Abstract: A process is provided for grafting CRP synthesized polymers to dienes and polyolefins in the presence of a CRP controlling agent. Chain scission is minimal. Graft yield can be high and is proportional to the amount of CRP controlling agent added. The grafting process can be carried out either in a molten phase, preferably by reactive extrusion, or in a solvent-based process. The process provides novel families of grafted polyolefins and dienes, which show promising applications as new materials and as additives in the polymer industry.

Abstract: A process is provided for grafting CRP synthesized polymers to dienes and polyolefins in the presence of a CRP controlling agent. Chain scission is minimal. Graft yield can be high and is proportional to the amount of CRP controlling agent added. The grafting process can be carried out either in a molten phase, preferably by reactive extrusion, or in a solvent-based process. The process provides novel families of grafted polyolefins and dienes, which show promising applications as new materials and as additives in the polymer industry.

Abstract: A process for making a block copolymer compatibilizer, comprising reacting an acrylic monomer that has functional groups with one or more vinyl monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator and a stable free radical to form a reaction product that includes residual unreacted acrylic monomer, and reacting one or more vinyl monomers with the reaction product to form a second block that incorporates the residual unreacted acrylic monomer. A blend composition comprising a first thermoplastic polymer, which has functional groups, a reactive block copolymer that has functional groups in two or more blocks, and a second thermoplastic polymer that is compatible with one block of the block copolymer, where the functional groups in the first thermoplastic react with the functional groups in the block copolymer.

Abstract: A method for modifying an inorganic tubule, such as halloysite, cylindrite, boulangerite, or imogolite, with a functionalized block copolymer for improving compatibility with a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer matrix and a composition for the modified inorganic tubule and for the modified inorganic tubule-polymer matrix are provided. In one embodiment, the block copolymer can be added to a slurry of the inorganic tubules. The pH of the slurry can be manipulated to promote ionic bonding between the inorganic tubules and one block of the block copolymer. The other block of the block copolymer is selected for compatibility with the polymer matrix for a particular application.

Abstract: A process for making a block copolymer compatibilizer, comprising reacting an acrylic monomer that has functional groups with one or more vinyl monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator and a stable free radical to form a reaction product that includes residual unreacted acrylic monomer, and reacting one or more vinyl monomers with the reaction product to form a second block that incorporates the residual unreacted acrylic monomer. A blend composition comprising a first thermoplastic polymer, which has functional groups, a reactive block copolymer that has functional groups in two or more blocks, and a second thermoplastic polymer that is compatible with one block of the block copolymer, where the functional groups in the first thermoplastic react with the functional groups in the block copolymer.

Abstract: A process for making a block copolymer compatibilizer comprises reacting an acrylic and/or vinyl monomer that has functional groups with one or more vinyl monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator and a stable free radical to form a reaction product that includes residual unreacted acrylic and/or vinyl monomer, and reacting one or more vinyl monomers with the reaction product to form a second block that incorporates the residual unreacted acrylic monomer. The block copolymer is used to compatibilize a clay nanocomposite material with a thermoplastic or thermoset resin. The block copolymer can be used with existing, commercially-available clays, or the block copolymer can be formed with a polar block that is miscible in a polar dispersion medium for use as a intercalate in producing a clay nanocomposite material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a block copolymer of styrene and an unsaturated cyclic anhydride, such as maleic anhydride, a process for making a copolymer using controlled free radical polymerization in which certain parameters are adjusted to control the microstructure and molecular weight of the copolymer, and a method for using the block copolymer, including as a compatibilizer. Microstructure and molecular weight in the block copolymer can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of stable free radical to initiator. The copolymer can be made in a one step process and has a controlled microstructure that allows one block to be reactive toward several chemical moieties available in engineering polymers and the other block to be fully miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene such as polyphenylene ether.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a reactive-block-copolymer property modifier using an acrylic monomer that has functional groups and one or more vinyl monomers and using the property modifier to modify the properties of a polymeric material, particularly its surface properties. Functionalized acrylic monomer and vinyl monomer can be selected for making a property modifier for a particular application. The property modifier is mixed and/or reacted with a polymeric material to change its properties, particularly the polarity and surface energy of the polymeric material, such as for making the polymeric material paintable, dyeable, wettable, waterproof, biocompatible and/or capable of dissipating an electrostatic charge. The property modifier can be used to couple polymer chains together for increasing average molecular weight, which is useful for recycling a polymeric material, and can also be used as a compatibilizer.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a reactive-block-copolymer chain extender and for using the chain extender to couple polymer chains together for increasing the average molecular weight of the polymer chains. The chain extender can be reacted with polymeric materials that have functional groups and low molecular weight to couple polymer chains together and increase the average molecular weight, thereby increasing intrinsic viscosity and improving properties of the polymeric material. The chain extender is particularly useful for recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and other polymers with functional groups and is also useful as a surface modifier and as a compatibilizer for polymeric materials that do not have reactive functional groups, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene.

Abstract: A method for modifying an inorganic tubule, such as halloysite, cylindrite, boulangerite, or imogolite, with a functionalized block copolymer for improving compatibility with a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer matrix and a composition for the modified inorganic tubule and for the modified inorganic tubule-polymer matrix are provided. In one embodiment, the block copolymer can be added to a slurry of the inorganic tubules. The pH of the slurry can be manipulated to promote ionic bonding between the inorganic tubules and one block of the block copolymer. The other block of the block copolymer is selected for compatibility with the polymer matrix for a particular application.

Abstract: The present invention provides a block copolymer of styrene and an unsaturated cyclic anhydride, such as maleic anhydride, a process for making a copolymer using controlled free radical polymerization in which certain parameters are adjusted to control the microstructure and molecular weight of the copolymer, and a method for using the block copolymer, including as a compatibilizer. Microstructure and molecular weight in the block copolymer can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of stable free radical to initiator. The copolymer can be made in a one step process and has a controlled microstructure that allows one block to be reactive toward several chemical moieties available in engineering polymers and the other block to be fully miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene such as polyphenylene ether.

Abstract: The present invention provides a block copolymer of styrene and an unsaturated cyclic anhydride, such as maleic anhydride, a process for making a copolymer using controlled free radical polymerization in which certain parameters are adjusted to control the microstructure and molecular weight of the copolymer, and a method for using the block copolymer, including as a compatibilizer. Microstructure and molecular weight in the block copolymer can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of stable free radical to initiator. The copolymer can be made in a one step process and has a controlled microstructure that allows one block to be reactive toward several chemical moieties available in engineering polymers and the other block to be fully miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene such as polyphenylene ether.

Abstract: A process for making a block copolymer compatibilizer, comprising reacting an acrylic monomer that has functional groups with one or more vinyl monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator and a stable free radical to form a reaction product that includes residual unreacted acrylic monomer, and reacting one or more vinyl monomers with the reaction product to form a second block that incorporates the residual unreacted acrylic monomer. A blend composition comprising a first thermoplastic polymer, which has functional groups, a reactive block copolymer that has functional groups in two or more blocks, and a second thermoplastic polymer that is compatible with one block of the block copolymer, where the functional groups in the first thermoplastic react with the functional groups in the block copolymer.

Abstract: A decorated wheel is depicted having a permanent stylized cover comprising: a base wheel; an intermediate coat made from a low-density polymer attached on the outer face of the base wheel; and a stylized cover permanently attached on the intermediate layer; the stylized cover has a shape, color, and brightness according to a previously established design, is made from a thermoformable polymer such as bisphenol A polycarbonate o the copolymers thereof, or is made from stainless steel; if the stylized cover is made from bisphenol A polycarbonate or the copolymers thereof, it has a class “A” finish on its surface; also, a process to manufacture the decorated wheel with a stylized permanent cover is depicted and, in the process, the stylized cover and the base wheel form a closed chamber where the intermediate layer made from the low-density polymer is encapsulated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a block copolymer of styrene and an unsaturated cyclic anhydride, such as maleic anhydride, a process for making a copolymer using controlled free radical polymerization in which certain parameters are adjusted to control the microstructure and molecular weight of the copolymer, and a method for using the block copolymer, including as a compatibilizer. Microstructure and molecular weight in the block copolymer can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of stable free radical to initiator. The copolymer can be made in a one step process and has a controlled microstructure that allows one block to be reactive toward several chemical moieties available in engineering polymers and the other block to be fully miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene such as polyphenylene ether.