| Abstract: | The interaction of metal sulfonate ionomers with polymers containing low levels of amines has been investigated in solution. For example, zinc sulfo EPDM and a styrene/vinyl pyridine copolymer form such complexes over broad concentration ranges. The resultant solutions offer enhanced viscosities at dilute polymer concentrations. At high polymer levels solutions based on these complexes are lower in viscosity than the ionomer alone. These interpolymer complexes have been shown to exhibit an improved property/rheology balance in bulk systems. In solution, polymer complexes provide control of hydrocarbon solution viscosity not available with conventional polymers. Reduced viscosity-concentration studies suggest that these polymer complexes are a result of the amine-containing polymer interacting with intramolecular-associated ionomer coils, which at higher concentrations form a pseudonetwork. |
