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

Abstract: Compositions consisting essentially of from 60% to 95% by weight of the polymer components of a high flow polypropylene and from 40% to 5% by weight of a polystyrene-hydrogenated polyisoprene-polystyrene-hydrogenated polyisoprene block copolymer have excellent low temperature impact strength and high heat distortion temperature for molding large automobile parts.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polypropylene grafted with polystyrene and a selectively hydrogenated monoalkenyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer have improved melt viscosity and toughness when the block copolymer component is designed to have weak monoalkenyl aromatic domains.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing high diblock content block copolymer compositions which comprises (a) anionically polymerizing at least one vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and at least one conjugated diene to form a living block copolymer, (b) coupling the block copolymer with a coupling agent selected from the group consisting of esters of carboxylic acids and asymmetric silanes to create a coupled polymer, (c) combining the coupled polymer with other components to form an enduse composition, and (d) heating the composition at a temperature up to 130.degree. C. for a time sufficient to decouple the coupled copolymer such that the amount of uncoupled copolymer in the composition ranges from 10 to 100% by weight of the total amount of block copolymer.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70% Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70%. Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polypropylene grafted with polystyrene and a selectively hydrogenated monoalkenyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer have improved melt viscosity and toughness when the block copolymer component is designed to have weak monoalkenyl aromatic domains.

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

Abstract: Toughened polyester compositions are obtained by blending from 60% to 90% by weight of a modified star block copolymer with from 10% to 40% by weight of a polybutylene terephthalate polyester. The modified star block copolymers are free-radically grafted with an effective amount of an epoxy containing compound such as glycidal acrylate or glycidal methacrylate to give a ductile composition having a 1/8 inch notched Izod impact strength of at least 10.0 ft-lb/in at -20.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high impact resistant polymeric composition comprising a polyester and a thermally stable modified selectively hydrogenated block copolymer wherein at least one acid compound or a derivative thereof is grafted to the block copolymer. Poly(alkylene terephthalates) are preferred thermoplastic polyesters. The block copolymer will comprise at least one polymeric block of a monoalkenyl arene and at least one polymeric block of at least one conjugated diolefin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to produce toughened nylon compositions by blending a masterbatch comprising from about 15 to about 120 parts by weight of an .alpha.-polyamide with 100 parts by weight of a functionalized hydrogenated conjugated diolefin polymer and then blending the masterbatch with a sufficient amount of .alpha.-polyamide to result in a total of from about 200 to about 2000 parts by weight of .alpha.-polyamide in the resultant composition to form a toughened nylon composition. The toughened nylon composition has a 1/8 inch notched Izod impact toughness of greater than 10 ft-lb/in at -20.degree. F. when 20 parts by weight of the functionalized hydrogenated polyisoprene is blended according to this invention with a total of 80 parts by weight of nylon 6.

Abstract: Toughened polycarbonate compositions are obtained by blending from 2 to 10 parts by weight of a modified block copolymer with from 90 to 98 parts by weight of a polycarbonate. The modified block copolymers have at least one hydrogenated conjugated diene block and at least one vinyl aromatic block, and are free-radically grafted with an effective amount of hydroxyethylacrylate to give a 1/8 inch notched Izod impact strength of greater than 4.0 ft-lb/in at -40.degree. F.

Abstract: A process to graft epoxy containing functional monomers to a base polymer is provided, the process comprising the steps of: providing a melt of a base polymer; containing the melt of the base polymer with a functional monomer in the presence of a free radical initiator at a temperature of less than 240.degree. C., the functional monomer comprising alpha-beta ethylenic unsaturation and an epoxy group; and recovering an epoxy functionalized polymer. Grafting the epoxy containing monomer to the base polymer at temperatures of 240.degree. C. and less results in a low level of hydrolyzed epoxy groups.

Abstract: A multiphase thermoplastic composition is provided by incorporating at least one polar thermoplastic polymer with 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. The carboxyl functional groups may be in the form of carboxylic acids, their salts and esters, and combinations thereof. The rubbery compositions of the present invention possess improved tensile strength, high temperature mechanical properties and oil resistance.

Abstract: A suber-toughened multiphase thermoplastic composition is provided by incorporating an effective amount of 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 poly (ethylene terephthalate). The carboxyl functional groups are present as carboxylic acids and their salts in an effective salt to acid ratio for super-toughening the composition. Additionally, the block copolymer phase has an effective phase size for super-toughening the composition.

Abstract: A polyester resin composition comprising a poly(alkylene terephthalate), said alkylene radical containing at least 3 carbon atoms, a carboxylated hydrogenated or selectively hydrogenated conjugated diolefin polymer and a transesterification catalyst. It has surprisingly been discovered that when a transesterification catalyst such as p-toluene sulfonic acid is present at a concentration within the range from about 1 mmoles to about 5 mmoles per 100 g of combined polyester and carboxylated, hydrogenated or selectively hydrogenated conjugated diolefin polymer, a significant improvement in impact strength is realized. Inclusion of a transesterification catalyst in the composition, then, enables significant improvement in impact strength even when the carboxylated, hydrogenated or selectively hydrogenated conjugated diolefin polymer is present in the composition at a concentration as low as 17 parts, by weight, per 100 parts, by weight, of polyester.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70%. Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70% Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

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: Compositions consisting essentially of from 60% to 95% by weight of the polymer components of a high flow polypropylene and from 40% to 5% by weight of a polystyrene-hydrogenated polyisoprene-polystyrene block copolymer have excellent low temperature impact strength and high heat distortion temperature for molding large automobile parts.