Abstract: A new family of viscosification agents based on sulfonated ionomers is described for oil-based drilling muds. The resultant muds display good viscosity characteristics and good stability when formulated from ionomers having an appropriate sulfonate level, cation type, and cosolvent content.

Abstract: A process for sulfonating polymers which are prepared by solution polymerization using a Friedel-Crafts or Ziegler-type catalyst is disclosed. The reactor effluent containing polymer, unreacted light monomers, diluent-solvent and active catalyst is first treated to remove substantially all unreacted light monomer, e.g. by flashing. The effluent is then treated with a sulfonating agent (e.g. acetyl sulfate and acetic acid) which simultaneously deactivates catalyst. Thereafter, the sulfonated polymer is neutralized, e.g. by exposure to metal salts, organic amines, etc., and subjected to normal finishing operations, e.g. deashing, steam stripping, stabilizing and drying.

Abstract: This invention relates to blend compositions of thermoplastic resins and a neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer and a hydroxyalkyl carboxylate ester wherein the resultant composition has both improved physical and rheological properties such as compression set for blends exhibiting elastomeric characteristics and impact strength for blends exhibiting thermoplastic characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to elastomeric blend compositions of a neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer. The solid, gel-free compositions include a neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer, a hydroxyalkyl carboxylate ester, a non-polar wax, wherein the resultant compositions have both improved physical and rheological properties.

Abstract: Polymers having one or more sulfonic acid groups covalently bonded to one or more carbon atoms including the polymer are stabilized against thermal and hydrolytic degradation by reaction with an oxirane. The solid, gel-free hydroxyalkyl sulfonates thus formed are readily converted to thermoplastic ionomers by reaction with a metallic base or salt of a weak acid. The polymeric hydroxy alkylsulfonates possess a low melt viscosity and thus are readily mixed with neutralizing agents, plasticizers or other polymers and thereafter converted to ionomers by reaction with the neutralizing agent which is a metallic base or salt of a weak acid. The formulated solid gel-free ionomers are thermoelastic in nature and can be extruded, injected molded, and compression molded to useful products.

Abstract: A process for sulfonating unsaturated elastomers which comprises sulfonating an olefinically unsaturated elastomer using as the sulfonating agent an acyl sulfate. The products produced thereby have improved properties over those sulfonated elastomers prepared by prior art methods. The preferred acyl sulfate is acetyl sulfate. The sulfonated elastomers of this invention are useful as films, adhesives and for other general purpose rubber uses. Especially advantageous properties are obtained when the sulfonic acid polymer is neutralized with ethylamine.

Abstract: This invention relates to moldable or extrudable type elastomeric compositions having a viscosity at 200.degree. C at 0.73 sec.sup.-1 of about less than about 10.sup.5 poise. The compositions used for elastomeric articles include 100 parts of a neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymer; about 25 to about 150 parts per hundred of a non-polar process oil; about 25 to about 200 parts per hundred of a filler; and about 2 to about 50 parts of a hydroxyalkyl carboxylate ester.These blend compositions can be readily processed due to their superior rheological properties on conventional plastic fabrication equipment into elastomeric articles having excellent physical properties and desirable rubbery characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of a blend composition of a neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer which includes the steps of sulfonating an elastomeric polymer dissolved in a solvent to form an acid form of the sulfonated elastomeric polymer. The solution of the acid form of the sulfonated elastomeric polymer is quenched with an oxirane to form a polymeric hydroxyalkyl sulfonate. A non-polar backbone process oil is added thereby plasticizing the polymeric backbone of the hydroxyalkyl sulfonate. The hydroxyalkyl sulfonate is reacted with a metal carboxylate to form equal molar portions of a solid gel-free neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer and a hydroxyalkyl carboxylate ester.

Abstract: Improved butyl rubber-hydrocarbon resin latex compositions are prepared by emulsifying a solution of butyl rubber and a hydrocarbon resin in a one-step process wherein the emulsifying agent is the sodium salt of the sulfate ester of nonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol. The films formed therefrom exhibit improved properties over compositions prepared from blends of latices of butyl rubber and hydrocarbon resins.

Abstract: A process for sulfonating polymers which are prepared by solution polymerization using a Friedel-Crafts or Ziegler-type catalyst is disclosed. The reactor effluent containing polymer, unreacted light monomers, diluent-solvent and active catalyst is first treated to remove substantially all unreacted light monomer, e.g. by flashing. The effluent is then treated with a sulfonating agent (e.g. acetyl sulfate and acetic acid) which simultaneously deactivates catalyst. Thereafter, the sulfonated polymer is neutralized, e.g. by exposure to metal salts, organic amines, etc., and subjected to normal finishing operations, e.g. deashing, steam stripping, stabilizing and drying.

Abstract: Sulfonated ionomers of low unsaturation polymers in latex form are prepared in an improved process comprising sulfonating a butyl rubber or EPDM elastomer cement with an acyl sulfate, passivating the sulfonated cement with an organic epoxide, such as propylene oxide, and emulsifying the product in water with an anionic emulsifying agent.

Abstract: Adhesive contact cements of sulfonated olefinically unsaturated elastomers (sulfobutyl rubber) containing from about 0.1 to about 5.0 mol % SO.sub.3 H neutralized, partially neutralized, or unneutralized, are admixed with tackifiers, i.e. phenolformaldehyde resins, polyisobutylene, alkylphenol formaldehyde resins, petroleum resins, etc. in an amount of between about 5 and about 90 phr in between about 10 and about 50 wt. % solids concentration in organic solvents. These cements are used for adhering porous or non-porous materials such as textiles, wood, cloth, sheets or strip of metals, plastics, etc. to each other. High green strength, high tensile strength, high resistance to peel, even at elevated temperatures, water impermeability, etc. characterize such adhesive layers in laminates. A preferred solvent, 90% toluene, 10% isopropyl alcohol is used in compounding the cement and preferably an organic amine, e.g.

Abstract: Sulfonated ionomers of low unsaturation polymers in latex form are prepared in an improved process comprising sulfonating a butyl rubber or EPDM elastomer cement with an acyl sulfate, passivating the sulfonated cement with an organic epoxide, such as propylene oxide, and emulsifying the product in water with an anionic emulsifying agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing latices in ionomeric form from copolymers of an isoolefin containing from 4 to 7 carbon atoms and a conjugated multiolefin containing from 4 to 14 carbon atoms, where a major portion of said conjugated multiolefin has conjugated diene unsaturation, is disclosed. The process principally comprises forming an adduct of conjugated diene butyl rubber with a dienophile capable of implanting carboxylic acid functionality on the polymer such as maleic anhydride, emulsifying the adduct thus formed, and neutralizing the resulting emulsion with a suitable base. Highly improved ionomeric latices are also disclosed, having an average particle size of less than about 1 micron, average solids contents easily adjusted from between about 5 to 70 weight percent solids, and having a pH, depending on the emulsifier used, of from 3 to 12. Films cast from these latices have an improved tensile at break of greater than about 2500 psi.