrylate units are converted to amide or imide groups by reaction with a primary or secondary amine to give the viscosity index improver dispersant properties.

Abstract: Compositions consisting essentially of from 60% to 95% by weight of the polymer components of a high flow polypropylene and from 40% to 5% by weight of a polystyrene-hydrogenated polyisoprene-polystyrene-hydrogenated polyisoprene block copolymer have excellent low temperature impact strength and high heat distortion temperature for molding large automobile parts.

Abstract: Star polymers having polymeric arms of a hydrogenated conjugated diene and substantially smaller polymeric arms of an alkyl methacrylate are efficiently reacted with amines after preparation of a concentrate of the polymer in a lubricating oil to form a dispersant viscosity index improver.

Abstract: The capping of anionic polymers to make functionalized polymers is used to make heterotelechelic polymers by using a protected functional initiator to polymerize a polymer comprising a conjugated diene and then capping the polymer with low surface energy fluorocarbons. The protected functional groups are stable under a variety of conditions and then readily convert to more reactive terminal functional groups useful for making sealants, coatings, molded or extruded goods and fibers having low surface energy.

Abstract: The capping of anionic polymers to make functionalized polymers is improved by using alkoxy silyl compounds having protected functional groups, such as acetal groups, as the capping agent. The protected functional groups are stable under a variety of conditions and then readily convert to more reactive terminal functional groups useful for making adhesives, sealants and coatings.

Abstract: The present invention includes star polymers which can be used as viscosity index improvers in oil compositions formulated for high performance engines. The star polymers have triblock copolymer arms of hydrogenated polyisoprene-polybutadiene-polyisoprene, which provide excellent low temperature performance in lubricating oils, and can be used in the presence of low pour point depressant concentrations.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polypropylene grafted with polystyrene and a selectively hydrogenated monoalkenyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer have improved melt viscosity and toughness when the block copolymer component is designed to have weak monoalkenyl aromatic domains.