Graft copolymers of polybutadiene and a vinyl aryl compound

摘要

Graft copolymers of polybutadiene and a vinyl aryl compound are made by copolymerizing the vinyl aryl compound with a polybutadiene comprising at least 30% of 1,2-polybutadiene by heating at a temperature of 60-150 DEG C. in the presence of di-alpha-cumyl peroxide. Vinyl aryl compounds specified are styrene, ring substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, benzyl, alkoxy, halo, cyano, carboxy, hydroxy and aminostyrenes, vinyl biphenyl, vinyl naphthalene, vinyl anthracene, vinyl carbazole and alpha-alkyl substituted styrenes. The 1,2-polybutadiene is made by the polymerization of butadiene with an alkali metal catalyst. The graft polymers produced may be cured by heating to a temperature of 150 DEG C. or more. The polymers may be modified by the addition of fillers such as carbon black, metallic particles, calcium silicates, aluminas and silicas.