Patent Description:
Block copolymers or their hydrogenated products, including polymer blocks mainly containing conjugated diene-based monomers and polymer blocks mainly containing vinyl aromatic-based monomers, have conventionally had not only elasticity comparable with that of vulcanized natural rubber or synthetic rubber at ordinary temperatures, even if not vulcanized, but also excellent processability comparable with that of thermoplastic resins at high temperatures, and therefore have been widely utilized in the fields of footwear, plastic modifiers, asphalt modifiers, viscous adhesives and the like, and for packaging materials for household products and home appliance components/industrial components, toys, and the like.

The block copolymers or their hydrogenated products are commercially available in various forms such as pellets and crumbs, and in particular, crumb-shaped block copolymers or their hydrogenated products are suitably used in the fields of, for example, asphalt modifiers and viscous adhesives because of being porous and being excellent in solubility.

Many methods for obtaining crumbs of such block copolymers or their hydrogenated products (hereinafter, also referred to as "block copolymer crumb") have been conventionally proposed.

For example, there is known a method for obtaining a polymer crumb having a water content of <NUM>% by mass or less by removing a solvent from a block copolymer solution obtained by a polymerization process and a hydrogenation process, according to steam stripping, and then furthermore performing dehydration and drying with an extrusion dehydrator (see, for example, <CIT> and <CIT>).

There are also proposed as methods for improving oil absorption ability of a hydrogenated block copolymer crumb having a high molecular weight, a dehydration/drying method with an extrusion dehydrator, in which the running temperature of an extruder for dehydration of a hydrogenated block copolymer crumb and the amount of moisture in slurry before loading to the extruder are modulated (see, for example, <CIT>), and furthermore a method in which a hydrogenated block copolymer crumb is subjected to drying treatment with a hot dryer under a specified temperature condition (see, for example, <CIT> and <CIT>).

There is known a block copolymer composition as an asphalt modifier, having bulk density, grain size distribution, and pore volume in specified ranges, being favorable in solubility in asphalt, and being excellent also in subsequent processability (see, for example, <CIT>).

While a procedure for an increase in specific area surface is mainly variously studied for improvements in solubility and oil absorption ability of a block copolymer crumb, other problems caused due to an increase in specific area surface, for example, deterioration in crumb-blocking ability and a reduction in transport efficiency, are exposed, and such points of view are neither mentioned, nor implemented. In other words, there is still a demand for a block copolymer crumb that is not only excellent in solubility and oil absorption ability, but also suppressed in blocking and excellent in transport efficiency.

The present inventors have made intensive studies about the shape of a block copolymer crumb in order to solve the above problems, and as a result, have found that the above problems can be solved by a specified shape, leading to completion of the present invention.

Hereinafter, any mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "present embodiment") will be described in detail.

The block copolymer crumb of the present invention includes a polymer block A mainly containing a vinyl aromatic monomer unit, and includes a polymer block B mainly containing a conjugated diene monomer unit and/or a polymer block C consisting of a vinyl aromatic monomer unit and a conjugated diene monomer unit.

Herein, the "vinyl aromatic monomer unit" means a structure corresponding to one vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon compound, resulting from polymerization of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon compound. Examples of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon compound include, but not limited to, alkyl styrene such as styrene, α-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene and p-tert-butyl styrene; alkoxystyrene such as p-methoxystyrene; and vinyl naphthalene. Among them, the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon is preferably styrene. Such vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon compounds may be used singly or in combinations of two or more kinds thereof.

The "conjugated diene monomer unit" means a structure resulting from polymerization of one conjugated diene compound. Such a conjugated diene compound is not particularly limited as long as it is diolefin having a conjugated double bond, and examples thereof include <NUM>,<NUM>-butadiene, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-butadiene (isoprene), <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-butadiene, <NUM>,<NUM>-pentadiene, and <NUM>,<NUM>-hexadiene. Among them, the conjugated diene compound is preferably <NUM>,<NUM>-butadiene or isoprene in terms of availability. Furthermore, <NUM>,<NUM>-butadiene is more preferable because use thereof tends to impart excellent heat aging resistance and light resistance. Such conjugated diene compounds may be used singly or in combinations of two or more kinds thereof.

The "polymer block A mainly containing a vinyl aromatic monomer unit" refers to a polymer block in which the proportion of the vinyl aromatic monomer unit in the entire polymer block A is more than <NUM>% by mass, preferably <NUM>% by mass or more, more preferably <NUM>% by mass or more.

The "polymer block B mainly containing a conjugated diene monomer unit" refers to a polymer block in which the proportion of the conjugated diene monomer unit in the entire polymer block B is more than <NUM>% by mass, preferably <NUM>% by mass or more, more preferably <NUM>% by mass or more.

The "polymer block C consisting of a vinyl aromatic monomer unit and a conjugated diene monomer unit" refers to a polymer block in which the mass ratio between the conjugated diene monomer unit and the vinyl aromatic monomer unit (conjugated diene monomer unit : vinyl aromatic monomer unit) in the entire polymer block C is in the range from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. The range is preferably <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. The vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon in the copolymer block C may be distributed uniformly or in a tapered manner. A region of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon uniformly distributed and/or a region of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon distributed in a tapered manner may be each plurally present in such a copolymer block C section. A plurality of regions different in content of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon may coexist in such a copolymer block C section.

The block ratio of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon incorporated in the block copolymer can be determined with a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer block component (provided that a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer component having an average degree of polymerization of about <NUM> or less is excluded) obtained according to a method of oxidative decomposition of a block copolymer by tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide with osmium tetraoxide as a catalyst (method described in <NPL>)), from the following expression.

The arrangement of the polymer block A and the polymer block B or C is not particularly prescribed, and it is preferably from the viewpoint of sufficient exertion of rubber elasticity of an elastomer to include a structure having a plurality of A blocks, such as A-B-A, A-C-A, B-A-B-A, B-A-C-A or A-B-C-A as a linear structure, or (A-B-)nX, (A-C-)nX, (B-A-B)nX or (B-A-C)nX as a coupling structure, in a molecule. (wherein each A independently represents the polymer block A, each B independently represents the polymer block B and each C independently represents the polymer block C; and each n independently represents an integer of <NUM> or more and each X independently represents a residue of a coupling agent.

The total amount of the vinyl aromatic monomer unit contained in the block copolymer of the present embodiment is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by mass. The content of the vinyl aromatic monomer unit is in the range, resulting in a tendency to impart an excellent softening point of an asphalt composition in the case of compounding of the crumb to the asphalt composition. The content of a vinyl aromatic monomer unit in a block copolymer composition can be controlled by adjustment of the amount of a vinyl aromatic monomer added in polymerization reaction of the block copolymer of the present embodiment. The content of a vinyl aromatic monomer unit in a polymer composition can be measured by a method described in Examples below.

A micro structure (ratio among cis, trans and vinyl) of the conjugated diene moiety in the block copolymer can be controlled with the use of a polar compound or the like described below. When <NUM>,<NUM>-butadiene is used in such conjugated diene, the amount of a <NUM>,<NUM>-vinyl bond is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by mol, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by mol from the viewpoint of heat resistance and flexibility of the block copolymer, and is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by mol from the viewpoint of the balance between the softening point and the melt viscosity of an asphalt composition.

When isoprene is used or <NUM>,<NUM>-butadiene and isoprene are used in combination in such conjugated diene, the total amount of a <NUM>,<NUM>-vinyl bond and a <NUM>,<NUM>-vinyl bond is defined as the amount of a vinyl bond. The amount of a vinyl bond can be measured by a method described in Examples below.

When the block copolymer is a hydrogenated product, the total hydrogenation ratio of an unsaturated double bond based on the conjugated diene compound can be arbitrarily selected depending on the purpose, and is not particularly limited. For example, when heat resistance is demanded during processing/molding or use, the hydrogenation ratio of an unsaturated double bond based on the conjugated diene compound in the block copolymer is preferably <NUM>% by mol or more, more preferably <NUM>% by mol or more, further preferably <NUM>% by mol or more. For example, only one portion may be hydrogenated for the purpose of control of compatibility with other asphalt or the like, or control of the rate of crosslinking. When only one portion is hydrogenated, the hydrogenation ratio is <NUM>% by mol or more and less than <NUM>% by mol, or <NUM>% by mol or more and less than <NUM>% by mol, and is optionally recommended to be <NUM>% by mol or more and less than <NUM>% by mol. Furthermore, the hydrogenation ratio of a vinyl bond based on the conjugated diene before hydrogenation, with respect to a hydrogenated block copolymer, is preferably recommended to be <NUM>% by mol or more, more preferably <NUM>% by mol or more, further preferably <NUM>% by mol or more, from the viewpoint that a composition excellent in thermal stability is obtained.

The hydrogenation ratio of the vinyl bond refers to the proportion of a hydrogenated vinyl bond based on the conjugated diene before hydrogenation, incorporated in the block copolymer.

The hydrogenation ratio of an aromatic double bond based on the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon in the block copolymer is not particularly limited, and is preferably recommended to be <NUM>% by mol or less, more preferably <NUM>% by mol or less, further preferably <NUM>% by mol or less. The hydrogenation ratio can be found by nuclear magnetic resonator (NMR).

The molecular weight of the block copolymer is not particularly limited, and Mw is preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> because of suitable use for an asphalt composition. The molecular weight is preferably <NUM> or more from the viewpoint that a high softening point is easily achieved in use for an asphalt composition and the amount of the block copolymer added can also be saved, namely, the production time is shortened. The molecular weight is practicably preferably <NUM> or less because the melt viscosity of an asphalt composition is not too high.

The MFR of the block copolymer of the present embodiment is less than <NUM>/<NUM> under conditions of a test temperature of <NUM> and a test load of <NUM> kgf. A MFR of less than <NUM>/<NUM> allows a high softening point to be easily achieved in an asphalt composition.

Examples of the method for producing the block copolymer include methods described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and the like.

The solvent used in production of the block copolymer can be, for example, a hydrocarbon-based solvent, for example, an aliphatic hydrocarbon such as butane, pentane, hexane, isopentane, heptane, octane or isooctane, an alicyclic hydrocarbon such as cyclopentane, methylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane or ethylcyclohexane, or an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene or xylene. These may be used singly or as a mixture of two or more kinds thereof.

An organolithium compound for use in the production of the block copolymer is a compound where one or more lithium atoms are bound in a molecule, and examples thereof include ethyllithium, n-propyllithium, isopropyllithium, n-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, tert-butyllithium, hexamethylenedilithium, butadienyldilithium, and isoprenyldilithium.

A polar compound and/or a randomizing agent can be used for the purposes of, for example, adjustment of the rate of polymerization in production of the block copolymer, modification of a micro structure of a conjugated diene moiety subjected to polymerization, and adjustment of the reactivity ratio between the conjugated diene and the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon. Examples of the polar compound and/or the randomizing agent include an ether compound, an amine compound, a thioether compound, phosphoramide, a potassium salt or a sodium salt of alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, and potassium or sodium alkoxide. Examples of an appropriate ether compound include dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, diphenyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, ditetrahydrofurylpropane (DTHFP), and ethyl tetrahydrofurfuryl ether. The amine compound here used can be tertiary amine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tetramethylethylenediamine, other cyclic tertiary amine, or the like. Examples of the phosphine and phosphoramide include triphenylphosphine and hexamethylphosphoramide.

The polymerization temperature in production of the block copolymer is preferably -<NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. The time taken for polymerization varies depending on conditions, and is preferably within <NUM> hours, particularly suitably <NUM> to <NUM> hours. The atmosphere of the polymerization system is preferably an atmosphere of an inert gas such as a nitrogen gas. The polymerization pressure may be in a range sufficient for retention of the monomer and the solvent in a liquid phase in the above polymerization temperature range, and is not particularly limited. Furthermore, impurities that cause inactivation of a catalyst and a living polymer, for example, water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are preferably not incorporated in the polymerization system.

The block copolymer may be hydrogenated. A hydrogenation catalyst is not particularly limited, and those conventionally known, (<NUM>) a supported heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst where any metal such as Ni, Pt, Pd or Ru is supported on carbon, silica, alumina, or diatomaceous earth, (<NUM>) a so-called Ziegler hydrogenation catalyst where a transition metal salt such as an organic acid salt or an acetylacetone salt, of Ni, Co, Fe, or Cr, and a reducing agent such as organoaluminum are used, and (<NUM>) a homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, for example, a so-called organometallic complex such as an organometallic compound of Ti, Ru, Rh, Zr or the like are used. As a specific hydrogenation catalyst, any hydrogenation catalyst described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> can be used. Examples of a preferable hydrogenation catalyst include a mixture with a titanocene compound and/or a reducible organometallic compound.

The titanocene compound here used can be a compound described in <CIT>, and specific examples thereof include a compound having at least one ligand having a (substituted) cyclopentadienyl backbone, an indenyl backbone or a fluorenyl backbone, such as biscyclopentadienyl titanium dichloride or monopentamethylcyclopentadienyl titanium trichloride. Examples of the reducible organometallic compound include an organic alkali metal compound such as organolithium, an organomagnesium compound, an organoaluminum compound, an organoboron compound or an organozinc compound.

The hydrogenation reaction is preferably performed in the temperature range from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. The pressure of hydrogen used in the hydrogenation reaction is recommended to be preferably <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, further preferably <NUM> to <NUM> MPa. The hydrogenation reaction time is preferably <NUM> minutes to <NUM> hours, more preferably <NUM> minutes to <NUM> hours. The hydrogenation reaction can be made with any of a batch process, a continuous process, or a combination thereof.

The block copolymer or its hydrogenated product obtained by the above method is recovered as a block copolymer crumb in a process described below.

The block copolymer crumb of the present embodiment has specified weight, aspect ratio, volume, and specific gravity. Herein, the "crumb" is one solid shape of a polymer, and is distinguished from a pellet and a powder.

The crumb refers to a small grain size block copolymer that is extruded/dried and cut in the state of being unmolten or partially molten, refers to one having a shape partially expanded, and is defined as one having a specific area surface of <NUM><NUM>/g or more.

The shape of the crumb of the present embodiment is described below. All the aspect ratio, the volume, the weight, the specific gravity, and the grain size of the crumb, described below, can be controlled by conditions of dehydration treatment and drying treatment in particularly Process <NUM> in a process for recovering the block copolymer crumb described below. Specifically, a shorter side length can be controlled by the shape of a die hole, and a longer side length can be controlled by the feed flow rate of the crumb, the total area of the hole, namely, the total opening area, the number of cutter blades, and the number of rotations. While the values of width and length are increased by expansion in extrusion, the expansion ratio can be controlled by the specific energy of an extruder.

The average aspect ratio value per crumb of the present embodiment is <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, further preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

The aspect ratio can be defined as the ratio of the longest side length to the shortest side length of the crumb, and can be measured and calculated by a method described in Examples below.

The aspect ratio can be controlled by setting the shape of the die hole to a circular shape having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the feed flow rate of the crumb to <NUM> to <NUM> t/h, setting the total area of the die opening portion to <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, setting the number of cutter blades to <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the number of cutter rotations to <NUM> to <NUM> rpm, and setting specific energy to <NUM> kWh/kg or less. In particular, adjustment is preferably made by control of the number of cutter blades and the number of rotations, in terms of actual running. The number of cutter blades multiplied by the number of rotations is preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> rpm, further preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> rpm.

When the aspect ratio is more than <NUM>, namely, in the case of a "long" crumb shape, the crumb is increased in mutual entanglement to cause deterioration in blocking resistance and also easy occurrence of a void during packing, thereby resulting in a reduction in bulk density, namely, a reduction in transport efficiency.

The average volume value per crumb of the present embodiment is <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. The lower limit is preferably <NUM><NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM><NUM> or more, further preferably <NUM><NUM> or more. The upper limit is preferably <NUM><NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM><NUM> or less, further preferably <NUM><NUM> or less, particularly preferably <NUM><NUM> or less.

The volume of the block copolymer crumb can be calculated from the shortest side length and the longest side length of the crumb, by a method described in Examples below.

The volume can be controlled by setting the shape of the die hole to a circular shape having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the feed flow rate of the crumb to <NUM> to <NUM> t/h, setting the total area of the die opening portion to <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, setting the number of cutter blades to <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the number of cutter rotations to <NUM> to <NUM> rpm, and setting specific energy to <NUM> kWh/kg or less. In particular, adjustment is preferably made by control of the number of cutter blades multiplied by the number of rotations within the range from <NUM> to <NUM> rpm and control of the diameter of the die hole, from the viewpoint of not only achievement of the above-mentioned aspect ratio, but also control of the volume. The shape of the die hole is particularly preferably a circular shape having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The average volume value is <NUM><NUM> or more, and thus the crumb is small in contact area and blocking resistance is favorable. In addition, blocking is suppressed and thus the apparent volume tends to be relatively small and the solubility in asphalt also tends to be high. When the volume is more than <NUM><NUM>, not only solubility in asphalt and oil absorption ability are inferior, but also a void easily occurs during packing, thereby resulting in a reduction in bulk density, namely, a reduction in transport efficiency.

The average weight value per crumb of the present embodiment is <NUM> to <NUM>. It is preferably <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM>. The upper limit value is preferably <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> or less, further preferably <NUM> or less. The weight of the block copolymer crumb can be measured and calculated by a method described in Examples below. The weight can be controlled by setting the shape of the die hole to a circular shape having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the feed flow rate of the crumb to <NUM> to <NUM> t/h, setting the total area of the die opening portion to <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, setting the number of cutter blades to <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the number of cutter rotations to <NUM> to <NUM> rpm, and setting specific energy to <NUM> kWh/kg or less. In particular, adjustment is preferably made by setting the number of cutter blades multiplied by the number of rotations to the range from <NUM> to <NUM> rpm, setting the shape of the die hole to a circular shape having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>, and controlling the specific energy, from the viewpoint of not only achievement of the above-mentioned aspect ratio and volume, but also control of the weight. The specific energy is more preferably <NUM> kWh/kg or less, particularly preferably <NUM> kWh/kg.

The weight is <NUM> or more, resulting in a sufficient bulk density, namely, a good transport efficiency. The weight is <NUM> or less, resulting in favorable solubility in asphalt and oil absorption ability in the case of compounding in an asphalt composition.

The specific gravity per crumb of the present embodiment is <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> g/mm<NUM>, further preferably <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> g/mm<NUM>.

The specific gravity of the block copolymer crumb can be calculated as a value obtained by dividing the average weight per crumb obtained by the above-mentioned method, by the average volume per crumb similarly obtained by the above-mentioned method. The specific gravity can be controlled by setting the shape of the die hole to a circular shape having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the feed flow rate of the crumb to <NUM> to <NUM> t/h, setting the total area of the die opening portion to <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, setting the number of cutter blades to <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the number of cutter rotations to <NUM> to <NUM> rpm, and setting specific energy to <NUM> kWh/kg or less. In particular, adjustment is preferably made by control of the number of cutter blades multiplied by the number of rotations within the range from <NUM> to <NUM> rpm, setting the shape of the die hole to a circular shape having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>, and controlling the specific energy, from the viewpoint of not only achievement of the above-mentioned aspect ratio and volume, but also control of the specific gravity. The specific energy is more preferably <NUM> kWh/kg or less, particularly preferably <NUM> kWh/kg.

The specific gravity is <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> or more, resulting in a tendency to impart a sufficient bulk density, namely, a high transport efficiency, and the specific gravity is <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> g/mm<NUM> or less, resulting in good solubility in asphalt and oil absorption ability in the case of use in an asphalt composition.

The block copolymer crumb of the present embodiment contains <NUM>% by mass or more of a component passing through a sieve with an aperture of <NUM> relative to the entire crumb. The content is more preferably <NUM>% by mass or more, further preferably <NUM>% by mass or more. Herein, the ratio of the component passing through a sieve with an aperture of <NUM> is designated as the grain size.

The grain size of the crumb can be controlled by setting the shape of the die hole to a circular shape having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the feed flow rate of the crumb to <NUM> to <NUM> t/h, setting the total area of the die opening portion to <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, setting the number of cutter blades to <NUM> to <NUM>, setting the number of cutter rotations to <NUM> to <NUM> rpm, and setting specific energy to <NUM> kWh/kg or less. In particular, adjustment is preferably made by control of the diameter of the die hole. The shape of the die hole is particularly preferably a circular shape having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>. If less than <NUM>% by mass of the component passing through a sieve with an aperture of <NUM> is contained, not only a remarkable reduction in transport efficiency, but also deteriorations in blocking resistance, solubility in asphalt, and oil absorption ability are caused.

An aqueous slurry where a block copolymer crumb precursor is dispersed in water is obtained by loading a block copolymer solution into boiled water under stirring and removing a solvent by steam stripping for, if necessary, removal of a catalyst residue from the block copolymer solution.

The treatment method by steam stripping is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known method can be adopted.

A crumbing agent may be used during the steam stripping, and an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, or a nonionic surfactant is commonly used as the crumbing agent.

The surfactant as the crumbing agent is commonly added in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> ppm relative to water in a stripping zone. Not only the surfactant, but also a water-soluble salt of a metal such as Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, or Zn can be used as a dispersion aid of the crumb.

The aqueous slurry where a block copolymer crumb precursor is dispersed in water, obtained in such a steam stripping process, can undergo the following process and be subjected to dehydration/drying treatment, and thus the block copolymer crumb of the present embodiment can be recovered.

The process for recovering the block copolymer crumb can be carried out by, but not limited to, for example, performing <Process <NUM>> dehydration treatment, <Process <NUM>> dehydration treatment and drying treatment, and <Process <NUM>> drying treatment, described below. In <Process <NUM>>, the dehydration treatment and the drying treatment may be each performed with an independent apparatus, or may be performed with a so-called integrated extrusion type dryer having a structure provided with a dehydration treatment device and a drying treatment device that are communicated with each other.

The aqueous slurry where a block copolymer crumb precursor is dispersed in water is subjected to dehydration treatment, and a polymer is obtained where the water content is more than <NUM>% by mass and <NUM>% by mass or less and a polymer component not passing through a sieve having an aperture of <NUM> corresponds to <NUM>% by mass or more of the entire polymer. For example, the aqueous slurry can be sieved by a vibration type screen to thereby dehydrate the slurry and adjust the water content. The temperature of the aqueous slurry is here set to <NUM> or less, thereby decreasing shear heating and the die temperature in treatment of the crumb in a dry extruder in the next <Process <NUM>>, reducing the energy taken for dehydration and drying, and facilitating obtainment of a desired crumb shape.

The dehydration treatment in <Process <NUM>> can be performed with, for example, a rotary screen, a vibration screen, or a centrifugal dehydrator.

The water content in the crumb obtained in Process <NUM> is <NUM>% by mass or more, resulting in a tendency to easily adjust the specific energy in Process <NUM>, and the water content is <NUM>% by mass or less, resulting in a tendency to decrease the remaining moisture in an extruder exit and stabilize a final crumb shape.

Furthermore, a crumb component not passing through a sieve having an aperture of <NUM> corresponds to <NUM>% by mass or more of the entire crumb, thereby enabling dehydration and drying treatment in <Process <NUM>> described below to be stably performed, and providing a block copolymer having a desired crumb shape (weight, aspect ratio, volume).

The crumb, which is subjected to dehydration treatment in <Process <NUM>> and has a predetermined water content, is subjected to dehydration treatment and drying treatment in <Process <NUM>> and thus is formed into a crumb having a water content of <NUM> to <NUM>% by mass, and is transferred to <Process <NUM>> described below.

The water content of the crumb subjected to <Process <NUM>> is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by mass, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by mass.

The dehydration treatment and the drying treatment may be each performed with an independent apparatus, or may be performed with a so-called integrated extrusion type dryer having a structure provided with a dehydration treatment device and a drying treatment device that are communicated with each other.

The extrusion type dryer is an apparatus for performing the dehydration treatment and the drying treatment, and includes a dehydration treatment device and a drying treatment device, and the dehydration treatment device here adopted is an extruder (extruder-type water press) and the drying treatment device here adopted is, for example, a kneader type dryer or a screw type expander dryer. In particular, the dehydration treatment device is preferably configured to be provided with a single screw or multi screw, for example, twin screw type extruder and the drying treatment device is preferably configured to be provided with a screw type dryer, from the viewpoint of dehydration efficiency and workability.

A combination of a single screw type extruder and a screw type dryer is particularly preferable for mild control of dehydration of the crumb. When the feed flow rate of the crumb obtained in Process <NUM>, to the extrusion type dryer, is defined as F [t/h], the number of rotations R in the extrusion type dryer is preferably set so that (F/R) is in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> t/rph, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> t/rph, further preferably <NUM> to <NUM> t/rph. Such a range can allow for stable drying, namely, enables the water content in the crumb in an extrusion dryer exit to be controlled to <NUM> to <NUM>% by mass.

The shape of the crumb of the present embodiment (aspect ratio, volume, weight, specific gravity, grain size) can be controlled by setting various conditions of the extrusion type dryer.

The extrusion dryer exit is provided with a plurality of dies each having a plurality of holes, and the crumb is continuously discharged through such each hole. The crumb continuously discharged is cut by a rotary cutter blade adjacent to the extrusion dryer exit, and the shape is then determined. The pressure is released in a die exit, and thus the crumb is expanded.

It is understood from the viewpoint that not only the width is controlled by the hole shape and the length is controlled by a so-called linear velocity obtained by dividing the feed flow rate by the total opening area, and the number of cutter blades and the number of rotations, but also the specific energy, namely, the power value of the entire extrusion dryer, taken per unit weight of the crumb, can be adopted as an index for the expansion ratio.

Conditions for obtaining the crumb of the present embodiment are preferably as follows.

The shape of the die hole is a circular shape preferably having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

When the diameter is small, there are tendencies to decrease the volume of the crumb and deteriorate blocking ability, and when the diameter is large, there are tendencies to easily increase the volume of the crumb and cause inferior transport efficiency, solubility in asphalt and oil absorption ability. While the diameter is preferably <NUM> or less from the viewpoint of the solubility, any other factor is also associated with control of the volume of the crumb and thus the diameter to be set to <NUM> or less and the volume of the crumb to be set to <NUM><NUM> or less do not necessarily correspond to each other.

The sum of hole areas, namely, the total opening area is preferably <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. When the sum is less than <NUM><NUM>, the crumb tends to be longer to cause an increase in aspect ratio and deterioration in blocking ability. When the sum is more than <NUM><NUM>, the crumb tends to be shorter to easily decrease the volume and thus deteriorate blocking ability. It is here noted that any other factor than the opening area is also associated with control of the length of the crumb and thus the lower limit value of the volume and the upper limit value of the area do not necessarily correlate.

Cutter blades are shaped to radially extend from the center, and are preferably disposed to be adjacent to the extrusion dryer exit. The number of the blades and the number of blade rotations are preferably set so that the number of cutter blades multiplied by the number of rotations is in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> rpm. When the product is less than <NUM> rpm, the crumb tends to be longer to deteriorate blocking ability, and when the product is more than <NUM> rpm, the crumb tends to be shorter to easily decrease the volume and thus deteriorate blocking ability. It is here noted that any other factor than the number of rotations is also associated with control of the volume and thus the product being <NUM> rpm and the lower limit value of the volume do not necessarily correlate.

The specific energy of the extrusion dryer is preferably <NUM> kWh/kg or less, more preferably <NUM> kWh/kg or less, further preferably <NUM> kWh/kg or less. When the specific energy is more than <NUM> kWh/kg, the expansion ratio is easily higher and the specific gravity is easily lower, resulting in a tendency to deteriorate transport efficiency and blocking ability. It is here noted that any other factor than the specific energy is also associated with control of the specific gravity and thus the specific energy being <NUM> kWh/kg and the lower limit value of the specific gravity do not necessarily correlate.

The crumb obtained in <Process <NUM>> is subjected to drying treatment with a dry conveyor (equipment where, while vibration conveyance is made by a conveyor, hot air is blown from the bottom), and is formed into a crumb having a water content of <NUM>% by mass or less.

The water content of the crumb subjected to <Process <NUM>> is <NUM>% by mass or less, preferably <NUM>% by mass or less, more preferably <NUM>% by mass or less.

As described above, the aqueous slurry is subjected to dehydration treatment by <Process <NUM>> to provide a crumb where the water content is more than <NUM>% by mass and <NUM>% by mass or less and a crumb component not passing through a sieve having an aperture of <NUM> corresponds to <NUM>% by mass or more of the entire crumb, dehydration treatment and drying treatment are performed according to <Process <NUM>> to thereby provide a crumb having a water content of <NUM> to <NUM>% by mass, and drying treatment is performed with a dry conveyor according to <Process <NUM>> to thereby provide a crumb having a water content adjusted to <NUM>% by mass or less.

The asphalt composition of the present embodiment includes the block copolymer crumb of the present embodiment, and asphalt. Furthermore, the compounding proportion of the block copolymer crumb in the asphalt composition of the present embodiment is preferably <NUM> parts by mass or more and <NUM> parts by mass or less, more preferably <NUM> part by mass or more and <NUM> parts by mass or less, further preferably <NUM> parts by mass or more and <NUM> parts by mass or less based on <NUM> parts by mass of the asphalt. When the compounding proportion of the polymer is <NUM> parts by mass or more, a favorable softening point tends to be obtained, and when the compounding proportion is <NUM> parts by mass or less, physical properties and viscosity (processability) tend to be well balanced.

Examples of the asphalt usable in the present embodiment include one obtained as a by-product (petroleum asphalt) in petroleum refining or one obtained as a natural product (natural asphalt), or a mixture thereof with a petroleum compound. The main component is one that is called bitumen. Specific examples include straight asphalt, semi-blown asphalt, blown asphalt, tar, pitch, cutback asphalt where oil is added, and asphalt emulsion. These may be mixed and used.

Examples of a suitable asphalt include straight asphalt preferably having a penetration (measured by JIS-K2207) of <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>) or more and <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>) or less, more preferably <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>) or more and <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>) or less, further preferably <NUM>(<NUM>/<NUM>) or more and <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>) or less.

In the present embodiment, any petroleum resin can be, if necessary, further compounded. The type of the petroleum resin is not particularly limited, and, for example, an aliphatic petroleum resin such as a C5-based petroleum resin, an aromatic petroleum resin such as a C9-based petroleum resin, an alicyclic petroleum resin such as a dicyclopentadiene-based petroleum resin, a petroleum resin such as a C5/C9 copolymer-based petroleum resin, and a hydrogenated petroleum resin obtained by hydrogenation of such a petroleum resin can be used. The amount of the petroleum resin is not particularly limited, and is preferably <NUM> part by mass or more and <NUM> parts by mass or less, more preferably <NUM> parts by mass or more and <NUM> parts by mass or less based on <NUM> parts by mass of the asphalt.

In the present embodiment, any additive can be, if necessary, further compounded. The type of such any additive is not particularly limited as long as it is one commonly used for compounding of a thermoplastic resin or a rubber polymer. Examples of such any additive include, but not limited to, those described in "Chemicals for Rubber/Plastics" (by Rubber Digest, Co. , Japan), for example, inorganic fillers such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, silica, clay, talc, mica, wollastonite, montmorillonite, zeolite, alumina, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, slug wool, and glass fibers, pigments such as carbon black and iron oxide, lubricants such as stearic acid, behenic acid, zinc stearate, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, and ethylenebisstearamide, release agents, softening agents/plasticizers such as paraffin-based process oil, naphthene-based process oil, aromatic process oil, paraffin, organic polysiloxane, and mineral oil, antioxidants such as hindered phenol-based antioxidants and phosphorus-based heat stabilizers, hindered amine-based light stabilizers, benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorbers, flame retardants, antistatic agents, reinforcing agents such as organic fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, and metal whiskers, colorants, other additives, or mixtures thereof. The amount of such any additive is not particularly limited, can be appropriately selected, and is usually <NUM> parts by mass or less based on <NUM> parts by mass of the asphalt.

Not only the block copolymer crumb of the present embodiment, but also any other polymer can be further compounded in the asphalt composition of the present embodiment. Such any other polymer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include olefinic elastomers such as natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and ethylene-propylene copolymers; and olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, for example, olefinic polymers such as chloroprene rubber, acrylic rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, atactic polypropylene, and amorphous poly-alpha-olefin, blends of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene copolymers, blends of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, and copolymers of ethylene and the like. These may be used singly or in combination.

An olefinic polymer and other polymer are preferably used in combination from the viewpoint of enhancements in heat aging resistance and softening point. Among them, an olefinic polymer having at least a propylene unit is more preferably used. The amount of such any other polymer added is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> parts by mass based on <NUM> parts by mass of the block copolymer crumb of the present embodiment.

When it is necessary to increase the solubility of each of the block copolymer crumb of the present embodiment and such any other polymer, in asphalt, improve adhesion resistance of the asphalt composition to an aggregate, enhance flow rutting resistance of an asphalt mixture, and enhance wear resistance, crosslinking is preferably made. Examples of a crosslinking agent include, but not limited to, sulfur-sulfur compound-based, phosphorus-based, organic peroxide-based, epoxy-based, isocyanate-based, resin-based, amine-based, metal chelate-based, and thiuram crosslinking agents. These may be used singly or in combinations of two or more kinds thereof. Two or more from the same series may be used. Among them, sulfur, a sulfur-based compound, and polyphosphoric acid are preferable from the viewpoint that the above effects are large and economic efficiency is obtained.

The asphalt composition of the present embodiment can be utilized in the road paving, roofing/waterproofing sheet, and sealant fields, and in particular, is suitably utilized in the road paving field. Among them, the asphalt composition for the road paving is suitable. The block copolymer crumb of the present embodiment is excellent in solubility in asphalt, namely, is dissolved in asphalt in a short time, and thus is enhanced in productivity.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment is specifically described with reference to Examples, but the present embodiment is not limited to these Examples at all.

Measurement methods of polymers and asphalt compositions in Examples and Comparative Examples are as follows.

A solution of a measurement sample (each block copolymer produced in the following Production Example) in chloroform was prepared and the absorption at UV <NUM> by a phenyl group of styrene was detected with a spectrophotometer (V-<NUM> manufactured by JASCO Corporation), and thus the amount (% by mass) of bound styrene was measured. The amount of bound styrene was determined as a value obtained by rounding to the nearest integer.

The amount of a vinyl bond in each polymer, and the hydrogenation ratio of a double bond in a conjugated diene monomer unit were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum analysis (NMR) under the following conditions.

Both the amount of a vinyl bond and the hydrogenation ratio were measured by use of a polymer sample after hydrogenation reaction. The reaction liquid after hydrogenation reaction was subjected to precipitation in a large amount of methanol, and thus a polymer after hydrogenation was precipitated and recovered.

Next, the polymer after hydrogenation was extracted with acetone, and the extracted liquid was dried in vacuum and then used as a sample of <NUM>-NMR measurement.

The conditions of <NUM>-NMR measurement were as follows.

The amount of a vinyl bond and the hydrogenation ratio were each represented by "% by mol", and were each determined as a value obtained by rounding to the nearest integer.

Measurement was performed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with a measurement apparatus manufactured by Tosoh Corporation. The solvent here used was tetrahydrofuran, and the measurement temperature was <NUM>. The molecular weight at a peak in a chromatogram was determined as the weight average molecular weight (molecular weight in terms of polystyrene) with a calibration curve (created with the molecular weight at the peak assigned to standard polystyrene) determined from measurement of commercially available standard polystyrene.

The weight average molecular weight was determined as a value obtained by rounding off thousands place.

The MFR was measured according to the A method of JIS-K7210 under conditions corresponding to G conditions of ASTM, of a test temperature of <NUM> and a test load of <NUM> kgf. The value was obtained by rounding to one decimal place.

First, whether the shape of the crumb was of a tower type or a tank type in simulation of the shape as a cylinder form was determined, and the volume was determined according to the following rule. Here, the tower type refers to a shape having a height more than the diameter of the bottom and the tank type refers to a shape having a larger diameter of the bottom than the height, in simulation of the shape as a cylinder form. Thirty of such crumbs were randomly extracted, and were each subjected to measurement of the length and the width with a caliper. The longest side length was defined as the length and the shortest side length was defined as the width in both cases of the tower type and the tank type. Thirty of such crumbs were randomly extracted similarly, and were each subjected to measurement of the weight with an electronic balance. The length and the width were represented by the unit "mm", and were each determined as a value obtained by rounding to one decimal place. The weight was represented by the unit "g", and was determined as a value obtained by rounding to four decimal places.

After measurement of the length, the width and the weight, the measurement results were subjected to an outlier test. The outlier test was performed with a Smirnov-Grubbs test. The average value and the dispersion of <NUM> pieces of measurement data were each calculated by calculating the test statistic t and the p value at t, and excluding one where the p value was <NUM> or less (<NUM>% or less), as an abnormal value, to thereby calculate the average value.

The aspect ratio of the crumb was calculated from the length and the width in the shape measurement, according to the following expression. Aspect ratio = Length/Width.

The length and the width here used were respectively the average length value and the average width value calculated by the above-mentioned method. The aspect ratio was determined as a value obtained by rounding to two decimal places.

The volume of the crumb was calculated from the length and the width of the crumb, according to the following expressions. <MAT> <MAT>.

The length and the width here used were respectively the average length value and the average width value calculated by the above-mentioned method. The volume was represented by the unit "mm<NUM>", and was determined as a value obtained by rounding to one decimal place.

The specific gravity of the crumb was calculated from the weight and the volume in the shape measurement, according to the following expression.

The weight here used was an average weight value obtained by calculation according to the above-mentioned method. The specific gravity was represented by the unit "g/mm<NUM>", and was determined as a value obtained by rounding to five decimal places.

A sieve shaker (Octagon Digital, manufactured by Seishin Enterprise Co. ) was used, <NUM> of the crumb was loaded from the top of a sieve with an aperture of <NUM> and vibrated for <NUM> minutes, the amount of the remaining crumb on and the amount of the crumb passing through each sieve were measured, and the proportion (% by mass) of the crumb passing through such a sieve with an aperture of <NUM> was calculated. The grain size was represented by "% by mass", and was determined as a value obtained by rounding to the nearest integer.

The resulting block copolymer crumb was packed in a flexible container having a width <NUM>, a length of <NUM>, and a height of <NUM> until the height of the crumb packed reached <NUM>. Herein, the total weight of the block copolymer crumb was measured. The evaluation criteria were as follows, ratings A to C were defined as passed, and in particular, and ratings A and B were regarded as excellent transport efficiency. During the packing, the upper portion was flatly leveled, but no operation of pushing was performed.

The container where the block copolymer crumb produced for evaluation of transport efficiency was packed was stored at about <NUM> for three months, and then pulled up, and a circular hole having a diameter of <NUM> placed on the central portion of the lower surface of the container was released to observe and evaluate the state of discharge. The evaluation criteria were as follows, ratings A to C were defined as passed, and in particular, and ratings A and B were regarded as excellent blocking ability.

In a <NUM>-mL metal can was loaded <NUM> of asphalt (straight asphalt <NUM>-<NUM> (manufactured by Petronas)), and the metal can was sufficiently immersed in an oil bath at <NUM>. Next, each block copolymer was loaded in molten asphalt in small batches under stirring so as to be in an amount of <NUM>% by mass.

After each material was completely loaded, the resultant was stirred at a rotational speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> minutes, thereby preparing an asphalt composition.

In the course of dissolution in asphalt, the solubility was evaluated based on the dissolution time, according to the following criteria. The evaluation criteria were as follows, ratings A to C were defined as passed, and in particular, and ratings A and B were regarded as excellent solubility in asphalt.

Ten g of the resulting block copolymer crumb was placed in a bag made of a <NUM>-mesh wire net. Two L of PW90 was placed in a <NUM>-L polybeaker, and the entire polybeaker was subjected to temperature regulation to <NUM> in a warm water bath. When PW90 was stabilized at <NUM>, the entire wire net bag with the produced crumb placed was immersed in PW90 for <NUM> minute. Thereafter, the bag was taken out rapidly, and left to still stand on a waste cloth for <NUM> hours.

After the still standing, molded plates (<NUM> thickness_30 cm square_2 plates) and <NUM>-cmϕ paper filters (two-ply (upper and lower)) were prepared, and a load of <NUM> kgf was applied for <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the bag was released, and the crumb absorbing oil was recovered. The weight of the crumb was measured before and after the oil absorption, and the amount of oil absorption was calculated according to the following expression.

The evaluation criteria were as follows, ratings A to C were defined as passed, and in particular, and ratings A and B were regarded as excellent oil absorption ability.

A reaction container purged with nitrogen was charged with <NUM> of cyclohexane dried and purified, <NUM> mol of bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride was added, a solution containing <NUM> mol of trimethylaluminum in n-hexane was added under sufficient stirring, and the reaction was made at room temperature for about <NUM> days.

A tank type reactor equipped with a stirring apparatus and a jacket, having an inner volume of <NUM> m3, was used to perform polymerization by the following method.

After the reactor was charged with <NUM> t of cyclohexane and the temperature was adjusted to <NUM>, <NUM> mol of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (hereinafter, referred to as "TMEDA") was added based on <NUM> mol of n-butyllithium, and thereafter <NUM> parts by mass of styrene as a monomer was added over about <NUM> minutes.

After the solution temperature in the container was adjusted to <NUM>, <NUM> parts by mass of n-butyllithium was added based on <NUM> parts by mass of the entire monomer, and polymerization was made for <NUM> minutes.

Third step: Next, <NUM> parts by mass of butadiene and <NUM> parts by mass of styrene were each continuously fed to the reactor at a certain rate over <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the reaction was made for <NUM> minutes. The reactor internal temperature was adjusted so as to be about <NUM> during the reaction.

Thereafter, <NUM> parts by mass of styrene as a monomer was further added over about <NUM> minutes to perform reaction for <NUM> minutes with the reactor internal temperature being adjusted to about <NUM>, and then <NUM> mol of methanol was added based on <NUM> mol of n-butyllithium.

Herein, feeding was made so that the entire monomer was in an amount of <NUM> parts by mass based on <NUM> parts by mass of cyclohexane.

Next, <NUM> ppm of the hydrogenation catalyst based on the mass of the polymer was added as titanium to perform hydrogenation reaction at a hydrogen pressure of <NUM> MPa and a temperature of <NUM>. When the hydrogenation ratio reached <NUM>%, feeding of hydrogen was stopped, and then <NUM>% by mass of octadecyl-<NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-di-t-butyl-<NUM>-hydroxyphenyl)propionate as a stabilizer was added based on the mass of the polymer to thereby obtain a block copolymer solution in cyclohexane.

The obtained block copolymer solution in cyclohexane was subjected to steam stripping at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. The steam stripping was performed by addition of a styrene-maleic acid copolymer sodium salt as a crumbing agent.

The concentration of the block copolymer crumb precursor in the resulting aqueous slurry was <NUM>% by mass.

Next, the resulting aqueous slurry containing the block copolymer crumb precursor was sent to a vibration type screen having an aperture of <NUM>, and dehydration treatment (<Process <NUM>>) was performed.

The block copolymer crumb precursor was subjected to dehydrate and drying treatment (<Process <NUM>>) with a two-stage single screw extrusion dryer where a dehydration treatment device and a drying treatment device were integrated. Forty two dies each having a hole diameter of <NUM> and a number of holes of <NUM> were disposed on an extrusion dryer exit. The total area of the opening portion was <NUM><NUM>. A cutter where ten cutter blades were radially disposed was used, and the number of rotations was set to <NUM> rpm.

The block copolymer was set to a rate of feeding of <NUM> t/h, and continuously fed to the extrusion dryer, to thereby continuously discharge a crumb from a dry extruder exit. The number of screw rotations was adjusted so that the specific energy was <NUM> kWh/kg.

Thereafter, the block copolymer crumb obtained above was subjected to drying treatment by hot air at about <NUM> with a dry conveyor (<Process <NUM>>), and block copolymer crumb <NUM> was recovered. The polymerization conditions and analysis results of block copolymer crumb <NUM> are shown in Table <NUM> and the conditions in Process <NUM> are shown in Table <NUM>.

Block copolymer crumbs <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> to <NUM> were obtained in the same manner as in Production Example <NUM> except that the conditions in Process <NUM> were changed as in Table <NUM>. The polymerization conditions and analysis results of the block copolymer crumbs are shown in Table <NUM>.

Block copolymer crumb <NUM> was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example <NUM> except that feeding of hydrogen was stopped when the hydrogenation ratio reached <NUM>%, and the conditions in Process <NUM> were changed as in Table <NUM>. The polymerization conditions and analysis results of block copolymer crumb <NUM> are shown in Table <NUM>.

After the reactor was charged with <NUM> t of cyclohexane and the temperature was adjusted to <NUM>, <NUM> parts by mass of styrene as a monomer was added over about <NUM> minutes.

Next, <NUM> parts by mass of butadiene was continuously fed to the reactor at a certain rate over <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the reaction was made for <NUM> minutes. The reactor internal temperature was adjusted so as to be about <NUM> during the reaction.

Thereafter, <NUM> mol of dimethyldichlorosilane as a coupling agent was added based on <NUM> mol of n-butyllithium to perform reaction for <NUM> minutes with the reactor internal temperature being adjusted to about <NUM>.

Next, <NUM>% by mass of octadecyl-<NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-di-t-butyl-<NUM>-hydroxyphenyl)propionate as a stabilizer was added based on the mass of the polymer, to thereby obtain a block copolymer solution in cyclohexane.

Thereafter, block copolymer crumb <NUM> was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example <NUM> except that conditions were changed as in Table <NUM>. The polymerization conditions and analysis results of block copolymer crumb <NUM> are shown in Table <NUM>.

Block copolymer crumb <NUM> was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example <NUM> except that the types and amounts of monomers and additives are changed as in Table <NUM> and the conditions in Process <NUM> were changed as in Table <NUM>. The polymerization conditions and analysis results of block copolymer crumb <NUM> are shown in Table <NUM>.

Next, <NUM> parts by mass of butadiene and <NUM> parts by mass of styrene were each continuously fed to the reactor at a certain rate over <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the reaction was made for <NUM> minutes. The reactor internal temperature was adjusted so as to be about <NUM> during the reaction. Herein, feeding was made so that the entire monomer was in an amount of <NUM> parts by mass based on <NUM> parts by mass of cyclohexane.

Thereafter, <NUM> mol of tetramethoxysilane as a coupling agent was added based on <NUM> mol of n-butyllithium to perform reaction for <NUM> minutes with the reactor internal temperature being adjusted to about <NUM>, and then <NUM> mol of methanol was added based on <NUM> mol of n-butyllithium.

Block copolymer crumb <NUM> was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example <NUM> except that the polymerization conditions were changed as in Table <NUM> and the conditions in Process <NUM> were changed as in Table <NUM>. The polymerization conditions and analysis results of block copolymer crumb <NUM> are shown in Table <NUM>.

Block copolymer crumb <NUM> was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example <NUM> except that the conditions in Process <NUM> were changed as in Table <NUM>. The polymerization conditions and analysis results of block copolymer crumb <NUM> are shown in Table <NUM>.

Block copolymer crumbs <NUM> and <NUM> were obtained in the same manner as in Production Example <NUM> except that the polymerization conditions were changed as in Table <NUM> and the conditions in Process <NUM> were changed as in Table <NUM>. The polymerization conditions and analysis results of the block copolymer crumbs are shown in Table <NUM>.

Next, <NUM> parts by mass of butadiene was continuously fed to the reactor at a certain rate over <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the reaction was made for <NUM> minutes. The reactor internal temperature was adjusted so as to be about <NUM> during the reaction. Herein, feeding was made so that the entire monomer was in an amount of <NUM> parts by mass based on <NUM> parts by mass of cyclohexane.

The evaluation results of block copolymer crumbs <NUM> to <NUM> are shown in Table <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A crumb of a block copolymer or a hydrogenated product thereof, comprising
a polymer block A mainly containing a vinyl aromatic monomer unit,
a polymer block B mainly containing a conjugated diene monomer unit, and/or a polymer block C consisting of a vinyl aromatic monomer unit and a conjugated diene monomer unit, wherein
the following (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) are satisfied:
(<NUM>) an average weight value per crumb is <NUM> to <NUM>,
(<NUM>) an average aspect ratio value per crumb, calculated as described in "<Method for calculating aspect ratio of crumb>" the description, is <NUM> to <NUM>,
(<NUM>) an average volume value per crumb, calculated as described in "<Method for calculating volume of crumb>" the description, is <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>,
(<NUM>) an average specific gravity value per crumb, calculated as described in "<Method for calculating specific gravity of crumb>" the description, is <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> g/mm<NUM>,
(<NUM>) a component passing through a sieve with an aperture of <NUM> corresponds to <NUM>% by mass or more of the entire crumb, the value being determined as described in "<Evaluation of grain size of crumb>" in the description, and
(<NUM>) a melt flow rate of the crumb, measured as described in "<Melt flow rate (MFR)>" in the desription, is <NUM>/<NUM> or less.