Abstract: A coupled block copolymer composition with a combination of high viscosity at manufacturing, finishing and handling conditions, low viscosity at asphalt blending conditions and suitable viscosity stability is provided for use in asphalt compositions. The composition comprises: (i) a diblock copolymer, (ii) at least a linear triblock copolymer having a peak molecular weight that is 1.5 to 3.0 times the peak molecular weight of the diblock copolymer, and (iii) at least a multiarm coupled block copolymer having a peak molecular weight that is 1.5 to 9.0 times the peak molecular weight of the diblock copolymer, and mixtures thereof. The block copolymer composition is characterized as having a melt viscosity at 110° C. or less of greater than 2.0E7 Poise and a coupling efficiency after 24 hours at 180° C. is less than 25%.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a light color or a low color rosin or a rosin ester composition. The rosin ester comprises a reaction product of one or more rosins, one or more polyhydric alcohols, and optionally one or more monocarboxylic acids, and optionally one or more polycarboxylic acids having from 2 to 54 carbon atoms; from 0 ppm to 200 ppm of a co-catalyst, and optionally, a disproportionation catalyst, an esterification catalyst, or combinations thereof. The co-catalyst has a triplet formation quantum yield (?T) of greater than 0.5 and a triplet lifetime (?T) of greater than 0.5 microseconds. Methods to prepare the rosin ester compositions and uses of the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A three-step method to prepare a light-colored rosin ester is disclosed wherein at least in one of the steps (a) and (c) a co-catalyst is applied and wherein at least in one of the steps (a) and (c) a disproportionation catalyst is applied. In the second step, a distilled rosin is obtained which is esterified with a polyol into a light-colored rosin ester. In one embodiment, the co-catalyst has a triplet formation quantum yield (?T) of greater than 0.5 and a triplet lifetime (?T) of greater than 0.5 microseconds. In another embodiment, the co-catalyst is selected from acridone, anthrone, 9-fluorenone, thioxanthone, xanthone, derivatives and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A styrenic block copolymer is disclosed, having a formula, A-B-A, A-B-B-A, (A-B-A)nX, (A-B)nX or mixtures thereof, wherein n is from 2 to 30, and X is residue of a coupling agent. Each A block is independently a polystyrene having 10-63 wt. % 1,1-diphenylethylene, a GPC peak molecular weight from about 5-40 kg/mol, and forms 10-40 wt. % of the copolymer. Each B block is independently a poly(1,3-diene-co-styrene) comprising: (i) >90 wt. % of polymerized isoprene units relative to the weight of the polymerized 1,3-diene, where S is <40, and (S+V) is 18-75; (ii) >90 wt. % of polymerized butadiene units relative to the weight of the polymerized 1,3-diene, where S is <40, and (1.2*S+V) is 60-120; or combinations thereof “S” represents the polystyrene content, and “V” represents the 1,3-diene content having pendant 1,2- and/or 3,4-vinyl groups in the B block.

Abstract: A styrenic block copolymer having one or more polymer blocks A and one or more polymer blocks B is disclosed, where “A” is a poly(vinylaromatic) block having a molecular weight of greater than 5 kg/mol. The “B” block has a molecular weight of more than 15 kg/mol, and comprises polymerized 1,3-diene units and vinylaromatic units, wherein the polymerized vinylaromatic units represent 5-40 wt. % of the overall weight of the block “B”. The polymerized 1,3-diene units comprise more than 80 wt. % of polymerized isoprene units in which 45-80 mol % are 1,4-isoprene addition units. The blocks “A” and “B” represent from >5 to <40 wt. %, and >33 to <95 wt. %, respectively, relative to the overall weight of the block copolymer. The polymers have physical properties that make them valuable, e.g., as vibration damping materials.

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 styrenic triblock copolymer composition with a combination of excellent tensile strength and high melt index, excellent for manufacturing, finishing and handling, forming stable pellets, for use in applications including but not limited to adhesive, coating, and flexographic printing. The composition comprises a first block which is a polymer of a monoalkenyl arene; a second block which is polymer of a conjugated diene and a third block which is a polymer of a monoalkenyl arene wherein a peak molecular weight of the third block is from about 0.06 to about 0.4 times that of the first block.

Abstract: A light color or a low color rosin or a rosin ester composition is disclosed. Significant color improvement can be obtained for a low color rosin, or a rosin ester by using a co-catalyst. In one embodiment, the co-catalyst has a triplet formation quantum yield (?T) of greater than 0.5 and a triplet lifetime (?T) of greater than 0.5 microseconds In another embodiment, the co-catalyst is selected from acridone, anthrone, 9-fluorenone, thioxanthone, xanthone, derivatives and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein in is a medical tube comprising a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer having a formula A-B-A, (A-B-A)nX or (A-B)nX is disclosed, where n is an integer from 2 to 30, and X is residue of a coupling agent. Prior to hydrogenation, each A block is a monoalkenyl arene homopolymer block having a true peak molecular weight of 5 kg/mol to 15 kg/mol. Each B block is a controlled distribution copolymer block having a true peak molecular weight of 30 kg/mol to 200 kg/mol. The hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer has a midblock poly(monoalkenyl arene) content of 35 wt. % to 50 wt. % based on the total weight of the midblock, and physical properties that makes it useful for producing medical tubes having kink resistance.

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 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 resin coated silica composition is disclosed. The covered silica composition comprising a silica core and a resin covering the silica core, wherein the resin is not chemically bonded to the silica core. The silica core is covered with the resin by mixing a slurry comprising silica core with a mixture containing the resin as a solution, an aqueous dispersion; or a solution by dissolving the resin in a solvent. The resin is selected from a rosin-based resin, a terpene-based resin, a C5-C9 resin, a hydrogenated resin, a polymerization-modified rosin resin, a styrenated terpene resin, a polyterpene resin, a phenolic terpene resin, a resin dispersion, an ?-methyl styrene monomer resin, an ?-methyl styrene phenolic resin, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for laminating a polar substrate with a film cast from a sulfonated block copolymer having at least one end block A and at least one interior block B wherein each A block contains essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups and each B block is a polymer block containing from about 10 to about 100 mol percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups based on the number of monomer units. The film is exposed to water and dried onto a polar or active metal substrate. The laminates do not delaminate in the presence of water, or in a humidity of up to 85%, and at a temperature of at least 60° C. The laminates are used for a variety of applications including energy exchange applications.

Abstract: A filling composition is disclosed, the composition comprises (i) between 4 to 20 wt. % of a selectively hydrogenated isoprene-styrene block copolymer having a structure S-EP with at least 40 wt. % polystyrene content, a total diblock apparent molecular weight of at least 160 kg/mole, the polystyrene block S has a true molecular weight in the range of 60 to 110 kg/mole, and the polyisoprene block (EP) has a molecular weight in the range of 80-100 kg/mole, (ii) an oil, and (iii) optional additives. The filling composition is characterized as having a thixotropic ratio of 2-10, a drop point of at least 200° C., and a cone penetration at 25° C. of <500 dmm.

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 method to purify black liquor soap (BLS) from sulfur compounds is disclosed. In the BLS desulfurization method, a BLS composition is heated in an inert atmosphere and sulfur is removed via aqueous extractions with inorganic base in the absence of other chemicals such as brine, sulfate salts and carbonate salts. The purified BLS composition exhibits favorable properties, including reduced sulfur content, lower color, and improved odor characteristics. The resulting tall oil compositions, depitched tall oil compositions, tall oil distillation fractions, and products derived therefrom also show reduced sulfur content, lower color, and improved odor characteristics.

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 claims 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.

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 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.