Abstract: Rubber-modified copolymers of monovinyl aromatic monomers and the anhydride of ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomers are blended with water as a blowing agent, bromodiphenylethers as fire retardants, and metal oxides as synergist for the ethers to form a composition which can be foamed to densities of between 1 and 10 pounds per cubic foot, said foam composition having fire-retardant properties.

Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer particles which have fast cooling rates during molding are produced by dry blending styrene polymer particles in the presence of 0.06 to 0.60 parts of a mixture of alkyl esters of fatty acids per 100 parts of polymer particles. The ester mixture may be added as sole fast cool agent or in addition to the known internal additives which impart fast cool properties.

Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer particles are surface-coated with decaglyceroloctaoleate to prevent the particles from lumping together during expansion. The coating is applied by adding 0.02-0.05 part of decaglyceroloctaoleate to an aqueous suspension containing 100 parts of polymer particles subsequent to impregnating the mixture with a blowing agent, or by dry blending polymer particles with the octaoleate.

Abstract: Copolymers of monovinyl aromatic monomers and ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid amide monomers are blended with water as a blowing agent, bromodiphenylethers as fire retardants, and metal oxides as synergist for the ethers to form a composition which can be foamed to densities of between 1 and 10 pounds per cubic foot, said foam composition having fire-retardant properties.

Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer particles are surface-coated with conjugated diene elastomers to prevent the particles from lumping together during expansion. The coating is applied by adding 0.05-0.25 part of conjugated diene elastomer to an aqueous suspension containing 100 parts of polymer particles during the impregnation of the mixture with a blowing agent.

Abstract: Copolymers of monovinyl aromatic monomers and imide derivatives of ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomers are blended with water as a blowing agent, bromodiphenylethers as fire retardants, and metal oxides as synergist for the ethers to form a composition which can be foamed to densities of between 1 and 10 pounds per cubic foot, said composition having fire retardant properties.

Abstract: Rubber-modified copolymers of monovinyl aromatic monomers and imide derivatives of ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomers are blended with water as a blowing agent, bromodiphenylethers as fire retardants, and metal oxides as synergist for the ethers to form a composition which can be foamed to densities of between 1 and 10 pounds per cubic foot, said foam composition having fire-retardant properties.

Abstract: Compositions useful for lightweight structural units such as wallboard panels and the like are provided in which low density expandable thermoplastic granules or particles that have been expanded are used in conjunction with a cementitious base material, such as, gypsum (generally calcined to hemihydrate form, i.e. CaSO.sub.4.1/2 H.sub.2 O); a surfactant; an additive which acts as a frothing agent to incorporate an appropriate amount of air into the mixture to aid in obtaining a light density without decreasing strength or causing undue brittleness of the finished product; a film forming component to provide better flow and consistence of the mixture, as well as greater strength, flexibility, water resistance and adherence of the final product when the mixture is cured; and a starch which may be added as a binding agent and to increase the adhesive properties of the mixture.

Abstract: Flameproof and fireproof products are formed from a fire-unstable material coated with a polymeric material which is capable of intumescing beginning at a low temperature and has adhesive qualities in conjunction with the fire-unstable material. Upon the application of heat or flame to the products, the coating material copiously intumesces to form a protective thermal insulating foam barrier which prevents the fire-unstable material from igniting or degrading to the point of evolving flammable gases or losing its dimensional stability. Continued application of heat or flame will cause the foam to char but will not destroy the products for a suprisingly long time. The polymeric coating material comprises the resinous reaction product of phosphoric acid and a reducing sugar with a hardener and containing at least one modifying agent capable of rendering the coating material highly and permanently intumescent at a low initiating temperature even after prolonged storage of the flameproof and fireproof product.

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: The preparation of a branched, radial block copolymer having improved falling weight impact properties, and having monomodal distribution of molecular structure in the arms of the block copolymer is described.

Abstract: The preparation of a branched, radial block copolymer having improved falling weight impact properties, and having trimodal distribution of molecular structure in the arms of the block copolymer is described.

Abstract: The preparation of a branched, radial block copolymer having improved falling weight impact properties, and having trimodal distribution of molecular structure in the arms of the block copolymer is described.

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: Pressure treatment of fire unstable materials by an intumescent fire retardant composition which is injected or insinuated into the surface of fire unstable materials results in a fire and flameproof structure with a high capacity to withstand prolonged exposure to flame and heat.

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: The invention concerns thermoplastic molding compositions consisting essentially of a blend of:A. From about 40% to about 95% by weight of a interpolymer comprising from about 8 to about 15% block interpolymers prepared in a stereospecific system using from 5% to 35% vinyl aromatic compound and from 65 to 95% conjugated alkadiene, and about 84 to about 92% of a mixture containing from about 88 to about 93% sytrene and from about 7 to about 12% unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride selected from the group consisting of maleic anhydride and citraconic anhydride.B. From about 5% to about 60% of a polyphenylene oxide.

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.