Abstract: There are herein disclosed an olefin copolymer which comprises an olefin unit and a diolefin unit and in which a weight-average molecular weight is in the range of 200 to 800,000, the content of the diolefin unit is in the range of 0.002 to 30 mol%, and a ratio TUS/DOU between the total content of unsaturated groups observed in a molecular chain (TUS mol%) and the content of the diolefin unit (DOU mol%) is in the range of 0.001 to 200; an olefin graft copolymer obtained by the graft polymerization of this olefin copolymer and an olefin; a hydrogenated olefin copolymer and olefin graft copolymer thereof; and a process for preparing these copolymers.These olefin copolymers are excellent in molding/working properties and have a good thermal stability, transparency and uniformity. Therefore, they are useful as a high-performance VLDPE, LDPE, L-LDPE and HDPE, and further useful as a novel branched propylene polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a compatibilizing agent for other resins, and the like.

Abstract: An anionic dispersion polymerization process is described for preparing linear block copolymers containing an odd number of blocks including blocks of polymerized styrenic compound, e.g., styrene, (A blocks) which are the end or terminal blocks of the polymer and which alternate along the polymer chain with elastomeric blocks of polymerized conjugated diene units (B blocks). The process includes initially contacting the total amount of styrenic compound to be utilized in forming the block copolymer under polymerization conditions with an anionic initiator and dispersant in an inert dispersion medium in which the polymer is insoluble and carrying out the process in stages wherein less than the total amount of styrenic compound is allowed to polymerize, alternating with stages wherein amounts of diene are added and allowed to polymerize completely. The addition of diene interrupts the polymerization of styrenic compound due to the greater tendency of diene to polymerize.

Abstract: This invention relates to difunctional telechelic linear non-crosslinked polyolefins without pendant chain branched groups. The polyolefin compounds of this invention are useful for preparing high molecular weight polyesters, polyamides, polyureas and polyurethanes of high density without branching of the polymer chains, and with low permeability to gases and solvents.

Abstract: A block copolymer comprises block A containing as a main component thereof a homopolymer consisting of units of a vinylaromatic hydrocarbon (VAH), block B consisting of units of a conjugated diene (CD), and block C consisting of VAH and CD, is represented by General Formulae (I) or (II), and has a structure in which blocks A, B, and C are repeated in the order shown in the General Formulae (I) or (II). The block copolymer contains 15 to 98% by weight of a block consisting of 20 to less than 200 VAH, 10% or less by weight of a block consisting of 200 or more VAH, 1 to 70% by weight of an isolated single VAH, and a block consisting of 2 to less than 20 VAH in an amount to make up the rest, each based on total VAH; 15 to 65% by weight of total VAH; 85 to 35% by weight of total CD; and a number-average molecular weight of 5.times.10.sup.4 to 150.times.10.sup.4.

Abstract: Grafted polymer particles are prepared by a free-radical addition polymerization mechanism using a flame produced by igniting a mixture of a combustible gas and an oxidant to heat at least a portion of the surface of a solid polymer particle to produce free-radicals thereon. At least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer is contacted and reacted with the free-radicals formed on the surface of the polymer to form a graft thereon.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon solutions of monofunctional ether initiators of the following general structure:M--Z--O--C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)wherein M is an alkali metal; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl groups, and their employment as initiators in the anionic polymerization of olefin containing monomers in an inert, hydrocarbon solvent comprising reacting an omega-protected-1-haloalkyl with lithium metal dispersion having a particle size between 10 and 300 millimicrons in size, at a temperature between 35.degree. and 130.degree. C. in an alkane solvent containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A grafted polyolefin containing at least about 13 moles of N-vinylimidazole or other ethylenically-unsaturated nitrogen-containing and/or oxygen-containing monomers per mole of a grafted polyolefin backbone is disclosed. The graft polyolefin has a weight average molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 500,000 and a polydispersity of less than about 10. The grafted polyolefin can alternatively be defined as containing more than about 1.2% by weight of grafted monomer on a polyolefin. Also described is a lubricating oil comprising a lubricant base oil and a grafted polyolefin as described above. Also described is a method of making a dispersant-viscosity index improver. N-vinylimidazole or other ethylenically unsaturated nitrogen-containing and/or oxygen-containing monomers and a graftable polyolefin are reacted with enough of an initiator to graft at least about 13 moles of the monomer to each mole of the polyolefin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparation of non-crosslinked linear monofunctional and telechelic difunctional unsaturated polymers wherein the functional groups are reactive terminal groups other than vinyl groups. The average functionality number of the monofunctional unsaturated polymers is at least 0.7, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The average functionality number of the telechelic difunctional polymers is at least 1.7, as determined by NMR. Monofunctional olefins and difunctional olefins are reacted with cyclic olefins or unsaturated polymers to prepare difunctional polymers. The process is substantially free of side reactions comprising double bond migration and cyclization.

Abstract: A water-absorptive contact lens obtained by saponification of a copolymer composed essentially of (A) from 1 to 30% by weight of a (meth)acrylate polymer having at least one polymerizable group per molecule on an average obtained by copolymerizing (a) an alkyl (meth)acrylate and (b) a monomer having at least two polymerizable groups per molecule, as the main components; (B) from 45 to 95% by weight of a fatty acid vinyl ester; (C) from 0.02 to 10% by weight of a crosslinking agent which is not decomposable by saponification; and (D) from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a crosslinking agent which is decomposable by saponification.

Abstract: Novel polymer compositions that comprise high 1,2-enrichment are described herein. Said polymer compositions have up to about 50% by weight of 1,2 units wherein about 25% to about 75% by weight of all 1,2 units are present in the polymer backbone. Additionally a novel process is disclosed for producing polymer compositions by dissolving a polydiene in a monomeric diene during emulsion polymerization conditions.

Abstract: High impact polystyrene resins are provided having a surprisingly good combination of toughness and gloss characteristics. Such resins contain small (i.e., 0.1 to 0.4 micron) capsule morphology rubber particles in combination with relatively small (i.e., 0.25 to 1 micron) entanglement morphology rubber particles. It has been found that such resins are capable of providing Izod impact strength values in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 ft-lb/in (133.4 to 186.7 J/m) and higher at an overall volume average rubber size of less than 0.4 micron with corresponding gloss values in excess of 90 percent.

Abstract: Process for making a polymer and the resultant polymer wherein polymer particles, preferably those having a core and a shell structure, most preferably wherein the core comprises polybutadiene and the shell comprises polymethylmethacrylate, are included in metathesis polymerizable mixtures to provide the resultant polymer with improved resistance to oxidation and greater retention of mechanical properties upon thermal aging, and to toughen the resultant polymer.

Abstract: Depolymerization or molecular weight reduction of polymers and gelled polymers containing internal unsaturation along the polymer backbone is performed in the presence of a molybdenum or tungsten compounds having the structural formula:M(NR.sub.1)(OR.sub.2).sub.2 (CHR.sub.3)wherein M is molybdenum or tungsten;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are unsubstituted or halo-substituted alkyl, aryl, aralkyl groups or silicon-containing analogs thereof;R.sub.3 is an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl group of any substituent that results from the initial reaction between the M.dbd.CHR.sub.3 complex and an olefin treating agent.

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: High impact polystyrene resins are provided having a surprisingly good combination of toughness and gloss characteristics. Such resins contain small (i.e., 0.1 to 0.4 micron) capsule morphology rubber particles in combination with relatively small (i.e., 0.25 to 1 micron) entanglement morphology rubber particles. It has been found that such resins are capable of providing Izod impact strength values in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 ft-lb/in (133.4 to 186.7 J/m) and higher at an overall volume average rubber size of less than 0.4 micron with corresponding gloss values in excess of 90 percent.

Abstract: An ethylene polymer composition is provided that comprises: (a) an ethylene polymer (b) a crosslinking agent; and (c) a non-aromatic, cyclic, unsaturated, crosslinking co-agent.

Abstract: Vulcanizable rubber compositions are disclosed which contain co-activator of vulcanization which is a polymeric amine, that is, a hydrocarbon polymer with pendent alkyl amine groups. The co-activators impart increased rates of vulcanization with little decrease in scorch delay and very little increase in the modulus of the cured compositions. No increase in heat build-up or decrease in flex-fatigue life is shown. Typical polymers forming the backbone of the co-activators include EPDM rubber and polymers from butadiene or isoprene, with optional co-monomers.

Abstract: A novel 2-substituted butadiene block copolymer is provided which provides adhesives having superior adhesion and tolerance to oil contaminated surfaces. The elastomeric block has a glass transition temperature of less than about minus 65.degree. C. with the 2 substituent being an alkyl group.

Abstract: Stable aqueous artificial latices having a core-shell structure are prepared from two otherwise incompatible polymers in a blend also including a copolymer of said polymers. For example, an artificial latex in which the particles have a styrene-acrylonitrile core and an EPDM shell can be prepared.

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 for producing a rubber-modified styrene-based resin. The process includes supplying a styrene-based monomer solution containing 5 to 20% by weight of a rubber component containing a styrene-butadiene-based block polymer rubber with a styrene content of 20 to 50% by weight to a first polymerization zone where initial polymerization is conducted to a conversion of 10 to 30%, and then supplying the resulting initial polymerization solution to a second polymerization zone where polymerization is conducted to a conversion of 30 to 70%, while at the same time phase inversion is caused, thereby controlling a rubber particle diameter to a range of 0.2 to 1.5 .mu.m and an area average rubber particle diameter/number average rubber particle diameter ratio (Ds/Dn) to not more than 2.5. The process results in ease of removal of polymerization heat, reduced power for agitation and does not require a high strength apparatus.

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: The present invention provides a thread wound golf ball having excellent durability, heat resistance and impact resilience, which comprises a core, a thread rubber layer and an outer layer. A thread rubber constituting the thread rubber layer comprising a solid rubber containing a high-cis polyisoprene rubber as a main rubber material and a liquid polybutadiene rubber and/or liquid butadiene-isoprene copolymer rubber as a rubber component.

Abstract: Bottle gaskets are provided from a thermoplastic composition comprising a homogeneous blend of butyl rubber with other thermoplastic polymer. The gaskets provide an effective seal at a moderate pressure but permit venting at a higher pressure. They can be made by inserting molten heated thermoplastic material into the bottle cap and moulding it in the cap and cooling it to form the gasket.

Abstract: A process for producing a rubber-modified thermoplastic resin, which comprises polymerizing (B) 30-100% by weight of an aromatic alkenyl compound monomer and/or an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer and (C) 70-0% by weight of at least one other monomer compound copolymerizable therewith, in the presence of (A) a hydrogenated diene copolymer obtained by hydrogenating a diene copolymer comprising a rndom copolymer of 50% by weight or more of at least one conjugated diene and 50% by weight or less of an alkenyl aromatic compound until at least 70% by weight of the olefinic unsaturation of the diene copolymer is hydrogenated.

Abstract: A process for preparing an impact resistant resin, which comprises a step of graft copolymerizing a monomer mixture comprising an aromatic vinyl monomer and a monomer copolymerizable therewith, to a butadiene rubber-like polymeric latex in the presence of a redox polymerization initiator; a step of coagulating the resulting graft copolymer latex by mixing an antioxidant thereto and adding an alkaline earth metal salt thereto; and a step of washing the coagulated product by a washing water having the pH adjusted to a level of at most 7.

Abstract: A graft polymer is prepared by grafting, onto a polymeric substantially saturated hydrocarbon backbone, a free-radical polymerizable vinyl nitrogen monomer, which grafting takes place with improved efficiency in the presence of minor amounts of a volatile aliphatic hydrocarbon substituted aromatic solvent capable of free-radical hydrogen atom chain transfer. The modified hydrocarbon based polymer finds utility as an additive for lubricating oils, particularly as dispersant-viscosity improvers for engine oils.

Abstract: A weather resistant impact modifier for thermoplastic resins and a blend with the thermoplastic resin are disclosed. The modifier comprises a graft copolymer having a multi-layered structure which is obtained by graft polymerization of (c) 10-100 parts by weight of an aromatic vinyl compound or a monomer mixture mainly composed of an aromatic vinyl compound in a first stage and 10-100 parts by weight of a methacrylic ester or a monomer mixture mainly composed of a methacrylic ester in a second stage,(b) to 100 parts by weight of an elastomer obtained by polymerizing 98-60 parts by weight of a monomer mixture composed of 50-99.95% by weight of an acrylic ester, 0-50 wt % of a copolymerizable monomer and 0.05-5% by weight of a polyfunctional monomer,(a) in the presence of 2-40 parts by weight of a butadiene elastomer having a degree of swelling of 5-40 and an average particle size of not smaller than 0.15 .mu.m (wherein the total of (a) and (b) is 100 parts by weight).

Abstract: Radial block copolymers characterized by the formulas: (1) (pS-pI).sub.n X and (2) (pS-pI-pB).sub.n X where pS is polystyrene, pI is polyisoprene, pB is butadiene, X is a residue of a multifunctional coupling agent used in the production of the radial block copolymer, and n is a number greater than 2 representative of the number of branches appended to X; hot-melt adhesive compositions constituted of said radial block copolymers, and articles of manufacture produced therefrom. These copolymers possess blocks of high average molecular weight polystyrene (10,000 to 25,000) and an overall average molecular weight (90,000 to 380,000) such that when blended in requisite proportions with a compatible tackifier resin, preferably also a secondary tackifying resin or plasticizing oil, and stabilizer, superior hot-melt adhesive compositions can be formed.

Abstract: Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-ester compositions having a unique rubber phase morphology are prepared by a continuous mass polymerization process. The compositions have an improved balance between impact and tensile strengths and gloss.

Abstract: It is sometimes advantageous to disperse crystalline polymers throughout rubbery elastomers. For instance, the cold flow characteristics and green strength of polydiene rubbers can be improved by dispersing syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene therein. This invention discloses a process for preparing a highly dispersed blend of a crystalline polymer in a rubbery elastomer which comprises (1) polymerizing at least one diene monomer in an organic solvent under solution polymerization conditions to form a polymer cement of the rubbery elastomer in the organic solvent, (2) polymerizing additional monomers in the polymer cement into the crystalline polymer to form a rubbery cement having the crystalline polymer dispersed therein, and (3) recovering the highly dispersed blend of the crystalline polymer in the rubbery elastomer from the organic solvent in the rubber cement.

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: Graft copolymers and processes for the preparation thereof are provided. The copolymers comprise a base polymer having grafted thereto a monomeric 2-alkenyl azlactone. The surface properties of the graft copolymers can be modified by binding thereto nucleophilic reagents comprising further functional groups with desired properties. Further, the amount of azlactone available at the surface of a graft copolymer for binding to such nucleophilic reagents can be controlled by selecting a surface against which the graft copolymer is formed. The graft copolymers exhibit desirable thermoplastic, melt flow, and adhesion properties and are particularly useful for immobilizing proteins. Methods of immunoassay based on the immobilization of proteins are also disclosed. Another utility of the graft copolymers involves the compatibilizing of immiscible polymer blends.

Abstract: The present invention provides ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers which are excellent in co-vulcanizability with conjugated diene rubbers and can impart excellent weather resistance, ozone resistance and thermal aging resistance without detriment to excellent mechanical characteristics, wear resistance and dynamic fatigue resistance which the conjugated diene rubbers possess.The ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers of the present invention are characterized by having a Mooney viscosity ML.sub.1+4 (100.degree. C.) of 50 to 120 and comprising(A) 90 to 40% by weight of a high-molecular weight ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber having an ethylene content of 73 to 85 mol %, an intrinsic viscosity [.eta.] of 2.5 to 5.0 dl/g as measured at 135.degree. C. in decalin and an iodine value of 15 to 35, and(B) 10 to 60% by weight of a low-molecular-weight ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber having an ethylene content of 73 to 85 mol %, an intrinsic viscosity [.eta.] of 0.15 to 0.8 dl/g as measured at 135.degree. C.

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 forming process for producing a hard shaped molded article that includes subjecting a moldable thermosetting composition to a high temperature cure condition at a temperature greater than about 250.degree. C. and less than the decomposition temperature of the composition to form a crosslinked polymeric network. In particular, the invention features a forming process for producing a hard shaped molded article that includes the steps of(a) providing a moldable thermosetting composition that includes 1) a polybutadiene or polyisoprene resin which is a liquid at room temperature and which has a molecular weight less than 5,000 and a large number of pendent vinyl groups and 2) a solid butadiene- or isoprene-containing polymer (e.g, a thermoplastic elastomer);(b) forming the composition into a shape; and(c) curing the composition to produce the article including subjecting the composition to a high temperature cure condition at a temperature greater than about 250.degree. C.

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: Elastomeric polymers comprising polymerized alpha-olefins or conjugated alkadienes are produced by cationic polymerization in the presence of titanium tetrachloride and an electron pair donor selected from pyridine or a non-hindered alkylpyridine. The polymers have very narrow, mono-modal molecular weight distributions such a achived by anionic polymerization. Polymerization of each monomer is terminated prior to broadening of the molecular weight distribution which significantly detracts from polymer properties.

Abstract: A grafted copolymer containing low cis-polybutadiene having a Mooney viscosity of 30 to 40 as a rubber component, and 30% by volume or more of particles of said rubber component becoming non-spherical rubber particles when molded into a molded article, is suitable for use as a low gloss agent which is usable in the fields of internal and external automotive trims, exterior parts of household electric appliances, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid golf ball containing at least one rubber portion formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent and an organic peroxide; an improvement being present in that the base rubber is a mixture of(A) a solid polybutadiene rubber containing cis-1,4 bonds in an amount of at least 40%, and(B) either a liquid polybutadiene rubber or a liquid isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubber, or both.

Abstract: The rubber-modified styrene-based resin composition, which is a composite of a styrene-based resin as a continuum of the matrix phase and a diene-based rubbery polymer as a dispersed particulate phase in the matrix, is characterized by the parameters including an average particle diameter of the particles of the rubbery polymer in the range from 0.08 to 1.00 .mu.m, peripheral parameter thereof in the range from 0.1 to 2.5 (.mu.m).sup.-1. (% by weight).sup.-1 and relaxation time T.sub.2 thereof in the range from 300 to 2000 .mu. seconds as the determinant factors of the moldability of the resin composition as well as the impact strength and surface gloss of the shaped articles prepared from the composition.

Abstract: The addition of a polyolefin-acrylic graft copolymer to blends of polyolefin and core-shell polymers improves compatibility and allows core-shell polymers to be used as processing and performance modifiers polyolefins. Generally the compatibilizing additive is a graft copolymer of a polyolefin and a methacrylate. More specifically, the graft copolymer is derived from at least about 80% of a monomer of a methacrylic ester of the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(CH.sub.3)COOR, where R may be alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted, and less than 20%, based on a total monomer weight, of an acrylic or styrenic monomer copolymerizable with the methacrylic ester grafted on to a non polar polyolefin trunk, so that at least one chain is a polymer with a weight average molecular weight greater than about 20,000 and is present in a weight ratio with the polyolefin trunk of from about 1:9 to about 4:1.

Abstract: It is highly desirable for tire treads to exhibit good traction characteristics such as good wet skid resistance. However, it has traditionally been very difficult to improve the traction characteristics of a tire without sacrificing rolling resistance and tread wear. The high performance segmented elastomers of this invention offer a unique combination of desirable characteristics for utilization in making tire tread compositions. For instance, the rubbery polymers of this invention can be made into tire treads which exhibit outstanding traction characteristics while maintaining good rolling resistance and tread durability.

Abstract: There is disclosed a linear block copolymer comprising at least one triblock I-B-I, wherein I is a block of a polymerized conjugated diene of at least 5 carbon atoms, such as isoprene, and B is a block of a polymer of a conjugated diene, different from that of formula (1), of at least 4 carbon atoms, such as 1,3-butadiene. The B block is selectively hydrogenated, while each of the I blocks retains a sufficient amount of its original unsaturation to vulcanize the copolymer. There is also disclosed an alternative linear block copolymer containing at least one triblock of the first polymer block made from an aryl-substituted olefin, such as sytrene, and the conjugated diene used to polymerize the block I, the second middle polymer block of the diene used to polymerize the block B, and the third polymer block which is the same as the first polymer block.

Abstract: This invention relates to a core-shell polymer which is useful for polyoxymethylene resin, a polyoxymethylene resin composition containing the core-shell polymer and a molded article made of the polyoxymethylene resin composition.The core-shell polymer comprises a rubbery polymer core and a glassy polymer shell and has substantially no detectable anion.This core-shell polymer makes the molded articles be improved on the impact strength, elongation at the weld line, etc. The molded articles is used as various products (such as gears, reels, etc.).

Abstract: A substantially gel free C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isoolefin homopolymer rubber, butyl copolymer rubber, halogenated butyl rubber (e.g., chlorinated or brominated), or mixtures thereof, comprising a molecular weight distribution such that the ratio of the moments of said molecular weight distribution, Mz/Mw, is equal to or exceeds 2.0, and that portion of said molecular weight distribution which is equal to and greater than 4 times the peak molecular weight, Mp, comprises greater than 8 percent of the total polymer species, and Mp is greater than about 250,000 and wherein said polymer species of molecular weight less than Mp are substantially branch free. Various means are disclosed for effecting the molecular weight distribution including blending of homopolymers and/or copolymers of appropriate molecular weight and molecular weight distribution and direct polymerization using a functional reagent to introduce branching.

Abstract: A Diels-Alder adduct of a halogenated cyclic conjugated diene and a block copolymer of styrene and butadiene which is particularly useful in adhesive compositions. The Diels-Alder adduct has a halogen content of between about 30 and 45, preferably between about 34 and 40, percent by weight. The halogen content of the adduct is crucial to the performance of the adduct in adhesive compositions. Hexachlorocylopentadiene is a preferred halogenated cyclic conjugated diene for preparing the adduct and either diblock or triblock styrene-butadiene copolymers may be utilized.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a continuous mass polymerization process for the preparation of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-ester polymers (ABSE) having a balance of gloss, tensile strength, impact strength, processability and heat resistance properties.

Abstract: Functionalized polymers obtained from metallated crystalline copolymers of one or more alpha-olefins with minor proportions of a diene by reaction with monomers polymerizable of anionic methods or with compounds that react with the metallated copolymer.The metallated copolymer is obtained by reaction of the olefin copolymer with organometallic compounds of lithium, in suspension in an inert solvent.The lithiation stage and the subsequent polymer modification reaction take place in inert hydrocarbon suspension at a temperature below that of the swelling point of the starting copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid golf ball containing at least one rubber portion formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent and an organic peroxide; an improvement being present in that the base rubber is a mixture of(A) a solid polybutadiene rubber containing cis-1,4 bonds in an amount of at least 40%, and(B) either a liquid polybutadiene rubber or a liquid isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubber, or both.