Abstract: Solution and RIM polymerization of cycloolefins containing at least one norbornene moiety is carried out in the presence of a methathesis catalyst system and an activator, particularly a chlorosilane activator, to obtain faster reaction with higher conversions at lower mold temperatures. The methathesis catalyst system includes an organoammonium molybdate or tungstate catalyst and an alkylaluminum or an alkylaluminum halide cocatalyst. The chlorosilane activator is used at a level of 0.05 to 10 millimoles per mole of the cycloolefin monomers. The polymers of cycloolefins can be impact modified and/or flame-retarded.

Abstract: Alloys of polycycloolefin polymers are produced by dissolving an ethylene-based functional polymer in at least one polycycloolefin monomer and polymerizing the mixture. Various polycycloolefin catalysts can be utilized. Often it is desirable to utilize bulk polymerization including reaction injection molding (RIM), liquid injection molding (LIM), reinforced reaction injection molding (RRIM), resin transfer molding (RTM), and the like. The alloys have improved properties such as impact strength, solvent resistance, as well as improved thermal aging properties such as retention of impact strength.

Abstract: Alloys of polycycloolefin polymers are produced by dissolving an ethylene-based functional polymer in at least one polycycloolefin monomer and polymerizing the mixture. Various polycycloolefin catalysts can be utilized. Often it is desirable to utilize bulk polymerization including reaction injection molding (RIM), liquid injection molding (LIM), reinforced reaction injection molding (RRIM), resin transfer molding (RTM), and the like. The alloys have improved properties such as impact strength, solvent resistance, as well as improved thermal aging properties such as retention of impact strength.

Abstract: Copolymers for use in preparing prepregs, which in turn are used to prepare printed circuit wiring boards are provided, as well as processes for producing the prepregs and wiring boards. The copolymers comprise repeating units derived from cycloolefin monomers, e.g., norbornene-type monomers, e.g., dicyclopentadiene-type monomers. Some of the monomers are silane-substituted while others are non silane-substituted. The silane-substituted monomers provide copolymers which exhibit improved properties when employed as the copolymers in prepregs for printed circuit wiring boards. For example, improved adhesion is achieved between the noncellulosic substrate and the polymers of components used in the wiring boards. These properties include, but are not limited to improved dielectric properties, improved adhesion to glass cloth substrates, etc.

Abstract: Copolymers for use in preparing prepregs, which in turn are used to prepare printed circuit wiring boards are provided, as well as processes for producing the prepregs and wiring boards. The copolymers comprise repeating units derived from cycloolefin monomers, e.g., norbornene-type monomers, e.g., dicyclopentadiene-type monomers. Some of the monomers are silane-substituted while others are non silane-substituted. The silane-substituted monomers provide copolymers which exhibit improved properties when employed as the copolymers in prepregs for printed circuit wiring boards. For example, improved adhesion is achieved between the noncellulosic substrate and the polymers of components used in the wiring boards. These properties include, but are not limited to improved dielectric properties, improved adhesion to glass cloth substrates, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing addition copolymers of ethylene and cycloolefin monomers of the norbornene-type, such as norbornene and tetracyclododecene. Copolymers having a uniform structure with uniform glass transition temperature values are provided by performing the copolymerization reaction in bulk with a catalyst system soluble in the cycloolefin monomers.

Abstract: Methods of preparing storage stable components useful for metathesis bulk polymerization of cycloolefin monomers are provided. These components contain cycloolefins with norbornene-functional groups and cocatalysts activated with a halometal compound. In these methods, the cocatalyst is completely formed before the halometal activator is added to prevent the formation of unwanted hydrogen halides, which catalyze undesired crosslinking reactions which destabilize the cocatalyst component. Bulk polymerization systems are provided wherein these storage stable cocatalyst components are paired with catalyst components that together form the complete metathesis catalyst system. For some embodiments, storage stability is aided by the removal of water.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the polymerization activity of mixtures of one or more cycloolefin monomers is provided by treatment with heat. This process can be easily incorporated into ring-opening, bulk polymerization methods and methods which form high molecular weight monomers. Enhancing the polymerization activity of crude mixtures of cycloolefin monomers by this process permits polymers having higher glass transition temperatures and higher heat distortion temperatures to be produced with greater economy.

Abstract: Thermoset polycycloolefins are obtained by polymerzing at an elevated temperature a cycloolefin containing at least one norbornene group in the presence of a metathesis catalyst system and also in the presence of an effective amount of a polyfunctional cycloolefin crosslinker containing at least one norbornene group, but preferably two or more, with two or more unsaturated sites, preferably two or more double bonds.

Abstract: Configurations of cross-linked or vulcanized amphophilic or quaternized block copolymer of haloalkyl epoxides and hydroxyl terminated alkadiene polymers are useful as battery separators in both primary and secondary batteries, particularly nickel-zinc batteries. The quaternized block copolymers are prepared by polymerizing a haloalkyl epoxide in the presence of a hydroxyl terminated 1,3-alkadiene to form a block copolymer that is then reacted with an amine to form the quaternized or amphophilic block copolymer that is then cured or cross-linked with sulfur, polyamines, metal oxides, organic peroxides and the like.

Abstract: A process for bulk polymerizing a norbornene-type monomer, or a mixture thereof, that includes the steps of mixing the monomer with an organoammonium molybdate or tungstate catalyst and an alkoxyalkyl aluminum halide cocatalyst at a temperature at which polymerization of the monomer remains essentially dormant for at least one hour, and conveying the resulting mixture to a mold maintained at a temperature at which polymerization of the monomer takes place in less than about 2 minutes.

Abstract: Impact modified polycycloolefin is made by ring opening bulk polymerization of at least one monomer containing at least one norbornene group in the presence of an organoammonium molybdate or tungstate catalyst and an alkoxyalkylaluminum halide cocatalyst as well as a sufficient amount of an impact modifier selected from polyolefin powders and polyvinylidene fluoride powders.

Abstract: Process for polymerizing by ring opening polymerization of a norbornene-type monomer, or a mixture thereof, with or without at least one other polymerizable monomer, in presence of an alkylaluminum halide cocatalyst and an organoammonium molybdate or tungstate catalyst that is soluble in a hydrocarbon reaction solvent and the norbornene-type monomer.

Abstract: A method for preparing copolymers of a bicycloheptene and 1,3-butadiene is described. The method comprises polymerizing said monomers in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a catalyst mixture comprising:(a) at least one organoaluminum compound of the formula R.sub.3 Al or R.sub.2 AlX wherein R is an alkyl radical containing from one to about 12 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen, and(b) at least one molybdenum salt.These copolymers can be oil extended and vulcanized to high strength rubbers.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymers of a monomer mixture of cyclopentadiene and at least one bicycloheptene is described, and the process comprises polymerizing the monomer mixture in the presence of a catalyst mixture comprising(a) at least one organoaluminum halide of the formulaRAlX.sub.2 or R.sub.3 Al.sub.2 X.sub.3 IIwherein R is an alkyl radical containing from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen, and(b) at least one tungsten or molybdenum salt, or a mixture of these salts.The polymers obtained in this manner exhibit plastic properties such as high impact strength, and can be oil extended and used as general purpose rubbers.

Abstract: At least one norbornene-type monomer is copolymerized with about 0% to about 95% by weight of dicyclopentadiene, based upon total polymer weight. The polymerization is primarily by ring opening and is conducted in the presence of (1) a catalyst comprising (a) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dialkylaluminum iodides, alkylaluminum diiodides and mixtures of trialkylaluminum compounds with iodine, (b) at least one dialkylaluminum chloride or alkylaluminum dichloride and (c) at least one monomer- or solvent-soluble tungsten compound, and (2) at least one nonconjugated acyclic olefin having at least one hydrogen on each double-bonded carbon atom. Catalyst components (a) and (b) are charged before catalyst component (c). Use of a catalyst containing components (a), (b) and (c) produces easy-processing and substantially gel-free polymers, whereas a catalyst containing only (a) and (c) or only (b) and (c) produces heavily gelled polymers.

Abstract: A norbornene-type monomer is copolymerized with about 0% to about 95% by weight of dicyclopentadiene, based upon total polymer weight. The polymerization is conducted in the presence of (1) a catalyst comprising (a) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dialkyl-aluminum iodides, alkylaluminum diodides and mixtures of trialkylaluminum compounds with iodine, (b) at least one dialkylaluminum chloride or alkylaluminum dichloride and (c) at least one monomer- or solvent-soluble tungsten compound, and (2) at least one nonconjugated acyclic olefin having at least one hydrogen on each double-bonded carbon atom. Catalyst components (a) and (b) are charged before catalyst component (c). Use of a catalyst containing components (a), (b) and (c) produces easy-processing and substantially gel-free polymers, whereas a catalyst containing only (a) and (c) or only (b) and (c) produces heavily gelled polymers.

Abstract: Cyclopentene homopolymers and copolymers are prepared by polymerizing cyclopentene alone or with one or more copolymerizable cycloolefins in the presence of (1) a catalyst comprising (a) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dialkylaluminum iodides, alkylaluminum diiodides and mixtures of trialkylaluminum compounds with elemental iodine and (b) at least one solvent-soluble tungsten compound, (2) at least one nonconjugated acyclic olefin having at least one hydrogen on each double-bonded carbon atom, and (3) a solvent for the tungsten compound comprising at least one alkyl ester of a saturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid. Catalyst component (a) is charged before catalyst component (b). Use of the ester solvent causes a brief induction period allowing excellent process control and resulting in substantially gel-free polymers.

Abstract: Substantially gel-free copolymers of cyclopentene with dicyclopentadiene are prepared by polymerizing these monomers in the presence of (1) a catalyst comprising (a) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dialkylaluminum iodides, alkylaluminum diiodides and mixtures of trialkylaluminum compounds with elemental iodine and (b) at least one solvent- or monomer-soluble tungsten compound, and (2) at least one nonconjugated acyclic olefin having at least one hydrogen on each double-bonded carbon atom. Catalyst component (a) is charged before catalyst component (b).