Abstract: A low dielectric material made of a liquid crystal polymer, polytetrafluoroethylene, and hollow glass spheres. This material is a relatively low cost, low dielectric blend having good physical strength and chemical and temperature resistance.

Abstract: Novel 4-substituted acetophenone anils and methods for preparing 1,3,5-tris(4'-hydroxyphenyl)benzenes from 4-substituted acetophenones such as 4-hydroxyacetophenones or, from substituted 4-hydroxyacetophenone-anils such as 4-hydroxyacetophenone-anil by reacting the 4-substituted acetophenone or corresponding anil with an aniline derivative.

Abstract: Fibers coated with thin polymeric films are disclosed and claimed. In a preferred embodiment, microporous fibers are coated with a pre-cast polymeric film having a thickness of about 200 to about 2000 Angstroms.

Abstract: A copolymer of (a) an unsubstituted 4-hydroxystyrene monomer and (b) a substituted 4-hydroxystyrene monomer of the formula ##STR1## wherein A, B, C, and D are independently H or C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl and wherein at least one of B and D is C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl; and wherein said copolymer has a molecular weight of from about 800 to about 100,000; and wherein the mol ratio of monomer (a) to monomer (b) ranges from about 3:1 to about 1:3.

Abstract: The process for forming a microporous polymeric semi-crystalline film, involving the steps of cold compressive extruding a precursor film, preferably in a biaxial fashion, so as to compress the film by a factor of about 2 to 1 to about 10 to 1, stretching the film by about 100 to about 500 percent, preferably in a biaxial fashion, and heat annealing either before, during, or preferably after the stretching step at a temperature up to the alpha transition temperature of the polymer for a time sufficient to maintain the microporous character of the final film.

Abstract: This invention provides novel polymers which contain discrete photoconductive and electrooptic moieties. The moieties may exist as part of the main chain of the polymer or as pendant side chains. The polymers have utility as transparent photorefractive media in photorefractive devices.

Abstract: A composite fiber or film for use in a fluid separation membrane made of PAN coated with an intermediate permeable material and further coated with a selective layer. The PAN fiber or film is pre-wet with perfluoroether prior to being coated with the intermediate material, to produce a membrane material having enhanced permeability. The selective layer produces a high separation factor.

Abstract: A novel method for making a composite separation membrane, and the product of that method. This novel method includes applying one or more perfluoroethers to the surface of a microporous fiber or film made of a polymer such as PAN, and subsequently coating that fiber or film surface with a layer of selective material. This method provides a more permeable composite membrane than would be obtained by coating a fiber or film that had not been pre-wetted with perfluoroether.

Abstract: A moldable hollow glass filled PBI composition. The composition may be prepared by making a well-mixed slurry of glass microspheres in a solution of PBI in a suitable solvent, and then spinning the slurry through a jet or die under pressure and into a water bath where the particles coagulate. The solvent dissolves in the water, allowing solvent-free PBI-glass composite particles to be isolated.

Abstract: Pseudo network polymer is characterized by a network of linear segments which is composed of recurring units of a multivalent branching moiety, a chain-defining moiety, and a coupling moiety. The polymer may be formed into film, fiber and molded articles which exhibit improved mechanical properties in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A process for coating a polypropylene or polyethylene surface with a maleic acid-grafted polypropylene or polyethylene copolymer. In this process, a dope containing the graft copolymer is applied to the polypropylene or polyethylene surface, e.g. by dip coating, at a temperature high enough to keep the copolymer solvated in the dope solvent. The surface is then dried to leave a porous graft polymer coating bonded to the polypropylene or polyethylene. The coated product has superior adhesion characteristics compared to uncoated polypropylene or polyethylene.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel process for preparing cinnamic acid derivatives. The inventive process is illustrated by the synthesis of 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate by coupling p-methoxybenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate with 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in an alcohol solution, wherein a buffer compound such as sodium acetate is present, the coupling reaction being catalyzed by a mixture comprising a copper salt, such as cuprous chloride, and a palladium salt, such as Li.sub.2 PdCl.sub.4.

Abstract: Aromatic polyesters containing monomer units derived from terephthalic acid, one or more aromatic diols, such as bisphenol A, and one or more aromatic hydroxyacids, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid or 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, are described. The aromatic hydroxyacid is incorporated in a quantity sufficient to yield a polymer which is non-crystalline and which has a low enough softening temperature that it can be readily synthesized in the melt with a useful molecular weight without the need for subsequent solid state polymerization. These aromatic polyesters are useful for making transparent articles with high temperature properties.

Abstract: A melt processable wholly aromatic liquid crystalline polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 400.degree. C. having enhanced adhesion properties containing from approximately 0.05 to approximately 2.0 mole percent of a recurring sulfonated, ionic moiety in the backbone of the polymer. The polymer is useful for the production of laminate structures.

Abstract: A novel miscible blend of component polymers comprised of from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent of a polybenzimidazole and from about 95 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of an aromatic polyamide, aromatic polyamide-hydrazide or aromatic polyamide containing heterocyclic linkages. Miscibility of the component polymers of the blend is indicated by infrared, X-Ray and Differential Scanning Calorimetry analyses and scanning electron photomicrographs. In a film or molded article of a blend mostly comprised of a polybenzimidazole, it is preferred that the aromatic polyamide, aromatic polyamide-hydrazide or aromatic polyamide containing heterocyclic linkages be present in the blend in an amount sufficient to result in a blend with improved tensile properties compared to the polybenzimidazole and that is more thermally processable than the polybenzimidazole.

Abstract: Ceramic fibers formed by the pyrolysis of organosilicon preceramic polymers are provided with increased resistivity by treating the fibers in air at temperatures of less than 1,000.degree. C. to oxidize the free carbon content of the fibers.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the thermo-oxidation stability of a polybenzimidazole-containing article wherein the article contains from about 5 to about 100 weight percent of polybenzimidazole and from about 0 to about 95 weight percent of a thermoplastic polymer, by the steps of providing a phosphoric acid solution of about 2.0 to about 10.0 weight percent of acid; contacting the polybenzimidazole-containing article with the acid solution for sufficient time to produce an acid-treated article; drying the acid-treated article at a low temperature to remove excess acid; and heat treating the dried article at a temperature ranging from about 400.degree. to about 500.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere to form a phosphate barrier layer on the surface of the article, wherein the article retains at least about 50 percent of its weight after isothermal aging at about 600.degree. F. for a period of at least about 300 hours.

Abstract: The invention discloses oligomeric compositions that have high thermal and uv stability as well as reactive end groups so that they may be reactively incorporated into polymer backbones when the polymers are prepared. The oligomeric moieties are capable of retaining their chemical structure intact at temperatures where the polymers are processed into articles, so that the finished articles contain the oligomeric moieties and possess good stability towards ultraviolet light. An example of such oligomer is illustrated by the following poly(aminoterephthalic acid).

Abstract: In situ formation of a melt processable liquid crystalline polyester composition capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature of below approximately 400.degree. C. having an improved heat distortion temperature under a load, the composition being formed in the presence of from approximately 0.05 to approximately 1.0 weight percent of a divalent metal salt of terephthalic acid as a nucleating agent. Films, fibers and molded articles produced from the composition exhibit improved thermal properties.

Abstract: A process for preparing shaped polybenzimidazole sintered products having increased resistance to dimensional modification by absorption of water and the products prepared therefrom.