Abstract: The present invention relates to articles prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes, and to blends of such block copolymers with other polymers. The block copolymers are selectively hydrogenated and have mono alkenyl arene end blocks and controlled distribution blocks of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes. The block copolymer may be blended with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of olefin polymers, styrene polymers, amorphous resins and engineering thermoplastic resins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gels prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenas and conjugated dienes, and to blends of such block copolymers with such polymers. The block copolymers are selectively hydrogenated and have A polymer blocks and B polymer blocks wherein A represents a polymer block of a mono alkenyl arene and B represents a polymer block of a conjugated diene. The block copolymer may be combined with tackifying resins, oils and other components to form the gel of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gels prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes, and to blends of such block copolymers with other polymers. The block copolymers are selectively hydrogenated and have mono alkenyl arene end blocks and controlled distribution blocks of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes. The block copolymer may be combined with tackifying resins, oils and other components to form the gels of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photopolymerizable composition, which comprises: (a) a block copolymer component comprising an unhydrogenated styrene diene block copolymer and a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene diene block copolymer (b) one or more photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated low molecular weight compounds, (c) one or more polymerization initiators, and optionally (d) from 0 to 40% by weight, based on the total photopolymerizable compositions, of one or more auxiliaries. The invention also includes flexographic printing plates derived from said photopolymerizable compositions, and flexographic printing relief forms prepared from said plates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes, and to blends of such block copolymers with other polymers. The block copolymers are selectively hydrogenated and have mono alkenyl arene end blocks and conjugated diene mid blocks. The block copolymer may be blended with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of olefin polymers, styrene polymers, amorphous resins and engineering thermoplastic resins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adhesives and sealants prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes, and to blends of such block copolymers with other polymers. The block copolymers are selectively hydrogenated and have mono alkenyl arene end blocks and controlled distribution blocks of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes. The block copolymer may be combined with tackifying resins, oils and other components to form the adhesives and sealants of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gel-free process for making functionalized polymers. When multi-alkali metal initiators are used to make these polymers anionically, the process comprises anionically polymerizing at least one monomer with a multi-alkali metal initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent, capping the polymer by adding to the polymer a capping agent that reacts with the ends of the polymer chains such that strongly associating chain ends are formed wherein a strongly associating gel is formed, and, finally, adding a trialkyl aluminum compound to the gel. The important characteristic of the capping agent herein is that it will cap the living polymer and will add a functional group to the polymer chain end which will be strongly associating in the hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement upon the current process for the production of block copolymers, especially hydrogenated block copolymers, of conjugated dienes and/or vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons which comprises anionically polymerizing the monomers in an inert hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an alkali metal initiator whereby a polymer cement is produced and then contacting the cement with hydrogen under hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. This invention and the improvement to the foregoing process comprises reducing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding to it, preferably prior to hydrogenation (if the polymer is to be hydrogenated), from 2 to 50 % wt of a polar compound. The polar compound must be a poorer solvent for the block copolymer than is the inert hydrocarbon solvent. Preferred polar compounds include diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, diethoxyethane, monoglyme, diglyme, diethoxypropane, dioxane ortho-dimethoxybenzene, and the like.

Abstract: Cast polyurethanes are preferably formed from a hydrogenated polydiene diol having from up to 2 terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule and a number average molecular weight between 1000 and 20,000, an isocyanate having two or more isocyanate groups per molecule. This composition is then reacted with an amine curing agent at 80 to 130.degree. C. to form a cast elastomer with excellent hydrolytic stability. The amine curing agent must be a hindered aromatic amine crosslinker with low polarity and a solubility parameter of less than 10.5.

Abstract: The present invention is polyurethane compositions comprising from 1 to 80% by weight of a polydiene diol having from 1.6 to 2, more preferably 1.8 to 2, and most preferably 1.9 to 2, terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule and a number average molecular weight between 500 and 20,000, more preferably between 1,000 and 10,000, from 20 to 99% by weight of a hard segment comprised of an isocyanate having two isocyanates groups per molecule and dimer diol as a chain extender. The polyurethane compositions described herein are stronger than other polydiene diol-based polyurethane compositions.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer cement which is relatively free of alkali metal salt by preparing the polymer cement with a polymerization terminating agent which is an acid which leaves alkali metal salt in the cement which is readily removable by centrifugation.