Abstract: A degradable polymeric foam having a density of not more than 16 lb. per cu ft. comprising a polymer alloy comprising:(i) from 50 to 100% of one or more co or homopolymers having a molecular weight of greater than 40,000 comprising the residues of one or more monomers of the Formula:--OCR.sub.1 R.sub.2 (CR.sub.3 R.sub.4).sub.n CO-- (I)or--OCH(CH.sub.3)CO-- (II)wherein in Formula I, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and a C.sub.1-4 alkyl radical, and n is zero or an integer from 1 to 5, provided that when a monomer residue of Formula II is present and in Formula I n is 1 and R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are hydrogen, R.sub.1 can not be a methyl radical; and(ii) from 0 to 50 weight % of one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polymers having a Hildebrand parameter (.sigma.) of not more than 3 MPA.sup.1/2 different from that of the one or more co or homopolymers.

Abstract: A water soluble laminate may be prepared comprising one or more relatively water insoluble layers of polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol or crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol and one or more relatively more water soluble layers such as linear uncrosslinked sulphonated vinylaromatic polymers.

Abstract: Lightly crosslinked aromatic polymers are suitable in water sealing applications such as geomembranes used around building sub structures and also in cable jacketing to protect submarine cables from moisture intrusion.

Abstract: High molecular weight polylactic acid is generally produced by the polymerization of lactide. Lactide is prepared by the depolymerization of low molecular weight polylactic acid. There are difficulties in the preparation of high molecular weight polylactic acid and high purity lactide isomers due to the equilibrium between lactic acid, low molecular weight polylactic acid, high molecular weight polylactic acid, lactide and water. Further it has never been proposed to provide a continuous process to produce high molecular weight polylactic acid from lactic acid. The present invention overcomes the equilibrium problem and provides a continuous process.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymers may be used as binders for impregnating or coating fibrous webs. The resulting web is degradable and also the fibers within the web may be more easily recycled.

Abstract: The thermal properties, such as heat distortion temperature of biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid, polyglycolides, polybutyric acid and copolymers of butyric and valeric acid, may be increased by blending them with a polymer having Tg from 75.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. and a Hildebrand parameter (.sigma.) of not more than 3 MPA.sup.1/2 different from the biopolymer.

Abstract: Crosslinked styrenic polymers may be sulphonated in a controlled manner in an organic solvent at elevated temperature using SO.sub.3 in the presence of a trialkyl phosphate. The process does not introduce further crosslinking into the polymer permitting it to have an extremely high water uptake. The resulting polymer is useful as a hydrogel.

Abstract: Generally, polylactic acid is prepared by the ring opening polymerization of lactide. However, to obtain a high molecular weight polylactic acid it is necessary to start with a lactide having a high degree of purity. Lactide may be economically brought to the required degree of purity using melt recrystallization techniques.