Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a polymer having co-continuous architecture. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a single or plurality of polymer layers in polymeric, co-polymeric, hybrid or blend formation comprising at least one polymer layer having co-continuous architecture. The co-continuous architecture of the one or more polymers permits or otherwise facilitates accessibility of functional groups to an external environment or at least one polymeric layer. The accessible, i.e. co-continuous, nature of the functional groups, in or on the one or more polymers facilitates solid phase chemical processes, chromatography and ion exchange applications. The one or more polymers may also be used as a solid support for a range of diagnostic applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel high 1,4-cis polybutadiene-polyurethane copolymer and a preparation method thereof. The present invention provides a high 1,4-cis polybutadiene-polyurethane copolymer represented by the following formula 1 and having an average molecular weight of at least 100,000, and a method for preparing the high 1,4-cis polybutadiene-polyurethane copolymer that includes polymerizing 1,3-butadiene or butadiene derivatives with a catalyst comprising a rare earth compound, a halogen-containing compound and an organoaluminum compound in the presence of a non-polar solvent, to prepare a polybutadiene having a high 1,4-cis content of at least 95%; and then introducing a polyurethane group to the polybutadiene.

Abstract: These compounds contain an oxetane functionality and a styrenic functionality. The oxetane functionality is homopolymerizable in reactions that undergo cationic or anionic ring opening, and the styrenic is polymerizable with compounds such as electron acceptor compounds. The dual functionality allows for dual cure processing.

Abstract: These compounds contain an oxetane functionality and a maleimide functionality. The oxetane functionality is homopolymerizable in reactions that undergo cationic or anionic ring opening, and the maleimide functionality is homopolymerizable, or polymerizable with compounds such as electron donor compounds. The dual functionality allows for dual cure processing.

Abstract: Compositions for use as adhesives, coatings or encapsulants contain an oxetane functionality and an electron acceptor or an electron donor functionality, and can be represented by the formula 1

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber composition, usable in the vulcanized state as a safety support intended to be mounted on a wheel rim within a tire, such a support being able to support a tread of said tire in the event of a drop in inflation pressure, a process for the preparation of said composition, and a mounted assembly comprising this support.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that random copolymers of 1,3-butadiene monomer and 3-(2-pyrrolidinoethyl) styrene and/or 4-(2-pyrrolidinoethyl) styrene having a low vinyl content can be synthesized by anionic polymerization at normal polymerization temperatures without the need for a conventional polar modifier. The subject invention more specifically discloses a process for synthesizing a rubbery polymer that comprises copolymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and at least one functionalized monomer in an organic solvent at a temperature which is within the range of 20° C. to about 100° C., wherein the polymerization is initiated with an anionic initiator, wherein the functionalized monomer is of the structural formula: wherein n represents an integer from 4 to about 10, and wherein the polymerization is conducted in the absence of conventional polar modifiers.

Abstract: A process for the vulcanization of a rubber composition, and articles of manufacture where the vulcanized rubber comprises the vulcanization reaction product of the vulcanisation process of the invention, are disclosed. The vulcanisation process is carried out on a vulcanizable composition containing a silica dispersion agent of the formulae I-IV. The composition of the present invention allows for the partial or complete replacement of conventional silane coupling agents in silica filled rubber compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides chain-coupled polymeric sulfide compounds for use as the elastomeric component in vulcanizable elastomeric compositions comprising silica, carbon black or mixtures thereof. In particular, the invention provides anionically polymerized polymers having polymer chain living ends that are functionalized with sulfide groups and coupled together by a metal or nonmetal atom. The chain-coupled polymeric sulfide compounds have an initial high viscosity for ease of handling prior to compounding, a stable viscosity during storage, and a decreased compound viscosity for better filler dispersion and improved mixing efficiency. The invention further provides a pneumatic tire having at least one component produced from the vulcanizable elastomeric composition of the invention. A tire tread produced from vulcanized elastomers exhibiting these improved properties will exhibit reduced hysteresis resulting in an increase in rebound and improved rolling resistance and wet traction.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a modified polymer rubber, which comprises the steps of: (1) polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer, or the conjugated diene monomer and an aromatic vinyl monomer in the presence of an alkali metal catalyst in a hydrocarbon solvent to produce an active polymer having an alkali metal at its end(s), and (2) reacting the active polymer with a ketone compound represented by a specific formula to produce a modified polymer rubber.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer having a novel structure, and a method of producing the same are provided.

Abstract: A rubber composition having improved processability and which provides a vulcanized rubber exhibiting excellent wear resistance and good tensile strength to service temperatures of up to about 150° C. The composition comprises (1) a crosslinked polymer particle having as repeat units (a) up to about 25% of a conjugated diene unit, (b) at least 70% of an aromatic vinyl unit, (c) about 15% to about 30% of a crosslinking monomer, and (d) about 0.

Abstract: A solventless process for making a polymeric composition having at least two pendant carboxyl groups, which comprises reacting at least one molecule of water with at least one dicarboxylic acid anhydride group of at least one suitable polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rubber composition for extrusion and molding comprising 100 weight parts of ethylene/&agr;-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer (A) composed of ethylene, &agr;-olefin having carbon atoms of 3-20 and non-conjugated polyene, and at least 30-300 weight parts of carbon black (B), and 1.0×10−5-5.0×10−3 mol of an alkoxysilane compound shown by the following formula (I): wherein, R is alkyl or alkoxy, R1 is alkyl or phenyl, n is 0, 1 or 2, R2 is a bivalent hydrocarbon, R3 is arylene group, m and p are 0 or 1 respectively, and m and p are not 0 at a same time, q is 1 or 2, and D is —SCN or —SH when q is 1, and —Sx— when q is 2 (wherein x is an integer of 2-8).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing polymers and copolymer blocks of conjugated dienes with varying amounts of branching comprising the use of a microstructure control agent and a microstructure control agent deactivant. The polymerization can be started with or without a microstructure control agent. At some point in the polymerization prior to the completion of the addition of the conjugated diene to the polymer, the microstructure control agent can be deactivated, either partially or completely, resulting in a polymer or copolymer block having a region of less branching adjacent to a region of more branching. Preferred microstructure control agent deactivants are metal alkyls such as triethyl aluminum.

Abstract: Improved tensile mechanical and dynamic viscoelastic properties of silica-reinforced sulfur vulcanized rubbers can be achieved by compounding elastomers with silica in the presence of an alkoxysilane and a catalytic amount of a strong organic base. The strong organic base acts as a catalyst to accelerate the alkoxysilane-silica reaction, especially at high compounding temperatures, resulting in rubber compounds that exhibit reduced compound viscosity, improved dispersion of silica, and reduced filler flocculation after compounding, and reduced hysteresis and improved abrasion resistance in the vulcanized product, compared to similar compounds prepared at the temperature without the strong organic base catalyst.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a both end-modified diene polymer rubber comprising the steps of:

Abstract: An objective of the invention is to provide a rubber composition which has satisfactory processability and dimension stability, and the like, gives a vulcanized rubber exhibiting excellent wearing resistance and tensile strength, and the like, and thus is useful in a belt, a hose and a tire and the like, as well as a crosslinked rubber particle for obtaining such rubber composition. A rubber composition of the invention comprises [1] a crosslinked rubber particle comprising as repeating units (a) 30 to 94.89% by weight of a conjugated diene unit, (b) 5 to 69.89% by weight of an aromatic vinyl unit, (c) 0.01 to 10% by weight of a monomer unit having at least two polymerizable unsaturated group, (d)one polymerizable unsaturated group and an amino group, a hydroxyl group and an epoxy group and (e) 0.

Abstract: Process for cross-linking a polymer or a resin with the help of a peroxide, in the presence of a co-agent, the co-agent used being a compound according to formula 1, in which n is higher than or equal to 2, R1 is an aliphatic or aromatic group and the R2 and R3 groups, independently of each other, can be a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic or an aromatic group. The polymer used preferably is EPDM or CSM.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing hydrogenated conjugated diene block copolymers having the steps of (a) charging a solvent, a microstructure control agent, and an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer into a first reactor forming an admixture of solvent, a microstructure control agent, and an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer wherein the concentration of the microstructure control agent is from about 5 to about 10 weight percent; (b) titrating the admixture of solvent, microstructure control agent, and alkenyl aromatic monomer using an anionic polymerization initiator to form a living polymer; (c) allowing sufficient time for the living polymer to react with and incorporate the alkenyl aromatic monomer; (d) charging a conjugated diene monomer into the first reactor; (e) allowing sufficient time for the living polymer to react with and incorporate the conjugated diene monomer to form a living block copolymer; and (f) hydrogenating the living block copolymer to form a hydrogenated conjugated diene block c

Abstract: A hydrogenated polymer obtained by hydrogenating a conjugated diene polymer having an average vinyl bond content of 20% by weight or more and less than 40% by weight to a degree such that 85% or more of double bond residues in the conjugated diene unit portion are hydrogenated, wherein (1) the crystallizing peak temperature and the hydrogenated vinyl bond content satisfy the formula: −2.8V+100<T<−2.8V+130 wherein T is the crystallizing peak temperature (° C.) measured by DSC; and V is the hydrogenated vinyl bond content (%), (2) the molecular weight is 60,000 to 600,000, and (3) the molecular weight distribution is 1.55 to 5.0. The hydrogenated polymer is excellent in mechanical strength, heat resistance, weatherability and processability and, when blended with other thermoplastic resins or rubbery polymers, provides molded articles with well-balanced physical properties such as impact resistance and moldability.

Abstract: There is described a substantially planar, self supporting, sheet or film (optionally oriented) which comprises at least one layer comprising a first material which is very highly crystalline polymer (preferably polypropylene of 99% or greater isotacity) together with at least one second material in an amount sufficient to improve one or more of the barrier properties, mechanical properties and/or optical properties of the sheet. The second material comprises a (a) nucleating agent; (b) a polymeric material having a ring aid ball softening point from about 110° C. to about 170° C. and/or (c) a hydrogenated resin such as dicyclopentadiene hydrogenated resin, a hydrogenated mixed monomer resin; and/or a resin obtainable from a mixture of a-methyl styrene, indene and/or vinyl toluene monomers. Processes for making such films and compositions for use in the process are also described. Such films are useful in shrink wrap applications for example wrapping tobacco products.

Abstract: Improved amine-terminated polybutadienes (ATPBs) having one or two terminal amino groups, are prepared by cyanoalkylating a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene by Michael addition of acrylonitrile in the presence of a base, forming nitrile termination, followed by hydrogenation in the presence of a Group VIII metal as catalyst. The ATPBs may be hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, either prior to or after the amination, to saturate or partially saturate the polymers. Polyureas, polyurethanes, crosslinked epoxies, polyamides, and other derivatives with improved properties can be prepared from the ATPBs. The resultant derivatives are useful in liquid binders for braking systems, electric potting compositions, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and water proofing membranes, for example.

Abstract: A process is described for the hydrogenation of olefin double bonds present in polymers and copolymers of conjugated dienes, which comprises putting the above polymer or copolymer of conjugated dienes in contact with hydrogen in an inert solvent, in the presence of a catalytic system, characterized in that the above catalytic system essentially consists of one or more titanium compounds selected from those having general formula (I) 1

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for polymer hydrogenation that includes: polymerizing or copolymerizing at least one conjugated diene in a hydrocarbon solvent using an organic alkali metal polymerization initiator to generate a living polymer; adding a terminating agent selected from amines, esters, ketones, or halogen compounds to deactivate the active terminal of the living polymer; and selectively hydrogenating the conjugated diene polymer using at least one organotitanium compound and a lithium hydride, which is prepared from a reactor equipped with a high-speed injection nozzle and thereby precisely controlled in regard to particle diameter.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for hydrotreating hydrocarbon resins, which process comprises contacting a feedstock comprising a hydrocarbon resin or rosin, under suitable hydrotreating conditions, with a bulk multimetallic catalyst comprised of at least one Group VIII non-noble metal and at least two Group VIB metals and wherein the ratio of Group VIB metal to Group VIII non-noble metal is from about 10:1 to about 1:10. The process according to the invention can achieve increased hydrocarbon resin productivity through increase in throughput volumes and effective catalyst lifetimes. The process of the invention is desirably practiced with a bulk catalyst consisting of only the combination of the metal species with the active metal components. The absence of carrier substrates largely removes the possibility of halogen accumulation on substrate surfaces that, in turn, can acidify metal catalysts such that additional, progressive cracking of the hydrocarbon resin molecules occurs.

Abstract: A process for producing an epoxidized diene polymer includes: dispersing or suspending a diene polymer (C) having a ball-reduced particle size of 0.05-20 mm in a medium (A) in the presence of powder particles (B) insoluble in the medium (A), or in an aqueous medium in the presence of a phenol-based stabilizer and/or a phosphorus-based stabilizer; and epoxidizing the diene polymer (C) by an epoxidizing agent, therefore, problems associated with epoxidation performed by dissolving diene polymer in a solvent are eliminated; an economical method for epoxidizing, producing, and purifying a diene polymer (C) in a solid form is provided; and the epoxidized diene polymer having an excellent heat stability can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to triacylglycerol oligomer products and methods of making, using and producing same.

Abstract: A mouldable pressure-sensitive hydrocolloid adhesive composition, particularly useful as a medical adhesive, comprising a dispersion of a discontinuous phase of one or more water-soluble and/or water swellable absorbent polymers in a continuous phase comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, a compatible liquid rubber, a polyisobutylene and a low-molecular weight polybutene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition for obtaining golf ball having good processability, excellent rebound characteristics and excellent durability. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for golf ball comprising a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, an organic peroxide, a filler and a processing aid, wherein the base rubber comprises a polybutadiene (a) containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 80% and synthesized using lanthanide-containing catalyst, the organic peroxide comprises an organic peroxide having 10 hours half-life period temperature of 80 to 100° C., and the processing aid is fatty acid ester, fatty acid salt or the mixture thereof.

Abstract: A rubber composition which is free of precursor of at least one carcinogenic nitrosamine, is capable of vulcanization at a temperature of between 95° C. and 140° C.

Abstract: A rubber derivative comprises a coordination compound of a natural or syntheticrubber containing double bonds and/or epoxy or other groups containing an electronegative atom or atoms and preferably having a weight average molecular weight of from 20,000 to 90,000, more preferably, 20,000 to 85,000, especially about 80,000, with an alkali or alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: Hydrogenated copolymers of an unsaturated nitrile, butadiene and isoprene, wherein the molar ratio of butadiene to isoprene is less than 3:1, display valuable low temperature properties.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a process for easily producing an alkenyl-terminated vinyl polymer without using a metal compound requiring a complicated purification step, and to provide a curable composition containing the vinyl polymer. An alkenyl group is incorporated into an end of a vinyl polymer having a thiocarbonylthio structure at the end to produce an alkenyl-terminated vinyl polymer. Mixing this vinyl polymer with a compound having a hydrogen-silicon bond and a hydrosilylation catalyst gives the curable composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making natural or synthetic latex articles without the use of accelerators, thiurams or carbamates. The method includes making an elastomeric material by mixing a base polymer containing carboxylate groups with a carboxylic acid or derivative thereof, a divalent or trivalent metal, an amine or amino compound, and a neutralizing agent. The elastomeric material is formed into a latex article. The present invention is also directed to a latex article made according to this method. The latex article does not contain any accelerators, thiurams or carbamates.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenation of a conjugated diene polymer. The conjugated diene polymer in an inert organic solvent is brought into contact with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst composition to selectively hydrogenate the unsaturated double bonds in the conjugated diene units of the conjugated diene polymer.

Abstract: There is provided vulcanized solid rubber, which comprises a vulcanized product of an oil-extended copolymer comprising: (i) 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-&agr;-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer satisfying the following requirements (1) to (4), and (ii) 10 to 90 parts by weight of an extender oil: (1) a weight ratio of an ethylene unit to an &agr;-olefin unit in the ethylene-&agr;-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer is from 73/27 to 40/60, (2) an iodine value of the ethylene-&agr;-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer is from 20 to 36, (3) Mooney viscosity (ML1+4 (121° C.)) measured according to JIS-K-6300 of a blend containing 100 parts by weight of the ethylene-&agr;-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer and 20 parts by weight of an extender oil is from 100 to 180, and (4) a ratio of weight average molecular chain length/number average molecular chain length measured by gel permeation chromatography of the ethylene-&agr;-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer is from 3 to 5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber composition which contains reinforcement selected from at least one of synthetic amorphous silica, carbon black and silica treated carbon black, non-alkoxysilane containing coupling agent, wherein at least one of said reinforcements is pre-treated prior to its addition to said rubber composition with at least one of an alkylsilane hydrophobating agent and/or non-alkoxysilane containing coupling agent, and to articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of such rubber composition.

Abstract: An elastomer composition based on at least one diene elastomer, an inorganic filler as reinforcing filler, a polyfunctional organosilane as (inorganic filler/diene elastomer) coupling agent bearing at least two functions denoted “X” and “Y” which are graftable, on the one hand, to the elastomer by means of the X function and, on the other, to the inorganic filler by means of the Y function, characterised in that said Y function is a hydroxysilyl function (≡Si—OH). Preferably, this organosilane is a hydroxysilane polysulfide, the diene elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polybutadienes, natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprenes, butadiene copolymers, isoprene copolymers and the reinforcing inorganic filler is a siliceous or aluminous filler of the highly dispersible type. Tires or semi-finished products for tires, in particular treads for tires comprising a composition according to the invention.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a modified polymer rubber, which comprises the steps of:

Abstract: Removing silicon species from hydrocarbon solvents such as cyclohexane by flowing the hydrocarbon solvent through a selective adsorbent selected from the group consisting of aluminas, silicon-aluminas, ion exchange resins, zeolite Y, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogenated copolymer obtained by hydrogenating an unhydrogenated copolymer comprising conjugated diene monomer units and vinyl aromatic monomer units, the unhydrogenated copolymer having at least one polymer block (H) of vinyl aromatic monomer units, wherein the hydrogenated copolymer has the following characteristics (1) to (5): (1) a content of the vinyl aromatic monomer units of from more than 60% by weight to less than 90% by weight, based on the weight of the hydrogenated copolymer; (2) a content of the polymer block (H) of from 1 to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the unhydrogenated copolymer; (3) a weight average molecular weight of from more than 100,000 to 1,000,000; (4) a hydrogenation ratio of 85% or more, as measured with respect to the double bonds in the conjugated diene monomer units; and (5) substantially no crystallization peak observed at −50 to 100° C. in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) chart obtained with respect to the hydrogenated copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for hydrogenating ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in polymers P by reacting an aqueous dispersion of at least one polymer P with hydrogen in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst comprising at least one transition metal selected from rhodium and/or ruthenium and at least one nonionic phosphorus compound capable of forming a coordinative compound with the transition metal, which comprises incorporating the hydrogenation catalyst into the aqueous dispersion of the polymer P without adding a solvent. The present invention also relates to the aqueous dispersions of the hydrogenated polymers P obtainable by this process and to coating compositions comprising such dispersions.

Abstract: A carboxylic derivative composition derived from a carboxylated isobutylene-polyene copolymer having n ranging from about 200 to about 10,000, said copolymer having thereon from about 0.8 to about 7 moles per mole of copolymer of groups derived from at least one &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid or reactive equivalent thereof, reacted with at least one of (a) amines characterized by the presence within their structure of at least one condensable H—N< group, (b) alcohols. (c) reactive metals or reactive metal compounds, and (d) a combination of two or more of any of (a) through (c), the components of (d) having been reacted with the carboxylated isobutylene-polyene copolymer simultaneously or sequentially, in any order. Also, a process for preparing carboxylic derivative compositions, additive concentrates and lubricating oil compositions containing the carboxylic derivative compositions and methods for increasing the viscosity index of lubricating oil compositions.

Abstract: A rubber compound, cross-linkable with sulfur, is described, containing:

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 SIBR, and from about zero to about 70 phr of at least one additional elastomer, wherein the high trans random SIBR comprises from about 3 to about 30 percent by weight of styrene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making selectively hydrogenated block copolymers of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dienes comprising: a) anionically polymerizing vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dienes to produce block copolymers with living chain ends; b) terminating the living chain ends; to produce a terminated block copolymer, with a member from the group consisting of an alcohol, hydrogen, and mixtures thereof, to prepare a terminated block copolymer; and c) contacting the terminated block copolymers with hydrogen at a temperature of from 20 to 175° C. in the presence of a catalyst prepared by combining a cobalt carboxylate with an aluminum alkyl, wherein: (i) if the polymer is terminated with an alcohol and the alcohol is a linear alcohol, the linear alcohol is used to terminate the living chain ends in an amount such that the alcohol: living chain end molar ratio is from 0.05 to 1.

Abstract: A process for curing a natural or synthetic rubber includes the measuring of curing conditions by dielectric or impedance means to produce a process curve (impedance property data versus time) followed by analyzing the process curve with a software algorithm which defines and statistically quantifies the correlation between the process curve and the desired part properties. The correlation relationship is applied in real time to end the curing process at the optimum time and to produce rubber parts of uniform quality and with reduced process cycle time.

Abstract: UV curable compositions, polymeric photoinitiators and precursors therefor are described.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprised of an elastomer(s) reinforced with a particulate carbon black composite, and a coupling agent. Said carbon black composite contains integral silica on the surface thereof, wherein said carbon black composite is prepared by co-precipitating carbon black and silica from a dispersion of carbon black in sodium silicate to provide integral silica domains on the outer surface of the carbon black. Said carbon black composite is further functionalized by reacting it with a trialkoxy silane. A tire having a component comprised of such rubber composition, such as, for example, a tire tread is contemplated.