A vulcanized rubber is formed by a method comprising blending a halogenated unsaturated polymer into a rubber comprised of cis 1-4 polyisoprene to form a vulcanizable polymer blend, adding a vulcanization material to the vulcanizable polymer blend, and vulcanizing the vulcanizable polymer blend to form a homogeneous vulcanized rubber. The method may be used to form a vulcanized rubber comprised of polyisoprene uniformly crosslinked with a halogenated unsaturated polymer that is a reaction product of (i) an unsaturated polymer miscible with polyisoprene and having conjugated dienes that undergo a Diels Alder reaction and (ii) a polyhalogenated cyclopentadiene.

A polyalkylene carbonate resin composition with interpenetrating network structure includes an aliphatic polycarbonate obtained through a reaction of carbon dioxide with at least one epoxide compound selected from the group consisting of (C2-C10)alkylene oxide substituted or unsubstituted with halogen or alkoxy, (C4-C20)cycloalkylene oxide substituted or unsubstituted with halogen or alkoxy, and (C8-C20)styrene oxide substituted or unsubstituted with halogen, alkoxy, alkyl or aryl, at least one compound selected from a polyol compound, an epoxy compound and an acryl compound, and a curing agent for polymerization or networking.

Reprocessable materials are provided that include a product of cross-linking a glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene (HDPE-g-GMA) with a polymacrolactone of formula (II) to form a cross-linked polymer exhibiting vitrimer characteristics. Methods for preparing the cross-linked polymer materials include reacting the glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene of with the polymacrolactone in the presence of a first catalyst under conditions that initiate cross-linking of HDPE-g-GMA with the polymacrolactone. Mechanically reprocessable articles include a structural element that is or includes the cross-linked polymer material. Examples of the mechanically reprocessable articles include pallets or molded structures formed from the material and configured to support a load of at least 1000 kg without bending.

Shape memory polymers (SMP) based on poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) in the presence of 2-carboxyethyl acrylate oligomers (CEA), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and cross linked by ionizing radiation were investigated. Chemical crosslinking by glutaraldehyde for PVA in the presence of CEA and MWCNTs was also studied. Radiation cross linked SMP exhibits good temperature responsive shape memory behavior as demonstrated by thermal properties of radiation investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis. Transition temperature at Tan δ of radiation cross linked SMP decreased significantly by 6 and 13° C. due to addition of MWCNTs. The developed SMP exhibited promising shape memory behavior of radiation cross linked SMP for biomedical applications between temperatures range of Tan δ. Results on the gel fraction revealed significant reduction in swelling and increase in gelation due to chemical cross linking with glutaraldehyde. The radiation cross linked SMP reached 100% gelation at an irradiation dose of 50 kGy.

Copolymers comprising cellulose and starch connected by at least one cross-linker, methods of producing the copolymers, and formed articles comprising the copolymers are described herein. The copolymers may be biodegradable and may have improved physical properties when compared to the homopolymers and other biodegradable polymers. In some embodiments, the copolymer may be more flexible than unmodified cellulose may have better structural integrity than unmodified starch.

Disclosed are self-assembled propylene-based bi-layer compositions having a skin layer comprising a propylene-based elastomer-toughened composition and a core layer comprising a propylene-based fiber-reinforced composition, wherein the propylene-based elastomer-toughened composition and propylene-based fiber-reinforced composition self-assemble upon mixing into the skin layer and the core layer. Processes for producing these self-assembled propylene-based compositions are also disclosed.

Reversibly crosslinkable polymeric networks, including reversibly crosslinkable hydrogel networks are provided. Also provided are methods of making the polymeric networks and methods of using the hydrogel networks in tissue engineering applications. The reversibly crosslinkable polymeric networks are composed of polymer chains that are covalently crosslinked by azobenzene boronic ester bonds that can be reversibly formed and broken by exposing the polymeric networks to different wavelengths of light.

The present invention provides a sensor that exhibits a small effect on a detection target during detection, a high detection sensitivity, a wide dynamic range for detection, and a small change after repeated detection, as well as a composition suitable for use in the sensor.

The composition is a polyrotaxane composition containing two polyrotaxane cyclic molecules crosslinked with a crosslinking agent present between the molecules, wherein the polyrotaxane composition exhibits a hysteresis loss of 10% or less, an elongation at break of 200% or more, an initial Young's modulus of 5 MPa or less, and a relative dielectric constant of 8.0 or more. The sensor includes a film formed of the aforementioned polyrotaxane composition, and elastomer-made electrode layers disposed on both surfaces of the film.

Methods, compositions, apparatuses, and systems are provided for a hybrid thermoplastic gel or sealant. The methods comprise providing (a) a base polymer having at least one functional group capable of crosslinking, (b) a functionalized extender, and (c) heat, and reacting the base polymer and functionalized extender in the presence of the heat to form the hybrid thermoplastic gel. The gel composition may comprise 5-40 wt % of a base polymer, 60-95 wt % of a functionalized extender, and 0-10 wt % of a crosslinker. A closure or interconnect system may comprise a housing, a cable, and a hybrid thermoplastic gel or sealant. A telecommunications apparatus may comprise a telecommunications component and a sealant that forms a seal with the telecommunications component. The sealant may comprise a sealant material having a first range of elongation followed by a second range of elongation.

Briefly, the present disclosure provides a film, tape or outer layer of a composite part comprising: a) at least one layer comprising a crosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of crosslinked polyurethane, crosslinked polyurea, and crosslinked mixed polyurethane/polyurea polymer; and in some embodiments b) an adhesive layer. In some embodiments the layer additionally comprises a non-crosslinked polymer forming a semi-IPN with the crosslinked polymer. In some embodiments the non-crosslinked polymer may be selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurea, and mixed polyurethane/polyurea polymer. In some embodiments the crosslinked polymer may additionally comprise an acrylate-containing component.