Abstract: An activating composition for use in vulcanisation includes based on the total weight of the activating composition: 20 to 80% by weight of at least one vulcanisation activator [activator (V)]; 10 to 40% by weight of at least one wax selected from the group constituted of paraffin waxes, microcrystalline waxes, polyolefin waxes, Fischer-Tropsch waxes, oxidised Fischer-Tropsch waxes, their derivatives and mixtures thereof; 10 to 40% by weight of at least one inorganic filler. A method is for manufacturing the activating composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crosslinking initiator including a mineral filler and a zinc compound grafted on to said mineral filler, where said zinc compound is chosen from the group consisting of zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide and the mixtures thereof, the zinc compound being in the form of individual rod-like particles of nanometric size, and the mineral filler being in the form of grains having a particle size larger than that of the zinc compound and where the individual particles of the zinc compound are grafted on to the surface of the grains of the mineral filler in a uniformly dispersed manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photopolymerizable composition, which comprises: (a) from 20 to 98.9% by weight, based on the weight of components (a) and (b) of one or more thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymers comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymer of the formulae A-C-A??(1) ?or (A-C)nX??(2) ?wherein each A independently represents a polymer block of predominantly a monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon having an apparent molecular weight in the range of from 7,000 to 25,000, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 2 and wherein X is the residue of a coupling agent, and wherein each C independently represents a substantially random copolymer block (I/B) of predominantly isoprene and butadiene in a mutual weight ratio in the range of from 20/80 to 80/20, wherein said polymer block C has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at most 0° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preventing or restricting oil spills from oil tankers. The process comprises application of block copolymer particles having a high active surface in the form of fine particles or a fluffy structure. The block copolymer has at least one predominantly poly(vinyl aromatic compound) block and at least one predominantly poly(conjugated diene) block. The process may comprise introduction of the block copolymer into damaged compartments of the ship and permanent placement of the block copolymer in the double hull space of the ship. The process may further comprise automatic introduction of the block copolymer upon detection of a hard shock or high temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a curable polymeric composition comprising (i) a thermoplastic block copolymer containing at least two polymer blocks A separated by at least one polymer block B, as component (ii) a polymerisable monofunctional compound (I) compatible with polymer block B or a composition (II) of polymerisable functional compounds which composition (II) is compatible with polymer block B and (iii) optionally an initiator that is at least partially compatible with the polymer block B and/or component (ii); (iv) optionally a polyolefin polymer; (v) optionally a plasticiser compatible with polymer block B and incompatible with polymer blocks A; and (vi) optionally an aromatic resin compatible with polymer blocks A and incompatible or only partially compatible with polymer block B.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing bleeding number in wax compositions comprising wax and oil, wherein said waxes are selected from petroleum and synthetic waxes and said oil is present in the range of 1 to 45% w/w, by incorporating in the composition an effective amount of an oil retention agent in the form of an elastomeric polymer. The invention has particularly useful application to wax compositions used for wax candles. The invention further provides the use of elastomeric polymers for reducing bleeding number in wax compositions.

Abstract: A foam and pre-foam production process, and a foam and a pre-foam is described. The process comprises the steps of: forming a pre-foam composition comprising oil(s), thermoplastic elastomer(s) and heat expandable thermoplastic particles encapsulating heat expandable gas or liquified gas, the said particles being present in an amount which provides the required foam cell density. A heat treating step for the said composition to cause the particles to expand and produce a foam from the said composition is also described.

Abstract: Free flowing powder composition with a particle size of 800 .mu.m or less, comprising(a) 100 parts by weight of a block copolymer, comprising at least one poly (predominantly monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon) block and at least one substantially hydrogenated poly(predominantly conjugated diene) block and having a monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon content in the range of from 10 to 60% by weight, preferably 10 to 35% by weight, based on total weight of block copolymer;(b) 100 to 200 and preferably from 100 to 150, parts by weight of a plasticiser;(c) 50 to 100, preferably 70 to 90, parts by weight of a resin, which is compatible with the substantially hydrogenated poly(conjugated diene) block; and optionally(d) a dusting agent in amount of from 0 to 10% by weight and preferably 0.5 to 3% by weight, based on total weight of composition;process for its preparation and flexible elastic sterilisable homogeneous layers derived from it.

Abstract: Intermediate binder composition for use in toner compositions, comprising (a) a block copolymer comprising one predominantly poly(monovinyl aromatic) block per molecule and one predominantly poly(conjugated diene) block per molecule, the latter blocks being selectively hydrogenated to a residual unsaturation degree of 20% or lower, in an amount of from 5 to 35% by weight relative to the weight of the intermediate binder composition, and a microcrystalline wax, having a weight average molecular weight of from 1000 to 10,000, and having a drop point of 75.degree. C. or higher (measured according to ASTM D 3104), in an amount of from 95 to 65% by weight relative to the weight of the binder composition. Also covered are electrophotographic toner compositions containing the intermediate binder composition and magnetizable particles.