Abstract: A composite plastic structure is described. The composite structure includes: (a) a shaped polycarbonate article having an edge region, the edge region having an adhesion-promoting geometric feature therein; (b) a coating applied to the surface of the shaped polycarbonate article; and (c) a polymer that is injection-molded or cast over the edge region of the shaped polycarbonate article. The polymer (c) envelopes the adhesion-promoting geometric feature of the shaped polycarbonate article (a). The envelopment of the adhesion-promoting geometric feature by the polymer (c) provides a structurally firm connection between the shaped polycarbonate article (a) and the polymer (c). Also described is a method of preparing the composite structure, and composite structures according to the present invention, such as picture frames, slide frames, windows having a seal or frame, and a glazing for a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Described is a multi-stage, continuous process for evaporating and concentrating feed polymer solutions. In a first stage (a) of the process, the feed polymer solution is concentrated by passing it through one of (i) a combination of a tubular heat exchanger with one of a thin-film evaporator and a coiled tube evaporator, and (ii) a tubular heat exchanger. Each evaporator of (i) having a downstream separator. In a further stage (b), the intermediate polymer solution of the first stage is further concentrated and degassed to form a product polymer in a tubular heat exchanger having a downstream separator. The tubular heat exchanger of the further stage has an inside diameter of from 5 to 30 mm, and a length of from 0.5 to 4 m, and the throughput per heat exchanger tube being from 5 to 30 kg/h, based on the polymer. An entrainer is introduced into a delivery device located downstream from the separator of further stage (b).

Abstract: An apparatus for utilising solar energy is described. The apparatus comprises: (a) a plurality of movable mirrors (3) which are arranged in parallel next to one another, are orientable according to the solar altitude, and are fastened on carriers (10, 10′); (b) at least one stationary collector (14) for absorbing the radiation reflected by the mirrors (3); (c) a drive means for rotating the mirrors (3) and carriers (10, 10′) in order to orientate the mirrors (3) in such a way that the solar radiation impinging on the mirrors is reflected onto the collector (14); and (d) a framework (15) supporting said mirrors (3), said carriers (10, 10′), said stationary collector (14) and said drive means (c).

Abstract: A multilayerd, biaxially stretched tubular film having the following sequence of layers, |A|B|C|D|E|F|G|, is described. Inner layer A contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic (co)polyamide and partially aromatic (co)polyamide. Core layer E, consists essentially of at least one member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic (co)polyamide and partially aromatic (co)polyamide. Outer layer G contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic (co)polyamide and partially aromatic (co)polyamide. Interlayer C is polyolefinic, has water vapor barrier properties, and is interposed between inner layer A and core layer E. Interlayer C is directly attached to layer A via coupling layer B and to layer E via coupling layer D. Coupling layers B and F each independently contain a modified polyolefin.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic polyurethane film by means of sintering a particulate thermoplastic polyurethane in a heated mold, is described. The thermoplastic polyurethane has: (i) a melt index of 20 to 100, measured at 190° C. and under an applied force of 21.2 N; (ii) a relative solution viscosity of 1.15 to 1.45, the relative solution viscosity being determined by, measuring the viscosity (a) of a solution of 0.4 grams of the thermoplastic polyurethane in 99.7 grams N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone containing 0.1% dibutylamine at 25° C., measuring the viscosity (b) of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone containing 0.1% dibutylamine at 25° C., and dividing viscosity (a) by viscosity (b); and (iii) a Shore hardness of 80 to 98.

Abstract: A highly branched polycondensate is described. The polycondensate is prepared by polycondensating (a) monomers capable of polycondensation in the presence of (b) branching agents, wherein the branching agents are selected from polymers, oligomers consisting of 2 to 100 monomer units and dendritic polymers. The branching agents contain residues of monomers represented by the general formulas, A—R—Bx or Ax—R—B wherein A represents a —C(O)X group, X being hydroxyl, halogen, alkoxy or aralkoxy, each having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, B represents one of (i) an —OY group, Y being hydrogen, trialkyl silyl, alkyl or acyl, each having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and (ii) an amino group, an ammonium halide or an alkyl carbamate having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R is an organic aromatic, aliphatic-aromatic or aliphatic radical containing 1 to 25 carbon atoms, and x≧2. Also described are molded articles prepared from the highly branched polycondensate of the present invention.

Abstract: A multilayer film is described which has at least one first layer (1) of thermoplastic polyurethane, at least one second layer (2) of thermoplastic elastomer, and optionally a third layer (3) of thermoplastic polyurethane. The ratio of the water vapor permeability level of the first layer (1) to the water vapor permeability level of the second layer (2), of the multilayer film is at least two. When the optional third layer (3) is present in the multilayer film, the first and third layers enclose the second layer. Also described are filled articles (e.g., water beds and hot/cold pads), which are fabricated from the multilayer films of the present invention.

Abstract: A multilayered, coextruded tubular biaxially stretched casing, having oxygen and water vapor barrier properties plus reduced adhesion to contents, e.g., foodstuffs, contained within the casing, is disclosed. The tubular casing has five layers in the order of A|B|C|D|E. Outer layer A, contains as its principal component at least one polyamide. Layer B has oxygen barrier properties, and may be composed of a substantially hydrolyzed copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. The core layer C contains as its principal component at least one polyamide. Layer D contains a modified polyolefin. Inner layer E (i.e., the layer that is in contact with the contents of the tubular casing) is a water vapor barrier layer, that contains as its principal component at least one member selected from the group consisting of homopolyolefin and copolyolefin. The tubular casing is useful for encasing foodstuffs, such as pasty or liquid foodstuffs.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermosetting compositions which are comprised of a resinous phase dispersed in an aqueous medium, the resinous phase comprising (a) an ungelled active hydrogen group-containing polymer which contains amine salt groups, the polymer having been prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization in the presence of an initiator having at least one radically transferable group, and (b) a curing agent having at least two functional groups which are reactive with the active hydrogen groups of (a). The active hydrogen group-containing polymers of the thermosetting compositions, which are prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, have narrow molecular weight distributions and well-defined, specifically tailored polymer architecture which can provide enhanced crosslink density and dispersibility of the thermosetting compositions. Also disclosed is a method of electrocoating a conductive substrate using the thermosetting compositions of the invention, and a substrate coated by this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new, particularly economical process for producing particulate water-soluble cellulose derivatives. The process involves forming a feed composition of swollen and/or dissolved cellulose derivative, and water. The feed composition is contacted with a carrier and heat exchange gas, in a sieve-free high rotational speed gas jet impact mill, and the cellulose derivative of the feed composition is converted into a solid state form of finely particulate particles. The particulate cellulose derivative is then separated from the heat exchange gas and carrier gas, and optionally dried. The mill drying and the particulate cellulose derivative product are influenced by establishing a specific water content in the swollen and/or dissolved cellulose derivative.

Abstract: An oil-in-water coating agent is described. The coating agent emulsion is prepared from a composition comprising: a) 5.0 to 50 wt. % of cellulose substance; b) 5.0 to 50 wt. % of at least one hydroxyl group-containing lacquer resin; c) 2.0 to 25 wt. % of at least one polyisocyanate having more than one free isocyanate group; d) 10.0 to 65 wt. % of water; e) 0.5 to 30 wt. % of plasticiser; f) 0.0 to 20 wt. % of emulsifier; and g) 0.0 to 45 wt. % of at least one organic solvent. The sum of components a) to g) of the composition is 100 wt. %, and the weight ratio of hydroxyl groups of the hydroxyl group-containing lacquer resin b) to NCO groups of the polyisocyanate c) is 1:0.05 to 1:5. Also described is a method of using the coating agent emulsion, and its application to the surface of materials, such as wood and metal.

Abstract: Describes a polymerizable composition of (a) a first allyl functional monomer, which is selected such that a substantially completely cured polymerizate of the first allyl functional monomer has a 15 second Barcol 934 hardness of at least 40, and (b) a second allyl functional monomer selected from polyether diol bis(allyl carbonate), polylactone diol bis(allyl carbonate) and mixtures thereof. The second allyl functional monomer is present in the composition in an amount to provide a substantially completely cured polymerizate having: (i) improved organic photochromic substance incorporation relative to a substantially completely cured polymerizate of the composition free of monomer (b); and (ii) heat distortion temperature of at least 40° C.

Abstract: A process of evaporating a viscous polymer solution is described. The process includes: (a) providing a viscous polymer solution including at least 30 wt. % of solvents and monomers; (b) introducing the viscous polymer solution into a heated helix (5), the heated helix having a vapor exit velocity of 200 to 300 m/s, (a film flow including a two-phase mixture of polymer melt, and solvent vapors and monomer vapors being formed within the helix); (c) forwarding the film flow from helix (5) into a heated vapor separator (6); (d) expanding the two-phase mixture of polymer melt, and solvent vapors and monomer vapors of the film flow within vapor separator (6) at an absolute pressure of 10 mbar to 800 mbar, (a bottom product including a concentrated melt of the polymer is formed within the vapor separator); and (e) withdrawing the bottom product from vapor separator (6).

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition comprising, (A) an aromatic polycarbonate; (B) a single rubber-free copolymer, e.g., of styrene and acrylonitrile; (C) a first graft polymer; (D) a second graft polymer; and (E) a wax, is described. The single rubber-free copolymer (B), and first and second graft polymers (C) and (D) are prepared from a specific selection of graft phases and graft bases. The graft base of the first graft polymer (C) comprises a crosslinked, particulate elastomer having an average particle diameter of 0.05 to 0.5 microns. The second graft polymer (D) has an average particle diameter of 0.6 to 20 microns. The thermoplastic compositions of the present invention are well suited for the preparation of molded articles that may be metalized over at least a portion of their surface by means of an electroless plating process. Such electroless plated articles are characterized as having improved heat resistance and adhesion of the metal plating.

Abstract: A hollow-chamber lightweight component is described which at least comprises a shell-shaped housing part (1) made of high-strength material. a ribbed supporting structure (2) made of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material, and at least one cover plate (4) or covering shell (20) made of a high-strength material which is, in particular. different from plastic and a method of producing the lightweight component is described. The supporting structure (2) is up against the inside of the housing part (1) and is joined, in particular. to the housing part (1). The cover plate (4) or covering shell (20) largely covers the space formed from housing part (1) and supporting structure (2) and is joined in its peripheral region at least with one part of the boundary (10) of the housing part (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to block copolymers which are predominantly based on vinylcyclohexane and to a process for producing them. The block copolymers can be processed to form mouldings by extrusion or injection moulding. The mouldings which result therefrom are distinguished by their high resistance to thermal deformation, good mechanical properties, high transparency in the visible and near UV range, and by their particularly low birefringence and water absorption.

Abstract: The invention provides thermoplastic molding compositions of the ABS type containing highly effective graft rubber components obtained by emulsion polymerization while using a special initiator system and maintaining defined reaction conditions.

Abstract: A multi-layered film that may be heat laminated to a substrate is described. The multi-layered film comprises a base layer comprising polypropylene, a first external layer comprising polypropylene, and a second external layer. The base layer is interposed between the first and second external layers. The second external layer comprises a mixture of first (i) and second (ii) ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, each having different vinyl acetate residue contents. The content of vinyl acetate residues in the first EVA copolymer (i) is 10 to 30 percent by weight, based on the weight of the first copolymer (i), the content of vinyl acetate residues in the second EVA copolymer (ii) is 1 to 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of the second copolymer (ii). The multi-layered film is heat laminated and oriented at least monoaxially.

Abstract: A regioselectively substituted member selected from the group consisting of oligo-saccharide ester and polysaccharide ester is disclosed. The ester has a partial average degree of substitution AS at the C2 position of its anhydroglucose unit of at least 90% relative to the total AS. Also disclosed is a method of producing the regioselectively substituted ester. The method entails reacting in the presence of a catalyst a dissolved or a highly swollen oligo-saccharide or polysaccharide with an esterification reagent.

Abstract: A method for removing volatile components from polymer solutions is disclosed. The method, yielding products having low content of residual volatile components and causing no thermal damage to the polymer, entails using apparatuses in which surfaces which come into contact with the product are made from materials which are low in iron content.