Abstract: Polymers of a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and a vinyl aromatic compound are selectively hydrogenated to reduce ethylenic carbon-carbon double bonds, without also reducing nitrile groups and aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds, preferably using a rhodium-containing compound as catalyst. The hydrogenated polymers are novel and display valuable properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of hydrogenating a nitrile copolymer rubber, which comprises subjecting the copolymer to hydrogenation in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, a co-catalyst, and a proton acceptor that is non-coordinating with the metal-complex catalyst.

Abstract: Polymers of a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid are selectively hydrogenated to reduce carbon-carbon double bonds, without also reducing carboxyl groups and nitrile groups, using a rhodium-containing compound as catalyst. The hydrogenated polymers are novel and display excellent adhesive properties at both room temperature and high temperature, excellent hot tear strength, and excellent abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A process has now been discovered that permits the simultaneous crosslinking and derivation of an, optionally hydrogenated, polymer whose backbone is composed of a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and an unsaturated carboxylic acid in the presence of a coupling/condensing agent. This permits the preparation of a novel polymeric material that is an optionally hydrogenated polymer of a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and a derived unsaturated acid. It has also been found that this novel polymeric material has unexpected and valuable properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art. The present invention is also related to shaped articles containing hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art.

Abstract: A novel elastomeric composition containing a hydrogenated carboxylated nitrile rubber, a hydrogenated nitrile rubber, a filler, a multivalent salt of an organic acid and a vulcanizing agent. The composition has good static and dynamic modulus and good abrasion resistance, and is suited for use in pads for tracks of tracked vehicles, for example military vehicles such as tanks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art. The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of said nitrile rubber and the use of said nitrile rubber for the manufacture of shaped articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of hydrogenating a nitrile copolymer rubber, which comprises subjecting the copolymer to hydrogenation in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, a co-catalyst, and a proton acceptor that is non-coordinating with the metal-complex catalyst.