Abstract: A process for preparing film structures comprising phthalocyanine oligomers having metal coordinating atoms in adjacent rings connected along a central axis through oxygen atoms. The ligands on the outermost rings of the structures are hydrophilic. The preferred coordinating atom is germanium and the structures may be prepared on a Langmuir-Blodgett balance using phthalocyanine oligomers in which one of the outermost rings is connected to a hydrophobic ligand while the other outermost ring is connected to a hydrophilic ligand. The pH of the subphase in the trough of the balance is maintained at a pH of from about 2 to 6, and the hydrophobic ligand is converted to a hydrophilic ligand during the process of coating a substrate by passing it upward through the film on the subphase.

Abstract: Vinyl monomers are polymerized in the presence of bi(phosphine oxides) and bi(phosphine sulfides) which can function as photoinitiators and chain transfer agents in the polymerization of vinyl monomers. The incorporation of such organo-phosphorous compounds into such polymers either as an integral part thereof, or as an admixture, results in improved thermal stability of the polymers.

Abstract: A cross-linked composition produced by exposing a mixture including a telechelic polyisobutylene-containing base polymer which carries multiple terminal acrylate groups as a part thereof, a reactive diluent, and in some cases, a high-energy sensitizer, to high-energy radiation. The base polymer may also comprise a block copolymer which has polyisobutylene, and polydiene blocks as, for example, polyisoprene, and in which the polydiene blocks, advantageously partially cyclized, carry multiple acrylate groups as a part thereof. Among other things, the compositions have particular application in the formation of films useful in the electronic, biomedical, specialty adhesive, sealant, and other fields.

Abstract: A method for forming carbon-carbon composites consists of impregnating structures with carbon-forming precursor compounds comprising multi-functional benzoxazine compounds. The impregnated structures are pyrolyzed to form carbonaceous char which serves to fill the interstices in the structure, thus densifying the composites. The process of impregnation and pyrolysis is repeated as many times as required to obtain the composite density desired. Unusually high char yields are produced by multi-functional benzoxazine compounds in which benzoxazine are joined to each other through a bridge characterized by having conjugated unsaturation associated therewith. A number of preferred compounds providing unexpectedly high yields of char are shown, enabling the desired densification to be achieved with a minimum number of impregnation and pyrolysis cycles, thereby reducing the costs of forming the composites.

Abstract: A process for preparing foamed polymer blends of thermoplastic polymers with elastomeric polymers comprises mixing the elastomeric polymers with a chemical blowing agent and compounding additives. The mixture is then combined with a thermoplastic polymer to form a blend, and thereafter mixed with a curing system and a blowing agent activator. The curable composition thus prepared can subsequently be blown in either a one or two-step process. The two-step process entails partially curing the elastomer in the composition at a lower temperature, and then blowing the composition at a higher temperature. The one-step process involves (a) heating the composition to the higher temperature initially, thereby initiating curing, and after an activating induction period of the blowing agent, producing blowing; or (b) curing and blowing the composition by extruding it through an extruder.

Abstract: A method for preparing biaxially oriented poly(vinylidene fluoride) films involving the addition of a minor amount of a polymer miscible with PVDF, particularly poly(methyl methacrylate), to the poly(vinylidene fluoride) to form a blend exhibiting reduced crystallinity and reduced rates of crystallization during the film forming process. The low crystallinity permits the blend to be subsequently formed into biaxially oriented film in a double-bubble tubular film extrusion process by retarding the rate of crystallization in the first bubble, thereby permitting formation of the second bubble without rupture. The films thus formed possess piezoelectric and other desirable characteristics.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions exhibiting superior physical properties, useful in the fabrication of composites and other applications, are prepared by the polymerization of thermotropic, monomeric materials having orderable molecular structures. The monomers comprise molecules containing mesogen groups with side chains on either end thereof terminated with reactive groups, the reactive groups being separated from the mesogens by spacer atoms. The monomers are polymerized in their crystalline or liquid crystalline state, or under conditions which assure that at least part of the monomeric molecules are in an ordered state. The reactive groups which are consequently in proximity with each other, are thereby capable of interaction without molecular diffusion, allowing substantially complete polymerizations to be achieved despite the increasing conversion and glass transition temperature of the polymers being formed.

Abstract: Non-centrosymmetric films are shown that exhibit pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties. The films, which comprise alternating layers of omega-tricosenoic acid and omega-tricosenoic amine of up to nine layers thick, and alternatively, layers of polymeric amphiphiles that utilize their liquid crystalline side chains to impose order on the lamiante structures, are useful in constructing devices for measuring temperature and pressure functions.

Abstract: A polymerization process for preparing triblock copolymers and multiblock copolymers. The process includes the polymerization of isobutylene below about -40.degree. C. in a reaction mixture which includes a titanium halide, a mixed solvent, and an initiator compound selected from the group consisting of cumyl ester and cumyl ether compounds. In at least some instances, the components are added in a particular order, sometimes together with a moisture scavenger. After formation of the polyisobutylene, a diene is added to the mixture containing the polyisobutylene and polymerized to form the desired copolymer. The diene portion of the copolymer may subsequently be cyclized to produce a copolymer exhibiting both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. If desired the block copolymers can be subsequently modified to include functional side groups, or to provide photocuring capabilities.