Abstract: Described herein, in the preferred embodiment, is a leonardite-based polyurethane resin binder that may be used, among other applications, as a binder in combination with foundry aggregate, e.g., sand, for molding or casting metal parts. The binders described herein comprise a humic substance, preferably leonardite, combined with a polymerizable polyol, an isocyanate, and a polymerization catalyst to make a polyurethane resin binder in situ in a foundry aggregate, such as sand. The lignite is mixed with the polymerizable polyol and dispersing agents as additives to improve the suspension quality and binder performance of the lignite-containing part of the binder components.

Abstract: Described herein a method of manufacturing a metal shape that includes contacting a liquid metal and a surface of a foundry core under conditions wherein vein defects occur, the surface of the foundry core comprising a foundry aggregate, a combustible-organic material and a polyurethane resin, and the surface of the foundry core being free of or essentially free of an anti-veining agent; cooling the liquid metal to a temperature below its melting point thereby forming a metal shape; and then removing the foundry core from the metal shape.

Abstract: Described herein, in the preferred embodiment, is a leonardite-based polyurethane resin binder that may be used, among other applications, as a binder in combination with foundry aggregate, e.g., sand, for molding or casting metal parts. The binders described herein comprise a humic substance, preferably leonardite, combined with a polymerizable polyol, an isocyanate, and a polymerization catalyst to make a polyurethane resin binder in situ in a foundry aggregate, such as sand. The lignite is mixed with the polymerizable polyol and dispersing agents as additives to improve the suspension quality and binder performance of the lignite-containing part of the binder components.

Abstract: Described herein, in the preferred embodiment, is a leonardite-based polyurethane resin binder that may be used, among other applications, as a binder in combination with foundry aggregate, e.g., sand, for molding or casting metal parts. The binders described herein comprise a humic substance, preferably leonardite, combined with a polymerizable polyol, an isocyanate, and a polymerization catalyst to make a polyurethane resin binder in situ in a foundry aggregate, such as sand. The lignite is mixed with the polymerizable polyol and dispersing agents as additives to improve the suspension quality and binder performance of the lignite-containing part of the binder components.

Abstract: Described herein, in the preferred embodiment, is a leonardite-based polyurethane resin binder that may be used, among other applications, as a binder in combination with foundry aggregate, e.g., sand, for molding or casting metal parts. The binders described herein comprise a humic substance, preferably leonardite, combined with a polymerizable polyol, an isocyanate, and a polymerization catalyst to make a polyurethane resin binder in situ in a foundry aggregate, such as sand. The lignite is mixed with the polymerizable polyol and dispersing agents as additives to improve the suspension quality and binder performance of the lignite-containing part of the binder components.

Abstract: Described herein a method of manufacturing a metal shape that includes contacting a liquid metal and a surface of a foundry core under conditions wherein vein defects occur, the surface of the foundry core comprising a foundry aggregate, a combustible-organic material and a polyurethane resin, and the surface of the foundry core being free of or essentially free of an anti-veining agent; cooling the liquid metal to a temperature below its melting point thereby forming a metal shape; and then removing the foundry core from the metal shape.

Abstract: Silicate anchored multifunctional initiator has moiety initiating ring opening living polymerization of lactone or ethylene oxide or cyclic siloxane monomer and other moiety for initiating living free radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The monomers are reacted with the initiator in a one-pot, one-step reaction to cause living polymerization of both monomers and exfoliation of silicate layers to provide dispersed block copolymer silicate nanocomposite, with the junction of the two blocks being anchored to silicate layer and each block dangling therefrom.

Abstract: A polysiloxane copolymer composition comprises: a polysiloxane unit comprising 4 to 50 siloxane units, and a polyester-polycarbonate unit consisting of 50 to 100 mole percent of arylate ester units, less than 50 mole percent aromatic carbonate units, less than 30 mole percent resorcinol carbonate units, and less than 35 mole percent bisphenol carbonate units, wherein the siloxane units are present in the polysiloxane unit in an amount of 0.2 to 10 wt % of the total weight of the polysiloxane copolymer composition, and wherein the polysiloxane copolymer composition has a 2 minute integrated heat release rate of less than or equal to 65 kilowatt-minutes per square meter (kW-min/m2) and a peak heat release rate of less than 65 kilowatts per square meter (kW/m2) as measured using the method of FAR F25.4, in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation FAR 25.853 (d). A window article for an aircraft, comprising the polysiloxane copolymer composition, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The apparatuses, compositions and methods described herein generally relate to a new application for and formulation of composite-polymer composition. This composition is a nanocomposite, comprising a polymer and a clay, preferably a recycled polymer and a nanoclay. The nanocomposite composition has improved performance characteristics, such as lower creep values and lower coefficients of linear thermal expansion, and can reduce the dependency of plastic product manufacturing on virgin (unrecycled) polymers. Moreover, the nanocomposite is formed into geosynthetic materials, e.g., geomembranes, and storm water retention/detention systems.

Abstract: Photoinitiator modified silicate and ethylenically unsaturated monomer are reacted in solvent to cause living polymerization of monomer and exfoliation of silicate layers and cause attachment of silicate layers to polymer chains, thereby providing dispersed homopolymer or block copolymer silicate nanocomposites.

Abstract: A polyacrylate-polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polycarbonate block comprising aromatic carbonate units, and a polyacrylate block derived from a difunctional polyacrylate polymer having the formula Z1-(M)x-Z2 wherein M is an acrylate block unit comprising a reaction residue of a (meth)acrylate monomer, a non-(meth)acrylate monomer, or a combination comprising a (meth)acrylate and a non-(meth)acrylate monomer, at least one acrylate block unit is a (meth)acrylate monomer; x is greater than one; and Z1 and Z2 are each independently functionalized terminal groups of the formula -(A3)y-B, wherein B is a reactive group comprising a hydroxy or non-hydroxy group, A3 an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, or an aliphatic-aromatic group, y is 0 or 1, A3 is free of hydrogen atoms beta to B when B is a hydroxy group, and B and A3 are each free of sulfur atoms. A method of making, a thermoplastic composition, and articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Silicate anchored multifunctional initiator has moiety initiating ring opening living polymerization of lactone or ethylene oxide or cyclic siloxane monomer and other moiety for initiating living free radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The monomers are reacted with the initiator in a one-pot, one-step reaction to cause living polymerization of both monomers and exfoliation of silicate layers to provide dispersed block copolymer silicate nanocomposite, with the junction of the two blocks being anchored to silicate layer and each block dangling therefrom.

Abstract: Nanocomposites of silicate layers or inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer or copolymer matrix are prepared by solution blending or melt blending the polymer or copolymer with nanoadditive containing from 20 to 50 weight percent silicate layers or inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a different polymer or copolymer of Mn ranging form 10,000 to 40,000.

Abstract: Photoinitiator modified silicate and ethylenically unsaturated monomer are reacted in solvent to cause living polymerization of monomer and exfoliation of silicate layers and cause attachment of silicate layers to polymer chains, thereby providing dispersed homopolymer or block copolymer silicate nanocomposites.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are light diffusing films, methods of making the same and articles using the same. In one embodiment, a method of making a light-diffusing film comprises: mixing about 90 wt. % to about 99.999 wt. % of a powdered polycarbonate and about 0.001 wt. % to about 3 wt. % light-diffusing particles to form a mixture, wherein weight percents are based on a total weight of the light-diffusing film; melting the mixture to form a melt; and extruding the melt in the form of a sheet to form the light-diffusing film. The light-diffusing film comprises a hiding power of about 0 to 0.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises a polycarbonate having repeating structural carbonate units of the formula (1): wherein at least 60 percent of the total number of R1 groups contain aromatic organic groups and the balance thereof are aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic groups; and wherein the polycarbonate comprises terminal groups derived from reaction with a cyanophenol of the formula wherein Y is a halogen, C1-3 alkyl group, C1-3 alkoxy group, C7-12 arylalkyl, C7-12 alkylaryl, or nitro group, y is 0 to 4, and c is 1 to 5, provided that y+c is 1 to 5; and a flame retardant. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of a wide variety of parts, particularly those having a thin wall.

Abstract: A reaction product comprises a first polyester-polycarbonate comprising a polyester unit and a polycarbonate unit, a second polyester-polycarbonate comprising a polyester unit and a polycarbonate unit, and a transesterification catalyst. The reaction product has a haze of less than 1.7%, specifically less than 1.0% as measured at a thickness of 3.2 mm according to ASTM D1003-00. A thermoplastic composition comprising the reaction product and articles formed from therefrom are disclosed. A method of forming the reaction product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light-diffusing film comprises about 90 wt. % to about 99.999 wt. % polycarbonate, wherein the polycarbonate comprises a yellowness index of about 0.8 to about 1.5 as measured in accordance with ASTM E313-73 (D1925); about 0.001 wt. % to about 3 wt. % light-diffusing particles; wherein weight percents are based on a total weight of the light-diffusing film; and wherein the light-diffusing film comprises a light transmission of about 45% to about 65% as measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00, and a hiding power of 0 to about 0.5.

Abstract: A polyacrylate-polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polycarbonate block comprising aromatic carbonate units, and a polyacrylate block derived from a difinctional polyacrylate polymer having the formula Z1-(M)x-Z2 wherein M is an acrylate block unit comprising a reaction residue of a (meth)acrylate monomer, a non-(meth)acrylate monomer, or a combination comprising a (meth)acrylate and a non-(meth)acrylate monomer, at least one acrylate block unit is a (meth)acrylate monomer; x is greater than one; and Z1 and Z2 are each independently functionalized terminal groups of the formula -(A3)y-B, wherein B is a reactive group comprising a hydroxy or non-hydroxy group, A3 an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, or an aliphatic-aromatic group, y is 0 or 1, A3 is free of hydrogen atoms beta to B when B is a hydroxy group, and B and A3 are each free of sulfur atoms. A method of making, a thermoplastic composition, and articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polysiloxane copolymer composition comprises: a polysiloxane unit comprising 4 to 50 siloxane units, and a polyester-polycarbonate unit consisting of 50 to 100 mole percent of arylate ester units, less than 50 mole percent aromatic carbonate units, less than 30 mole percent resorcinol carbonate units, and less than 35 mole percent bisphenol carbonate units, wherein the siloxane units are present in the polysiloxane unit in an amount of 0.2 to 10 wt % of the total weight of the polysiloxane copolymer composition, and wherein the polysiloxane copolymer composition has a 2 minute integrated heat release rate of less than or equal to 65 kilowatt-minutes per square meter (kW-min/m2) and a peak heat release rate of less than 65 kilowatts per square meter (kW/m2) as measured using the method of FAR F25.4, in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation FAR 25.853 (d). A window article for an aircraft, comprising the polysiloxane copolymer composition, is also disclosed.