Abstract: Injection molded articles having improved scratch resistance and reduced gloss change after heat and UV aging are disclosed. The article is formed from a molding composition having a melt flow index of 50-350 g/10 (230° C., 2.16 kg) as measured by ASTM D1238-04, the composition consisting essentially of: a) 15-80 wt. % of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer having a melt index of at least 12 grams/10 minutes according to ASTM D1238 at 230° C. and 2.16 kg weight; b) 10-60 wt. % of a polypropylene having a melt flow index greater than 300 g/10 min, measured under 230° C./2.16 kg according to ISO 1133-1; and c) 5-25 wt. % of a thermoplastic vulcanizate having a Shore A hardness from 60-90 (15 sec, 23° C.) as measured according to ISO 868. The article has a gloss increase after 10 days of aging at 120° C. of less than 100%, relative to an initial gloss, as determined by PSA D47 1850.

Abstract: A resin composition that allows production of laminated sheets excellent in heat resistance and processability is disclosed. The resin composition comprises: a) a block copolymer, where the block copolymer comprises at least one polymer block comprising polymerized acyclic conjugated diene units, such as butadiene units, and at least one polymer block containing units like a conjugated cyclic diene such as 1,3-cyclohexadiene or monomer units characterized by unit Tg above 100° C., b) a curing initiator, and c) optionally diene-based polymer selected from a polybutadiene polymer and the copolymer of butadiene with styrene or other styrenic monomers, c) optional additives comprising but not limited to a multi-functional co-curable additive, a diene based rubber, a halogenated or non halogenated flame retardant, an inorganic or organic filler or fiber, an antioxidant, a adhesion promotor, a film forming.

Abstract: A drilling fluid composition having a controlled viscosity with the addition of a polyamide as a rheology modifier. The polyamide having has an acid value from 10 mg KOH/g to 200 mg KOH/g is obtained from a reactant mixture comprising: one or more polycarboxylic acids and one or more polyamines. The polycarboxylic acid is selected from the group of polycarboxylic acids having a carboxylic acid functionality of two or more, an average number of carboxylic acid functionalities of from 2 to 4, and having from 2 to 60 carbon atoms, wherein at least one of the polycarboxylic acids is derived from a dimer fatty acid. The polyamine is selected from the group of polyamines having an amine functionality of two or more selected from the group of primary and secondary amino groups, an average number of amine functionalities of from 2 to 4, and having from 2 to 36 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a copolymer concentrate in a bio-solvent that can be further diluted into a slurry composition. The bio-solvent facilitates the formation of a viscosified base fluid with the mixing being carried out in a short period of time and at ambient, providing a free flowing, pumpable, and dispersible slurry. The slurry is characterized as having excellent stability, maintaining suspension over a wide range of temperatures. In embodiments, the bio-solvent is selected from terpene and terpene-derivative-containing solvents, fatty acid alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof. The bio-solvent can be first mixed with a styrenic diblock copolymer to form a concentrate prior mixing with a hydrocarbon solvent, forming a viscosified base fluid for subsequent mixing with a water-soluble polymer to form the slurry. The bio-solvent can also be used to dilute the hydrocarbon solvent, prior to mixing with the styrenic diblock copolymer to form the viscosified base fluid.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a biobased metal-working fluid (MWF) composition and method for making same, and more particularly metal-working fluid with biobased lubricants with improved emulsion stability. At least 50 wt. % of the base oil component in the MWF concentrate is a plant-derived liquid decarboxylated rosin acid oil (“DCR”). The DCR comprises 50 to 100 wt. % of tricyclic compounds having 18-20 carbon atoms, one or more C?C groups, and m/z (mass/charge) value of 220-280; an oxygen content of <5%; a density of 0.9 to 1.0 g/cm3 at 20° C.; and an acid value of <10 mg KOH/g. The resulting MWF is characterized as having comparable if not better performance compared to a MWF containing only mineral oil (e.g., Group I or Group II).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for the beneficiation of an ore in a froth flotation process. The method comprises contacting an ore in a liquid medium to a collector composition comprising a plant-derived liquid decarboxylated rosin acid (DCR) collector. The DCR comprises 40 to 100 wt. % of tricyclic compounds having 18-20 carbon atoms, one or more C?C groups, and m/z (mass/charge) value of 220-280. The DCR has an oxygen content of <5%, a density of 0.9 to 1.0 g/cm3 at 20° C., and an acid value of <50 mg KOH/g.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to polymers 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: 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: A block copolymer composition is disclosed. The composition contains an elastomeric block copolymer and a hydrophilic fumed silica with a surface area (BET, measured by nitrogen gas adsorption) of at least 200 m2/g, and a pH of 3 to 5, a tamped density of <=75 g/L. The block copolymer composition forms free-flowing composition, requiring less than 400 lbs/ft2 to break in a blocking test. The free-flowing composition does not negatively impact haze, transparency, and yellowness of transparent compounds, suitable for use in transparent formulations for medical, toys, and overmolds, viscosified oils, and oil gels applications.

Abstract: A composition for applying onto a road surface and methods for making thereof is disclosed. The composition comprises a binder material of at least a styrenic block copolymer and a resin, which can be pelletized. The SBC is selected from a styrene-isoprene-styrene rubber (SIS) and styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene (SIBS); or styrene-ethylene/propylene/styrene-styrene (SEPSS), styrene-ethylene/butylene/styrene-styrene (SEBSS) and mixtures thereof. The binder can be used in road marking compositions or surface treatment compositions when combined with other components such as pigments, glass beads, anti-skid media, fillers, waxes, elastomer/plastomer, and plasticizers.

Abstract: An oil-based slurry composition comprising hydratable (water-soluble) materials with improved settling properties is disclosed with the addition of a suspending agent to the slurry mixture. The suspending agent is a styrenic diblock copolymer of formula A-B. The styrenic diblock copolymer is a hydrogenated styrene-(ethylene/propylene) (S-EP) block copolymer having a molecular weight of 175-225 kg/mole and a polystyrene (PSC) content of 30-50%. The block copolymer maintains the water-soluble materials in suspension in the mixture with less than 3 wt. % free hydrocarbon solvent separation after at least 1 day standing.

Abstract: A selectively hydrogenated block copolymer of general formula S-E-S, (S-E1)nX, or mixtures thereof is disclosed, where n has a value of 2-6, and X is a coupling agent residue. Before hydrogenation, S is a polystyrene block having a molecular weight of 4,400-5,600 g/mol, and E and E1 are polydiene blocks having molecular weights of 18,000-36,000 g/mol and 9,000 to 18,000 g/mol, respectively, selected from polybutadiene, polyisoprene and mixtures thereof, and having a total vinyl content of 60-85 mol %. After hydrogenation, the block copolymer has 0-10 percent of styrene double bonds reduced and at least 80 percent of conjugated diene double bonds reduced. The block copolymer has a solution viscosity of less than 80 centipoise (cP); a polystyrene content of 25-40 wt. % and up to 50 wt. % of diblock units of general formula S-E or S-E1.

Abstract: A rubber composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a blend based on 100 parts by weight (phr) of diene elastomers: 5 to 95 phr of a first diene elastomer, 5 to 50 phr of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC), 50 to 200 phr of a filler, up to 25 phr of a plasticizer. The HSBC has a melt flow ratio of 1.0 to 50.0 measured according to ASTM D-1238 at 230° C. and 2.16 kg load, a Shore A hardness of 40 to 80 measured according to ASTM D-2240, a DMA peak tan delta temperature of 0° C. to 40° C. at 1 Hz measured according to ASTM D-4065, and an order-disorder transition temperature of 200° C. to 300° C. The composition does not comprise a resin, a plasticizer, or comprises a resin or a plasticizer in an amount of less than 20 phr.

Abstract: A plasticized PVC composition free of phthalate and having low color is disclosed. The composition comprises a morpholide plasticizer prepared from a fatty acid selected from a tall oil fatty acid, a tall oil fatty acid monomer derived therefrom, and mixtures thereof. The fatty acid has a total carbon footprint of <95% of the total carbon footprint of a fatty acid obtained from a vegetable oil. The morpholide is prepared from the reaction of a tall oil fatty acid with morpholine in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing a rosin ester composition is disclosed. The process employs an adsorptive bed containing an adsorbent material. The adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 ?, BET surface area of at least 300 m2/g, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2. The deodorized rosin ester composition has an odor intensity reduction of at least 1 unit on odor intensity scale of Offensive Odor Control Act as compared to the rosin ester feedstock. In embodiment, the deodorizing treatment comprises using multi-staged adsorbent system with an adsorbent column having multiple layers of different adsorbent materials.

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 processibility, low extractables, and low compression set.

Abstract: Branched block copolymers, derived from alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon-1,3-diene monomer system, and branched polyisoprene homopolymers, derived from isoprene, are obtained by polymerization in the presence of an anionic initiator; at a temperature from 0° C. to 100° C.; followed by coupling with a multifunctional coupling agent of formula (R1O)3Si—Y—Si(OR2)3, wherein R1 and R2 are independently C1-C6 alkyl groups; and Y is a C2-C8 alkylene group. The polymers thus obtained can be used in many applications, including rubber cements having high solids content and low zero shear viscosities, and for producing aqueous latices therefrom.

Abstract: A hydrogenated block copolymer is disclosed comprising a polymer block A and a polymer block B. Prior to hydrogenation, the polymer block A has a first vinyl aromatic compound, and the polymer block B contains monomers a) a styrene compound having a radical reactive group and b) at least one conjugated diene, and optionally (c) a second vinyl aromatic compound that is same or different from the first vinyl aromatic compound. The repeat units of monomer a) forms 10-80 wt. % of the total block copolymer, and 10-70 wt. % of the total weight of block B. After hydrogenation, the polymerized units derived from the monomer b) has a RU of 0-1.5 meq per gram of the hydrogenated block copolymer. The hydrogenated block copolymer exhibits reactivity and higher flow properties before curing, after curing, shows excellent mechanical properties, improved flame resistance, and good solvent resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are linear block copolymers of formula A-B-A? or A-B*B-A?, wherein blocks A and A? are polystyrene blocks, block B is a poly(conjugated diene) block and * is a coupling agent having a vinyl content of from 10-60 mol %. The block copolymers have a polystyrene content of from 20-35 wt. %, relative to the overall weight of the block copolymer, and a molecular weight of from 200,000-300,000 g/mol. The block copolymers can be used with a wide variety of asphalt grades, and are valuable for producing homogeneous polymer modified asphalt compositions having an effective combination of performance properties, such as acceptable viscosity, good elastic response to an applied stress, and a low non-recoverable creep compliance. The combination of vinyl content and polymerization technology allows a high solution concentration during polymerization without excessive processing viscosity.

Abstract: A method to produce crude tall oil (CTO) having a reduced sulfur content is disclosed. Black liquor soap (BLS) is treated with 0.05 to 0.45% by weight H2O2. Hydrogen peroxide treated BLS compositions, CTO compositions, and chemical compositions derived thereof, including depitched CTO, TOP, depitched CTO distillation fractions, and products derived therefrom are disclosed. The use of a small amount of H2O2 results in a decreased degree of foaming.