Abstract: Asphalt compositions having improved physical properties are prepared by blending into an asphalt a high vinyl rubbery polymer such as a conjugated diene/monovinyl aromatic block copolymer wherein the conjugated diene blocks contain at least about 25 percent 1,2 addition (or vinyl unsaturation based on total diene content).

Abstract: A method is provided for producing block copolymers of a lactone and a conjugated diene and/or a monovinylarene, in which the lactone polymerization step is terminated by addition of water, a mineral acid or a carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Copolymers of alpha-methylstyrene-type monomers and conjugated diene monomers are prepared by polymerizing an alpha-methylstyrene monomer using a first polar activator, adding a small amount of a conjugated diene monomer to cap the block of alpha-methylstyrene-type monomer polymer, and further adding a conjugated diene monomer and polymerizing with a second polar activator effective for copolymerization of residual alpha-methylstyrene-type monomer. The resulting copolymer can be coupled to form linear or radial block copolymers.

Abstract: The copolymerization of isoolefins with dienes is initiated by nickel source complexes with compounds of titanium or vanadium. For example, isobutylene and butadiene are copolymerized in the presence of a catalyst of bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel and titanium tetrachloride.

Abstract: Copolymers of alpha-methylstyrene-type monomers and conjugated diene monomers are prepared by polymerizing an alpha-methylstyrene monomer using a first polar activator, adding a small amount of a conjugated diene monomer to cap the block of alpha-methylstyrene-type monomer polymer, and further adding a conjugated diene monomer and polymerizing with a second polar activator effective for copolymerization of residual alpha-methylstyrene-type monomer. The resulting copolymer can be coupled to form linear or radial block copolymers.

Abstract: A thermosettable composition comprising (1) an unsaturated polyester, (2) a block copolymer of a lactone, a conjugated diene and, optionally, a monovinylarene, and (3) a vinyl monomer is provided which shows improved compatibility and stability over a composition in which the block copolymer does not contain a polylactone block.

Abstract: Random copolymers of at least one conjugated diene and at least one alpha-methylstyrene type monomer are produced by solution polymerization in the presence of an organolithium initiator and at least one of selected sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium compounds.

Abstract: Lamination problems in polyphenylene oxide resin blends with conjugated diene-monovinylarene rubber polymers are avoided or minimized by using a linear or radial conjugated diene-monovinylarene teleblock copolymer having monovinylarene end blocks having a high heterogeneity index.

Abstract: Copolymers of alpha-methylstyrene-type monomers and conjugated diene monomers are prepared by polymerizing an alpha-methylstyrene monomer using a first polar activator, adding a small amount of a conjugated diene monomer to cap the block of alpha-methylstyrene-type monomer polymer, and further adding a conjugated diene monomer and polymerizing with a second polar activator effective for copolymerization of residual alpha-methylstyrene-type monomer. The resulting copolymer can be coupled to form linear or radial block copolymers.

Abstract: An adhesvie composition comprising a block copolymer produced by the polymerization of a conjugated diene and a hydrocarbyl-substituted styrene or the polymerization of a conjugated diene, styrene, and a hydrocarbyl-substituted styrene, the block copolymer having an inherent viscosity within the range of from about 0.5 to about 3. The compositions have utility in the formation of laminates from metals and other substrates.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising a block copolymer produced by the polymerization of a conjugated diene and a hydrocarbyl-substituted styrene or the polymerization of a conjugated diene, styrene, and a hydrocarbyl-substituted styrene, the block copolymer having an inherent viscosity within the range of from about 0.5 to about 3.

Abstract: Block copolymers and adhesive compositions comprising a block copolymer of a conjugated diene, styrene, and a hydrocarbyl-substituted styrene, the block copolymer having an inherent viscosity within the range of from about 0.5 to about 3.

Abstract: Polymers are prepared containing a hydrogenated block derived from low vinyl polybutadiene, and a hydrogenated block derived from medium vinyl polybutadiene. The polymers further can contain a block derived from a monovinyl-substituted aromatic compound. The polymers are ozone-resistant, thermoplastic elastomers, with improved high temperature tensile strengths.

Abstract: The copolymerization of isoolefins with dienes is initiated by nickel source complexes with compounds of titanium or vanadium. For example, isobutylene and butadiene are copolymerized in the presence of a catalyst of bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel and titanium tetrachloride.

Abstract: Polyalkadienes with high percentage of trans configurations are produced by employing a catalyst system obtained by admixing (A) at least one hydride having the general formula MZR.sub.a H.sub.(4-a) wherein M is lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium or cesium, Z is aluminum or boron, R is hydrogen or a monovalent, saturated, cyclic or acyclic hydrocarbon radical containing up to 12 carbon atoms, and a is an integer between 0 and 2, (B) at least one titanium tetrahalide compound having the general formula TiX.sub.4 wherein X is chloride or bromide, (C) an iodine composition having the general formula R'I wherein R' is a monovalent, saturated, cyclic or acyclic hydrocarbon radical containing up to 12 carbon atoms, and (D) an ether having the general formula R"--O--R'" wherein R" and R"' can be the same or different monovalent, saturated, cyclic or acyclic hydrocarbon radicals containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms with a total of not more than about 16 carbon atoms per ether molecule.

Abstract: 1,3-Butadiene is polymerized to produce a high trans-polybutadiene employing a three-component catalyst system comprising: (1) a reducing agent in an oxyether solution; (2) a titanium halide plus molecular iodine wherein the halide is chloride or bromide, or titanium tetraiodide; and (3) a thioether.

Abstract: 1,3-Butadiene is polymerized employing a four-component catalyst comprising: a) an organoaluminum hydride; b) an organolithium or organosodium compound; c) a titanium halide compound; and d) an ether.

Abstract: An adhesive composition made from two copolymers of the styrene-butadiene type, one having terminal segments of polystyrene and one having terminal segments of polybutadiene. A tackifying resin is included in the adhesive, together with appropriate solvents.

Abstract: Treatment of conjugated diene homo and copolymers with a mixture of an organolithium compound and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylalkylenediamine reduces inherent viscosity of the polymers.