Abstract: A novel filler treatment comprising the preparation of swollen starch-latex compositions, prepared in the presence or absence of co-additives, and the addition of the said composition to a filler suspension, has been developed. Use of the treated filler during papermaking improves filler retention and produces filled papers where addition of the filler has only a minimal negative effect on strength properties. The swollen starch-latex compositions can be prepared in a batch or jet cooker, or by mixing with hot water under controlled conditions (i.e., temperature, pH, mixing, mixing time) in order to make the starch granules swell sufficiently to improve their properties as a filler additive but avoiding excess swelling leading to their rupture. The swollen starch-latex composition is then rapidly mixed with the filler slurry, preferably in a static mixer, and added to the papermaking furnish at a point prior to the headbox of the paper machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for modifying cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) which involves the steps of subjecting the CNSL to ozonolysis to form ozonolysis reaction products, followed by reduction of the ozonolysis reaction products to give a mixture of phenolic components and aldehydes. In a preferred embodiment, the process involves reacting CNSL with ozone to form a mixture containing ozonolysis reaction products, and then treating the mixture under reducing conditions to form a further mixture containing phenolic components with an eight carbon chain having a terminal —CHO group and alkyl components of varying lengths with either one or two terminal —CHO groups. The resulting CNSL aldehydes may be used to form adhesives for use in the manufacture of composites such as wood particle board.

Abstract: A water-soluble interjacent complex that includes a first water-soluble polymer and one or more water-soluble monomers polymerized to form a second water-soluble polymer in the presence of the first water-soluble polymer. The water-soluble interjacent complex forms a solution in water that is free of insoluble polymer particles. The interjacent complexes may be used to treat a waste sludge by adding an effective amount thereof to the waste sludge. The interjacent complexes may also be used in making paper by adding an effective amount thereof to a pulp or a forming sheet at a suitable location on a paper making machine. The interjacent complexes may further be used as a rheology modifier in aqueous systems by adding an effective amount thereof to an aqueous medium to effect a desired viscosity, rheology, or flow curve property.

Abstract: This invention discloses a pneumatic tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads; wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting; wherein the tread is comprised of (a) about 60 phr to about 90 phr of a cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber, wherein the cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about ?104° C. to about ?80° C., (b) about 10 phr to about 40 phr of at least one additional rubbery polymer selected from the group consisting of polyisoprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, and styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, wherein the additional rubbery polymer has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about ?30° C. to about ?10° C.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polymers incompatible with starch containing, as a filler, a starch complex dispersed in the polymer matrix in the form of particles with numeric mean dimension of less than 3 microns, bound to the polymer matrix by coupling agents containing groups compatible with the matrix and with the complex, in which the starch complex is characterized by second-derivative IR absorption in the region of 940-952 cm?1 are described or wherein the starch complex is bound to the polymeric matrix through reactive groups contained in the complex capable of being fixed to the polymeric matrix. The starch complex in the case of biodegradable polymers such as the aliphatic or aliphatic aromatic polyesters is formed with complexing agents different from the polymer forming the matrix and from EVOH copolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component for producing thermoplastically moldable, biodegradable and bright polymer mixtures based on starch, with good dimensional stability in water. The dimensional stability in water and the biodegradability of said component are adjustable and the component can be used for producing sheet materials, semi-finished or finished products, for example for packagings, containers, articles required in horticultural nurseries, and for other purposes. The invention, furthermore, relates to a process for producing the component from polyvinyl acetate and alkali silicate. A suspension of polyvinyl acetate is hydrolized and saponified in the batch process in the presence of catalytic additions such as, in particular glycerol, by adding the alkali silicate and hydroxides at high temperatures. Organosilicates of high homogeneity and fineness are formed.

Abstract: Environmentally degradable finely attenuated fibers produced by melt spinning a composition comprising destructurized starch, a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, and a plasticizer are disclosed. The present invention is also directed to highly attenuated fibers containing thermoplastic polymer microfibrils which are formed within the starch matrix of the finely attenuated fiber. Nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the highly attenuated fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a paint composition which comprises a binder, a coalescent agent and optionally admixtures and auxiliary agents known per se. The film forming agent comprises a glycidyl ether or glycidyl ester or a mixture thereof, the hydrocarbyl residue of the alcohol or carboxylic acid, respectively, of the ether or ester comprising a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The invention further concerns a method of accelerating the hardening of paint compositions and a novel method of preparing glycidyl esters. The film forming agents used in the invention lower the film forming temperature better than conventional reactive film forming agents. Due to low volatility the compounds are suitable for no-VOC applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a polymer-wood composite structure and additive systems for use therein. The method of the invention includes extruding a heated mixture that includes from about 20% to about 80% by weight of a thermoplastic polymer, from about 20% to about 80% by weight of a cellulosic filler material, and from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an additive system. The additive system according the invention includes a blend of from about 10% to about 90% by weight of a nonionic compatibilizer having an HLB value of from about 9 to about 19 and from about 10% to about 90% by weight of a lubricant. Use of the method and additive system according to the invention facilitates the production of highly filled polymer-wood composite structures at a very high output rate while maintaining commercially acceptable surface appearance.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer blend of a bi-continuous phase structure contains thermoplastic starch, at least one synthetic polymer, and a hydrolysis component on PVAc basis. The starch component of the polymer blend has a molecular weight which is only minimally reduced relative to native starch. The thermoplastic polymer blend is produced by reactive extrusion of a mixture of native starch and at feast one hydrophobic polymer with addition of a hydrolyzed component on polyvinyl acetate basis and of lower polyfunctional alcohols and water in the presence of an acidic catalyst. The thermoplastic polymer blend is used for producing injection molded, deep-drawn, or blow-molded parts, foils or raw materials for fibers as well as material for melt film coatings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous- or solvent-based, one-component, polyurethane stoving coating compositions containing i) polyisocyanates blocked with CH-acidic esters, especially malonic esters, ii) OH-containing polymeric compounds, and iii) 0.5 to 4.0 wt. %, based on the solids content of components i) and ii), of tetravalent titanium compounds. The stoving coating compositions have a low stoving temperature and are useful for coating plastic parts.

Abstract: An article includes a reinforced thermoplastic composition containing specific amounts of a poly(arylene ether), a homopolymer of an alkenyl aromatic monomer, a polyolefin, a hydrogenated block copolymer with a high styrene content, an unhydrogenated block copolymer, and glass fibers. The composition contributes very high stiffness and high impact strength to the article.

Abstract: Molding or coating materials, in particular coating substances for producing self-cleaning moldings or coatings, for example on facades and other building elements, which if they are exposed to rain or moving water from time to time, clean themselves and prevent permanent settlement of dirt particles and pollutants. In accordance with the invention that object is attained with molding or coating materials having the features set forth in the opening part of this specification, which are characterized in that the filler contained has an at least bimodal particle size distribution, wherein the one particle size range (A) has a mean particle diameter of at least 5 ?m and the other particle size range (B) has a mean particle diameter of at most 3 ?m and the weight ratio of the particles of the former particle size range (A) to the particles of the latter particle size range (B) is between 0.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulose material having an application of superabsorbent polymer adhered to the cellulose material. In particular, the cellulose material has an application of pre-superabsorbent polymer adhered to the material, wherein an aqueous solution of pre-superabsorbent polymer is applied to the cellulose material and converted to superabsorbent polymer upon subjected to heat for a sufficient time. The absorbent cellulose material has a fluid retention of greater then 2g/g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer composition containing a polymer and, as an additive for making a dark laser marking, at least 0.1 wt. % antimony trioxide having an average particle size above 0.5 micrometer. The invention also relates to articles wholly or partly made of the polymer composition and to a process for applying a dark laser mark onto a light background of such article. The polymer composition according to the invention can be marked with laser light of wavelength 1064 nm.

Abstract: Polyesters and polyester containers having a reduced coefficient of friction and improved clarity are produced using an antiblock agent comprising a dried talc having from about 20 to about 300 ppm water or a fatty acid tethered talc. The use of these talcs results in polyesters and polyester containers having a coefficient of less than about 1.0 and a clarity with haze values of less than about 4%.

Abstract: A composition is composed of a hydrophobically modified aminoplast polyether or hydrophobically modified non-urethane polyethers with a viscosity suppressing agent of cyclodextrins or derivatives thereof. A method for improving the pumpability and pourability of aqueous solutions of thickener of a hydrophobically modified aminoplast polyether or hydrophobically modified non-urethane polyethers which is provided by admixing a cyclodextrin with the thickener to form a complex of the cyclodextrin and thickener where the viscosity of the thickener is suppressed and adding the complexed admixture to an aqueous system containing a water-insoluble polymer wherein the cyclodextrin is decomplexed and the thickener becomes an effective thickener. An example of the uses for this composition and method is in film forming coatings such as latex paints.

Abstract: Environmentally degradable finely attenuated fibers produced by melt spinning a composition comprising destructurized starch, a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, and a plasticizer are disclosed. The present invention is also directed to highly attenuated fibers containing thermoplastic polymer microfibrils which are formed within the starch matrix of the finely attenuated fiber. Nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the highly attenuated fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A recording paper coated or impregnated with a sizing agent containing a water-soluble soybean polysaccharide as an indispensable component, and optionally a cationic polymer and a surfactant, preferably a nonionic surfactant having HLB of 5-15. The water-soluble soybean polysaccharide is a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from soybean or soybean extraction residue and subjected to desalinating purification.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for modifying cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) which involves the steps of subjecting the CNSL to ozonolysis to form ozonolysis reaction products, followed by reduction of the ozonolysis reaction products to give a mixture of phenolic components and aldehydes. In a preferred embodiment, the process involves reacting CNSL with ozone to form a mixture containing ozonolysis reaction products, and then treating the mixture under reducing conditions to form a further mixture containing phenolic components with an eight carbon chain having a terminal —CHO group and alkyl components of varying lengths with either one or two terminal —CHO groups. The resulting CNSL aldehydes may be used to form adhesives for use in the manufacture of composites such as wood particle board.