Abstract: This invention specifically discloses a process for heating trans-1,4-polybutadiene to a temperature at which it can be processed without causing oxidative gelation which comprises heating the trans-1,4-polybutadiene by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency in the range of about 2 MHz to about 80 MHz, wherein the trans-1,4-polybutadiene is oil-extended with at least 10 phr of a processing oil.

Abstract: Polyalkenylaromatic-polyethylene copolymers are prepared using protected functional organolithium initiators. Polymerization of an alkenylsubstituted aromatic monomer followed by ethylene, results in a protected functional block polystyrene-co-polyethylenyllithium. Termination with a functionalizing agent followed by deprotection produces polymeric products with high functionalization at the initiating chain-end and at least partial functionalization at the terminal chain-end.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition which comprises dynamically cross-linking an olefine copolymer rubber and an olefine plastic using a twin-screw extruder, said process being characterized in that said twin-screw extruder comprises one or more kneading zones within a dynamically cross-linking area and the first kneading zone among said zones comprises a screw with forward kneading disks having a minimum thickness (T.sub.min) of less than 13 mm per disk. Said method enables production of a thermoplastic elastomer composition of good quality regardless of the scale of production.

Abstract: A blend and a process for producing that blend in which a high ethylene content ethylene-propylene polymer and a lower ethylene content ethylene-propylene polymer are subjected to simultaneous blending and shearing to reduce their molecular weights and molecular weight distribution. The sheared blend of polymers can function as a shear stable dispersant viscosity index improver with improved lower temperature properties or the hydrocarbon base for multifunctional for viscosity index improvers, motor fuel additives or polymeric dispersants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a tread which is quantitatively reinforced with silica where the tread rubber is composed of a backbone of a combination of isoprene/butadiene copolymer rubber, cis 1,4-polyisoprene natural rubber and halogenated copolymer of isobutylene and p-methylstyrene. Such tread rubber may optionally also contain other elastomers such as, for example, cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and styrene/butadiene copolymer rubber.

Abstract: Toughened vinyl aromatic compounds, in particular high impact polystyrene, are prepared by a continuous process in which the vinyl aromatic compound and the impact modifier, an elastomeric block copolymer, are each prepared separately in a reaction zone by anionic polymerization, with or without heat exchange with the environment and, if required, with the addition of a solvent, and are polymerized until complete conversion is achieved, and the living chain ends are terminated in a manner known per se, and a thermoplastic, toughened molding material is based on a vinyl aromatic compound having a residual content of less than 50 ppm of monomers and less than 100 ppm of oligomers.

Abstract: A process for producing a silane-crosslinked polyolefin which is characterized by melt-blending (i) a polyolefinic base polymer, (ii) a carrier polymer A containing an organic unsaturated silane and a free radical generating agent and containing substantially no water and (iii) a carrier polymer B containing a silanol condensation catalyst and an antioxidant, at a temperature higher than the crystal melting point of the base polymer to effect reaction, and then contacting the resulting reaction product with water to effect crosslinking. The process can provide a silane-crosslinked polyolefin excellent in extrusion processability as well as in crosslinking property, mechanical property and heat resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the utilization of trans 1,4-polybutadiene resin having a melting point of at least 30.degree. C. in rubber compositions. The invention, in one aspect, relates to replacing, or at least partially replacing, natural rubber with a pre-blend of trans 1,4-polybutadiene resin and synthetic cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber. The invention particularly relates to preparation and utilization of a pre-blend of trans 1,4-polybutadiene resin and synthetic cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber by blending individual polymerizate cements, drying the pre-blend, and use of such pre-blend in the preparation of rubber compositions and of manufactured products such as, for example, tires.

Abstract: Mixtures of high molecular weight polyisobutylene and thermoplastic polymers are prepared in an extruder by a process in which meterable, high molecular weight polyisobutylene is first metered into the extruder and homogenized in at least one kneading stage, heated and subjected to controlled molecular weight degradation and the thermoplastic polymer is then introduced into the polyisobutylene melt by means of a side feed and is subsequently homogenized together with said melt. The novel process is particularly suitable for the preparation of mixtures of high molecualr weight polyisobutylene and polyethylene.

Abstract: An ethylene polymer which is useful for molding inflation film having a particularly excellent moldability is provided.The ethylene polymer is obtainable by the first and second steps and satisfying the following conditions (a) to (d):(a) the polymer produced in the first polymerization step having an weight average molecular weight (Mw,.sub.1) in the range of 6.times.10.sup.5 to 4.times.10.sup.6 ;(b) the ratio (Mw,.sub.2 /Mw,.sub.1) of the weight average molecular weight of the polymer produced in the first polymerization step (Mw,.sub.1) and the weight average molecular weight of the polymer produced in the second polymerization step (Mw,.sub.2) being in the range of 0.7 to 1.4;(c) the molecular weight in which the integration fraction from the low molecular weight is equal to 1/2 of the weight fraction (W.sub.2) of the polymer produced in the second polymerization step being in the range of 5.times.10.sup.3 to 3.times.10.sup.4 ; and(d) the weight fraction (W.sub.

Abstract: High performance polymer compositions comprising orthoester or orthocarbonate functionalized olefin polymers and polyphenylene ethers, polyamides or combinations thereof, and the compositions unexpectedly display improved impact resistances and/or decreased delamination.

Abstract: A reformed polypropylene resin composition having high degree of fluidity and excellent impact strength and rigidity, and further having a melt flow rate of from 50 to 150 g/10 min. and establishing a relationship between the melt flow rate (X) and the Izod impact strength (Y) which satisfies a relation Y.gtoreq.-4.7878 log X+13.8829. The reformed polypropylene resin composition is obtained by blending 0.01 to 0.2 parts by weight of an organic peroxide and 0.05 to 1 part by weight of a crosslinking agent per 100 parts by weight of a total of 50 to 90 parts by weight of a polypropylene having a melt flow rate at 230.degree. C. of 10 to 70 g/10 min, 0 to 25 parts by weight of an olefin copolymer rubber, and 5 to 40 parts by weight of an organic filler, and by melt-kneading the mixture by using a biaxial extruder maintaining a temperature of 120.degree. to 200.degree. in the preceding stage of the screw and a temperature of 180.degree. to 270.degree. C.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for preparing peroxide modified polypropylene/polyethylene blends that have superior extrusion coating properties. More specifically, the peroxide modified PP/PE blends produced by the instant invention exhibit a pronounced viscosity upturn at low frequencies (about <1.0 rad/sec) in the dynamic rheological data. Specifically, the blends show an increase in their dynamic complex viscosity, .eta.*, and dynamic storage modulus, G' values at frequencies of less than about 1.0 rad/sec. The present invention also relates to peroxide modified PP/PE blends that are produced from the process of the instant invention. Such polymeric blends that are produced from the inventive method exhibit superior dynamic theological properties, especially melt strength, compared with prior art blends. Moreover, the peroxide modified PP/PE blends of the present invention show markedly reduced draw resonance behavior.

Abstract: Method for producing a compatabilized rubber composition comprising blending a hydroxy alkylamine or a hydroxy alkylthioether functionalized polymer of a C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 isoolein and para-alkylstyrene with a dissimilar polymer.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for the preparation of an ethylene polymer composition having a density of 0.86-0.94 g/cm.sup.3 and an intrinsic viscosity [.eta.] of 1-6 dl/g using an olefin polymerization catalyst composed of a transition metal compound containing a ligand having a cycloalkadienyl skeleton and an organoaluminium oxy-compound, and there is also provided a method for the preparation of an ethylene polymer composition having density of 0.87-0.93 g/cm3 and an intrinsic viscosity [.eta.] of 0.5-6 dl/g.

Abstract: Blends of previously-vulcanized fluoroelastomer with fluorine-free elastomer can be cured to have unexpectedly excellent physical properties.

Abstract: There are disclosed a resin composition for coating which comprises a mixture of(i) a non-aqueous dispersion type resin containing(A) a vinyl polymer soluble in an organic solvent mainly comprising an aliphatic hydrocarbon, and(B) a vinyl polymer particle which is insoluble in the organic solvent and obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable unsaturated compound in the organic solvent using the vinyl polymer (A) as a dispersant, and(ii) a solvent type resin of(C) a vinyl polymer having a silyl group represented by the formula (I) which is soluble in the organic solvent: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group, X represents a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, an acyloxy group or a hydroxy group, and k is an integer of 1 to 3,and a paint containing the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball cover comprising a blend of copolymers wherein one or more of the copolymers is a low cost non-ionic copolymer and one or more of the copolymers is an ionic copolymer. Surprisingly, a golf ball cover comprising the non-ionic/ionic copolymer blend exhibits no loss in C.O.R., and has equal resistance to cutting and cracking when compared to top grade golf ball covers made with one of the conventional 100% ionic copolymer blends. In particular, the present golf ball cover comprises from about 95 to about 80 pphr of one or more ionic copolymers, and from about 5 to about 20 pphr of one or more non-ionic copolymers, the latter being selected from the group consisting of a copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene or propylene; acrylic acid or methacrylic acid; a lower alkyl acrylate, and blends thereof.

Abstract: A thermoplastic basic polymers in pourable form are mixed with similarly pourable carrier polymers dispersable or soluble in the basic polymers with a cross-linking agent to produce cross-linked polymer moldings. These mutually compatible components are heated under further mixing to a reaction temperature above the melting range of the basic polymer and processed. The reaction of free radicals leads to bonds between polymer chains and/or the degradation of polymer chains.Porous carrier polymers which contain at least one organic peroxide and/or coagent incorporated in the fine pore structure as a fluid silane-free cross-linking agent are mixed in the basic polymer. Peroxide-containing carrier polymers are heated, coagent-containing carrier polymers are irradiated.The moldings are used for example for cable and sheath isolation, pipes for hot water lines and highly stressed injection moldings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ternary blend of 25 to 45 wt. % random polypropylene copolymer, 20 to 40 wt. % ethylene propylene rubber and 30 to 45 wt. % high density polyethylene having excellent low temperature impact resistance and useful for producing molded articles.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing bimodal olefin polymers and copolymers having a ratio between low molecular weight fractions within the range of 40:60-70:30, by mixing under shear conditions 5-50 percent by weight of a low molecular weight unimodal polyolefin having a molecular weight (Mw) between 15,000-30,000, and 95-50 percent by weight of a bimodal polyolefin having a ratio between low molecular weight fractions and high molecular weight fractions within the range of 30:70-55:45. According to a preferred embodiment, there is used a multi-phase process including a loop reactor followed by a gas-phase reactor, wherein a part of the product coming out from the loop reactor is separated and combined with the bimodal product coming out from the gas-phase reactor.

Abstract: A process is provided for agglomerating small rubber particles in an aqueous latex to form large rubber particles. The process involves the addition of a water soluble organic acid and a water soluble organic anhydride to the latex prior to agglomeration of the rubber particles to facilitate agglomeration of the rubber particles into large rubber particles which are essentially free of coagulum. The latex of large rubber particles is useful in the preparation of ABS polyblends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing high melt flow rate thermoplastic compositions that have improved impact and bruise-resistance properties and to the thermoplastic composition that are produced by the process of the instant invention. Specifically, the process comprises the steps of precontacting a non-crosslinked elastomeric polymeric component with a peroxide compound at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the peroxide and below the melting point of the non-crosslinked polymeric component to produce a peroxide adsorbed polymeric component; and melt mixing the aforementioned peroxide adsorbed polymeric component with a high propylene content polymeric component selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of propylene, block copolymers of propylene and ethylene, and thermoplastic olefin polymers at a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the peroxide.

Abstract: A graft polymer wherein an iodine-containing fluororubber has been grafted on an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer or other polymer can be obtained by mixing 30 parts by weight of an iodine-containing fluororubber (a vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer containing iodine) and 70 parts by weight of an ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber at 180.degree. C. for 30 minutes while applying shear deformation using a Brabender mixer.

Abstract: A blend and a process for producing that blend in which a high ethylene content ethylene-propylene polymer and a lower ethylene content ethylene-propylene polymer are subjected to simultaneous blending and shearing to reduce their molecular weights and molecular weight distribution and to yield a product that can be recovered as a solid using conventional plastic processing equipment. The sheared blend of polymers can function as a shear stable viscosity index improver with improved lower temperature properties.

Abstract: A blend and a process for producing that blend in which a high ethylene content ethylene-propylene polymer and a lower ethylene content ethylene-propylene polymer are subjected to simultaneous blending and shearing to reduce their molecular weights and molecular weight distribution and to yield a product that can be recovered as a solid using conventional plastic processing equipment. The sheared blend of polymers can function as a shear stable viscosity index improver with improved lower temperature properties.

Abstract: A dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic composition is provided which comprises a polymer blend of (a) a thermoplastic olefinic resin, such as non-elastomeric ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer; (b) an elastomeric ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having a relatively higher vinyl acetate content; and (c) a specified elastomeric copolymer, such as halobutyl rubber, EPDM, or a halogenated copolymer of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isomonoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene. Halogenated polyethylene may also be incorporated in the composition. The dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic composition is suitable for adhesion to polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomers having improved low temperature properties are provided by incorporating suitable low molecular weight ester plasticizer into blends of crystalline polyolefin homopolymer or copolymer and olefinic rubber. The rubber component of the composition is at least partially cured.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball cover comprising a blend of copolymers wherein one or more of the copolymers is a low cost nonionic copolymer and one or more of the copolymers is an ionic copolymer. Surprisingly, a golf ball cover comprising the non-ionic/ionic copolymer blend exhibits no loss in C.O.R., and has equal resistance to cutting and cracking when compared to top grade golf ball covers made with one of the conventional 100% ionic copolymer blends. In particular, the present golf ball cover comprises from about 95 to about 80 pphr of one or more ionic copolymers, and from about 5 to about 20 pphr of one or more non-ionic copolymers, the latter being selected from the group consisting of a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid, a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid, a copolymer of polypropylene and acrylic acid, a terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic acid and a lower alkyl acrylate, and a terpolymer of ethylene, methacrylic acid and a lower alkyl acrylate, and blends thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymer resin powder composition capable, upon rotational lining, of generating a corrosion-resistant, nonstick film, which is a thick film on a metal or a like substrate, essentially free of gas bubbles, and excellent in adhesion and peel resistance. The TFE-copolymer resin powder composition comprises granules which comprise particles of a TFE/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer (PFA), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) particles having an average particle size of 0.3-50 .mu.m, and a heat resistant filler. This invention also provides a process for manufacturing the TFE copolymer resin powder composition comprising either (1) granulating a mixture of PFA particles, PPS and a heat resistant filler in the presence of water and an organic liquid, or (2) mixing PFA, PPS, and a heat-resistant filler, compression-molding, and pulverizing.

Abstract: A blend and a process for producing that blend in which a high ethylene content ethylene-propylene polymer and a lower ethylene content ethylene-propylene polymer are subjected to simultaneous blending and shearing to reduce their molecular weights and molecular weight distribution and to yield a product that can be recovered as a solid using conventional plastic processing equipment. The sheared blend of polymers can function as a shear stable viscosity index improver with improved lower temperature properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing elastomeric thermoplastic blends which comprises the following steps:a) mastication of a blend which comprises a polyolefin elastomer, polyolefin thermoplastic resin and a vulcanizing agent;b) mastication of a blend which comprises the product obtained in step (a), a polyolefin thermoplastic resin and vulcanizing agent.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided having good rolling resistance properties without sacrificing traction. The tire has a tread that contains 2 to 15 phr thermoplastic reinforcing polymer as a replacement for 5 to 25 phr carbon black.

Abstract: A method for preparing a compatible blend of polyolefin and thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol comprising:(a) melting polyolefin in the initial elements of a melt extruder,(b) adding and melt blending an unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride with the melted polyolefin downstream in the extruder,(c) adding peroxide to the melt blend and grafting the unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride onto the polyolefin, and(d) melt blending thermoplastic PVOH into the grafted polyolefin/unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride melt mixture.

Abstract: A process for preparing a molded article of a hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer which includes separately melting each of a hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and a polyolefin, admixing the melted copolymer with the melted polyolefin in a weight ratio of the hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer to the polyolefin of 30/70 to 70/30 and molding the mixture, according to which the molded article having improved flex-crack resistance, stretchability and thermoformability can be obtained with minimized deterioration of gas-impermeability.

Abstract: Copolymer compositions useful as impact modifiers are prepared by blending, under reactive conditions, at least one functionalized addition polymer with an excess of at least one functionalized elastomer reactive therewith to form a preblend, and subsequently blending said preblend, under reactive conditions, with a further amount of at least one functionalized addition polymer. The preferred addition polymers and elastomers are carbamate-functionalized styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers and maleic anhydride-grafted EPDM elastomers, respectively. The product of the two-step blending operation is a composition comprising a continuous addition polymer phase and elastomer particles dispersed therein, said elastomer particles containing occluded addition polymer. Said composition is stabilized by copolymer formation between the elastomer particles and the addition polymer.

Abstract: The compositions contain a) less than 90% and at least 2% by weight of at least one ethylene polymer (A), and optionally, at least one .alpha.-olefin having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, said polymer containing at least 70% in moles of patterns derived from ethylene, and b) more than 10% and up to 98% by weight of at least one polymer (B) containing at least 85% in moles of patterns derived from at least one .alpha.-olefin having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms and at the most 15% in moles of patterns derived from ethylene, and are characterized in that the polymer (A) is a modified polymer of which the measured limit viscosity is comprised between 1.3 and 100 times its limit viscosity calculated from the distribution of molecular masses. The compositions are obtained by a process consisting in providing a polymer of ethylene and, optionally, of at least one .alpha.-olefin having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms in the presence, on the one hand, of at least one initiator of free radicals in a quantity comprised between 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous dispersions of plastics having a solids content of 30 to 70% by weight and a reduced formaldehyde content, based on polymers of one or more monomers from the group comprising acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid esters, vinyl esters, olefins, vinyl halides, vinylaromatics and ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids and amides thereof, and a content of 0 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer, of N-alkylamides and/or N-alkoxyalkylamides of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, wherein the dispersion contains 0.05 to 10% by weight, based on the polymer, of one or more peroxy compounds from the group comprising hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxides, perborates, percarbonates, persulfates and perphosphates.

Abstract: A process for producing a composite resin for a toner, comprising the steps of: mixing, in water, (a) a low-molecular weight polymer powder comprising particles, not less than 80% by weight of the particles having a diameter of from 20 to 2000 microns with (b) a high-molecular weight polymer emulsion; subjecting the thus obtained mixture to a coagulation treatment; and heating the resulting mixture to obtain a composite resin in which the low-molecular weight polymer particle and the high-molecular weight polymer are fixed and homogeneously mixed with each other.

Abstract: A partially crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer composition having an excellent heat-bondability is obtained by dynamically heat-treating a peroxide-crosslinking olefin copolymer rubber with an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof in the presence of an organic peroxide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the production of cycloolefin random copolymers comprising flash drying a solution of a cylcoolefin random copolymer in a hydrocarbon, said solution being obtained by copolymerization of ethylene and a specific cycloolefin in said hydrocarbon in the presence of a catalyst. Further proposed herein is a process for the production of cycloolefin random copolymers by copolymerization of ethylene with a specific cycloolefin of the in a hydrocarbon in the presence of a catalyst wherein said copolymerization is carried out in a polymerization reactor where a gas phase is not substantially present.

Abstract: Novel addition polymers and copolymers derived from carbamate-functionalized vinyl monomers, and optionally one or more conventional vinyl monomers such as acrylonitrile and/or styrene, are disclosed. When the addition polymers or copolymers are melt processed with an elastomer containing moieties reactive with amines, novel addition polymer-rubber copolymers are formed which are useful as compatibilizers and impact modifiers in plastic blends, such as AES.

Abstract: The morphology of a polymer alloy displaying miscibility over some region of composition and temperature may be varied by thermodynamically altering the miscibility, such as raising the temperature for an LCST system, to phase separate the components then quenching the alloy below the glass transition temperature of the matrix phase. Such phase separated alloys have improved toughness.

Abstract: An adhesive resin composition is obtained by mixing at least one member (C) selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids and the derivatives thereof, a free-radical initiator (D), and a mixture consisting of a crystalline polyolefin resin (A) and an amorphous or low crystalline olefin copolymer of ethylene and an .alpha.-olefin (B), to obtain a precursor mixture, melt-kneading the precursor mixture in the first half of an extruder having at least one side feeder, to obtain a modified precursor mixture, and feeding a crystalline polyolefin resin (E) from the side feeder of the extruder and mixing the resin (E) with the modified precursor mixture.The adhesive resin composition has good extrudability and exhibits high adhesive property to polar materials such as polar polymeric materials and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ternary blend of 20 to 50 wt. % of random propylene copolymer of approximately 2% ethylene, 10 to 40 wt. % ethylene/propylene rubber, and 20 to 50 wt. % high density polyethylene for use as a molded article.

Abstract: A chlorosulfonated or chlorinated polyethylene dispersed in a polyolefin, vulcanized and then the vulcanizate dispersed into a thermoplastic chlorosulfonated or chlorinated polyethylene forming a partially crosslinked thermoplastic chlorosulfonated or chlorinated polyethylene vulcanizate having good interply adhesion, hot weld strength, commercial processability, and crack resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions of polyalkylene imine ("PAI"), particularly polyethylene imine ("PEI") and polyolefin polymer (including copolymers and derivatives thereof); such compositions can be used in producing packaging films for oil containing foods, whereby the film is capable of scavenging unwanted aldehydes from the food product. The preferred compositions comprise a PAI substantially discontinuous phase and a olefinic polymer (including copolymers or derivatives thereof) substantially continuous phase in a weight ratio of PAI to olefinic polymer of about 0.001-30:100 which optionally also includes a binding agent.

Abstract: A novel process of sequentially mixing polymers comprisinga. mixing together and melt blending impact modifier and semicrystalline polymer to form a preblend, andb. mixing together and melt blending the preblend with amorphous polymer,and polymer compositions produced as a result of the novel process are disclosed.

Abstract: A graft polymer wherein an iodine-containing fluororubber has been grafted on an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer can be obtained by mixing 30 parts by weight of an iodine-containing fluororubber (a vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer containing iodine) and 70 parts by weight of an ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber at 180.degree. C. for 30 minutes while applying shear deformation using a Brabender mixer.

Abstract: Heat shrinkable thermoplastic compositions are prepared by blending an ethylene copolymer resin with an EPDM rubber and dynamically vulcanizing the rubber. The ethylene copolymer resin is a copolymer of ethylene with an alkyl ester of an alpha, beta monoethylenically unsaturanated monocarboxylic acid as well as copolymers of ethylene with the acid per se. The preferred copolymer is ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer. Uncured rubber can be included in the composition.