Abstract: A process is provided for producing discrete solid beads of polymeric material e.g. phenolic resin having a mesoporous structure, which process may produce resin beads on an industrial scale without aggregates of resin building up speedily and interrupting production. The process comprises the steps of: (a) combining a stream of a polymerizable liquid precursor e.g. a novolac and hexamine as cross-linking agent dissolved in a first polar organic liquid e.g. ethylene glycol with a stream of a liquid suspension medium which is a second non-polar organic liquid with which the liquid precursor is substantially or completely immiscible e.g. transformer oil containing a drying oil; (b) mixing the combined stream to disperse the polymerizable liquid precursor as droplets in the suspension medium e.g.

Abstract: A continuous process for incorporating a thermally sensitive additive into a polymer melt of virgin polymer at a temperature at least 10° C. below a temperature at which the virgin polymer is typically processed. The virgin polymer is first processed in an apparatus which extensively shear-thins the polymer until its normally entangled molecules are substantially disentangled. This is preferably done in a TekFlow® processor. The additive is then added to the resulting modified melt which is then processed in a high-shear apparatus, e.g. a co-rotating, twin-screw extruder, but more preferably in a second TekFlow® processor. This novel process allows making concentrates having a level of additive which could not be made to date and yet have the additive substantially uniformly dispersed.

Abstract: Water-swellable hydrophilic polymers are prepared by neutralization of the acidic hydrogel having a degree of neutralization of 0-40 mol % to an ultimate degree of neutralization of 60-85 mol % by mixing with a neutralizing agent in a mincer comprising a system of screw, rotating blade, restricted flow zone and breaker plate, wherein the mincer has a power output of from 1000 to 6000 Wh/m3 the hydrogel passes through a zone having-an energy dissipation density of from 400 to 800 W/1 of mixing volume the average residence time of the hydrogel in the mincer is from 5 to 30 seconds the breaker plate has an open area of from 20 to 40%.

Abstract: A process capable of operation under hostile conditions for accelerating the sedimentation of suspended solids in an aqueous suspension using a flocculating agent comprising a water-soluble polymer composition produced from a monomer composition comprising at least one of a hydrophilic N-vinyl lactam or a hydrophilic vinyl-containing sulfonate.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel contains the steps of charging an aqueous solution of a polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of hydrolysis of not less than 95 mol % and an average polymerization degree of not less than 500 into a container, the aqueous solution containing the polyvinyl alcohol in a concentration of not less than 5 wt. %, cooling the aqueous solution of the polyvinyl alcohol at a temperature of from - (minus) 9.degree. C. to - (minus) 3.degree. C., subjecting the aqueous solution of the polyvinyl alcohol to physical stimulation, and then maintaining the aqueous solution of the polyvinyl alcohol at a temperature of from - (minus) 5.degree. C. to + (plus) 5.degree. C. The polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel may be contained in a plastic container. An MRI phanton is composed of the plastic container containing such polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel.

Abstract: This invention is a method of producing a latex of crosslinked polydiorganosiloxane. The latex yields an elastomer upon removal of the water. The latex is prepared by homogenizing a mixture of hydroxyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane, less than 75 millimoles of surface active anionic catalyst per kilogram of polydiorganosiloxane where said surface active anionic catalyst is dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid or hydrogen lauryl sulfate, and water to yield an oil-in-water emulsion. This emulsion is then admixed with from 0.5 to 15 parts by weight of an alkoxy silicon compound selected from a silane of the formula R.sub.a 'Si(OR.sup.3).sub.4-a where R' is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical of up to 12 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 is an alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and a is 0 or 1, a partial hydrolyzate of the silane, or mixtures of silane and partial hydrolyzate. The resulting emulsion is maintained at a temperature of about 15.degree. to 30.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention is a method of producing an aqueous latex of crosslinked polydiorganosiloxane. The latex yields an elastomer upon removal of the water. The latex is prepared by homogenizing a mixture of hydroxyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane; a silane of the formula R.sub.a 'Si(OR.sup.3).sub.4-a where R' is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical of up to 12 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 is an alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a partial hydrolyzate, or mixture of silane and hydrolyzate, and a is 0 or 1; a surface active anionic catalyst of the formulae R.sup.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 SO.sub.3 H wherein R.sup.2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical of at least 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 OSO.sub.2 OH, or ##STR1## wherein R.sup.4 is H or R.sup.2 ; and water. The resulting emulsion is maintained at a temperature of 15.degree. to 30.degree. C. for at least 5 hours at a pH of less than 5 until a crosslinked polymer is formed, then this emulsion is admixed with base to a pH of greater than 7.

Abstract: This invention is a method of producing a latex of crosslinked polydiorganosiloxane reinforced with colloidal silica. The method allows the production of a latex having a relatively high amount of silica present in relation to the polymer because the water used to form the emulsion can be that present in the acidic colloidal silica sol used in the method. The high solids latex can be useful as a caulking material. The method homogenizes a hydroxyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane, a silane of the formula R'.sub.a Si(OR.sup.3).sub.4-a where R' is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical of up to 12 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 is an alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a partial hydrolyzate, or mixture of silane and hydrolyzate, and a is 0 or 1; a surface active anionic catalyst of the formulae R.sup.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 SO.sub.3 H wherein R.sup.2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical of at least 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 OSO.sub.2 OH, or ##STR1## wherein R.sup.4 is H or R.sup.

Abstract: A method of preparing a dispersion of a crystalline linear saturated polyester of high molecular weight which comprises contacting said polyester with a high boiling organic liquid whose boiling point is at or above the melting point of the polyester, the weight ratio of polyester to high boiling organic liquid being between 40:60 and 60:40 and heating the resultant mixture at elevated temperature until a homogeneous mass forms, cooling the resultant mass with stirring too such an extent that the melt material is still able to flow or be stirred and then allowing the material to further cool and stiffen without further stirring; or before or during further cooling diluting the mixture while it is still capable of flowing or being stirred, with an additional amount of a high boiling organic liquid or a liquid miscible therewith and thereafter further cooling the resultant mixture.