Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a free radical control agent of the structural formula: wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of wherein R1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl or phenyl; wherein R2 is an alkoxy group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or a cycloalkoxy group of 5 to 8 carbon atoms; wherein Alk is a divalent hydrocarbon of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and wherein Y represents a functional group that is capable of activating a vinylic carbon toward free radical addition; said process comprising the steps of (1) reacting a mercaptosilane of the structural formula: Z-Alk-SH with carbon disulfide in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst and an alkali metal hydroxide to produce a trithiocarbonate salt; and (2) reacting the trithiocarbonate salt with a halogen containing compound of the structural formula X-Y to produce the free radical control agent, wherein X represents a halogen atom.

Abstract: A cyclic conjugated diene copolymer comprising a main chain comprised of (A) cyclic conjugated diene monomer units, (B) monomer units obtained from vinyl aromatic monomers each having a hydrogen atom at the ?-position thereof, and optionally (C) monomer units obtained from commoners which are other than the monomers used for obtaining the monomer units A and B and which are copolymerizable with at least one of the monomers used for obtaining the monomer units A and B, wherein all monomer units A and the monomer units B together form one or more polymer chains each having an A/B random sequence, wherein the one or more polymer chains each having an A/B random sequence contain at least one polymer chain having a number average molecular weight of from 20,000 to 500,000 and contain no polymer chain having a number average molecular weight of more than 500,000. A process for producing the above-mentioned cyclic conjugated diene copolymer by living anionic polymerization.

Abstract: A diene rubber (A) having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 100,000 to 3,000,000, an Mw/number average molecular weight (Mn) ratio of 1.30 to 2.50, and an Mw/peak top molecular weight (Mp) ratio 0.70 to 1.30. A rubber composition comprising the diene rubber (A) and a diene rubber (B) having an Mw of 2,000 to 90,0000 and/or an oil extender for rubber has good processability and can give a rubber vulcanizate having high tensile strength and good abrasion resistance. The diene rubber (A) is produced by conducting a living polymerization of diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent; adding a polymerization stopper to a polymerization mixture at a conversion of 5 to 98% to deactivate 10 to 90% by mole of active terminals present as of the initiation of polymerization; and finally adding a polymerization stopper to completely terminate the polymerization reaction.

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: A block copolymer comprising a polymer block [A] and a polymer block [B]. The polymer block [A] contains mainly a repeating unit having an alicyclic structure, and the polymer block [B] contains the repeating unit having an alicyclic structure and a repeating unit derived from a diene based monomer and/or a vinyl based monomer. In any block, the carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds are hydrogenated. The block copolymer is molded into optical disks, optical waveguides, films, sheets, containers, and optical lenses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for purifying copolymer compounds having monovinyl aromatic blocks and conjugated diene blocks by reducing the residual monomer content of the finished polymer. The method and apparatus includes a combination of heat exchangers and devolatilizers used in conjunction with a copolymerization reactor system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene polymer using a catalyst containing a carbon disulfide in which the polymerizate thereof is treated with hydrogen peroxide, to preparation of a composite of conjugated diene-based elastomer and syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene polymer using a catalyst containing a carbon disulfide which the polymerizate thereof is treated with hydrogen peroxide, a rubber composition containing said syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene polymer and/or said composite and a tire having at least one rubber component thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized catalyst supports that are useful in the formation of supported polymerization catalysts, supported catalysts derived from such functionalized catalyst supports, methods for preparing such functionalized catalyst supports and supported catalysts, and polymerization processes utilizing such supported catalysts. The functionalized catalyst supports comprise a particulated, solid support material having chemically bonded thereto a plurality of conjugated or non-conjugated diene or alkyne functionalized ligand groups, said composition being capable of reacting with and tethering a catalytically activatable Group 3-10 or Lanthanide metal complex thereto.

Abstract: These compounds contain an oxetane functionality and a cinnamyl functionality. The oxetane functionality is homopolymerizable in reactions that can undergo cationic or anionic ring opening, and the cinnamyl functionality is polymerizable with compounds such as electron acceptor compounds. The dual functionality allows for dual cure processing. The generic structure of such compounds is in which R is a methyl or ethyl group, X and Y independently are a direct bond, or an ether, ester, or carbamate group, and Q is a divalent hydrocarbon (which may contain heteroatoms of N, O, or S), provided that X and Y will not both be direct bonds in the same molecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new catalyst system that improves the heat transfer capability of a butyl reactor slurry process system in the production of random copolymers of one or more isoolefin monomers and one or more conjugated diene monomers in continuous slurry polymerization processes. The process is carried out in an anhydrous polymerization system containing a mixture of the monomers in a polar diluent along with a Lewis acid and a C5 or greater initiator having a tertiary halide.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent allyl, alkoxyl or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein X represents a halogen atom, and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10, and wherein X represents a halogen atom; and (2) reacting the vinyl halide containing secondary amine with a vinyl magnesium halide to produce the monomer having a structural formula wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent alkyl, allyl or alkoxyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein m represents an integer from about 4 to about 10.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to multifunctional alkoxyamines based on polyalkylpiperidines, polyalkylpiperazinones and polyalkylmorpholinones and their use as polymerization regulatros/initiators. Further subjects of the invention are a polymerizable composition comprising an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or oligomer and the alkoxyamine compound as well as a process for polymerization and a process for preparation of the compounds.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent allyl, alkoxyl or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein X represents a halogen atom, and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10, and wherein X represents a halogen atom; and (2) reacting the vinyl halide containing secondary amine with a vinyl magnesium halide to produce the monomer having a structural formula wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent alkyl, allyl or alkoxyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein m represents an integer from about 4 to about 10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a high 1,4-cis polybutadiene having a controlled cold flow and, more particularly, to a novel method for preparing a high 1,4-cis polybutadiene having a controlled cold flow that involves initiating polymerization of a 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a non-polar solvent using, as a polymerization catalyst, a complex prepared by mixing a neodymium compound with or without a conjugated diene compound, a halogenated organoaluminum compound or a halogenated organic compound, and an organoaluminum compound irrespective of the addition order of the catalyst; and adding an organoborane compound as a cold flow controller of 1,4-cis polybutadiene after a predetermined time of the polymerization. Accordingly, a high 1,4-cis polybutadiene having an efficiently controlled cold flow can be prepared without causing a significant increase in the Mooney viscosity (molecular weight), an odor (bad smell), and a reduction in 1,4-cis content and polymerization yield.

Abstract: Fibers comprising a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene and at least one of ethylene and one or more unsaturated comonomers exhibit desirable properties. The homopolymers are characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. The copolymers are characterized as (A) comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene, and (B) having at least one of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer scale deposition-preventive agent. It includes (A) a condensation reaction product of an aldehyde compound and a hydroxynaphthalene compound and (B) a soluble methoxyl group-substituted cellulose ether. The agent is formed into a film having an adequate polymer scale deposition-preventive property in a single-step application. The time for the application process is shortened to improve productivity. Polymer scales can be prevented from adhering to the inner wall surfaces of the polymerization vessel even if a plenty number of batches for polymerization are repeated.

Abstract: An improved stringed instrument bow resin made from synthetic hydrocarbon resin and optionally modified with olefinic and elastomeric polymers, fillers, plasticizers, colorants, and antioxidants. The composition is hypoallergenic, hydrophobic, non-corrosive, and resistant to oxidation.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing conjugated diene polymers comprising the steps of contacting, within an hydrocarbon solvent and within a continuous reactor, conjugated diene monomer and a catalyst composition prepared by combining: (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an alkylating agent, and (c) a halogen-containing compound, and maintaining a non-ideal flow pattern within the continuous reactor so that 10% of the reagents entering the reactor at a reference time t0 are still present within the continuous reactor at a time t0+xtrt, where trt is the residence time corresponding to ideal flow within the continuous reactor and x is a numeral greater than 1.5.

Abstract: A catalyst system suitable for use in the production of high cis polybutadiene is disclosed. The catalyst system includes a cobalt salt of the formulaCoAx?, where A is a monovalent or divalent anion and x is 1 or 2; an alkyl aluminum chloride compound of the structure R2AlCl, where R is an alkyl group containing 2-8 carbon atoms; a trialkyl aluminum compound of the formula R3Al, where R is an alkyl group containing 2-8 carbon atoms; and a catalytic amount of water.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a baleable lithium carboxylate polymer. The process includes polymerizing at least one conjudated diene in the presence of an organolithium initiator to a substantial completion. Thereafter, the polymerization process is terminated by the addition of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A binder for a lithium ion secondary battery characterized by comprising a polymer containing structural units derived from 1,3-butadiene, said polymer having a 1,2-vinyl structure content in the range of 2% to 25% by mole. A lithium ion secondary battery provided with an electrode made using this binder exhibits improved characteristics at repetition of charge-discharge cycle and improved storage stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogenated polymer which is a hydrogenation product of a conjugated diene polymer having an average vinyl bond content of 20% by weight or more and less than 50% by weight and a weight average molecular weight of 60,000 to 600,000 to a degree such that 85% or more of the residual double bonds in the conjugated diene units are hydrogenated, and which has a molecular weight and a number of terminal methyl group carbons as measured by GPC/FTIR analysis satisfying relationship (1): Va?Vb?0.03Vc??(1) wherein Va, Vb and Vc represent the number of terminal methyl group carbon atoms per 1000 carbon atoms contained in a polymer whose molecular weight is twice the peak top molecular weight, half the peak top molecular weight, and the peak top molecular weight, respectively.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacture of a polymer including branched and linear components comprising first polymerizing conjugated diene(s) in the presence of an organometallic initiator to a conversion that is at least 90% complete. A coupling agent is added to obtain a polymer including branched and linear components. The coupling agent is added at a ratio of about 0.3 to about 0.6 coupling equivalents to initiator equivalents.

Abstract: A rubber composition, which comprises 100 parts by weight of a rubber mixture consisting of 70-95 wt. % of solid rubber and 30-5 wt. % of liquid rubber reactive on the solid rubber, and 450-1,000 parts by weight of magnetic powder. The rubber composition has an improved processability by adding liquid rubber reactive on solid rubber to the conventional magnetic powder-containing rubber, without any deterioration of physical properties proper to the rubber, while maintaining a high magnetic force proper to the magnetic powder, keeping the lower viscosity of rubber compound and holding distinguished heat resistance and flexibility of moldings.

Abstract: A composition containing (i) at least one silicon-containing compound, (ii) at least one peroxidic free-radical initiator, and (iii) at least one conjugated hydrocarbon and/or at least one organofunctional silane of the general formula I: R—Xn—C(R)?C(R)—C(R)?C(R)—Xn—Si(R1)m(OR2)(3-m)??(I), may be used in the preparation of grafted and/or crosslinked polymers, or of filled plastics, in order to improve scorch performance. Processes for preparing polymers or preparing plastics, and polymers and plastics which are obtainable via the Sioplas process or via the Monosil process, and products produced from them can utilize the composition.

Abstract: A catalyst for bulk polymerization comprising an organometallic compound represented by specified formula and a thiol is provided. The specified organometallic compound is a metallocene compound such as titanocene or zirconocene. The use of this bulk polymerization catalyst comprising a metallocene compound and a thiol enables stable bulk polymerization of a polymerizable unsaturated compound such as an acrylic monomer, the reaction control of which has been difficult in the bulk polymerization of the prior art.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing by thermal activation of hybrid silicone and organic polymers comprising the motifs RxUySiO[4?(x+y)]/2 (I) wherein: x is equal to 0, 1, 2 or 3, y is equal to 0, 1, 2 or 3 with 2?(x+y)?3 and y is different from 0 for at least one of the hybrid copolymer motifs; and the symbols U, identical or different, represent organic polymer units.

Abstract: A curable casemaking adhesive, books and related articles bound thereby. In one embodiment, a UV curable hot melt adhesive is used to form the case, which is preferably also embossed. In another embodiment, a moisture curable hot melt adhesive is used to form the case, which is preferably also embossed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an olefin derived copolymer and a thermoplastic resin composition using the olefin derived copolymer satisfying the following (1) and (2): (1) tensile strength at break measured based on JIS K6251 is 2.0 or less MPa; and (2) tensile elongation at break EB (%) of a resin composition obtained satisfies the following relational expression (expression 1) and (expression 2), when blended with a polypropylene derived resin that has 20 degree C. xylene soluble component of not more than 20 wt %. R[3/5]?R[2/6]?0.15??(expression 1) S[2/6]??800??(expression 2) (R[3/5] and R[2/6] are obtained by the following methods: a curve is obtained by plotting tensile elongation at break EB (%) (based on JIS K6251) of resin composition taken as vertical axis, and weight part rate Pa of a content of an olefin derived copolymer contained in a resin composition taken as horizontal axis; a multiple regression curve in section regions of Pa=0.30-0.50 and Pa=0.20-0.

Abstract: Novel polyindanebisphenols or PIBPs for the preparation of new and improved thermosetting polymers having the general formula of are provided. Also disclosed are thermoplastic or thermoset compositions prepared using the novel compounds of the invention, as well as methods of making and using the same. When copolymerized or reactive with other commercial resins such as, e.g., epoxy compounds, PIBP based polymers are characterized by high glass transition temperature (“Tg”), low dielectric constant, low moisture absorption, low coefficient of expansion, low cost, and can be processed on equipment typically used for the production of epoxy based laminates.

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: This invention relates to certain non-silicone resin cured rubber articles that are made from at least a majority by weight of non-silicone vulcanized rubber that include silver-based compounds to provide highly desirable long-term antimicrobial characteristics within the cured rubber articles. Such articles are in either solid or blown (foam or sponge) state (or combinations of both in multilayered forms) and can be utilized in a variety of different applications. This invention encompasses the presence of non-sulfur-based curing systems and agents, such as resin curing, that permit vulcanization and do not irreversibly bind silver ions thereto, thereby resulting in long-term antimicrobial performance of the ultimate rubber article itself.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for controlled free radical polymerization or copolymerization of vinyl chloride at a temperature between 40° C. and 95° C., at a pressure between 5 and 30 bar in the presence of a stable free nitroxyl radical.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers which are modified by functional end groups and are based on conjugated dienes or on conjugated dienes and vinylaromatic compounds, a process for their preparation and their use for the production of rubber shaped articles of all types, in particular for the production of tires and tire components, such as tire treads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art. The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of said nitrile rubber and the use of said nitrile rubber for the manufacture of shaped articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalytic system that can be used to prepare by polymerization diene elastomers comprising polyisoprenes and polybutadienes. The invention also provides a process for the preparation of the catalytic system and to a process using the catalytic system to prepare diene elastomers comprising polyisoprenes having a high cis-1,4 linkage content and polybutadienes. The catalytic system according to the invention is based on (a) a conjugated diene monomer, (b) an organic phosphoric acid salt of a rare earth metal, (c) an alkylating agent consisting of an alkylaluminium of the formula AlR3 or HAlR2, and (d) a halogen donor consisting of an alkylaluminium halide, and is such that said salt is suspended in at least one inert and saturated aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon solvent and, the “alkylating agent:rare earth salt” molar ratio ranges from 1 to 5.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for converting a less active or slower to initiate system to a higher activity system so that at the end of a polymerization the most active species is present in the system. The invention generally relates to a process for converting a less active or slower to initiate catalyst system to a higher activity catalyst system wherein the process comprises contacting a protected N-heterocyclic carbene with a metathesis catalyst and an olefin in the presence of energy. One of the benefits of the invention is that the amount of catalyst required is less than or lowered in the presence of the protected N-heterocyclic carbene as compared to the amount of catalyst required in the absence of the protected N-heterocyclic carbene. The protected N-heterocyclic carbene can be unsaturated or saturated. In addition, the invention describes novel ruthenium initiators and methods of making the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transition metal catalyst compound represented by the formula: LMX2 or (LMX2)2 wherein each M is independently a Group 7 to 11 metal, preferably a Group 7, 8, 9, or 10 metal; each L is, independently, a tridentate or tetradentate neutrally charged ligand that is bonded to M by three or four nitrogen atoms, (where at least one of the nitrogen atoms is a central nitrogen atom and at least two of the nitrogen atoms are terminal nitrogen atoms), and at least two terminal nitrogen atoms are substituted with one C3-C50 hydrocarbyl and one hydrogen atom or two hydrocarbyls wherein at least one hydrocarbyl is a C3-C50 hydrocarbyl, and the central nitrogen atom is bonded to three different carbon atoms or two different carbon atoms and one hydrogen atom; X is independently a monoanionic ligand, or two X may join together to form a bidentate dianionic ligand.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting them with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound in the presence of low amounts of an accelerator/promoter and/or a highly active microstructure modifier. The improvement comprises adding from 0.1 to 1.0 equivalents of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator wherein alkyl groups of the metal alkyl compound are chosen so that they will not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal compound. The preferred initiator for use herein is the sec-butyl lithium adduct of diisopropenyl benzene and the preferred metal alkyl is triethyl aluminum.

Abstract: The present invention includes an isobutylene based terpolymer suitable for air barriers such as innerliners where adhesion to tire carcass materials (e.g., SBR) and flexibility are desirable, as well as low air permeability. The terpolymer in one embodiment is a halogenated terpolymer of C4 to C8 isoolefin derived units, C4 to C14 multiolefin derived units, and p-alkylstyrene derived units. The present invention also includes a method of producing an elastomeric terpolymer composition comprising combining in a polar diluent C4 to C8 isoolefin monomers, C4 to C14 multiolefin monomers, and p-alkylstyrene monomers in the presence of a Lewis acid and at least one initiator to produce the terpolymer.

Abstract: In a process for polmerizing a mixture comprising at least one free-radically polymerizable monomer and a transition metal complex whose transition metal is capable of reversibly binding a halogen atom, thus bringing about a change in the oxidation state of the transition metal from a first oxidation state to a second, in the presence of an initiator R-Y, where Y is halogen and R is alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl (substituted or unsubstituted), aryl or —CHnHal3-n, where n=0 to 2 and Hal=halogen, in an aqueous system, the transition metal is bound via suitable anchor groups to the hydrophobic part of an amphiphilic polymer which is made up of a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part. Also provided are a corresponding transition metal complex, a reaction product which can be prepared by this process and the use of this transition metal complex for preparing reaction products by free-radical polymerization.

Abstract: Group 4 metal complexes of the constrained geometry type, catalysts derived therefrom, and polymerization processes using the same, characterized by an alkaryl-substituted silane bridging group are disclosed.

Abstract: Use of a polymer as a levelling agent or anti-cratering agent, said polymer comprising at least one fluorinated unit represented by formula 1, (Formula 1) wherein R?1 is a moiety represented by Cn?F2n+1?-(CH2?)m?-, Cn?F2n?-(CH2?)m?-, Cn?F2n+1?-(CII2?)m?-(OCII2?CIIR?5)p?-, Cn?F2n?-(CH2?m?-(OCH2?CHR?5)p′? Cn?F2n+1?-(CII2?)m?-X-, ACn?F2n?-(CII2?)m?-X- &lgr;Cn?F2n?-(CH2?)m?-(OCH2?CHR?5)p?-X or ACn?F2n+1?-(CII2?)m?-(OCII2?CIIR?5)p?-X-; wherein A=H, Cl, Br, I, a C1-12? alkyl or a OC1-12 ?alkyl, wherein 4≦n≦20,0≦m˜≦4 and 0≦p≦20, wherein X is a spacer moiety selected from the group consisting of esters, amides, sulphoamides, mercapto groups, poltyurethane groups and alkyl groups, wher

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition having an oxygen scavenging function. The resin composition comprises a gas barrier resin (A), a thermoplastic resin (B) other than the gas barrier resin (A), and a compatibilizer (C), wherein the gas barrier resin (A) has an oxygen transmission rate of 500 ml·20 &mgr;m/m2·days·atm (20° C., 65% RH) or less, the thermoplastic resin (B) has a carbon—carbon double bond, and an oxygen absorption rate of the resin composition is 0.001 m/m2·day or more.

Abstract: Atactic copolymers derived from an alpha-olefin, optionally ethylene and a non-conjugated diene are provided. The units derived front the diene provide pendant groups having internal or terminal double bonds. Suitable dienes for preparing such copolymers include: CH2═C(R1)—R2—C(R3)═CH2, CH2═C(R1)R4—C(R3)═CH—CH3, wherein R1 and R3 are indenpendently selected from hydrogen or an alkly group, R2 and R4 are alkylene moieties having a chain length of at least 3 carbon atoms and at least 1 carbon atom respectively, or a diene having a cyclic ring with one strained ring double bond and a substituent on the ring of the Formulae: ═CR5R6, —CR7═CH2, wherein R5 and R6 and R7 are independently selected from hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl. Also provided are processes for the functionalisation of the atactic copolymers and their use as lubricating oil additives.

Abstract: A styrene/hydrogenated diene block copolymer characterized in that it has in side chains at least one kind of functional groups selected from the group consisting of a boronic acid group and a boron-containing group capable of converting into a boronic acid group in the presence of water, the content of the functional groups in the copolymer is 100 to 2,000 &mgr;eq/g, and the weight ratio of the styrene units to hydrogenated diene units contained in the copolymer is from 5/95 to 70/30. By thus incorporating a sufficient amount of boron-containing groups, a highly reactive styrene/hydrogenated diene block copolymer is provided.

Abstract: A nitrile group-containing highly saturated copolymer rubber comprising (a) 0 to 20% by weight of 1,3-butadiene units, (b) 0 to 50% by weight of saturated 1,3-butadiene units, (c) 40 to 50% by weight of &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer units, and (d) 10 to 35% by weight and at least 8% by mol of other monomer units, wherein the sum of 1,3-butadiene units (a) and saturated 1,3-butadiene units (b) is in the range of 20 to 50% by weight. A rubber composition comprising this copolymer rubber and a crosslinking agent gives a crosslinked product exhibiting good oil resistance, namely, good resistance to rancid gasoline and not hardening even when it is placed in contact with oil containing condensed aromatics.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain non-silicone resin cured rubber articles that are made from at least a majority by weight of non-silicone vulcanized rubber that include silver-based compounds to provide highly desirable long-term antimicrobial characteristics within the cured rubber articles. Such articles are in either solid or blown (foam or sponge) state (or combinations of both in multilayered forms) and can be utilized in a variety of different applications. This invention encompasses the presence of non-sulfur-based curing systems and agents, such as resin curing, that permit vulcanization and do not irreversibly bind silver ions thereto, thereby resulting in long-term antimicrobial performance of the ultimate rubber article itself.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of discharging polymer from a continuously operated gas phase reactor, wherein at least one monomer is polymerized in a bed containing active catalyst formed by catalyst and polymer particles suspended in a fluid, the bed defining a fluidized bed level in said reactor. The invention comprises continuously withdrawing polymer powder from the reactor; and adjusting the discharge rate of the polymer powder so as to maintain a constant bed level during polymerization. By means of the invention the discharge of the polymer can be made truly continuous without any disturbance of the polymerization. The rate of withdrawn polymer can be flexibly adjusted depending on the progress of the polymerization and it can also easily be scaled up if the capacity of the reactor is increased.

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