Polyphenylene ether/thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer blends for adhesives and sealants

The present invention provides a method for making a method for making high service temperature rubber compound, hot melt adhesive or sealant compositions by combining a polyphenylene ether resin with an elastomeric block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene, which comprises (a) making a masterbatch of 2 to 50 phr of a polyphenylene ether having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.3 deciliters per gram or more and 100 phr of said block copolymer by extruding them together with 2 to 30 phr of an endblock compatible resin, and (b) optionally mixing the masterbatch with more of the block copolymer.