Abstract: Disclosed are four gel compositions that have improved properties over the prior art. These gels include elastosols, solid rubbery gels, UV cured gels and chemically cured gels. The gels are formed from selectively hydrogenated styrene/diene block copolymers, unhydrogenated styrene/diene block copolymers, and selectively hydrogenated styrene/diene block copolymers that have been maleated.

Abstract: An asphalt binder is provided, comprising 85 to 97.5 parts by weight of a bitumen and 16 to 2.5 parts by weigh of a polymer composition, wherein the polymer composition comprises: (i) from 2 to 8, preferably from 3 to 6 parts by weight of a styrenic block copolymer having at least two blocks of monovinylaromatic hydrocarbon (A) and at least one block of a conjugated diene (B), wherein the block copolymer composition has a vinyl content of at least 25% by weight, preferably from 25 to 40% by weight, based on the total diene content; (ii) from 0 to 5, preferably from 1 to 3 parts by weight of a styrenic diblock copolymer having one block of monovinylaromatic hydrocarbon (A) and one block of a conjugated diene (B); and (iii) from 0.5 to 3, preferably from 1 to 2.5 parts by weight of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, wherein the weight ratio of (i)+(ii):(iii) is from 2:1 to 6:1, preferably from 3:1 to 4:1.

Abstract: What is claimed is a flexible packaging film having improved toughness without compromise of other physical properties. The flexible packaging film is a laminate of at least two film layers of a polyolefin and at least one film layer of a block copolymer. The block copolymer employed in the present invention is a selectively hydrogenated high vinyl block copolymer.

Abstract: A novel process for preparation of block copolymers containing, for example, alpha-methyl-styrene/styrene glassy blocks is claimed, where the glassy blocks contain 25-50 mol % alpha-methyl-styrene and have Tg values in the range of 120 to 140° C. The copolymerization process, which is conducted at 35 to 60° C. and relatively high solids contents and with continuous addition of styrene, results in very high conversions of the alpha-methyl-styrene. Selectively hydrogenated block copolymers having high glassy block Tg values are also disclosed and claimed as well as high service temperature elastomeric compositions comprising the block copolymer and an olefin polymer or copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bituminous composition comprising a bituminous component, an elastomeric polymer component, and a specific cross-linking composition component comprising elemental sulfur, a sulfur-containing derivative, a sulfur activator, a fatty acid or fatty acid derivative and a polymeric carrier. Compositions according to the invention are particularly useful in preparing polymer-modified asphalt (“PMA”) for road applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making selectively hydrogenated block copolymers of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dienes comprising: a) anionically polymerizing vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dienes to produce block copolymers with living chain ends; b) terminating the living chain ends; to produce a terminated block copolymer, with a member from the group consisting of an alcohol, hydrogen, and mixtures thereof, to prepare a terminated block copolymer; and c) contacting the terminated block copolymers with hydrogen at a temperature of from 20 to 175° C. in the presence of a catalyst prepared by combining a cobalt carboxylate with an aluminum alkyl, wherein: (i) if the polymer is terminated with an alcohol and the alcohol is a linear alcohol, the linear alcohol is used to terminate the living chain ends in an amount such that the alcohol:living chain end molar ratio is from 0.05 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pressure sensitive adhesive compositions prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of aromatic vinyl compounds and conjugated dienes. The block copolymers are a mixture of a high molecular weight linear and/or radial block copolymer component (SBC1 and/or SBC2), and a diblock copolymer component (D1). The block copolymer may be combined with other block copolymers, tackifying resins, oils and other components to form the adhesives of the present invention. The pressure sensitive adhesives of the present invention maintain their performance at elevated temperatures and fail cohesively making them particularly useful for die-cuttable label applications. The pressure sensitive adhesives compositions may also comprise ester plasticizers typically used for PVC and thus make adhesives particularly suitable for PVC film labels and decals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photocurable compositions for use in flexographic printing plates comprising selectively hydrogenated block copolymers of conjugated dienes and monoalkenyl arenes and flexographic printing plates made from the same. The block copolymers, either linear or radial, have terminal blocks of unsaturated conjugated diene. The block copolymer is further comprised of monoalkenyl arene blocks and hydrogenated conjugated diene blocks. The compositions exhibit exceptional improvement in degree of cure over comparative selectively hydrogenated block copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention is a coupled radial anionic polymer comprising a polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane [POSS] of the formula [R—SiO3/2]n. POSS compounds having R=vinyl, glycidyldimethyl silyl, and isobutyl have been found effective in coupling anionic living polymers to yield radial polymers having 2 to 10 arms. Radial polymers of the present invention have been formed using POSS octamers and mixtures of POSS octamers, decamers and dodecamers. The present invention also relates to a process for coupling living anionic polymers with POSS compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a polymer modified bituminous composition having improved phase stability, heat aging and viscosity characteristics. The bituminous compositions are blends comprising bitumen and from about 0.5 to about 25% of a novel anionic block copolymer where one of the blocks is a controlled distribution copolymer of a conjugated diene and a mono-alkenyl arene having a specific arrangement of the monomers in the copolymer block. The composition of the invention is useful for paving, roofing felts, water-proof membrane, adhesive, mopping asphalt, carpet backing and pipe coating applications.