Abstract: The invention disclosed is a sample holder support unit for holding an optical film sample securely and precisely within a spectroscopic device such as a spectrophotometer. The device of the instant invention is comprised of a base plate, connected thereto a back support and a removable sample holder which will slide over the back support to be held securely and accurately in place. The device permits the repositioning of an optical film sample repeatedly in the same place thus allowing for accurate and repetitive measurements of changes in the sample.

Abstract: A water absorbent latex polymer foam produced by the process of combining a foamed latex polymer product with both a water absorbent polymer and chitin and drying that blend to form a foamable latex polymer containing both water absorbent polymer and chitin. The latex foams produced by this process are of great use, for example, with wound or surgical dressings.

Abstract: Radiation curable compositions useful as coatings for wood, metal, glass, fabric, paper, fiber and plastics are made from homopolymers of 4-acetoxystyrene or homopolymers of 4-hydroxystyrene blended with ethylenically unsaturated compounds.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyhalogenated microporous film having a very narrow pore size distribution and good temperature and chemical resistance. The process involves blending a polyhalogenated copolymer having a very small particle size with a binder polymer utilizing a solvent which is a nonsolvent for the polyhalogenated copolymer but a solvent for the binder polymer, forming a film from the blend, drying the film, heating the film to a temperature at or above the melting point of the polyhalogenated copolymer and under conditions such that the microparticulate particles at their points of mutual contact will neck together to form a relatively continuous matrix and extracting the binder polymer from the film utilizing a solvent for the binder particle to form a microporous film.

Abstract: A water absorbent latex polymer foam produced by the process of combining a foamed latex polymer product with a water absorbent polymer and drying that blend to form a foamable latex polymer containing a water absorbent polymer is disclosed in this invention. The latex foams produced by this process are of great use, for example, within diapers, sanitary napkins, packaging materials, and the like. In particular, the use of water absorbent polymers with particle size less than about 30 microns has been shown to produce particularly effective absorbent latex foams.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin polyimide films having thickness of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Negative photoresist compositions are made from copolymers of 4-hydroxystyrene and dialkyl muconates, alkyl sorbates, alkadiene monomers or allyl esters of ethylenically unsaturated acids plus a photosensitizer. Such compositions are useful in photolithographic and photomasking operations in fabricating microelectronic devices, printed circuits, semiconductors, printing plates, dies and the like.

Abstract: The instant invention involves a process for producing continuous polybenzimidazole films. The process is comprised of the following steps:(a) preparing a solvent solution of a polybenzimidazole polymer;(b) continuously casting the solution upon a support;(c) evaporating a sufficient amount of the solvent to form a self-supporting film in an oven;(d) washing the film in a nonsolvent;(e) removing the film from the support; and(f) continuously collecting the continuous film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, polyarylate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, polyphenylene oxide films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process for preparing them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing a polyhalogenated microporous film having a very narrow pore size distribution and good temperature and chemical resistance. The process involves blending a polyhalogenated copolymer having a very small particle size with a binder polymer utilizing a solvent which is a nonsolvent for the polyhalogenated copolymer but a solvent for the binder polymer, forming a film from the blend, drying the film, heating the film to a temperature at or above the melting point of the polyhalogenated copolymer and under conditions such that the microparticulate particles at their points of mutual contact will neck together to form a relatively continuous matrix and extracting the binder polymer from the film utilizing a solvent for the binder particle to form a microporous film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin polyether sulfone films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process for preparing them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pinhole-free, ultrathin, free-standing cellulose ester films having thicknesses of 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pinhole-free, ultrathin, polymethylmethacrylate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, blended, cellulose nitrate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: This invention discloses a unique process for the preparation of N-substituted polybenzimidazole polymers from unsubstituted polybenzimidazole polymers. An unsubstituted polybenzimidazole polymer is first reacted with an alkali hydride to produce a polybenzimidazole anion which is then reacted with a substituted or an unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or alkenyl methyl halide to produce an N-substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl polybenzimidazole polymer. The substituted polybenzimidazole polymer produced by this process can be formed into a wide range of products, such as membranes, films, resins or fibers. The product can be designed to meet special applications by the choice of the substituent. These substituted polybenzimidazole polymers can be utilized for numerous applications including reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, electrodialysis, ion exchange and affinity chromatography.

Abstract: Polymers of 4-vinylphenol are made by the acid catalyzed transesterification of polymers of 4-acetoxystyrene in an alcohol. The 4-vinylphenol polymers are useful as epoxy resins curing agents and as the phenolic base for epoxy resin per se.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin polyimide films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Copolymers of p-acetoxystyrene and allyl esters of ethylenically unsaturated acids are selectively hydrolyzed to copolymers of p-vinylphenol and allyl esters of ethylenically unsaturated acids using acid or base catalysis in an alcohol or water.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for the preparation of substituted polybenzimidazole polymers by reacting an unsubstituted polybenzimidazole polymer with a pyrocarbonate to produce an oxyformulated polybenzimidazole polymer. The oxyformulated polybenzimidazole polymer can be heated to convert it to an N-substituted polybenzimidazole polymer. Membranes, fibers and other products produced from the products of these reactions are highly resistant to chemical reactions with broad utility as fibers or membranes.