ZA200108808B - Compositions comprising hydrogenated block copolymers and end-use applications thereof. - Google Patents

Description

COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING HYDROGENATED BLOCK COPOLYMERS :

AND END-USE APPLICATIONS THEREOF

This invention relates to compositions of hydrogenated block copolymers.

Partially hydrogenated block copolymers of vinyl aromatic and conjugated dienes such as hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymers are well known in the art. US—

A-3,333,024; US-A-3,431,323; US-A-3,598,886; US-A-5,352,744; US-A-3,644,588 and EP- 505,110 disclose various hydrogenated block copolymers. Partially hydrogenated refers to hydrogenation of the diene portion of the block copolymer without aromatic hydrogenation or aromatic hydrogenation of 90 percent or less. Although these partially hydrogenated copolymers have been tested in various applications, they suffer from one or more shortcomings, including low heat resistance, poor physical properties, poor processability, low heat resistance and poor light stability. Attempts have been made to remedy these shortcomings by increasing the hydrogenation of the aromatic ring of the block copolymer.

However, polymer scientists contend that fully hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymers have no useful properties at elevated temperatures, even if only slightly elevated. Thermoplastic Elastomers, 2" edition, 1996, page 304, lines 8-12 states “Thus, polystyrene remains the choice for any amorphous hydrocarbon block copolymer. This last fact is clearly demonstrated in the case of the fully hydrogenated VCH-EB-VCH polymer.

The interaction parameter is so severely reduced by hydrogenation that at only slightly elevated temperatures, the polymer loses all strength and appears to be homogeneously mixed at ordinary melt temperatures.”

Specifically, hydrogenated diblock copolymers tend to have low viscosities and melt strengths making them difficult to process. Diblocks also have other disadvantages due to their poor tensile properties. For the same reason they are not useful for making flexible } materials, while rigid materials made from diblocks tend to be brittle.

Blends of partially hydrogenated block copolymers with other polymers are also known. For example, blends of cyclic olefin (co)polymers have been attempted as disclosed in EP-0726291, wherein cyclic olefin (co)polymers are blended with vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymers or hydrogenated versions thereof. Cyclic olefin (co)polymers (COC's) are known to have excellent heat distortion temperature, UV stability and processability. However, such copolymers suffer from poor impact resistance. Blends of COC’s with partially hydrogenated block copolymers still suffer from an imbalance of physical properties due to the absence of aromatic hydrogenation within the block copolymer.

Therefore, there remains a need for compositions of fully or substantially hydrogenated block copolymers which have adequate viscosity and melt strength to ease oo WO 00/77095 PCT/US00/13900 : processability, can be used in elastomeric applications and have a desirable balance of physical properties.

Additionally, uses for clear, substantially or fully hydrogenated block copolymers of vinyl aromatic and conjugated diene monomers, and polymer blends thereof, are still desired, wherein the copolymers are processable by conventional manufacturing technologies and possess useful physical properties at standard and elevated temperatures.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to compositions comprising fully or substantially hydrogenated block copolymers and various end-use applications thereof. The hydrogenated block copolymer is a rigid hydrogenated block copolymer, which comprises at least two distinct blocks of hydrogenated polymerized vinyl aromatic monomer, herein . referred to as hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer blocks, and at least one block of . hydrogenated polymerized conjugated diene monomer, herein referred to as hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block, wherein the hydrogenated copolymer is further characterized by: 13 a) a weight ratio of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block to hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block of 40:60 or less; b) a total number average molecular weight (Mn,) of from 30,000 to 150,000, wherein each hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block (A) has a Mn, of from 6,000 to 60,000 and each hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block (B) has a Mn, of from 3,000 to 30,000; and c) a hydrogenation level such that each hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block “has a hydrogenation level of greater than 90 percent and each hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block has a hydrogenation level of greater than 95 percent.

Hydrogenated block copolymers having these Mn and hydrogenation characteristics are transparent to light at visible wavelengths and are ideally suited for various applications, while possessing excellent properties at both standard and elevated temperatures. The combination of transparency, high glass transition temperature, low water absorption, good strength, toughness, weatherability and excellent melt processability makes these materials and blends thereof, ideal candidates for many applications including fabricated articles, thermoformed articles, extruded articles, injection molded articles, and films.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to applications for rigid hydrogenated block copolymers and end-use applications thereof. Hydrogenated block copolymers are prepared by hydrogenating a block copolymer produced from a vinyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diene monomer.

The vinyl aromatic monomer is typically a monomer of the formula:

R’

I

Ar-C=CH, wherein R’ is hydrogen or alkyl, Ar is phenyl, halophenyl, alkylphenyl, alkylhalopheny!, naphthyl, pyridinyl, or anthracenyl, wherein any alkyl group contains 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may be mono or multisubstituted with functional groups such as halo, nitro, amino, hydroxy, cyano, carbonyl and carboxyl. More preferably Ar is phenyl or alkyl phenyl with phenyl being most preferred. Typical vinyl aromatic monomers include styrene, alpha- methylstyrene, all isomers of vinyl toluene, especially paravinyltoluene, all isomers of ethy! styrene, propyl styrene, butyl styrene, vinyl biphenyl, vinyl naphthalene, vinyl anthracene, and mixtures thereof. The block copolymer can contain more than one specific polymerized vinyl aromatic monomer. In other words, the block copolymer can contain a polystyrene block and a poly-alpha-methyistyrene block. The hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block can also be a copolymer wherein the hydrogenated vinyl aromatic component is at least 50 weight percent of the copolymer.

The conjugated diene monomer can be any monomer having 2 conjugated double bonds. Such monomers include for example 1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, 2- methyl-1,3 pentadiene, isoprene and similar compounds, and mixtures thereof. The block copolymer can contain more than one specific polymerized conjugated diene monomer. In other words, the block copolymer can contain a polybutadiene block and a polyisoprene block.

The conjugated diene polymer block can be prepared from materials which remain amorphous after the hydrogenation process, or materials which are capable of crystallization ’ after hydrogenation. Hydrogenated polyisoprene blocks remain amorphous, while hydrogenated polybutadiene blocks can be either amorphous or crystallizable depending : upon their structure. Polybutadiene can contain either a 1,2 configuration, which hydrogenates to give the equivalent of a 1-butene repeat unit, or a 1,4-configuration, which hydrogenates to give the equivalent of an ethylene repeat unit. Polybutadiene blocks having atleast approximately 40 weight percent 1,2-butadiene content, based on the weight of the polybutadiene block, provides substantially amorphous blocks with low glass transition temperatures upon hydrogenation. Polybutadiene blocks having less than approximately 40 weight percent 1,2-butadiene content, based on the weight of the polybutadiene block, provide crystalline blocks upon hydrogenation. Depending on the final application of the polymer it may be desirable to incorporate a crystalline block (to improve solvent resistance)

’ or an amorphous, more compliant block. In some applications, the block copolymer can contain more than one conjugated diene polymer block, such as a polybutadiene block and a polyisoprene block. The conjugated diene polymer block may also be a copolymer of a conjugated diene, wherein the conjugated diene portion of the copolymer is at least 50 weight percent of the copolymer. The conjugated diene polymer block may also be a copolymer of more than one conjugated diene, such as a copolymer of butadiene and isoprene.

Other polymeric blocks may also be included in the hydrogenated block copolymers of the present invention.

A block is herein defined as a polymeric segment of a copolymer which exhibits microphase separation from a structurally or compositionally different polymeric segment of the copolymer. Microphase separation occurs due to the incompatibility of the polymeric segments within the block copolymer. Microphase separation and block copolymers are widely discussed in “Block Copolymers-Designer Soft Materials”, PHYSICS TODAY,

February, 1999, pages 32-38.

The rigid hydrogenated block copolymers are defined as having a weight ratio of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block to hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block of 40:60 or less, typically from 40:60 to 5:95, preferably from 35:65 to 10:90, more preferably from 30:70 to 15:85, based on the total weight of the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block and the hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block. The total weights of the hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer blocks and the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block(s) is typically at least 80 weight percent, preferably at least 90, and more preferably at least 95 weight percent of the total weight of the hydrogenated copolymer. i The rigid hydrogenated block copolymers used in the present invention are produced by the hydrogenation of block copolymers including triblock, multiblock, tapered block, and } star block copolymers such as SBS, SBSBS, SIS, SISIS, and SISBS (wherein S is polystyrene, B is polybutadiene and | is polyisoprene). The block copolymers contain at least one triblock segment comprised of a vinyl aromatic polymer block on each end. The block copolymers may, however, contain any number of additional blocks, wherein these blocks may be attached at any point to the triblock polymer backbone. Thus, linear blocks would include for example SBS, SBSB, SBSBS, and SBSBSB. The copolymer can also be branched, wherein polymer chains are attached at any point along the copolymer backbone.

It should be noted here that in the production of block copolymers, it is expected that small amounts of residual diblock copolymers are also produced.

The total number average molecular weight (Mn,) of the rigid hydrogenated block copolymers used in the present invention is typically from 24,000, preferably from 30,000,

more preferably from 45,000 and most preferably from 50,000 to 150,000, typically to 135,000, generally to 115,000, preferably to 100,000, more preferably to 90,000, and most preferably to 85,000. The Mn, as referred to throughout this specification, is determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The molecular weight of the rigid hydrogenated block copolymer and properties obtained are dependent upon the molecular weight of each of the hydrogenated polymeric biocks.

It should be noted that good properties are obtained at hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer molecular weights which are lower than the entanglement molecular weight of the hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer. The entanglement molecular weight of a polymer is associated with the chain length required for a given polymer to show a dramatic increase in melt viscosity due to chain entanglements. The entanglement molecular weights for many common polymers have been measured and reported in Macromolecules, 1994, Volume 27, page 4639. tis commonly observed for glassy polymers that maximum values of strength and toughness are achieved at about 10 times the entanglement moiecular weight (see, for instance, Styrene Polymers in the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, 2nd edition, Volume 16, pages 62-71, 1989). The entanglement molecular weight is approximately 38,000 for hydrogenated polystyrene (polyvinylcyclohexane). We have determined that an optimum balance of properties and processability can be obtained at hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block molecular weights (Mn) of 0.2 to 1.2 times the entanglement molecular weight of a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer.

The Mn, of the rigid hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block will typically be from 6,000, preferably from 10,000, more preferably from 15,000 and most preferably from 20,000 to 60,000, preferably to 50,000, more preferably to 45,000 and most preferably to 40,000. The hydrogenated diene polymer block will typically have a Mn, from 4,000, : preferably from 8,000, more preferably from 10,000, and most preferably from 12,000 to 30,000, preferably to 28,000, most preferably to 25,000 and most preferably to 22,000. }

It is important to note that each individual block of the rigid hydrogenated block copolymer of the present invention, can have its own distinct Mn. In other words, for example, two hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer blocks within the hydrogenated block copolymer may each have a different Mn.

Methods of making block copolymers are well known in the art. Typically, block copolymers are made by anionic polymerization, examples of which are cited in Anionic

Polymerization: Principles and Practical Applications, H.L. Hsieh and R.P. Quirk, Marcel

Dekker, New York, 1996. In one embodiment, block copolymers are made by sequential monomer addition to a carbanionic initiator such as sec-butyl lithium or n-butyl lithium. In another embodiment, the copolymer is made by coupling a triblock material with a divalent 5 a

’ coupling agent such as 1,2-dibromoethane, dichlorodimethylisilane, or phenylbenzoate. In this embodiment, a small chain (less than 10 monomer repeat units) of a conjugated diene polymer can be reacted with the vinyl aromatic polymer coupling end to facilitate the coupling reaction. Vinyl aromatic polymer blocks are typically difficult to couple, therefore, this technique is commonly used to achieve coupling of the vinyl aromatic polymer ends. The small chain of diene polymer does not constitute a distinct block since no microphase separation is achieved. Coupling reagents and strategies which have been demonstrated for a variety of anionic polymerizations are discussed in Hsieh and Quirk, Chapter 12, pgs. 307- 331. In another embodiment, a difunctional anionic initiator is used to initiate the polymerization from the center of the block system, wherein subsequent monomer additions add equally to both ends of the growing polymer chain. An example of a such a difunctional initiator is 1,3-bis(1-phenylethenyl) benzene treated with organolithium compounds, as described in US—A-4,200,718 and US-A-4,196,154.

After preparation of the block copolymer, the copolymer is hydrogenated to remove sites of unsaturation in both the conjugated diene polymer block and the vinyl aromatic polymer block segments of the copolymer. Any method of hydrogenation can be used and such methods typically include the use of metal catalysts supported on an inorganic substrate, such as Pd on BaSQO, (US—-A-5,352,744) and Ni on kieselguhr (US—A-3,333,024).

Additionally, soluble, homogeneous catalysts such those prepared from combinations of transition metal salts of 2-ethylhexanoic acid and alkyl lithiums can be used to fully saturate block copolymers, as described in Die Makromolekulare Chemie, Volume 160, pp. 291, 1972. The copolymer hydrogenation can also be achieved using hydrogen and a heterogeneous catalyst such as those described in US-A-5,352,744, US—A-5,612422 and

US-A-5,645,253. The catalysts described therein are heterogeneous catalysts consisting of a metal crystallite supported on a porous silica substrate. An example of a silica supported catalyst which is especially useful in the polymer hydrogenation is a silica which has a surface area of at least 10 m?/g which is synthesized such that is contains pores with diameters ranging between 3000 and 6000 angstroms. This silica is then impregnated with a metal capable of catalyzing hydrogenation of the polymer, such as nickel, cobalt, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, other Group Vili metals, combinations or alloys thereof.

Other heterogeneous catalysts can also be used, having diameters in the range of 500 to 3,000 angstroms.

Alternatively, the hydrogenation can be conducted in the presence of a mixed hydrogenation catalyst characterized in that it comprises a mixture of at least two 3s components. The first component comprises any metal which will increase the rate of hydrogenation and includes nickel, cobalt, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, other

Group Vii metals, or combinations thereof. Preferably rhodium and/or platinum is used. The second component used in the mixed hydrogenation catalyst comprises a promoter which inhibits deactivation of the Group Vili metal(s) upon exposure to polar materials, and is herein referred to as the deactivation resistant component. Such components preferably comprise rhenium, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum or niobium or mixtures thereof.

The amount of the deactivation resistant component in the mixed catalyst is at least an amount which significantly inhibits the deactivation of the Group VIII metal component when exposed to polar impurities within a polymer composition, herein referred to as a deactivation inhibiting amount. Deactivation of the Group VII metal is evidenced by a significant decrease in hydrogenation reaction rate. This is exemplified in comparisons of a mixed hydrogenation catalyst and a catalyst containing only a Group VIII metal component under identical conditions in the presence of a polar impurity, wherein the catalyst containing only a Group VIII metal component exhibits a hydrogenation reaction rate which is less than 75 percent of the rate achieved with the mixed hydrogenation catalyst.

Preferably, the amount of deactivation resistant component is such that the ratio of the Group VII metal component to the deactivation resistant component is from 0.5:1 to 10:1, more preferably from 1:1 to 7:1, and most preferably from 1:1 to 5:1.

The mixed catalyst can consist of the components alone, but preferably the catalyst additionally comprises a support on which the components are deposited. in one embodiment, the metals are deposited on a support such as a silica, alumina or carbon. In a more specific embodiment, a silica support having a narrow pore size distribution and surface area greater than 10 meters squared per gram (m?/g) is used.

The pore size distribution, pore volume, and average pore diameter of the support can be obtained via mercury porosimetry following the proceedings of ASTM D-4284-83. .

The pore size distribution is typically measured using mercury porosimetry. However, this method is only sufficient for measuring pores of greater than 60 angstroms. Therefore, an additional method must be used to measure pores less than 60 angstroms. One such method is nitrogen desorption according to ASTM D-4641-87 for pore diameters of less than about 600 angstroms. Therefore, narrow pore size distribution is defined as the requirement that at least 98 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having pore diameters greater than 300 angstroms and that the pore volume measured by nitrogen desorption for pores less than 300 angstroms, be less than 2 percent of the total pore volume measured by mercury porosimetry.

The surface area can be measured according to ASTM D-3663-84. The surface area is typically between 10 and 100 m?/g, preferably between 15 and 90 with most preferably between 50 and 85 m%/g.

: The desired average pore diameter of the support for the mixed catalyst is dependent upon the polymer which is to be hydrogenated and its molecular weight (Mn). It is preferable to use supports having higher average pore diameters for the hydrogenation of polymers having higher molecular weights to obtain the desired amount of hydrogenation. For high molecular weight polymers (Mn>200,000 for example), the typical desired surface area can vary from 15 to 25 m%/g and the desired average pore diameter from 3,000 to 4000 angstroms. For lower molecular weight polymers (Mn<100,000 for example), the typical desired surface area can vary from 45 to 85 m?/g and the desired average pore diameter from 300 to 700 angstroms.

Silica supports are preferred and can be made by combining potassium silicate in water with a gelation agent, such as formamide, polymerizing and leaching as exemplified in

US-A-4,112,032. The silica is then hydrothermally calcined as in ller, R.K., The Chemistry of Silica, John Wiley and Sons, 1979, pp. 539-544, which generally consists of heating the silica while passing a gas saturated with water over the silica for about 2 hours or more at temperatures from 600°C to 850°C. Hydrothermal calcining results in a narrowing of the pore diameter distribution as well as increasing the average pore diameter. Alternatively, the support can be prepared by processes disclosed in ller, R.K., The Chemistry of Silica, John

Wiley and Sons, 1979, pp. 510-581.

A silica supported catalyst can be made using the process described in US-A- 5,110,779. An appropriate metal, metal component, metal containing compound or mixtures thereof, can be deposited on the support by vapor phase deposition, aqueous or nonaqueous impregnation followed by calcination, sublimation or any other conventional method, such as those exemplified in Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis, "Successful } Design of Catalysts” V. 44, pg. 146-158, 1989 and Applied Heterogeneous Catalysis pgs. 75-123, Institute Frangais du Pétrole Publications, 1987. In methods of impregnation, the appropriate metal containing compound can be any compound containing a metal, as previously described, which will produce a usable hydrogenation catalyst which is resistant to deactivation. These compounds can be salts, coordination complexes, organometallic compounds or covalent complexes.

Typically, the total metal content of the mixed supported catalyst is from 0.1 to 10 wt. percent based on the total weight of the silica supported catalyst. Preferable amounts are from 2 to 8 wt. percent, more preferably 0.5 to 5 wt. percent based on total catalyst weight.

Promoters, such as alkali, alkali earth or lanthanide containing compounds, can also be used to aid in the dispersion of the metal component onto the silica support or stabilization during the reaction, though their use is not preferred.

Claims (21)

CLAIMS:

1. A monolayer or multilayer article produced from a composition comprising a hydrogenated block copolymer, wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer comprises at least two distinct blocks of hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer, and at least one block of 5s hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer, wherein the copolymer is further characterized by: a) a weight ratio of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block to hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block of 40:60 or less; b) a total number average molecular weight (Mn,) of from 30,000 to 150,000, wherein each hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block (A) has a Mn, of from 6,000 to 60,000 and each hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block (B) has a Mn, of from 3,000 to 30,000; and c) a hydrogenation level such that each hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block has a hydrogenation level of greater than 90 percent and each hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block has a hydrogenation level of greater than 95 percent.

2. The article of Claim 1 wherein the hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated polystyrene, a hydrogenated alpha- methylstyrene polymer, a hydrogenated vinyltoluene, a hydrogenated copolymer of styrene and alpha-methylstyrene, and a hydrogenated copolymer of styrene and vinyl toluene; and the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated polybutadiene, hydrogenated polyisoprene, and a hydrogenated copolymer of butadiene and isoprene.

3. The article of Claim 1 wherein the composition additionally comprises at least one additional polymer.

. 4. The article of Claim 3 wherein the other polymer is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated vinyl aromatic homopolymers, other hydrogenated vinyl ~ aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polycarbonates (PC), polyamides, polyethers, poly/vinyl chloride polymers, poly/vinylidene chloride polymers, polyesters, polymers that contain lactic acid residuals, partially or non-hydrogenated viny! aromatic/conjugated diene block polymers, a styrenic polymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene- styrene (ABS) copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ABS/PC polymers, polyethylene terephthalate, epoxy resins, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefin carbon monoxide interpolymers, chlorinated polyethylene, cyclic olefin copolymers (COC'’s), and olefin homopolymers and copolymers.

5. The article of Claim 4 wherein the additional polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, ethylene/styrene interpolymer, a partially or non- hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer, a styrenic polymer,

hydrogenated polystyrene, an other hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer and a cyclic olefin (co) polymer derived from monomers selected from the following group: substituted and unsubstituted norbornenes, dicyclopentadienes, dihydrodicyclopentadienes, trimers of cyclopentadiene, tetracyclododecenes, hexacycloheptadecenes, ethylidenyl norbornenes and vinylnorbornenes.

6. The article of Claim 1, wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 99.5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition.

7. The article of Claim 1 wherein the composition additionally comprises a compatibilizer.

8. The article of Claim 1 which is selected from the group consisting of a film or sheet, a fiber, an extruded profile, a coated article, an injection molded article. a blow molded article, a rotational molded article, and a pultruded article.

9. The article of Claim 8 which is a capacitor film, a membrane switch, blister packaging, a UV protection film, biaxially oriented film, uniaxially oriented film, weatherable film or sheet, label, release liner, window film for envelope or box, medical packaging film, a tray, a liquid crystal panel, a cap layer for polyolefin sheet, a key pad, a flat panel display, optical display panel, a window blind, window blind wand, tubing, pipe, construction siding, roofing product, window trim, glazing, ceiling panel, solar collector, flat panel display, thermoformed container, wind screen, bug deflector, sun roof, basketball backboard, cap layer for polyolefin sheet, electronic optical fiber, fiber glass, fiber reinforcement, filter media, textile, nonwoven article, yarn, a refrigerator shelf, crisper drawer, a lens, reusable flatware, tumbler, pitcher, toothbrush or hairbrush handle, tool handle, medical labware, syringe, a bottle, a toy, an injection blow molded article, container, light globe, storage tank, furniture, : whirlpool tub, boat, camper top, advertising display sign, rack, mannequin, a composite pipe, a safety barricade, a structural beam, or a reinforcing member.

10. A composition comprising: ) at least one hydrogenated block copolymer which comprises at least two distinct blocks of hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer, and at least one block of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer, wherein the copolymer is further characterized by: a) a weight ratio of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block to hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block of 40:60 or less; b) a total number average molecular weight (Mn,) of from 30,000 to 150,000, wherein each hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block (A) has a Mn, of from 6,000 to 60,000 and each hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block (B) has a Mn, of from 3,000 to 30,000: and

© wo 0077095 PCT/US00/13900 ) c) a hydrogenation level such that each hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block has a hydrogenation level of greater than 90 percent and each hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block has a hydrogenation level of greater than 95 percent, and Il) at least one additional polymer.

11. The composition of Claim 10 wherein the additional polymer is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated vinyl aromatic homopolymers, other hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polycarbonates (PC), polyamides, polyethers, poly/vinyl chloride polymers, poly/vinylidene chloride polymers, polyesters, polymers that contain lactic acid residuals, partially or non- hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymers, styrenic polymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ABS/PC polymers, polyethylene terephthalate, epoxy resins, ethylene vinyl! alcohol copolymers, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefin carbon monoxide interpolymers, chlorinated polyethylene, cyclic olefin copolymers (COC's), and olefin homopolymers and copolymers.

12. The composition of Claim 11 wherein the additional polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, ethylene/styrene interpolymer, a partially or non- hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer, a styrenic polymer, hydrogenated polystyrene, an other hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer and a cyclic olefin (co) polymer derived from monomers selected from the following group: substituted and unsubstituted norbornenes, dicyclopentadienes, dihydrodicyclopentadienes, trimers of cyclopentadiene, tetracyclododecenes, hexacycloheptadecenes, ethylidenyl norbornenes and vinylnorbornenes. -

13. The composition of Claim 10, wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 99.5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition.

14. The composition of Claim 10 wherein the composition additionally comprises a compatibilizer.

15. A composition comprising: I) a dispersed polymer phase comprising at least one hydrogenated block copolymer which comprises at least two distinct blocks of hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer, and at least one block of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer, wherein the copolymer is further characterized by: a) a weight ratio of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block to hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block of 40:60 or less;

b) a total number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 30,000 to 150,000, wherein each hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block (A) has a Mn, of from 6,000 to 60,000 and each hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer biock (B) has a Mn, of from 3,000 to 30,000: and c) a hydrogenation level such that each hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block has a hydrogenation level of greater than 90 percent and each hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block has a hydrogenation level of greater than 95 percent, and I’) a surfactant, and HI’) a continuous phase which is immiscible with the polymer phase.

16. The composition of Claim 15 wherein the hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated polystyrene, hydrogenated alpha-methyistyrene polymer, hydrogenated vinyltoluene polymer, a hydrogenated copolymer of styrene and alpha-methylstyrene, and hydrogenated styrene- vinyltoluene copolymer and the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated polybutadiene, hydrogenated polyisoprene, and a hydrogenated copolymer of butadiene and isoprene.

17. The composition of Claim 15 additionally comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated vinyl aromatic homopolymers, other hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polycarbonates (PC), polyamides, polyethers, poly/vinyl chloride polymers, poly/vinylidene chloride polymers, polyesters, polymers that contain lactic acid residuais, partially or non- hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block polymers, a styrenic polymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ABS/PC polymers, polyethylene terephthalate, epoxy resins, ethylene vinyl alcohol . copolymers, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefin carbon monoxide interpolymers, chlorinated polyethylene, cyclic olefin copolymers (COC'’s), and olefin homopolymers and copolymers.

18. The composition of Claim 17 wherein the additional polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, a partially or non-hydrogenated viny aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer, a styrenic polymer, hydrogenated polystyrene, an other hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer, and a cyclic olefin (co) polymer derived from monomers selected from the following group: substituted and unsubstituted norbornenes, dicyclopentadienes, dihydrodicyclopentadienes, trimers of cyclopentadiene, tetracyclododecenes, hexacycloheptadecenes, ethylidenyl norbornenes and vinyinorbornenes.

CY wo 0077095 PCT/US00/13900

19. The composition of Claim 17 wherein the composition additionally comprises a compatibilizer.

20. The composition of Claim 15 wherein the stabilizer is an alkali or amine fatty acid salt or stearate; polyoxyethylene nonionic; alkali metal lauryl sulfate, quaternary ammonium surfactant; alkali metal alkylbenzene sulfonate, or an alkali metal soap.

21. An article produced from the composition of Claim 15.