Abstract: A method for continuously producing a thermoplastic resin from a conjugated diene includes: primarily polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer with an aromatic vinyl monomer in a first solvent in a first reactor, and feeding a hydroxyl group-containing polymerization inhibitor and a polar hydrocarbon to the first reactor to prepare a rubber solution; and adding an aromatic vinyl monomer and a monomer copolymerizable with the aromatic vinyl monomer to the rubber solution, and subjecting the mixture to secondary polymerization in a second solvent of the same kind as the first solvent in a second reactor. The method can provide a thermoplastic resin that can have excellent color and low gloss characteristics.

Abstract: A tread rubber is made of a rubber composition containing 100 pbw of a diene rubber, 30 to 100 pbw of a reinforcing filler including at least 10 pbw of silica, and 1 to 20 pbw of microcapsules each encapsulating a heat-expandable substance. A sulfur-containing silane coupling agent is mixed in the rubber composition in an amount of 3 to 15 wt. % based on the weight of the silica. A shell material of each microcapsule is made of a thermoplastic resin which essentially contains a nitrile monomer. A vapor pressure of the heat-expandable substance is 1.4 to 3.0 MPa at 150° C. An average diameter of the microcapsules is 20 to 30 ?m before vulcanization of the rubber composition. An average diameter of the microcapsules expanded due to the vulcanization is 40 to 80 ?m. The tread rubber has a proportion of a cell-occupying area of 5 to 30%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to styrene-based thermoplastic resin compositions in which 1-10 weight part of a low-gloss additive selected from a group consisting of polyolefin copolymer(C) containing glycidyl methacrylate functional groups, styrene polymer(D) harboring two or more carboxyl functional groups per molecule, and a mixture of them, was added to 100 weight part of basic resin composed of 30-70 weight part of graft copolymer(A) containing rubber modified styrene and 30-70 weight part of copolymer(B) harboring styrene. The thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention has excellent impact strength and satisfactorily low gloss.

Abstract: A method of producing an engineered plastic selected from the group consisting of high impact polystyrene, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, methylmethacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer, transparent impact polystyrene, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) adding a polymer containing at least one high vinyl segment having a 1,2-vinyl bond content of greater than 45% to a solvent comprising at least one vinyl monomer; (b) optionally adding at least one additional inert solvent; (c) optionally adding additives selected from the group consisting of extender oils, modifiers, and antioxidants; and (d) initiating polymerization of the at least one vinyl monomer by the use of an initiator and/or heat, wherein the presence of the at least one high vinyl segment in the polymer allows direction of the grafting site during preparation of the engineered plastic.

Abstract: A process for producing polymers having at least one high vinyl end segment is provided. The process comprises: (a) forming a living prepolymer high vinyl initiator with a vinyl content greater than about 45% using a vinyl modifier, (b) adding a R1R2R3aluminum or R1R2R3boron compound to nullify the effect of the vinyl modifier, and (c) initiating polymerization of diene monomers using said living prepolymer high vinyl initiator so as to form a polymer product with at least one high vinyl end segment, where R1, R2, and R3 are selected from the group consisting of C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkene, C2-C12 alkyne, phenyl, and alkyl-substituted phenyl, and may all be identical or may all be separately selected but cannot be H. The polymers having at least one high vinyl end segment may be coupled to produce a polymer having a high vinyl end segment on all ends.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mass polymerized rubber-modified monovinylidene aromatic copolymer composition with an excellent balance of physical and mechanical properties especially low temperature impact, and methods for preparing such a composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparation method for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin by continuous bulk polymerization comprising the following steps of a) preparing a mixed solution of styrene monomers and acrylonitrile monomers by adding 5–10 weight % of the mixture of styrene monomers and acrylonitrile monomers to a reaction solvent; b) preparing a polymerization solution by dissolving butadiene rubber in the above mixed solution of styrene monomers and acrylonitrile monomers; c) polymerizing with a serial injection of the prepared polymerization solution and initiator in a grafting reactor; d) polymerizing the reaction solution of the above c) in a phase inversion reactor by adding 90–95 weight % of the total mixture of styrene monomers and acrylonitrile monomers thereto; and e) polymerizing further the reaction solution of the above step d) at 130–160° C. The resin prepared by the method of the present invention thus has excellent impact strength and gloss.

Abstract: A polybutadiene latex is prepared by a process in which butadiene is polymerized by free radical emulsion polymerization in the presence of initiator and, if required, dispersants and further conventional assistants, the polymerization being carried out in the presence of reactive comonomers in such a way that the heat flow of 43 watt/kg solids content of the polymerization mixture is not exceeded. Owing to the presence of reactive comonomers, the reaction rate at the beginning of the reaction is increased, with the result that an overall flatter heat flow profile is obtained. A preferred reactive comonomer is styrene.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprising a nitrile rubber and incorporated therein an organic sulfonic acid salt. A vulcanized rubber article obtained by vulcanization of the rubber composition exhibits a reduced deterioration in tensile strength and elongation when kept in a hot-temperature air atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) rubber latex, and the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) latex is prepared by graft-polymerizing butadiene rubber with the monomers of acrlylonitrile and styrene through emulsion-polymerization, so that the ABS rubber latex of the present invention has high solid content. The method of ABS rubber latex of the present invention comprises the step of emulsion-polymerizing i) polybutadiene rubber latex; ii) aromatic vinyl compound; and iii) vinyl cyanide with the addition of a reactive emulsifier. According to the method of the present invention, the ABS rubber latex has high solid content due to a decrease in the amount of coagulated materials and film, which formed on the rubber latex during polymerization, and an increase in the production volume.

Abstract: A rubber composition for a tire comprising 100 parts by weight of diene rubber and 1 to 30 parts by weight of expandable graphite having a particle size of 30 to 600 &mgr;m.

Abstract: In a process for polymerizing dienes in a solvent comprising vinylaromatic monomers, the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a metal compound of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo or W as catalyst and a Lewis acid as cocatalyst and, if desired, an alkylating agent and, if desired, a regulator. This process can be used for preparing high-impact polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers or methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymers.

Abstract: A method of preparing rubber substrate is provided. In the method, 50 to 95 parts by weight of conjugated diene monomer is first-polymerized, until the resulting first rubber substrate has gel content of 5 to 70 wt %. Thereafter, the first rubber substrate is second-polymerized with 5 to 50 parts by weight to obtain a second rubber substrate. The obtained second rubber substrate has higher gel content in core than outer layer.

Abstract: A rubber composition for a tire comprising 100 parts by weight of diene rubber and 1 to 30 parts by weight of expandable graphite having a particle size of 30 to 600 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A nitrile resin for a carrier resulting from graft-copolymerization of 100 parts by weight of a monomer mixture containing unsaturated nitrile and alkyl acrylate in the presence of 1 to 30 parts by weight of a rubber-like polymer containing 50% by weight or more of conjugated diene units. The nitrile resin comprises having a glass transition temperature of 50 to 69.degree. C., having a matrix component except rubber ingredient containing 45 to 80% by weight of unsaturated nitrile units and 20 to 55% by weight of alkyl acrylate units and having a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 to 150,000. The invention further relates to a preparation process of nitrile resin and an electrophotographic carrier containing the nitrile resin. The nitrile resin for a carrier of the invention has an excellent processing ability in the carrier preparation step and good balance of electrostatic charge stability of the carrier. Consequently, the resin is highly suitable for use in the electrophotographic carrier.

Abstract: A process for curing epoxidized diene polymers for use in adhesives, sealants, and coatings which comprises contacting the polymer with an aromatic anhydride curing agent at an epoxy/anhydride molar ratio from 0.5/1 to 2.0/1.0, optionally, and from 0.1 to 10 phr of an accelerator at a temperature of from 100 to for a period of 10 minutes to six hours.

Abstract: A process for curing epoxidized diene polymers for use in adhesives, sealants, and coatings which comprises contacting the polymer with an aromatic anhydride curing agent at an epoxy/anhydride molar ratio from 0.5/1 to 2.0/1.0, optionally, and from 0.1 to 10 phr of an accelerator at a temperature of from 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. for a period of 10 minutes to six hours.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition for semiconductor encapsulation use comprising an epoxy resin, a phenol resin, and an inorganic filler is improved by blending therein a component which is obtained by copolymerizing or homopolymerizing a reactive monomer having a vinyl group and an epoxy or phenolic hydroxyl group in a molecule thereof with or preferably in the presence of a thermoplastic elastomer or organic synthetic rubber. Alternatively, the modifying component (C) is obtained by copolymerizing a reactive monomer and a silane monomer with or preferably in the presence of a thermoplastic elastomer or organic synthetic rubber. The composition cures to products having improved thermal shock resistance and adherence.

Abstract: A process for continuously preparing rubber modified styrene resins from styrene monomers and acrylonitryle monomers in the presence of a rubbery polymer in accordance with a continuous mass and/or solution polymerization method by the use of serial polymerization device comprising two or more reactors; said process comprising(1) a first step of feeding a polymeric materials to the first reactor to carry out the polymerization of monomers in a condition where the rubbery polymer is not inverted to the dispersed phase, and a second step of adding a polymeric materials to second reactors to carry out the polymerization of the monomers and to thus invert the rubbery polymer to the dispersed phase,(2) a ratio of the added materials to the materials used in the first step being in the range of from 10 to 220% by weight,whereby impact resistance and surface gloss can be remarkably improved.

Abstract: Cured blends of acrylonitrile/butadiene (NBR)/epichlorohydrin rubbers are provided that are free of poisonous lead compounds with ozone resistance of 10 hours or more and good heat resistance and fuel and oil resistance. These acrylonitrile/butadiene rubbers contain 28 to 33% by weight of acrylonitrile. The epichlorohydrin rubbers are useful in this invention which contains at least 4 to 12% of allyl glycidyl ether and may contain 0 to 35% of ethylene oxide, preferably 2 to 6% and up to 15%. The acrylonitrile/butadiene rubber is preferably of so-called bound antioxidant type which contains about 1 to about 10% by weight of polymerized attached antioxidant containing monomer.

Abstract: An unsaturated polyester resin composition is described that contains an amine-terminated flexible polymer that can react with the unsaturation in the polyester. A compatible system results that has higher fracture toughness. The preferred amine-terminated flexible polymer is an amine-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile). The resin composition can be extended with fillers and reinforced with fibers. In these applications, the resin is known as a matrix resin.

Abstract: A unsaturated polyester resin composition is described that contains an epoxy resin reacted with an amine-terminated flexible polymer while dissolved in the unsaturated polyester resin and its ethylenically unsaturated crosslinking monomer. A compatible system results from the reaction which has a controllable modulus based on the amount of flexible polymer included in the resin. The resin is generally transparent if unfilled and has a higher calculated fracture energy than similar unsaturated polyester resin without modification. The unsaturated polyester resin can be filled with particulate filler or reinforced with fibrous fillers.

Abstract: Oil-repellent polymeric compositions prepared by a process which comprises:a) adding at least a radical starter and at least a perfluoropolyether to at least a molten thermoplastic polymer;b) intimately mixing the resulting composition for a time which is sufficient to obtain macroradicals from the polymer; andc) cooling the final composition to room temperature.

Abstract: An ozone and heat resistant polymer blend prepared from a first solid, high acrylonitrile nitrile/conjugated diene copolymer and a second, solid, fully hydrogenated nitrile/conjugated diene copolymer, blended in a ratio of about 70:30 to about 50:50.

Abstract: A unsaturated polyester resin composition is described that contains an epoxy resin reacted with an amine-terminated flexible polymer while dissolved in the unsaturated polyester resin and its ethylenically unsaturated crosslinking monomer. A compatible system results from the reaction which has a controllable modulus based on the amount of flexible polymer included in the resin. The resin is generally transparent if unfilled and has a higher calculated fracture energy than similar unsaturated polyester resin without modification. The unsaturated polyester resin can be filled with particulate filler or reinforced with fibrous fillers.

Abstract: Antistatic polymer blend compositions comprise an ABS graft copolymer, a copolymer of an epihalohydrin and a copolymerizable monomer having an oxirane group, and a surfactant.

Abstract: Polymer blend compositions having an advantageous combination of low temperature toughness, solvent resistance, scratch resistance, paintability and elevated temperature resistance comprise from about 20 to about 65 weight percent of a rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic/ethylenically unsaturated nitrile/N-arylmaleimide copolymer and from about 35 to about 80 weight percent of certain selected polyester-based elastomeric thermoplastic polyurethane ingredients. The resulting polymer blend compositions are especially well suited for use in the preparation of molded articles or thermoformed sheet materials intended for use in relatively low temperature environments including, for example, in various motor vehicle and/or recreational vehicle applications, as freezer and refrigerator liners, snow removal equipment housings or accessories, and the like.

Abstract: Shaped articles such as fibers, films, tapes, rods and the like are fabricated from composites of nonconducting, flexible chain carrier polymers and conductive, conjugated polymers. The shaped, composite articles are electrically conductive and also display excellent mechanical properties, i.e., with respect to tensile strength, elongation at break, and the like. Methods of preparing the novel composite articles are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Improved compositions comprise polymer blends of a linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon with a high rubber graft copolymer, and, optionally, an acidic polymer containing moieties of an .alpha.-olefin and an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. The blends demonstrate improved toughness and impact strength at both ambient and low temperatures.

Abstract: Polymer blend compositions having an advantageous combination of low temperature toughness, solvent resistance, scratch resistance and paintability comprise from about 19 to about 64 weight percent of a mass, solution, mass/suspension or mass/solution polymerized rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic/ethylenically unsaturated nitrile polymer; from about 35 to about 80 weight percent of certain selected polyester-based elastomeric thermoplastic polyurethane ingredients; and from about 1 to about 30 weight percent of a relatively high rubber content emulsion polymerized rubber modified graft copolymer ingredient. The resulting polymer blend compositions are especially well suited for use in the preparation of molded articles intended for use in relatively low temperature environments including, for example, in various motor vehicle and/or recreational vehicle applications, as freezer and refrigerator liners, snow removal equipment housings or accessories, and the like.

Abstract: A heat and impact resistant thermoplastic resin composition which comprises:100 parts by weight of a resin mixture comprising from 20 to 80% by weight of a polyamide resin (A) and from 20 to 80% by weight of a graft copolymer resin (B) obtained by graft polymerizing from 30 to 65 parts by weight of a monomer mixture comprising from 30 to 80% by weight of an aromatic vinyl monomer, from 5 to 65% by weight of an N-substituted maleimide monomer and from 0 to 40% by weight of other vinyl monomer copolymerizable with these monomers (provided that the total amount of said monomer mixture is 100% by weight) to from 35 to 70 parts by weight of a conjugated diene rubber;from 0 to 40 parts by weight of a copolymer resin (C) comprising from 30 to 80% by weight of an aromatic vinyl monomer component, from 5 to 65% by weight of an N-substituted maleimide monomer component and from 0 to 40% by weight of other vinyl monomer component copolymerizable with these monomers (provided that the total amount of the monomer componen

Abstract: Polymer blend compositions exhibiting good antistatic properties and ductility comprise a styrenic polymer, an epihalohydrin copolymer and an acrylate polymer present in an amount sufficient to effect compatability of the styrenic polymer and the epihalohydrin polymer as compared with a blend of the styrenic polymer and the epihalohydrin copolymer not including the acrylate polymer. In a more specific embodiment the polymer blend compositions comprise from about 40 to about 96 percent by weight of a styrenic polymer, from about 2 to about 50 percent by weight of an epihalohydrin copolymer, and from about 2 to about 50 percent by weight of an acrylate polymer.

Abstract: A fire retardant composite roofing material comprising an upper layer of a fire retardant EPDM material and a lower layer of a non-fire retardant EPDM material, wherein this composite material is a cured sheet membrane, a vulcanizable flashing material, or non-vulcanizing flashing material.

Abstract: A polyblend of a high graft copolymer, a low graft copolymer and a matrix interpolymer is made by:(A) mixing a latex of the high graft copolymer and a latex of the low graft copolymer to provide a mixture thereof;(B) coagulating and at least partially dewatering the mixture of step (A);(C) melt blending the mixture of step (B) to provide a first polyblend; and(D) melt blending the first polyblend of step (C) with matrix interpolymer to provide a second polyblend.

Abstract: Graft copolymers are prepared by means of a two-step polymerization process, in emulsion: in the first step, a vinylaromatic monomer and an acryl or metacryl monomer are grafted on a monomodal polybutadiene latex constituted of particles of diameter comprised within the range of from 800 to 2500 .ANG.. The polymerization/grafting reaction is continued up to a 70-90% conversion, at which time a further portion of monomodal polybutadiene is added, together with further amounts of said monomers, always in emulsion.

Abstract: A rubber-reinforced copolymer comprising a copolymer matrix derived from one or more monovinylidene aromatic compounds and one or more unsaturated nitrile compounds having at least 6 percent of a rubber which exhibits a viscosity, as a 5 weight percent solution in styrene, of at least 120 centipoise dispersed as discrete particles throughout the copolymer matrix at a particle size of less than 1.5 micron.

Abstract: In a continuous bulk or solution polymerization process for producing rubber modified high-impact resins which comprises continuously feeding a raw material solution comprising a mixture of an aromatic vinyl monomer and a vinyl cyanide monomer and a rubber component dissolved in the mixture, together with a radical polymerization initiator, to a first reactor, polymerizing the raw material solution under high-shear agitation to a conversion required to transform the rubber component phase into dispersed particles, withdrawing the reaction mixture continuously from the first reactor at a rate corresponding to the feed rate of the raw material solution, and feeding the reaction mixture to a second or more reactors for further polymerization, rubber modified high-impact resins exhibiting excellent chemical resistance, thermal resistance and rigidity and having a good surface gloss can be produced by properly determining the weight ratio of the aromatic vinyl monomer to the vinyl cyanide monomer present in the ra

Abstract: A process for the impact modification of a plastic with a rubber polymer to form a thermoplastic resin in a reactor extruder is provided. The process includes the steps of dissolving a rubber polymer in a solvent selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated monomers and non-polymerizable organic compounds to form a feed solution, introducing the feed solution into the feed section of a twin screw reactor extruder, introducing a separate feed stream containing a material in sufficient amount to precipitate the rubber polymer, heating the feed solution and feed stream under pressure to a temperature sufficient for polymerization to begin, polymerizing the monomers with the rubber polymer in the reactor extruder to form a thermoplastic resin and extruding the thermoplastic resin through a die. A novel ABS thermoplastic resin is also provided having a uniform distribution of rubber particles dispersed within the plastic phase of the resin, the rubber particles ranging in size of from about 0.