Cross-linkable polymer compositions and applications thereof

A cured composition obtained by curing a curable polymer composition comprising:

• (a) 3 to 50 wt. % of at least one hydroxyl group containing compound selected from:
• (i) diols, triols, tetraols, and polyols, each having a molar mass of less than 0.5 kg/mol, (ii) polymeric polyols;
• and (iii) mixtures thereof;
• (b) 50 to 97 wt. % of a sulfonated block copolymer comprising a block A, a block B, and a block D, wherein:
• each block A is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and selected from polymerized:
• (i) para-substituted styrene monomers, (ii) ethylene, (iii) alpha olefins of 3 to 18 carbon atoms, (iv) 1,3-cyclodiene monomers, (v) monomers of conjugated dienes having a vinyl content less than 35 mole % prior to hydrogenation, (vi) acrylic esters, (vii) methacrylic esters, and (viii) mixtures thereof,
• each block B is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation and derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the block B has a degree of sulfonation of >10 mole %, and
• each block D is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and derived from a conjugated diene monomer;
• wherein the weight percentages of components (a) and (b) are based on the total weight of the curable polymer composition;
• and
• wherein the cured composition is characterized as having:
• a tensile stress per ASTM D412 of:
• 6.2 to 30 MPa in a dry state, and
• 3 to 10 MPa in a wet state after 1 day, both measured as described in the specification;
• and
• a Gel Content of >70%, measured according to Gel Content Test as described in the specification.