Abstract: A composition comprising a tread enhancement additive for use in a number of applications including tires is disclosed. The tread enhancement additive is prepared from an unmodified alkyl phenol resin by reducing the hydroxyl value of the unmodified alkyl phenol resin, forming a modified alkyl phenol resin having a decreased hydroxyl value. The composition exhibits improved performance characteristics such as enhanced wet grip and decreased rolling resistance and improved abrasion resistance.

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: The disclosure relates to tire tread compositions and methods for making. The compositions include a rubber, a rosin ester resin and at least one filler. The rosin ester resin is characterized as having a PAN number of less than 25, an acid number less than 20, a hydroxyl number of less than 30, a combined acid number and hydroxyl value of less than 50. The tire tread composition has a wet grip resistance to rolling resistance indicator ratio ((tan ? at 0° C.)/tan ? at 60° C.) higher than a tire tread composition containing a comparable amount of a rosin ester having a combined acid number and hydroxyl value of more than 50.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer with high vinyl content, low viscosity, low order-disorder temperature and improved processability. The hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers can be extruded or molded with a minimum of additives. The hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers have high melt flows allowing for ease in processing such as injection molding, overmolding, dipping, extrusion, roto-molding, slush molding, fiber spinning, film making, 3D printing and foaming.

Abstract: A process for a continuous condensation reaction with feedstocks derived from bio-renewable resources, e.g., pine chemical derived feedstock, is disclosed. The process employs at least a multi-stage mixing reactor, selected from any of a multi-stage continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), a multi-stage horizontal continuous stirred tank reactor (HCSTR), or a continuous oscillating baffle reactor (COBR). The multi-stage mixing reactors are provided with a plurality of baffles for creating a mixing in a number of stages or cells created by the baffles, allowing the condensation reaction to proceed at a production rate at least twice that of a batch process with reactors of equivalent volume. The feedstocks derived from bio-renewable resources is selected from gum rosin, wood rosin, tall oil rosin and mixtures thereof; and polymeric fatty acids derived from bio-renewable resources such as tall oil.

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: Articles having improved properties are disclosed. The articles are formed from a composition obtained by dry blending: a) 70-95 wt. % of a polyolefin polymer selected from polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers, polypropylene impact copolymers, and mixtures thereof; and b) 5 to 30 wt. % of a free-flowing styrenic block copolymer coated with a functional dusting agent having a maximum particle size of 100 microns. The free-flowing styrenic block copolymer requires less than 400 lbs/ft2 of force to break in a blocking test. The molded article has improved impact strength and haze.

Abstract: An energy recovery system having a core unit permitting heat and moisture exchange between air streams passing therethrough, the core unit having two or more multilayer composite structures, said multilayer composite structure being made up of: a porous rigid or semi-rigid frame having a plurality of holes passing from a first surface to a second surface and which can be corrugated, and a polymeric film comprising a sulfonated block copolymer bonded to at least one of said first and second surfaces of said frame covering said plurality holes. The sulfonated block copolymer has at least one end block A and at least one interior block B, each A block contains essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups, each B block is a polymer block containing 10-100 mol %. sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups based on the number of monomer units.

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 foamed article formed by foam injection molding or foam extrusion of a composition is disclosed. The article is formed from a molding composition consisting essentially of: 100 phr of at least two different hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers (HSBC), a first HSBC and a second HSBC, having different molecular weights, a molecular weight ratio of at least 1.2:1, respectively; and a weight ratio of ranging from 5:95 to 95:5, respectively; 10-55 phr of a polypropylene having a melt flow of at least 2 g10/min; and optionally up to 55 phr of a plasticizer, selected from hydrocarbon based oils, fatty acids, triglyceride oils, and mixtures thereof. The composition has a melt flow rate of 2-50 g/10 min, a Shore A hardness of 60-90, a melt strength (F) of at least 0.010 N, and a melt strength (V) of at least 10.

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 process for reducing or removing at least 90% of sulfur in a tall oil composition, e.g., to a level of 15 ppm or less is disclosed. The process employs at least a first desulfurization and a second desulfurization treatment in parallel or in series. The first treatment comprises adsorptive desulfurization, wherein the adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 ?, BET surface area of at least 300 mm2/, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2. The second desulfurization treatment is selected from adsorptive treatment, heat treatment, distillation, extraction, oxidation, reduction, hydrogenation, and sulfur scavenging for a reduced sulfur content.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising a star-branched copolymer having a plurality of arms is disclosed. Each polymer arm has a molecular weight Mp of from 1 kg/mol to 50 kg/mol and comprises polymerized units (i) derived from a first vinyl aromatic monomer comprising a radical-reactive group, wherein from greater than 10 mol % to 100 mol % of the units (i) are unhydrogenated; and optionally, polymerized units (ii) comprising hydrogenated and unhydrogenated forms of polymerized units derived from a high Tg monomer, and hydrogenated form of polymerized units (i) or hydrogenated form of polymerized styrene units; and optionally, polymerized units (iii) comprising (a) hydrogenated form of polymerized units derived from one or more acyclic conjugated dienes, and (b) polymerized units derived from one or more of a second vinyl aromatic monomer; wherein less than 10 wt. % of units (a) are unhydrogenated.

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.

Abstract: A method to reduce the aldehyde content of a pine chemical composition is disclosed. The pine chemical composition is selected from gum turpentine, gum rosin, CST BLS, CTO, depitched CTO, DTO, TOH, TOR, TOP, TOFA, fractionated TOFA, TOFA dimer, TOFA trimer, TOFA monomer, isostearic acid, stearic acid, and ester- and amide derivatives thereof. The pine chemical composition is treated with an aldehyde scavenger such as anthranilamide at a temperature between 20° C. to 300° C., for 1 minute to 5 hours.

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 composition for use as a binder system for road marking formulations and methods for making thereof is disclosed. The binder system is provided as pellets. The method provides for making the pelletized binder system, and mixing the pelletized binder system with fillers and other components, heating the mixed ingredients forming into a molten mixture for applying on a road surface. The pelletized binder system comprises at least a resin and an elastomer in one embodiment; at least a resin and a plasticizer in a second embodiment; and at least a resin, an elastomer, and a plasticizer in a third embodiment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a styrenic block copolymer [A1-B1-C1], consisting essentially of polymer blocks A1, B1 and C1. A1 is a poly(para-alkylstyrene) block having a molecular weight from 1,000 to 60,000 g/mol. B1 is a hydrogenated polyisoprene block or a hydrogenated polybutadiene block having a molecular weight from 1,000 to 100,000 g/mol. C1 is a polystyrene block having a molecular weight from 1,000 to 100,000 g/mol; or a polymer block consisting essentially of polymerized styrene units, and hydrogenated butadiene and/or isoprene units, and having a molecular weight from 1,000 to 100,000 g/mol. Prior to hydrogenation, the block B1 has a vinyl content of 5-75 mol %; and the block C1 forms 1-80 wt % of the overall weight of the block copolymer. The selectively sulfonated forms of the copolymers are useful as high dielectric materials.

Abstract: A oil gel composition, consisting essentially of: 65-80 wt. % of a mineral oil, 15-25 wt. % of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC), 1 to 15 wt. % of glass spheres having an average particle size of at least 15 microns, 1 at least 50 wt. % of a plasticizer selected from mineral oil, a paraffinic oil, an oil-enriched in paraffin, and mixtures thereof, and 0.25-5 wt. % of a tack reducing component selected from the group of steric acid, metal stearates, long chain fatty acids, fatty acid salts, fatty acid esters, amide waxes, ethylene-bis-stearamides, erucamide, polyester modified siloxanes, and mixtures thereof. The oil gel composition has an average peel strength of less than 0.3 lbf/in measured according to ASTM D 1876. Articles formed from the oil gel composition are characterized as being tack-free.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to elastomeric compositions having improved soft touch feel to skin, and in particular grip, especially during wet/humid conditions. In one embodiment, the compositions are part of a composite system, wherein the compositions are connected, for example bonded, molded, over-molded or co-extruded to a substrate, such as a thermoplastic, wood, glass or metal. The elastomeric composition comprises: (a) one or more copolymers present in an amount of 10 wt. % to 90 wt. %, selected from styrenic block copolymers and isoprene polymers; (b) one or more resins an amount of 2 wt. % to 20 wt. %; and optionally (c) at least one softener, filler, antioxidant or the like present in an amount up to 80 wt. %. The resin is selected from coumarone-indene resin, petroleum hydrocarbon resin, terpene based polymers, styrene-alpha-methyl-styrene resins, rosin derived resins, and mixtures thereof.