Abstract: A polymeric article which is subject to attack by oxygen ozone and/or ultraviolet light is coated with a thin coating of a polymer which is resistant to oxygen, ozone and UV light. It protects the article from cracking or degradation due to any of these causes. The uncoated article serves as a substrate. The substrate may be any polymer which is subject to attach by oxygen, ozone and/or ultraviolet light. A preferred coating is cured from a highly saturated polymer having only a small amount of unsaturation, as for example, hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR, or hydrogenated nitrile/butadiene copolymer), highly saturated styrene/butadiene copolymer, hydrogenated polybutadiene, or hydrogenated styrene/vinylpyridine/butadiene terpolymer. The hydrogenated or highly saturated polymer of the coating is obtained by hydrogenating an unsaturated polymer which is a polymer of 1,3-butadiene (5-100% by weight) and optionally one or more monoethylenically unsaturated polymers (0-95% by weight).

Abstract: Very low molecular weight polymers are sometimes used in toners which are designed for high speed printers and copiers. It is extremely difficult to prepare polymers having the ultra-low molecular weights required in such applications by standard emulsion polymerization techniques. By utilizing the techniques of this invention, the molecular weight of polymers made by conventional emulsion polymerization can be reduced to a very low level.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a process for treating an emulsion of a crosslinked elastomeric polymer containing residual hydrazine to obtain a latex of soluble elastomeric polymer having a reduced concentration of residual hydrazine therein, said process comprising the addition of ozone to said emulsion in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient for the ozone to react with the crosslinked elastomeric polymer and the residual hydrazine to produce a latex of soluble elastomeric polymer having a reduced level of residual hydrazine therein. The process of the present invention also improves the color of latex by removing color-bodies, such as benzoquinone, which may be present in the original latex.