Abstract: Propylene-ethylene copolymers are provided that exhibit superior tensile strength and mechanical properties due to their specific propylene and ethylene content, triad tacticity, viscosity, and crystallinity. Moreover, we have discovered that certain processing conditions, such as polymerization temperature and external donor to catalyst ratios, can facilitate the production of the high tensile strength propylene-ethylene copolymers described herein. Furthermore, the high tensile strength propylene-ethylene copolymers may be used to produce a variety of hot melt adhesives, such as those for hygiene applications, woodworking applications, lamination applications, and packaging applications, which exhibit unique and superior mechanical properties.

Abstract: Propylene-ethylene copolymers are provided that exhibit superior tensile strength and mechanical properties due to their specific propylene and ethylene content, triad tacticity, viscosity, and crystallinity. Moreover, we have discovered that certain processing conditions, such as polymerization temperature and external donor to catalyst ratios, can facilitate the production of the high tensile strength propylene-ethylene copolymers described herein. Furthermore, the high tensile strength propylene-ethylene copolymers may be used to produce a variety of hot melt adhesives, such as those for hygiene applications, woodworking applications, lamination applications, and packaging applications, which exhibit unique and superior mechanical properties.

Abstract: A technique for protecting joints in pavement structures includes applying a hardener/densifier to one or more surfaces that define a joint in a pavement structure and, optionally, to portions of one or more surfaces that are located adjacent to the joint. One or more other compounds, such as hydrophobic materials, water-resistant materials, anti-scaling compounds, anti-wear compounds, multi-functional blended compositions and the like, may also be applied to the surfaces that define a joint and/or to portions of one or more surfaces that are adjacent to the joint. A seal may also be formed in a joint in a pavement structure. Joints that have been protected in accordance with teachings of this disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polar silane linkers are provided that attach to resins to form silane-functionalized resins. The functionalized resins can be bound to hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica particles to improve the dispersibility of the silica particles in rubber mixtures. Further disclosed are synthetic routes to provide the silane-functionalized resins, as well as various uses and end products that benefit from the unexpected properties of the silane-functionalized resins. Silane-functionalized resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the silane-functionalized resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, and wet braking performance.

Abstract: A tackifier composition comprising at least one thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin and an antioxidant composition is provided; wherein a portion of the volatile organic compounds in the thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin has been removed; wherein the antioxidant composition comprises at least one primary antioxidant and at least one secondary antioxidant; and wherein the levels of individual volatile organic compound monitored in the tackifier composition are less than about 0.5 ppm as measured by GC/MS headspace analysis. Processes for producing the tackifier composition are also provided as well as adhesives comprising the tackifier compositions.

Abstract: A tackifier composition comprising at least one thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin and an antioxidant composition is provided; wherein a portion of the volatile organic compounds in the thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin has been removed; wherein the antioxidant composition comprises at least one primary antioxidant and at least one secondary antioxidant; and wherein the levels of individual volatile organic compound monitored in the tackifier composition are less than about 0.5 ppm as measured by GC/MS headspace analysis. Processes for producing the tackifier composition are also provided as well as adhesives comprising the tackifier compositions.

Abstract: A tackifier composition comprising at least one thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin and an antioxidant composition is provided; wherein a portion of the volatile organic compounds in the thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin has been removed; wherein the antioxidant composition comprises at least one primary antioxidant and at least one secondary antioxidant; and wherein the levels of individual volatile organic compound monitored in the tackifier composition are less than about 0.5 ppm as measured by GC/MS headspace analysis. Processes for producing the tackifier composition are also provided as well as adhesives comprising the tackifier compositions.

Abstract: Modified thermoplastic hydrocarbon thermoplastic resins are provided, as well as methods of their manufacture and uses thereof in rubber compositions. The modified thermoplastic resins are modified by decreasing the relative quantity of the dimer, trimer, tetramer, and pentamer oligomers as compared to the corresponding unmodified thermoplastic resin polymers, resulting in a product that exhibits a greater shift in the glass transition temperature of the elastomer(s) used in tire formulations. This translates to better viscoelastic predictors of tire tread performance, such as wet grip and rolling resistance. The modified thermoplastic resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the modified thermoplastic resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, snow performance, and wet braking performance.

Abstract: A tackifier composition comprising at least one thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin and an antioxidant composition is provided; wherein a portion of the volatile organic compounds in the thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin has been removed; wherein the antioxidant composition comprises at least one primary antioxidant and at least one secondary antioxidant; and wherein the levels of individual volatile organic compound monitored in the tackifier composition are less than about 0.5 ppm as measured by GC/MS headspace analysis. Processes for producing the tackifier composition are also provided as well as adhesives comprising the tackifier compositions.

Abstract: A tackifier composition comprising at least one thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin and an antioxidant composition is provided; wherein a portion of the volatile organic compounds in the thermoplastic hydrocarbon resin has been removed; wherein the antioxidant composition comprises at least one primary antioxidant and at least one secondary antioxidant; and wherein the levels of individual volatile organic compound monitored in the tackifier composition are less than about 0.5 ppm as measured by GC/MS headspace analysis. Processes for producing the tackifier composition are also provided as well as adhesives comprising the tackifier compositions.

Abstract: A rubber composition includes: a rubber component; a filler in an amount of 40 to 125 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component; and a hydrogenated resin in an amount of 5 to 50 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, the resin having a softening point of higher than 110° C. and a weight average molecular weight, as determined in terms of polystyrene, of 200 to 1200 g/mol. The rubber composition can be used to produce a tire having an excellent wet grip performance and a low rolling resistance, and a vulcanized rubber having excellent handling properties.

Abstract: Polar silane linkers are provided that attach to resins to form silane-functionalized resins. The functionalized resins can be bound to hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica particles to improve the dispersibility of the silica particles in rubber mixtures. Further disclosed are synthetic routes to provide the silane-functionalized resins, as well as various uses and end products that benefit from the unexpected properties of the silane-functionalized resins. Silane-functionalized resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the silane-functionalized resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, and wet braking performance.

Abstract: The invention provides (meth)acrylic oligomers prepared from C1-C20 alkyl and C5-C20 cycloalkyl (meth)acrylates, wherein said oligomers have a Mn of about 300 g/mole to about 3,000 g/mole; a Mw of about 700 g/mole to about 6,000 g/mole; a Mz of about 900 g/mole to about 10,000 g/mole. The oligomers may have a Yellowness Index, according to ASTM E313 of less than 2. The oligomers of the invention are useful as tackifiers in adhesive compositions, but also are believed to be useful also in general polymer modification as plasticizers, leveling agents, viscosity reducers (i.e., rheology modifiers), and for increasing solids content in solvent-borne applications of all types with little detrimental impact on viscosity. The invention also provides adhesive compositions and laminate articles coated on at least one side with the adhesive compositions of the invention.

Abstract: A technique for protecting joints in pavement structures includes applying a hardener/densifier to one or more surfaces that define a joint in a pavement structure and, optionally, to portions of one or more surfaces that are located adjacent to the joint. One or more other compounds, such as hydrophobic materials, water-resistant materials, anti-scaling compounds, anti-wear compounds, multi-functional blended compositions and the like, may also be applied to the surfaces that define a joint and/or to portions of one or more surfaces that are adjacent to the joint. A seal may also be formed in a joint in a pavement structure. Joints that have been protected in accordance with teachings of this disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: Modified thermoplastic hydrocarbon thermoplastic resins are provided, as well as methods of their manufacture and uses thereof in rubber compositions. The modified thermoplastic resins are modified by decreasing the relative quantity of the dimer, trimer, tetramer, and pentamer oligomers as compared to the corresponding unmodified thermoplastic resin polymers, resulting in a product that exhibits a greater shift in the glass transition temperature of the elastomer(s) used in tire formulations. This translates to better viscoelastic predictors of tire tread performance, such as wet grip and rolling resistance. The modified thermoplastic resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the modified thermoplastic resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, snow performance, and wet braking performance.

Abstract: Amorphous propylene-ethylene copolymers are described herein that can include high amounts of ethylene and exhibit desirable softening points and needle penetrations. The desirable combinations of softening points and needle penetrations in these propylene-ethylene copolymers allow them to have a broad operating window. Due their broad operating window, the propylene-ethylene copolymers can be utilized in a wide array of applications and products, including hot melt adhesives.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.

Abstract: A hand-held hot melt glue gun having a melt chamber, a needle and a nozzle that is movable with respect to the needle to open or close a discharge port in fluid communication with the melt chamber. A spring closure urges the needle and nozzle toward relative positions to close the discharge port. An opening element moves the nozzle with respect to the needle to open the discharge port, and a trigger mechanism is provided for advancing solid glue into the melt chamber and for operating the opening element. A time delay mechanism provides a time delay between the opening of the discharge port and advancement of glue into the melt chamber.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a substrate includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to the surface and, while the composition is present on the surface, providing the surface with a glossy finish (e.g., polishing the surface, burnishing the surface, etc.). The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include one or more of a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.), and an acrylic latex. When the composition is applied to the surface of the flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and providing the surface with a glossy finish may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness of at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.