Abstract: The disclosure relates to a styrenic block copolymer (SBC) having at least a triblock, and a diblock structure with a diblock content of up to 50 wt. %. The SBC is suitable for film applications requiring soft stretch properties even without adding oil, pressure sensitive adhesive applications, photocurable (photopolymerizable) printing plates, etc. Additional components can be added to the SBC, accordingly, forming the end-use (application) composition.

Abstract: A composition comprising selectively hydrogenated block copolymers (a) and (b having peak molecular weights of 150-1,000 kg/mol, 6-60 kg/mol, respectively, is disclosed. Component (a) comprises one or more structures A-B-A, (A-B-A)nX, A-(B-A)n, and (A-B)nX. Component (b) comprises one or more structures C-D, D-C-D, and (D-C)nX. The value of “n” is 1-30, and “X” is a residue of a coupling agent. Before hydrogenation, blocks A and C, are vinyl aromatic polymer blocks; and blocks B and D are polymer blocks comprising 60-100 mol % of one or more conjugated dienes and 0-40 mol % of a vinyl aromatic monomer. The HSBC compositions and TPE blends exhibits good elasticity, good processability, low extractables, and low compression set.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a film layer for use in flexible metal clad laminates. The film layer comprises a thermosetting composition comprising: a copolymer of (a) a diisoalkenylarene (DIAEA) and (b) a divinylarene (DVA) containing a mixture of m-divinylarene and p-divinylarene, in a mole ratio of (a) to (b) of 15:1 to 1:15; a second polymer; a filler and optional additives. Flexible metal clad laminates made with the film further comprises a metal foil bonded to the surface of the film. The thermosetting composition containing the DIAEA-DVA copolymer provides improved thermal stability at high temperature, excellent processability, and electrical properties, e.g., Dk and Df.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cured composition obtained by curing a curable polymer composition comprising: (a) at least one hydroxyl group containing compound selected from diols, triols, tetraols, polyols, polymeric polyols, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a sulfonated styrenic block copolymer (SSBC) containing a block A, a block B, and a block D. Each block A and D is resistant to sulfonation and the block B is susceptible to sulfonation having a degree of sulfonation of >10 mole %. The curable polymer composition is cured by treating with radiation or thermal energy for improved mechanical properties. The cured composition can be used as a membrane in water purification applications.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition for use in tires. The rubber composition comprises a blend of a rubber component and based on 100 parts by weight (phr) of the rubber component, from 50 to 200 phr of a filler, from 0 to 25 phr of a plasticizer, and from 5 to 90 phr dimeric decarboxylated rosin (DDCR). The DDCR resin comprises 50 to 100 wt. % of polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds having one or more aliphatic, unsaturated, or aromatic groups, and 34-80 carbon atoms, with a molecular weight Mn of 250-900 Da, a polydispersity index of 1.0-1.35, and an oxygen to carbon ratio of <5%.

Abstract: Polymers are obtained by polymerizing in the presence of a Bronsted acid or a Lewis acid catalyst, a monomer comprising a 1,3-diisoalkenylarene, a 1,4-diisoalkenylarene, or mixtures thereof. The polymer comprises at least one of repeat units (A), (B), (C), and (D); wherein R1 is H or a C1-C8 alkyl group. The polymers have high Tg and exhibit good solubility in non-polar solvents, forming substantially gel-free solutions. The polymers are useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials are valuable for further downstream uses, such as copper clad laminates.

Abstract: A method to purify a polymer is disclosed. The method is part of a manufacturing process wherein a virgin polymer is produced from a polymerization process employing at least a monomer or a comonomer as a feedstock. The monomer or the comonomer is selected from the group consisting of organic polar monomers, inorganic monomers, vinyl aromatic monomers, conjugated dienes, and mixtures thereof. In the method, the polymer in solid, liquid or molten state is brought into contact with a fluid solvent or an extraction fluid in a supercritical state or near supercritical state. The contact is at controlled temperature and pressure, allowing the fluid solvent to diffuse into the polymer and extract the impurities intended to remove. The method can be used to remove at least 10%, or at least 20%, or at least 50% of the target impurity from the polymer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a curable polymer composition comprising (i) a copolymer of a diisoalkenylarene (DIAEA) and a divinylarene (DVA), and (ii) at least one anti-scorching agent. The copolymer has a solubility in a hydrocarbon solvent at 25° C. for a period of less than 4 hours of at least 10 wt. %, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 50 to 300° C., and a Gel Content of less than 5 wt. %. The curable polymer composition is cured at a temperature of greater than 140° C. to obtain a cured polymer composition having a Gel Content in a hydrocarbon solvent of >90%, and low Dk and Df values. The curable polymer composition does not cross-link or has minimal premature cross-linking in steps such as processing, storage, etc., and can be used in copper clad lamination applications.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermosetting composition comprising a copolymer of (a) a diisoalkenylarene (DIAEA), and (b) a divinylarene (DVA) comprising m-DVB, p-DVB, m-EVB, p-EVB, and mixtures thereof. A mole ratio of DIAEA to DVA is from 15:1 to 1:15. The thermosetting composition after curing at a temperature of ?120° C. is characterized as having: a Gel Content of >90%, a Dk of <2.6 and Df of <0.002, both measured at 10 GHz, according to ASTM D2520. The thermosetting composition provides improved thermal stability at high temperature and excellent processability when used electronic applications as metal-clad laminates and build-up films.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an article comprising a substrate and an antifog coating layer provided on at least one surface of the substrate. The antifog coating layer comprises a sulfonated styrenic block copolymer (SSBC) having a block A, a block B, and a block D. Block A is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and derived from a para-substituted styrene monomer, block B is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation and derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, and block D is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and derived from a conjugated diene monomer. The antifog coating layer provides long-term antifog as well as anti-microbial protection properties. The selection of a specific solvent system can modify the SSBC film morphology leading to enhanced antifog property. The antifog coating layer adheres well to targeted substrates and has abrasion resistance property.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for producing poly(cyclohexadiene) homopolymers (PCHD). The PCHD is formed by polymerizing a 1,3-cyclohexadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst, in a hydrocarbon solvent, and at a temperature of ?100° C. to 120° C. The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a Bronsted acid, a Lewis acid, and combinations thereof. PCHD produced under these conditions has good solubility in non-polar solvents, and a number average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000 Dalton; a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 15,000 Delton; and a polydispersity index of 3.0 to 8.0. The PCHD is useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials can be combined with a rubbery polymer to produce compositions valuable for further downstream uses.

Abstract: A polyelectrolyte composition is disclosed comprising (a) a polyionic multiblock polymer (PILSBC) comprising a styrenic block copolymer (SBC) precursor having at least a quaternary ammonium salt; (b) a cross-linking agent comprising a compound having at least two amino groups; (c) a lithium salt; and (d) an ionic liquid. The SBC precursor comprises at least a block D derived from a substituted vinyl aromatic monomer; a block A derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer; and optionally a block B derived from a conjugated diene monomer. The polyelectrolyte composition has a mol ratio of the ionic liquid to the quaternary ammonium salt of 0.1:1-1:1. The polyelectrolyte composition provides improved ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties, and can be used in batteries, e.g., a Li-ion battery.

Abstract: A hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) is disclosed represented by at least one formula selected from S-EP-EB, (S-EP-EB)nX, and S-EP-EB-EP-S, wherein n is from 2 to 30 and X is a residue of a coupling agent. Prior to hydrogenation, each block S is a polymer block of a vinyl aromatic monomer, each block EP is a polyisoprene block, and each block EB is a polybutadiene block. The HSBC has a polystyrene content (PSC) of 5 to 20 wt. %, and a peak molecular weight (Mp) of 45 to 300 kg/mol. A thermoplastic composition is disclosed containing the HSBC and a polyolefin. The thermoplastic composition shows improved impact performance and toughness.

Abstract: A recycled polymer composition is disclosed comprising: a) 80-99.5 wt. % of a post-consumer recycle polymer comprising a recycled high density polyethylene (PCR-HDPE) and a recycled polypropylene (PCR-PP); b) 0.5-20 wt. % of a styrenic block copolymer (SBC) having a block A derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer and a block B derived from a conjugated diene monomer; and c) 0-10 wt. % of at least an additive, based on total weight of the recycled polymer composition. An article obtained from the recycle polymer composition using extrusion blow molding (EBM) show improved mechanical properties including drop impact resistance and top load strengths.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an adhesive composition comprising a partially hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (p-HSBC) and an amorphous polyolefin (APO) having a density of less than 1 g/cm3 and a softening point of 10-120° C. The composition has desirable elastomeric properties as well as beneficial processability characteristics. The unique combination of processability and performance attributes results in the adhesive compositions useful in a variety of applications such as disposable nonwoven hygienic articles, paper converting, flexible packaging, woodworking, carton, case sealing, and other assembly applications.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly and a selectively permeable barrier layer comprising sulfonated polymer is disclosed. The selectively permeable barrier layer is arranged facing at least one electrocatalyst layer, e.g., anode or cathode. The sulfonated polymer layer aids in controlling the movement of fluids and/or their constituents into and out of the electrochemical cell assembly for separation or capture for subsequent use.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydrogenated styrene-based multiblock copolymer composition, having selectively quaternized midblock, for forming anion-exchange membranes (AEMs). The quaternized hydrogenated styrene-based multiblock copolymer is characterized as having a high glass transition temperature from the hydrophobic end-blocks, low vinyl (rubber) content, and quaternized mid-block. AEMs made from the composition have improved thermal and dimensional stability in electrolyzer operations.

Abstract: A tire composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a rubber component and based on 100 parts by weight (phr) of the rubber component, 50-200 phr of covered silica, with the covered silica comprising silica core and a first resin covering the silica core, wherein the first resin is not chemically bonded to the silica core. The silica core is covered with the first resin by mixing a slurry comprising silica core with a mixture containing the first resin as a solution, an aqueous dispersion; or a solution by dissolving the first resin in a solvent.

Abstract: A method for applying a high friction surface roadway treatment and composition used therein is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a binder composition, comprising: 10-99.9 wt. % of a resin; 0.1-70 wt. % of an elastomer; heating the binder composition to a sufficient temperature to obtain a molten binder composition; applying a layer of the molten binder composition; and applying a layer comprising aggregate having a nominal maximum size of at least 1 mm, and an embedment depth of at least 30% in the molten binder composition layer. The resin is selected from hydrocarbon resins, alkyd resins, rosin resins, rosin esters, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An oil gel compositions comprising (i) between 10 to 20 wt. % of a selectively hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer, (ii) an oil, and (iii) optional additives is described herein. In embodiments, the oil gel composition is characterized as having, a viscosity at 25° C. and 10/s between 100 (See claim 2) and 200 Pa-s, a cone penetration at 25° C. from 200 dmm to 600 dmm, a drop point from 100 to 250° C., and oil separation at 100° C. from 0% to 2%. In embodiments, the oil gel composition has a viscosity ratio of 25° C./100° C. from 4 to 20 at 10/s shear rate. The oil gel composition can be used in cables for post tensioning applications.