Abstract: A cured blend of a butyl rubber ionomer, at least one elastomer co-curable with the butyl rubber ionomer and a filler has improved physical and/or dynamic properties, most notably improvements in one or more of green strength, flex fatigue, adhesion and tear strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optically transparent peroxide cured article made from a peroxide curable butyl rubber ionomer comprising repeating units derived from the reaction product of one or more multiolefin monomers and at least one nitrogen or phosphorous based nucleophile comprising a pendant vinyl group. A process is also disclosed for making the optically transparent article.

Abstract: A copolymer has low levels of isoprenoid (short chain branching) structures. A process for producing the copolymer having low isoprenoid content involves contacting at least one isoolefin monomer with at least one multiolefin and/or ?-pinene monomer in the presence of at least one Lewis acid and at least one initiator in a diluent. The diluent may contain a hydrofluorinated olefin (HFO) comprising at least three carbon atoms and at least three fluorine atoms. Hydrofluorinated olefins used in the present invention are better diluents for butyl slurry cationic polymerization than saturated hydrofluorocarbons. Blends of saturated hydrofluorocarbons (e.g. 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) with an inert solvent (e.g. methyl chloride) may also be used as diluents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing epoxidized polymers. The process comprises reacting an unsaturated polymer with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a polymer support having a sulfonic acid group. The present invention is also directed to an epoxidized halogenated-polymer which comprises repeating units derived from at least one isoolefin monomer and repeating units derived from at least one diolefinic monomer, and one or more allylic halide groups and one or more oxirane functional groups in the polymer backbone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the functionalization of butyl rubber ionomer and optionally the grafting of polyamide to halobutyl rubber ionomers. Specifically, disclosed are methods and products resulting therefrom for creating functionalized ionomers and grafting polyamide to halobutyl ionomers via reactive extrusion. The process comprises reacting a halobutyl polymer with at least one nitrogen and/or phosphorous based nucleophile to provide a halobutyl ionomer comprising conjugated diene units; grafting of an amine-reactive dienophile to said ionomer to form a functionalized ionomer; and optionally blending the resulting functionalized ionomer with polyamide.

Abstract: Surface modification methods based on a combination of plasma and chemical treatments render an unfilled butyl rubber surface highly reactive toward organosilanes, allowing formation of an organosilane self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Plasma oxidation of the butyl rubber surface followed by vapor deposition of SiCl4 produces a hydrophilic surface suitable for anchoring organosilanes. Fabrication of SAMs on this hydrophilic butyl rubber surface with n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane (FOTS) via vapor deposition resulted in a 15% and 25% decrease in gas permeability, respectively, with no change in optical transparency of the butyl rubber.

Abstract: A process for producing a copolymer involves contacting at least one isoolefin monomer with at least one multiolefin and/or ?-pinene monomer in the presence of at least one Lewis acid and at least one initiator in a diluent. The diluent contains a hydrofluorinated olefin (HFO) comprising a tetrafluorinated propene. Copolymers produced by a process of the present invention have a cyclic oligomer content lower than comparable polymers produced in a butyl rubber slurry process using 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and/or methyl chloride as a diluent as well as a more favorable ratio of C21/C13. Hydrofluorinated olefins used in the present invention are better diluents for butyl slurry cationic polymerization than saturated hydro fluorocarbons.

Abstract: This invention discloses a sulfur free and ZnO free cross-linking composition comprising a multifunctional phosphine crosslinking agent and halobutyl polymers or halogen containing polymers.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition containing a rubber polymer, an acid acceptor, and a silane-modified needle-like/acircular mineral additive. Compositions according to the present invention have superior heat resistance, compression set resistance, and improved processability (lower compound Mooney) compared to known rubber compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a peroxide curable rubber compound containing a butyl rubber polymer, an olefin polymer of ethylene, at least one ?-olefin and optionally at least one diene, and a high vinyl polybutadiene polymer. The present invention is also directed to a peroxide curable rubber compound containing a butyl polymer, an EP(D)M rubber polymer, and a 1,2-polybutadiene polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to arborescent polymers and to a process for making same. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to arborescent polymers formed from at least one inimer and at least one isoolefin that have been end-functionalized with a polymer or copolymer having a low glass transition temperature (Tg), and to a process for making such arborescent polymers. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to arborescent polymers formed from at least one inimer and at least one isoolefin that have been end-functionalized with less than about 5 weight percent end blocks derived from a polymer or copolymer having a high glass transition temperature (Tg), and to a process for making such arborescent polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ionomers comprising a reaction product of the reaction between a halogenated isoolefin copolymer and at least one phosphorus based nucleophile comprising at least one pendant vinyl group. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing and curing these ionomers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preparing isobutene from a renewable source and their use in the preparation of renewable polymers. The invention also discloses purification of isobutene, selective removal of 1-butene, cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene using microporous adsorbent material, and the oligomerization of the purified liquid isobutene yielding diisobutenes and triisobutenes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a latex composition wherein the latex composition comprises a butyl ionomer or partially halogenated butyl rubber ionomer. The latex composition is formed by dissolving the butyl ionomer in a suitable solvent, emulsifying the polymer in the solvent, adding water and optionally a minor amount of a suitable surfactant system to the emulsion and concentrating the emulsion to remove the water. The advantages of butyl ionomer latex include lower emulsifier levels, increased latex stability, improved interaction and adhesion to polar substrates and surfaces. Through the judicious choice of emulsifiers and/or washing to remove excess emulsifier a film with enhanced non-extractable polymeric antimicrobial function can be created. These properties of ionomer latex are useful in coatings, dipped goods and sponge applications.

Abstract: Functionalized copolymers of isoolefins and conjugated diolefins, methods of preparing said copolymers, and their use as compatibilizers are disclosed. The diolefin monomer units of the co-polymer are modified at the C—C double bond along the backbone of the copolymer to include an oxygen containing functional group such as epoxide, ester or alcohol. The functionalized copolymers improve the wettabilty of a non-hydrophilic surface towards hydrophilic polymer and allows for the formation of homogenous layers of the hydrophilic polymers. In particular, the spreading of a hydrophilic polymer on a non-hydrophilic substrate is facilitated by applying the co-polymers as an interfacial layer between the two incompatible materials. The resulting coated substrates exhibit resistance to protein adsorption and cell growth after grafting. The co-polymers are especially suited in the coating of biomedical devices where a high degree of uniformity of the coated surface is required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel graft copolymers of functionalized poly(isoolefin-co-conjugated diolefin, and a process of preparing such graft copolymers. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing functionalized copolymers of isoolefins and conjugated diolefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to arborescent polymers comprising isoolefins and styrenic monomers, as well as processes for making same. In particular, the invention relates to highly branched block copolymers comprising an arborescent core with a high glass-transition temperature (Tg) and branches attached to the core terminated in polymer endblock segments with a low Tg. The copolymers of the invention desirably exhibit thermoplastic elastomeric properties and, in one embodiment, are desirably suited to biomedical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid ?-olefin vinyl acetate compound containing a liquid ?-olefin vinyl acetate copolymer. Compositions according to the present invention have improved resistance to premature vulcanization as well as good physical properties and aging resistance. The present invention is also directed to a vulcanized compound containing a liquid ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to block polymers, for example, arborescent copolymer compounds, and to methods of making and purifying such compounds. In one embodiment, the invention relates to arborescent polymer compounds that contain one or more styrene polymeric blocks in combination with one or more isobutylene polymeric blocks. In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods for purifying arborescent polymer compounds that contain at least one styrene polymeric block in combination with at least one isobutylene polymeric block.

Abstract: In an isoolefin-diolefin rubber production process (e.g. a butyl rubber production process), the cold rubber slurry produced in the reaction vessel is transported from the reaction vessel to the flash tank during which time the cold slurry may be expressed to separate at least part of the cold liquid reaction medium from the isoolefin-diolefin rubber. The separated cold liquid reaction medium is transported off stream, for example by a mechanical filter, where it can be recycled back into the reaction vessel and/or where it can be used to cool a feed stream or streams of the reaction components. The isoolefin-diolefin rubber and the residual liquid reaction medium are transported to a flash tank for further processing. The ability to separate and recycle cold liquid reaction medium makes the process more economical.