Abstract: The present invention provides for sulfur curable compositions containing a halogenated copolymer of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isomonoolefin, e.g., isobutylene and a para-alkylstyrene, e.g., para-methylstyrene, and further containing a polyunsaturated fatty acid glyceride having an iodine value in excess of 100, e.g. tung oil. The composition may comprise a mixture of the halogenated copolymer and at least one other unsaturated elastomer. In-situ reaction between the halogenated copolymer and the fatty acid glyceride during rubber compounding imparts unsaturation to the halogenated copolymer which permits facile vulcanization and covulcanization using conventional sulfur curatives.

Abstract: Functionalized copolymers of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 iso-olefin and para-alkylstyrene are provided which are prepared by a nucleophilic displacement of at least a portion of benzylic halogen present in the alkyl styrene moiety with an S--R.sup.2 (OH).sub.n nucleophile, R.sup.2 being C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl and n being an integer from 1 to 10. Polymer blends based on a mixture of a polar polymer and a functionalized isobutylene/para-alkylstyrene copolymer are also provided, wherein at least a portion of the benzylic halogen present in the alkyl styrene moiety is displaced by OH, S--R.sup.2 (OH).sub.n or N(H).sub.2-m ((R3)OH).sub.m, R.sup.3 being C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl and m being 1 or 2.

Abstract: A non-vulcanized thermoplastic composition comprising a polyamide and an elastomeric halogen-containing copolymer of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isomonoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene is prepared by blending the polyamide and elastomeric copolymer in the presence of specified metal compounds in an amount insufficient for vulcanizing the composition. Optionally, the resulting composition may be subjected to vulcanization.

Abstract: Silicon-bridged transition metal compounds and their use as alpha-olefin polymerization catalysts are disclosed. The polymerization catalyst comprises a chiral silicon-bridged metallocene of the following structure: ##STR1## where M is a transition metal, X' and X" are the same or different hydride, halogen, hydrocarbyl or halohydrocarbyl groups having up to about 6 carbon atoms, A' and A" are each the same or different asymmetrical mononuclear or polynuclear hydrocarbyl or silahydrocarbyl moieties and S' is a bridge of 1-4 atoms selected from the group consisting of silanylene, silaalkylene, oxasilanylene, and oxasilaalkylene, and may include an alumoxane. Specifically, the transition metals are titanium, zirconium, and hafnium.

Abstract: A copolymer having a substantially homogeneous composition distribution, said copolymer comprising the direct reaction product of an isoolefin and para-alkylstyrene.

Abstract: A process for the production of block copolymers of ethylene and an .alpha.-olefin such as propylene by using an ionic catalyst system including a metallocene component and a component having a cation capable of donating a proton and a compatible non-coordinating anion. Novel block copolymers are produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compatibilized elastomer blend compositions based on a preferred mixture of a copolymer of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isoolefin, such as isobutylene, copolymerized with a para-alkyl styrene comonomer, such as para-methyl styrene wherein at least some of the alkyl substituent groups present in the styrene monomer units contain halogen, and at least one dissimilar elastomer, said blend composition further containing, as a compatibilizer, minor amounts of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate or a copolymer of ethylene, a lower alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and, optionally, a third comonomer based on acrylic or methacrylic acid.

Abstract: A lithographic coating and method of framing a lithographic image are disclosed. The method comprises coating at least a portion of a surface of an article with a radiation-crosslinkable polymer, and exposing the coated surface to a pattern of radiation to crosslink the polymer in a lithographic image. The functionalized polymer is a copolymer of an isoolefin of 4 to 7 carbon atoms and para-alkylstyrene, wherein the para-alkylstyrene is functionalized with a radiation reactive group at the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene.

Abstract: The invention is a multilayer tire sidewall having an outer layer prepared from a blend of isomonoolefin/para-alkylstyrene copolymer and general purpose rubbers. The inner layer comprises general purpose rubber. The resulting sidewall exhibit good ozone resistance and fatigue crack resistance as well as a reduction in staining and discloration.

Abstract: An improved promoted curing system for halogenated elastomers has been discovered wherein the curing system contains one or a mixture of bismuth carboxylates having the structure of Formula 1: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 4 to about 30 carbon atoms, aromatic groups containing 6 to about 30 carbon atoms and alkaryl groups containing from 7 to about 30 carbon atoms.It has been found that the use of these bismuth salts, alone or in combination with zinc compounds in the cure of compositions containing halogenated elastomers leads to full, low reversion cures and curable compositions exhibiting very low precure scorch properties.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use in producing a tire innerliner is provided. The composition comprises a halogencontaining copolymer of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isomonoolefin and a paraalkylstyrene; carbon black, and a plasticizer oil. A vulcanized tire comprising an innerliner made from the composition is also provided.

Abstract: Acrylic copolymer PSA compositions having enhanced peel strength without substantially decreasing shear properties have been formulated by homogeneously incorporating the tackifying resin into the polymer matrix. The tackifying resin is dissolved into a solution of alkyl (meth) acrylate and (meth) acrylic acid monomers prior to polymerization. To enhance the molecular weight of the resultant PSA, the monomer/tackifier solution is emulsion polymerized in the absence of chain transfer agents, such as antioxidant additives typically found in commercially available tackifiers, and allylic hydrogen present in many unsuitable tackifiers.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition comprising a major proportion by weight of a rubber comprising a halobutyl rubber (e.g. 75 to 95%) and a minor proportion by weight (e.g. 5 to 25%) of a copolymer of an olefin, e.g. ethylene, and an unsaturated carboxylic acid e.g. acrylic acid. This composition may be covulcanised with a general purpose rubber e.g. natural rubber, to which it has adequate adhesion. Thus a natural rubber tyre carcass may be covulcanised with a tyre inner liner formed of this composition.

Abstract: Acrylic copolymer PSA compositions having enhanced peel strength without substantially decreasing shear properties have been formulated by producing the copolymer with a broad molecular weight distribution such that the ratio M.sub.w /M.sub.n is above 6, preferably above 10. The alkyl (meth)acrylate and (meth)acrylic acid monomers are emulsion polymerized over a temperature profile wherein the difference between the maximum and minimum polymerization temperatures is at least about 40.degree. C. and less than about 70.degree. C., preferably using a redox initiator system such as bromate/bisulfite.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film is provided which is especially suitable for use in stretch/.cling applications such as, for example, the bundling, packaging and unitizing of foods and other goods. The film comprises a cling layer comprising a polymer of at least ethylene and acrylate, preferably without a tackifying additive. The film further comprises a slip layer comprising a polyolefin preferably including an anticling (slip and/or antiblock) additive. Preferred polyolefins include linear low density polyethylene and polypropylene.

Abstract: A process for halogenating star-branched butyl rubber is provided wherein water and a wetting agent or wetting agent precursor are added to a solution comprising the star-branched butyl rubber, solid particles of branching agent and an organic solvent prior to the neutralization step to increase the rate of neutralization of the hydrogen halide by-product of the halogenation reaction.

Abstract: A process for producing a high molecular weight EPDM elastomer having low crystallinity using a bridged bis-metallocene-alumoxane catalyst wherein the metallocene component of the catalyst has the formula: ##STR1## wherein "M" is titanium, zirconium or hafnium; each "R.sup.1 " independently is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group or a C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 alkylene which forms a fused ring system; "R.sup.2 " is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear, branched or cyclic alkylene group, an alkyl substituted silanylene group or an alkyl substituted silaalkylene group; each "X" independently is a halogen, hydride, alkyl, aryl or chelating group, and "y" is an integer of 2 to 4.

Abstract: A grafted and/or functionalized macromolecule comprises entanglement-inhibited architecture wherein the polymer exhibits reduced melt viscosity. In one embodiment, the macromolecule comprises a polymer of an isoolefin having about 4 to about 7 carbon atom and a para-alkylstyrene, wherein a grafted macromonomer such as a terminally functionalized polystyryl chain of very narrow molecular weight distribution is attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene such that entanglement of adjacent chains in the melt are inhibited. In addition to distributed macromonomer grafts, other functionality may be attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene to introduce other desirable properties such as radiation curability. In another embodiment the macromolecule comprises a polymer of one or more simple olefinic monomers wherein a macromolecule is attached to pendent functionality and/or copolymerized into the polymer backbone.

Abstract: Low creep polypropylene textiles are disclosed which comprise a blend of isotactic polypropylene with 10-30 weight percent of a resin obtained by hydrogenating polymerized olefinically unsaturated monomers derived from petroleum cracking, e.g., polydicyclopentadiene. The hydrocarbon resin has a weight average molecular weight of from 500 to 1000 and a glass transition temperature of from 40.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. The blend exhibits creep resistance at ambient temperatures and has a glass transition temperature greater than 20.degree. C. The textile blend is useful in carpet, drapery and other applications wherein creep resistance and resiliency are desirable.

Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst systems, and a method for using such system, for the enhanced production of homo and copolymer products of olefin, diolefin and/or acetylenically unsaturated monomers. This invention catalyst system comprises a Group III-A element compound for improving the productivity of an olefin polymerization catalyst which is the reaction product of a metallocene of a Group IV-B transition metal and an ionic activator compound comprising a cation capable of donating a proton or which will irreversibly react with at least one ligand contained in the Group IV-B metal compound and an anion which is bulky, labile and noncoordinateable with the Group IV transition metal cation produced upon reaction of the metallocene and activator compound to form the catalyst component of the catalyst system.