Abstract: The instant invention relates to unique and novel ionic polymer compositions which are characterized as being processable at high temperatures, for example, 200.degree. C., while retaining adequate physical properties at both room temperature and elevated temperatures which are below the processing temperature. The ionic polymer compositions include a metal neutralized sulfonated polymer which is plasticized with a preferential plasticizer, at a concentration level of about at least 7 parts by weight per 100 parts of the metal neutralized sulfonated polymer. The preferential plasticizer acts to disrupt the ionic association of the metal or ammonium salt groups of the neutralized sulfonated polymer, thus allowing the ionic polymer to act as a noncrosslinked material at the processing temperature. When the composition is in this state, it can be compounded with oils, fillers, etc. The plasticized metal neutralized sulfonated polymer has excellent physical properties at room temperature and up to 100.degree. C.

Abstract: This patent relates to thermoplastic blend compositions having improved stiffness and increased glass transition temperature, wherein a major portion of polar thermoplastic resin is compounded with a minor portion of a neutralized sulfonated polymer. The neutralized sulfonated polymers of the present invention included sulfonated polystyrene butadiene copolymers, sulfonated butyl rubber, sulfonated EPDM and other sulfonated elastomeric polymers. The thermoplastic polar resins having a halogen-carbon bond include polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic, multiphase copolymers selected from the group consisting of copolymers represented by graft copolymers having the general formula ##STR1## AND BLOCK COPOLYMERS HAVING THE GENERAL FORMULA XB--[AB].sub.n --yA wherein n is an integer .gtoreq.1, m is >1, and y are 0 or 1, and y is 1 when n is 1, A is a thermoplastic, hydrophobic polymer block having a softening point (i.e., a glass transition or crystalline melting point) of at least 35.degree. C and a molecular weight of at least 2,000, and B is a thermoplastic, hydrophilic polymer block having a softening point of at least about 35.degree. C and a molecular weight of at least about 6,000, which comprises from about 30-97 wt % of said copolymer. The novel polymers of this invention are useful for making water containing gels. Preferably, the thermoplastic multiphase copolymer is a styrene-ethylene oxide copolymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic, multiphase copolymers selected from the group consisting of copolymers represented by graft copolymers having the general formula ##STR1## AND BLOCK COPOLYMERS HAVING THE GENERAL FORMULA XB--[AB].sub.n --yA wherein n is an integer .gtoreq. 1, m is > 1, x and y are 0 or 1, and y is 1 when n is 1, A is a thermoplastic, hydrophobic polymer block having a softening point (i.e., a glass transition or cyrstalline melting point) of at least 35.degree. C and a molecular weight of at least 2,000, and B is a thermoplastic, hydrophilic polymer block having a softening point of at least about 35.degree. C and a molecular weight of at least about 6,000, which comprises from about 30-97 wt % of said copolymer. The novel polymers of this invention are useful for making water containing gels. Preferably, the thermoplastic multiphase copolymer is a styrene-ethylene oxide copolymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic, multiphase copolymers selected from the group consisting of copolymers represented by graft copolymers having the general formula ##STR1## AND BLOCK COPOLYMERS HAVING THE GENERAL FORMULA XB--[AB].sub.n --yA wherein n is an integer .gtoreq.1, m is >1, x and y are 0 or 1, and y is 1 when n is 1, A is a thermoplastic, hydrophobic polymer block having a softening point (i.e., a glass transition or crystalline melting point) of at least 35.degree. C and a molecular weight of at least 2,000, and B is a thermoplastic, hydrophilic polymer block having a softening point of at least about 35.degree. C and a molecular weight of at least about 6,000, which comprises from about 30-97 wt % of said copolymer. The novel polymers of this invention are useful for making water containing gels. Preferably, the thermoplastic multiphase copolymer is a styrene-ethylene oxide copolymer.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method for making processable ionic polymer compositions which are characterized as being processable at high temperatures, for example, 200.degree. C, while retaining adequate physical properties at both room temperatures and elevated temperatures which are below the processing temperature, for example, up to 100.degree. C and more. In this method, an ionic polymer comprising an elastomeric or plastic backbone and pendant acid groups is combined with a first neutralizing agent having two components. One component of said neutralizing agent is a metal or ammonium type moiety which combines with the pendant acid groups as a metal or ammonium salt thereof; the other component of neutralizing agent takes up the hydrogen ion present in the pendant acid groups and is converted into a preferential plasticizer for said ionomer.