Abstract: The present invention is directed to an amine containing catalyst system for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as polybutadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber, having a high trans microstructure. The catalyst system, in one embodiment, includes (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a group IIa metal salt, (c) an organoaluminum compound, and (d) an amine compound which can be selected from (1) a heterocyclic aromatic compound which includes a ring structure with one or more nitrogen atoms as part of the ring; (2) a heterocyclic non-aromatic compound which includes a ring structure with two or more nitrogen atoms as part of the ring; (3) an aromatic compound including a ring structure substituted with at least one amine and at least one polar functionality containing group selected from a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group; (4) a bicyclic chelating diamine compound; or (5) an aliphatic amine which includes a C5-C20 alkyl group.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing styrene polymers, the method comprising: homogeneously mixing a styrene monomer; a cocatalyst mixture of Group 13 metal-containing organic metal compound cocatalyst and an inert organic solvent; and a catalyst mixture of a metallocene catalyst and the inert organic solvent using a high speed homogenizing mixer to obtain a homogenized mixture; and providing the homogenized mixture to a reactor to initiate polymerization. In this method, catalyst is quickly dispersed among monomers using a high speed homogenizing mixer so that formation of gel, which occurs when a syndiotactic styrene polymer is produced, can be fundamentally prevented. In addition, a styrene polymer prepared using the method has high activity, good stereoregularity, and uniform molecular distribution.

Abstract: Properties of a polymer produced using a dual catalyst on the same support, such as polydispersity and comonomer incorporation, may be controlled by controlling reaction parameters such as temperature, monomer pressure, hydrogen partial pressure and the presence of non-polymerizable hydrocarbon. This provides an easy method to control the bimodality of a polymer as well as comonomer incorporation.

Abstract: An initiator is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers, to provide a functional head group on the polymer. A polymer having a functional head group derived from a sulfur containing anionic initiator, and optionally as additional functional group resulting from the use of a functional terminating reagent, coupling agent or linking agent is also provided. A method is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers comprising the step of polymerizing the monomers with a sulfur containing anionic initiator to provide a functional head group on the polymer. An elastomeric compound, comprising a functional polymer and filler is also described. Also provided is a tire having decreased rolling resistance resulting from a tire component containing a vulcanizable elastomeric compound.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the use of spectroscopic probes, such as Raman probes, within the conduits of a polyolefin production system. The Raman probe or other spectroscopic probes may be used to obtain spectroscopic measurements of the contents of the conduits. The spectroscopic measurements may be processed and analyzed to determine the composition of the conduit contents. In addition, the spectroscopic measurements may be used in conjunction with correlations or other statistical models to determine one or more properties of interest of a constituent of the conduit contents. One or more processes upstream and/or downstream of the conduit may be adjusted in response to the determined composition or composition properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mass polymerized rubber-modified monovinylidene aromatic copolymer composition with an excellent balance of physical and mechanical properties especially low temperature impact, and methods for preparing such a composition.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making a solution masterbatch containing a diene elastomer in an organic solvent and a reinforcing silica filler dispersed therein, comprising the steps of (a) mixing a precipitated silica having an average particle size substantially equivalent to an average particle size of a powdered silica, with a diene elastomer in a first organic solvent; and (b) desolventizing the mixture to form a solution masterbatch preparation. The use of such desolventized solution masterbatches in vulcanizable rubber compounds results in excellent processing characteristics with improved dispersion of fillers, including polymeric nanoparticles. The compounds also demonstrate improved properties, including reduced hysteresis.

Abstract: An impact copolymer having a flexural modulus (ASTM D-790) of at least about 1,100 MPa; a melt flow rate (ASTM D-1238) of at least about 15 g/10 min; and a maximum load under Dynatup Impact test (ASTM D-3763) of equal to or greater than about 1,700 N at a temperature of less than or equal to about ?40° C. and articles of manufacture from same.

Abstract: The present invention provided a norbornene compound with cross-linkable groups and their derivative polymers, wherein said cross-linkable groups were olefin or epoxy groups. Norbornene polymers with cross-linkable side chain and their block copolymers as well as modified derivatives were prepared via living ring-open metathesis polymerization method. The resulting polymers with excellent solubility and optic properties had narrow molecular weight distribution, well-controlled molecular weight, small refraction ration and high transparency. They were also suitable for preparing hybrid materials with high thermal stability and chemical resistance.

Abstract: A polymer obtained by polymerizing, in a presence of a polymerization initiator, a compound having a cage structure with at least 11 carbon atoms and an ethylenic double bond; a film forming composition containing the polymer; an insulating film formed using the composition; and an electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous gas phase process comprising polymerizing one or more hydrocarbon monomer(s) in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of catalyst system or polymerization catalyst and a condensable fluid for a period of at least 12 hours where the bed temperature is less than the Critical Temperature and the dew point temperature of the gas composition in the reactor is within 25° C. of the bed temperature.

Abstract: A method of polymerizing olefins comprising combining in one embodiment ethylene and optionally one or more ?-olefins with a catalyst composition in a continuous polymerization reactor at a pressure of less than 10,000 kPa; wherein the catalyst composition comprises a hafnocene; and isolating a polyethylene having a density in the range of from 0.930 to 0.975 g/cm3. Also provided is a method of transitioning a continuous polymerization reactor from production of a low density polyethylene to a medium or high density polyethylene. Also provided is a medium to high density polyethylene suitable for injection or rotomolding applications. Also provided is a single catalyst composition suitable for such needs.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a polymer represented by the general formula, wherein Rp is a residue of a polymer of a compound having a polymerizable unsaturated bond, Q is an organic residue of n+1 valences and connected directly or through another group to Rp by means of a single bond, Mk+ is a cation of k valence, Z is an organic function group capable of forming an ionic bond with cation Mk+ or an organic function group having a coordination capability with Mk+, and m, n and k are integers of one or more. The disclosure also discloses an intermediate of the polymer mentioned above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst system for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as polybutadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber, having a high trans microstructure. The catalyst system, in one embodiment, includes (a) a barium salt of an alcohol that is soluble in a hydrocarbon solvent, and (b) an organomagnesium compound. In one example, the alcohol is a primary or secondary alcohol. The catalyst system can further optionally include an alkali metal alkoxide, an organolithium compound, an amine compound, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides norbornene-based copolymers for which one monomer is at least selected from a group consisting of norbornene and dicyclopentadiene, and the other from norbornene-based comonomers of Formula 1 shown below: In Formula 1, R1, R2 and a are defined in this specification. The present invention provides insulating elements for multi-chip packages and antireflection films for the exposure process of semiconductor fabrication using said norbornene-based copolymers. Norbornene-based copolymers according to the present invention have low dielectric constant as well as high thermal stability and excellent solubility to various organic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to selected 1-alkoxy-2,2,6,6 tetramethyl piperidine, 1-alkoxy-2,2 diethyl-6,6 dimethyl piperidine and 1-alkoxy-2,6 diethyl-2,3,6 dimethyl piperidine derivatives which are substituted in the 4 position by two oxygen atoms forming an open chain or cyclic ketal structure, a polymerizable composition comprising a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and b) said piperidine derivatives. Further aspects of the present invention are a process for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and the use of 1-alkoxy-2,2,6,6 tetramethyl piperidine, 1-alkoxy-2,2 diethyl-6,6 dimethyl piperidine and 1-alkoxy-2,6 diethyl-2,3,6 dimethyl piperidine derivatives which are substituted in the 4 position by two oxygen atoms forming an open chain or cyclic ketal structure for controlled polymerization.

Abstract: A method for mixing a water-absorbent resin and a surface cross-linking agent-containing solution to repress aggregates is equipped. The water-absorbent resin and the surface cross-linking agent-containing solution is mixed with a plow-shaped mixing device which is equipped with an inner wall formed of material manifesting an interfacial contact angle of not less than 60° to water and possessing a temperature of heat distortion of not lower than 70° C., a plow-shaped stirring vane and a disintegrating blade.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method for preparing a cis-1,4-polybutadiene with a controlled molecular weight distribution, comprising polymerizing butadiene monomers using a rare-earth catalyst system comprising: (a) at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon-soluble organometallic compound comprising at least one metal element chosen from the elements of atomic numbers 51-71 in the periodic table; (b) at least one organoaluminum compound of the formula: AlR1R22, (c) at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon-soluble halogen-containing compound; (d) optionally at least one alkylaluminum alkoxide; and (e) at least one conjugated double bond-containing organic compound, and methods of preparing the rare-earth catalyst system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an initiator composition for anionic polymerization, comprising at least one alkali metal hydride selected from LiH, NaH, and KH, and at least one organylaluminum compound, and to a process for the anionic polymerization of styrene monomers or of diene monomers using the initiator composition.

Abstract: A polymerization method in which a first liquid and a second liquid are mixed in a gas phase and polymerized in the form of droplets is disclosed, wherein a polymerizable monomer and a polymerization initiator are each contained in at least one of the first liquid and the second liquid, and at least one of the first liquid and the second liquid is injected in a spatially expanding film shape. By employing the polymerization method of this invention, high-quality polymer can be efficiently produced in large quantity by the droplet polymerization even using a polymerizable monomer with a rapid reaction rate.