Abstract: A process is disclosed for fabricating a thermoplastic, which thermoplastic is either a thermoplastic ionomer or a multiphase graft or block copolymer of the ABA (AB).sub.n, or ##STR1## wherein n is greater than 1 and wherein the polymer blocks, A and B, are each thermoplastic resins having softening points substantially above room temperature with the B block being present in at least about 30 wt. % of the total polymer. The thermoplastic composition is first suspended in finely divided form in a liquid medium in a sufficient amount such that the solids content of the resulting suspension is in the range of from about 15 to about 75 wt. %. The liquid medium must be nonvolatile and must be capable of plasticizing the B block (or the backbone if the ionomer is employed) of the thermoplastic composition above the softening point of that block but must not be capable of plasticizing the A block to a substantial extent. The suspension is then applied as a coating to any desired surface, e.g.

Abstract: An improved process for the sulfonation of an unsaturated elastomeric polymer to form a sulfonated elastomeric polymer, wherein a cement which contains an elastomeric polymer dissolved in a non-reactive solvent is contacted with a sulfonating agent at between about -100.degree. C. and +100.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to result in the sulfonation of the elastomeric polymer wherein the improvement includes the use of a sulfonating agent which is formed from mixtures of a sulfur trioxide donor complexed with a Lewis base and a carboxylic acid anhydride ##STR1## or an acyl halide ##STR2## or with both, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of CH.sub.3 --, C.sub.2 H.sub.5 --, C.sub.3 H.sub.7 --, C.sub.4 H.sub.9 --, C.sub.5 H.sub.11, C.sub.6 H.sub.13 and C.sub.6 H.sub.5 and mixtures thereof. The molar ratio of ##STR3## and/or ##STR4## with the SO.sub.3 of the complex is at least 0.5.

Abstract: This invention involves a process for the utilization of an unusual memory characteristic which is present in neutralized sulfonated elastomeric materials, wherein the process includes the steps of distorting or compressing the neutralized sulfonated elastomeric article, then heating the article to a selected elevated temperature, holding the article at the elevated temperature for a limited time while maintaining the distorted shape, cooling the article to near room temperature, and releasing it from the device used to compress or distort it. The released cooled elastomer does not return to its original form, but rather substantially retains the distorted shape for an indefinite period of time. The elastomer in the distorted shape is heated to an appropriate elevated temperature thereby allowing the article to recover towards its original undistorted shape.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel elastomeric foamed material which has surprisingly been found to exhibit a variety of unusual and desirable features both in its physical properties and in its process of manufacture. These foamed compositions of a lightly sulfonated elastomeric gum contain a nonvolatile polar plasticizer and preferably extenders such as oil and fillers. These elastomer foams exhibit an unusual profile of physical properties including melt reprocessability of fabricated articles, and high temperature reshaping of foamed objects while maintaining a good foam structure. These novel foams can be manufactured with relatively uniform cell structures and with small cell sizes at foam densities from near bulk density to less than 0.1 g/cc.

Abstract: An improved process for the sulfonation of an unsaturated elastomeric polymer to form a sulfonated elastomeric polymer, wherein a cement which contains an elastomeric polymer dissolved in a nonreactive solvent is contacted with a sulfonating agent at between about -100.degree. C. and +100.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to result in sulfonation of the elastomeric polymer wherein the improvement includes the use of a sulfonating agent which is formed from mixtures of acyl sulfate ##STR1## with carboxylic acid anhydrides ##STR2## with carboxylic acid halides ##STR3## or with both, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of CH.sub.3 --, C.sub.2 H.sub.5 --, C.sub.3 H.sub.7 --, C.sub.4 H.sub.9 --, C.sub.5 H.sub.11, C.sub.6 H.sub.13 or C.sub.6 H.sub.5 and mixtures thereof. The molar ratio of ##STR4## is at least one.

Abstract: Improvements in the treatment of wells that penetrate subterranean formations are accomplished through the use of a polymer solution which includes a neutralized ionomeric polymer dissolved in an organic solvent and a polar cosolvent. The polymer has a backbone that is substantially soluble in the organic solvent and pendant ionomeric groups that are substantially insoluble in the organic solvent. The polar cosolvent solubilizes the pendant ionomeric groups such that the polymer solution upon introduction into the well has a viscosity less than about 20,000 centipoises and upon mixing with water the polar cosolvent is taken up by the water causing the polymer to aggregate and increase in viscosity sufficient to form a plug. The polymer solution may be used in well drilling operations, well completion operations, and secondary recovery operations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel elastomeric foamed material which has been found to exhibit a variety of unusual and desirable features both in its physcial properties and in its process of manufacture. These foamed compositions of a lightly sulfonated elastomeric gum contain a non-volatile polar plasticizer and preferably extenders such as oil and fillers. These elastomer foams exhibit an unusal profile of physical properties including extremely rapid production, melt reprocessability of fabricated articles, a novel memory characteristic, and high temperature reshaping of foamed objects while maintaining a good foam structure. These novel foams can be manufactured with relatively uniform cell structures and with small cell sizes at foam densities from near bulk density to less than 0.1g/cc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for forming fibers for fabrics from neutralized sulfonated thermoplastic polymers, and novel ionic polymer fiber compositions derived therefrom, wherein the neutralized sulfonated thermoplastic polymer is dissolved in a solvent, preferably a mixed solvent, consisting of a backbone solvent and a polar cosolvent and spun into fibers. The neutralized sulfonated thermoplastic polymer has about 10 to about 100 meq. SO.sub.3 H per 100 grams of sulfonated thermoplastic polymer, of which at least 95% is neutralized with a cation being selected from the group consisting essentially of antimony, iron, lead, aluminum, or Groups I-A, II-A, I-B or II-B of the Periodic Table of Elements and mixture thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to extrusion and injection moldable type elastomeric compositions having a viscosity at 200.degree. C. at 0.73 sec.sup.-1 of about 8.times.10.sup.4 to about 8.times.10.sup.5 poises. The compositions used for elastomeric articles include 100 parts of a neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymer; about 25 to about 150 parts per hundred of a non-polar process oil; about 50 to about 300 parts per hundred of a filler; and a preferential plasticizer at about 0 to about 50 parts per hundred based on 100 parts of the sulfonated elastomeric polymer. The composition may also include a crystalline polyolefinic thermoplastic at less than about 100 parts per hundred by weight.These blend compositions can be readily processed due to their superior rheological properties on conventional plastic fabrication equipment into elastomeric articles having excellent physical properties and desirable rubbery characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel elastomeric foamed material which has been found to exhibit a variety of unusual and desirable features both in its physical properties and in its process of manufacture. These foamed compositions of a lightly sulfonated elastomeric gum contain a non-volatile polar plasticizer and preferably extenders such as oil and fillers. These elastomer foams exhibit an unusual profile of physical properties including extremely rapid production, melt reprocessability of fabricated articles, a novel memory characteristic, and high temperature reshaping of foamed objects while maintaining a good foam structure. These novel foams can be manufactured with relatively uniform cell structures and with small cell sizes at foam densities from near bulk density to less than 0.1g/cc.

Abstract: This invention relates to injection moldable type elastomeric compositions having a viscosity at 200.degree. C. at 0.73 sec.sup.-1 of less than about 8.times.10.sup.4 poises. The compositions used for elastomeric articles include 100 parts of a neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymer; about 25 to about 150 parts per hundred of a non-polar process oil; about 25 to about 200 parts per hundred of a filler; and a preferential plasticizer at about less than 50 parts per hundred based on 100 parts of the sulfonated elastomeric polymer. The composition may also include a crystalline polyolefinic thermoplastic at least than about 100 parts per hundred by weight.These blend compositions can be readily processed due to their superior rheological properties on conventional plastic fabrication equipment, especially on low pressure injection molding equipment into elastomeric articles having excellent physical properties and desirable rubbery characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved elastomeric blend compositions for injection molding and extrusion application having improved compression set, weathering stability and physical properties, wherein the improved elastomeric compositions include minimally a metal neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymer, a non-polar process oil, an inorganic filler, and a carbon black at critically selected concentration levels. These blend compositions can be readily processed due to their superior rheological properties on conventional plastic fabrication equipment, especially on low pressure injection molding equipment into elastomeric articles having excellent physical properties and desirable rubbery characteristics.

Abstract: A bulk sulfonation process for the preparation of sulfonated polymers from hydrocarbon polymers having olefinic unsaturation or aromatic moieties, or both, includes intimately mixing the polymer by mechanical means in the absence of a solvent for the polymers with a sulfonation reagent at a sufficient temperature and time to effect the desired degree of sulfonation. The sulfonated polymer may be recovered as the free sulfonic acid or neutralized ionically with a basic compound. Sulfonated polymers including a substantial proportion of aromatic moieties yield water-soluble or water-dispersible salts, useful as thickening and flocculating agents, when neutralized with ammonia monobasic cations or lower alkyl amines. These materials, however, when sulfonated at a low level, e.g. <10 mole SO.sub.3 per mole aromatic, behave like water insensitive thermoplastics.

Abstract: This invention relates to plasticized metal neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymers having at least 65 wt. % of ethylene in the backbone of the EPDM terpolymer and extended compositions of these metal neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymers having 100 parts of a neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymer; less than about 100 parts per hundred of a non-polar process oil; less than about 300 parts per hundred of a filler; and a preferential plasticizer at about less than 60 parts per hundred based on 100 parts of the sulfonated elastomeric polymer. These compositions can be readily processed due to their superior rheological properties on conventional plastic fabrication equipment, especially on low pressure injection molding and extrusion equipment into elastomeric articles having improved physical properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for first preparing a free flowing finely divided powder of a neutralized sulfonated elastomer and subsequently and optionally admixing said formed powder with other agents such as fillers and oils thereby providing free flowing powders capable of being subsequently fabricated into tough elastomeric objects. The neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer can be converted into a free flowing finely divided powder which does not agglomerate or cold flow under ambient conditions by a variety of processes, preferably by a grinding process conducted at low temperatures. The formed powder of the neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer is blended with at least one chemical additive into a homogeneous mixture, wherein the chemical additive is selected from the group including fillers, polyolefinic thermoplastics, non-polar backbone process oils, lubricants or a metallic oxide and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the melt processability and properties of metal neutralized sulfonated polymers by the use of a reactive plasticizer wherein the plasticizer improves the flow of the ionic polymer during processing, and subsequently is polymerized by a free radical process into a thermoset polymer. The resultant composition is an intimate blend of ionic polymer with a thermoset polymer, wherein the resultant composition has improved properties.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for fabricating a thermoplastic, which thermoplastic is either a thermoplastic ionomer or a multiphase graft or block copolymer of the ABA. (AB).sub.n, or ##STR1## wherein n is greater than 1 and wherein the polymer blocks, A and B, are each thermoplastic resins having softening points substantially above room temperature with the B block being present in at least about 30 wt. % of the total polymer. The thermoplastic composition is first suspended in finely divided form in a liquid medium in a sufficient amount such that the solids content of the resulting suspension is in the range of from about 15 to about 75 wt. %. The liquid medium must be nonvolatile and must be capable of plasticizing the B block (or the backbone if the ionomer is employed) of the thermoplastic composition above the softening point of that block but must not be capable of plasticizing the A block to a substantial extent. The suspension is then applied as a coating to any desired surface, e.g.

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 an improved elastomeric composition of metal neutralized sulfonated polymers which are plasticized with a preferential plasticizer at a concentration level of at least 1 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the metal neutralized EPDM terpolymer, wherein the preferential plasticizer is a metal rosin salt. The resultant compositions have improved physical properties and can be processed on conventional plastic fabrication equipment.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for fabricating a thermoplastic, which thermoplastic is either a thermoplastic ionomer or a multiphase graft or block copolymer of the ABA, (AB).sub.n, or ##STR1## wherein n is greater than 1 and wherein the polymer blocks, A and B, are each thermoplastic resins having softening points substantially above room temperature with the B block being present in at least about 30 wt. % of the total polymer. The thermoplastic composition is first suspended in finely divided form in a liquid medium in a sufficient amount such that the solids content of the resulting suspension is in the range of from about 15 to about 75 wt. %. The liquid medium must be nonvolatile and must be capable of plasticizing the B block (or the backbone if the ionomer is employed) of the thermoplastic composition above the softening point of that block but must not be capable of plasticizing the A block to a substantial extent. The suspension is then applied as a coating to any desired surface, e.g.