Abstract: A scouring article including a monolithic nonwoven pad with a semi-densified fibrous layer that is integral to the monolithic nonwoven pad and that provides a major surface of the monolithic nonwoven pad, and methods of making and using.

Abstract: A two-stage gas-separation membrane system includes two identical membrane modules held within a single casing. A feed gas is directed into the first module, so as to produce permeate and retentate streams. One of the latter streams then becomes the feed gas for the second module, and reaches the second module through a core tube located within the module. The product of the second module is the product gas for the system. The gas streams entering the two modules flow in mutually opposite directions. This arrangement makes it feasible to provide a two-stage system while using only the number of ports that would be needed for a single stage.

Abstract: Lamination adhesives including an aqueous dispersion having a mixture of a polyamide and an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer are provided for use on a variety of substrates. In various embodiments, the aqueous dispersion is substantially free of plasticizers and non-aqueous organic solvents. Also provided is a method of forming a laminate adhesion between two substrates. The disclosure also describes a laminate structure comprising first and second substrates laminated together by the lamination adhesive, the lamination adhesive including a mixture of a polyamide and a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid.

Abstract: A method for preparing a latex or dispersion, the method comprising contacting at least one resin with an organic solvent to form a resin mixture; neutralizing the resin mixture with a neutralizing agent; and subjecting the resin mixture flow to steam flow in a continuous manner to form a dispersion. A method for forming toner, the method comprising: contacting a resin to an organic solvent and a neutralizing agent to form a resin mixture; subjecting the resin mixture flow to a steam flow in a continuous manner to form a dispersion; aggregating particles from a pre-toner mixture, the pre-toner mixture comprising the dispersion, an optional colorant, and an optional wax; and coalescing the aggregated particles to form toner particles. An apparatus that can perform the methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides: vinyl chloride-based resin aggregate particles that can be produced through a heat treatment while inhibiting scale formation within a vessel for the heat treatment and that provide a plastisol with non-infiltrating property and a satisfactory sagging property; a process for producing the particles; and a glove obtained using the particles. The vinyl chloride-based resin aggregated particles are obtained by flocculating a vinyl chloride-based resin through a two-stage heat treatment consisting of a primary heat treatment and a secondary heat treatment.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid and moisture vapor are added to water absorbent resin powder so that particles of the water absorbent resin powder are bound. Supplying the aqueous liquid and moisture vapor to the water absorbent resin powder reduces the amount of particles that remain unbound (ungranulated) and increases the concentration of the water absorbent resin bound particles to provide improved drying efficiency and to obtain particulate water absorbent resin having excellent properties even when the bound particles are highly concentrated. The present invention provides (i) a method for binding water absorbent resin and (ii) a method for producing particulate water absorbent resin including the step of binding particles of water absorbent resin powder.

Abstract: The present invention provides: vinyl chloride-based resin aggregate particles that can be produced through a heat treatment while inhibiting scale formation within a vessel for the heat treatment and that provide a plastisol with non-infiltrating property and a satisfactory sagging property; a process for producing the particles; and a glove obtained using the particles. The vinyl chloride-based resin aggregate particles of the present invention are characterized in that the aggregate particles have a mean volume particle diameter of 10 to 60 ?m, the percentage of particles having a particle diameter of 10 to 60 ?m is at least 50 vol. %, and a plastisol containing 100 weight parts of the aggregate particles and 160 weight parts of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate satisfies the relationship 3??70/?40?1000 where ?40 is the viscosity at a shear rate of 1 s?1 of the plastisol that has been retained at 40° C.

Abstract: A method for removing residual styrene monomers from co-extrudates comprising polystyrene and water-insoluble, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, which comprises subjecting an aqueous suspension of the particulate solid co-extrudate to a heat treatment at temperatures of 60 to 99° C., the weight ratio of solid co-extrudate to water in the suspension being 1:1.5 to 1:20, and the concentration of the suspension being kept constant during the treatment.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing particles which is capable of producing particles in simple and easy steps. The objective is to provide with a high yield particles having a homogeneous particle diameter and a superior dispersibility in liquid. The method includes (1) preparing an aqueous solution containing one or more polymer; and (2) introducing the aqueous solution as droplets into a solvent capable of dissolving water by 1 mass % or more and less than 50 mass % to form the polymer into dispersed particles in the mixture of the aqueous solution and the solvent in the mixture of the aqueous solution and the solvent.

Abstract: A new cross linked polyolefin material combination that is designed to replace current high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) materials for use with molded or over-molded electrical transmission products. Such molded or over-molded electrical transmission products include, for example, vise-top pin insulators, line post insulators, F-neck, C-neck, and J-neck pin insulators of classes ANSI 55-3, 55-4, and 55-5, Spacer cable spacers, Brackets, hangers, Line post sensors, cable restraint insulators, and transmission style insulators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a styrene-butadiene latex, more particularly to a method for preparing a styrene-butadiene latex comprising the steps of adding a transition boosting agent to a styrene-butadiene copolymer, stirring the mixture and deodorizing the product. Since unreacted residual monomers and volatile organic compounds are reduced significantly, foul smell during drying at high temperature, irritation to skin and eyes and foul smell of the final product can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing at least one of the following two parameters of a polyamide: (i) its melting point and (ii) its enthalpy of melting &Dgr;Hm, in which:

Abstract: A process for treating an aqueous polymer latex/dispersion of synthetic polymers prepared by polymerizing one or more monomeric materials for at least 80%, involving: A. adding to the polymer latex/dispersion a sufficient amount of at least one reducing agent in one or more portions followed by adding at least one free radical generator in such a way that at least the bulk of the reducing agent has been added before addition of free radical generator is started and maintaining the mixture at a suitable temperature for a period of time which is sufficient to reduce the VOC-level of the latex/dispersion to decrease to below 1,500 ppm, preferably to below 1,000 ppm after which B. water vapor and/or gas is/are sparged into the latex/dispersion while the temperature of the latex/dispersion is maintained at a suitable temperature for a period of time which is sufficient to decrease the VOC-level to below 200 ppm, preferably to below 50 ppm, most preferably to below 15 ppm.

Abstract: Continuous process for preparing polyoxymethylene homo- or copolymers by bulk polymerization of the monomers in the presence of cationic initiators, and also, if desired, in the presence of regulators, where during the polymerization both the monomers and the polymer are present in molten form and, if desired, the polymer is then deactivated, and the melt is discharged, cooled and pelletized, which comprises discharging, cooling and pelletizing the polymer at an elevated pressure and in the presence of a liquid.

Abstract: A coating composition includes 1.5 to 4 weight percent of a film-forming acrylic resin having an average molecular weight of from about 235,000 to about 285,000; 4 to 8 weight percent of a film-forming acrylic resin having an average molecular weight of from about 175,00 to about 225,000; 1 to 3 weight percent of solid caustic; and 75 to 85 weight percent water. The film-forming acrylic resins may be copolymers of alpha-beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers and ethylenically unsaturated esters. A dried coating of the composition is water-soluble. A method for making the coating composition includes heating water from about 140 to about 200° F.

Abstract: A process for emulsifying a functionalized polyolefin is described. A functionalized polyolefin having a weight average molecular weight greater than 10,000, a fatty acid, a base in an amount sufficient to neutralize the functionalized polyolefin and the fatty acid, a surfactant and water are mixed in a pressure reactor vessel to form a pre-emulsion concentrate having a solids concentrate ranging from about 55 to 90% by weight. The pre-emulsion concentrate is then heated with agitation in the reaction vessel to an emulsification temperature, preferably at or above the melting point of the highest melting polymer in the formulation, for a time sufficient to form an emulsion concentrate. Water is then added to the emulsion concentrate within the pressure reactor vessel, diluting the solids content to about 5 to 50% by weight, and heated with agitation to the emulsification temperature for a time sufficient to form a functionalized polyolefin emulsion. Preferably, the resulting emulsion is rapidly cooled.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of microfine suspended particles from a suspension medium, characterized by subjecting a polymeric monomer suspended in a suspension medium to suspension polymerization thereby forming microfine globular particles in the suspension solution, adding microfine water-insoluble particles to said suspension solution of microfine globular particles thereby inducing cohesion of said microfine globular particles, and separating said microfine globular particles in the form of an aggregate from said suspension solution filtration.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a dispersion of a polyamide in water, said process comprising:dissolving a polyamide having an amine value of greater than about 2 in an organic solvent to form a solution of said polyamide in said solvent, said polyamide and said solvent being at a temperature below the softening point of said polyamide during said dissolving, said solution further comprising a surfactant and an inorganic alkaline material,adding sufficient water containing an acid to said solution with mixing to form an oil-in-water dispersion, the temperature of said solution and said water being below the softening point of said polyamide during said adding, the amount of said acid being sufficient to neutralize a portion of said inorganic alkaline material, but insufficient to coagulate said polyamide from the resulting oil-in-water dispersion, andremoving at least a major amount of said organic solvent from said oil-in-water dispersion.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a dispersion of a polyamide in water, said process comprising:forming a solution of a polyamide having an acid value of greater than about 2 in an organic solvent to form a solution of said polyamide in said solvent, said polyamide and said solvent being at a temperature below the softening point of said polyamide during said dissolving, said solution further comprising a surfactant, wherein at least a portion of the acid value of said polyamide is neutralized,adding sufficient water to said solution with mixing to form an oil-in-water dispersion, the temperature of said solution and said water being below the softening point of said polyamide during said adding, andremoving at least a major amount of said organic solvent from said oil-in-water dispersion. The resulting dispersion is useful in preparing a coating of the polyamide, which coating is useful as an adhesive.

Abstract: A method for dispersing solid forms of additives in polymers involves adding dispersions or solutions of additive(s) to a solution of polymer in a tubular mixer (preferably in the presence of a stationary mixer). The mixer leads to a steam precipitation step wherein all fluid ingredients in the mixture are volatilized leaving the solid additive and resin in the desired ratio. This results in a uniform dispersion of the additives in the polymer matrix. As a result of the high dispersion, physical properties of a thermoplastic resin, to which the polymer matrix has been added are preserved. In one illustration, PTFE as a drip inhibitor additive, is added to polycarbonate to obtain a highly dispersed PTFE concentrate of improved drip-inhibition without loss of mechanical properties when added to a thermoplastic molding resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat conductive silicone rubber composition comprising a cross-linkable organopolysiloxane composition and a filler, with the filler being magnesium oxide treated so as to have a hydrophobic surface and having a content of from 30 to 70% by volume in the composition.

Abstract: A method for the production of microfine colored particles, characterized by subjecting a polymeric monomer suspended in a suspension medium to suspension polymerization in the presence of a coloring agent and/or a magnetic powder thereby forming microfine globular colored particles possessing an average particle diameter in the range of from 3 to 50 .mu.m, heat treating said microfine globular colored particles with water as a heating medium at a temperature in the range of from 50.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. thereby inducing fusion of said particles and giving rise to blocks of fused particles, and then disintegrating said blocks of particles to an average particle diameter substantially equal to the average particle diameter of said microfine globular colored particles existent prior to said fusion.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for recycling resin scrap including a thermosetting resin paint film and a thermoplastic resin substrate as its major components, wherein the resin scrap is supplied into a passage of a cylinder, melted, and delivered by delivering means from an upstream side to a downstream side of the passage of the cylinder, and hydrolyzed by a hydrolyzing agent while forming a highly packed region with a resistor. The resistor restricts the resin scrap to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side in a short period of time, and forms the highly packed region where a contact efficiency is enhanced between the resin scrap and the hydrolyzing agent.

Abstract: A method for dispersing solid forms of additives in polymers involves adding dispersions or solutions of additive(s) to a solution of polymer in a tubular mixer (preferably in the presence of a stationary mixer). The mixer leads to a steam precipitation step wherein all fluid ingredients in the mixture are volatilized leaving the solid additive and resin in the desired ratio. This results in a uniform dispersion of the additives in the polymer matrix. As a result of the high dispersion, physical properties of a thermoplastic resin, to which the polymer matrix has been added are preserved. In one illustration, PTFE as a drip inhibitor additive, is added to polycarbonate to obtain a highly dispersed PTFE concentrate of improved drip-inhibition without loss of mechanical properties when added to a thermoplastic molding resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for reprocessing plastic wastes, in which the plastic wastes filled into vessels are autoclaved as coherent, porous bundles with high water absorption capacity in a steam atmosphere at approximately 150.degree. to 220.degree. C., preferably 165.degree. to 190.degree. C., and melted by this means, at the end of the autoclaving process, the resulting bodies of molten plastic are at least partly dried by re-evaporating the water contained therein and are cooled.

Abstract: Aqueous emulsions, at least 80% of which have been polymerized, are treated by a process which comprises the separate steps of: a) initially treating the emulsion with a sufficient amount of a free radical generator in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce the residual monomer content to from about 1500 to about 6000 part per million, and b) subsequently subjecting the emulsion to steam stripping under vacuum, without significantly degrading or destabilizing the emulsion, to thereby reduce the residual monomer content to from about 5 to about 500 parts per million.

Abstract: Stable aqueous microdispersions of finely divided polyamide resin particles and methods for the manufacture thereof are provided. The properties of these microdispersions are achieved by the addition thereto of an effective amount of a co-surfactant such as a lower alkyl alcohol. The provided microdispersions can be drawn into films which will form clear, continuous films at ambient or near-ambient temperatures regardless of the softening point of the polyamide resin. Dispersions according to this invention find use in hot melt adhesives, coatings, inks, and the like.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for precipitating polymers from a liquid using at least one precipitant fluid, including a feed line, a nozzle plate having at least one outlet orifice for a polymer containing fluid with the outlet orifice communicating with the feed line, at least one nozzle for at least one precipitant fluid, the axis of which is arranged approximately perpendicularly to the axis of the outlet orifice, a precipitation chamber positioned on the side of the nozzle plate wherein at least one nozzle for at least one precipitant fluid is located, a discharge line for discharging a mixture which contains the precipitated polymer and a degassing chamber which is connected to the discharge line.

Abstract: A polymer activation apparatus for activating and diluting a liquid polymer with water includes, a vessel defining a cylindrical chamber divided into first and second processing zones, the polymer and water being supplied to the first processing zone, an impeller located in the first processing zone subjecting the polymer to a high shear rate for a short contact time to initiate dissolution and activation of the polymer, and the polymer being moved to the second processing zone under the force of the water supplied to the first processing zone, a second impeller in the second processing zone subjecting the polymer to a lower shear rate for a longer period to continue the polymer dissolution and activation process.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for preparing a treated blend which contains pigment material dispersed in a continuous phase of water and a polyester material. The invention also concerns compositions prepared from such process. The polyester material of the treated blend is linear, contains a sulfomonomer, and has an average particle size of less than 1 .mu.m.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of polyamide resins having improved stability with respect to gelation and phase separation are provided, along with preparative methods therefor. The improved stability of the provided aqueous dispersions is achieved by the addition to such dispersion of a chemical moiety, such as a water soluble, amphoteric amino acid, anionic and cationic salts of amino acid, or mixtures thereof, in aqueous solutions. In a preferred embodiment, a dispersion-stabilizing amount of glycine is added with the inversion water used to invert an emulsion of water in polyamide resin. The resulting emulsion of resin in water is then cooled below the resin's melting point, causing the emulsified droplets of the polyamide resin to solidify as finely divided particles which are dispersed uniformly through the aqueous phase. The stable, aqueous dispersions of this invention are useful in coatings, inks, and as coatings for hot melt adhesive applications.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for preparing a treated blend which contains pigment material dispersed in a continuous phase of water and a polyester material. The invention also concerns compositions prepared from such process. The polyester material of the treated blend is linear, contains a sulfomonomer, and has an average particle size of less than 1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of stable aqueous dispersions of non-solvated, un-neutralized, low amine, low acid number polymerized fatty acid polyamide resins. In the preferred method of this invention, a polymerized fatty acid polyamide resin which has been prepared so as to have a low acid and low amine number is liquified by heating the polyamide resin to a temperature where it is at or above its melting point. The liquified polymerized fatty acid polyamide resin is then blended with a predetermined amount of water which is heated to a temperature such that the resulting blend will have a temperature above the melting point of the polyamide resin. A surfactant which will promote the emulsification of the polyamide resin and water is included in the mixture.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a homogeneous dissipation of a viscous, liquid-dissipatable polymer. The process comprises continuously feeding molten polymer into a first inlet of a mixing chamber, feeding a stream of a relatively low viscosity dissipating liquid into a second inlet of said mixing chamber at an angle, at a velocity and at a flow rate relative to the structure of said chamber such that shearing action is created at the advancing end of the polymer to continuously erode the end of the polymer, and further mixing the polymer and dissipating liquid downstream from an outlet of the chamber to form a homogeneous dissipation of polymer in dissipating liquid.

Abstract: A process, and the well-dispersed product thereof, for recovering solids from a latex of a grafted rubber concentrate having a rubber substrate and a glassy superstrate by: (a) adding a latex of said superstrate to said grafted rubber concentrate latex; (b) coagulating said latex with high shear to form a paste; (c) heating said paste to cause syneresis of said paste into polymeric particles; and (d) dewatering said particles.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a cross-linked extruded elongated product from polyethylene or other suitable polymer. The polymer is fed into the hopper of a screw extrusion machine. The polymer is heated and melted while being conveyed through the barrel of the screw extruder. A liquid silane compound which comprises a modified vinyl functional silane, a free-radical generator, and a condensation catalyst is carefully metered and injected into the melted polymer. The melted polymer and the liquid silane compound are then mixed and blended to obtain a uniform blended mixture thereof. The blended mixture is then extruded through an extrusion die to form an elongated product of a required final shape and the elongated product is then subjected to the action of moisture and heat until the polymer in the elongated product is cross-linked.

Abstract: An inside green tire paint is provided which is a water based paint. The paint is substantially free of silicone and hydrocarbon solvents. The paint composition comprises (a) rubber latex, (b) wax dispersion, (c) water, (d) wetting agent, and (e) air bleeding pigment.