Hoechst Celanese Corporation

Milton J Hayes

George L Collins

William M Pleban

A crosslinked elastomeric acetal polymer is synthesized from 1,3-dioxolane, 1,3-dioxepane, and a polyfunctional crosslinking compound having two or more functional groups that react under conditions of cationic polymerization, such as 1,4-divinyloxybutane or poly(butadiene oxide). The polymers are elastomeric and non-crystalline at temperatures well below room temperature. They can be blended with crystalline acetal polymers to produce blends that have improved impact properties.

Crosslinked elastomeric acetal polymers

Copolymers of 1,3-dioxolane and 1,3-dioxepane in the form of non-crystalline high molecular weight elastomers having low glass transition temperatures (Tg) are disclosed. Such copolymers are formed by polymerizing from about 40 to about 60 mol percent of 1,3-dioxolane and correspondingly from about 60 to about 40 mol percent of 1,3-dioxepane under substantially anhydrous conditions in the presence of a cationic polymerization catalyst, e.g., a strong Bronsted acid such as trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. Blends of such non-crystalline copolymers with crystalline oxymethylene polymers are also disclosed.

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Irvington, NJ, United States of America

Milton J Hayes