Abstract: A low molecular weight co-oligomer containing styrene and ?-methyl styrene in bound form and having a ring and ball softening point not greater than 50° C. is useful in modifying the properties of a diene elastomer-based curable rubber composition capable of being used to manufacture tire treads.

Abstract: Curable compositions are prepared using polyisocyanates, hydrophobic hydroxyl-terminated polymers (such as hydroxyl-terminated polyfarnesenes and hydroxyl-terminated polydienes) and organically-modified nanoclays, optionally in combination with chain extenders and/or urethane catalysts. When cured, the compositions yield polyurethane-based sealants useful in insulating glass units which have improved (lowered) moisture vapor transmission rate values as a consequence of the inclusion of the organically-modified nanoclays.

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 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.

Abstract: A method including operating a high impact polystyrene (HIPS) reaction system having a devolatilizer downstream of a polymerization reactor, and from which a HIPS product is obtained, and injecting an antioxidant into the HIPS reaction system prior to the devolatilizer, with the antioxidant being one or more aromatic antioxidants. A HIPS product produced by operating a HIPS reaction system to produce a HIPS product, with the HIPS reaction system including a devolatilizer downstream of a polymerization reactor, and including injecting an antioxidant into the HIPS reaction system prior to the devolatilizer, with the antioxidant being comprising one or more aromatic antioxidants. The antioxidant may comprise at least one thiol group, at least one cresol group, or both. A system for producing the HIPS product is also provided.

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 method for determining a TAN-IR for naphthenic acids in crude oil or crude oil fraction may include determining an IR spectrum of a sample of the crude oil or crude oil fraction. The method may include determining an IR spectrum of a neutralized sample of the crude oil or crude oil fraction. The method may include utilizing the IR spectra of the sample and the neutralized sample to determine a modified TAN-IR.

Abstract: A process may include contacting ethylene monomer with Ziegler-Natta catalyst to form polyethylene. The Ziegler-Natta catalyst may be formed by contacting an alkyl magnesium compound with an alcohol and a metal reagent to form a blend, and contacting the blend with a first agent to form a solution of reaction product “A”. The solution of reaction product “A” may be contacted with a second agent to form a solid reaction product “B”, and the solid reaction product “B” may be contacted with a third agent to form a solid reaction product “C”. The solid reaction product “C” may be contacted with a fourth agent to form a solid reaction product “D”, and the solid reaction product “D” may be contacted with a fifth agent to form a catalyst component.

Abstract: A macromonomer precursor is provided that includes a polymeric chain derived from farnesene and a single functional terminal end. The functional terminal end may include a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an epoxy group, an isocyanato group, or a carboxylic acid group. The terminal end of the macromonomer precursor may then be reacted with a (meth)acrylate to form a macromonomer having a (meth)acrylate functionalized terminal end that may be (co)polymerized with radically polymerizable monomers, such as alkyl(meth)acrylate monomers. Alternatively, a copolymer may be obtained by first deriving a poly(meth)acrylate from (meth)acrylate monomers having reactive groups that would allow the macromonomer precursors to be grafted onto the poly(meth)acrylate in a second step. The resulting copolymer may be incorporated as an additive in various formulations, such as a lubricant, a hydraulic fluid, a cosmetic composition, and an adhesive composition.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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.