Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a first generation polymer comprising a step which consists in radical polymerization of a composition containing: at least an ethylenically unsaturated monomer a free radical source, and at least a disulfide compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to powdered, crosslinked polymer compositions, containing a) 55-99.9 wt.-% of at least one polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated, polymerizable monomer which contains acid groups neutralized to at least 25 mole-%, b) 0-40 wt.-% of polymerized, unsaturated monomers copolymerizable with a), c) 0.01-5.0 wt.-%, preferably 0.1-2.0 wt.-% of one or more crosslinking agents, d) 0-30 wt.-% of a water-soluble polymer, the weight amounts a) through d) being based on anhydrous polymer composition, and the sum of these components always being 100 wt.-%, which compositions can be obtained by continuous polymerization wherein at least one parameter biasing the polymerization is varied according to a recurring pattern. The present invention also relates to a process for their production and to their use.

Abstract: Separation of a variety of analytes that are polar, nonpolar and ionic using functionalized polymeric media is disclosed. Preformed rigid particles of highly crosslinked homopolymer of polyvinylidene compounds are functionalize using the residual vinyl groups onto which monovinyl compounds are covalently bonded through polymerization. The functionalization imparts desirable surface properties for separation applications such as liquid chromatography and solid phase extraction.

Abstract: An adhesive composition that includes a) an emulsion that includes a multi-stage polymer that includes a first stage polymer having a Tg from ?20° C. to 90° C. and including from about 0.5% by weight to about 3% by weight latent crosslinking monomer based on the first stage monomer weight, and a second stage polymer having a Tg from 40° C. to 140° C., the second stage polymer being different from the first stage polymer, b) formaldehyde-based crosslinking agent, and c) catalyst, the composition being capable of passing the DIN EN 204 Test Method.

Abstract: Block copolymers having a polyisobutylene segment and a polycycloaliphatic diene polymer segment are presented. Star block copolymers with 2 to 16 block copolymer arms, wherein each of the arms has a polyisobutylene segment and a polycycloaliphatic diene polymer segment, are presented. The star block copolymers are synthesized via the “core first” method.

Abstract: Acrylic polymer fine particles which comprise primary particles P of 250 nm or more in average particle diameter having a core shell structure and plastisols prepared using the same. In the fine particles, a core polymer C and a shell polymer S are copolymers of the following monomer mixtures Mc and Ms, respectively, and the weight ratio of Mc and Ms is 10/90-90/10: Mc: methyl methacrylate 20-85 mol % (meth)acrylic ester of C2-C8 aliphatic alcohol and/or aromatic alcohol 15-80 mol % other copolymerizable monomers not more than 30 mol %; , when the total amount of these monomers is 100 mol %; Ms: methyl methacrylate 20-79.5 mol % (meth)acrylic ester of C2-C8 aliphatic alcohol and/or aromatic alcohol 5-40 mol % a monomer containing carboxyl group or sulfonic acid group 0.5-10 mol % other copolymerizable monomers not more than 30 mol %.

Abstract: A cold shrink article including a fluoroelastomer composition comprising a first fluoroterpolymer having a weight average molecular weight centered from about 107 to about 108. A second fluoroterpolymer included in the fluoroelastomer composition has a weight average molecular weight centered at 104. The first fluoroterpolymer combines with the second fluoroterpolymer to provide a mixed terpolymer. Other components of the fluoroelastomer composition include a processing aid, a filler, an oil, and a curative. The fluoroelastomer composition upon curing at an elevated temperature provides the cold shrink article that has a permanent set value of 21% or less.

Abstract: A process for preparing impact-resistant molding compositions by anionic polymerization of vinylaromatic monomers in the presence of a rubber, in a continuous-flow reactor cascade composed of at least two reactors, where the vinylaromatic monomers are fed in substreams to the reactors of the reactor cascade, and an anionic initiator and a rubber are fed at least to the first reactor, and where the reactor cascade is composed of back-mixing reactors.

Abstract: A process including:

Abstract: A process for producing polyalkenyl acylating agent, wherein, upon completion of the thermal reaction of a polyalkene and an unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid or anhydride compound, the reaction mixture is allowed to cool to below the reaction temperature, an additional amount of unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid or anhydride compound is added to the cooled reaction mixture, which is then maintained in the reactor for a time period, optionally with agitation. Reducing the temperature of the reaction mixture prior to the introduction of additional unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid or anhydride compound minimizes further reaction between the additional unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid or anhydride compound and any remaining unreacted polyalkene, as well as self-polymerization of the unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid or anhydride compound.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide an asphalt composition excellent in high-temperature storage stability and low-temperature characteristics and having an excellent balance among properties. Another subject is to provide a resin composition which has a reduced gel content, satisfactory appearance, and excellent balance among properties including impact resistance and is especially suitable for use as thin films such as food wrap films, films for laminating, and heat-shrinkable films or transparent sheet moldings such as trays for foods or for parts of light electrical appliances, etc., blister cases, or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to absorptive, crosslinked polymers which are based on partly neutralized, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers carrying acid groups, and have improved properties, in particular in respect of their capacity for transportation of liquids in the swollen state, and which have been after-crosslinked on their surface at temperatures of at least 150° C. with a combination of polyol as after-crosslinking compound and a cation in the form of an aqueous solution.

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: Chain end functionalized block copolymers having low polydispersity index are produced via controlled free radial polymerization of dithiocarbamates.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having at least one component comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition, wherein the vulcanizable rubber composition comprises, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), from about 30 to 100 phr of high trans random SBR, and from about zero to about 70 phr of at least one additional elastomer, wherein the high trans random SBR comprises from about 3 to about 30 percent by weight of styrene.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive formulations comprising an acrylic copolymer and a mixture of tackifiers exhibit outstanding adhesion to foam facestocks.

Abstract: A highly uniform vinyl compound polymer-cross-copolymerized olefin/styrene/diene copolymer excellent in processability, mechanical properties, high temperature properties, compatibility and transparency, and its composition and a process for its production, are provided. This copolymer is a crossed polymer obtained by cross-copolymerizing an olefin/styrene/diene copolymer having a styrene content of from 0.03 mol % to 96 mol %, a diene content of from 0.0001 mol % to 3 mol % and the rest being an olefin, with an olefin/aromatic vinyl compound copolymer.

Abstract: Compositions having a curable unsaturated compound, an adhesion promoter and curing agent which have a peak exotherm of less than 50° C. are disclosed. The compositions when cured are flexible bioadhesives which are also disclosed. Non-curable diluents can be included in the compositions. Flexible bioadhesives formed on biological structures and having low peak exotherms upon curing of curable compositions to form the flexible bioadhesives are disclosed. Compositions having a curable unsaturated compound and a curing agent and a peak exotherm of less than 50° C. are included in the invention.

Abstract: A process of producing particles for diagnostic reagent, including a step of polymerizing a polymerizable monomer in the presence of a matrix particle having a magnetic substance layer containing at least one of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 on the surface thereof and having a mean particle size of 0.4-200 &mgr;m to form a polymer layer on the magnetic substance layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a block copolymer and more especially to a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer. The block copolymer is a diblock (block A)-(bloc B) copolymer, a triblock (block A)-(block B)-(block A), or a triblock (block A)-(block B)-(block C) copolymer, wherein block A is a stiff block, block B is a soft block, and block C is a stiff block. Block A or Block B comprises repetitive units deriving from segregation monomers.

Abstract: Further improvements have been made in processes for controlled polymerization of free radically (co)polymerizable monomers mediated by a transition metal complex participating in a redox reaction which involves transfer of a radically transferable atom or group to and from an initiator or dormant polymer and the growing active polymer chain ends. Two improvements involve the choice of counterion in the transition metal complex. In one improvement the transition metal is held in close conjunction with a solid support through interaction with a counterion directly attached to the support. This cognition also allows for improvements in catalyst utilization including catalyst recovery and recycle. In another improvement, particularly suitable for controlled polymerization of certain monomers with an expanded range of transition metals, the function of counterion and ligand in the development of the transition metal based catalyst is superseded by use of salt containing a soluble organic counterion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a polypropylene homopolymer synthesized from a metallocene catalyst system and methods of forming the homopolymer, the homopolymer having an aluminum and chlorine recoverables value of less than 25 ppm and a xylene solubles of less than 1 wt % relative to the total weight of the homopolymer. The resulting homopolymer has other desirable properties such as a heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa of from 90° C. to 110° C., and a MWD value of from 1.7 to 5.0. These properties make embodiments of the homopolymer desirable for films, and in particular for capacitor films.

Abstract: A non-aqueous, solvent-free formulation for producing clear, transparent, heat-resistant elements, suitable for use as lenses in optoelectronic devices, consists essentially of an acidic, nonpolymerizing acrylic resin; THFA, DMA, HEMA, HBA, or an equivalent polymerizable diluent in which the acrylic resin is dissolved; and a free-radical photoinitiator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having at least one component comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition, wherein the vulcanizable rubber composition comprises, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), from about 30 to 100 phr of high trans random SBR, and from about zero to about 70 phr of at least one additional elastomer, wherein the high trans random SBR comprises from about 3 to about 30 percent by weight of styrene.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an emulsion polymerization process that comprises: (1) preparing an aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; and (2) initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: a method of preparing a capstock layer that includes a comb copolymer; a method of preparing a multi-layered polymeric composite, at least one layer of which is a capstock layer; and a multi-layered composite formed by the method of preparing a multi-layered polymeric composite.

Abstract: What is described herein is a tough yet flexible polymer which is polyvinyl alcohol grafted with a water or alcohol soluble monomer. The grafted polymer has strong holding properties and high humidity resistance, which are particularly suitable for use in hair styling and skin care products. The grafted polymer preferably is made in a solvent such as water, alcohol and water-alcohol mixtures, in the presence of an initiator.

Abstract: This invention is directed to structurally-modified water-soluble polymers prepared by initiating polymerization of an aqueous solution of monomers under free radical polymerization conditions to form a polymer solution and adding at least one structural modifier to the polymer solution after at least 30% polymerization of the monomers has occurred, and to use of the water-soluble cross-linked polymers as flocculating agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an artificial pigment and a method of preparing the same, specifically, to an artificial pigment with excellent dry pick resistance and to a method of preparing the same. In order to accomplish the present invention, there is provided an artificial pigment of inverted core-shell structure comprising: a) a shell of butadiene polymer including: i) a seed of butadiene polymer having glass transition temperature of −10 to 50° C.; and ii) a seed covering of butadiene polymer having a glass transition temperature of −10 to 20° C.; and b) a core of styrene polymer having a glass transition temperature of 40 to 120° C. Also provided is method of preparing artificial pigment comprising: a) preparing a shell of butadiene polymer; and b) preparing a core of styrene polymer on the inner side of said shell of step a).

Abstract: A method of forming features on substrates by imprinting is provided. The method comprises: (a) forming a polymer solution comprising at least one polymer dissolved in at least one polymerizable monomer; and (b) depositing the polymer solution on a substrate to form a liquid film thereon; and then either: (c) curing the liquid film by causing the monomer(s) to polymerize and optionally cross-linking the polymer(s) to thereby form a polymer film, the polymer film having a glass transition temperature (Tg); and imprinting the polymer film with a mold having a desired pattern to form a corresponding negative pattern in the polymer film, or (d) imprinting the liquid film with the mold and curing it to form the polymer film. The temperature of imprinting is as little as 10° C. above the Tg, or even less if the film is in the liquid state. The pressure of the imprinting can be within the range of 100 to 500 psi.

Abstract: The present invention provides highly branched block copolymers comprising branched soft segments with a low glass-transition temperature (Tg) and hard segments with a high Tg or crystalline melting point that exhibit thermoplastic elastomeric properties. More particularly the invention provides a highly branched block copolymer of a polyisoolefin and a polymonovinylidene arene characterized by having thermoplastic elastomeric properties wherein the aforesaid block copolymer comprises a highly branched polyisoolefin block and some of the branches of the aforesaid polyisoolefin block terminate in polymonovinylidene arene endblocks.

Abstract: A method of making a sterile adhesive composition includes placing a mixture of a polymerizable adhesive monomer and a thickening agent in a container, sealing the container, and sterilizing the mixture and the container. The method provides superior viscosity for the monomer composition. An adhesive composition includes 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and at least one thickener. The sterile adhesive composition is particularly useful as a medical adhesive and can comprise 1,1-disubstituted ethylene monomers, such as &agr;-cyanoacrylates.

Abstract: Described are melt-processable block copolymers and compositions, embodiments of which may be useful in applications such as pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or heat-activatable adhesive, comprising polymeric end block and polymeric B block, wherein end block comprises copolymer and the B block comprises homopolymer or copolymer.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a center comprising a polybutadiene having a molecular weight of greater than 200,000 and a resilience index of at least about 40; and a cover layer comprising a polyurethane composition formed from a prepolymer having no greater than 7.5 percent by weight unreacted isocyanate groups.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing block polymer or copolymer from isotactic polypropylene. Polyolefins are introduced into an extruder. Free radical generator is mixed with the polyolefins to form a mixture at room temperature for free radical formation. The mixture is brought up to a temperature of between 175° C. to 220° C. Chain degradation of the polyolefins is induced by the free radical formation to form degraded polymer. Alkenically unsaturated monomers or polymer segments are mixed with the degraded polymer to form a second mixture. The temperature of the second mixture may be lowered to a temperature of between 90° C. to 150° C. The temperature of the second mixture is then adjusted to a temperature between 100° C. to 250° C. to form a novel block polymer or copolymer.

Abstract: The preparation of allylated poly(vinyl chloride) by utilizing an allyltrialkylsilane in the presence of Friedel-Crafts acids is disclosed. The pendant allyl groups can be further reacted through various functionalization reactions to contain end groups such as epoxy. A method for determination of the labile chlorine content of poly(vinyl chloride) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides high mechanical strength amphiphilic polymeric networks and implantable biological devices made therefrom that are capable of encasing and, thus, immunoisolating biological material from an immunological response of a host individual. The present invention also provides methods for making the amphiphilic networks and implantable biological devices. The present invention also provides a method for the treatment of type I diabetes mellitus comprising the steps of encasing a sufficient amount of islet of Langerhans cells within said biological device, wherein said biological device is capable of immunoisolating said encased islet cells upon implantation into an individual; implanting said biological device into a diabetic host individual; allowing said implanted biological device to remain implanted in said diabetic individual for a time sufficient to normalize the blood glucose level in said diabetic individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides a block copolymer of styrene and an unsaturated cyclic anhydride, such as maleic anhydride, a process for making a copolymer using controlled free radical polymerization in which certain parameters are adjusted to control the microstructure and molecular weight of the copolymer, and a method for using the block copolymer, including as a compatibilizer. Microstructure and molecular weight in the block copolymer can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of stable free radical to initiator. The copolymer can be made in a one step process and has a controlled microstructure that allows one block to be reactive toward several chemical moieties available in engineering polymers and the other block to be fully miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene or polymers miscible with polystyrene such as polyphenylene ether.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing caoutchouc particles (K) by means of emulsion polymerisation in the presence of an emulsifier and a polymerisation initiator. Said particles contain A) 80 to 100 wt. % of one or more conjugated diene monomers (A) in relation to (K) and B) 0 to 20 wt. % of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated comonomers (B) in relation to (K) in the polymerised form. The inventive method is characterised in that 1) a mixture (M1) containing water and an emulsifier is provided, 2) a mixture (M2) containing one or more monomers in the monomer or polymerised form selected from styrole, &agr;-methylstyrole, butadiene, n-butylacrylate, MMA and acrylnitrile and optionally comonomers is added, 3) polymerisation of the obtained mixture starts in the presence of a polymerisation initiator at temperature of 5 to 95° C., 4) a mixture (M3) containing 0 to 100 wt. % of the comonomers (B) in relation to (B) and 0 to 25 wt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prepolymerized olefin polymerization catalyst and olefin polymerization method using the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a prepolymerized catalyst that is encapsulated with macromonomers produced by polymerizing olefin monomers with a vinyl-terminated polysiloxane compound in the presence of a solid titanium catalyst for olefin polymerization having been previously surface treated with silane compounds containing two or more vinyl groups, and a method for producing polyolefin having a high melt strength using the catalyst.

Abstract: The thermoplastic elastomer composition in the present invention comprises an ethylene.&agr;-olefinic copolymeric rubber (A) whose intrinsic viscosity [&eegr;] determined at 135° C. in decalin solvent is 3.5 to 6.8 dl/g, a mineral oil-based softener (B), an &agr;-olefinic crystalline polymer (C) whose degree of crystallinity is 50% or higher and an &agr;-olefinic amorphous polymer (D) whose melt viscosity at 190° C. is 50,000 cPs or less and whose degree of crystallinity is less than 50%, and at least a part of a mixture containing 20 to 63% by mass of the (A), 35 to 78% by mass of the (B), 1 to 12% by mass of the (C) and 1 to 12% by mass of the (D), based on 100% by mass of the total of the components (A), (B), (C) and (D), is crosslinked.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process suitable for synthesizingpolymers is disclosed. The process utilizes novel sulfur based chain transfer agents and is widely compatible over a range of monomers and reaction conditions. Novel polymers having low polydispersity and predictable specific polymer architecture amd molecular weight are produced by the process. The polymers produced by the process are suitable for use as binders in automotive OEM and refinish coatings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: a method of preparing a capstock layer that includes a comb copolymer; a method of preparing a multi-layered polymeric composite, one layer of which is a capstock layer; and a capstock layer and a multi-layered composite formed, respectively, thereby.

Abstract: The invention concerns a syndiotactic polypropylene whereon is grafted a functional monomer. The invention also concerns a coextruding binder consisting (i) either of grafted syndiotactic polypropylene optionally diluted in at least a polyolefin (C1) or in at least a polymer having elastomeric character (D) or in a mixture of (C1) and (D), (ii) or of grafted isotactic polypropylene diluted in syndiotactic polypropylene and optionally in at least a polymer with elastomeric character (D). The invention also concerns a mutilayer structure consisting of a layer comprising said binder, and directly attached thereto a nitrogenous or oxygenated polar resin layer such as a polyamide resin layer (E), of a saponified ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer (EVOH), a polyester resin, a mineral oxide deposited on a polymer such as PE, polyethylene terephthalate or EVOH, or even a metallic or metalloplastic coat.

Abstract: Block copolymers and star polymers having copolymer arms of PIB-PAN have been synthesized via living carbocationic polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization in a methylene chloride/cyclohexanone solvent system.

Abstract: Linear or star block copolymers which have at least one polymer block A which is essentially composed of isobutene units and at least two polymer blocks B which are essentially composed of units which are derived from vinylaromatic monomers are used as resilient sealing material. In particular, such sealing materials are used for sealing the edge joints in insulation glass panes, and insulation glass panes have a flexible edge joint seal which contains one of the block copolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to crosslinked polymerizates which are capable of absorbing, which are based on partially neutralized, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers that carry acidic groups, which exhibit improved properties, in particular, with regard to their ability to transport liquids when in a swollen state, and which have been subsequently crosslinked on the surface thereof with a combination consisting of an organic crosslinker compound, with the exception of polyols, and of a cation provided in the form of a salt in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process suitable for synthesizing polymers is disclosed. The process utilizes novel sulfur based chain transfer agents and is widely compatible over a range of monomers and reaction conditions. Novel polymers having low polydispersity and predictably specific polymer architecture and molecular weight are produced by the process. The polymers produced by the process are suitable for use as binders in automotive OEM and refinish coatings.

Abstract: A process for producing polypropylene having increased melt strength, the process comprising irradiating polypropylene with an electron beam having an energy of at least 5 MeV and with a radiation dose of from 5 to 100 kGray in the presence of a grafting agent for forming long chain branches on the polypropylene molecules.

Abstract: A storage stable monomer/polymer composition comprises a component A and a component B. Component A comprises an emulsion polymer formed by the polymerization of 1-99% by weight of a C1-C10 alkyl acrylate, 99-1% by weight of C1-C10 alkyl methacrylate, and 0-0.5% by weight of a first graft component, which is then swollen by a mixture of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a polymerization initiator. Component B also comprises an emulsion polymer formed by the polymerization of 1-99% by weight of C1-C10 alkyl acrylate, 99-1% by weight of C1-C10 alkyl methacrylate, and 0-0.5% by weight of a second graft component, swollen with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a polymerization activator. Curing of the monomer/polymer composition begins only after the water has evaporated from the dispersion. The aqueous monomer/polymer compositions are used as binders for road marking paints, floor coating compositions, coating materials and sealing compositions.