Abstract: A hydrophobic polyurethane elastomer is disclosed comprising an isocyanate terminated prepolymer having an isocyanate content ranging from 4 to 12 wt. % NCO comprising the reaction product of: i) an OH terminated homopolymer of butadiene having molecular weight ranging from 1000 to 4000 and an OH functionality of from 1.9 to 2.1; ii) an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanate; and a diol chain extender having a molecular weight ranging from 62 to 400.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is disclosed. The process is carried out at 130 to 250° C. and comprises reacting at least one polyether diol with at least one organic diisocyanate and 1,4-di-(2,2′-hydroxyethyl)-hydroquinone, in the presence of tin dioctoate as a catalyst. The resulting thermoplastic polyurethane has a glass transition temperature (Tg) below 50° C. The inventive thermoplastic polyurethane is suitable for making injection molded or extruded articles.

Abstract: A method for making a bloom-free thermoplastic polyurethane is disclosed. The method entails blending a chain terminator such as monofunctional alkylene alcohol having at least 14 carbon atoms, mono-isocyanate and mono-amine, in a thermoplastic polyurethane that would, but for the blending of the chain terminator of the invention, feature a blooming defect. The polyurethane suitable for the use in the inventive process is the product of a reaction wherein reactants comprise (i) at least one hydroxy functional polyol such as polyester polyol, polyether polyol and polycarbonate polyol, having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 5000 and a hydroxyl functionality of at least 2, (ii) a chain extending compound, and (iii) an organic diisocyanate. The ratio NCO/H characterizing the relative amounts of named reactants is 0.95 to 1.05. The addition of the chain terminator renders the product bloom-free.

Abstract: A process for making a photochromic optical lens is disclosed. In a first embodiment of the process a multi-plied laminate, containing a ply of photochromic thermoplastic polyurethane (herein “TPU”) and a ply containing thermoplastic polycarbonate, is first placed in the cavity of a suitable mold. The ply that contains polycarbonate resin is placed facing the cavity. Thermoplastic polycarbonate resin is then injected into the cavity. In a second embodiment, referred to as an over-mold method, polycarbonate is first injection molded into a molding cavity to form a substrate. Photochromic TPU is, in a subsequent step, injected into the cavity to form a superstrate overlay. In both embodiments, the articles thus molded are suitable for the preparation of optical lenses.

Abstract: A soft, transparent and processable thermoplastic polyurethane resin suitable in optical application is disclosed. The resin is the product of reacting a diisocyanate, a chain extender, and a mixture of polyether polyols. The mixture of polyether polyols comprise (A) a C4 polyether polyol and (B) a C2-C3 polyether polyol where the weight ratio A/B is in the range of about 85/15 to 15/85.

Abstract: A hydrophobic polyurethane elastomer is disclosed comprising an isocyanate terminated prepolymer comprising: i) from 30 to 90 percent by weight of an OH terminated homopolymer of butadiene having molecular weight ranging from 1000 to 4000 and an OH functionality of from 1.9 to 2.1; ii) from 10 to 70 percent by weight of an isocyanate and an asymmetric diol chain extender having a molecular weight ranging from 75 to 200.

Abstract: A process for making a thermoplastic polyurethane material comprising the steps of casting an NCO-terminated prepolymer with 1,4-butanediol to form a casting composition; extruding the casting composition to form at least one strand of a polyurethane elastomer; pelletizing the at least one strand of said polyurethane elastomer to form at least one pellet; and processing the at least one pellet to form a thermoplastic article.

Abstract: A di-hydroxy-functionalized linear non-crosslinked polyolefin is disclosed having no pendant chain-branched groups which is prepared by reacting 1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene with 1,5-cyclooctadiene in the presence of a catalyst comprising a ruthenium metal carbene complex, characterized in that the functionality number of said polyolefin as determined by NMR is 2.0 and the viscosity of said polyolefin ranges from about 800 to 16000 mPa.s @25.degree. C. at a number average molecular weight ranging from 2,600 to 6,500 g/mole. A prepolymer comprising the reaction of a polyisocyanate with the polyolefin is also disclosed.