Abstract: There are disclosed novel comb graft polymers and copolymers comprising a backbone of a linear polymer of p-methylstyrene (p-MS) and grafted branches of a linear addition polymer of at least one anionically polymerizable compound. The polymers may be produced by metallating the p-MS polymer with an organo alkali metal metallating agent, e.g., an alkyllithium, at active hydrogen sites along the polymer chain and graft polymerizing the anionically polymerizable compound at the metallated sites to form the grafted branches. Certain of the foregoing comb graft polymers and copolymers, e.g., wherein the backbone is a homopolymer of p-MS or a copolymer of p-MS and a ring-substituted alkylstyrene such as p-tert-butylstyrene (t-BS) and the branches are a polymer of t-BS, are useful as additives to functional fluids, particularly hydrocarbon lubricating oils, for the purpose of thickening and improving their viscosity index.

Abstract: Star polymers having first polymeric arms comprising a hydrogenated conjugated diene and smaller second polymeric arms of a methacrylate resist coupling of methacrylate blocks attached to different cores and have improved performance as viscosity index improvers. The polymerized methacrylate units are converted to amide or imide groups by reaction with a primary or secondary amine to give the viscosity index improver dispersant properties.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the preparation of a block copolymer which corresponds to the formula ABA wherein A comprises units derived from one or more monoalkenyl arenes; and B comprises units derived from one or more conjugated dienes and the residuum of a difunctional initiator; wherein the process comprises:I) contacting (a) a difunctional initiator capable of initiating the polymerization of a compound containing a double bond with (b) a portion of conjugated diene in a portion of hydrocarbon solvent under conditions such that the conjugated diene polymerizes to a degree of polymerization of 30 or greater;II) contacting with the polymerization mixture of I additional conjugated diene and hydrocarbon solvent under conditions such that the added conjugated diene polymerizes; andIII) contacting with the polymerization mixture of II a monoalkenyl arene to prepare a block copolymer having a number average molecular weight of about 31,500 to about 400,000 and an average weight percent of monoalkenyl arenes

Abstract: A core functionalized star block copolymer formed of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and/or a conjugated diene and a polyalkenyl aromatic coupling agent wherein the core functionalization is provided by reaction of the star polymer core with an asymmetric bi- or polyfunctional capping agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing a controlled functional density poly(secondary amine) comprising: (a) contacting a polymer containing olefinic unsaturation with carbon monoxide in hydrogen under hydroformylation conditions in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst to produce a controlled functional density polyaldehyde containing reactive carbon-carbon double bonds, and (b) contacting the polyaldehyde with hydrogen and a primary amine under reductive amination conditions in the presence of a ruthenium-containing imine hydrogenation catalyst or (b.sup.1) contacting the polyaldehyde with a sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic primary amine or an aromatic primary amine under reductive amination conditions in the presence of an alkali metal borohydride to produce poly(secondary amine) having a substantially equivalent ratio of secondary amine groups to reactive carbon-carbon double bonds as the ratio of aldehyde groups to reactive carbon-carbon double bonds in the polyaldehyde.

Abstract: A process for preparing a controlled functional density poly(secondary amine) comprising: (a) contacting a polymer containing olefinic unsaturation with carbon monoxide in hydrogen under hydroformylation conditions in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst to produce a controlled functional density polyaldehyde containing reactive carbon-carbon double bonds, and (b) contacting the polyaldehyde with hydrogen and a primary amine under reductive amination conditions in the presence of a ruthenium-containing imine hydrogenation catalyst or (b.sup.1) contacting the polyaldehyde with a sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic primary amine or an aromatic primary amine under reductive amination conditions in the presence of an alkali metal borohydride to produce poly(secondary amine) having a substantially equivalent ratio of secondary amine groups to reactive carbon-carbon double bonds as the ratio of aldehyde groups to reactive carbon-carbon double bonds in the polyaldehyde.

Abstract: A viscous block copolymer of the formula(A--B--A.sub.p).sub.n --Y.sub.r --(A.sub.q --B).sub.mwherein Y is a coupling agent or coupling monomers, andwherein A and B are polymer blocks which may be homopolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers, copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers or copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers and monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers, andwherein the A blocks have a higher number of more highly substituted aliphatic double bonds per unit of block mass than do the B blocks, andwherein the A blocks have a molecular weight from about 100 to about 3000 and the B blocks have a molecular weight from about 1000 to about 15,000, andwherein p and q are 0 or 1 and n>0, r is 0 or 1, m.gtoreq.0 and n+m ranges from 1 to 100.This block copolymer is preferably partially hydrogenated, epoxidized and crosslinked through at least some of the epoxy functionality to form an adhesive, coating or sealant composition.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing six-armed and eight-armed asymmetric radial block copolymers. The process comprises anionically polymerizing a diene and/or a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon to create living polydiene and/or vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon arms, sequentially anionically polymerizing a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a diene to create living block copolymer arms and coupling the two sets of arms together in one step with a coupling agent that will couple six or eight arms, wherein the molar ratio of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon-diene arms to the polydiene arms is sufficient to produce a statistical blend with less than 5 weight percent homopolydiene.

Abstract: A method for preparing block copolymers from which can be made transparent blue articles comprising sequentially charging under polymerization conditions at least one monovinylaromatic monomer and at least one conjugated diene monomer, wherein at least the first monomer charge is a monovinylaromatic monomer charge polymerized in the presence of an initiator; wherein at least one other charge polymerized in the presence of an initiator is a monomer selected from the group of conjugated diene monomers and mixtures of monovinylaromatic and conjugated diene monomers; wherein the final monomer charge is a conjugated diene charge; and thereafter charging the reaction mixture with at least one coupling agent. The invention copolymers are particularly useful for applications such as packaging, display devices, toys and decorative items in which transparent blue appearance is desired without significant compromise of other physical and mechanical properties.

Abstract: There are disclosed novel, solid, elastomeric block copolymers having excellent oxidative and thermal stability, wherein the terminal blocks are each a polymer (D polymer) of at least one conjugated diene D, which is a hydrocarbon containing a 1,3-conjugated diene structure wherein the 2 and 3 carbon atoms are each additionally bonded to a hydrocarbyl side group, e.g., 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, with a preponderance of polymerized D units being 1,4 units; and at least one interior block is a hydrogenated polymer (I polymer) of at least one conjugated diene I which is a hydrocarbon containing a 1,3-conjugated diene structure wherein one of the 2- and 3-carbon atoms is additionally bonded to a hydrocarbyl side group and the other is additionally bonded to a hydrogen atom, e.g. isoprene.

Abstract: A method for preparing resinous polymodal monovinylarene-conjugated diene block copolymers and polymers produced thereby are provided. The method comprises sequentially contacting under polymerization conditions:(a) a monovinylarene monomer and initiator;(b) initiator and a monovinylarene monomer;(c) a sequence of at least two charges selected from the group consisting of (i) initiator and a monovinylarene monomer, (ii) a mixture of monovinylarene monomer and conjugated diene monomer, (iii) a conjugated diene monomer, (iv) a monovinylarene monomer;(d) s coupling agent;wherein the sequence of at least two charges in step (c) can be made in any order. In a preferred embodiment, at least three initiator charges are provided. In another preferred embodiment, at east three monovinylarene charges precede the first charge containing conjugated diene. In another preferred embodiment, at least four monovinylarene charges precede the first charge containing conjugated diene.

Abstract: A method for preparing tapered block copolymers in a polymerization process by sequentially charging: (1) an initiator and monovinylaromatic monomer in the presence of a randomizer; (2) an initiator and monovinylaromatic monomer; (3) a mixture of monovinylaromatic and conjugated diene monomers; (4) a mixture of monovinylaromatic and conjugated diene monomers; (5) conjugated diene monomer; and (6) a coupling agent; and the polymodal tapered block copolymers prepared thereby. The copolymers are particularly useful neat or in blends for applications such as packaging and food or drink containers which require transparency and good environmental stress crack resistance.

Abstract: A viscous block copolymer of the formula(A--B--A.sub.p).sub.n --Y.sub.r --(A.sub.q --B).sub.mwherein Y is a coupling agent or coupling monomers, andwherein A and B are polymer blocks which may be homopolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers, copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers or copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers and monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers, andwherein the A blocks have a higher number of more highly substituted aliphatic double bonds per unit of block mass than do the B blocks, andwherein the A blocks have a molecular weight from about 100 to about 3000 and the B blocks have a molecular weight from about 1000 to about 15,000, andwherein p and q are 0 or 1 and n>0, r is 0 or 1, m.gtoreq.0 and n+m ranges from 1 to 100.This block copolymer is preferably partially hydrogenated, epoxidized and crosslinked through at least some of the epoxy functionality to form an adhesive, coating or sealant composition.

Abstract: There are disclosed novel, solid, elastomeric block copolymers with improved resistance to cold flow wherein either 1) the terminal blocks are each a polymer (I polymer) of at least one conjugated diene I, e.g., isoprene, which contains at least five carbon atoms with at least one of each pair of double-bonded carbon atoms in the polymerized diene I units being additionally single-bonded to two carbon atoms; at least one middle or interior block is a hydrogenated polybutadiene (B polymer); and at least one middle or interior block is an essentially straight chain polyethylene (E polymer) resulting from the hydrogenation of a polybutadiene composed of at least 80% of 1,4- units; or 2) the terminal blocks are random IB copolymers of at least one diene I as previously defined and hydrogenated butadiene, and at least one middle or interior block is a straight chain polyethylene (E polymer) as previously defined.

Abstract: The application discloses a functionalized multiblock macromonomer of formula: ##STR1## or of formula: ##STR2## in which formulae: each of the blocks A, B and C represents a sequence of a monomer chosen from the acrylic, vinylaromatic, methacrylic, diene, vinylpyridine, vinylpyrrolidone, alkylene oxide, lactam, lactone and maleimide monomer classes, on condition that at least one of the blocks A and C is chosen from a different class to that of block B and that at least one of the blocks A, B or C is a (meth)acrylic sequence,m, n and p are integers representing the number of monomer units in the sequence under consideration, such that 3.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.1000, 0.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.1000 and 0.ltoreq.p.ltoreq.1000, on condition that m and p are not 0 at the same time, andF is a group terminated by O.sup.-, by OH, by an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenic unsaturation, or by an oxirane groups.

Abstract: A process for preparing a coupled asymmetric block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene which comprises:(a) adding sufficient anionic polymerization initiator to the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer to start polymerization of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon,(b) polymerizing the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon for a time sufficient to form a first set of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks having a desired molecular weight,(c) adding sufficient anionic polymerization initiator to start polymerization of a second set of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks,(d) completing the polymerization of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon for a time such that the first set of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks continues to grow to the desired molecular weight and the second set of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks grows to a desired smaller molecular weight,(e) adding a conjugated diene and polymerizing it on the ends of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks for a time sufficient to form vinyl aromatic hydroc

Abstract: This invention provides a reactive conjugated diene polymer composition that forms a phase-separated adhesive, sealant, or coating. The composition comprises an epoxidized polymer of conjugated dienes, a second reactive component which is phase separated from the polymerized conjugated diene upon cure, and optionally a tackifying resin. The invention also encompasses adhesive, coating and sealant compositions made with the above composition.

Abstract: There are disclosed novel, solid, elastomeric block copolymers with improved resistance to cold flow wherein either 1) the terminal blocks are each a polymer (I polymer) of at least one conjugated diene I, e.g., isoprene, which contains at least five carbon atoms with at least one of each pair of double-bonded carbon atoms in the polymerized diene I units being additionally single-bonded to two carbon atoms; at least one middle or interior block is a hydrogenated polybutadiene (B polymer); and at least one middle or interior block is an essentially straight chain polyethylene (E polymer) resulting from the hydrogenation of a polybutadiene composed of at least 80% of 1,4-units; or 2) the terminal blocks are random IB copolymers of at least one diene I as previously defined and hydrogenated butadiene, and at least one middle or interior block is a straight chain polyethylene (E polymer) as previously defined.

Abstract: A tire treadstock elastomer having reduced hysteresis is prepared by (1) preparing a living polymer by anionic polymerization of a conjugated diene or copolymerization of a conjugated diene with a monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, (2) endcapping the living polymer with at least one equivalent, preferably 3 to 15 equivalents, of a 1-vinylimidazole or 1-vinylbenzimidazole, preferably 1-vinylimidazole; (3) quenching and recovering the endcapped polymer and (4) curing the endcapped polymer using a conventional rubber curing recipe to form an elastomer having reduced hysteresis. This elastomer either alone or blended with a conventional treadstock rubber may form a tire treadstock.

Abstract: Star polymers having first polymeric arms comprising a hydrogenated conjugated diene and smaller second polymeric arms of a methacrylate resist coupling of methacrylate blocks attached to different cores and have improved performance as viscosity index improvers. The polymerized methacrylate units are converted to amide or imide groups by reaction with a primary or secondary amine to give the viscosity index improver dispersant properties.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to comb polymers having a halobutyl rubber backbone and to techniques for synthesizing such polymers. The comb polymers of this invention can be thermoplastic elastomers. For instance, halobutyl rubbers having sidechains which are derived from vinyl aromatic monomers are thermoplastic elastomers which can be made by a technique of the subject invention. Such thermoplastic elastomers typically have a chlorobutyl rubber backbone and side chains which are comprised of polystyrene. The subject invention more specifically discloses a process for grafting a lithium terminated vinyl aromatic polymer onto a halobutyl rubber which comprises: (1) capping the lithium terminated vinyl aromatic polymer with a diene monomer to produce a lithium terminated diene capped vinyl aromatic polymer, and (2) reacting the lithium terminated diene capped vinyl aromatic polymer with the halobutyl rubber to produce a halobutyl rubber having vinyl aromatic sidechains grafted thereto.

Abstract: A copolymer of an .alpha.-olefin with an aromatic diolefin such as divinylbenzene produced by means of Ziegler-Natta polymerization and having a vinylphenyl moiety is subjected to polymerization with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer by means of anion polymerization or free radical polymerization, whereby a graft-modified .alpha.-olefin copolymer is obtained.

Abstract: A terminal-modified block copolymer having the rest of an amino group or imido group-containing terminal-treating agent bonded to the polymer terminal which is obtained by treating the active terminal of a block copolymer comprising conjugated dienes and vinylaromatic hydrocarbon compounds which is obtained by using as the polymerization initiator at least one member selected from alkali metals or organoalkali metals and has a vinylaromatic hydrocarbon content of 5 to 95% by weight and a number average molecular weight of 5,000 to 1,000,000 with at least one terminal-treating agent selected from imide compounds, cyanamide compounds, aziridinyl compounds, amide compounds, or tertiary amino group-containing compounds other than said compounds; and an adhesive composition excellent in tackiness, adhesiveness, and creep resistance characteristic which comprises said block copolymer and a tackifier resin, 9 water-absorbing composition comprising said block copolymer and a highly water-absorbing resin, a thermoplas

Abstract: A process for preparing bifunctional living polymers which are able to forth bifunctional telechelic polymers or block copolymers with at least 3 blocks of conjugated dienes and/or vinylaromatics with molecular weights of from 1,500 to 500,000, by bifunctional initiators whose anionic centers are aliphatic carbon atoms which are substituted by lithium and an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical as well as by either 2 aryl radicals or by one aryl radical and one hydrogen radical, where one of the aryl radicals can also be part of the two anionic centers, in a first stage being reacted in the presence of not more than 2.5 moles of an aliphatic ether or a tertiary amine per mole of lithium and not less than 2 mol/l of a conjugated diene at from -40.degree. to +35.degree. C. with not less than two moles of diene, resulting in the formation of low molecular weight diene oligomers which in turn act as bifunctional initiators, and using the latter in a second reaction stage in a conventional manner at above 40.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for preparing tapered block copolymers in a polymerization process by charging an initiator and monomers sequentially with one or more charges of first one of the monomers, then with a mixture of the two monomers, and then with one or more charges of the second monomer alternating with one or more charges of the first monomer with subsequent coupling to produce a polymodal tapered block copolymer. Suitable monomers include conjugated dienes and monovinylaromatic compounds. The copolymers are suitable for use in injection and blow molding equipment; the copolymers are particularly useful for shrink films, containers, tubes, fibers and other packaging applications.

Abstract: A branched block copolymer is described, which can be defined by the formula (B.sub.1 --T--A--B.sub.2).sub.n X, where B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 are polydiene blocks, A is an aromatic polyvinyl block, T is a random copolymer segment made up of dienic monomeric and aromatic vinyl units, X is a coupling radical having a valence equal to n, and n is a whole number ranging from 3 to 20.This kind of block copolymer is used in formulations of adhesives having an excellent balance of adhesive, cohesive, rheological characteristics, as well as resistance to heat oxidation, and in compositions together with thermoplastic polymers capable of giving products with improved shock resistance and transparency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogenated block copolymers of butadiene and at least one other diene, preferably isoprene. The copolymer is hydrogenated and comprises at least 10% by weight of at least one crystallizable segment and at least one low crystallinity segment.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of segmented copolymers of polyolefins and poly(methacrylates) is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel polymodal asymmetric elastomeric block copolymer and a pressure sensitive adhesive and tape made therefrom. The novel block copolymer comprises from about 4 to about 40 percent by weight of a polymerized monovinyl aromatic compound and from about 96 to about 60 percent by weight of a conjugated diene. The block copolymer has the general formula Q.sub.n Y where Q represents an individual arm of the block copolymer and has the formula S-B; n represents the number of arms and is at least 3; and Y is the residue of a multifunctional coupling agent. Furthermore, S is a nonelastomeric polymer segment endblock of a polymerized monovinyl aromatic homopolymer, there being at least two different molecular weight endblocks in the block copolymer. The number average molecular weight of the higher molecular weight endblock (Mn).sub.H is in the range of from about 5,000 to about 50,000, and the number average molecular weight of the lower molecular weight endblock (Mn).sub.

Abstract: The novel alkadiene/vinyl-aromatic copolymers which contain side groups and have a random, block-like or star-like structure and whose polymerized alkadiene comonomer units are partially or completely selectively hydrogenated, and which contain one or more side groups having one or more radicals capable of (4+2) cycloaddition (Diels-Alder reaction) with dienophiles are suitable as such as viscosity index (VI) improvers or can be used for the preparation of dispersant VI improvers. For this purpose, they are reacted with one or more dienophiles which are capable of a Diels-Alder (4+2) cycloaddition reaction and preferably contain strongly polar functional groups.

Abstract: A method for preparing polymodal tapered block copolymers in a polymerization process by sequentially charging: (a) an initiator and monovinylaromatic monomers in the presence of a randomizer; (b) an initiator and monovinylaromatic monomers; (c) a mixture of monovinylaromatic and conjugated diene monomers; (d) a mixture of monovinylaromatic and conjugated diene monomers; (e) an initiator and monovinylaromatic monomers; (f) a mixture of monovinylaromatic and conjugated diene monomers; (g) a mixture of monovinylaromatic and conjugated diene monomers; (h) conjugated diene monomers; and (i) a coupling agent. The copolymers are particularly useful for packaging applications which require good environmental stress crack resistance.

Abstract: Block copolymers of particular structure comprising blocks of polymerized alkenyl aromatic compound and polymerized conjugated alkadiene, as well as selectively hydrogenated derivatives thereof, are functionalized by the presence of additional polar blocks of polymerized alkyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A solid, cyclone-finishable polymer which does not exhibit cold flow and provides an unexpected balance of viscosity improving properties for oil compositions is produced by hydrogenating a copolymer comprising a homopolymer block of isoprene connected to a copolymer block of isoprene and a monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon. The amount of the monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon is sufficient to allow cyclone finishing although sufficiently distributed to provide oil compositions having good low temperature viscosity. Prior to hydrogenation, the copolymers have a number average molecular weight between 125,000 and 275,000, preferably 150,000 to 240,000, and a total monoalkenyl aromatic content between 10 and 2 percent by weight, preferably between 7 and 3 percent. The copolymer is hydrogenated to substantially saturate the isoprene and to reduce the size of monoalkenyl aromatic segments in the copolymer block.

Abstract: A process is provided to functionalize hydrogenated block copolymers of vinyl aromatics and conjugated diolefin in a melt phase. The functionality is predominantly grafted to vinyl aromatic blocks by this process. The process is preferably performed in an extruder.

Abstract: There are disclosed novel, solid, elastomeric block copolymers with improved resistance to cold flow wherein either 1) the terminal blocks are each a polymer (I polymer) of at least one conjugated diene I, e.g., isoprene, which contains at least five carbon atoms with at least one of each pair of double-bonded carbon atoms in the polymerized diene I units being additionally single-bonded to two carbon atoms; at least one middle or interior block is a hydrogenated polybutadiene (B polymer); and at least one middle or interior block is an essentially straight chain polyethylene (E polymer) resulting from the hydrogenation of a polybutadiene composed of at least 80% of 1,4- units; or 2) the terminal blocks are random IB copolymers of at least one diene I as previously defined and hydrogenated butadiene, and at least one middle or interior block is a straight chain polyethylene (E polymer) as previously defined.

Abstract: A process is discontinuously preparing continuously tapered SBR-type copolymers optionally having a continuous change in microstructure along the polymer. The process produces tapered block copolymers with multiple glass transition temperatures of very small energy absorption, i.e. no definable glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Polymers comprising blocks of a hydrogenated conjugated diene (B), a vinylarene (A), and an alkyl methacrylate (M), are readily prepared as a mixture of molecules having the structures B-A-M and B-A-M-A-B wherein both structures are effective as viscosity index improvers for oil compositions. Reaction of the polymers with a primary or secondary amine results in a dispersant viscosity index improver.

Abstract: Butadiene is polymerized alone or with a monomer such as styrene in a dispersion in propane, butane or its mixtures with minor amounts of other C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 alkanes, e.g., n-pentane and a dispersant which is preferably a hydrogenated styrene/ conjugated diene block copolymer to achieve stable dispersions at higher solids and butadiene levels possible with similar alkane dispersants.

Abstract: A process for grafting halogenated butyl rubbers with polymers based on conjugated diolefin monomers is provided which comprises mixing a first solution of halogenated butyl rubber with a second solution of a living alkali metal terminated polymer based on conjugated diolefin monomers and having a number average molecular weight of at least 40,000 at a temperature of from about -10.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C. for a period of time of from about 30 minutes to about 24 hours whereby the graft copolymer is formed. Rubber compositions comprising the halogenated butyl rubber graft copolymers upon vulcanization exhibit improved abrasion resistance and wet skid resistance while a desirable balance of other physical properties is maintained.

Abstract: A method for preparing tapered block copolymers in a polymerization process by sequentially charging: (1) an initiator and monovinylaromatic monomers in the presence of a randomizer; (2) an initiator and a mixture of monovinylaromatic and conjugated diene monomers; (3) an initiator and a mixture of monovinylaromatic and conjugated diene monomers; and (4) a coupling agent to produce a polymodal tapered block copolymer. The copolymers are particularly useful for packaging applications which require good environmental stress crack resistance.

Abstract: A process for preparing continuously tapered polymers and copolymers having a continuous change in microstructure along the polymer backbone is disclosed. The process produces polymers and copolymers with multiple glass transition temperatures of very small energy absorption, i.e. no definable glass transition temperature. The polymers have a flexible chain end and they progressively become stiffer along the length of the chain.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing block copolymers comprising anionically polymerizing a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon mononer in solution in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent capable of giving a homogeneous medium until attaining a homogeneous medium with a viscosity greater than 300 Pa.s at 20.degree. C. for a concentration of polymer in the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent between 60 and 90% by weight and then, after introduction of a conjugated diene, carrying out a copolymerization until a homogeneous medium is attained have a viscosity greater than 300 Pa.s at 90.degree. C. for a concentration of copolymer in the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent between 70 and 90% by weight, without the viscosity exceeding 3,000 Pa.s in either of the two polymerization steps.

Abstract: An improved process for the anionic extruder polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated compounds in the presence of an organoalkali metal compound initiator employs relatively high reaction temperatures but relatively short residence times in the extruder.

Abstract: A viscous block copolymer of the formula(A--B--A).sub.n --Y.sub.r --(A.sub.q --B).sub.mwherein Y is a coupling agent or coupling monomers, andwherein A and B are polymer blocks which may be homopolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers, copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomer or copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers and monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers, andwherein the A blocks have a higher number of aliphatic double bonds between a tertiary carbon atom and either a primary or secondary carbon atom per unit of block mass than do the B blocks, andwherein the A blocks have a molecular weight from about 100 to about 3000 and the B blocks have a molecular weight from about 1000 to about 15,000, andwherein p and q are 0 or 1 and n>0, r is 0 or 1, m.gtoreq.0 and n+m ranges from 1 to 100.This block copolymer is preferably partially hydrogenated, epoxidized and crosslinked through at least some of the epoxy functionality to form an adhesive, coating or sealant composition.

Abstract: A method for preparing tapered block copolymers in a polymerization process by charging an initiator and monomers sequentially with one or more charges of first one of the monomers, then with a mixture of the two monomers, and then with one or more charges of the first monomer to produce a polymodal tapered block copolymer. Suitable monomers include conjugated dienes and monovinylaromatic compounds. The copolymers are particularly useful for applications requiring environmental stress crack resistance.

Abstract: A solid, cyclone-finishable polymer which does not exhibit cold flow and provides an unexpected balance of viscosity improving properties for oil compositions is produced by hydrogenating a copolymer comprising a homopolymer block of isoprene connected to a copolymer block of isoprene and a monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon. The amount of the monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon is sufficient to allow cyclone finishing although sufficiently distributed to provide oil compositions having good low temperature viscosity. Prior to hydrogenation, the copolymers have a number average molecular weight between 125,000 and 275,000, preferably 150,000 to 240,000, and a total monoalkenyl aromatic content between 10 and 2 percent by weight, preferably between 7 and 3 percent. The copolymer is hydrogenated to substantially saturate the isoprene and to reduce the size of monoalkenyl aromatic segments in the copolymer block.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to comb polymers having a halobutyl rubber backbone and to techniques for synthesizing such polymers. The comb polymers of this invention can be thermoplastic elastomers. For instance, halobutyl rubbers having sidechains which are derived from vinyl aromatic monomers are thermoplastic elastomers which can be made by a technique of the subject invention. Such thermoplastic elastomers typically have a chlorobutyl rubber backbone and side chains which are comprised of polystyrene. The subject invention more specifically discloses a process for grafting a lithium terminated vinyl aromatic polymer onto a halobutyl rubber which comprises: (1) capping the lithium terminated vinyl aromatic polymer with a diene monomer to produce a lithium terminated diene capped vinyl aromatic polymer, and (2) reacting the lithium terminated diene capped vinyl aromatic polymer with the halobutyl rubber to produce a halobutyl rubber having vinyl aromatic sidechains grafted thereto.

Abstract: A method for preparing asymmetric radial polymers wherein the different polymeric arms are contacted sequentially with a nonpolymerizable coupling agent. Contacting of the final step in the process, which frequently but not necessarily always will be the second step in the process, will be carried out in the presence of a polar compound suitable for increasing the amount of vinyl content in a conjugated diolefin polymer during polymerization thereof. The method used narrows the relative arm distribution of the several asymmetric radial polymers produced and significantly increases the amount of total product having the desired ratio of polymeric arms and accomplishes this objective in relatively short reaction time.

Abstract: This is an improvement upon a process which comprises anionically polymerizing monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The improvement comprises terminating the polymerization by the addition of a terminating agent selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to a triply-bound carbon, hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to two doubly-bound carbons and hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to at least 2 aromatic rings, whereing none of said hydrocarbons contain additional aliphatic unsaturation.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of conjugated alkadiene-based polymers of higher vinyl content employs as a structure modifier a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is alkylene, R' alkyl and R" is hydrogen or hydrocarbyl.