Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the dispersion copolymerization of 35 to 70% by weight of vinyl substituted aromatic monomer and 30 to 65% by weight of conjugated diene monomer comprising carrying out the copolymerization in a reaction mixture containing a liquid aliphatic hydrocarbon dispersing medium, an anionic catalyst system, and an "A" block of a copolymer dispersing agent, the dispersing agent having at least two polymer blocks wherein at least one of the polymer blocks is soluble in the dispersing medium and at least another of the polymer blocks is insoluble in the dispersing medium and is formed in situ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing hydrolysis and coupling of substituents of siloxane end capped polymers containing hydrolyzable substituents during contact with water. The Mooney viscosity of siloxane terminated polymers is stabilized during such contact by treating the polymer with a stabilizing amount of stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of: an acid, an acyl halide, methane sulfonic acid, toluene sulfonic acid, sulfuryl chloride, thionylchloride, phosgene, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, SOCl.sub.2 and SO.sub.2 Cl.sub.2, prior to contacting the siloxane terminated polymer with water.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of tapered copolymers by the nonaqueous dispersion polymerization of a mixture of 30 to 70% by weight of a conjugated diolefin monomer, preferably butadiene, and 30 to 70% by weight of a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer, preferably styrene, in a liquid hydrocarbon dispersion medium with an anionic initiator catalyst system in the presence of a block copolymeric dispersing agent. At least one block of the dispersing agent is prepared prior to the dispersion polymerization reaction and at least one block of the dispersing agent is prepared in situ during the dispersion copolymerization. The block of the dispersing agent that is prepared in situ has the polymer structure of the tapered copolymer.

Abstract: A continuous process is described for preparing copolymer compositions of 1,3-conjugated dienes and aromatic vinyl compounds having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 100,000, and in one embodiment above about 900,000. The process comprises:(A) continuously introducing into a reactor, a 1,3-conjugated diene, an aromatic vinyl compound, a hydrocarbon solvent and a polymerization catalyst comprising a trimetalated 1-alkyne wherein the catalyst is obtained by reacting at a temperature of above about 70.degree. C., a 1-alkyne containing at least 4 carbon atoms, an organo metallic compound, R.degree. M and a 1,3-conjugated diene wherein the alkyne is characterized by the formulaRCH.sub.2 C.tbd.CH (II)wherein R is an alkyl group, R.degree. is a hydrocarbyl group, M is an alkali metal, the mole ratio of R.degree.

Abstract: A process is discontinuously preparing continuously tapered SBR-type copolymers optionally having a continuous change in microstructure along the polymer. The process produces tapered block copolymers with multiple glass transition temperatures of very small energy absorption, i.e. no definable glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A continuous process is described for preparing copolymer compositions of 1,3-conjugated dienes and aromatic vinyl compounds having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 100,000, and in one embodiment above about 900,000. The process comprises:(A) continuously introducing into a reactor, a 1,3-conjugated diene, an aromatic vinyl compound, a hydrocarbon solvent and a polymerization catalyst comprising a trimetalated 1-alkyne wherein the catalyst is obtained by reacting at a temperature of above about 70.degree. C., a 1-alkyne containing at least 4 carbon atoms, an organo metallic compound, R.degree.M and a 1,3-conjugated diene wherein the alkyne is characterized by the formulaRCH.sub.2 C.tbd.CH (II)wherein R is an alkyl group, R.degree. is a hydrocarbyl group, M is an alkali metal, the mole ratio of R.degree.

Abstract: A method for incorporating metal salts of .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids into polymers and improving the cured physical properties of vulcanizable rubber compositions based on such polymers. The method includes the steps of preparing a polymer cement in a suitable organic solvent, forming a suspension of the metal salt of an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid in a suitable aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent miscible with the organic solvent, mixing the polymer cement and the suspension together and thereafter removing the solvents to provide the metal salt uniformly dispersed within the polymer.

Abstract: Rubber curing agents such as quinoids are solution compounded to achieve a uniform or homogeneous distribution thereof in a rubber composition. The curing agents are initially solubilized in an organic polar solvent and then mixed with the rubber masterbatch solution. The solvent is then removed. A uniform fine distribution of the curing agent results in improved physical properties. The present invention is particularly suitable as a sealant composition for tires.

Abstract: A method for preparing high cis-1,4 polybutadiene by a continuous process which involves the continuous polymerization of 1,3-butadiene in solution under adiabatic conditions is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (I) feeding continuously to a single agitated polymerization reactor: (a) a monomer stream comprising 1,3-butadiene in a hydrocarbon solvent; (b) a preformed .pi. allyl catalyst stream formed by admixing a carboxylated metal oxy borate compound represented by the formulae (RCOOMO).sub.3 B or (ROCOOMO).sub.2 B-OR' wherein R and R' are alkyl radicals containing from 7 to 17 carbon atoms and M is nickel or cobalt, an organo aluminum compound, an alcohol, a small amount of 1,3-butadiene and a hydrocarbon solvent; and (c) a cocatalyst stream comprising a boron trifluoride complex with an alcohol; and (II) withdrawing continuously from said reactor high cis-1,4 polybutadiene at the same rate as said monomer, preformed catalyst and cocatalyst streams are fed to the reactor.