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25th congress of the communist party of the Soviet Union
25TH CONGRESS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE SOVIET UNION* I~¢ a situation of national development the Soviet people meet together in the 25th Congress of the Communist P a r t y of the Soviet Union, which presents the achievements of the ninth Five Year Plan of internal and external polities of our country during that period, and defines new frontiers for the Soviet people in the building of communism. The 24th C.P.S.U. Congress, which took place about five years ago, emphasized that one of the main factors for successful solution of the problems of the building of communism is further development of Soviet science. In stating the necessity of branching out over a broad front of scientific research, the Congress pointed out the need for concentration of the efforts of scientists on the more important problems of strengthening the relationship between science and practice, and speeding up the application of its achievements to the national economy. In the directives of the 24th C.P.S.U. Congress it was stated that one of the more important tasks for acceleration of the rate of scientific and technological progress is that of development of research in the more promising scientific fields. As science has progressed, with conversion in its w a y of its researches and discoveries to industrial use, the problem of increasing the efficiency of scientific use of its results in the national economy and of improvement of the planning, administration and organization of scientific activity has become acute. In the period following the 24th C.P.S.U. Congress our country has achieved outstanding successes in all branches of economic activity, of development of science and culture and in raising the living standards of all the people. Because of the implementation of the peace programme proclaimed at the 24th C.P.S.U. Congress these last years have been marked b y substantial positive improvements in international life, b y further advance in the process of relaxation of international tension and in strengthening of universal peace. The period of the ninth Five Year Plan was one of large scale social changes, intensive building up of economic, scientific and technical potential and further strengthening of the defence capacity of the Soviet Union. On the whole, in the years of the Five Year Plan industrial production has risen b y about 450/0. Now in our country more petroleum is obtained and more iron, steel, cement, mineral fertilizers, cotton and woollen fabrics, leather footwear, sugar, milk and butter are produced than in any other country in the world. In the course of a year more than a billion kilowatt-hours of electrical energy are produced and the average yearly rate of increase of industrial production is more than 70/0. In * Vysokomol. soyed. A18: No. 2, 259-263, 1976. 295
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25th Congress of the Commumst Party of the Soviet Union
comparison with the year 1940, the number of scientific workers in the country has increased twelve times. On the basis of the resolutions of the 24th Congress and of subsequent Plenums of the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U. the agriculture of our country has been placed successfully on a modern, industrialized basis. The average yearly production of grain in the ninth Five Year Plan period has surpassed the figure for the eight ,Five Year Plan. The Five Year Plan just completed has demonstrated in all clarity the accelerating rate of realization of scientific discoveries and achievements and has confirmed very obviously the thesis of the 24th C.P.S.U. Congress concerning the steady growth of the role of science in the life of the community. Soviet science has played a prominent part in the conversion of our country to one of the most powerful States. Soviet scientists, engineers and technicians have made and are making an enormous contribution to continued economic development and to the speeding up of scientific and technological progress. During the ninth Five Year Plan about t w e n t y thousand new types of machines, equipment and instruments were developed and produced, and the achievements of Soviet science in the field of investigation of cosmic space are well known. The 250th anniversary of the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, celebrated in October 1975, developed into a convincing demonstration of the world renowned, historical achievements of Soviet science, which t o d a y occupy forefront positions. In his welcoming speech to the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U., to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. and to the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R., the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U., Comrade L. I. Brezhnev at the meeting celebrating this jubilee gave a high assessment of the activities of Soviet scientists and set new main tasks for them to resolve in the near future. Above all, rapid growth of fundamental research and more efficient use of the possibilities for development and improvement of forms of relationship between science and production, are necessary. As was mentioned in the speech the remarkable achievements of Soviet scientists have had a great effect on the development of world science and are inseparable from the rapid progress of scientific knowledge. The organic combination of the achievements of the scientifie and technological revolution and the advantages of socialism is a characteristic feature of the present stage of communist construction and a necessary prerequisite for creation of the material and technical basis of communism, for improved welfare of the Soviet people and for more complete satisfaction of their material and spiritual needs, Exceptionally favourable conditions for the development of science have been created in our country. Fundamental research in the fields of the natural and social sciences is being directed on an ever increasing scale to the complex solution of the more important scientific, technical and social problems, resulting in rapid growth of productive forces and increase in the efficiency of produc-
25th Congress of the Commtmxst Party of the Soviet Union
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tion. The study and rational use of the bowels of the earth and the oceans of the world, conservation of the natural environment and investigation of cosmic space are acquiring ever increasing importance for the future of mankind. This impression of the achievements of contemporary Soviet science was given at the public celebrations of the Academy. Among other points mention was made of great achievements of chemical science, such as development of a scientific basis for production of new inorganic materials with valuable physicochemical properties, the invention in our country of new physicochemical methods of analysis that enable considerable improvements to be made in the technology of treatment of many forms of raw material and of fertilizer production. In the period of the ninth Five Year Plan further development of the chemical sciences took place, especially in the fields of improvement of the scientific basis of the production of new polymeric and inorganic materials, of highly efficient chemical and electrochemical processes and of economic methods of production of very highly purified substances. The work of Soviet scientists in the fields of chemical kinetics and catalysis, and in formulation of the theory of branched chain reactions has obtained worldwide recognition. Progress in organic chemistry, including the chemistry of hydrocarbons, has led to development of new techniques in the processing of petroleum and other hydrocarbon raw materials. Very interesting results have been obtained in the chemistry of hetero-organie compounds and of polymers derived from them. New materials with valuable properties have been produced from organosihcon, organofluorine and organophosphorus compounds. At the present time much importance is attached to stimulation of chemical reactions b y specific catalysts, b y the action of radiation, laser beams and light, and low and high pressure shock waves. The biological sciences have developed intensively in recent years. The primary and spatial structure of a number of biologically important substances, such as some ferments and hormones has been worked out. Advances on a broad basis have been made in the field of the mechanism of action of ferments and of the chemistry, biosynthesis and structure of nucleic acids. Priority is given b y Soviet scientists to study of membrane-active substances, and of transport of caged substances and ions. A new method has been developed in the U.S.S.R. for complete synthesis of steroid hormones, which has been placed successfully on an industrial basis. The development of principles for microbiological synthesis of protein and some physiologically active substances has had important practical value. Fundamental research has been carried out in the polymer field, with respect to profound knowledge of the processes of formation of macromolecular compounds and of the working out of scientific principles for their synthesis, as well as on their structure and properties and on establishment of the laws governing the complex of physicochemical properties of polymers.
298
25th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
This has led to discovery of kinetic relationships, knowledge of the elementary steps in the more important polymerization and polycondensation processes and to development of theories of these processes, to discovery of new polymerization reactions and methods for carrying them out, and discovery of the principles of t h e most suitable method of building up a polymer chain. On this basis such interesting and practical types of polymers as polyorganosiloxanes, polysilico-olefins, polymetallo-organosiloxanes, polyarylates, different types of polyheteroarylenes, including cardie and block copolymers, various organoboron polymers, especially polymers containing the carhorane grouping, fluorine-containing polymers, carbyne and a number of others. From these have been obtained valuable electrically insulating materials, heat resistant films, antifrictional materials, adhesives, self-lubricating plastics, filter materials, membranes for separating gaseous mixtures, fibres, various elastomeric articles, etc. Development of the technology and industrial mastery of the production of various types of synthetic rubber is another big achievement of Soviet chemists. Fundamental research into anionic polymerization of cyclic organosiloxanes, including those with a spirane structure has permitted development of methods of synthesis of polyorganosfloxanes with a ladder structure, having high heat resistance and improved mechanical properties. It has been established for the first time ring opening of cyclo-olefins and the metathesis of olefins are chain reactions and that active centres of the chain processes arc complexes of carbenes with transition metals. Profound study of non-equilibrium polycondensation has provided a theoretical background for preparation of new stereoregular polymers, which are the polymeric products of stereospecifie polycondensation. Original, efficient catalytic systems have been investigated and proposed, applicable for example to polymerization of olefins and other monomers. Research in the field of stereoregular polymers, of promise in various branches of technology (cyclo-oligomers, cis-polyoctenamer, cis-polypentenamer and their copolymers, etc.) has increased extensively. The theory of simulation of the operation of high-production industrial plant for synthesis of polymers, taking into account the properties of the polymer being produced, is being worked out successfully. A quantitative theory of the reactivity of functional groups in polymer molecules, taking into account the effect of neighbouring units has been formulated. Work on the preparation of highly efficient synthetic macromolecular models of bio-catalysts is being pursued vigorously. During the years of the ninth Five Year Plan a new branch of polymer science arose, namely the chemistry of medico-biological polymers, including physiologically active polymeric substances and various polymeric materials intended for contact with living tissues of the organism. Study of the formation of crosslinked polymeric structures and of their me-
25th Congress of the Communist Party of the Sovmt Umon
299
chanical properties has enabled binders with good mechanical characteristics, and high strength composites made from them, to be produced. Fundamentally new, interesting results from study of the ageing and stabilization of polymers have been obtained. Highly efficient stabilizing systems have been found. The traditional close contacts with scientists of the socialist countries have been strengthened in the polymer field, and this has given rise to successful and more efficient solution of scientific problems and practical tasks in this area A grandiose programme of accomplishment in various spheres of the life and activity of our country was outlined in the historic draft resolution of the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U. entitled "The Main Directions of Growth of the National Economy of the U.S.S.R. in the Period 1976-1980". The theses of this document indicate conclusively that the tenth Five Year Plan must become a period of high efficiency, of improvement in every possible way in all sections of the national economy, of fundamental betterment of the welfare of the Soviet people, and a new, important stage in the movement of our country along the path of construction of communism. The draft strongly supports the long term politics of the P a r t y and Government, directed toward further raising of the standard of living of our people. In this respect Soviet scientists also are faced with the solution of great problems. Much attention is given in the document to the advancement of chemistry and chemical science in our country. The resolution looks forward to further growth of fundamental and applied research, and speeding up of the application of its results to the national economy, and sets the task of strengthening of the link between science and production. Increase in the production of synthetic resins and plastics by a factor of 1.9-2.1 and improvement in their quality and service life is planned. The task is set of providing for production in 1980 of 1450-1500 thousand metric tons of chemical fibres and filaments, to extend the range of fibres and filaments with improved properties for domestic use, and to increase the o u t p u t of high modulus fibres and of textured filaments. The production of synthetic rubber must increase 1.4-1-6 times, with a certain increase in the output of rubbers serving as completely satisfactory substitutes for natural rubber. Much attention is paid in the draft resolution to development of new, progressive production processes, the introduction of efficient catalysts, the continuation on a large scale of re-equipment of the chemical industry b y formation of aggregates of high output units and of continuous, one stage industrial processes with maximal utilization of the energy of chemical reactions. It is planned to increase the productivity of labour b y 59-61%. Crucial tasks are placed before our Soviet science in this draft, the main purpose of which is further broadening and deepening of research into the laws of development of nature and society, and increase in their contribution to solution of the more urgent problems of construction of the material and technological basis of communism. The draft resolution points out the importance of continued fundamental research to discover basically new possibilities of reor-
300
T . P . KOMAROVAet al.
ganization o f the productive power of the c o u n t r y and for creation of the techniques and technology of the future. Our chemical scientists are faced with the main tasks of extension of scientific research in the field of synthesis of chemical compounds for production of substances and materials with new properties, the creation of new chemical processes with highly efficient catalytic systems giving a considerably increased rate of chemical reaction, and development of a scientific basis for technology making p r e d o min an t use of closed circuit methods. In his speech at the session celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the U.S.S.R. A c a d emy o f Sciences Comrade L. I. Brezhnev said " I n coming to the meeting of its 25th Congress the P a r t y expects of scientists more profound and courageous investigation of new processes and phenomena, an active contribution to scientific and technical progress, thoughtful analysis of problems t h a t arise, responsible recommendations for the best methods of solving t h e m in the interests of strengthening of the might of the country and i m provem ent of the life of the people, in the interest of construction of communism". I t can be asserted t h a t Soviet scientists, together with all the people, are applying all their resorces and knowledge to resolution of the tasks set before t h e m and b y their labours are making a w o r t h y contribution to the work of putting into practice the new plans of the Communist P a r t y of the Soviet Union.
DIFFUSION AND SORPTION OF WATER IN BLOCK COPOLYMERS* T. P. KOm~ROVA, i~I. A. MARKELOV,S. A. NE:NAKHOV, E. I. SEMEI~i'ElfKO aud A. Y~.. CHALYKH All-Union Research Institute of Medical Polymers Institute of Physical Chemistry, U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences (Received 4 December 1973)
The diffusion, sorption and phase state water in block copolymers of buta&ene and isoprene With styrene and ~-methylstyrene has been studmd by sorption, optical aud grammetric methods. When water interacts with the copolymers two types of kh-xetic sorption occur. At low temperatures and small partial water-vapour pressures (p/ps~ 0.9) Ficklan sorptlon occurs and an equilibrmm concentration of the absorbed material is reached in the samples. At hagh temperatures and p/p, ~ 0.95 a two stage type of vigorous water absorption takes place, without cessation over a long period of time, and the samples become turbid. It :s shown that when the block copolymers absorb moisture the water aggregates at the polystyrene-rubber interfaces, because of the specific distmbutlon of lmpurit:es in the polymer matrix. At high temperatures diffusion and sorptlon in such systems is eomphcated by the occurrence of chermcal reactions. * Vysokomol. soyed. AIS: No. 2, 264-270, 1976.
296
25th Congress of the Commumst Party of the Soviet Union
comparison with the year 1940, the number of scientific workers in the country has increased twelve times. On the basis of the resolutions of the 24th Congress and of subsequent Plenums of the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U. the agriculture of our country has been placed successfully on a modern, industrialized basis. The average yearly production of grain in the ninth Five Year Plan period has surpassed the figure for the eight ,Five Year Plan. The Five Year Plan just completed has demonstrated in all clarity the accelerating rate of realization of scientific discoveries and achievements and has confirmed very obviously the thesis of the 24th C.P.S.U. Congress concerning the steady growth of the role of science in the life of the community. Soviet science has played a prominent part in the conversion of our country to one of the most powerful States. Soviet scientists, engineers and technicians have made and are making an enormous contribution to continued economic development and to the speeding up of scientific and technological progress. During the ninth Five Year Plan about t w e n t y thousand new types of machines, equipment and instruments were developed and produced, and the achievements of Soviet science in the field of investigation of cosmic space are well known. The 250th anniversary of the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, celebrated in October 1975, developed into a convincing demonstration of the world renowned, historical achievements of Soviet science, which t o d a y occupy forefront positions. In his welcoming speech to the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U., to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. and to the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R., the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U., Comrade L. I. Brezhnev at the meeting celebrating this jubilee gave a high assessment of the activities of Soviet scientists and set new main tasks for them to resolve in the near future. Above all, rapid growth of fundamental research and more efficient use of the possibilities for development and improvement of forms of relationship between science and production, are necessary. As was mentioned in the speech the remarkable achievements of Soviet scientists have had a great effect on the development of world science and are inseparable from the rapid progress of scientific knowledge. The organic combination of the achievements of the scientifie and technological revolution and the advantages of socialism is a characteristic feature of the present stage of communist construction and a necessary prerequisite for creation of the material and technical basis of communism, for improved welfare of the Soviet people and for more complete satisfaction of their material and spiritual needs, Exceptionally favourable conditions for the development of science have been created in our country. Fundamental research in the fields of the natural and social sciences is being directed on an ever increasing scale to the complex solution of the more important scientific, technical and social problems, resulting in rapid growth of productive forces and increase in the efficiency of produc-
25th Congress of the Commtmxst Party of the Soviet Union
297
tion. The study and rational use of the bowels of the earth and the oceans of the world, conservation of the natural environment and investigation of cosmic space are acquiring ever increasing importance for the future of mankind. This impression of the achievements of contemporary Soviet science was given at the public celebrations of the Academy. Among other points mention was made of great achievements of chemical science, such as development of a scientific basis for production of new inorganic materials with valuable physicochemical properties, the invention in our country of new physicochemical methods of analysis that enable considerable improvements to be made in the technology of treatment of many forms of raw material and of fertilizer production. In the period of the ninth Five Year Plan further development of the chemical sciences took place, especially in the fields of improvement of the scientific basis of the production of new polymeric and inorganic materials, of highly efficient chemical and electrochemical processes and of economic methods of production of very highly purified substances. The work of Soviet scientists in the fields of chemical kinetics and catalysis, and in formulation of the theory of branched chain reactions has obtained worldwide recognition. Progress in organic chemistry, including the chemistry of hydrocarbons, has led to development of new techniques in the processing of petroleum and other hydrocarbon raw materials. Very interesting results have been obtained in the chemistry of hetero-organie compounds and of polymers derived from them. New materials with valuable properties have been produced from organosihcon, organofluorine and organophosphorus compounds. At the present time much importance is attached to stimulation of chemical reactions b y specific catalysts, b y the action of radiation, laser beams and light, and low and high pressure shock waves. The biological sciences have developed intensively in recent years. The primary and spatial structure of a number of biologically important substances, such as some ferments and hormones has been worked out. Advances on a broad basis have been made in the field of the mechanism of action of ferments and of the chemistry, biosynthesis and structure of nucleic acids. Priority is given b y Soviet scientists to study of membrane-active substances, and of transport of caged substances and ions. A new method has been developed in the U.S.S.R. for complete synthesis of steroid hormones, which has been placed successfully on an industrial basis. The development of principles for microbiological synthesis of protein and some physiologically active substances has had important practical value. Fundamental research has been carried out in the polymer field, with respect to profound knowledge of the processes of formation of macromolecular compounds and of the working out of scientific principles for their synthesis, as well as on their structure and properties and on establishment of the laws governing the complex of physicochemical properties of polymers.
298
25th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
This has led to discovery of kinetic relationships, knowledge of the elementary steps in the more important polymerization and polycondensation processes and to development of theories of these processes, to discovery of new polymerization reactions and methods for carrying them out, and discovery of the principles of t h e most suitable method of building up a polymer chain. On this basis such interesting and practical types of polymers as polyorganosiloxanes, polysilico-olefins, polymetallo-organosiloxanes, polyarylates, different types of polyheteroarylenes, including cardie and block copolymers, various organoboron polymers, especially polymers containing the carhorane grouping, fluorine-containing polymers, carbyne and a number of others. From these have been obtained valuable electrically insulating materials, heat resistant films, antifrictional materials, adhesives, self-lubricating plastics, filter materials, membranes for separating gaseous mixtures, fibres, various elastomeric articles, etc. Development of the technology and industrial mastery of the production of various types of synthetic rubber is another big achievement of Soviet chemists. Fundamental research into anionic polymerization of cyclic organosiloxanes, including those with a spirane structure has permitted development of methods of synthesis of polyorganosfloxanes with a ladder structure, having high heat resistance and improved mechanical properties. It has been established for the first time ring opening of cyclo-olefins and the metathesis of olefins are chain reactions and that active centres of the chain processes arc complexes of carbenes with transition metals. Profound study of non-equilibrium polycondensation has provided a theoretical background for preparation of new stereoregular polymers, which are the polymeric products of stereospecifie polycondensation. Original, efficient catalytic systems have been investigated and proposed, applicable for example to polymerization of olefins and other monomers. Research in the field of stereoregular polymers, of promise in various branches of technology (cyclo-oligomers, cis-polyoctenamer, cis-polypentenamer and their copolymers, etc.) has increased extensively. The theory of simulation of the operation of high-production industrial plant for synthesis of polymers, taking into account the properties of the polymer being produced, is being worked out successfully. A quantitative theory of the reactivity of functional groups in polymer molecules, taking into account the effect of neighbouring units has been formulated. Work on the preparation of highly efficient synthetic macromolecular models of bio-catalysts is being pursued vigorously. During the years of the ninth Five Year Plan a new branch of polymer science arose, namely the chemistry of medico-biological polymers, including physiologically active polymeric substances and various polymeric materials intended for contact with living tissues of the organism. Study of the formation of crosslinked polymeric structures and of their me-
25th Congress of the Communist Party of the Sovmt Umon
299
chanical properties has enabled binders with good mechanical characteristics, and high strength composites made from them, to be produced. Fundamentally new, interesting results from study of the ageing and stabilization of polymers have been obtained. Highly efficient stabilizing systems have been found. The traditional close contacts with scientists of the socialist countries have been strengthened in the polymer field, and this has given rise to successful and more efficient solution of scientific problems and practical tasks in this area A grandiose programme of accomplishment in various spheres of the life and activity of our country was outlined in the historic draft resolution of the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U. entitled "The Main Directions of Growth of the National Economy of the U.S.S.R. in the Period 1976-1980". The theses of this document indicate conclusively that the tenth Five Year Plan must become a period of high efficiency, of improvement in every possible way in all sections of the national economy, of fundamental betterment of the welfare of the Soviet people, and a new, important stage in the movement of our country along the path of construction of communism. The draft strongly supports the long term politics of the P a r t y and Government, directed toward further raising of the standard of living of our people. In this respect Soviet scientists also are faced with the solution of great problems. Much attention is given in the document to the advancement of chemistry and chemical science in our country. The resolution looks forward to further growth of fundamental and applied research, and speeding up of the application of its results to the national economy, and sets the task of strengthening of the link between science and production. Increase in the production of synthetic resins and plastics by a factor of 1.9-2.1 and improvement in their quality and service life is planned. The task is set of providing for production in 1980 of 1450-1500 thousand metric tons of chemical fibres and filaments, to extend the range of fibres and filaments with improved properties for domestic use, and to increase the o u t p u t of high modulus fibres and of textured filaments. The production of synthetic rubber must increase 1.4-1-6 times, with a certain increase in the output of rubbers serving as completely satisfactory substitutes for natural rubber. Much attention is paid in the draft resolution to development of new, progressive production processes, the introduction of efficient catalysts, the continuation on a large scale of re-equipment of the chemical industry b y formation of aggregates of high output units and of continuous, one stage industrial processes with maximal utilization of the energy of chemical reactions. It is planned to increase the productivity of labour b y 59-61%. Crucial tasks are placed before our Soviet science in this draft, the main purpose of which is further broadening and deepening of research into the laws of development of nature and society, and increase in their contribution to solution of the more urgent problems of construction of the material and technological basis of communism. The draft resolution points out the importance of continued fundamental research to discover basically new possibilities of reor-
300
T . P . KOMAROVAet al.
ganization o f the productive power of the c o u n t r y and for creation of the techniques and technology of the future. Our chemical scientists are faced with the main tasks of extension of scientific research in the field of synthesis of chemical compounds for production of substances and materials with new properties, the creation of new chemical processes with highly efficient catalytic systems giving a considerably increased rate of chemical reaction, and development of a scientific basis for technology making p r e d o min an t use of closed circuit methods. In his speech at the session celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the U.S.S.R. A c a d emy o f Sciences Comrade L. I. Brezhnev said " I n coming to the meeting of its 25th Congress the P a r t y expects of scientists more profound and courageous investigation of new processes and phenomena, an active contribution to scientific and technical progress, thoughtful analysis of problems t h a t arise, responsible recommendations for the best methods of solving t h e m in the interests of strengthening of the might of the country and i m provem ent of the life of the people, in the interest of construction of communism". I t can be asserted t h a t Soviet scientists, together with all the people, are applying all their resorces and knowledge to resolution of the tasks set before t h e m and b y their labours are making a w o r t h y contribution to the work of putting into practice the new plans of the Communist P a r t y of the Soviet Union.
DIFFUSION AND SORPTION OF WATER IN BLOCK COPOLYMERS* T. P. KOm~ROVA, i~I. A. MARKELOV,S. A. NE:NAKHOV, E. I. SEMEI~i'ElfKO aud A. Y~.. CHALYKH All-Union Research Institute of Medical Polymers Institute of Physical Chemistry, U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences (Received 4 December 1973)
The diffusion, sorption and phase state water in block copolymers of buta&ene and isoprene With styrene and ~-methylstyrene has been studmd by sorption, optical aud grammetric methods. When water interacts with the copolymers two types of kh-xetic sorption occur. At low temperatures and small partial water-vapour pressures (p/ps~ 0.9) Ficklan sorptlon occurs and an equilibrmm concentration of the absorbed material is reached in the samples. At hagh temperatures and p/p, ~ 0.95 a two stage type of vigorous water absorption takes place, without cessation over a long period of time, and the samples become turbid. It :s shown that when the block copolymers absorb moisture the water aggregates at the polystyrene-rubber interfaces, because of the specific distmbutlon of lmpurit:es in the polymer matrix. At high temperatures diffusion and sorptlon in such systems is eomphcated by the occurrence of chermcal reactions. * Vysokomol. soyed. AIS: No. 2, 264-270, 1976.