Abstract: A counter tapered thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising: (a) a counter tapered diblock A-[A/B] copolymer with a peak molecular weight from 20,000 to 250,000, which includes a monovinyl aromatic homopolymer block A with a peak molecular weight of at least 8,000 and a counter tapered copolymer block [A/B] with a vinyl content of at least 15 weight percent based on the amount of conjugated diene units in the diblock copolymer; and (b) a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of linear triblock copolymers having a peak molecular weight that is at least about 1.5 times the peak molecular weight of the counter tapered diblock A-[A/B] copolymer described in (a), multiarm coupled block copolymers having a peak molecular weight that is at least about 2.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus to measure adhesive performance of a Pressure Sensitive tape or label, which includes an electric or pneumatic actuator that can be triggered manually or remotely to perform a rolling ball tack evaluation at different or extreme conditions to those standardized in an adhesives laboratory, by using a small laboratory oven or small weathering chamber to simulate those extreme conditions. Also, installing this apparatus inside of those chambers and triggering it remotely through the mentioned actuator installed in the apparatus.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus to measure adhesive performance of a Pressure Sensitive tape or label, which includes an electric or pneumatic actuator that can be triggered manually or remotely to perform a rolling ball tack evaluation at different or extreme conditions to those standardized in an adhesives laboratory, by using a small laboratory oven or small weathering chamber to simulate those extreme conditions. Also, installing this apparatus inside of those chambers and triggering it remotely through the mentioned actuator installed in the apparatus.

Abstract: A counter tapered thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising: (a) a counter tapered diblock A-[A/B] copolymer with a peak molecular weight from 20,000 to 250,000, which includes a monovinyl aromatic homopolymer block A with a peak molecular weight of at least 8,000 and a counter tapered copolymer block [A/B] with a vinyl content of at least 15 weight percent based on the amount of conjugated diene units in the diblock copolymer; and (b) a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of linear triblock copolymers having a peak molecular weight that is at least about 1.5 times the peak molecular weight of the counter tapered diblock A-[A/B] copolymer described In (a), multiarm coupled block copolymers having a peak molecular weight that is at least about 2.

Abstract: Functionalized multi-arm polymers which comprise the reaction product of a coupling agent and a polymer synthesized by anionic polymerization. Furthermore, the invention relates to their preparation method and their different uses, especially as hot-melt adhesives.

Abstract: A tapered triblock copolymer having controlled vinyl distribution, enlarged middle block with intermediate composition and microstructure, increased compatibility between its adjacent blocks, good processing characteristics and a peak average molecular weight between 25,000 and 300,000 is made by anionically polymerizing conjugated diene and monovinyl aromatic monomers, polar modifier and initiator to make a first block rich in conjugated diene, forming a second block that is a copolymer of the conjugated diene and the monovinyl aromatic monomer and which is less rich in the conjugated diene than the first block, and forming a third block that is a homopolymer of the monovinyl aromatic monomer. The first, second and third blocks comprise 30 to 60, 20 to 50 wt % and 10 to 40 wt % of the tapered triblock copolymer, respectively. The tapered triblock copolymers may be used as asphalt modifiers, adhesives, sealants, compatibilizers, reinforcing agents and impact modifiers.

Abstract: A tapered triblock copolymer having controlled vinyl distribution, enlarged middle block with intermediate composition and microstructure, increased compatibility between its adjacent blocks, good processing characteristics and a peak average molecular weight between 25,000 and 300,000 is made by anionically polymerizing conjugated diene and monovinyl aromatic monomers, polar modifier and initiator to make a first block rich in conjugated diene, forming a second block that is a copolymer of the conjugated diene and the monovinyl aromatic monomer and which is less rich in the conjugated diene than the first block, and forming a third block that is a homopolymer of the monovinyl aromatic monomer. The first, second and third blocks comprise 30 to 60, 20 to 50 wt % and 10 to 40 wt % of the tapered triblock copolymer, respectively. The tapered triblock copolymers may be used as asphalt modifiers, adhesives, sealants, compatibilizers, reinforcing agents and impact modifiers.