Abstract: The invention relates to resin intermediates and their preparation. The invention also relates to hydroxyl-functional, water-dispersible polymers formed from the intermediates and compositions containing the water-dispersible polymers. A preferred composition of the invention is a zero volatile organic content (VOC), ambient-cure enamel composition which contains a hydroxyl-functional, water-dispersible polyester.

Abstract: A gum base comprising at least one crosslinked branched aliphatic biodegradable polyester comprising repeat units formed from at least one polyol having three to four hydroxy groups, or ester thereof, at least one dibasic acid, or ester thereof, and at least one long chain monocarboxylic acid, or ester thereof. The process of producing a crosslinked branched aliphatic biodegradable polyester gum base by reactive extrusion is also included.

Abstract: There is described a process for producing ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having reduced melt index ratio (MIR) and reduced weight average molecular weight (Mw). Also disclosed are novel ethylene homopolymers and interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having melt index ratio (MIR) less than 22 and molecular weight distribution greater than 2.4. Further described are novel ethylene interpolymers and functionalized ethylene interpolymers, having a melt index ratio less than 26, a molecular weight distribution value of greater than 2.4 and a density of less than 0.95 g/cc.

Abstract: This invention relates High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) films having improved barrier properties. More particularly, the invention relates to HDPE films containing hydrocarbon resins having improved moisture barrier. The invention also relates to masterbatches for use in producing High Density Polyethylene films having improved barrier properties.

Abstract: There are disclosed novel homopolymers of 5-aryl-2-norbornene, and novel interpolymers of 5-aryl-2-norbornene with at least one other cyclic or acyclic alkene, and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins resulting from hydrogenation of the homopolymers and interpolymers. The products are particularly useful as tackifiers. Also disclosed is a novel process for preparing the homopolymers and interpolymers of the 5-aryl-2-norbornene, wherein there is used as the polymerization catalyst, a Friedel-Crafts catalyst, such as aluminum chloride or boron trifluoride.

Abstract: In a process for producing a polyester containing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) as one of its glycol components, an aqueous or a methanolic slurry comprising CHDM and a dicarboxylic acid is prepared. The slurry is maintained at a temperature below the melting point of CHDM. The slurry is then fed into a reactor. The slurry is esterified at sufficient temperatures and pressures, and optionally in the presence of a suitable catalyst, to effect esterification. A prepolymer is formed. The prepolymer is then polycondensed at sufficient temperatures and pressures in the presence of a suitable catalyst to effect polycondensation to form a polyester.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods for preparing modified condensation polymers wherein the steps include: (a) preparing a polymer colloid system comprising a first polymer dispersed in a liquid continuous phase; (b) introducing the polymer colloid system into a glycolysis reaction medium prior to or during a glycolysis reaction wherein the glycolysis reaction medium comprises a polyester, copolyester, polyesteramide, polycarbonate or a mixture thereof; wherein the glycolysis reaction medium optionally comprises a diol component; and polymerizing the fully or partially glycolyzed polyester, copolyester, polyesteramide, polycarbonate or mixture thereof, thereby providing a condensation polymer/first polymer matrix.

Abstract: There is described a process for producing ethylene/olefin interpolymers which, for a given melt index and density, have a reduced melting peak temperature (Tm). The process involves contacting ethylene and at least one other olefin under polymerization conditions with an olefin polymerization catalyst and at least one modifier comprising at least one element from Group 15 and/or Group 16 in amounts sufficient to reduce the melting peak temperature of the ethylene/olefin interpolymer. Also described herein are novel ethylene/olefin interpolymers resulting from the process.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a polyamide-clay nanocomposite, products produced from the nanocomposite, and a process for preparing a polyamide-clay nanocomposite. The polyamide-clay nanocomposite comprises (a) an amorphous matrix polyamide comprising (i) a residue of a dicarboxylic acid component comprising at least two diacids and (ii) a residue of a diamine component, and (b) a layered clay material, wherein the layered clay material is dispersed in the matrix polyamide.

Abstract: A novel process for producing homopolymers and interpolymers of olefins which involves contacting an olefin and/or an olefin and at least one or more other olefin(s) under polymerization conditions with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising at least one transition metal compound and at least one organometallic co-catalyst compound and tetrahydrofuran in amounts sufficient to reduce the electrostatic charge in the polymerization medium. Also disclosed is a process for reducing electrostatic charge in an olefin polymerization medium.

Abstract: There is described a process utilizing Ziegler-Natta catalysts for producing ethylene/olefin interpolymers which, for a given melt index and density, have a reduced melting peak temperature (Tm). The process involves contacting ethylene and at least one other olefin under polymerization conditions with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and at least one modifier comprising at least one element from Group 15 and/or Group 16 in amounts sufficient to reduce the melting peak temperature of the ethylene/olefin interpolymer. Also described herein are novel ethylene/olefin interpolymers resulting from the process.

Abstract: This invention provides the composition, preparation, and end-use of waterborne crosslinking technology based compositions prepared from water-based latexes. The invention provides a water-based latex comprising dispersed, waterborne amino-functional polymer particles; dispersed, waterborne acetoacetoxy-functional polymer particles; and water. In a preferred embodiment, a latex of the invention comprises dispersed, waterborne polymeric (polyamino)enamine (PPAE) particles; dispersed, waterborne acetoacetoxy-functional polymer particles; and water. The PPAE is the reaction product of a surfactant-stabilized acetoacetoxy-functional polymer (SAAP) and a poly(alkylenimine). The water-based latexes of the invention provide stable emulsions containing a blend of waterborne polymer particles which undergo crosslinking upon film formation. The latex films or coatings may be cured at ambient temperatures or may be thermally cured.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods for preparing modified condensation polymers wherein the steps include: preparing a polymer colloid system comprising a first polymer dispersed in a liquid continuous phase; introducing the polymer colloid system into a condensation reaction medium prior to or during the condensation reaction, wherein the condensation reaction medium comprises (1) a diacid, di-isocyanate, dialkyl carbonate, diaryl carbonate, dihalo carbonate or a mixture thereof, wherein the condensation reaction medium optionally comprises a diol component; and polymerizing the diol component and component (1), thereby forming a modified condensation polymer.

Abstract: There is described a process utilizing metallocene catalyst for producing ethylene/olefin interpolymers which, for a given melt index and density, have a reduced melting peak temperature (Tm). The process involves contacting ethylene and at least one other olefin under polymerization conditions with a metallocene catalyst and at least one modifier comprising at least one element from Group 15 and/or Group 16 in amounts sufficient to reduce the melting peak temperature of the ethylene/olefin interpolymer. Also described herein are novel ethylene/olefin interpolymers resulting from the process.

Abstract: An aqueous composition and method for applying additives to polymeric particles includes a water-dissipatable polyester derived from a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component and a difunctional monomer containing a SO3M moiety attached to an aromatic nucleus to at least partially disperse the additive. A method for dispersing a hydrophobic additive in an aqueous media includes the step of contacting the hydrophobic additive with an effective amount of the water-dissipatable polyester to form a mixture and agitating the mixture sufficiently to produce a homogenous blend is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making an amide-type polymer/first polymer blend comprising the steps of: a) preparing a polymer colloid system comprising a first polymer dispersed in a liquid continuous phase; b) introducing the polymer colloid system into an amide-type polymerization reaction medium prior to or during the reaction, wherein the reaction medium comprises 1) a diacid component and a diamine component, an oligomer of a diacid and a diamine component, or a mixture thereof; and c) polymerizing the components of b)1, thereby providing an amide-type polymer/first polymer blend. Polymer blends made by the methods herein are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the isomerization of epoxyalkenes to dihydrofurans by contacting an epoxyalkene with a catalyst comprising a quaternary organic onium iodide compounds, optionally deposited on a non-acidic support and/or in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst The catalyst may comprise a supported catalyst, an unsupported catalyst or a solution of the catalytically-active components in an inert, organic solvent.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel multilayer formed articles including, but not limited to containers such as bottles, tubes, pipes, preforms and films (including oriented films such as biaxially oriented) comprising a melt processible resin having dispersed therein a platelet filler. The multilayer formed articles have improved barrier while maintaining excellent clarity. More particularly, the multilayer structures of the present invention display haze values of less than about 2% and carrier resins which are substantially free from platelet particles having a diameter greater than about 15 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite made by the process of melt mixing (a) a polymer having at least one isocyanate reactive group, wherein the polymer is from 30 to 90% by weight of the composite; (b) a thermoplastic polyurethane at from 0.1 to less than 10% by weight of the composite; and (c) a reinforcing fiber at from 9.9 to 60% by weight of the composite, wherein the sum of the weight percentages of components (a)-(c) is equal to 100%, wherein the polymer (a) is not a polyamide. The invention further relates to a composite prepared by the process of melt mixing (a) a polymer having at least one isocyanate reactive group, wherein the polymer is from 25 to 90% by weight of the composite; (b) a thermoplastic polyurethane at from 0.1 to 10% by weight of the composite; (c) a reinforcing fiber at from 9.8 to 60% by weight of the composite, and (d) an epoxy compound at from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composite, wherein the sum of the weight percentages of components (a)-(d) is equal to 100%.