Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of alkylated phenols. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of 2-secondary-alkyl-4,5-di-normal-alkylphenols.

Abstract: A process for making 3-aminopentanenitrile from a crude 2-pentenenitrile (“crude 2PN”) comprising 2-pentenenitrile, 2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile includes contacting the crude 2PN with an ammonia-containing fluid and water. The ammonia-containing fluid can include at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of ammonia, aqueous ammonia, and ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of dinitriles by hydrocyanation of unsaturated nitrile compounds in the presence of a catalyst based on a metal element in the zero oxidation state and on organophosphorus ligands;the invention relates more particularly to a process for the recovery from the hydrocyanation medium of a catalyst for the hydrocyanation of unsaturated nitrites to dinitriles. It consists in controlling the concentration of unsaturated nitrites in the reaction medium resulting from the hydrocyanation reaction in order to obtain a concentration by weight of unsaturated nitrites of less than 20% in the said medium, and in then feeding the said medium to a stage of settling into two upper and lower phases. The lower phase comprises most of the catalytic system, while the upper phase is composed essentially of the dinitriles.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the production of 3-pentenenitrile, comprising: (a) contacting, in a reaction zone, a hydrogen cyanide-containing feed, a 1,3-butadiene-containing feed, and a catalyst precursor composition, wherein the catalyst precursor composition comprises a zero-valent nickel and at least one multidentate phosphorus-containing ligand selected from the group consisting of a phosphite, a phosphonite, a phosphinite, a phosphine, and a mixed phosphorus-containing ligand or a combination of such members; and (b) maintaining a residence time sufficient to convert about 95% or more of the hydrogen cyanide and to produce a reaction mixture comprising 3-pentenenitrile and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, wherein the 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile concentration is maintained below about 15 weight percent of the total mass of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A hydrocyanation process produces adiponitrile and other dinitriles having six carbon atoms. The process involves forming a reaction mixture in the presence of at least one Lewis acid. The reaction mixture includes ethylenically unsaturated nitrites having five carbon atoms, hydrogen cyanide, and a catalyst precursor compositions. The reaction mixture is continuously fed while controlling the overall feed molar ratio of 2-pentenenitriles to all unsaturated nitriles and the overall feed molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to all unsaturated nitrites. In the reaction product mixture, including adiponitrile, the ratio of the concentration of 2-pentenenitriles to the concentration of 3-pentenenitriles from about 0.2/1 to about 10/1. Included in the catalyst precursor composition is a zero-valent nickel and at least one multidentate phosphorus-containing ligand.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the production of 3-pentenenitrile comprising: (a) contacting, in a reaction zone, a hydrogen cyanide-containing feed, a butadiene-containing feed, and a catalyst precursor composition, wherein the catalyst precursor composition comprises a zero-valent nickel and at least one bidentate phosphite ligand selected from a member of the group represented by Structures I and II, in which all like reference characters have the same meaning, except as further explicitly limited: wherein R1 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of C1 to C5 hydrocarbyl, and R2, R3, R4, R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C1 to C4 hydrocarbyl; and (b) maintaining a residence time in the reaction zone sufficient to convert about 95% or more of the hydrogen cyanide and to produce a reaction mixture comprising 3-pentenenitrile and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, wherein the 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile concentration is maintain

Abstract: A multi-layer composite sheet comprising a shrinkable layer intermittently bonded a to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and wherein the shrinkable layer can shrink and at the same time gather the gatherable layer between the bonds. A process for preparing multi-layer composite sheets by intermittently bonding a shrinkable layer to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and causing the shrinkable layer to shrink while at the same time gathering the gatherable layer between the bonds. Preferably, the shrinkable layer comprises an array of fibers or nonwoven web comprising fibers having latent spiral crimp.

Abstract: Circular-knit, elastic, single-knit jersey fabric, of spun and/or continuous filament hard yarns with bare spandex plated in every course, has a cover factor in the range of 1.3 to 1.9, a basis weight from 140 to 240 g/m2, an elongation of 60% or more and low shrinkage. The circular knit, single-knit jersey fabric is produced by maintaining the draft of the spandex at or below 2× (100% elongation) and maintaining the finishing and drying temperature(s) below the spandex heat set temperature. The knit fabric meets the end-use specifications without heat setting.

Abstract: A spun yarn of cotton (35 wt %-80 wt %) and a bicomponent staple fiber (20wt%-65wt%) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) based on total weight of the spun yarn. The spun yarn has a total boil-off shrinkage of about 22%. The bicomponent staple fiber component has a tow crimp development value of about 35%-70%; a tow crimp index value of about 14%-45%; a length of about 1.3-5.5 cm; and a linear density of about 0.7-3.0 decitex per fiber. The difference between the crimp index and the crimp development values is about 24%-35% absolute.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-filament yarn formed at least in part from filaments having cross-sectional zig-zag or double “W” shape with a 180 degree axis of symmetry. The filaments have a denier per filament generally in the range of about 0.1 to about 4.0. Fabrics made from yarns formed with the filaments have high moisture wicking, soft hand, and a silk-like lustrous appearance.

Abstract: Highly crimped, fully drawn bicomponent fibers, prepared by melt-spinning, followed by gas-flow quenching, heat treatment and high speed windup, are provided, as are fine-decitex and highly uniform polyester bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A modified synthetic polymer filament and multifilament yarn of polyamide or polyester filament containing a carbon black polymer additive, and fabrics from these yarns, are disclosed. These melt spun filaments are especially well-suited for use in garments and equipment where a modified Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) signature is desired. The yarn and fabrics made from this yarn may be advantageously dyed or printed to provide a camouflage fabric for use in desert sand dominated environments, urban environments and multi-terrain environments.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for preparing stretchable multiple-component bonded composite sheets which involves bonding a fibrous layer of spirally-crimpable multiple-component continuous filaments or staple fibers to one or more non-spirally-crimpable layers using an array of intermittent mechanical, chemical, or thermal bonds, and heating the bonded composite to activate the spiral crimp of the fibers in the spirally-crimpable layer. Multi-layer nonwoven fabrics prepared according to the method of the current invention have an improved combination of strength, aesthetics, stretch-recovery properties, and textile hand and drape compared to multiple-component nonwoven fabrics known in the art.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing nonwoven fabrics having an improved balance of properties in the machine and cross-directions. More specifically, the invention utilizes nonwoven webs that include relatively low levels of multiple-component fibers having latent three-dimensional spiral crimp combined with fibers that do not develop spiral crimp. The latent spiral crimp of the multiple-component fibers is activated, such as by heating, under free shrinkage conditions, after formation of the nonwoven web to achieve re-orientation of the non-spirally-crimpable fibers and an improved balance of properties such as tensile strength and modulus.

Abstract: The invention provides spandex having improved hysteresis and a method for making such spandex. The spandex of the invention comprises the polyurethaneurea reaction product of: (a) poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (b) 1-isocyanato-4-[(4-isocyanatophenyl)methyl]benzene wherein the mole ratio of diisocyanate to glycol is from about 1.52 to about 2.04; and (c) a mixture of chain extenders comprising: from about 35 to about 55 mole percent ethylene diamine; and from about 45 to about 65 mole percent 1,2-propanediamine.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for treating a polyester fiber comprising the steps of providing a bicomponent fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) which has been heat-treated at a first temperature and cooled to lower than about 70° C. and has an initial crimp contraction value and a developed crimp contraction value, applying tension to the fiber of about 0.001 to 0.088 dN/tex, heat-treating the fiber at a second heat-treating temperature no lower than about 75° C. and no higher than the first heat-treating temperature, cooling the fiber to lower than the second heat-treating temperature, and releasing the tension from the fiber to give a fiber having a reduced crimp contraction value. The invention also provides a bicomponent fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) having a reduced crimp contraction value of about 6% to 15%.

Abstract: A shaped support for a body-shaping garment, including a foundation garment, such as a brassiere or girdle, is formed from a single or from multiple layers of a plastic material having certain flex modulus and perpendicular and in-plane apparent stiffnesses, such as a polyester film with a thickness in the range of from 15 to 35 mil. The shaped support is incorporated into the structure of the body-shaping garment, preferably by adhering the support directly to the fabric comprising the body-shaping garment using a film or hot melt adhesive. The shaped support preferably has an asymmetric shape and readily conforms to various body curvatures for increased wearing comfort, but has sufficient stiffness to provide desired lifting or holding support.

Abstract: This invention relates to stretchable nonwoven sheets prepared by substantially uniformly impregnating a necked nonwoven substrate with an elastomeric polymer by treatment with an elastomeric polymer solution. The nonwoven sheet is useful in the manufacture of diapers and other hygiene articles.

Abstract: A process for dyeing certain textile fibers, utilizing vat acid dyeing and specific additional (second) reducing agents such as ?-hydroxyalkylsulfinic acids, their salts and 1,2,4-trithiolane, resulting in excellent depth of shade and washfastness, is provided.

Abstract: A spinneret steam blanketing system for blanketing the face of a spinneret with gas. The system includes a steam distribution ring surrounding a filament array, where the steam distribution ring abuts the spin head and is removably mounted to said spin head. The steam distribution ring is removed and the face of the spinneret may be wiped clean, without the need for removing and replacing the spin pack.