# US 5,710,206 A · Gels comprising block copolymers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,710,206 A - Document ID: US5710206A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/609,956 - Filed: 1996-03-04 - Granted: 1998-01-20 - Earliest claimed: 1986-07-18 - Assignees: Raychem Corporation - Inventors: Jane Valarie Francis; Noel Marchel Michiel Overbergh; Jan Lodewijk M. F. G. Vansant - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5710206A ## CPC - C08L 53/02: of vinyl-aromatic monomers and conjugated dienes - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) ## Abstract A gel or gelloid composition contains (a) more than 50% by weight (based on total polymer content) of a block copolymer containing relatively hard blocks and relatively elastomeric blocks; (b) a polyphenylene ether; and (c) at least 500 parts by weight of an extender liquid per 100 parts by weight of the block copolymer, which liquid extends and softens the elastomeric blocks of the block copolymer. The polyphenylene ether is present in an amount sufficient to increase the softening or melting temperature of the gel or gelloid composition over that of the same composition without polyphenylene ether. The gel or gelloid composition is useful for sealing applications. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gel or gelloid liquid-extended polymer composition having (i) an ASTM D217 cone penetration value within the range from 100 to 400 (10.sup.-1 millimeters), (ii) an ASTM D412 ultimate elongation greater than 100% with substantially elastic deformation to an elongation of at least 100%, (iii) an ASTM D412 ultimate tensile strength of less than 10 MegaPascal, and (iv) a dynamic storage modulus at 23.degree. C. of less than 50000 Pascals; the composition comprising an intimate mixture of: (a) more than 50% by weight (based on total polymer content) of a block copolymer containing relatively hard blocks and relatively elastomeric blocks; (b) additional polymer or copolymer material which is a polyphenylene ether; and (c) at least 500 parts by weight of extender liquid per 100 parts by weight of the said block copolymer, which liquid extends and softens the elastomeric blocks of the said block copolymer wherein the amount of the said additional polymer or block copolymer material is sufficient to increase the softening or melting temperature of the composition over that of the same composition without the said additional polymer or copolymer material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A composition according to claim 1 having an ASTM D217 cone penetration value within the range from 100 to 300 (10.sup.-1 millimeter). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A composition according to claim 1, wherein the boiling point of the extender liquid is higher than the softening or melting temperature of a mixture of the said block copolymer and the said additional polymer or copolymer material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A composition according to claim 3, wherein the extender liquid has been mixed with the said block copolymer and the said additional polymer or copolymer material at a temperature not less than the melting or softening temperature of the mixture of the said block copolymer and the said additional polymer or copolymer material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A composition according to claim 4, wherein the block copolymer and the additional polymer or copolymer material have been blended together before mixing with the extender liquid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A composition according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric blocks of the said block copolymer comprise hydrogenated rubber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A composition according to claim 1, wherein the hard blocks of the said block copolymer comprise polystyrene. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A composition according to claim 1, wherein the additional polymer or copolymer material comprises a significant proportion of a polymer or copolymer which is not itself significantly compatible with the hard blocks of the said block copolymer, together with at least one compatibilising material which renders the additional polymer material substantially compatible with the said hard blocks. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1, 6, 7) A composition according to claim 1, 6 or 7, wherein the weight ratio of the hard blocks to the elastomeric blocks in the said block copolymer is within the range from 0.25:1 to 0.75:1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A composition according to claim 1, comprising from 0.15 to 3, preferably 0.15 to 1.2, parts by weight of the said additional polymer or copolymer material per part by weight of the hard blocks in the said block copolymer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A composition according to claim 1, having an ultimate elongation of at least 200%. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1, 7) A composition according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the extender liquid has less than 2% aromatics content. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method of manufacturing a gel composition according to claim 1, comprising mixing the extender liquid with a blend of the said block copolymer and the said additional polymer or copolymer material at a temperature not less than the glass transition temperature of the hard blocks of the said block copolymer in the blend. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A composition according to claim 1, wherein the said additional polymer or copolymer material is poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)ether. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A composition according to claim 14, wherein the elastomeric blocks of the said block copolymer comprise hydrogenated rubber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A composition according to claim 14, wherein the hard blocks of the said block copolymer comprise polystyrene.