Abstract: The invention relates to a novel polycarbonate and its use a material in the production of molded articles and semifinished products, especially for transparent articles such as data memories or radio compact discs, slabs, cellular sheets, films, housings, panes, especially panes for motor vehicles, diffusion glasses, but also for electrical applications or the constructions of houses.

Abstract: A solid and/or cellular polyurethane elastomers which are produced using polyester polyols are disclosed. The elastomers which exhibit improved stability to hydrolysis are characterized in that their preparation is carried out in the presence of at least one esters of monobasic carboxylic acid or polybasic carboxylic acids, the (first) dissociation constant (pK) of which is 0.5 to 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-stage process for the production of polyester carbonates with aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, the polyester carbonates obtained thereby, a process for the production of extrudates and molded articles from the polyester carbonates, and the extrudates and molded articles obtained thereby.

Abstract: An extruded polycarbonate article suitable as an energy absorber is disclosed. The article includes a plurality of honeycomb chambers that are aligned substantially in the same direction, extend in the direction of the extrusion and are disposed adjacent to one another. A method of using the article entails aligning the honeycomb chambers in a direction parallel to the direction of the impact energy.

Abstract: A graft polymer-modified thermoplastic polycarbonate molding composition is described. The thermoplastic polycarbonate molding composition comprises a phosphorous compound or a mixture of phosphorous compounds. Thermoplastic molding compositions according to the present invention are flame resistant, and have desirable mechanical properties and elevated heat resistance.

Abstract: A device for mixing and reacting multiphase gaseous and liquid mixtures is disclosed. The device comprise in sequence a first inflow cylindrical space, at least one cylindrical chamber tapering towards said cylindrical space, a second cylindrical space positioned perpendicularly to said first cylindrical space, and an outflow space. Also disclosed is a method of using the device, in particular in the interfacial process for preparing diphenyl carbonates or polycarbonates.

Abstract: The invention provides moulded items made from thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), in particular medical articles such as central venous catheters which contain a homogeneous distribution of antibiotic substances, a process for the preparation thereof and preparation of the active substance-containing TPUs.

Abstract: A process for the production of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (BPA) is disclosed. The process that entails reacting acetone with phenol in the presence of cross-linked sulfonated polystyrene resins is characterised in that BPA is separated from the reaction solution downstream of the reaction unit by means of a multi-stage vacuum distillation and a subsequent single- or multi-stage layer crystallisation. The by-product stream with accumulated by-products is returned downstream of the reaction unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for working up solutions of polymers in organic solvents contaminated by alkaline constituents, using homogeneously soluble acids, especially by the introduction of an acid gas, and subsequent washing, and to the polymers so obtainable, which are distinguished by the fact that, on treatment with moist heat (sterilisation), only few defects caused by decomposition are formed, to the use thereof in the production of extrudates and molded specimen, and to the extrudates and molded specimen produced from those polymers themselves.

Abstract: Described is a shaft support structure (2) comprising, (a) an elongated shell (11) having interior surfaces (14) which define a hollow interior (17); and (b) a plurality of reinforcing ribs (20) of plastic material located within the hollow interior (17) of the shell (11). At least a portion of the reinforcing ribs (20) are in abutting relationship (23) with the interior surfaces (14) of the shell (11). The reinforcing ribs (20) define a longitudinal passage (41) through the elongated shell (11) for receiving and supporting a rotatable shaft (47). The reinforcing ribs (20) are fixedly attached to the elongated shell (11). The reinforcing ribs (20) are preferably formed by molding, e.g., injection molding, of plastic material onto the interior surfaces (14) of the elongated shell (11).

Abstract: An improvement to the melt transesterification reaction of diaryl carbonate with dihydroxy aryl compound is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for exchanging a die plate of a molten bisphenol A prilling tower is described. The device comprises: (a) at least two die plates; (b) a guide which is in contact with the die plates; and (c) a drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism moves the die plates linearly and serially between an operating position and an exchange position along the guide. Also described is a process of automated operation of the device at the top of a bisphenol A prilling tower.

Abstract: A molded cross vehicle beam which includes a hollow blow molded thermoplastic rigid member that is integrally attached to a rigid support, e.g., a U-shaped metal plate, and at least one attachment element, is described. The rigid support (12) has a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of perforations having edges. The attachment element(s) (81, 84) have a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of perforations having edges. The attachment element provides a manner of attaching the molded cross vehicle beam to a separate structure (e.g., the A-pillars of an automobile). A thermoplastic parison precursor of the hollow rigid thermoplastic member (15) is blow molded against the first surfaces of the rigid support (12) and the attachment element (81, 84).

Abstract: Described is a polymerizable organic composition comprising: (a) a radically polymerizable gel-free prepolymer of (i) at least one first polymerizable monomer having at least two radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups, e.g., divinyl benzene, and (ii) at least one first polythiol monomer having at least two thiol groups, e.g., thioglycerol bis(mercaptoacetate); and (b) at least one second polymerizable monomer having at least two radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups, e.g., divinyl benzene and/or methacrylic anhydride, the first and second radically polymerizable monomers each being substantially free of norbornene groups. The molar equivalent ratio of ethylenically unsaturated groups of (a)(i) to the thiol groups of (a)(ii) is no greater than 1:1. The described polymerizable composition has reduced shrinkage, and a polymerizate prepared therefrom has a refractive index of at least 1.57 and an Abbe number of at least 33.

Abstract: An acoustic shielding article which includes a shaped thermoplastic element that has a metal inlay element fixedly attached thereto, is described. More particularly, the acoustic shielding article (1) includes: (a) a shaped thermoplastic element (3) having a surface (11) that faces a source of sound (14); and (b) a metal inlay element (2) having substantially opposed first (17) and second (20) surfaces, at least one of which is fixedly joined to the shaped thermoplastic element. The shaped thermoplastic element is formed by means of molding thermoplastic material onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of the metal inlay element, thereby fixedly joining the metal inlay element to the shaped thermoplastic element.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition comprising A) a thermopolastic polymer, e.g., a copolymer of styrene and acyrlonitrile, B) a graft copolymer, e.g., a graft copolymer of styrene, acrylonitrile and polybutadiene, and C) an additive mixture is described. The additive mixture C) comprises a combination of at least three components selected from components (I), (II), (III) and (IV). Component (I) contains carboxylic acid metal salt groups, e.g., magnesium stearate. Component (II) contains both carboxylic acid ester linkages and thio linkages, e.g., esters of &bgr;-thiodipropionic acid with monhydric alcohols. Component (III) contains amide linkages, e.g., ethylenediamine bisstearyl amide. Component (IV) is a compound that is different than components (I)-(III), e.g., a low molecular weight styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer. Also described are molded articles prepared from the thermoplastic molding composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A molded article, e.g., a cross car beam (3), which includes a rigid support (a) having a plurality of perforations, e.g., rigid support (12), and a rigid hollow thermoplastic member (b), e.g., an air duct (15), attached thereto is described. A portion of the thermoplastic material of rigid hollow member (b) extends through at least some of the perforations of rigid support (a), embedding the edges of the perforations therein. The thermoplastic material extending through the perforations forms an attachment element, e.g., an attachment head (24), that serves to fixedly attach rigid hollow member (b) to rigid support (a). Also described is a method of preparing the molded article of the present invention, in which the rigid hollow member (b) is fixedly attached to the rigid support (a) during the blow mold fabrication of rigid hollow member (b).

Abstract: The safety bumper includes: (a) a bumper basic body (4) having a forward surface; (b) a bumper bar (5); (c) a mounting member (11); (d) a cross-bar (10) of the vehicle, (e) at least one of a deployable energy-absorbing element (9; 32, 33, 39, 41; 52, 60) positioned above the mounting member (11) and a deployable energy-absorbing element (17, 20; 38, 46; 64) positioned below mounting member (11); and (f) an impact sensor (6) located in bumper bar (5). The bumper bar (5) is connected to bumper basic body (4) and extends through to the forward surface of bumper basic body (4), bumper bar (5) is also connected to mounting member (11), and mounting member (11) is located behind bumper basic body (4) and bumper bar (5). The mounting member (11) is connected to cross-bar (10), which is located behind mounting member (11).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of superabsorbent polymers by alkaline hydrolysis of polyacrylonitrile emulsions is disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention the process comprise preparing a PAN emulsion, subjecting the emulsion to alkaline hydrolysis, neutralizing the hydrolysate followed by drying, granulation and modifying the surface of the granular polymer by crosslinking. The process is characterized in that the isolation of the superabsorbent polymer entails neither alcohols nor organic solvents.

Abstract: Described is a molded plastic article which includes a barrier film. The molded plastic article is prepared by a process which involves: (a) providing a barrier film comprising at least one polymeric layer, the barrier film having a first surface and a second surface; (b) placing the barrier film in a mold such that the first surface of the barrier film is in contact with at least a portion of the interior surfaces of the mold; (c) injecting a polymer (e.g., a molten thermoplastic polymer) into the mold, the injected polymer contacting the second surface of the barrier film; and (d) removing the molded plastic article from the mold. Also described are molded articles according to the present invention, which include, for example, plastic containers, plastic fuel tanks, plastic storage units, plastic fascias and plastic motor vehicle interior cladding materials.