Abstract: The process described herein comprises the crosslinking by radiation of a miscible mixture of two or more homopolymers such as A and B, etc., to give a block copolymer having one or more blocks of A and one or more blocks of B. This process has the advantage of effecting crosslinking between blocks at such a rapid rate that substantial crosslinking is effected before phase separation occurs. Moreover, the process may be modified by agents which promote crosslinking and also by compatibilizing agents to give improved miscibility of the A and B homopolymers. Other modifications of the process effect improvements either by centrifugal separation of gelled high molecular weight products or by breaking down the molecular weights of such gelled portion either by mechanical shear or by ultrasonic treatment. The product of this invention has a variety of uses such as in adhesive and coating compositions, molding compositions, compatibilizing agents, etc.

Abstract: Elastomers such as guayule rubber is stabilized by the addition of an alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl substituted cycloalkyl phenyl-phenylenediamine compound with an alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl substituted cycloalkyl phosphite compound which, in combination, yield an unexpectant and synergistic result.

Abstract: Polyphosphazene polymers are prepared which contain repeating units represented by the formulas: ##STR1## wherein X is --N(CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2).sub.2, and X' is a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, aryloxy, amino or mercapto substituent group or mixtures thereof which are compatible with diallylamino substituent and are known in the state of the art of polyphosphazene technology; and 20.ltoreq.(w+y+z).ltoreq.50,000 per polymer and (y+z)>0.The polymers of the invention can be utilized to form protective films and can also be utilized in applications such as for molding, coatings, foams and the like.

Abstract: Carbon black products useful in rubber compositions, and rubber compositions (uncured or cured) containing said carbon black products are described. The carbon black products of the invention comprise carbon black having a surface area of at least 20 m.sup.2 /g. and up to about 10% by weight, based on the weight of the carbon black of at least one aromatic furazan oxide. Useful furazan oxides have both carbons of the furazan ring as part of a fused aromatic ring, and particular examples include benzofurazan oxide, and its methyl and methoxy analogs. Improvements in the processability of uncured rubber compositions containing the carbon black products of the invention have been observed.Filled rubber vulcanizates containing the carbon black products of the invention exhibit many improved properties such as increased filler-rubber interaction and decreased hysteresis.

Abstract: A die assembly for generating a green tread extrudate for pneumatic tire fabrication is presented. Fundamentally, the invention includes a preform die of fixed configuration, having passages and openings therein for passing both a base stock material and a cap stock material. The openings are separated by a partition. Upper and lower final die plates are then formed to communicate with the openings, one for the cap stock, and the other for the base stock. The configuration of the die portion of the die plates control not only the external geometry of the resulting extrudate, but also the geometry of the junction between the cap stock and the base stock in the extrudate. The invention accommodates a broad range of tire specifications with the simple change of die plates.

Abstract: Rubber compositions and metal-reinforced rubber ply members have improved metal adhesion and metal adhesion retention to brass and brass-plated metallic reinforcement. The improvement comprises admixing from about 0.5 to about 10.0 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of nickel molybdate, cobalt molybdate or a mixture thereof with a vulcanizable rubber composition prior to embedding the metallic reinforcement therein and curing. A method for improving the metal adhesion and metal adhesion retention between a vulcanizable rubber and brass or brass-plated metallic reinforcement includes the steps of dispersing from about 0.5 to about 10.0 phr of nickel molybdate, cobalt molybdate or a mixture thereof in a vulcanizable rubber composition prior to curing.

Abstract: Apparatus for compressing an elongated strip of resilient material and inserting the strip, together with a flexible membrane, into a channel member supported on a substrate wherein the apparatus includes a frame assembly, supporting and moving structure for the frame assembly; pairs of converging roller assemblies for receiving and temporarily elastically deforming the strip of resilient material into an inverted V-shape; a grip wheel for gripping the apex portion of the inverted V-shaped strip and pushing at least a portion thereof, together with abutting portions of the flexible membrane, into the channel member; and a pressing tool for inserting the strip fully into the channel member and thereafter returning the strip to approximately its natural shape to thereby frictionally retain adjacent portions of the flexible membrane within the channel member.

Abstract: Cyclic dichlorophosphazene trimer which is substantially pure except for catalytic impurities is purified by treating the trimer in the liquid phase with P.sub.2 O.sub.5 for 10-30 minutes at a temperature of 120.degree.-170.degree. C. and atmospheric pressure, then subjecting the reaction mix to a single further purification step by sublimation, melt filtration, or distillation. The purified trimer will not polymerize in the absence of added catalyst at 300.degree. C. or below.

Abstract: A process and composition for applying and bonding an amine curable polymer or prepolymer at ambient temperatures to the surface of a cured elastomer substrate. The elastomer article or substrate is treated with an organic oxidant such as an N-halohydantoin, N-haloamide, or an N-haloimide, for example, the various isomers of mono- , di- , and trichloroisocyanuric acid. A polyisocyanate is applied thereto. A composition of the amine curable polymer or prepolymer is prepared with an amine curing agent. To the curing agent and curable polymer or prepolymer composition is added a polar solvent which is mixed with the resulting blend or mixture and added to the treated elastomer surface; said polymer or prepolymer cures at ambient temperature and becomes bonded to said elastomer. The application is relatively easy, since the entire mixture is a liquid and can be applied in situ.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring is formed by extruding a rubbery material into a reinforcing sleeve in a mold during relative motion between the mold and nozzle, and thereafter vulcanizing.

Abstract: Tackifying agents for rubber comprising at least one chemically or physically treated guayule resin fraction are disclosed. Physical treatments include vacuum deoiling, steam stripping deoiling, hexane deoiling, while chemical treatments include formaldehyde reaction, phenol/formaldehyde reaction, urea formaldehyde reaction, acid reaction and sulphur reaction. Untreated guayule resin fractions can also be used. Vulcanized and unvulcanized rubber compositions containing guayule resin derived tackifying agents as well as articles made therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and catalyst system is disclosed herein for the preparation of (co)polymers having a 1,2-microstructure of between about 20 and about 65 percent. These (co)polymers are prepared in a hydrocarbon or non-polar solvent from a monomer system which contains at least one 1,3-diene monomer. The catalyst system which is employed in the production of the (co)polymer is a combination of an anionic initiator based on lithium and a phosphine oxide modifier which is substituted with three saturated heterocyclic rings, each hetero ring containing one nitrogen atom and either four, five or six carbon atoms.

Abstract: A composite which has a high flexural strength to density ratio and which is resistant to strength loss incident to exposure to water, is formed by reinforcing unsaturated thermosetting resin with glass fibers sized with selected maleic anhydride adduct of polybutadiene utilized in critical amounts.

Abstract: An attachment device for securing a flexible sheet within a channel member via an insert member of generally inverted V-shape wherein the latter is made of a ductile but rigid material having a central longitudinal portion of reduced rigidity that serves to define two adjacent wing portions and permits the subsequent plastic deformation of the insert member into its installed shape after its insertion, together with the flexible sheet, into the channel member. A method for securing the flexible sheet within the channel member, via the ductile but rigid member, is also presented.

Abstract: In an attachment device, comprising a channel member and an insert member, for securing an elastic membrane within the channel member via the insert member, one of the insert and channel members being capable of deformation to permit the insertion of the insert member, together with adjacent portions of the elastic membrane, into the channel member, the improvement, taking the form of a locking device, insertable into the channel member to prohibit the subsequent removal of the elastic membrane by elastic deformation of one of the channel and insert members.

Abstract: A channel end cap for use, in a mechanical fastening system for mechanically securing a flexible sheet, with a channel member of generally rectangular form, in transverse cross section, wherein the end cap is comprised of a flexible resilient material of a shape generally corresponding to that of the channel member and having first bottom, side and top wall portions separated by an intermediate abutment means from second bottom, side and top wall portions, extending from their corresponding first wall portions, axially outwardly of the channel member axial outer end surface, with the abutment means acting as stop means and abutting the channel member axial outer end surface.

Abstract: A method of storing guayule and guayule-like plant material prior to processing which comprises mixing the material in communited form with at least one essentially water-free organic liquid to form a slurry in which the material is protected from contact with oxygen and storing said slurry for at least about 24 hours is disclosed. Preferably, the organic liquid is an alcohol, ether, ester, ketone, or hydrocarbon and optionally the slurry also contains an oxidation stabilizer.