Abstract: A process is described for preparing a functionalized EPM or EPDM artificial latex from the EPM or EPDM polymerization reactor without isolating the polymer. The process includes i) post polymerization functionalizing of an EPM or EPDM copolymer, ii) dispersing the functionalized copolymer in water with an appropriate surfactant and iii) removing the solvents. The resulting latex is useful in paper coatings, latex coatings, adhesives, and in impact modifiers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thickened aqueous bleach compositions containing either an alkali metal hypohalite or peroxygen bleach. Compositions containing hypohalite or peroxygen bleaches are particularly difficult to thicken with sufficient stability for commercial value. The addition of a rheology stabilizer minimizes the loss of stability over time and enables compositions of varying bleach and pH level to be obtained. These compositions comprise an alkali metal hypohalite or peroxygen bleach, a polymeric rheology modifying agent, an effective amount of a rheology stabilizing agent, sufficient alkalinity buffering agent, with the remainder being water.

Abstract: A compatibilized blend of a thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin. The compatibilizer is a thermoplastic polyurethane formed by the reaction of a substantially hydrocarbon intermediate such as a polybutadiene polyol, a diisocyanate such as MDI, and an amine or diol chain extender such as neopentyl glycol. The compatibilizer has high amounts of soft segments therein and imparts improved properties to blends of a thermoplastic elastomer and polyolefin such as good impact resistance, good tensile strength, good tear resistance, and good delamination resistance.

Abstract: The power wheelchair includes an anti-tip assembly extending from the frame. The anti-tip assembly includes a plate secured to the frame via a dampening mechanism. A first arm extends from the plate and is mounted thereto for a limited amount of relative movement. A grounding engaging wheel disposed on a distal end of the arm is urged toward the ground surface by a biasing spring interposed between the arm and the plate. As the wheelchair begins to tip, anti-tip or resistive forces are generated initially by the biasing spring. This resisting force continues in a linear fashion until relative movement between the arm and the plate ceases. Thereafter, further resistive forces are provided by the dampener as movement of the plate toward the frame is resisted in a linear fashion by the dampener.

Abstract: A compounded and plasticized vinyl chloride polymer layer, optionally supported with a fabric, contains an outer adherent, stain resistant layer having durability and flexibility. The adherent, stain resistant layer is derived from a water-based polyester-amino resin composition. The stain resistant layer comprises the reaction product of said polyester, an acid catalyst, and an amino resin. The vinyl chloride layer may be printed or embossed or both printed and embossed, optionally printed again, before the outer layer is applied. A laminate formed from the polyvinyl chloride polymer layer and the stain resistant layer can also be embossed.

Abstract: Low oil swell, processable carboxylated nitrile rubber thermoplastic vulcanizate compositions having high melting points are made utilizing a processing aid, for example, maleated polyethylene, and addition type curing agents such as bisoxazolines or bisimidazolines. The compositions generally contain polar thermoplastic high melting point crystalline polymers such as polyester as a continuous phase with the carboxylated nitrile rubber being dispersed therein.

Abstract: Composites of high melting point thermoplastics such as polyphenylene sulfide or polyimide and high modulus fibers such as carbon, graphite, or boron can be bonded to rubber using a primer such as a metal primer. The composite desirably has a modulus of elasticity of at least 750,000 psi and can be used as a belt in a no-flat tire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thickened aqueous bleach compositions containing either an alkali metal hypohalite or peroxygen bleach. Compositions containing hypohalite or peroxygen bleaches are particularly difficult to thicken with sufficient stability for commercial value. The addition of a rheology stabilizer minimizes the loss of stability over time and enables compositions of varying bleach and pH level to be obtained. These compositions comprise an alkali metal hypohalite or peroxygen bleach, a polymeric rheology modifying agent, an effective amount of a rheology stabilizing agent, sufficient alkalinity buffering agent, with the remainder being water.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyether polyurethane having good rebound resilience and low hysteresis properties is prepared by the reaction of a diisocyanate with a hydroxyl terminated polyether having a weight average molecular weight of at least 1,400 and a glycol chain extender. The polyether contains alkylene oxide repeat units having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and the chain extender glycol has from 2 to 16 carbon atoms. The amount of the chain extender glycol is from about 0.25 to about 2 moles per mole of the polyether.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible, waterproof shower pan liner comprised of a water-insoluble thermoplastic sheet. The shower pan liner includes on at least one surface selected indicia such as product information or plumbing codes at regular intervals. The indicia are embossed into the shower pan liner thereby eliminating the need for a protective top coat. In a process for making the invention, the thermoplastic is heated, calendered, and thereafter embossed with the selected indicia while in a heated condition.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer compositions which have good high temperature end use and good oil swell resistance are made by blending a high melting thermoplastic polymer containing a non-polar rubber and a polar rubber. Alternatively, a high melting thermoplastic polymer containing a non-polar rubber or a polar rubber or both is blended with a polyolefin thermoplastic polymer containing a non-polar rubber, or a polar rubber, or both. The composition is dynamically vulcanized. The cured multi-component thermoplastic elastomer compositions exhibit good end use properties such as hardness, tensile strength, modulus, flexibility.

Abstract: A breathable, decorative wallcovering having a smooth, continuous, aesthetically appealing exposed surface which can be printed with a design or pattern having sharply defined edges, and having a relatively high moisture permeability, includes a porous polymeric ply fused to and supported by a nonwoven substrate ply which consists of an array of hydroentangled fibers. The porous polymeric ply is formed by thermally fusing a plastisol coating, which is applied to the nonwoven substrate ply, and which has a thickness sufficiently low to permit localized variations in fiber orientation and small variations in the thickness of the nonwoven substrate ply to cause the formation of a multiplicity of miniature discontinuities which are substantially invisible to the unaided eye and which are randomly distributed throughout the coating. The plastisol coating is, however, thick enough to allow the formation of a coating which upon thermal fusion provides a polymeric ply having a smooth continuous appearance.

Abstract: An anti-fracture, water-resistant, masonry-bondable membrane comprises a laminate having a core generally containing at least two plies of a flexible material bonded together by a flexible adhesive such as a plastisol, and a non-woven fiber layer physically bonded directly to at least one side of the core. The plastisol is a liquid composition which contains small sized resin particles such as polyvinyl chloride dispersed within a plasticizer. The core has good low as well as high temperature peel strength. The non-woven fiber layer is physically bonded to the flexible core by heat and pressure to produce a laminate wherein the non-woven fibers are partially embedded within the flexible material. The flexible membrane or laminate when utilized between and bonded to an exterior masonry article such as ceramic tile and to a substrate such as concrete, is very effective in preventing any cracks from propagating from the substrate to the article.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition has a plastic phase or matrix of an engineering thermoplastic such as an ester polymer and a crosslinked phase of self-cured acrylic rubber particles. The rubber particles are the reaction product of at least one functionalized acrylic rubber self-cured by a different functionalized acrylic rubber wherein the functional groups are generally a carboxyl, an epoxy, or hydroxyl, and the like. The composition can be dynamically vulcanized in the presence of an accelerator and desirably has a single low temperature brittle point.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition has a plastic phase or matrix of an engineering thermoplastic such as a polyamide and a crosslinked phase of cured acrylic rubbers. The rubbers contain at least two functionalized acrylic rubbers wherein the functional group such as a carboxyl, an epoxy, or a hydroxyl can be the same or different. The curing agents generally react via covalent bonding with the reactive functional groups of the rubbers. The composition can be dynamically vulcanized and when one of the rubbers is a terpolymer of ethylene-alkyl acrylate-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the composition has a single low temperature brittle point.

Abstract: An in-mold coating composition for a fiber reinforced plastic comprises an aliphatic resin such as a saturated aliphatic ester intermediate polyurethane having terminal acrylate end groups, a saturated (cyclo)aliphatic (meth)acrylate such as isobornyl acrylate, a hydroxyl alkyl (meth)acrylate, a polyacrylate ester of an alkylene polyol, and a vinyl substituted aromatic. The in-mold coating compositions have good end use weather-resistant properties so that there is no need for a subsequent paint coat thereon which heretofore has been required. The paint-free coating compositions can be either clear or pigmented and can contain various additives such as lubricants, adhesion aids, hardeners, and the like.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition has a plastic phase or matrix of an engineering thermoplastic such as an ester polymer and a crosslinked phase of cured acrylic rubbers. The rubbers are cured by a curing agent and contain at least two functionalized acrylic rubbers wherein the functional group such as a carboxyl, an epoxy, or a hydroxyl can be the same or different. The composition can be dynamically vulcanized and desirably when one of the functionalized acrylic rubbers is a terpolymer of ethylene-alkyl acrylate-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the composition has a single low temperature brittle point.

Abstract: A latex binder composition comprises occluded composite particles containing at least a vinyl ester homopolymer or a copolymer thereof polymerized from acrylate and/or ethylene monomers, and a polymer polymerized from conjugated diene and/or vinyl substituted aromatic monomers and desirably unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers. The occluded composite particles are produced in the absence of crosslinking agents by first polymerizing the vinyl esters and optional acrylate and/or ethylene monomers, and subsequently in situ polymerizing the conjugated diene and/or vinyl substituted aromatic, etc., monomers in the presence of the vinyl ester latex particles. The occluded composite-particle latex contains phase separated domains which are neither a core-shell nor an inverted core-shell particle and provide properties which are superior to physical blends of the two classes of polymers when utilized as binders in paper coating formulations.

Abstract: A very high-solids polymeric dispersion, having a very low percentage of volatile organic compound is prepared by dispersing a plasticized liquid acrylic polymer in water and blending with another high molecular weight polymer dispersion and/or latex in water. This plasticized acrylic polymer dispersion has been found to be useful in combination with high molecular weight polymer dispersion and/or latex containing some smaller diameter particles in the preparation of sealant, caulk, adhesive and coating compositions. Such compositions have a polydisperse particle size distribution due to the larger plasticized liquid acrylic particles and the smaller high molecular weight polymer particles which facilitates higher particle packing densities and hence higher solids content without any undue adverse effect on the dispersion stability and rheological properties.

Abstract: A moisture-permeable acoustic lamina which is usable as a wall covering has a foraminous woven fabric layer adhered to a fabric backing by a discontinuous thermoplastic polymer layer. The woven fabric preferably has an embossed undulate outer surface to enhance the acoustic properties of the lamina and to impart an aesthetic textural appearance. The individual yarns of the woven fabric are preferably substantially uniformly coated with a polyvinyl chloride plastisol to impart stain and wear-resistance, inhibit the growth of molds, fungi, bacteria and the like, and to enhance the appearance of the exposed face of the lamina. The moisture-permeable lamina structure allows wall covering paste, used to adhere the lamina to a wall, to dry at an acceptable rate, yet does not allow paste to bleed through the foraminous woven fabric layer.