Abstract: A rubber-modified asphalt composition is provided. The rubber includes at least a polydiene and may further include vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer contributed units. The rubber is cured by a bismaleimide. The present composition demonstrates improvements in the softening point of the asphalt composition.

Abstract: A polymer gel composition having a Shore A hardness less than 20. The polymer gel composition includes a polymer having at least 2 blocks derived from a vinyl-substituted aromated hydrocarbon, a R1R2ethylene, an alkyl vinyl ether, a maleimide, and a conjugated diene. At least one hydrophobic filler is included and, optionally, an extender. If maleimide is chosen, a maleated polyalkylene and a grafting agent are also included in the polymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping, soft polymer gel. The method includes: reacting a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer with a maleated polyalkylene and an alkyl diamine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product; and, dispersing the polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product with an extender oil sufficient to form the gel. The present invention also contemplates a polymer gel composition, a polymer composition and an article manufactured from the polymer gel composition.

Abstract: A polymer nano-particle composition is provided, wherein the nano-particle includes a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a surface layer including poly(conjugated diene). The polymer nano-particles are preferably less than about 100 nm in diameter. The nano-particles can be made by a dispersion polymerization process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming a high damping, soft polymer gel. The method involves mixing a polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl-co-maleimide) with a poly(alkenyl-co-maleimide) and an extender so as to form a gel.

Abstract: A high damping polymer gel composition suitable for at least vibration damping application, including a copolymer with at least alkenyl monomer units and maleimide monomer units, a maleated polyalkylene, a crosslinking agent, and a dendrimer is provided. The polymer gel composition may further include an extender.

Abstract: A polymer gel composition useful in the fabrication of a vibration damping material comprises a maleated polyalkylene grafted via a grafting agent such as a diamine to a poly(alkenyl-co-maleimide), an epoxy polymer and, optionally, an extender such as a phthalate oil.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping compound. The method includes: reacting a poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleic acid anhydride) polymer with a primary amine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer plasticizer, and, dispersing the poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer plasticizer within a rubber formulation to form a relatively high damping compound.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising at least two end segments that make up less than 15% of the total polymer composition. Each end segment has a vinyl content greater than about 45%. However, the vinyl content is less than about 35% throughout the remainder of the polymer composition.

Abstract: A polymeric gel composition comprising a polymer including an anhydride unit and an alkenyl unit, a crosslinking agent, a maleated polyalkylene, an extender, and an organic fatty acid is provided. The polymeric gel composition has superior high-temperature stability, mechanical strength, and moldability.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a sealant composition by mixing an elastomer in the substantial absence of an organic solvent and separately dispersing a quinoid curing agent in a polymer having a molecular weight below about 5,000 to form a curing agent concentrate. Thereafter, combining the curing agent concentrate with the elastomer to form the sealant composition. The composition is a rubber masterbatch having many applications and is advantageously, substantially free from organic solvents.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to poly(maleimide-co-alkenyl benzene) centipede polymer and a method for producing the polymer by reacting a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleic anhydride) in the presence of a primary amine in a substantially dry state. The invention is further directed to a process for blending the poly(maleimide-co-alkenyl benzene) centipede polymer with elastomeric polymers, in combination with, or in substitution of, conventional extender oils, to produce extended polymers having improved properties such as tensile strength, maximum elongation, tear strength, damping properties, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping, soft polymer gel. The method includes: reacting a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer with a maleated polyalkylene and an alkyl diamine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product; and, dispersing the polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product with an extender oil sufficient to form the gel. The present invention also contemplates a polymer gel composition, a polymer composition and an article manufactured from the polymer gel composition.

Abstract: The dispersibility of the initial polystyrene block in forming a S-B-S type of copolymer is improved by first preparing a small block of homopolydiene such as homopolybutadiene as a dispersing agent. Onto this small block of homopolybutadiene, the first block of polystyrene is formed and affixed and thereby made dispersible in a mixture of alkanes and 15 to 60% by weight of cycloalkanes, preferably hexane and cyclohexane. After the preparation of the dispersing agent and the first styrene block, the remaining monomer charges to the reactor are fed in aliphatic hydrocarbon diluents, preferably hexane or technical hexane, thereby greatly reducing the final percentage of cycloalkanes including cyclohexane in the reactor to less than 25% of total dispersing medium. The block copolymers produced according to the present process display a narrow molecular weight distribution and improved tensile strength over block copolymers produced in the absence of the additional cycloalkanes in the solvent system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of polymers near their gelation point as additives to hydrogenated block copolymers to form thermoreversible gels. More particularly, the compositions of this invention are elastomeric and exhibit improved damping capabilities over a wide temperature range and frequency range due to the addition of a novel near-gelation polymer damping additive.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping compound. The method includes: reacting a poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleic acid anhydride) polymer with a primary amine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer plasticizer; and, dispersing the poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer plasticizer within a rubber formulation to form a relatively high damping compound.

Abstract: The instant invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping, soft polymer gel. The method includes: reacting a poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer with a maleated polyalkylene and an alkyl diamine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a polyalkylene grafted poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer product; and, dispersing the polyalkylene grafted poly(disubstituted ethylene-co-maleimide) polymer product with an extender oil sufficient to form the gel. The instant invention also contemplates a polymer gel composition, a polymer composition and an article manufactured from the polymer gel composition.

Abstract: Rubber curing agents such as quinoids are compounded to achieve a uniform or homogeneous distribution thereof in a rubber composition. The quinoid curing agents are initially solubilized in an organic polar solvent and then mixed with the rubber or rubber masterbatch. The organic polar solvent is then removed. A uniform fine distribution of the curing agent results in improved physical properties. The process is an improvement in that it does not require the rubber masterbatch be dissolved in a nonpolar solvent. The present invention is particularly suitable as a sealant composition for tires.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping, soft polymer gel. The method includes: reacting a poly(alkyl vinylether-co-maleimide) polymer with a maleated polyalkylene and an alkyl diamine under substantially dry conditions sufficient to form a polyalkylene grafted poly(alkyl vinylether-co-maleimide) polymer product; and, dispersing the polyalkylene grafted poly(alkyl vinylether-co-maleimide) polymer product with an extender oil sufficient to form the gel. The present invention also contemplates a polymer gel composition, a polymer composition and an article manufactured from the polymer gel composition.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a soft gel composition comprising a hydrogenated block copolymer, a polyphenylene ether and a substantially amorphous polyolefin or hydrogenated polydiene blended in respective proportions sufficient to provide the composition with a Shore A hardness of 30 or less, and a service temperature of up to, and including about 150° C.