Abstract: A low viscosity polymer having a linear or branched backbone derived from farnesene monomers and at least one terminal-end functionalized with a hydroxyl group. This polymer may be further hydrogenated to reduce unsaturation and acrylated, such that it may be incorporated into a LOCA composition. The LOCA composition may be used in a laminated screen assembly, such as a touch screen, for electronic devices by adhering the LOCA composition between an optically transparent layer, such as a cover glass, and a display. The cured LOCA composition has a refractive index similar to the optically transparent layer. A method of making the low viscosity polymer for the LOCA composition includes anionically polymerizing farnesene monomers, quenching a living end of the polymer to provide the hydroxyl-terminated polymer; hydrogenating the hydroxyl-terminated polymer; and reacting the at least partially saturated hydroxyl-terminated polymer with at least one reagent to provide an acrylate terminated hydrogenated polymer.

Abstract: Foamable polystyrene compositions with enhanced blowing agent solubility and methods of making such polystyrene compositions by incorporating a polar additive in styrenic polymer or copolymers.

Abstract: A pellet composed of a polymeric blend having a polyolefin and polylactic acid.

Abstract: Cellular and multi-cellular polystyrene and polystyrenic foams and methods of forming such foams are disclosed. The foams include an expanded polystyrene formed from expansion of an expandable polystyrene including an adsorbent comprising alumina, wherein the multi-cellular polystyrene exhibits a multi-cellular size distribution. The process for forming a foamed article includes providing a formed styrenic polymer and contacting the formed styrenic polymer with a first blowing agent and an adsorbent comprising alumina to form extrusion polystyrene. The process further includes forming the extrusion styrenic polymer into an expanded styrenic polymer and forming the expanded styrenic polymer into a foamed article.

Abstract: High impact polystyrene may be formed with increased swell index and reduced or eliminated discoloration. A process of forming high impact polystyrene may include providing a polymerization system including a polymerization reactor and a devolatilizer. High impact polystyrene may be formed in the polymerization reactor, and sent to the devolatilizer. A polar antioxidant having a hindered phenol structure and an aliphatic amine group, and with a phosphite antioxidant may be added to the polymerization system. In another process, a chemical retarder and a fluorescent whitening agent may be added to the polymerization system. In another process, a chemical retarder that inhibits free radical rubber crosslinking may be added to the polymerization system.

Abstract: Polystyrene blends and methods of making polystyrene blends including combining a styrene monomer and an epoxy-functional comonomer to form a combined mixture, subjecting the combined mixture to polymerization to obtain a polystyrene copolymer and combining the polystyrene copolymer with a biodegradable polymer to obtain a polystyrene blend.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed. A process for making styrene or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst containing nanosize zeolite particles supported on a support material is disclosed.

Abstract: A modified polymer includes a diene-based polymeric chain and at least one end terminated with a blocked isocyanate group. The blocked isocyanate group may be the reaction product of an isocyanate and a blocking agent, and the blocking agent is selected, such that the modified polymer deblocks at temperatures of at least 100 C. An aqueous emulsion of the modified polymer may be provided that may be surfactant-free. The emulsion may be combined with one or more latexes to provide a treatment solution for a fabric or fiber that does not require the use of resorcinol and formaldehyde. Once treated and dried, the fabric or fiber may be used to impart tensile strength to rubber products, such as tires, air springs, flexible couplings, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, and fluid routing hoses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are highly active dilithio initiators prepared from high molecular weight dienes (C?6) and methods for the preparation of such compounds. These dilithio initiators result in greater control over polymer microstructure and provide useful polymers and oligomers with low vinyl incorporation.

Abstract: Polymer articles and processes of forming polymer articles are described herein. The processes generally include providing a propylene based polymer formed from a metallocene catalyst and melt processing the propylene based polymer to form a polymer article.

Abstract: A process includes combining a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene with a nucleator and a slip agent to form a composition, and forming a cast film from the composition. The slip agent may exhibit an increased slip bloom rate within the cast film relative to the slip bloom rate exhibited by the slip agent in an otherwise identical cast film in which the nucleator is not present in the cast film. The cast film may exhibit a coefficient of friction that is less than a coefficient of friction of an otherwise identical cast film in which the nucleator is not present in the cast film.

Abstract: A composition is provided for making a polyurethane that may be incorporated in various products, such as a sealant, a coating, a caulk, an electric potting compound, a membrane, a sponge, a foam, an adhesives, and a propellant binder. The composition includes one or more polyols, one or more isocyanate-group containing compounds having an isocyanate group functionality of at least two, and optionally one or more chain extenders. At least one of the polyols is a farnesene-based polyol having a number average molecular weight less than or equal to 100,000 g/mol and a viscosity at 25° C. less than 10,000 cP. The farnesene-based polyol may be a homopolymer or a copolymer of farnesene. The composition may also comprise additional polyols, such as a polyol of a homopolymer or copolymer of a polydiene. Methods of preparing a polyurethane are also provided.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented film includes a PLA and polyolefin (PLA/PO) blend. The film has a haze of 80% or greater as measured by ASTM-D1003 and a 45° gloss of less than 50% as measured by ASTM-D-2457.

Abstract: The process includes reacting a reaction mixture comprising magnesium ethoxide (Mg(OEt)2), triethylaluminum (TEAl), and 2-ethylhexanol (2-EHOH) to form magnesium 2-ethyl hexyl alkoxide (Mg(2-EHO)2) and contacting Mg(2-EHO)2 in hexane with a first agent to form a reaction product “A.” The process further includes contacting the reaction product “A” with a second agent to form a reaction product “B”, wherein the second agent includes a transition metal and a halogen. The process further includes contacting the reaction product “B” with a third agent to form a reaction product “C”, wherein the third agent includes a first metal halide. In addition, the process includes contacting the reaction product “C” with a fourth agent to form a reaction product “D”, wherein the fourth agent includes a second metal halide. The process also includes contacting the reaction product “D” with a fifth agent to form a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, wherein the fifth agent includes an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons include a direct contact condenser to remove compounds from an offgas process stream. The reduction of compounds can decrease duty on the offgas compressor by removing steam and aromatics from the offgas. The dehydrogenation reaction system can be applicable for reactions such as the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to produce styrene, the dehydrogenation of isoamiline to produce isoprene, or the dehydrogenation of n-pentene to produce piperylene.

Abstract: A styrene monomer reclamation process and system is described. The styrene monomer reclamation process includes providing a waste plastic. The waste plastic includes styrenic polymers. The waste plastic is formed into polymer particles. At least a portion of the polymer particles are dissolved in a solvent to form a polymer stream. The dissolved polymer particles are depolymerized to form a styrene monomer stream.

Abstract: A process may include shutting down a reactor in which ethylbenzene is undergoing dehydrogenation to styrene in the presence of steam and a catalyst adapted to catalyze dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene. Shutting down the reactor may include reducing a temperature of the reactor. Shutting down the reactor may include supplying a purge stream to the reactor. Supplying a purge stream may include increasing a steam-to-ethylbenzene molar ratio of an input stream to the reactor. Supplying a purge stream may include supplying steam and one or more of H2, CO2, and styrene to the reactor. The process may include stopping supply of the purge stream to the reactor and supplying an inert gas purge stream to the reactor. Shutting down the reactor may be performed without use of a steam-only purge stream.

Abstract: A process of forming a Ziegler-Natta catalyst component is disclosed. The process includes contacting an alkyl magnesium compound with an alcohol and a first organoaluminum compound to form a magnesium dialkoxide compound and contacting the magnesium dialkoxide compound with a titanating agent to form reaction product “A.” The process further includes reacting reaction product “A” with a halogenating agent to form reaction product “B” and reacting reaction product “B” with a second organoaluminum compound to form a single halogenated catalyst component.

Abstract: The method includes providing a high impact polystyrene (HIPS) reaction system, wherein the HIPS reaction system has a devolitalizer downstream of a reactor and injecting a retarding agent into the HIPS reaction system prior to the devolitalizer.

Abstract: A tackifying resin includes a farnesene-based polymer having monomeric units derived from a farnesene monomer and one or more optional comonomers selected from the group consisting of dienes, branched mono-olefins, and vinyl aromatics and has a softening point greater than or equal to 80 degrees Celsius. A method of making the farnesene-based polymer includes combining a farnesene monomer and a solvent and optionally adding one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of dienes, branched mono-olefins, and vinyl aromatics, to provide a monomer feed, and polymerizing the monomer feed by combining the monomer feed with a Friedel-Crafts catalyst in a vessel. The tackifying resin may be combined with an elastomer to form a hot melt adhesive composition.