Abstract: Protective film in the form of a tape or sheet comprising a substrate layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive composition.

Abstract: Lithium-terminated polymers of one or more conjugated dienes and of one or more mono alkenyl arenes are coupled by reaction with an alkoxy silane coupling agent having the formula Rx—Si—(OR?)y, where x is 0 or 1, x+y=4, R and R? are the same or different, R is selected from aryl hydrocarbon radicals, linear alkyl hydrocarbon radicals and branched alkyl hydrocarbon radicals, and R? is selected from linear and branched alkyl hydrocarbon radicals, such that the resulting polymer composition contains less than about ten weight percent of uncoupled polymer diblock. The polymer compositions are subsequently selectively hydrogenated, and are useful in a variety of compounds and end use applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oil gel compositions that include at least one non-aromatic ester oil and an anionic block copolymer of a mono alkenyl arene and a conjugated diene. The block copolymer is selectively hydrogenated and has mono alkenyl arene end blocks and a controlled distribution block of a mono alkenyl arene and a conjugated diene midblock. The ester oil is a non-aromatic, ester compound such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, and other like compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a polymer modified bituminous binder composition in the substantial absence of crosslinking agents by heating a bitumen component in a stirred tank to a temperature from 160° C. to 221° C.; adding a block copolymer composition to the bitumen component while the bitumen component is being stirred to form a homogeneous mixture of the bitumen component and the block copolymer composition; and continuing to stir the homogeneous mixture while maintaining the temperature from 180° C. to 221° C. for a total period of time from 4 hours to 30 hours thereby forming a cured polymer modified bituminous binder composition.

Abstract: A process of producing an artificial latex, comprising the steps: (a) cement formation, wherein a rubber is dissolved in a suitable hydrocarbon solvent; (b) emulsification of the cement formed in step (a), together with an aqueous soap solution, thus forming an oil-in-water emulsion; (c) hydrocarbon solvent removal, resulting in a latex of the rubber having particles of a median particle size in the range of from about 0.5 to 2.0 ?m, and optionally (d) latex concentration, forming an artificial latex with a higher solids content, characterized in that in step (b) a premix is formed first, which is subsequently homogenized into an oil-in-water emulsion, and wherein the premix is formed by mixing the cement with the aqueous soap solution at a volume ratio of 1:1.

Abstract: High molecular weight coupled block copolymer composition comprising (a) a linear diblock copolymer (I) represented by the general formula (A-B), having a peak apparent molecular weight of from 200,000 to 300,000, (b) a linear di-armed block copolymer (II), represented by the general formula (A-B)2X, (c) a tri-armed block copolymer (III), represented by the formula (A-B)3X, (d) a more than tri-armed block copolymer (IV), represented by the formula (A-B)n>3X, (e) side polymeric structures (SPS) having a peak apparent molecular weight below the linear diblock copolymer (I), wherein A represents a block of predominantly poly(monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon) and wherein the poly(monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon) content is in the range of from 20 to 35 wt %; wherein B represents a block of predominantly poly(conjugated diene); wherein X is the residue of a trifunctional and/or tetrafunctional coupling agent; wherein the block copolymer composition has a weight average molecular weight Mw in the range of from 45

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising (a) anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes, and (b) tailored softening modifiers have a particular polydispersity index that results in a surprising improvement in properties for the composition. Also included are processes for the manufacturing such novel compositions and various end-uses and applications for such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a polymer modified bituminous binder composition in the substantial absence of crosslinking agents by heating a bitumen component in a stirred tank to a temperature from 185° C. to 221° C.; adding a block copolymer composition to the bitumen component while the bitumen component is being stirred to form a homogeneous mixture of the bitumen component and the block copolymer composition; and continuing to stir the homogeneous mixture while maintaining the temperature from 185° C. to 221° C. for a period of time from 4 hours to 30 hours thereby forming a cured polymer modified bituminous binder composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive composition comprising (i) one or more styrenic block copolymer compositions, (ii) a tackifier resin, and (iii) one or more plasticizers, wherein said styrenic block copolymer composition comprises: a. a tetra-branched block copolymer (IV) represented by the general formula (A-B)4X; b. a tri-branched block copolymer (III) represented by the general formula (A-B)3X; c. a di-branched block copolymer (II) represented by the general formula (A-B)2X; and d. a linear diblock copolymer (I) represented by the general formula A-B; where: i. A represents a polymer block of a mono alkenyl arene; ii. B represents a polymer block of a mixture of isoprene and 1,3-butadiene in a weight ratio of isoprene to butadiene from about 70:30 to about 40:60; iii. X represents the residue of a multi-functional coupling agent; iv. the weight percent of A blocks is from about 14% to about 22%; v.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising (a) anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes where one of the blocks is a controlled distribution copolymer of a conjugated diene and mono alkenyl arene having a specific arrangement of the monomers in the copolymer block, and (b) tailored softening modifiers have a particular structure that results in a surprising improvement in properties for the composition. Also included are processes for the manufacturing such novel compositions and various end-uses and applications for such compositions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aqueous rubber emulsion (artificial latex), comprising the steps: (a) size reduction of the rubber, whereby granules are produces with shorter dissolving time; (b) cement formation, wherein the granules of step (a) are dissolved in a suitable hydrocarbon solvent; (c) preparation of an aqueous soap solution; (d) emulsification of the cement formed in step (b), using the aqueous soap solution prepared in step (c), thus forming an oil in water emulsion; (e) hydrocarbon solvent removal, resulting in an aqueous emulsion of the rubber, and optionally (f) emulsion concentration, forming an artificial latex with a higher solids content, wherein in step (a) the size reduction is carried out using a chopper and/or granulator characterized in that a soap is used as processing aid, preferably identical to the soap used in steps (c) and (d).

Abstract: A process for preparing compatible, selectively hydrogenated block copolymer-modified bituminous compositions comprising blowing a mixture of the block copolymer and bitumen with an oxidizing gas at temperatures of at least 375° C. for at least 75 minutes. The modifying polymer is a selectively hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer and no blowing catalyst is required. Stable bituminous compositions comprising 6 to 25 parts by weight of block copolymer per 100 parts of asphalt are also provided as well as their application as roofing shingles.

Abstract: What is claimed is a flexible packaging film having improved toughness without compromise of other physical properties. The flexible packaging film is a laminate of at least two film layers of a polyolefin and at least one film layer of a block copolymer. The block copolymer employed in the present invention is a selectively hydrogenated high vinyl block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gels prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of aromatic vinyl compounds and conjugated dienes. The block copolymers include a high molecular weight linear and/or radial block copolymer component (SBC1 and/or SBC2), and a diblock component (E1). The block copolymer may be combined with tackifying resins, oils and other components to form the gels of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adhesive compositions that comprise: i. at least one block copolymer (i)(a) of the formula A-I-A (1) or (A-I)nX (2) and at least one block copolymer (i)(b) of the formula A-(I-B)-A (3) or [A-(I/B)]n-X (4), wherein each A independently is a polymer block of an aromatic vinyl compound, I is a poly(isoprene) polymer block, (I/B) is a mixed random polymer block of isoprene and butadiene in a weight ratio I:B of from about 20:80 to about 80:20, n is an integer equal to or greater than 2 and X is the residue of a coupling agent, and wherein the weight ratio between said block copolymers (i)(a) and (i)(b) is such that the overall butadiene content in component (i) is less than 20 wt %, ii. a tackifying resin, and iii. optionally one or more plasticizers. Tapes, labels or bandages that are obtained by applying the adhesive compositions of the present invention to a carrier are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anionic diinitiator prepared using a diisopropenyl benzene compound and an organo lithium compound having primary polymerization sites. The anionic diinitiators are prepared by admixing a diisopropenyl benzene compound with diethyl ether, ethylene, an organo lithium compound, and a solvent under reaction conditions sufficient to prepare a diinitiator having primary lithium alkyl reactive sites. The diinitiators are particularly useful in preparing block copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene) polymer having a high vinyl content in the butadiene block. The polymer also has a polystyrene content from 15% to 20% by weight; a coupling efficiency from 50 to 80%; a styrene block molecular weight from 9,000 to 10,000 g/mol; a vinyl content from 20 to 45%; and a melt flow rate of equal to or greater than 10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various end use applications prepared from certain block copolymers. The block copolymers include one or more A or A? blocks or B blocks plus one or more terminal M blocks. Each A and A? is a block or segment comprising predominantly a polymerized alkenyl aromatic compound, each B is a block or segment comprising predominantly a polymerized conjugated alkadiene, and each M is a six membered anhydride ring and/or acid group. The anhydride rings are prepared by thermally decomposing adjacent units of (1-methyl-1-alkyl)alkyl acrylic esters such as t-butylmethylacrylate. A wide variety of polymers are disclosed having the stable anhydride rings in the polymer backbone. The invention relates specifically to various end uses prepared from the reaction product of such block copolymers with various reactive resins, reactive monomers and metal derivatives.

Abstract: A block copolymer of the formula [S-I-(I/B)]nX or [S-I-(I/B)-/B]nX or mixtures thereof wherein each S is independently a polymer block of an alkenyl arene; each I is a polymer block of isoprene; each B is a polymer block of butadiene and each (I/B) is a mixed random polymer block of isoprene and butadiene in a weight ratio I:B of from about 10:90 to about 90:10, n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, X is the residue of a coupling agent, and wherein the alkenyl arene content of the block copolymer represents a weight ratio of the alkenyl arene block to conjugated diene block of the total block copolymer and is in the range of from about 15 to about 35 wt %.

Abstract: A block terpolymer for use in photocurable compositions, flexographic printing plates or hot melt adhesives having a molecular structure according to the general formula: A-I—B—I-A ??(1) or (A-I—B)n—X ??(2), wherein each A is independently a polymer block of predominantly an aromatic vinyl compound, each I is predominantly isoprene, each B is predominantly butadiene, n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and X is the residue of a coupling agent, and wherein: (a) the weight ratio of I to B is in a range of 30:70 to 70:30; (b) the aromatic vinyl compound content of the block copolymer is from about 14 to about 45%; (c) the B block has a 1,2-vinyl bond content in the range of from about 20 to about 90 mol %; (d) the A block has an apparent molecular weight in the range of from about 5,000 to about 20,000, and the I and B blocks together have a molecular weight in the range of from about 50,000 to about 200,000; (e) uncoupled triblock, S—I—B in the range of from about 2% to about 60%.