Abstract: Polyester compositions comprising microfibers are disclosed. The compositions are made by contacting microfibers with polymerizable components, such as monomers, suitable for making polyesters, and polymerizing the polymerizable components. The microfibers can be provided in the form of a slurry. The microfibers provide improved properties to the polyesters for use in making molded parts, films and fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to produce isosorbide-containing polyesters. The process allows for higher isosorbide incorporation than previously found while maintaining high polymeric molecular weights.

Abstract: The present invention provides monofilaments coated with certain adhesive layers and methods to produce the coated filaments. Also provided are fabrics formed from the monofilaments. The coated monofilaments and fabrics provide improved adhesion with additional coating top layers.

Abstract: Sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters are provided. The copolyesters are produced from a mixture of aromatic dicarboxylic acids, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, ethylene glycol, other glycols, and components containing alkali metal or alkaline earth metal sulfo groups, such as a metal 5-sulfoisophthalic acid derivative. The copolyesters have lower sulfonation than known sulfonated polyesters, and provide advantageous thermal properties for some end uses. The sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters are useful in forming coatings or films on various substrates, and in packaging. Some compositions comprising the sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters are biodegradable, as are some of the sulfonated aromatic-aromatic copolyesters.

Abstract: A copolyester having an inherent viscosity of equal to or greater than about 0.3 formed from about 20 to about 60 mole percent based on the amount of aromatic dicarboxylic acid of one or more of isophthalic dicarboxylic acid or an alkyl diester thereof, about 40 to about 80 mole percent based on the amount of aromatic dicarboxylic acid of one or more of terephthalic acid or 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid or an alkyl diester thereof, about 10 to about 60 mole based on the total amount of dicarboxylic acids of one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or an alkyl diester, about 0.1 to about 5 mole percent based on the moles of total dicarboxylic acid of one or more alkali or alkaline earth metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic dicarboxylic acid or an alkyl diester thereof, about 90 to 100 mole percent based on the total amount of glycols of one or more aliphatic glycols, and 0 to about 10 mole percent based on the total amount of glycols of one or more of di(ethylene glycol) and tri(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing certain very low inherent viscosity polyesters. Also provided are the low inherent viscosity polyesters in discrete particulate form, and processes for producing the particulate polyesters. The discrete particulate materials are desirable for use in further processes.

Abstract: A sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyetherester that comprises the polymerization product of 80.0 to 20.0 mole percent of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or an ester thereof based on the total moles of dicarboxylic acid or ester thereof, 20.0 to 80.0 mole percent of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or an ester thereof based on the total moles of dicarboxylic acid or ester thereof, 0.1 to 10.0 mole percent of a sulfonate component, 99.9 to 91.0 mole percent of a first glycol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol based on the total moles of glycol, 0.1 to 4.0 mole percent of a poly(alkylene ether) glycol based on the total moles of glycol, 0 to 5.0 mole percent of an other glycol based on the total moles of glycol, and 0 to 5.0 mole percent of a polyfunctional branching agent.

Abstract: Articles, including films, coatings and laminates, are produced from certain sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic polyetherester compositions, which have an optimized combination of fast biodegradation rates and enhanced thermal properties when compared to the sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic polyetherester compositions of the art. The articles may be further processed to form useful shaped articles, such as sheets, thermoformed containers, and coatings that can be applied to, for example, films or other substrates. The disclosed polyetheresters are based on copolyesters produced from a mixture containing aromatic dicarboxylic acids, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, poly(alkylene ether) glycols, glycols, and components containing alkali metal or alkaline earth metal sulfo groups.

Abstract: A polyester blend composition that comprises at least two copolymers selected from certain copolymers, particularly blends of branched and linear biodegradable copolymers. Also provided is a blown film that is produced from the polyester blend composition, and a process for producing the polyester blend composition and the film. The film is biodegradable, transparent, and has excellent mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to produce isosorbide-containing polyesters. The process allows for higher isosorbide incorporation than previously found while maintaining high polymeric molecular weights.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester that comprises 1 to 90 wt. % poly(alkylene ether) glycol. The process comprises the step of copolymerizing (i) a preformed polyester polymer having an inherent viscosity of at least 0.4 dL/g, (ii) a poly(alkylene ether) glycol, and (iii) a dicarboxylic acid or anhydride, to obtain a polyester comprising 1 to 90 wt. % poly(alkylene ether glycol).

Abstract: A copolyester having an inherent viscosity of equal to or greater than about 0.3 formed from about 20 to about 60 mole percent based on the amount of aromatic dicarboxylic acid of one or more of isophthalic dicarboxylic acid or an alkyl diester thereof, about 40 to about 80 mole percent based on the amount of aromatic dicarboxylic acid of one or more of terephthalic acid or 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid or an alkyl diester thereof, about 10 to about 60 mole based on the total amount of dicarboxylic acids of one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or an alkyl diester, about 0.1 to about 5 mole percent based on the moles of total dicarboxylic acid of one or more alkali or alkaline earth metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic dicarboxylic acid or an alkyl diester thereof, about 90 to 100 mole percent based on the total amount of glycols of one or more aliphatic glycols, and 0 to about 10 mole percent based on the total amount of glycols of one or more of di(ethylene glycol) and tri(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester that comprises 1 to 90 wt. % poly(alkylene ether) glycol. The process comprises the step of copolymerizing (i) a preformed polyester polymer having an inherent viscosity of at least 0.4 dL/g, (ii) a poly(alkylene ether) glycol, and (iii) a dicarboxylic acid or anhydride, to obtain a polyester comprising 1 to 90 wt. % poly(alkylene ether glycol).

Abstract: A process for producing polyamides from dinitriles and diamines in a continuous reaction using subsequent heating steps. In particular, the process involves contacting a dinitrile, a diamine, water, and optionally a catalyst to form a reaction mixture; heating the reaction mixture to a first elevated temperature of between about 180 to about 240° C., maintaining said temperature for about 0.10 to about 20 hours, and optionally controlling the pressure in this heating step by venting; heating the reaction mixture to a second elevated temperature of between about 250 to about 350° C., adding water to the reaction mixture before or after the second elevated temperature is reached, maintaining the pressure in the second heating step above atmospheric pressure by venting at least some of the water, and maintaining the second elevated temperature for a period of about 0.10 to about 10 hours; and recovering the polyamide.

Abstract: A copolyester of the reaction product of: (a) one or more aromatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof; (b) one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof; and (c) isosorbide. The polyesters are useful to form articles of increased biodegradability.

Abstract: A monofilament comprising a branched poly(ethylene terephthalate) having an inherent viscosity of at least 0.50 dL/g. Also provided is a process for forming a monofilament that comprises forming a branched poly(ethylene terephthalate) having an inherent viscosity of at least 0.50 dL/g and shaping the branched poly(ethylene terephthalate) to form the monofilament.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester that comprises 65 to 90 wt. % poly(alkylene ether) glycol. The process comprises the step of copolymerizing a preformed polyester polymer having an inherent viscosity of at least 0.4 dL/g and a poly(alkylene ether) glycol, to obtain said polyester comprising said 65 to 90 wt. % poly(alkylene ether glycol).

Abstract: Compositions and textile sizes based on those compositions, which are particular poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer ionomers, as well as blends of those ionomers with other sizing polymers are described. A process to prepare the ionomers is described. The compositions are poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers which have carboxylic acid ionomer comonomer units. Sizes based on these ionomers are aqueous solutions of the ionomers or solutions of blends of them with other poly(vinyl alcohol) polymers which are not ionomeric, or solution/suspensions of the ionomers with various starches, or both. Desizing in either water or caustic solutions is generally far superior to comparable polymer blends which contain no poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer ionomer.

Abstract: A sulfonated copolyester of the reaction product of: (a) one or more aromatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof; (b) one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof; (c) one or more sulfonated compound; and (d) isosorbide. The polyesters are useful to form articles of increased biodegradability.

Abstract: A two-step process for the production of polyamides from .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles and .alpha.,.omega.-diamines involving the catalytic hydrolysis of the .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile by addition of water with simultaneous purging of the reactor (i.e., venting of ammonia and water vapor) in the first step followed by polymerization by addition of the .alpha.,.omega.-diamine to the hydrolysate in the second step. Such a process is particularly useful in the production of poly(hexamethylene adipamide), i.e., nylon 6,6, from adiponitrile and hexamethylene diamine using lower catalyst levels during hydrolysis and resulting in reduced levels of bis(hexamethylene)triamine, BHMT, in the polymer.