Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising polymerizable material and an anionic photocatalyst. The photocatalyst is a photolabile compound able to liberate a strong base having a pK.sub.a .gtoreq.12. The catalyst can be illustrated by the structural formula Z-A wherein Z is a photolabile group and A is a strong base, for example, a nitrogen containing compound such as, a secondary amine, a guanidine or amidine and Z is covalently bound to A.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of rubber polymerizates comprising the steps of treating said rubber polymerizate with electron beam radiation to adjust the gel content and swelling index of said rubber polymerizate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for polymerizing vinyl chloride monomer in the presence of light. A mixture is formed of liquid vinyl chloride monomer, preferably about 10 to about 250 ppm of a metallocene catalyst, about 1 to about 2000 moles of an aluminum-containing cocatalyst per mole of catalyst, and up to about 500 moles of a Lewis base per mole of aluminum in the cocatalyst. Selected alkyl groups from the aluminum-containing cocatalyst can be placed on the ends of the poly (vinyl chloride) chains.

Abstract: A medical implant of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having an improved balance of wear properties and oxidation resistance is prepared by irradiating a preform of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, annealing the irradiated preform in the absence of oxygen to a temperature at or above the onset of melting temperature, and forming an implant from the stabilized cross-linked polymer. Implants prepared according to the process of the present invention have comparable oxidation resistance and superior wear performance compared to unirradiated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: This invention relates to an initiator system for the polymerization of isoolefins having 4 to 16 carbon atoms, optionally with monomers polymerizable with isoolefins, the system consisting of or one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic, polycyclic hydrocarbons and an aged, organic solution of vanadium tetrachloride, wherein the concentration of the vanadium tetrachloride is 0.01 mmol to 500 mmol per liter of solvent and the molar ratio of aged vanadium tetrachloride to polycyclic hydrocarbons is in the range from 100:1 to 1:100.It is possible by means of the initiator system according to the invention to produce polyisoolefins, in particular butyl rubbers, at relatively high temperatures with only a low gel content and of a sufficiently high molecular weight.

Abstract: An ionic compound comprising at least one group A.sup.+ X.sup.-, comprising:a cationic group A.sup.+ selected from the group consisting of biaryliodonium, arylsulfonium, arylacylsulfonium, diazonium and organometallic cations comprising a transition metal complexed with at least one unsaturated cyclic compound comprising 4-12 carbon atoms, said cationic group being part of a polymer chain; whereinX.sup.- is an imide anion, [FSO.sub.2 NSO.sub.2 R'.sub.F ].sup.- or [R.sub.F CH.sub.2 OSO.sub.2 NSO.sub.2 R'.sub.F ].sup.- or [(R.sub.F).sub.2 CHOSO.sub.2 NSO.sub.2 R'.sub.F ].sup.-, or a methylide anion [FSO.sub.2 C(Q)SO.sub.2 R'.sub.F ].sup.-, or a [R.sub.F CH.sub.2 OSO.sub.2 C(Q)SO.sub.2 R'.sub.F ].sup.- or [(R.sub.F).sub.2 CHOSO.sub.2 C(Q)SO.sub.2 R'.sub.F ].sup.31 .

Abstract: A method of generating reactive species which includes exposing a photoreactor composition to radiation, in which the photoreactor composition comprises a wavelength-specific sensitizer associated with one or more reactive species-generating photoinitiators. Also described are methods of polymerizing unsaturated monomers and curing an unsaturated oligomer/monomer mixture.

Abstract: A plastic lens comprising the first acrylic hard coated layer formed on the outside surface of a plastic lens base and, in the inside surface, an antifogging coated layer with interposing of the second acrylic hard coated layer is obtained by coating the both sides of a plastic lens base with an acrylic hard coating agent, masking the outside surface with a peelable masking agent (e.g. a coating composition containing poly(vinyl chloride) or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer), coating at least the inside surface with an antifogging agent, and removing the masking layer. As the hard coating agent or antifogging agent, use can be made of an ultraviolet-curable resin composition, and as the masking agent, a coating composition containing a poly(vinyl chloride) or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer may be employed.

Abstract: The invention describes a dental composition, delivery system and method for making temporary crowns and bridges in which the composition comprises two free-radical polymerizable pastes, one a catalyst paste and the other a base paste, wherein the catalyst paste comprises at least one polymerizable monomer, at least one polymerization initiator which is a peroxide oxidizing agent, at least one first polymerization inhibitor and a filler, and wherein the base paste comprises at least one polymerizable monomer, at least one polymerization accelerator, at least one second polymerization inhibitor, at least one non-polymerizable plasticizer and a filler. These catalyst and base pastes are stored in a dual cartridge from which they can be dispensed with a dispenser, preferably in a 1:1 volume ratio, and can be mixed in a static mixer to form a moldable polymerizing material, which is then applied to a prepared area of one or more teeth in a patient's mouth to form a crown or a bridge.

Abstract: Protected, functionalized telechelic polymers, hydrogenated and/or deprotected analogues thereof, and processes to prepare these polymers are disclosed. In the invention, a lithium initiator is added to a compound having at least two independently polymerizable vinyl groups to form a dilithium initiator. Monomer is then added to grow or polymerize polymer arms having living ends and the living ends functionalized.

Abstract: Compositions containing conductivity enhancers, which are capable of being coated onto a substrate by means of electrostatic assistance. The compositions comprise one or more cationically polymerizable monomer(s), one or more cationic initiator(s), and one or more non-volatile conductivity enhancer(s) having anionic and cationic portions which are soluble in the monomer(s) and which do not interfere with cationic polymerization wherein the anionic portion is a non-coordinating carbon-containing anion. The compositions may further comprise one or more dissociation enhancing agent(s), oligomer(s) or polymer(s), preferably co-reactive, free-radically curable monomer(s), free-radical generating initiator(s), leveling agents, and other additives or adjuvants to impart specific properties to the polymerized composition.

Abstract: A polymerized microemulsion pressure sensitive adhesive composition is described. The composition has peel adhesion of at least 3 Newtons/100 mm as measured according to a PSTC-1 Test. The composition preferably has a bicontinuous structure of a continuous phase of a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive polymer and a continuous phase of a hydrophilic polymer. The bulk properties of both polymers are retained in the bicontinuous structure. The composition is prepared from a microemulsion comprising a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated polar amphiphilic or hydrophilic monomer or oligomer in the aqueous phase, a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer, having a glass transition temperature suitable for forming a pressure sensitive adhesive, in the oil phase, water, and surfactant.

Abstract: Processes for the living polymerization of olefin monomers with terminal carbon-carbon double bonds are disclosed. The processes employ initiators that include a metal atom and a ligand having two group 15 atoms and a group 16 atom or three group 15 atoms. The ligand is bonded to the metal atom through two anionic or covalent bonds and a dative bond. The initiators are particularly stable under reaction conditions in the absence of olefin monomer. The processes provide polymers having low polydispersities, especially block copolymers having low polydispersities. It is an additional advantage of these processes that, during block copolymer synthesis, a relatively small amount of homopolymer is formed.

Abstract: A method for the anionic photoinitiation of polymerization or crosslinking of a substrate by irradiating a mixture of a substrate and a photoinitiator, where the photoinitiator is an inorganic transition metal complex which releases on irradiation a polymerization initiating substance consisting essentially of an anionically charged nucleophile that initiates the polymerization or crosslinking reaction, under conditions that allow the anion to initiate polymerization. FIG. 3 is plot of percentage polymerization of ethyl .alpha.-cyanoacrylate containing different concentration of Reineckate's anion.

Abstract: A process for making oxidized olefins is disclosed. Specifically, the process comprises providing an olefin and oxygen in combination in a reaction medium comprising carbon dioxide, and then oxidizing the olefin in the reaction medium to make the oxidized olefin. Preferably, a perfluoropolyether is produced by the process.

Abstract: Process for the photocatalytic polymerization of a cyclical olefin or at least two different cyclical olefins in the presence of a metal compound as the catalyst, which is characterized in that a photochemical ring-opening metathesis polymerization is carried out in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one carbene-free, bivalent-cationic ruthenium or osmium compound which contains at least one phosphine group, at least one photolabile ligand, and optionally neutral ligands bonded to the metal atom, a total of 2 or 3 ligands being bonded, and which contains acid ions for balancing the charge. The process can also be carried out by first carrying out the irradiation and ending the polymerization by heating. The process is suitable, for example, for the preparation of thermoplastics shaping compounds and the production of coatings and images in relief.

Abstract: Process for the polymerization of cyclic olefins by photochemical ring-opening metathesis polymerization by irradiation, using catalytic amounts of a heat-stable ruthenium or osmium catalyst which has at least one photolabile ligand, the other coordination sites being occupied by non-photolabile ligands.

Abstract: Process for the photocatalytic polymerization of a cyclic olefin or at least two different cyclic olefins in the presence of a metal compound as catalyst, which comprises carrying out a photochemical ring-opening metathesis polymerization in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one heat-stable niobium(V) or tantalum(V) compound which contains at least two methyl groups or two monosubstituted methyl groups bound to the metal, the substituent containing no hydrogen atom in the .alpha.-position.The process can also be carried out by first performing the irradiation and completing the polymerization by heating. The process is suitable, for example, for the preparation of thermoplastic molding materials, coatings and relief images.

Abstract: Process for the photocatalytic polymerization of a cyclical olefin or at least two different cyclical olefins in the presence of a metal compound as the catalyst, in which a photochemical ring-opening metathesis polymerization is carried out in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one heat-stable titanium(IV), niobium(V), tantalum(V), molybdenum(VI) or tungsten(VI) compound in which a silylmethyl group and at least one halogen are bonded to the metal. The process can also be carried out by first performing the irradiation and ending the polymerization by heating.The process is suitable, for example, for the production of thermoplastic shaping compounds, coatings and images in relief.

Abstract: A process for photocatalytic polymerisation of a cyclic olefin or of at least two different cyclic olefins in the presence of a metal compound as catalyst, which process comprises carrying out a photochemically induced ring-opening metathesis polymerisation in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one thermostable molybdenum (VI) or tungsten (VI) compound which contains at least two methyl groups or two monosubstituted methyl groups lacking .beta.-hydrogen atoms in the substituent and which are bonded to the metal atom. The process may be carried out by first irradiating and terminating the polymerisation by heating. The process is suitable for fabricating moulded articles, coatings and relief images.

Abstract: A method for curing polymers (11) incorporating a variable frequency microwave furnace system (10) designed to allow modulation of the frequency of the microwaves introduced into a furnace cavity (34). By varying the frequency of the microwave signal, non-uniformities within the cavity (34) are minimized, thereby achieving a more uniform cure throughout the workpiece (36). A directional coupler (24) is provided for detecting the direction of a signal and further directing the signal depending on the detected direction. A first power meter (30) is provided for measuring the power delivered to the microwave furnace (32). A second power meter (26) detects the magnitude of reflected power. The furnace cavity (34) may be adapted to be used to cure materials defining a continuous sheet or which require compressive forces during curing.

Abstract: Structure, composition and method in which a fiber reinforcement is impregnated with an interpenetrating network of a light cure resin and a thermosetting resin which are independently curable, enabling autobody component repair, electronic assembly bonding, etc. by selective cure first of one or the other resin, and the support against fluid flow of the uncured resin by the first cured resin.

Abstract: A polymerized microemulsion pressure sensitive adhesive composition is described. The composition has peel adhesion of at least 3 Newtons/ 100 mm as measured according to a PSTC-1 Test. The composition preferably has a bicontinuous structure of a continuous phase of a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive polymer and a continuous phase of a hydrophilic polymer. The bulk properties of both polymers are retained in the bicontinuous structure. The composition is prepared from a microemulsion comprising a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated polar amphiphilic or hydrophilic monomer or oligomer in the aqueous phase, a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer, having a glass transition temperature suitable for forming a pressure sensitive adhesive, in the oil phase, water, and surfactant.

Abstract: A method for the anionic photoinitiation of polymerization or crosslinking of a substrate by irradiating a mixture of a substrate and a photoinitiator, where the photoinitiator is an inorganic transition metal complex which releases on irradiation a polymerization initiating substance consisting essentially of an anionically charged nucleophile that initiates the polymerization or crosslinking reaction, under conditions that allow the anion to initiate polymerization.

Abstract: A cycloaliphatic acrylic monomer having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, methyl, hydroxyl, HO--(R.sub.3).sub.n or ##STR2## R.sub.2 is ##STR3## R.sub.3 is C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O, C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O, C.sub.4 H.sub.8 O, C.sub.8 H.sub.8 O or mixtures thereof; R.sub.4 is hydrogen or methyl; and n is 1-24. The acrylic monomer is useful as a component in compositions which are radiation curable.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable composition comprising at least an addition polymerizable compound having at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond and a photopolymerization initiator system, which system comprises (a) a sensitizer of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1 to R.sup.6 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, optionally substituted hydrocarbon ring, optionally substituted heterocyclic residue or --SO.sub.3 --R.sup.8, wherein R.sup.8 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkali metal, or quaternary ammonium, R.sup.7 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, optionally substituted hydrocarbon ring, or optionally substituted heterocyclic group, each of X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 is halogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, optionally substituted hydrocarbon ring, or optionally substituted heterocyclic group, and (b) a titanocene compound.

Abstract: Polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as methyl methacrylate can be initiated in solutions containing monomer and a special non-polymeric initiator with intense ultrasound. The number average molecular weight of the poly(methyl methacrylate) that forms is about 300,000 gmol.sup.-1 as compared with polystyrene standards. The conversion of the polymerization is about 50% for poly(methyl methacrylate). Variations of the polymerization rate with time and the amount of the initiator are explained by a simple reaction mechanism.

Abstract: A UV curable adhesive composition contains a C4 to C14 alkyl alcohol-acrylic acid ester monomer and a monofunctional oligoester acrylate. The composition is cured with UV rays to produce an adhesive the glass transition temperature of which is to be lower than -20.degree. C. Preferably, the composition also contains glass powders and/or polyolefin powders. A double-face adhesive tape includes two porous base sheets in an adhesive layer produced on curing a UV curable adhesive composition.

Abstract: Composition containing charge transfer complex from at least one unsaturated compound having an electron donor group and having an electron withdrawing group and being free of any photoinitiating compound is polymerized by being subjected to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a non-emissive, bimodal cured polymeric network which has an onset degradation temperature that is about 100.degree. C. above the onset degradation temperature of a base polymer. The novel cured polymeric network comprises the cured reaction product of the following ingredients: (a) combination of one or more liquid carrier monomers or prepolymers which combination is reactive to form a base polymer by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the presence of a UV photosensitizer at a temperature, T.sub.uv ; and (b) between about 10 and 100 wt-% based on ingredient (a) of a combination of one or more monomers or prepolymers which combination is reactive to form a cured high temperature stable polymer by heating at a temperature, T.sub..DELTA.. Ingredient (b) is soluble or dispersible in ingredient (a) at a temperature, T.sub.s, wherein T.sub.s is equal to or lower than T.sub.uv, and T.sub.uv is at least about 50.degree. C. lower than T.sub..DELTA..

Abstract: Synthetic resins are obtainable by chemically bonding one or more compounds of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is --OH, --NH.sub.2, ##STR2## --NHR.sup.3 or ##STR3## R.sup.2 is --H, --CH.sub.3 or --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, R.sup.3 is --C.sub.m H.sub.2m+1, where m is from 1 to 6, R.sup.4 is --H or --CH.sub.3 and n is from 1 to 12, via the oxygen or nitrogen atom of R.sup.1 to one or more polymers A which consist ofa) from 50 to 100% by weight of one or more esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid with monohydric alcohols of 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a mixture of these esters (monomers a) andb) from 0 to 50% by weight of other copolymerizable monomers (monomers b) in polymerized form,in amounts such that the synthetic resin contains from 0.01 to 1 mole of double bonds per kg of polymer A.After exposure to ultraviolet light or to electrons, these synthetic resins are suitable as contact adhesives.

Abstract: A process for producing a slow-release powder which permit various active ingredients such as perfumes, insect control agents, rust inhibitors, mold inhibitors and antibacterial agents to be slowly released over a prolonged time, the process comprising the steps of mixing a long-chain compound with the ingredients, mixing the resulting mixture with urea, and exposing the resulting urea adduct to radiation.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive polymers suitable for use in positive- and negative-working recording elements contain not only acid-labile groups but also onium salt groups having nonnucleophilic counterions in one and the same molecule.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of water absorptive resins which comprises supplying a solution containing at least 20% by weight of a water soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer as a main component to a polymerization vessel accommodating a vapor phase comprising steam or a mixture of steam with at least one gas substantially inert with respect to polymerization, and polymerizing the monomer in the vapor phase under the relative humidity conditions in the vapor phase of 30% or more.

Abstract: An electron beam irradiated release film is formed from a melt processible composition including a silicone component crosslinked by the reaction of a hydride-containing silicone and a silicone containing an unsaturated substituent within a polymeric thermoplastic matrix to form a silicone pseudo-interpenetrating polymer network. The crosslinking of the silicone component by reaction of the hydride and unsaturated substituents is inititated during thermoplastic melt-mixing and film forming of the component with the matrix. Coated films are preferably formed by coextrusion of a polymeric thermoplastic film and a crosslinkable mixture of the silicone components and a polymeric thermoplastic. Alternatively, extrusion coating of the mixture onto a preformed film may be used to form the coated films. Preferably, these films have a thickness of from 0.000005 to 0.2 inch. The film is electron beam irradiated with a dose of from about 50 rad to about 50 Mrad.

Abstract: Disclosed are shelf life improvers for photoresist compositions containing organic halides as the photoinitiator that comprise an acetylene compound having the general formula RC.tbd.CR' where R and R' are each independently phenyl, hydrogen, benzyl, vinyl, lower alkyl substituted vinyl, phenyl substituted vinyl, lower alkoxy methyl and phenoxymethyl.