Abstract: A process is provided for metallating ethylene polymers which have polymerized therein a minor amount of nonconjugated diene. Metallation is accomplished with a blend of three metallating reagents: (a) an alkyllithium compound; (b) a potassium alkoxide; and (c) a chelating tertiary diamine. The metallated polymers so prepared may be reacted with one or more anionically polymerizable monomers to form graft polymers or with a reagent such as carbon dioxide to form a functionalized polymer. When the anionically polymerizable monomer has two or more polymerizable sites, the metallated polymer is reacted with a modifying compound such as alpha-methylstyrene before it is reacted with the monomer(s). Certain of the graft polymers behave as thermoplastic elastomers whereas others are thermoplastic. The blend of metallating reagents may be used with any polymer having partial or complete unsaturation.

Abstract: Peroxide vulcanizable chlorinated polyethylene compositions can, after being press cured at a temperature of 204.degree. Centigrade for a period of ten minutes, withstand ozone-induced cracking for a period of 168 hours or more when elongated 60% and exposed to 200 parts of ozone per hundred million parts of air at a temperature of 400.degree. Centigrade.