Abstract: A block copolymer comprising: at least one monoalkenyl arene monomer polymer block (A) and copolymer block (B) containing myrcene, said copolymer block B also including: a) at least one conjugated diene monomer having a lower molecular weight than myrcene, or b) at least one monoalkenyl arene monomer, or c) a mixture of a) and b). The polymer block A may be a copolymer block. When the polymer block A is a copolymer block, both block A and the copolymer myrcene block copolymer B can have a random, tapered or a controlled distribution configuration of comonomers. The block copolymer can be selectively or exhaustively hydrogenated. The block copolymer may be used in making adhesives and vibration damping compositions.

Abstract: The current invention concerns a textile coating composition comprising an aqueous emulsion of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer and a poly(vinyl alcohol). It also concerns a method for preparing the textile coating composition and its application. It also concerns fabrics on which the coating compositions have been applied.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid curable transparent rubber composition containing a styrenic block copolymer having 2 or more poly(vinyl aromatic) blocks, a curing agent and additives. Once cured, the solid curable transparent rubber composition has a haze of less than 30% and a total light transmission of more than 80%. The disclosure further relates to a cured transparent rubber composition made thereof, and a manufacturing process for the cured composition. The present disclosure also relates to an article including the rubber composition, in particular for tubes, medical stoppers, catheters, dental dams and other medical applications and artificial nipples.

Abstract: Selectively amino- or phosphino-functionalized block copolymers, and their preparation, for use as anion exchange membrane materials. The selectively functionalized block copolymers have at least two end blocks A each of which are substantially free of amino- or phosphino-functional groups, and have at least one interior block D which comprises on average at least one amino- or phosphino-functionalized polymer unit of formula (I) wherein Z is nitrogen or phosphorous; R1 is hydrogen or alkyl; R2 is hydrogen or is tertiary alkyl; R each independently, is hydrogen or is alkyl optionally substituted by a moiety -(A1-NRa)xRb; or two R groups, together with the Z to which they are bonded, form an optionally substituted ring; x is 1, 2 or 3; A1 is straight chain alkylene optionally substituted by one or more methyl and/or ethyl groups; and Ra and Rb, each independently, is hydrogen or alkyl; or a corresponding onium salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous emulsion and a process for preparing an aqueous emulsion of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer comprising at least two non-sulfonated polymer end-blocks A and at least one 5 sulfonated block B comprising the steps of providing a cement of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer in a non-polar solvent wherein the non-polar solvent is a hydrocarbon compound comprising from 5 to 12 carbon atoms with a boiling point of less than 100 degree Celsius or mixture of such compounds, mixing the cement with a co-solvent to form a mixture, emulsifying the mixture optionally in the 10 presence of an emulsifier with water to produce an emulsion, and removing the hydrocarbon solvent and optionally the co-solvent from the emulsion to produce the aqueous emulsion. The resulting emulsion of the midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer has relatively small particle diameters.

Abstract: The invention concerns an olefinically unsaturated radial styrenic block copolymer having the general formula A-B—Y—(B-A)n wherein each A is independently a polymer block composed of at least 90 mol. % of an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon, each B is independently a polymer block composed of at least 90 mol. % of one or more conjugated dienes, Y is the remnant of a coupling agent, and n is an integer from 2 to 5. The invention is also an improved vulcanizer-free latex comprising water and the olefinically unsaturated radial styrenic block copolymer. Moreover, the invention concerns a process for preparing articles by coagulation dipping from the improved latex and dipped goods made from such latex.

Abstract: The present invention concerns aqueous emulsions and a process for preparing aqueous emulsions of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer comprising at least two non-sulfonated polymer end-blocks A and at least one sulfonated block B, comprising the steps of providing a cement of a midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer in the apolar solvent, mixing the cement with a co-solvent to form a mixture, emulsifying the mixture in the absence of a surfactant with water to produce an emulsion, and removing the hydrocarbon solvent and any optional co-solvent from the emulsion to produce the aqueous emulsion. The resulting emulsion of the midblock sulfonated styrenic block copolymer has relatively small particle diameters.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a coupled polymer by anionic polymerization wherein the coupled polymer is a conjugated diene polymer comprising the following reaction steps: a) polymerizing a monomer or a mixture of monomers comprising at least one conjugated diene optionally one or more monoalkenyl arene compounds in the presence of an anionic initiator to form a living polymer arm or mixture of arms with an average apparent molecular weight greater than 2000; b) reacting the living polymer arm or arms with a polyalkenyl coupling agent; c) terminating the polymerization if any living polymers remain after step b); and d) optionally functionalizing and/or hydrogenating the coupled polymer so produced, wherein the polyalkenyl coupling agent is an alpha,omega-bis(vinylphenyl)alkane. Also provided is the polymer so prepared and its use in concentrates, aqueous emulsions and products made from aqueous emulsions.

Abstract: In order to provide a rubber composition having high transparency, toughness and heat-resisting property, the present invention can provide a composition comprising a neodymium-catalyzed isoprene rubber (IR) component; and a rubber polymer (RB) component selected from the group consisting of BR, 1,2-polybutadiene rubber, and SBR, wherein the amount of IR is from about 5 to 95 mass parts with the proviso that the total amount of IR and RB is 100 mass parts, wherein the composition is substantially free of silica, wherein the composition has haze of less than about 20%, and wherein the composition has Type A Durometer hardness (0 sec) of about 30 or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to advanced flame/fire retardant compositions for fabric, upholstery, carpet, barrier, automotive, building construction, communication, and consumer electronics applications. The flame retardant composition comprises: about 5-25 wt. % hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer, about 6-40 wt. % polyolefin, about 50-80 wt. % inorganic flame retardant, about 0-5 wt. % coating, about 0-5 wt. % functionalized styrenic block copolymer, about 0-7 wt. % agri-derived heat resistant liquid, about 0.05-1.0 wt. % antioxidant, and about 0-7 wt. % optional additives such as metal deactivator, colorant, filler, and/or lubricants, wherein said composition totals 100 wt. %. An article made from the flame retardant composition, such as film, fiber, cable, and wire insulation meets various European and U.S. standards. The flame retardant compositions possess a good balance of tensile strength, elongation, flame resistance, and processability that has previously been unobtainable.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a curable transparent rubber composition containing one or more synthetic isoprene polymers, a styrenic block copolymer, a curing agent, and additives that do not influence transparency of the final composition. Once cured, the curable transparent rubber composition has a haze of less than 30% and a total light transmission of more than 80%. The disclosure further relates to a cured transparent rubber composition made thereof, and a manufacturing process for the cured composition. The present disclosure also relates to an article including the rubber composition, in particular for tubes, medical stoppers, catheters, dental dams and other medical applications and artificial nipples.

Abstract: Compositions comprising (i) a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer, (ii) an oil, and (iii) optional additives are described herein. Compositions include but are not limited to cable fillings. The styrenic block copolymer having peak molecular weight of from about 125 to about 300 kg/mol, an oil and optional additives are described herein. The block copolymer includes a B block having vinyl content of from about 35% to about 49% and an S block having a polystyrene content of from about 28% to about 40%. The compositions may form a gel having a thixotropic ratio at 25° C. of from about 5 to about 10 and further characterized by specific low, middle and high shear rate viscosities at 25° C. and shear rates of 6 s?1, 50 s?1 and 200 s?1 of from 10,000 cps to 750,000 cps, 1,000 cps to 100,000 cps and 1,000 cps to 6,000 cps, respectively; a drop point from 100° C. to 250° C.; and a cone penetration at 25° C. of from 300 dmm to 685 dmm.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed, comprising a block copolymer, at least one homopolymer or copolymer of butene, and at least one olefin homopolymer or copolymer, wherein said block copolymer has hydrogenated low-vinyl polybutadiene end blocks with a specific gravity>0.85 g/cc, and a controlled distribution midblock of polyalkenyl arene/hydrogenated diene. Although the block copolymer has a preferred linear structure as a triblock copolymer, it may also be branched or radial coupled copolymer that has at least 2 arms or more. The composition is useful for rotational molding, slush molding, injection molding, extrusion or compression molding, or thermoforming or calendering for making articles that are resistant to chemicals such as diesel fuel, for the automotive market, for example. The MFR of the block copolymer is 1 to about 50 g/10 min. at 230° C., with a wt. of 2.16 kg.

Abstract: Described herein are modified sulfonated block copolymers which comprise at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B, wherein each A block contains essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups and each B block comprises sulfonation susceptible monomer units and, based on the number of the sulfonation susceptible monomer units, from about 10 to about 100 mol % of a functional group of formula (I) —SO2—NR1R2??(I) or of a salt thereof, methods of making them as well as methods of using them, e.g., as membrane materials for electrically or osmotically driven applications.

Abstract: Provided herein are improved performance high vinyl block copolymer compositions. The compositions may include a block copolymer and a polyolefin. The block copolymer may have a microstructure characterized by a vinyl content of equal to or greater than about 60%. The block copolymer may be a styrenic block copolymer. The polyolefin may include a polypropylene. Additional additives may be optionally added to the composition depending on the end-use application. The compositions may find utility in the preparation of various articles such as medical products including sterilized tubing, bags, and the like, films and injection molded articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming an article from a diene rubber, comprising: providing a raw diene rubber substance comprising 1,2-polybutadiene rubber component; adding to the raw diene rubber substance a peroxide as a vulcanizing agent; softening the raw diene rubber at a first temperature of not more than 200° C.; vulcanizing the diene rubber at a second temperature of not more than 200° C., with contacting the diene rubber to an ambient atmosphere; and forming from the vulcanized diene rubber an article.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a branched conjugated diene polymer with a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of at least 1.1, by anionic polymerization, comprising the following reaction steps: a) polymerizing a mixture of monomers comprising at least one conjugated diene and optionally one or more monoalkenyl arene compounds in the presence of an anionic initiator to form a living polymer; b) terminating the polymerization; and c) optionally functionalizing and/or hydrogenating the polymer so produced, wherein the mixture of monomers comprises an alpha,omega-bis(vinylphenyl)alkane as comonomer. The invention further relates to the polymer so obtained, a latex prepared therefrom, the latex, and articles made from the latex.

Abstract: A coupling agent having at least two alkenylbenzene groups each covalently bonded with a nitrogen of an amine compound. The coupling agent can have the structure I: wherein Z is an amine; R1-R10 are each, independent of one another, H, an organic functional group or a terminal alkene, wherein at least one terminal alkene is on each benzene ring; m is an integer from 1 to 8.

Abstract: Methods for forming a TPE-skinned composite include forming a skin layer having at least one surface and having a thermoplastic elastomer and an adhesive promoting agent; providing a foam layer; and forming the foam layer onto the said surface of the skin layer to form the TPE-skinned composite. Optional additives such as an organo-silane compound may be added to further improve the adhesion between the skin layer and the foam. The present disclosure also provides a TPE-skinned composite including a skin layer having a thermoplastic elastomer present in an amount of greater than 90 wt. %; and an adhesive promoting agent present in an amount of from 0.5 wt. % to 10 wt. % based upon the total weight of the skin layer.

Abstract: The present invention is an asphalt rejuvenator made from a specific styrenic block copolymer, bio-based oil or a bio-based oil blend, and an antioxidant system. The bio-based oil or a bio-based oil blend has a flash point of >230° C., and the asphalt rejuvenator has a maximum viscosity of <2000 cP at 180° C. when measured at 6.8/seconds shear rate. An alternate embodiment of the present invention is a pavement composition of RAP and/or RAS, asphalt rejuvenator, and virgin asphalt with and without a crosslinker. Lastly, the invention includes a method of making an asphalt rejuvenator composition referred to above, and blending it with RAP and fresh asphalt. An emulsion is also described and claimed comprising asphalt rejuvenator, water and an emulsifier.