Abstract: Compositions, processes, and methods are provided relating to styrenic polymers, including high impact polystyrene (HIPS), also referred to as rubber-modified polystyrene. In one aspect, a process is provided for making high impact polystyrenes, comprising the steps of combining a monovinylarene component, a monovinylarene-conjugated diene block copolymer, and a conjugated diene polymer. In another aspect, the feed components form an emulsion having a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The continuous phase comprises at least a portion of the monovinylarene component and at least a portion of the conjugated diene polymer. The dispersed phase is suspended within the continuous phase, and comprises globules having at least a portion of the monovinylarene-conjugated diene block copolymer, a remaining portion of the monovinylarene component, and a remaining portion of the conjugated diene polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to monovinylarene-conjugated diene block copolymers adapted for shrinkable film applications. In one embodiment, a block copolymer is provided wherein an oriented 2 mil film of the block copolymer oriented at 100° C. or less exhibits less than 10% shrinkage at 70° C., and at least 70% shrinkage at 100° C.

Abstract: Compositions, processes, and methods are provided relating to styrenic polymers, including high impact polystyrene (HIPS), also referred to as rubber-modified polystyrene. In one aspect, a process is provided for making high impact polystyrenes, comprising the steps of combining a monovinylarene component, a monovinylarene-conjugated diene block copolymer, and a conjugated diene polymer. In another aspect, the feed components form an emulsion having a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The continuous phase comprises at least a portion of the monovinylarene component and at least a portion of the conjugated diene polymer. The dispersed phase is suspended within the continuous phase, and comprises globules having at least a portion of the monovinylarene-conjugated diene block copolymer, a remaining portion of the monovinylarene component, and a remaining portion of the conjugated diene polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monovinylarene-conjugated diene copolymer compositions adapted for blendability with acrylate polymers. In some embodiments, such compositions are provided that are particularly resistant to blocking when stored in pellet form.

Abstract: We disclose compositions, comprising (i) from about 25 parts by weight to about 95 parts by weight of a monovinylarene-conjugated diene coupled block copolymer comprising at least one tapered block, having a blocky monovinylarene content of less than 90 wt % of total monovinylarene units, and comprising a terminal monovinylarene block having a molecular weight of less than 60,000 g/mol; and (ii) from about 5 parts by weight to about 75 parts by weight of a monovinylarene-alkyl(meth)acrylate copolymer, comprising (ii-a) monovinylarene units and (ii-b) either alkyl acrylate units, alkyl methacrylate units, or both. The compositions can be used in shrink film or rigid packaging applications.