Crosslinked styrenic block copolymer

Abstract

There is disclosed an elastomeric styrenic block copolymer (SBC) composition comprising one or more SBCs and one or more polymers miscible with styrenic end blocks of the one or more SBCs; wherein said block copolymer composition is both physically and chemically crosslinked; wherein said chemical crosslinking comprises covalent bonds between chains of SBC and; wherein said physical crosslinking comprises non-covalent interaction between styrenic end blocks of the one or more SBCs and the one or more polymers miscible with the styrenic end blocks. Also disclosed is a miscible polymer blend comprising one or more SBCs and one or more polymers miscible with styrenic end blocks of the one or more SBCs; wherein said miscible polymer blend is both physically and chemically crosslinked; wherein said chemical crosslinking comprises covalent bonds between chains of SBC and; wherein said physical crosslinking comprises non-covalent interaction between styrenic end blocks of the one or more SBCs and the one or more polymers miscible with the styrenic end blocks. The herein disclosed unique compositions or blends comprising physically and chemically cross-linked styrene block copolymers find use in, for example, the manufacture of thin-walled dipped articles such as condoms or gloves. The unique compositions or blends overcome the shortcoming of chemical resistance in presently available SBCs while maintaining a high level of mechanical resistance and flexibility.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.