Abstract: Disclosed is a normally solid, high molecular weight, non-linear, substantially gel-free, propylene polymer material characterized by high melt strength due to strain hardening which is believed to be caused by free-end long chain branches of the molecular chains forming the polymer.Also disclosed is a process for making the polymer by high energy radiation of a normally solid, high molecular weight, linear, propylene polymer in a reduced active oxygen environment, maintaining the irradiated material in such environment for a specific period of time, and then deactivating free radicals in the material.Further disclosed is the use of the strain hardening polymer in extensional flow operations such as, for example, extrusion coating, film production, foaming and thermoforming.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a photocurable resin which comprises the steps of(I) (a) imidating 20 to 80 mole % of the acid arthydride groups present in an adduct prepared by the addition reaction of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid arthydride to a conjugated diene polymer or copolymer with a primary amine to produce water and an amide,(b) reacting the thus formed water as a by-product with at least a part of the remaining acid arthydride groups in said adduct to produce the succinic acid groups by opening the ring of said acid arthydride groups,(II) dehydrating the thus produced succinic acid groups by heating to cause ring closure again thereby forming acid anhydride groups and(III) reacting at least a part, preferably at least 50 mole %, of the acid anhydride rings present in the polymer with an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid ester having an alcoholic hydroxyl group to conduct a half-esterification by opening the ring of said acid arthydride groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyolefin composition comprising (A) an irradiated, normally solid, high molecular weight, amorphous to predominantly crystalline olefin polymer material and (B) a non-irradiated propylene polymer material or a mixture thereof with an olefin copolymer rubber.The polyolefin composition of this invention also provides improved retention of embossing definition commonly referred to as grain retention, when the composition is extruded and embossed, with or without subsequently thermoforming.

Abstract: Disclosed are unsaturated .alpha.-olefin/.alpha.,.omega.-diene copolymers, and a method of preparation thereof. The copolymers are generally crystalline, free of gel and cross-links, and contain unsaturated side chains and long chain branching. The copolymers contain up to 5 mole percent diene incorporated therein, and may be prepared by copolymerization using a solid-phase, insoluble coordination catalyst, without a solvent, and below the crystalline melting point of the copolymer.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition which comprises, as essential components:(A) a polymer having carboxyl group(s) and hydroxyphenyl group(s), or (A') a polymer having carboxyl group(s) and (A") a polymer having hydroxyphenyl group(s),(B) a compound having at least two vinyl ether groups in the molecule, and(C) a compound which generates an acid when irradiated with an actinic ray, and which is useful as a positive type photoresist having high resolution and excellent formability of fine image pattern, a material for printing, etc.; and a process for pattern formation using said composition.

Abstract: A crosslinked adhesive composition is provided comprising an epoxidized diolefin block polymer wherein the polymer is crosslinked through at least some of the epoxy functionality. A process to prepare this polymer is also provided. The preferred polymer is partially hydrogenated and lightly epoxidized.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable recording composition for water-washable printing plates, which comprises:(a) a water dispersible elastomeric blend of at least 20 percent by weight of an A-B-M-B-A block copolymer and an A-B-M block copolymer, wherein A is a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon block, B is a conjugated diene block and M is an acrylic monomer block containing acid groups, and(b) a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a normally solid, high molecular weight, non-linear, substantially gel-free, propylene polymer material characterized by high melt strength due to strain hardening which is believed to be caused by free-end long chain branches of the molecular chains forming the polymer.Also disclosed is a process for making the polymer by high energy radiation of a normally solid, high molecular weight, linear, propylene polymer in a reduced active oxygen environment, maintaining the irradiated material in such environment for a specific period of time, and then deactivating free radicals in the material.Further disclosed is the use of the strain hardening polymer in extensional flow operations such as, for example, extrusion coating, film production, foaming and thermoforming.

Abstract: Disclosed are radiation-crosslinkable elastomeric compositions containing:(a) an elastomeric polymer containing abstractable hydrogen atoms in an amount sufficient to enable the elastomeric polymer to undergo crosslinking in the presence of a suitable radiation-activatable crosslinking agent; and(b) a radiation-activatable crosslinking agent of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: W represents --O--, --N--, or --S--;X represents CH.sub.3 -- or ##STR2## Y represents a ketone, ester, or amide functionality; Z represents an organic spacer which does not contain hydrogen atoms that are more photoabstractable than hydrogen atoms of the elastomeric polymer;m represents an integer of 0 to 6;a represents 0 or 1; andn represents an integer of 2 or greater.Radiation-crosslinked elastomers are prepared by exposing the radiation-crosslinkable elastomeric compositions to radiation (e.g., UV light) to abstract hydrogen atoms from the elastomeric polymer by the resulting radiation-activated crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A crosslinked adhesive composition is provided comprising a tackifying resin and an epoxidized diolefin block polymer wherein the polymer is crosslinked through at least some of the epoxy functionality. A process to prepare this polymer is also provided. The preferred polymer is partially hydrogenated and lightly epoxidized.

Abstract: A crosslinked adhesive composition is provided comprising an epoxidized diolefin block polymer wherein the polymer is crosslinked through at least some of the epoxy functionality. A process to prepare this polymer is also provided. The preferred polymer is partially hydrogenated and lightly epoxidized.

Abstract: Radiation sensitive compositions, processes for using the compositions, and articles of manufacture comprising the compositions. The photoimageable compositions of the invention comprises a radiation sensitive component, a resin binder and a polybutadiene that comprises one or more internal epoxide groups. In preferred aspects, the compositions of the invention further comprise a crosslinking agent such as a melamine or an epoxidized material, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a cured adhesive composition with enhanced properties prepared by the high energy ionizing radiation initiated curing of a polymer composition. The polymer composition comprises from 1/3 to 2/3% by weight of the polymer composition of a block copolymer having the structure(D--A--B).sub.x --Y--C.sub.zwhere A is a polymer block of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, B, C and D are polymer blocks of a conjugated diene, Y is a coupling agent or coupling monomers or initiator, x ranges from 3 to 30, z ranges from 0 to 10, the molecular weight of the A blocks ranges from 5,000 to 25,000, the molecular weights of the B and C blocks range from 15,000 to 100,000 and the molecular weight of the D blocks ranges from 500 to 5,000 in one embodiment and above 5000 to 50,000 in the other; and a tackifying resin.

Abstract: A piece of microwave-active tape which is odor-free and physiologically inert can be adhered to a food package and remains strongly adhered during cooking at temperatures of at least 200.degree. C. The tape has layers of microwave-active material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive which is a polymeric .alpha.-olefin that has been cured to afford a "Peel Value" of at least 5 N/dm and a "Shrink Back" at 220.degree. C. of less than 5%. The tape can have a flexible backing such as a low-adhesion carrier web which can be stripped off from a piece of the tape that has been applied to a microwave food package, or when the backing is heat-resistant, it can be left in place.

Abstract: A process for producing a rubber product by vulcanizing a molded article composed of a rubber composition containing a peroxide as a crosslinking agent in the presence of oxygen, wherein said molded article is irradiated with electron beams, is disclosed. The rubber article produced by the invention is not sticky on the surface and exhibits excellent tensile properties.

Abstract: A release material of a good release property is prepared by shaping a resin composition comprising a thermoplastic polyolefin resin, a dimethylpolysiloxane and a functional compound, irradiating the shaped composition with electron beams, and if desired, heat-treating the shaped composition.

Abstract: Radiation-curable, tackifier-free compositions are provided which contain: (i) a blend of certain acrylate esters and monoethylenically-unsaturated copolymerizable monomers; (ii) certain .alpha.-olefin polymers; and (iii) a photoinitiator and optionally, a crosslinker. Pressure-sensitive adhesives having good adhesion to both low and high energy surfaces as well as possessing excellent low and high temperature performance properties are prepared by exposing the radiation-curable compositions to light having a wavelength in the range of from about 280 to 400 nm.

Abstract: A copolymer of trans-1,4-hexadiene and propylene, and a method for its preparation. The copolymer is isotactic, essentially free of cis-1,4-hexadiene, and contains from 0.01 to 5 mole percent 1,4-hexadiene. The copolymer is radiation-stabilized against molecular weight degradation, and cross-links to form gel upon exposure to radiation. The copolymer is prepared by contacting a mixture of propylene and 1,4-hexadiene essentially free of cis-1,4-hexadiene with a coordination catlyst, e.g. Ziegler-Natta catalyst, under copolymerization conditions. Hydrogen is used to moderate the molecular weight of the copolymer and enhance the catalyst activity.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive compositions comprise one or more poly(alpha-olefin) homopolymers, copolymers, terpolymers, and tetrapolymers derived from monomers containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms and photoactive crosslinking agents. Radiation curing provides adhesive films having a superior balance of peel and shear adhesive properties. The pressure sensitive adhesive is useful in pressure sensitive adhesive tapes, in articles containing transfer adhesive films, and as the bonding material between supports in a laminated structure.

Abstract: A multiblock copolymer comprising endblocks of phenylbutadiene and an elastomeric midblock of a conjugated diene such as isoprene or butadiene is disclosed. The copolymer is crosslinkable by EB radiation such that the crosslinks are confined primarily to the endblock domains in the polymer with minimal crosslinking occurring in the rubbery matrix. Also disclosed are blends of the copolymers with tackifier resins compatible with the midblock regions. The blends provide a curable PSA having enhanced cohesive strength while maintaining adhesive properties.

Abstract: A process for rapidly forming a flexible mold for finely detailed objects from a radiatively curable molding composition includes coating at least a portion of the surface of a three-dimensional object with a fluid molding composition. The coating is cured by exposing the fluid coating to radiative energy to form an elastic, flexible layer of cured molding composition on the object. The coating and curing steps can be repeated to build up the flexible mold until a predetermined minimum has been attained. The cured molding composition is removed from the object, and is suitable for immediate use as a mold to cast duplicate reproductions of the object.

Abstract: Titanocenes containing .pi.-cyclopentadienyl ligands, in which one or two carbocyclic or heterocyclic aromatic rings are attached to the metal atom, said aromatic rings being substituted by fluorine in at least one of the two ortho-positions relative to the metal-carbon bonds, are suitable photoinitiators for the photopolymerization of ethylenically unsaturated substrates. They are distinguished by high sensitivity, stability to air and heat, and are very effective in the range from UV light to visible light.

Abstract: A linear polymer having a recurring unit represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-10 alkyl group, a C.sub.6-10 cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or a halogen atom and the ethynyl group is in either meta position or para position to the main polymer chain;and a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 1,000,000. A resin composition consisting essentially of (i) a polymer having a recurring unit represented by the formula (I) or a polymer having a recurring unit represented by the formula (I) and a recurring unit represented by the formula (II): ##STR2## wherein X and Y each independently is a C.sub.6-20 aryl group, a C.sub.1-10 alkyl group, a C.sub.6-10 cycloalkyl group, a silyl group having a C.sub.1-10 alkyl group or a C.sub.

Abstract: A process for producing a surface-embossed, deep-drawn article suitable for an interior finish or lining of a motor vehicle, for example, starts with a partially-crystalline polymeric material, i.e., one having crystallites, in film form. The film-form material is heated to a temperature below the melting point of its crystallites an surface embossed. The embossed material is then cooled and crosslinked. The crosslinking is preferably done by irradiating the cooled material with a high-energy beam such as an accelerated electron beam, for example. The cooled and crosslinked material is then reheated, this time to a temperature above the melting point of its crystallites, and deep drawn into the shape of the article.