Abstract: The preparation of a branched, radial block copolymer having improved falling weight impact properties, especially at temperatures from room temperature to -40.degree. C., and having bimodal distribution of molecular structure in the arms of the block copolymer is described.

Abstract: An elastomeric blend having excellent resistance to oil is made from a block copolymer rubber and a graft copolymer made by copolymerizing a macromolecular monomer with one or more alkyl acrylates. The blends are especially useful in shoe sole compositions to impart oil resistance thereto.

Abstract: The preparation of a branched, radial block copolymer having improved falling weight impact properties, especially at temperatures from room temperature to -40.degree. C. is described.

Abstract: The production of polymer beads by a suspension polymerization process in which a vinyl aromatic monomer having a free-radical generating catalyst dissolved therein is suspended in an aqueous medium with the aid of from 0.1 to 2.0 percent by weight, based on monomer, of a finely divided phosphate suspending agent in the presence of a modifier and heated to cause the monomer to polymerize into polymer beads is improved by the addition to the suspension of at least about 0.01 percent by weight based on monomer of an adjunct modifier, glutamic acid. Although the process of the invention is especially applicable in the preparation of large polymer beads, the glutamic acid also makes it possible to prepare the smaller polymer beads having narrow particle size distribution, also.

Abstract: The production of polymer beads by a suspension polymerization process in which a vinyl aromatic monomer having a free-radical generating catalyst dissolved therein is suspended in an aqueous medium with the aid of from 0.1 to 2.0 percent by weight, based on monomer, of a finely divided phosphate suspending agent in the presence of a modifier and heated to cause the monomer to polymerize into polymer beads is improved by the addition to the suspension of at least about 0.01 percent by weight based on monomer of an adjunct modifier, such as certain aminoalkanecarboxylic acids and N-substituted derivatives thereof. The process of the invention is especially applicable in the preparation of large polymer beads.

Abstract: A unique high efficiency catalyst for the polymerization of ethylene has been developed based on the use of methanol treated magnesium oxide as support, an equimolar mixture of titanium tetrachloride and tetrabutyltitanate as titanium source impregnated on the support, and an organoaluminum compound as reducing agent. The polyethylene produced by this catalyst has narrow molecular weight distribution, high bulk density, high melt index, and minimum catalyst residue due to the high polymer to catalyst ratio.

Abstract: Articles of glass are coated with copolymers of ethylene and 2-norbornenes or terpolymers of ethylene, 2-norbornenes and 1-butene. The coating serves to reduce shatter of the glass and its scatter on breaking. Resin-coated bottles are especially useful for bottling carbonated beverages to prevent flying glass if the bottle is dropped or explodes.

Abstract: Olefin polymerization catalysts prepared by reducing transition metal compounds with an organometallic compound are rendered highly efficient by reacting excess organometallic compound with a deactivation agent, such as hydrogen chloride, prior to activation of the catalyst with organoaluminum compounds. Catalyst efficiencies of as high as 700,000 grams of polyethylene per gram of transition metal in the catalyst have been attained at reactor pressures of only 50 psig.

Abstract: A unique high efficiency catalyst has been developed for the polymerization of ethylene. The activity of the catalyst, which uses a mixed magnesium-aluminum alkyl as a reducing agent for tetrabutyltitanate, and hydrogen chloride to deactivate excess reducing agent, is dependent on a specific and unpredicted order of addition of catalyst components.

Abstract: A molding composition suitable for thermoplastic molding operations consists of a blend of:(a) 10-90% by weight of polymethyl methacrylate; and(b) 10-90% by weight of a copolymer derived by copolymerizing from about 5% to about 35% amino nitrogen derivative of an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and from about 65% to 95% vinyl aromatic composition.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding composition consists essentially of a blend of:A. 20-80% by weight of polymethyl methacrylate; andB. from about 20% to about 80% by weight of a copolymer of three components:(aa) a rubbery block polymer prepared in a stereospecific system using from 5 to 35% vinyl aromatic compound and from 65 to 95% conjugated alkadiene, said rubbery block copolymer constituting from 5% to 35% of the copolymer of three components.(bb) an amine nitrogen derivative of an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid constituting from 5% to 35% of the copolymer of three components, and(cc) vinyl aromatic composition constituting from 60% to 90% of the copolymer of three components.

Abstract: The production of polymer beads by a suspension polymerization process in which a vinyl aromatic monomer having a free-radical generating catalyst dissolved therein is suspended in an aqueous medium with the aid of from 0.1 to 2.0 percent by weight, based on monomer, of a finely divided phosphate suspending agent in the presence of a modifier and heated to cause the monomer to polymerize into polymer beads is improved by the addition to the suspension of at least about 0.02 percent by weight based on monomer of certain aminoalkanesulfonic acids and N-substituted derivatives thereof. The process of the invention is especially applicable in the preparation of large polymer beads.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding composition consists essentially of a blend of:A. 20-80% by weight of a copolymer comprising methyl methacrylate and styrene containing from 20% to 80% of methyl methacrylate and from 20% to 80% of styrene; andB. from about 20% to about 80% by weight of a copolymer comprising:(aa) an amine nitrogen derivative of an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid constituting from 5% to 35% of the copolymer of B; and(bb) vinyl aromatic composition constituting from 60% to 95% of the copolymer of B;each of A and B having as an optional component of said copolymer(cc) a rubbery block polymer prepared in a stereospecific system using from 5 to 35% vinyl aromatic compound and from 65 to 95% conjugated alkadiene, said rubbery block copolymer constituting from 5% to 35% of its copolymer.

Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer particles having reduced flammability are made by incorporating from 0.1 to 15 weight per cent of non-polymeric organic halogen compounds into the polymer during impregnation of the polymer particles with a blowing agent in aqueous suspension. Temperatures greater than 90.degree. C., during the impregnation step, often cause degradation of the halogen compound and subsequent degradation of the polymer at the particle surface. The addition of certain hindered phenolic antioxidants, such as di-tert-butyl-p-cresol, stabilizes the halogen compounds in the suspension system to temperatures up to 125.degree. C.

Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer particles having reduced flammability are made by incorporating from 0.1 to 15 weight percent of non-polymeric organic halogen compounds into the polymer during impregnation of the polymer particles with a blowing agent in aqueous suspension. The addition of 0.001 to 0.5 weight percent of dialkyl tin maleates or fumarates during the impregnation step produces expandable styrene polymer particles with greatly improved molding characteristics such as reduced pruning tendency, increased mold fusion, and greater dimensional stability. Addition of a synergistic amount of 0.001 to 0.4 weight percent of a hindered phenolic antioxidant with the tin compounds gives improved molding characteristics with retention of polymer molecular weight.

Abstract: A rubber-modified copolymer blend having enhanced toughness is prepared from a block copolymer rubber and a rubber-modified non-equimolar copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, or their derivatives, with one or more copolymerizable monomers.

Abstract: A method for detecting impending failure of suspension during an aqueous suspension polymerization has been developed by continuous monitoring of the electrical conductivity of the suspension system. A sudden drop in conductance warns of failure of suspension in time to save the suspension by the addition of suspension stabilizers. A special conductivity cell has been developed to allow measurement of conductance during the course of the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Fire-resistant foams having 1.2 to 2.5 pound per cubic foot density are prepared by coating 100 parts by weight of styrene polymer foam particles with at least 67 parts by weight of an intumescent paint and molding said coated prepuff into the desired end product foam.

Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer particles having reduced flammability are made by incorporating from 0.1 to 15 weight per cent of organic halogen compounds into the polymer during impregnation of the polymer particles with a blowing agent in aqueous suspension. Temperatures greater than 90.degree. C., during the impregnation step, often cause degradation of the halogen compound and subsequent degradation of the polymer at the particle surface. The addition of certain thermal stabilizers, such as a mixture of a modified epoxidized soybean oil and a barium/cadmium organic complex, stabilizes the halogen compounds in the suspension system to temperatures up to 115.degree. C.

Abstract: Attempts to prepare polystyrene by peroxide-initiated suspension polymerization at 125.degree. C resulted in polymer having narrower molecular weight distribution than desired. The problem has been solved by copolymerizing the styrene with from 0.05 to 0.35 weight per cent, based on styrene, of a modifying comonomer consisting of a non-conjugated diolefinic compound having one very reactive olefinic group and one less reactive olefinic group such as, for example, allyl methacrylate.