Abstract: Blends of a sulfonated thermoplastic block polymer and a compatible extender oil are described. The block copolymer is first selectively hydrogenated and thereafter modified by grafting sulfonic acid containing functional groups primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks. Neutralization of the acid groups to a metal salt is preferred to prepare oil extended blends that retain substantial amounts of non-extended mechanical properties.

Abstract: An epoxy resin adhesive composition is provided, and a process to prepare this composition. The composition comprises: a modified hydrogenated block copolymer comprising at least one polymeric block containing predominantly monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units and at least one polymeric block, prior to hydrogenation, containing predominantly conjugated diolefin monomer units. The modified hydrogenated block copolymer being modified with from 2 to about 200 anhydride or dicarboxylic acid groups per modified hydrogenated block copolymer molecule. The functionality is incorporated substantially into that portion of the polymer containing predominantly conjugated diolefin monomer units. The epoxy resin-modified block copolymer blend is held under high shear mixing under conditions sufficient to react an amount of the modified hydrogenated block copolymer functional groups with epoxy groups effective to provide a stable dispersion of the modified hydrogenated block copolymer in the epoxy resin.

Abstract: A process for producing an epoxy resin adhesive comprises melt blending 0.05-0.3 inch pellets, a modified hydrogenated block copolymer comprising at least one polymeric block containing predominantly monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units and at least one polymeric block, prior to hydrogenation, containing predominantly conjugated diolefin monomer units and being modified with from 2 to about 200 anhydride or dicarboxylic acid groups are modified hydrogenated block copolymer molecule with an epoxy resin. The anhydride or acid groups are incorporated substantially into that portion of the polymer containing predominantly conjugated diolefin monomer units. The epoxy resin-modified block copolymer blend is held under high shear mixing under conditions sufficient to react an amount of the modified hydrogenated block copolymer functional groups with epoxy groups effective to provide a stable dispersion of the modified hydrogenated block copolymer in the epoxy resin.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer which possesses excellent mechanical properties at both room and elevated temperatures is obtained by reacting an acyl sulfate with a block copolymer composed of at least one conjugated diene block and one alkenyl arene block. The block copolymer is first selectively hydrogenated and thereafter modified by grafting sulfonic acid functional groups primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks. The mechanical properties may be varied and controlled by varying the degree of functionalization (amount of sulfonation), and the degree of neutralization of the sulfonic acid groups to metal sulfonate salts.

Abstract: A salt of a fatty acid is provided as a plasticizer for functionalized block copolymers of vinyl aromatics and conjugated diolefins wherein the functionalization comprises salt functionality. When this functionalized block copolymer is plasticized with the salt of a fatty acid the resulting composition will have higher tensile strengths than the raw polymer at and below the melting point of the additive and will have improved processability.

Abstract: A blend of a modified thermoplastic block polymer of a conjugated diene and an alkenyl arene with an extender resin compatible with the conjugated diene block is described herein. The block copolymer is first selectively hydrogenated and thereafter modified by grafting carboxyl functional groups primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks.

Abstract: A super-toughened multiphase thermoplastic composition is provided by incorporating with an .alpha.,.omega.-polyamide at least one functionalized, selectively hydrogenated alkenyl arene/conjugated diene non-network forming block copolymer to which has been grafted an effective amount of carboxyl functional groups primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks thereof.

Abstract: A super-toughened multiphase thermoplastic composition is provided by incorporating with an .alpha.-polyamide at least one functionalized, selectively hydrogenated alkenyl arene/conjugated diene non-network forming block copolymer to which has been grafted an effective amount of carboxyl functional groups primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing hydrogenated polymers containing acidic functionality in a portion thereof initially containing ethylenic unsaturation from a polymer containing ethylenic unsaturation or both aromatic and ethylenic unsaturation comprising the steps of first incorporating an acidic functional group precursor radical into the polymer, hydrogenating at least a portion of the ethylenic unsaturation contained in the polymer containing the acidic functional group precursor radicals and then converting at least a portion of the acidic functional group precursor radicals to the corresponding acidic functional group. In general, any acidic functional group precursor radical which will have less of an impact upon the hydrogenation reaction than the corresponding acidic functional group may be used.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer and an article of manufacture consisting essentially of this polymer are described herein which possess excellent mechanical properties at both room and elevated temperatures. The polymer is obtained by modifying a block copolymer composed of a conjugated diene compound and an alkenyl arene compound. The block copolymer is first selectively hydrogenated and thereafter modified by grafting carboxyl containing functional groups primarily in the alkenyl arene block via metalation. The mechanical properties may be varied and controlled by varying the degree of functionalization (amount of carboxyl groups), and the degree of neutralization of the carboxyl groups from an acid to a metal carboxylate salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composition containing a condensation polymer and a thermally stable modified selectively hydrogenated alkenyl arene/conjugated diene copolymer wherein a primary or secondary amine functional group is grafted to the block copolymer primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer composition containing a thermoplastic polymer containing a primary or secondary amine and a thermally stable modified selectively hydrogenated alkenyl arene/conjugated diene copolymer wherein an amide functional group is grafted to the block copolymer primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks thereof.

Abstract: According to this invention, an epoxy resin composition is provided with a finely dispersed phase of an elastomeric block copolymer having at least one block of a hydrogenated conjugated diene connected to at least one block of a carboxylated monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon. The block copolymers are dispersed in the epoxy resin by emulsifying the carboxylated block copolymer and blending the emulsion with the epoxy resin. The block copolymer is emulsified from a relatively non-polar solvent such as tetrahydrofuran using gradual addition of a polar solvent such as water or an alcohol. The dispersed rubber particles have an average diameter between 0.05 and 0.20 microns.

Abstract: A super-toughened multiphase thermoplastic composition is provided by incorporating at least one functionalized, selectively hydrogenated alkenyl arene/conjugated diene block copolymer to which has been grafted an effective amount of carboxyl functional groups primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks thereof with an .alpha.-polyamide.