WO2024257818A1 - Silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer, polymer composition, and crosslinked product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer which has a silane-containing functional group, and which is obtained by modifying a hydrogenated block copolymer (A) represented by general formula (A) with an unsaturated silane modifier.　(A): Ar1^a-HD^a-Ar2^a (In general formula (A), the ratio (Mw(Ar2^a)/Mw(Ar1^a)) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw(Ar2^a)) of Ar2^a to the weight average molecular weight (Mw(Ar1^a)) of Ar1^a is 3.0 to 20.)

Description

Silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer, polymer composition and crosslinked product

The present invention relates to a silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer, a polymer composition, and a crosslinked product.

Aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymers such as styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS) and styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) are thermoplastic elastomers with unique properties in a variety of aspects, and are therefore used in a wide range of applications.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrogenated block copolymer having, in its molecule, a polymer block (C) mainly made of a conjugated diene compound, a polymer block (B) mainly made of a conjugated diene compound, and a polymer block (S) mainly made of an aromatic vinyl compound, wherein the polymer block (B) includes polymer blocks (B1) and (B2), the content of the polymer block (C) in the hydrogenated block copolymer is 1 to 20 mass%, the content of the polymer block (B) is 73 to 97 mass%, and the content of the polymer block (S) is 1 to 15 mass%, the vinyl bond amount of the polymer block (C) before hydrogenation is 1 to 25 mol%, the vinyl bond amount of the polymer block (B1) is 40 to 60 mol%, and the vinyl bond amount of the polymer block (B2) is 60 to 100 mol%, and the hydrogenation rate is 80 mol% or more. However, the hydrogenated block copolymer obtained by the technology of Patent Document 1 is required to have improved compression recovery.

International Publication No. 2017/188190

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a block copolymer with excellent compression recovery.

The inventors conducted research to achieve the above object, and discovered that the above object can be achieved by a block copolymer having a skeleton derived from a hydrogenated block copolymer (A) represented by a specific general formula (A) and having a silane-containing functional group, which led to the completion of the present invention.

In other words, the present invention provides the following silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer.

（上記一般式（１）において、Ｒ^１～Ｒ^３は、それぞれ独立して、水素原子、炭素数１～６のアルキル基、または炭素数１～６のアルコキシ基であり、Ｒ^４は、炭素－炭素間不飽和結合を有する炭化水素基である。）
　［８］　上記一般式（１）において、Ｒ^１～Ｒ^３のうち少なくとも１つが、炭素数１～６のアルコキシ基である［７］に記載のシラン変性水添ブロック共重合体。 [1] A silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer having a silane-containing functional group, obtained by modifying a hydrogenated block copolymer (A) represented by the following general formula (A) with an unsaturated silane modifier:
Ar1 ^a -HD ^a -Ar2 ^a (A)
(In the above general formula (A), ^Ar1a and ^Ar2a are aromatic vinyl polymer blocks, ^HDa is a hydrogenated polymer block of a conjugated diene polymer, and the ratio (Mw(Ar2a)/Mw( ^Ar1a )) of the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar2a (Mw( ^Ar2a )) to the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar1a (Mw( ^{Ar1a )} ) is 3.0 to 20.)
[2] The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to [1], wherein the hydrogenation rate of the olefin in the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is 10 to 100%.
[3] The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to [1] or [2], wherein the silane-containing functional group is present as a side chain in the hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer.
[4] The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the content of aromatic vinyl monomer units in the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is 20 to 90% by weight.
[5] The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) has a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 500,000.
[6] The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein, in the general formula (A), Ar1 ^a has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 40,000, Ar2 ^a has a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 250,000, and HD ^a has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 300,000.
[7] The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the unsaturated silane modifier is a compound (1) represented by the following general formula (1):

(In the above general formula (1), R ¹ to R ³ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R ⁴ is a hydrocarbon group having a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond.)
[8] The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to [7], wherein in the above general formula (1), at least one of R ¹ to R ³ is an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

According to the present invention, there are also provided the following polymer composition and crosslinked product.
[9] A silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) according to any one of [1] to [8],
A silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) having a silane-containing functional group, which is obtained by modifying a hydrogenated block copolymer (B) represented by the following general formula (B) with an unsaturated silane modifier;
A polymer composition comprising:
Ar1 ^b -HD ^b -Ar2 ^b (B)
(In the above general formula (B), Ar1 ^b and Ar2 ^b are aromatic vinyl polymer blocks, HD ^b is a hydrogenated polymer block of a conjugated diene polymer, and the ratio (Mw(Ar2 b )/Mw(Ar1 ^b )) of the weight average molecular weight of Ar2 ^b (Mw(Ar2 ^b )) to the weight average molecular weight of Ar1 ^b (Mw(Ar1 ^{b )} ) is 0.95 to 1.05.)
[10] The polymer composition according to [9], obtained by modifying a hydrogenated block copolymer composition containing the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) with the unsaturated silane modifier.
[11] A crosslinked product obtained by crosslinking the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of [1] to [8] or the polymer composition according to any one of [9] to [10].
[12] The crosslinked product according to [11], having a crosslinked structure derived from the silane-containing functional group.
[13] The crosslinked product according to [11] or [12], wherein the crosslinked structure contains a -Si-O-Si- bond.
[14] The crosslinked product according to any one of [11] to [13], having a melt flow rate of 0.05 to 100 g/10 min as measured in accordance with ISO 1133 (G condition, 200° C., 5 kg).
[15] The crosslinked product according to any one of [11] to [14], which is a cushioning material, a weather strip, an impact absorbing material, a glass interlayer film, a shoe sole, or a sealing material.

The present invention provides a block copolymer with excellent compression recovery.

<Silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si)>
The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention is a block copolymer obtained by modifying the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) described below with an unsaturated silane modifier, and is a block copolymer having a silane-containing functional group. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention has a skeleton derived from the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) represented by a specific general formula (A) and has a silane-containing functional group, and is therefore capable of exhibiting excellent compression recovery. Furthermore, the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention is also excellent in moldability and transparency.

(Hydrogenated Block Copolymer (A))
The hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is a block copolymer represented by the following general formula (A).
Ar1 ^a -HD ^a -Ar2 ^a (A)
(In the above general formula (A), ^Ar1a and ^Ar2a are aromatic vinyl polymer blocks, ^HDa is a hydrogenated polymer block of a conjugated diene polymer, and the ratio (Mw(Ar2a)/Mw( ^Ar1a )) of the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar2a (Mw( ^Ar2a )) to the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar1a (Mw( ^{Ar1a )} ) is 3.0 to 20.)

The aromatic vinyl polymer blocks ^Ar1a and ^Ar2a of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) are polymer blocks constituted by aromatic vinyl monomer units.

The aromatic vinyl monomer used to form the aromatic vinyl monomer unit is not particularly limited as long as it is an aromatic vinyl compound. Examples of aromatic vinyl compounds include styrene; styrenes substituted with alkyl groups such as α-methylstyrene, 2-methylstyrene, 3-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 2-ethylstyrene, 3-ethylstyrene, 4-ethylstyrene, 2,4-diisopropylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, 4-t-butylstyrene, and 5-t-butyl-2-methylstyrene; styrenes substituted with halogen atoms such as 2-chlorostyrene, 3-chlorostyrene, 4-chlorostyrene, 4-bromostyrene, 2-methyl-4,6-dichlorostyrene, and 2,4-dibromostyrene; and vinylnaphthalene. Among these, it is preferable to use styrene. These aromatic vinyl monomers can be used alone or in combination of two or more in each aromatic vinyl polymer block. In addition, the same aromatic vinyl monomer may be used in each aromatic vinyl polymer block, or different aromatic vinyl monomers may be used.

The content of aromatic vinyl monomer units in each aromatic vinyl polymer block is preferably 80% by weight or more, more preferably 90% by weight or more, and particularly preferably substantially 100% by weight, based on the total aromatic vinyl polymer block.

Each of the aromatic vinyl polymer blocks ^Ar1a and ^Ar2a may contain a monomer unit other than the aromatic vinyl monomer unit. Examples of the monomer constituting the monomer unit other than the aromatic vinyl monomer unit include conjugated diene monomers such as 1,3-butadiene and isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene); α,β-unsaturated nitrile monomers; unsaturated carboxylic acid or acid anhydride monomers; unsaturated carboxylic acid ester monomers; non-conjugated diene monomers; and the like. The content of the monomer unit other than the aromatic vinyl monomer unit in each aromatic vinyl polymer block is preferably 20% by weight or less, more preferably 10% by weight or less, and particularly preferably substantially 0% by weight, based on the entire aromatic vinyl polymer block.

The hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer in the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is a polymer block constituted by conjugated diene monomer units, and at least a part of the conjugated diene monomer units constituting the polymer block are hydrogenated.

The conjugated diene monomer used to form the conjugated diene monomer unit is not particularly limited as long as it is a conjugated diene compound. Examples of conjugated diene compounds include 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, and 1,3-hexadiene. Among these, from the viewpoint of polymerization reactivity, it is preferable to use 1,3-butadiene and/or isoprene, and it is particularly preferable to use isoprene. These conjugated diene monomers can be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

The content of the conjugated diene monomer units (including hydrogenated conjugated diene monomer units) in the hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer is preferably 80% by weight or more, more preferably 90% by weight or more, and particularly preferably substantially 100% by weight, based on the entire hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer.

The hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer may contain a monomer unit other than the conjugated diene monomer unit. Examples of the monomer constituting the monomer unit other than the conjugated diene monomer unit include aromatic vinyl monomers such as styrene and α-methylstyrene; α,β-unsaturated nitrile monomers; unsaturated carboxylic acid or acid anhydride monomers; unsaturated carboxylic acid ester monomers; non-conjugated diene monomers; and the like. The content of monomer units other than the conjugated diene monomer units (including hydrogenated conjugated diene monomer units) in the hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer is preferably 20% by weight or less, more preferably 10% by weight or less, and particularly preferably substantially 0% by weight, based on the entire hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer.

The hydrogenated block copolymer (A) has a ratio (Mw( ^Ar2a )/Mw(Ar1a)) of the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar2a (Mw( ^Ar2a )) to the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar1a ( ^Mw ( ^Ar1a )) in the range of 3.0 to 20. Therefore, the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is a hydrogenated product of an asymmetric aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer constituted by an aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar1a having a relatively small weight average molecular weight, a hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of a conjugated diene polymer, and an aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar2a having a relatively large weight average molecular weight, connected in this order.

In the hydrogenated block copolymer (A), Mw( ^Ar2a )/Mw( ^Ar1a ) is in the range of 3.0 to 20. Mw( ^Ar2a )/Mw( ^Ar1a ) is preferably in the range of 4.0 to 16, more preferably in the range of 5.0 to 13. By setting Mw( ^Ar2a )/Mw( ^Ar1a ) in the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency and compression set resistance can also be improved. In the present invention, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) and number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polymer or polymer block are determined as polystyrene equivalent values measured by high performance liquid chromatography.

The hydrogenation rate of the olefin in the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is preferably 10 to 100%, more preferably 50 to 100%, further preferably 80 to 100%, particularly preferably 90 to 100%, and most preferably 95 to 100%. By setting the hydrogenation rate of the olefin within the above range, the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) can be made excellent in compression recovery and compression set resistance. Here, the hydrogenation rate of the olefin is specifically the proportion (mol%) of hydrogenated non-aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds contained in the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) before hydrogenation. The hydrogenation rate of the olefin can be determined by ¹ H-NMR spectrum measurement using deuterated chloroform as a solvent.

The content of aromatic vinyl monomer units relative to the total monomer units of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20 to 90% by weight, more preferably 30 to 90% by weight, even more preferably 40 to 85% by weight, and particularly preferably 45 to 85% by weight. By setting the content of aromatic vinyl monomer units within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set can also be improved. The content of aromatic vinyl monomer units can be determined based on the detection intensity ratio between a differential refractometer and an ultraviolet detector in high-performance liquid chromatography measurements.

The weight-average molecular weight of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20,000 to 500,000, more preferably 25,000 to 300,000, and even more preferably 30,000 to 150,000. By setting the weight-average molecular weight within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set can also be improved.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw( ^Ar1a )) of the aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar1a having a relatively small weight average molecular weight which constitutes the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is preferably 1,000 to 40,000, more preferably 2,000 to 15,000, and further preferably 3,000 to 8,000. By setting Mw( ^Ar1a ) within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set can also be improved.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw( ^Ar2a )) of the aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar2a having a relatively large weight average molecular weight constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is preferably 5,000 to 250,000, more preferably 10,000 to 120,000, and further preferably 20,000 to 80,000. By setting Mw( ^Ar2a ) within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set can also be improved.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw(HD ^a )) of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is preferably 10,000 to 300,000, more preferably 15,000 to 300,000, further preferably 15,000 to 150,000, and particularly preferably 20,000 to 80,000. By setting Mw(HD ^a ) within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set can also be improved.

The vinyl bond content (proportion of 1,2-vinyl bonds and 3,4-vinyl bonds in all conjugated diene monomer units) of the hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is preferably 1 to 80 mol%, more preferably 3 to 20 mol%, and even more preferably 5 to 12 mol%. By setting the vinyl bond content within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and compression set resistance can also be improved. The vinyl bond content of the hydrogenated polymer block of the conjugated diene polymer can be determined by ¹ H-NMR using deuterated chloroform as a solvent.

The molecular weight distribution of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and each polymer block constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A), expressed as the ratio of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) [(Mw)/(Mn)], is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1.1 or less, and more preferably 1.05 or less.

(Silane-Containing Functional Group)
The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention is a block copolymer obtained by modifying the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) with an unsaturated silane modifier. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention has a silane-containing functional group as a modifying group derived from the unsaturated silane modifier. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention may have one type of silane-containing functional group or two or more types of silane-containing functional groups.

Here, when the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is modified with an unsaturated silane modifier, usually, a carbon atom in the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the unsaturated silane modifier act to introduce a silane-containing functional group as a side chain into the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer. In this case, the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention has a silane-containing functional group as a side chain in the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer.

（上記一般式（１）において、Ｒ^１～Ｒ^３は、それぞれ独立して、水素原子、炭素数１～６のアルキル基、または炭素数１～６のアルコキシ基であり、Ｒ^４は、炭素－炭素間不飽和結合を有する炭化水素基である。） The unsaturated silane modifier used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a silane compound containing a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond in the molecule, but is preferably a compound (1) represented by the following general formula (1).

(In the above general formula (1), R ¹ to R ³ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R ⁴ is a hydrocarbon group having a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond.)

In general formula (1), R ¹ to R ³ are not particularly limited as long as they are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The alkyl group and alkoxy group represented by ^{R 1} to R ³ may be linear, branched, or may contain a cyclic structure. R ² to R ⁴ may be the same or different.

R ¹ to R ³ are preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The number of carbon atoms in R ¹ to R ³ may be independently 0 to 6, preferably 0 to 4, more preferably 0 to 2, and even more preferably 1 (methyl group or methoxy group). When R ¹ to R ³ have the above structure, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set can also be improved.

In general formula (1), it is preferable that at least one of R ¹ to R ³ is an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, it is more preferable that at least two of R ¹ to R ³ are alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and it is even more preferable that all of R ¹ to R ³ are alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

In the general formula (1), R ⁴ is not particularly limited as long as it is a hydrocarbon group having a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond. R ⁴ may be linear, branched, or may contain a cyclic structure. Examples of R ⁴ include vinyl group-containing hydrocarbon groups such as vinyl groups, allyl groups, 1-methylethenyl groups, and 3-butenyl groups; and alkynyl groups such as propynyl groups, with vinyl group-containing hydrocarbon groups being preferred. The number of carbon atoms in ^{R 4} is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2 to 6, more preferably 2 to 4, and even more preferably 2 (vinyl group). When R ⁴ has the above structure, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and compression set resistance can also be improved.

For example, when R ⁴ is a vinyl group-containing hydrocarbon group, compound (1) is compound (2) represented by the following general formula (2).

In the above general formula (2), R ¹ to R ³ are each the above groups, and R ⁵ is a single bond or a divalent hydrocarbon group. The hydrocarbon group represented by R ⁵ may be linear, branched, or may contain a cyclic structure. In addition, -R ⁵ -CH═CH ₂ in general formula (2) corresponds to -R ⁴ in general formula (1).

For example, when compound (2) is used as the unsaturated silane modifier, the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention has a group (3) (silane-containing functional group) represented by the following general formula (3) as a modifying group derived from compound (2).

As the unsaturated silane modifier, a compound (4) represented by the following general formula (4) is preferable.

In general formula (4), R ⁶ to R ⁸ are each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R ⁹ is a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Note that -OR ⁶ , -OR ⁷ , and -OR ⁸ in general formula (4) correspond to -R ¹ , -R ² , and -R ³ in general formulas (1) to (3), respectively, and R ⁹ in general formula (4) corresponds to R ⁵ in general formulas (2) to (3).

Each of R ⁶ to R ⁸ may be linear, branched, or contain a cyclic structure. R ⁶ to R ⁸ may be the same or different. The number of carbon atoms of each of R ⁶ to R ⁸ may be independently 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4, more preferably 1 or 2 (methyl group, ethyl group), and even more preferably 1 (methyl group).

R ⁹ may be linear, branched, or may contain a cyclic structure. The carbon number of R ⁹ may be 0 to 4, preferably 0 to 2, more preferably 0 to 1, and further preferably 0 (single bond).

The amount of silane-containing functional groups in the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention is not particularly limited. The amount of silane-containing functional groups per 100 g of the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention is preferably 0.01 to 100 mmol, more preferably 0.1 to 50 mmol, and even more preferably 1 to 30 mmol. By setting the amount of silane-containing functional groups within the above range, it is possible to further improve compression recovery, and also to improve moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set.

(Method for producing silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si))
The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention can be produced by a production method including a modification step of reacting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) with an unsaturated silane modifier.

The hydrogenated block copolymer (A) used in the present invention can be produced, for example, by combining a conventional method for producing a block copolymer and a hydrogenation method. The method for producing the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) used in the present invention is preferably a production method having the following steps (1A) to (5A).
(1A): A step of polymerizing an aromatic vinyl monomer in a solvent using a polymerization initiator to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end. (2A): A step of adding a conjugated diene monomer to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end obtained in the above step (1A) to polymerize the conjugated diene monomer to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end. (3A): A step of adding an aromatic vinyl monomer to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end obtained in the above step (2A) to polymerize the aromatic vinyl monomer to obtain a solution containing a block copolymer (A'). (4A): A step of performing a hydrogenation reaction on the solution containing the block copolymer (A') obtained in the above step (3A) to obtain a solution containing a hydrogenated block copolymer (A). (5A): A step of recovering the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) from the solution containing the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) obtained in the above step (4A).

<Step (1A)>
In the above-mentioned production method, first, in step (1A), an aromatic vinyl monomer is polymerized in a solvent using a polymerization initiator to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end.

As the polymerization initiator, a polymerization initiator that is known to have anionic polymerization activity for aromatic vinyl monomers and conjugated diene monomers can be used. Examples of the polymerization initiator include organic alkali metal compounds, organic alkaline earth metal compounds, and organic lanthanoid series rare earth metal compounds.

As the organic alkali metal compound, an organic lithium compound having one or more lithium atoms in the molecule is particularly suitable. Specific examples of organic alkali metal compounds include organic monolithium compounds such as ethyllithium, n-propyllithium, isopropyllithium, n-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, t-butyllithium, hexyllithium, phenyllithium, stilbenelithium, dialkylaminolithium, diphenylaminolithium, and ditrimethylsilylaminolithium; organic dilithium compounds such as methylene dilithium, tetramethylene dilithium, hexamethylene dilithium, isoprenyldilithium, and 1,4-dilithio-ethylcyclohexane; and organic trilithium compounds such as 1,3,5-trilithiobenzene. Of these, organic monolithium compounds are particularly suitable.

Examples of organic alkaline earth metal compounds include n-butyl magnesium bromide, n-hexyl magnesium bromide, ethoxy calcium, calcium stearate, t-butoxy strontium, ethoxy barium, isopropoxy barium, ethylmercapto barium, t-butoxy barium, phenoxy barium, diethylamino barium, barium stearate, and ethyl barium.

In addition to the above, it is also possible to use composite catalysts consisting of lanthanoid series rare earth metal compounds containing neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, etc./alkylaluminum/alkylaluminum halide/alkylaluminum hydride, and metallocene catalysts containing titanium, vanadium, samarium, gadolinium, etc., which form homogeneous systems in organic solvents and have living polymerizability.

The above polymerization initiators may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of polymerization initiator used may be determined according to the target molecular weight and is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 20 millimoles, more preferably 0.05 to 15 millimoles, and even more preferably 0.1 to 10 millimoles per 100 g of total monomers used in polymerization.

The solvent used in the polymerization is not particularly limited as long as it is inactive against the polymerization initiator, and examples thereof include chain hydrocarbon solvents, cyclic hydrocarbon solvents, and mixtures thereof. Examples of chain hydrocarbon solvents include chain alkanes and alkenes having 4 to 6 carbon atoms, such as n-butane, isobutane, 1-butene, isobutylene, trans-2-butene, cis-2-butene, 1-pentene, trans-2-pentene, cis-2-pentene, n-pentane, isopentane, neo-pentane, and n-hexane. Examples of cyclic hydrocarbon solvents include aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and xylene; alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds such as cyclopentane and cyclohexane; and the like. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The amount of solvent used is not particularly limited, but is preferably an amount that results in a total block copolymer concentration in the solution after the polymerization reaction of 5 to 60% by weight, more preferably 10 to 55% by weight, and even more preferably 20 to 50% by weight.

When producing the hydrogenated block copolymer (A), a Lewis base compound may be added to the reaction system in order to control the structure of each polymer block. Examples of Lewis base compounds include ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dibutyl ether, dioxane, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and diethylene glycol dibutyl ether; tertiary amines such as tetramethylethylenediamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, pyridine, and quinuclidine; alkali metal alkoxides such as potassium t-amyl oxide and potassium t-butyl oxide; and phosphines such as triphenylphosphine. These Lewis base compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

When producing the hydrogenated block copolymer (A), the timing of adding the Lewis base compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately determined depending on the desired structure. For example, it may be added in advance before the start of polymerization.

The polymerization reaction temperature is preferably 10 to 150°C, more preferably 30 to 130°C, and even more preferably 40 to 90°C, and the polymerization time is preferably within 48 hours, more preferably 0.5 to 10 hours. The polymerization pressure is not particularly limited, and may be within a range sufficient to maintain the monomer and solvent in a liquid phase at the polymerization temperature.

Under the above conditions, a solution containing an aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end can be obtained by polymerizing an aromatic vinyl monomer in a solvent using a polymerization initiator. The aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end obtained in the step (1A) in this manner constitutes the aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar1a or ^Ar2a having a relatively small weight average molecular weight of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A). Therefore, each polymerization condition including the amount of the aromatic vinyl monomer in the step (1A) may be determined depending on the target weight average molecular weight of these polymer blocks.

<Step (2A)>
Next, in step (2A), a conjugated diene monomer is added to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl polymer having active ends obtained in step (1A) above, and the conjugated diene monomer is polymerized to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having active ends.

In step (2A), a conjugated diene monomer is added to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl polymer having active ends obtained in step (1A) above, whereby a conjugated diene polymer chain is formed starting from the active ends, thereby obtaining a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having active ends.

The conjugated diene polymer chain formed in step (2A) (the conjugated diene block constituting the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end obtained in step (2A)) constitutes the hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A). Therefore, each polymerization condition including the amount of the conjugated diene polymer in step (2A) may be determined depending on the target weight average molecular weight of this polymer block, etc. (for example, the polymerization conditions may be determined within the ranges explained in the above step (1A)).

<Step (3A)>
Next, in step (3A), an aromatic vinyl monomer is added to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end obtained in step (2A) above, and the aromatic vinyl monomer is polymerized to obtain a solution containing a block copolymer (A').

In step (3A), an aromatic vinyl monomer is added to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having active ends obtained in step (2A) above, whereby an aromatic vinyl polymer chain is formed starting from the active end, thereby obtaining a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having active ends.

The aromatic vinyl polymer chain formed in step (3A) (the aromatic vinyl block constituting the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having an active end obtained in step (3A)) constitutes one of the aromatic vinyl polymer blocks Ar1 ^a and Ar2 ^a of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) (i.e., out of Ar1 ^a and Ar2 ^a , it is a block different from the block formed in step (1A); for example, when Ar1 ^a is formed in step (1A), Ar2 ^a applies). Therefore, each polymerization condition including the amount of the aromatic vinyl monomer in step (3A) may be determined depending on the target weight average molecular weight of such a polymer block, etc. (for example, the polymerization conditions may be determined within the range explained in the above step (1A)).

By adding a polymerization terminator to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having active ends obtained as described above, the active ends of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having active ends are deactivated to obtain a solution containing block copolymer (A'). Note that the block copolymer (A') obtained in step (3A) is the block copolymer before hydrogenation to obtain the hydrogenated block copolymer (A).

The polymerization terminator is not particularly limited as long as it can react with an active terminal to deactivate the active terminal and does not react with another active terminal after reacting with one active terminal, but is preferably a compound that does not contain a halogen atom, and particularly preferably a polymerization terminator that produces a metal alkoxide, metal aryloxide, or metal hydroxide when reacting with an active terminal. Specific examples of polymerization terminators include water; monohydric alcohols such as methanol and ethanol; monohydric phenols such as phenol and cresol; and the like. The amount of polymerization terminator used can be selected appropriately.

<Step (4A)>
Next, in step (4A), the solution containing the block copolymer (A') obtained in the above step (3A) is subjected to a hydrogenation reaction to obtain a solution containing a hydrogenated block copolymer (A).

The method for performing a hydrogenation reaction on a solution containing block copolymer (A') is not particularly limited, but examples include a method in which a solution containing block copolymer (A') is brought into contact with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

Hydrogenation catalysts are not particularly limited, but examples include supported heterogeneous catalysts in which metals such as Ni, Pt, Pd, Ru, etc. are supported on carriers such as carbon, silica, alumina, diatomaceous earth, etc.; Ziegler-type catalysts that use organic salts or acetylacetone salts of Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, etc. and reducing agents such as organoaluminum; organic complex catalysts such as organometallic compounds of Ru, Rh, etc.; and homogeneous catalysts that use titanocene compounds with organolithium, organoaluminum, organomgum, etc. as reducing agents. Among these, Ziegler-type catalysts are preferred.

The hydrogenation reaction can be carried out, for example, according to the methods disclosed in JP-B-42-8704, JP-B-43-6636, JP-A-59-133203, JP-A-60-220147, etc.

The hydrogenation reaction conditions may be selected according to the hydrogenation rate of the target olefin, but the hydrogenation reaction temperature is preferably 0 to 200°C, more preferably 30 to 150°C. The hydrogen pressure used in the hydrogenation reaction is preferably 0.1 to 15 MPa, more preferably 0.2 to 10 MPa, and even more preferably 0.3 to 5 MPa, and the hydrogenation reaction time is preferably 3 minutes to 10 hours, more preferably 10 minutes to 5 hours. The hydrogenation reaction may be a batch process, a continuous process, or a combination of these.

<Step (5A)>
Next, in the step (5A), the target hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is recovered from the solution containing the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) obtained in the above step (4A).

The recovery method may be a conventional method and is not particularly limited. For example, the desired polymer can be recovered by adding additives such as antioxidants as necessary and then directly drying the solution or applying known solvent methods such as steam stripping.

When the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is recovered as a slurry by steam stripping or the like, it is preferable to dehydrate it using any dehydrator such as an extruder-type squeezer to recover the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) in the form of crumbs, and then dry the resulting crumbs using any dryer such as a band dryer or an expansion extrusion dryer. The hydrogenated block copolymer (A) thus obtained may be processed into pellets or the like according to a conventional method before use.

The solid (pellet, crumb, etc.) hydrogenated block copolymer (A) thus obtained is preferably used after reducing the moisture content in the solid hydrogenated block copolymer (A) using a dryer such as a hopper dryer, a hot air circulation tray dryer, a tray vacuum dryer, or an agitation vacuum dryer. The drying conditions are not particularly limited as long as the desired moisture content can be achieved, and may be set according to the amount of moisture to be reduced and the type of dryer, but are usually set at a drying temperature of 40 to 90°C and a drying time of 1 to 24 hours.

<Modification step>
The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention can be produced by a production method including a modification step of reacting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) with an unsaturated silane modifier. Preferably, the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention can be produced by melt-kneading the hydrogenated block copolymer (A), the unsaturated silane modifier, and a peroxide.

The unsaturated silane modifier may be used alone or in combination of two or more types. The amount of unsaturated silane modifier used is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 20 g, more preferably 0.5 to 15 g, and even more preferably 1 to 10 g per 100 g of the polymer component to be modified with the unsaturated silane modifier.

Examples of peroxides include organic peroxides such as t-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, t-butylcumyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-t-butylperoxyhexane, 2,5-dimethyl-t-butylperoxyhexine, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane, 1,3-bis(t-butylperoxyisopropyl)benzene, p-chlorobenzoyl peroxide, t-butylperoxybenzoate, t-butylperoxyisopropylcarbonate, t-butylbenzoate, and 1,1-bis(t-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The amount of peroxide used is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 1 g, more preferably 0.02 to 0.5 g, and even more preferably 0.05 to 0.2 g per 1 g of unsaturated silane modifier used.

The method of melt-kneading the hydrogenated block copolymer (A), the unsaturated silane modifier, and the peroxide is not particularly limited, and examples include a method of heating, melt-kneading each component using a kneading device such as a roll, a Banbury mixer, a kneader, a lab plastomill, a single-screw extruder, or a twin-screw extruder. The conditions for heating, melt-kneading are preferably conditions that can suppress excessive decomposition of each component and the progression of unexpected reactions. For example, the mixing temperature is preferably 180 to 260°C, and more preferably 200 to 240°C. The mixing time is preferably 0.5 to 20 minutes, and more preferably 1 to 10 minutes.

<Polymer Composition>
The present invention also relates to a polymer composition containing the above-mentioned silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) and the below-mentioned silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si).

[Silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si)]
The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) used in the present invention is a block copolymer obtained by modifying the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) described below with an unsaturated silane modifier, and is a block copolymer having a silane-containing functional group.

(Hydrogenated Block Copolymer (B))
The hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is a block copolymer represented by the following general formula (B).
Ar1 ^b -HD ^b -Ar2 ^b (B)
(In the above general formula (B), Ar1 ^b and Ar2 ^b are aromatic vinyl polymer blocks, HD ^b is a hydrogenated polymer block of a conjugated diene polymer, and the ratio (Mw(Ar2 b )/Mw(Ar1 ^b )) of the weight average molecular weight of Ar2 ^b (Mw(Ar2 ^b )) to the weight average molecular weight of Ar1 ^b (Mw(Ar1 ^{b )} ) is 0.95 to 1.05.)

The hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is a hydrogenated product of an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer constituted by two aromatic vinyl polymer blocks Ar1 ^b and Ar2 ^b bonded to both ends of a conjugated diene polymer block HD ^b .

The aromatic vinyl polymer blocks ^Ar1b and ^Ar2b of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) are polymer blocks composed of aromatic vinyl monomer units. The monomers used to form the aromatic vinyl polymer blocks ^Ar1b and ^Ar2b include the monomers described above as the monomers used to form the aromatic vinyl polymer blocks ^Ar1a and ^Ar2a of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A). The preferred types and preferred contents of each monomer are the same as the preferred types and preferred contents of the aromatic vinyl polymer blocks ^Ar1a and ^Ar2a of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A).

The hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is a polymer block constituted by conjugated diene monomer units, and at least a part of the conjugated diene monomer units constituting the polymer block is hydrogenated. Examples of monomers used to constitute the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer include the monomers mentioned above as monomers used to constitute the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A). The suitable type and suitable content of each monomer are the same as the suitable type and suitable content of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A).

The hydrogenated block copolymer (B) has a ratio (Mw( ^Ar2b )/Mw(Ar1b)) of the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar2b (Mw( ^Ar2b )) to the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar1b (Mw( ^Ar1b )) in the range of 0.95 to 1.05. ^Mw ( ^Ar2b )/Mw( ^Ar1b ) is preferably in the range of 0.98 to 1.02. By setting Mw( ^Ar2b )/Mw( ^Ar1b ) in the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set can also be improved.

The hydrogenation rate of the olefin in the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is preferably 10 to 100%, more preferably 50 to 100%, further preferably 80 to 100%, particularly preferably 90 to 100%, and most preferably 95 to 100%. Specifically, the hydrogenation rate of the olefin refers to the proportion (mol%) of hydrogenated non-aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds in the total non-aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds contained in the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) before hydrogenation. The hydrogenation rate of the olefin can be determined by ¹ H-NMR spectrum measurement using deuterated chloroform as a solvent.

The content of aromatic vinyl monomer units relative to the total monomer units of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 7 to 60% by weight, more preferably 10 to 50% by weight, and even more preferably 15 to 40% by weight. The content of aromatic vinyl monomer units relative to the total monomer units of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) can be determined based on the detection intensity ratio between a differential refractometer and an ultraviolet detector in high performance liquid chromatography measurements.

The weight-average molecular weight of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20,000 to 500,000, more preferably 25,000 to 300,000, and even more preferably 30,000 to 150,000. By setting the weight-average molecular weight within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set can also be improved.

The weight average molecular weights (Mw(Ar1 ^b ), Mw(Ar2 ^b )) of the two aromatic vinyl polymer blocks Ar1 ^b and Ar2 ^b constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) are preferably 1,000 to 40,000, more preferably 2,000 to 15,000, and even more preferably 3,000 to 8,000. By setting Mw(Ar1 ^b ) and Mw(Ar2 b ) within the above ranges, the compression recovery can be further improved, ^{and the moldability, transparency, and compression set resistance can also be improved. The weight average molecular weights (Mw(Ar1 b )} , Mw(Ar2 ^b )) of the two aromatic vinyl polymer blocks Ar1 ^b and Ar2 ^b may be equal to or different from each other, but are preferably substantially equal to each other. For example, the ratio of the weight average molecular weight of Ar2 ^b (Mw(Ar2 ^b )) to the weight average molecular weight of Ar1 ^b (Mw(Ar1 ^b )), (Mw(Ar2 ^b )/Mw(Ar1 ^b )), may be in the range of 0.95 to 1.05, and is preferably in the range of 0.97 to 1.03.

Furthermore, the weight average molecular weight (Mw( ^Ar1b ), Mw( ^Ar2b )) of at least one of these two aromatic vinyl polymer blocks ^Ar1b and ^Ar2b may be equal to or different from the weight average molecular weight (Mw( ^Ar1a )) of the aromatic vinyl polymer block Ar1a having a relatively small weight average molecular weight constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A), but it is more preferable that it is substantially equal to that of the aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar1a . For example, it is preferable that the ratio (Mw( ^Ar1b )/Mw(Ar1a)) of the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar1b (Mw( ^Ar1b )) to the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar1a (Mw( ^Ar1a )) is in the range of 0.95 to 1.05, or the ratio (Mw( ^Ar2b )/Mw( ^Ar1a )) of the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar2b (Mw( ^Ar2b )) to the weight average molecular weight ^{of Ar1a} (Mw( ^Ar1a )) is in the range of 0.95 to 1.05.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw(HD ^b )) of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is preferably 10,000 to 300,000, more preferably 15,000 to 300,000, further preferably 15,000 to 150,000, and particularly preferably 20,000 to 80,000. The weight average molecular weight (Mw(HD ^b )) of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer may be equal to or different from the weight average molecular weight (Mw(HD ^a )) of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A), but it is more preferable that they are substantially equal to each other. For example, it is preferable that the ratio (Mw(HD ^b ) ^/ Mw(HD a )) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw(HD ^b )) of HD ^b to the weight average molecular weight (Mw(HD ^{a )} ) of HD a is in the range of 0.95 to 1.05.

The vinyl bond content of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is preferably 1 to 80 mol %, more preferably 3 to 20 mol %, and even more preferably 5 to 12 mol %. The vinyl bond content of the hydrogenated polymer block of the conjugated diene polymer can be determined by ¹ H-NMR using deuterated chloroform as a solvent. It is preferable that the vinyl bond content of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is substantially equal to the vinyl bond content of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A). For example, it is preferable that the ratio of the vinyl bond content of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) to the vinyl bond content of the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is in the range of 0.95 to 1.05.

The molecular weight distribution of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) and each polymer block constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (B), expressed as the ratio of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) [(Mw)/(Mn)], is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1.1 or less, and more preferably 1.05 or less.

In addition, when a production method using a coupling agent is adopted in producing the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) used in the present invention, for example, when a production method for hydrogenated block copolymer (B) having steps (1a) to (6a) described below is adopted, the hydrogenated polymer block ^HDb of the conjugated diene polymer constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) may contain a residue of a coupling agent. Specifically, the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) may be a compound represented by the following formula:
Ar1 ^b - (HD ^b' -X-HD ^b'' ) - Ar2 ^b
That is, as shown in the above formula, the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer may be formed by coupling HD ^b' and HD ^b'' via a residue X of a coupling agent. Examples of the residue X of the coupling agent include residues of bifunctional coupling agents exemplified in the production method of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) having steps (1a) to (6a) described later.

(Silane-Containing Functional Group)
The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) used in the present invention is a block copolymer obtained by modifying the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) with an unsaturated silane modifier. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) used in the present invention has a silane-containing functional group as a modifying group derived from the unsaturated silane modifier. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) used in the present invention may have one type of silane-containing functional group, or may have two or more types of silane-containing functional groups.

Here, when the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) is modified with an unsaturated silane modifier, usually, a carbon atom in the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) and the unsaturated silane modifier act to introduce a silane-containing functional group as a side chain into the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer. In this case, the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) used in the present invention has a silane-containing functional group as a side chain in the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer.

The unsaturated silane modifier used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a silane compound that contains a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond in the molecule, but is preferably the above-mentioned compound (1).

The amount of silane-containing functional groups in the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) used in the present invention is not particularly limited. The amount of silane-containing functional groups per 100 g of the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) used in the present invention is preferably 1 to 100 mmol, more preferably 2 to 50 mmol, and even more preferably 3 to 30 mmol. By setting the amount of silane-containing functional groups within the above range, it is possible to further improve compression recovery, and also to improve moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set.

(Other ingredients)
The polymer composition of the present invention may contain polymer components other than the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) and the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired, or may contain only the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) and the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) as polymer components.

Other polymer components include, for example, aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymers other than the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) and the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si), aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymers, aromatic vinyl homopolymers, conjugated diene homopolymers, aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene random copolymers, and branched polymers thereof; thermoplastic elastomers such as polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers, and polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers; thermoplastic resins such as polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, and polyphenylene ether; and the like. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The timing of addition of these polymer components is not particularly limited, and may be before or after the modification step with the unsaturated silane modifier.

In the polymer composition of the present invention, the content of polymer components other than the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) and the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) is preferably 0 to 20 parts by weight, more preferably 0 to 10 parts by weight, even more preferably 0 to 5 parts by weight, particularly preferably 0 to 1 part by weight, and most preferably substantially 0 part by weight, relative to 100 parts by mass of the total content of the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) and the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) in the polymer composition of the present invention.

The polymer composition of the present invention may further contain antioxidants, zinc oxide, foaming agents, foaming assistants, fillers, tackifier resins, softeners, antibacterial agents, light stabilizers, UV absorbers, dyes, lubricants, etc., as necessary. The timing of adding these components is not particularly limited, and may be before or after the modification step with the unsaturated silane modifier.

(Method for producing polymer composition)
The method for producing the polymer composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be produced, for example, by separately producing the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) and the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si), and mixing them according to a conventional method such as kneading or solution mixing. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) can be produced by a production method including a step of obtaining a hydrogenated block copolymer (B) according to a conventional block copolymer production method and hydrogenation method, and a modification step of reacting the obtained hydrogenated block copolymer (B) with an unsaturated silane modifier. The conditions for the modification step can be the same as those for the modification step of reacting the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) with an unsaturated silane modifier.

On the other hand, in the present invention, from the viewpoint of being able to produce the polymer composition of the present invention with high productivity, it is preferable to produce it by a production method including a step of obtaining a hydrogenated block copolymer composition containing hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and hydrogenated block copolymer (B), and a modification step of reacting the obtained hydrogenated block copolymer composition with an unsaturated silane modifier. In other words, it is preferable that the polymer composition of the present invention is obtained by modifying a hydrogenated block copolymer composition containing hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and hydrogenated block copolymer (B) with an unsaturated silane modifier.

The weight ratio (A/B) of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) to the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) contained in the hydrogenated block copolymer composition is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10/90 to 80/20, more preferably 20/80 to 60/40, and even more preferably 25/75 to 50/50. By setting the weight ratio (A/B) within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and compression set resistance can also be improved. The weight ratio (A/B) of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) to the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) can be determined from the area ratio of the peaks corresponding to each block copolymer in a chart obtained by high performance liquid chromatography.

The proportion of aromatic vinyl monomer units in the entire polymer components in the hydrogenated block copolymer composition (all monomer units constituting the polymer components) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "total aromatic vinyl monomer unit content") is preferably 20 to 70% by weight, more preferably 25 to 60% by weight, and even more preferably 30 to 55% by weight. By setting the total aromatic vinyl monomer unit content within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and compression set resistance can also be improved. The total aromatic vinyl monomer unit content can be determined by ¹ H-NMR measurement using deuterated chloroform as a solvent.

When all the polymer components constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer composition are composed only of aromatic vinyl monomer units and conjugated diene monomer units, the polymer components in the hydrogenated block copolymer composition are decomposed by ozonolysis according to the method described in Rubber Chem. Technol., 45, 1295 (1972), and then reduced with lithium aluminum hydride. This decomposes the conjugated diene monomer unit portions (including the hydrogenated portions), and allows only the aromatic vinyl monomer unit portions to be extracted, making it easy to measure the total aromatic vinyl monomer unit content. The aromatic vinyl monomer unit content and the conjugated diene monomer unit content in each block copolymer can be determined by a similar method.

The weight average molecular weight of all the polymer components constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer composition is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30,000 to 400,000, more preferably 35,000 to 150,000, and even more preferably 40,000 to 100,000. By setting the weight average molecular weight of all the polymer components within the above range, the compression recovery can be further improved, and the moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set can also be improved.

The molecular weight distribution, which is expressed as the ratio (Mw/Mn) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) of all the polymer components constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer composition, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 5, more preferably 1.01 to 3, and even more preferably 1.02 to 1.5.

The method for producing the hydrogenated block copolymer composition is not particularly limited, and for example, the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) can be produced separately according to conventional block copolymer production methods and hydrogenation methods, and then mixed according to conventional methods such as kneading and solution mixing. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of being able to produce the hydrogenated block copolymer composition with high productivity, the production method described below is preferred.

That is, the method for producing the hydrogenated block copolymer composition is preferably a production method having the following steps (1) to (7).
(1): A step of polymerizing an aromatic vinyl monomer in a solvent using a polymerization initiator to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end; (2): A step of adding a conjugated diene monomer to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end obtained in the above step (1) to polymerize the conjugated diene monomer to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end; (3): A step of adding an aromatic vinyl monomer to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end obtained in the above step (2) to polymerize the aromatic vinyl monomer to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having an active end; (4): A step of adding an aromatic vinyl monomer to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having an active end obtained in the above step (3) to polymerize the aromatic vinyl monomer to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having an active end, A step (5) of adding a polymerization terminator in an amount less than a molar equivalent to deactivate a part of the active ends of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having active ends to obtain a solution containing block copolymer (B'); a step (6) of adding an aromatic vinyl monomer to the solution containing block copolymer (B') obtained in the above step (4) to polymerize the aromatic vinyl monomer to obtain a solution containing block copolymer (B') and block copolymer (A'); a step (7) of performing a hydrogenation reaction on the solution containing block copolymer (B') and block copolymer (A') obtained in the above step (5) to obtain a solution containing hydrogenated block copolymer (B) and hydrogenated block copolymer (A); a step of recovering a hydrogenated block copolymer composition from the solution containing hydrogenated block copolymer (B) and hydrogenated block copolymer (A) obtained in the above step (6).

<Step (1), Step (2)>
Steps (1) and (2) are similar to the above-mentioned steps (1A) and (2A), and similar conditions can be employed.

The aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end obtained in step (1) constitutes either the aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar1a having a relatively small weight average molecular weight of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) or one of the aromatic vinyl polymer blocks ^Ar1b and ^Ar2b (i.e., ^Ar1b or Ar2b) of the hydrogenated block copolymer ( ^B ). Therefore, each polymerization condition including the amount of the aromatic vinyl monomer in step (1) may be determined depending on the target weight average molecular weight of these polymer blocks.

Furthermore, the conjugated diene polymer chain formed in step (2) (the conjugated diene block constituting the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end obtained in step (2)) constitutes the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the conjugated diene polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the conjugated diene polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B). Therefore, each polymerization condition including the amount of the conjugated diene polymer in step (2) may be determined depending on the target weight average molecular weight of these polymer blocks, etc.

When using a Lewis base compound, the timing of adding the Lewis base compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately determined depending on the structure of each target block copolymer. For example, the Lewis base compound may be added before the start of polymerization, or after some of the polymer blocks have been polymerized. Furthermore, the Lewis base compound may be added before the start of polymerization and then further added after some of the polymer blocks have been polymerized.

<Step (3)>
Step (3) is similar to the above-mentioned step (3A) except that the active terminal is not inactivated, and similar conditions can be employed.

The aromatic vinyl polymer chain formed in step (3) (the aromatic vinyl block constituting the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having an active end obtained in step (3)) constitutes one of the aromatic vinyl polymer blocks Ar1 ^b and Ar2 ^b of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) (i.e., of Ar1 ^b and Ar2 ^b , it is a block different from the block formed in step (1); for example, when Ar1 ^b is formed in step (1), Ar2 ^b corresponds to this block). Therefore, each polymerization condition including the amount of the aromatic vinyl monomer in step (3) may be determined depending on the target weight average molecular weight of such a polymer block, etc.

<Step (4)>
Next, in step (4), a polymerization terminator is added to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having active ends obtained in step (3) in an amount of less than 1 molar equivalent relative to the active ends, thereby deactivating a portion of the active ends of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having active ends, thereby obtaining a solution containing block copolymer (B').

The block copolymer (B') obtained in step (4) is the block copolymer before hydrogenation to obtain the hydrogenated block copolymer (B).

As the polymerization terminator, the above-mentioned ones can be used. The amount of the polymerization terminator used can be determined according to the ratio of hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and hydrogenated block copolymer (B) constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer composition, and is not particularly limited as long as it is an amount less than 1 molar equivalent relative to the active terminal of the polymer. However, the amount of the polymerization terminator used is preferably in the range of 0.18 to 0.91 molar equivalents relative to the active terminal of the polymer, and more preferably in the range of 0.35 to 0.80 molar equivalents.

As described above, according to step (4), by adding a polymerization terminator to a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having active ends in an amount less than 1 molar equivalent relative to the active ends, the active ends of some of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymers having active ends are deactivated, and the copolymers with deactivated active ends become the block copolymer (B') before hydrogenation for constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (B). The remaining part of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymers having active ends that did not react with the polymerization terminator remains in the solution unreacted while maintaining their active ends.

<Step (5)>
Next, in step (5), an aromatic vinyl monomer is added to the solution containing the block copolymer (B') obtained in step (4) above, and the aromatic vinyl monomer is polymerized to obtain a solution containing the block copolymer (B') and the block copolymer (A').

In step (5), when an aromatic vinyl monomer is added to the solution obtained in step (4), the aromatic vinyl monomer is further polymerized from the aromatic vinyl polymer chain on the side having the active end of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having an active end that has remained unreacted with the polymerization terminator, and the aromatic vinyl polymer chain is extended, thereby obtaining block copolymer (A'). Note that block copolymer (A') is an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer obtained by extending the aromatic vinyl polymer chain, and serves as the block copolymer before hydrogenation to obtain hydrogenated block copolymer (A).

The aromatic vinyl polymer chain extended in step (5) constitutes an aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar2a having a relatively large weight average molecular weight of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A). Therefore, the polymerization conditions in step (5), including the amount of aromatic vinyl monomer, may be determined according to the target weight average molecular weight of the aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar2a (for example, the polymerization conditions may be determined within the ranges explained in step (1A) above).

<Step (6), Step (7)>
The solution containing the block copolymer (B') and the block copolymer (A') obtained in the step (5) is subjected to the operations in the steps (6) and (7) described above, A hydrogenated block copolymer composition can be obtained. The above-mentioned steps (6) and (7) are the same as the above-mentioned steps (4A) and (5A), and the same conditions are adopted. It is possible.

The above-mentioned method for producing a hydrogenated block copolymer composition allows the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) to be continuously produced in the same reaction vessel, and therefore the desired hydrogenated block copolymer composition can be obtained with superior productivity compared to the case where each hydrogenated block copolymer is produced separately and mixed.

In addition to the above-described preferred production method (a production method including steps (1) to (7)) for producing the hydrogenated block copolymer composition, a production method for a hydrogenated block copolymer composition including the following steps (1a) to (6a) is also preferably used.
(1a): A step of polymerizing an aromatic vinyl monomer in a solvent using a polymerization initiator to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end; (2a): A step of adding a conjugated diene monomer to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl polymer having an active end obtained in the above step (1a) to polymerize the conjugated diene monomer to obtain a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end; (3a): A bifunctional coupling agent is added to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end obtained in the above step (2a) in an amount such that the total amount of functional groups relative to the active end is less than 1 molar equivalent, and a part of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end is coupled to the solution. a step (4a) of obtaining a solution containing block copolymer (B'); a step (5a) of obtaining a solution containing block copolymer (B') and block copolymer (A') by adding an aromatic vinyl monomer to the solution containing block copolymer (B') obtained in the step (3a) above and polymerizing the aromatic vinyl monomer; a step (6a) of obtaining a solution containing hydrogenated block copolymer (B) and hydrogenated block copolymer (A) by subjecting the solution containing block copolymer (B') and block copolymer (A') obtained in the step (4a) above to a hydrogenation reaction; and a step (5a) of recovering a hydrogenated block copolymer composition from the solution containing hydrogenated block copolymer (B) and hydrogenated block copolymer (A) obtained in the step (5a) above.

<Step (1a), Step (2a)>
Steps (1a) and (2a) are similar to the above-mentioned steps (1) and (2), and similar conditions can be employed.

<Step (3a)>
In step (3a), a bifunctional coupling agent is added to the solution containing the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having active ends obtained in step (2a) in an amount such that the total amount of functional groups relative to the active ends is less than 1 molar equivalent, thereby coupling a part of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having active ends to obtain a solution containing block copolymer (B'). Block copolymer (B') obtained in step (3a) is the block copolymer before hydrogenation for obtaining hydrogenated block copolymer (B).

The bifunctional coupling agent is not particularly limited as long as it has two functional groups that react with the active terminal, and examples thereof include bifunctional halogenated silanes such as dichlorosilane, monomethyldichlorosilane, and dimethyldichlorosilane; bifunctional halogenated alkanes such as dichloroethane, dibromoethane, methylene chloride, and dibromomethane; and bifunctional tin halides such as dichlorotin, monomethyldichlorotin, dimethyldichlorotin, monoethyldichlorotin, diethyldichlorotin, monobutyldichlorotin, and dibutyldichlorotin. The amount of the bifunctional coupling agent used may be determined according to the ratio of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) that constitute the hydrogenated block copolymer composition.

As described above, according to step (3a), by adding a bifunctional coupling agent to a solution containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having active ends in an amount such that the total amount of functional groups relative to the active ends is less than 1 molar equivalent, a portion of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having active ends is coupled to form the block copolymer (B') before hydrogenation for constituting the hydrogenated block copolymer (B). The remaining portion of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having active ends that has not reacted with the bifunctional coupling agent remains in the solution unreacted while maintaining its active ends.

<Step (4a)>
Next, in step (4a), an aromatic vinyl monomer is added to the solution containing the block copolymer (B') obtained in step (3a) above, and the aromatic vinyl monomer is polymerized to obtain a solution containing the block copolymer (B') and the block copolymer (A').

In step (4a), when an aromatic vinyl monomer is added to the solution obtained in step (3a), the aromatic vinyl monomer is polymerized from the active end of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having an active end that remains without reacting with the bifunctional coupling agent, forming an aromatic vinyl polymer chain, thereby obtaining block copolymer (A'). Note that block copolymer (A') is the block copolymer before hydrogenation to obtain hydrogenated block copolymer (A).

At this time, the aromatic vinyl polymer chain formed in step (4a) constitutes an aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar2a having a relatively large weight average molecular weight of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A). Therefore, each polymerization condition in step (4a), including the amount of aromatic vinyl monomer, may be determined according to the target weight average molecular weight of the aromatic vinyl polymer block ^Ar2a (for example, the polymerization conditions may be determined within the range explained in the above step (1)).

<Step (5a), Step (6a)>
Then, the solution containing the block copolymer (B') and the block copolymer (A') obtained in the step (4a) is used to carry out the operations in the above-mentioned steps (5a) and (6a). The above-mentioned steps (5a) and (6a) are similar to the above-mentioned steps (6) and (7), and the same conditions can be used for these steps. It can be adopted.

<Modification step>
The polymer composition of the present invention can be produced by a production method including a modification step of reacting a hydrogenated block copolymer composition with an unsaturated silane modifier. Preferably, the polymer composition of the present invention can be produced by mixing the hydrogenated block copolymer composition with the unsaturated silane modifier in the presence of a peroxide.

The conditions for the modification step can be the same as those for the modification step in which the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is reacted with the unsaturated silane modifier.

<Crosslinked product>
The crosslinked product of the present invention can be obtained by crosslinking the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) of the present invention or the polymer composition of the present invention. The crosslinked product of the present invention is excellent not only in compression recovery but also in moldability, transparency, and resistance to compression set (particularly resistance to compression set under high temperature conditions).

The crosslinked product of the present invention preferably has a crosslinked structure derived from the silane-containing functional group in the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) (and the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si)). In addition, the crosslinked structure derived from the silane-containing functional group preferably contains a -Si-O-Si- bond. The above structure can further improve compression recovery and moldability.

The melt flow rate of the crosslinked product of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.05 to 100 g/10 min, more preferably 0.05 to 50 g/10 min, even more preferably 0.1 to 30 g/10 min, and particularly preferably 0.3 to 30 g/10 min. By setting the melt flow rate within the above range, compression recovery, moldability, and resistance to compression set can be further improved. In addition, when extremely excellent resistance to compression set is required, the melt flow rate of the crosslinked product of the present invention is preferably 0.3 to 15 g/10 min, and even more preferably 0.3 to 10 g/10 min. In the present invention, the melt flow rate of the crosslinked product is measured in accordance with ISO 1133 (G condition, 200°C, 5 kg). The melt flow rate of the crosslinked product of the present invention can be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the type of hydrogenated block copolymer (A) or hydrogenated block copolymer composition used in the production, the type and modification conditions of the unsaturated silane modifier, the crosslinking conditions, etc.

(Method for producing crosslinked product)
The crosslinked product of the present invention can be preferably produced by a method of contacting a silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) or a polymer composition with a condensation reaction catalyst for condensing a silane-containing functional group. By such a production method, a crosslinked structure derived from a silane-containing functional group can be introduced between polymer chains. In addition, when the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) or the polymer composition is obtained by using an unsaturated silane modifier having an alkoxy group as an unsaturated silane modifier, a crosslinked structure containing a -Si-O-Si- bond can be introduced between polymer chains by contacting the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) or the polymer composition with a condensation reaction catalyst.

Condensation reaction catalysts include, for example, polyvalent carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, itaconic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, and their acid anhydrides; sulfonic acids such as paratoluenesulfonic acid; phosphoric acid, monomethyl phosphate, monoethyl phosphate, monobutyl phosphate, monobutyl phosphate, monooctyl phosphate, monodecyl phosphate, dimethyl phosphate, diethyl phosphate, dibutyl phosphate, dioctyl phosphate, didecyl phosphate. phosphoric acid or phosphoric acid esters such as propylene oxide, butylene oxide, cyclohexene oxide, glycidyl methacrylate, glycidol, allyl glycidyl ether, γ-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyl triethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyl methyldimethoxysilane, (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane, Cardura E, Epicoat 828, Epicoat 1001, and other epoxy compounds and phosphoric acid and/or acid monoxide derivatives such as propylene oxide, butylene oxide, cyclohexene oxide, glycidyl methacrylate, glycidol, allyl glycidyl ether, γ-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyl triethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyl methyldimethoxysilane, (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane, and products of Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., Ltd., such as Cardura E, Epicoat 828, and Epicoat 1001, adducts with phosphate esters; titanium compounds such as titanium acetylacetonate, isopropyl tristearoyl titanate, tetraisopropyl bis(dioctyl phosphite) titanate, and bis(dioctyl pyrophosphate) oxyacetate titanate; tin compounds such as dibutyltin dilaurate, dibutyltin malate, dibutyltin diacetate, dibutyltin dimethoxide, dibutyltin thioglycolate, dibutyltin diacetylacetonate, dioctyltin dilaurate, dioctyltin malate, and tin octylate; aluminum isoprene compounds such as tin acetylacetonate, dioctyltin dilaurate, dioctyltin malate, and tin octylate; Examples of suitable condensation reaction catalysts include aluminum compounds such as propylate, aluminum tris(ethylacetonate), aluminum tris(acetylacetonate), and ethylacetoacetate aluminum diisopropylate; zirconium compounds such as tetra-n-butoxyzirconium, zirconium octylate, and a reaction product of an alkoxyzirconium with acetylacetone or acetoacetate; amines such as hexylamine, di-2-ethylhexylamine, and N,N-dimethyldodecylamine; and alkaline compounds such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. As a condensation reaction catalyst, a mixture or reaction product of an acidic organic compound and a basic compound can also be used.

Among these, polyvalent carboxylic acids, titanium compounds, and tin compounds are preferred, succinic acid, titanium acetylacetonate, and dibutyltin dilaurate are more preferred, and succinic acid and titanium acetylacetonate are even more preferred.

The amount of the condensation reaction catalyst used is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 10 g, and more preferably 0.2 to 5 g, per 100 g of polymer component to be crosslinked.

The method for contacting the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) or polymer composition with the condensation reaction catalyst is not particularly limited, but a method of mixing the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) or polymer composition with the condensation reaction catalyst is preferred.

The method of mixing the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) or polymer composition with the condensation reaction catalyst is not particularly limited, and examples include a method of heating and melting and mixing each component with a kneading device such as a roll, a Banbury mixer, a kneader, a lab plastomill, a single-screw extruder, or a twin-screw extruder, and a method of dissolving each component in a solvent, mixing them uniformly, and then removing the solvent by heating or the like. Among these, the heating and melting and mixing method is preferred from the viewpoint of more efficient mixing. The conditions for heating and melting and mixing are preferably conditions that can suppress excessive decomposition of each component and the progress of unexpected reactions. For example, the mixing temperature is preferably 180 to 260°C, and more preferably 200 to 240°C. The mixing time is preferably 0.5 to 20 minutes, and more preferably 1 to 10 minutes.

It is also preferable to carry out the modification step for obtaining the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) or polymer composition and the crosslinking step consecutively. This method makes it possible to obtain a crosslinked product with high productivity while suppressing excessive decomposition of each component and the progression of unexpected reactions.

Specifically, a preferred method is to mix the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) or hydrogenated block copolymer composition, which is the raw material for the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) or polymer composition, with an unsaturated silane modifier in the presence of a peroxide (modification step), and then add a condensation reaction catalyst to the resulting mixture and further mix (crosslinking step). In this manufacturing method, the modification reaction and crosslinking reaction may proceed simultaneously after the addition of the condensation reaction catalyst.

The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si), polymer composition, and crosslinked product of the present invention may be molded into a desired shape (e.g., pellets, sheets, strands, chips) depending on the application. In addition, the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si), polymer composition, and crosslinked product of the present invention may be foamed into a foam depending on the application.

<Applications>
The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si), polymer composition, and crosslinked product of the present invention can be suitably used for various applications such as clothing, daily necessities, medical equipment, electronic devices, electrical appliances, packaging materials, transport equipment, building materials, and parts thereof, etc. For example, they can be suitably used for cushioning materials such as battery cushioning materials, weather strips, impact absorbing materials such as reinforced plastics (CFRP, etc.), glass interlayers, shoe soles, and sealing materials (particularly heat dissipating sealing materials) for electronic devices, etc.

The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si), polymer composition, and crosslinked product of the present invention can also be suitably used for adhesive applications, particularly for adhesive applications for bonding different types of materials. For example, they can be suitably used for adhesive applications for bonding materials such as glass, silicon wafers, ceramics, metals, plastics, reinforcing fibers, wood, leather, stone, concrete, rocks, paper, cardboard, fabric, glass, bricks, plaster, cement, tiles, mortar, and asphalt.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Note that "parts" and "%" are by weight unless otherwise specified. The test methods used in the examples and comparative examples are as follows.

[Weight average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of polymer composition]
A chart based on the molecular weight in terms of polystyrene was obtained by high performance liquid chromatography using tetrahydrofuran as a carrier at a flow rate of 0.35 ml/min, and the weight average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymer composition were determined based on the obtained chart. The apparatus used was a Tosoh HLC8320, the column was a combination of three Shodex (registered trademark) KF-404HQ columns manufactured by Showa Denko K.K. (column temperature 40° C.), and the detectors used were a differential refractometer and an ultraviolet detector. The molecular weight was calibrated at 12 points using standard polystyrene (5 to 3 million) manufactured by Polymer Laboratory Co., Ltd.

[Weight ratio of each polymer]
The weight ratio of each polymer was calculated from the area ratio of the peak corresponding to each polymer in the chart obtained by the above-mentioned high performance liquid chromatography.

[Weight average molecular weight of styrene polymer block of each block copolymer]
According to the method described in Rubber Chem. Technol., 45, 1295 (1972), the (hydrogenated) block copolymer was reacted with ozone and reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to decompose the isoprene polymer block of the (hydrogenated) block copolymer.
Specifically, the following procedure was followed. That is, 300 mg of the sample was dissolved in a reaction vessel containing 100 ml of dichloromethane treated with molecular sieves. After placing this reaction vessel in a cooling bath and lowering the temperature to -25°C, ozone generated by an ozone generator was introduced into the reaction vessel while oxygen was flowing at a flow rate of 170 ml/min. After 30 minutes had elapsed from the start of the reaction, the reaction was confirmed to be completed by introducing the gas flowing out of the reaction vessel into the aqueous potassium iodide solution. Next, 50 ml of diethyl ether and 470 mg of lithium aluminum hydride were charged into another reaction vessel substituted with nitrogen, and the solution reacted with ozone was slowly dropped into this reaction vessel while cooling the reaction vessel with ice water. Then, the reaction vessel was placed in a water bath, gradually heated, and refluxed at 40°C for 30 minutes. After that, while stirring the solution, dilute hydrochloric acid was dropped into the reaction vessel in small amounts until almost no hydrogen generation was observed. After the reaction, the solid product generated in the solution was filtered, and the solid product was extracted with 100 ml of diethyl ether for 10 minutes. The extract and the filtrate were combined, and the solvent was distilled off to obtain a solid sample. The weight average molecular weight of the sample thus obtained was measured according to the above-mentioned method for measuring weight average molecular weight, and the value was taken as the weight average molecular weight of the styrene polymer block.

[Weight average molecular weight of (hydrogenated) isoprene polymer block of each block copolymer]
The weight average molecular weight of the corresponding styrene polymer block was subtracted from the weight average molecular weight of each polymer determined as above, and the weight average molecular weight of the (hydrogenated) isoprene polymer block was determined based on the calculated value.

[Vinyl Bond Content of (Hydrogenated) Isoprene Polymer Block]
The value was determined based on ¹ H-NMR measurement using deuterated chloroform as a solvent.

[Styrene unit content of each block copolymer]
The value was determined based on the ratio of the detection intensities of the differential refractometer and the ultraviolet detector in the measurement by high performance liquid chromatography. Note that copolymers having different styrene unit contents were prepared in advance, and a calibration curve was prepared using them.

[Styrene unit content of polymer composition]
The styrene unit content of the polymer composition was determined based on ¹ H-NMR measurement using deuterated chloroform as a solvent.

[Olefin hydrogenation rate (mol %) of polymer composition]
The amount of olefin in each of the block copolymer composition before hydrogenation and the hydrogenated block copolymer composition after hydrogenation was determined by ^1H -NMR spectrum measurement using deuterated chloroform as a solvent, and the olefin hydrogenation rate (mol %) was calculated based on the difference in the amount of olefin before and after hydrogenation.
In the ¹ H-NMR spectrum measurement, deuterated chloroform was used as a solvent, and a JMN-AL series AL400 (manufactured by JEOL) was used as an NMR measurement device.
In addition, in the present examples and comparative examples, both the block copolymer composition before hydrogenation and the hydrogenated block copolymer composition after hydrogenation contained only isoprene units as monomer units derived from olefins, and therefore, in the measurement, the hydrogenation rate of isoprene was determined and this was taken as the olefin hydrogenation rate.

[Shore A Hardness of Hydrogenated Block Copolymer Composition]
The Shore A hardness of the hydrogenated block copolymer composition was determined in accordance with ISO 7619.

[Transparency]
The sheet was visually observed, and when the sheet was transparent with no cloudy areas, it was judged to have "good" transparency, whereas when the sheet had cloudy areas, it was judged to have "poor" clarity.

[Melt flow rate]
The melt flow rate was measured in accordance with ISO 1133 (G condition, 200° C., 5 kg).

[Compression restorability]
The sheet was punched out into a circular shape with a diameter of 13 mm to obtain a circular sample. Using a universal testing machine (Instron dual column tabletop universal testing system 5969 load cell type 50 kN), the sample was compressed to a thickness of 40% (compression rate 60%) at a temperature of 23 ° C. and a compression speed of 1.0 mm / min. The sample was then restored at a restoration speed of 1.0 mm / min. Based on the obtained stress-strain hysteresis loop, the 50% compressive stress at the time of compression and the 50% compressive stress at the time of restoration were obtained. Then, the compression restoration index was obtained according to the following formula. It can be judged that the closer the compression restoration index is to 1, the better the compression restoration property.
Compression recovery index = 50% compressive stress when compressed / 50% compressive stress when restored

[Compression set resistance]
The sheet was punched out into a circular shape with a diameter of 13 mm, and three of the obtained circular sheets were stacked to prepare a sample. In accordance with JIS-K6262, the compression set of the sample was measured under compression conditions of a compression ratio of 25%, a temperature of 23°C, and a compression time of 24 hours. In addition, the compression set of the sample in a high temperature environment was measured in the same manner, except that the temperature was changed to 50°C. A gear-type aging tester (AG-1110, manufactured by Ueshima Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) was used for heating.

[Peel strength]
With the sheet placed on the glass substrate, the glass and the sheet were compression molded at 160° C. and 0.2 MPa for 5 minutes to bond the glass substrate and the sheet to each other. Then, a test was performed to peel the sheet from the glass substrate according to ASTM F88, and the peel strength to the glass (unit: N/10 mm) was obtained.

[Production Example 1]
(1) Production of block copolymer composition before hydrogenation 56.6 kg of cyclohexane, 387 mmol of dibutyl ether, and 1.23 kg of styrene were added to a pressure reactor. While stirring the entire content at 50°C, 208 mmol of n-butyllithium (1.6 M solution) was added. After the addition was completed, the temperature was raised to 55°C and a polymerization reaction was carried out for 1 hour (first polymerization stage). The polymerization conversion rate of styrene at this time was 100%.

Next, 5.00 kg of isoprene was continuously added to the reactor over a period of 1 hour while controlling the temperature to maintain a temperature of 50-60°C. After the addition of isoprene was completed, the polymerization reaction was carried out for another hour (second stage polymerization). At this time, the polymerization conversion rate of isoprene was 100%.

Next, 1.23 kg of styrene was added continuously over one hour while controlling the temperature to maintain it at 50-60°C. After the addition of styrene was completed, the polymerization reaction was continued for another hour to obtain a solution containing a styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer with active terminals (third polymerization stage). The polymerization conversion rate of styrene at this time was 100%.

Next, 145 mmol of methanol was added as a polymerization terminator and mixed to deactivate some of the active ends of the styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer having active ends, thereby obtaining a solution containing a styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer that would become block copolymer (B') for obtaining hydrogenated block copolymer (B).

After this, 2.53 kg of styrene was added continuously over one hour while continuing to control the temperature to maintain it at 50-60°C. After the addition of styrene was completed, the polymerization reaction was continued for another hour to obtain a solution containing a styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer having active ends, which would become block copolymer (A') for obtaining hydrogenated block copolymer (A) (fourth polymerization stage). The polymerization conversion rate of styrene at this time was 100%.

Finally, 271 mmol of methanol was added as a polymerization terminator and mixed to inactivate all active ends of the styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer, completing the polymerization reaction and thereby obtaining a solution containing the block copolymer composition before hydrogenation. The amounts of each reagent used in the reaction are summarized in Table 1.

(2) Hydrogenation reaction of block copolymer composition before hydrogenation A solution containing a hydrogenated block copolymer composition was obtained by carrying out a hydrogenation reaction on the solution containing the block copolymer composition before hydrogenation obtained above. The hydrogenation reaction was carried out under the conditions of a hydrogen pressure of 3 MPa, a reaction temperature of 80° C., and a reaction time of 3 hours by adding Ni(AcAc) ₂ -TIBAL catalyst as a hydrogenation catalyst to the solution containing the block copolymer composition before hydrogenation obtained above in a ratio of 0.5% based on the block copolymer composition before hydrogenation. A part of the solution containing the hydrogenated block copolymer composition thus obtained was taken out and measured according to the above method. The results are shown in Table 2.

(3) Recovery of hydrogenated block copolymer composition 0.3 parts of 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol was added as an antioxidant to 100 parts of the solution containing the hydrogenated block copolymer composition obtained as described above, and the mixture was dropped into warm water heated to 85 to 95°C in small portions to volatilize the solvent and obtain a precipitate. The obtained precipitate was pulverized and dried with hot air at 85°C to obtain a crumb-like hydrogenated block copolymer composition. The crumb-like hydrogenated block copolymer composition was fed to a single-screw extruder equipped with an underwater hot cut device at the tip of the extruder, and made into cylindrical pellets with an average diameter of 5 mm and an average length of about 5 mm. The pellets were placed in a hopper dryer heated to 60°C and dried for 10 hours while circulating dry air at 60°C, to obtain a hydrogenated block copolymer composition (Polymer 1) containing the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated block copolymer (B). The Shore A hardness of the hydrogenated block copolymer composition was measured according to the above method. The results are shown in Table 2.

[Production Example 2]
A hydrogenated block copolymer composition (Polymer 2) containing hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and hydrogenated block copolymer (B) was obtained and measured in the same manner as in Production Example 1, except that the amounts of each reagent used in the reaction were changed to those shown in Table 1. The results are shown in Table 2.

[Production Example 3]
A hydrogenated block copolymer (B) (polymer 3) was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example 1, except that the amounts of each reagent used in the reaction were changed to the amounts shown in Table 1, and measurements were performed in the same manner. The results are shown in Table 2. In Production Example 3, after the third polymerization stage, methanol was added as a polymerization terminator in the amount shown in Table 1, and mixed to inactivate all active ends of the styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer having active ends, thereby completing the polymerization reaction, thereby obtaining a solution containing the block copolymer composition before hydrogenation. Then, a hydrogenated block copolymer (B) (polymer 3) was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example 1, except that the obtained solution containing the block copolymer composition before hydrogenation was used.

Example 1
The hydrogenated block copolymer composition (Polymer 1), vinyltrimethoxysilane, and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane (Perhexa 25B, NOF Corp., organic peroxide) were supplied to a small twin-screw kneader (Xplore MC40) and melt-kneaded at 220° C. for 3 minutes. Successively, succinic acid (condensation reaction catalyst) was supplied to the small twin-screw kneader and melt-kneaded at 220° C. for another 3 minutes. The supply ratio of each component was as shown in Table 3. As a result, a silane-containing functional group derived from vinyltrimethoxysilane and a crosslinked structure containing a —Si—O—Si— bond derived from the silane-containing functional group were introduced into the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) in the hydrogenated block copolymer composition (Polymer 1). As a result, a crosslinked product was obtained by crosslinking a polymer composition containing the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) and the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si). The crosslinked product was press-molded using a press set at 200°C to obtain a sheet having a thickness of 2 mm. The transparency, melt flow rate, compression recovery, compression set resistance, and peel strength of the obtained sheet were evaluated according to the above-mentioned methods. The results are shown in Table 3.

[Examples 2 to 4]
Crosslinked products and sheets were obtained and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the type of block copolymer composition, the type of acid catalyst, and the supply amount of each component were changed as shown in Table 1. The results are shown in Table 3. In Examples 2 to 4, a silane-containing functional group derived from vinyltrimethoxysilane and a crosslinked structure containing a -Si-O-Si- bond derived from the silane-containing functional group were introduced into the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) in the hydrogenated block copolymer composition (polymer 1 or 2).

[Examples 5 to 6]
The hydrogenated block copolymer composition (Polymer 1), vinyltrimethoxysilane, and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane (Perhexa 25B, NOF Corp., organic peroxide) were fed to a small twin-screw kneader and melt-kneaded at 220° C. for 3 minutes. The feed ratio of each component was as shown in Table 3. As a result, a silane-containing functional group derived from vinyltrimethoxysilane was introduced into the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^a of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated polymer block HD ^b of the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) in the hydrogenated block copolymer composition (Polymer 1 or 2). As a result, a polymer composition containing a silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) and a silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) was obtained. The obtained polymer composition was press-molded with a press set at 200° C. to obtain a sheet having a thickness of 2 mm. The obtained sheet was used for evaluation in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 3.

Comparative Example 1
A crosslinked product was obtained by crosslinking the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) (Polymer 3) was used instead of the hydrogenated block copolymer composition (Polymer 1). A sheet was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the obtained crosslinked product was used, and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 3.

Comparative Example 2
The hydrogenated block copolymer composition (Polymer 1), ethylene propylene rubber (product name "Mitsui EPT 3092PM", manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.), and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane (Perhexa 25B, manufactured by NOF Corporation, organic peroxide) were supplied to a small twin-screw kneader and kneaded at 220°C for 3 minutes to obtain a crosslinked composition. The supply ratio of each component was as shown in Table 3. The obtained crosslinked composition was press-molded using a press set at 200°C to obtain a sheet having a thickness of 2 mm. The obtained sheet was used for evaluation in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 3.

Comparative Example 3
An olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (a thermoplastic elastomer mainly composed of crosslinked ethylene propylene terpolymer and polypropylene, product name "Milastomer 8030NS", manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) was press-molded using a press set at 200°C to obtain a sheet having a thickness of 2 mm. The obtained sheet was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 3.

From Table 3, it can be confirmed that the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer having a silane-containing functional group, which is obtained by modifying the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) represented by the general formula (A) with an unsaturated silane modifier, has excellent compression recovery (Examples 1 to 6).

On the other hand, it can be confirmed that when a hydrogenated block copolymer different from the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is modified with an unsaturated silane modifier, the compression recovery property is poor (Comparative Example 1).
It can also be seen that the compression recovery property is poor when no modification with an unsaturated silane modifier is performed (Comparative Example 2).
Furthermore, it can be confirmed that the olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer also results in poor compression recovery (Comparative Example 3).

Claims (15)

A silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer having a silane-containing functional group, which is obtained by modifying a hydrogenated block copolymer (A) represented by the following general formula (A) with an unsaturated silane modifier:
Ar1 ^a -HD ^a -Ar2 ^a (A)
(In the above general formula (A), ^Ar1a and ^Ar2a are aromatic vinyl polymer blocks, ^HDa is a hydrogenated polymer block of a conjugated diene polymer, and the ratio (Mw(Ar2a)/Mw( ^Ar1a )) of the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar2a (Mw( ^Ar2a )) to the weight average molecular weight of ^Ar1a (Mw( ^{Ar1a )} ) is 3.0 to 20.) The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to claim 1, in which the hydrogenation rate of the olefin in the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is 10 to 100%. 3. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the silane-containing functional group is present as a side chain in the hydrogenated polymer block ^HDa of the conjugated diene polymer. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the content of aromatic vinyl monomer units relative to the total monomer units of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is 20 to 90% by weight. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the weight average molecular weight of the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) is 20,000 to 500,000. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in the general formula (A), ^Ar1a has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 40,000, ^Ar2a has a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 250,000, and ^HDa has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 300,000. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the unsaturated silane modifier is a compound (1) represented by the following general formula (1):

(In the above general formula (1), R ¹ to R ³ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R ⁴ is a hydrocarbon group having a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond.) 8. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to claim 7, wherein in the above general formula (1), at least one of R ¹ to R ³ is an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (A-Si) according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer (B-Si) having a silane-containing functional group, which is obtained by modifying a hydrogenated block copolymer (B) represented by the following general formula (B) with an unsaturated silane modifier;
A polymer composition comprising:
Ar1 ^b -HD ^b -Ar2 ^b (B)
(In the above general formula (B), Ar1 ^b and Ar2 ^b are aromatic vinyl polymer blocks, HD ^b is a hydrogenated polymer block of a conjugated diene polymer, and the ratio (Mw(Ar2 b )/Mw(Ar1 ^b )) of the weight average molecular weight of Ar2 ^b (Mw(Ar2 ^b )) to the weight average molecular weight of Ar1 ^b (Mw(Ar1 ^{b )} ) is 0.95 to 1.05.) The polymer composition according to claim 9, which is obtained by modifying a hydrogenated block copolymer composition containing the hydrogenated block copolymer (A) and the hydrogenated block copolymer (B) with the unsaturated silane modifier. A crosslinked product obtained by crosslinking the silane-modified hydrogenated block copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the polymer composition according to any one of claims 9 to 10. The crosslinked material according to claim 11, which has a crosslinked structure derived from the silane-containing functional group. The crosslinked product according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the crosslinked structure contains a -Si-O-Si- bond. The crosslinked product according to any one of claims 11 to 13, which has a melt flow rate of 0.05 to 100 g/10 min, measured in accordance with ISO 1133 (G condition, 200°C, 5 kg). The crosslinked product according to any one of claims 11 to 14, which is a cushioning material, weather strip, impact absorbing material, glass interlayer, shoe sole, or sealing material.