Abstract: A method of making MAn salt in particulate form having improved dispersibility in elastomers, wherein M is a metal selected from zinc, calcium, and magnesium or other metals, A is acrylate or methacrylate, and n is 1-4, comprising contacting said salt with a solution of polymer in organic solvent, and then removing the solvent, thereby encapsulating said salt with said polymer. The resultant encapsulated metal acrylate salts, methods of use, and the resultant elastomers are also disclosed. The salts are especially useful as scorch retarders used in the processing of elastomers in a two roll mill or Banbury type internal mixer.

Abstract: A method of providing curable elastomers crosslinked with the aid of metal salts of .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids and, optionally an alkyl aminoalkyl phenol vulcanization inhibitor, having improved adhesive properties is provided. The method of the invention yields cured rubber articles with markedly improved adhesion to metals and synthetic fibers, curable and cured elastomers prepared by the method, and articles comprising at least one polar surface and an adhering cured elastomer, are also provided.

Abstract: Curable and cured elastomer compositions having approved mold release and methods for their preparation are provided. The elastomer compositions comprise an elastomer, a metal salt of an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated compound, an organic peroxide, and a fatty acid metal salt. The invention provides for improved mold release by the incorporation of the fatty acid metal salt into the elastomer composition, at high levels, without a loss in cured properties of the elastomer.

Abstract: Curable and cured elastomer compositions, and methods for the preparation thereof, in which vulcanization is retarded by incorporating the acid salts of certain methyl substituted aminoalkyl phenols into the compositions to be vulcanized. The compositions include an elastomer, a scorch retarding effective amount of a phenolic scorch retarder acid salt, and a cure effective amount of a free radical generating compound.

Abstract: A method for improving the substrate adhesion properties of polymer concrete composition including a substantially non-aqueous slurry of (i) an aggregate component, (ii) a monomer binder component in an amount effective to bind the aggregate component, upon curing, into a polymer concrete, and (iii) a polymerization catalyst. The method involves adding a crosslinking-effective amount of a metal salt of an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid to the polymer concrete.

Abstract: Free radical-curable halogenated polyethylene polymer compositions, which are crosslinked with the aid of a crosslinking monomer selected from the group consisting of calcium diacrylate and calcium dimethacylate coagents and, optionally an alkyl aminoalkyl phenol vulcanization inhibitor, are provided. The compositions of the invention yield cured rubber articles with markedly improved tensile strength and scorch resistance. Processes for producing a cured rubber article from the disclosed free radical-curable elastomeric compositions and cured compositions prepared from such curable compositions are also provided.