Abstract: The present invention describes the incorporation of several types of soft-block materials into resorcinol phthalate-co-polycarbonate polymers. In preferred embodiments, the soft-block materials contain aliphatic moieties or silicones as flexibilizing units. Several methods of incorporation into the copolymer structure are described including co-reaction of diols with iso/terephthaloyl chloride, replacement of the normal chainstopper with a p-alkylphenol, replacement of a portion of the bisphenol A with an aliphatic ester-bisphenol, and co-reaction of aliphatic diacid chlorides. The polymers of the present invention have good flow characteristics at temperatures generally used for coating, and have good thermostability and weatherability.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optically active polyester comprising at least constituent units represented by the general formula (I) and the general formula (II): wherein Ar1 and Ar2 each independently represents a bivalent aromatic group or a bivalent heteroaromatic group, and X1 and X2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an electron-withdrawing group, wherein A represents a bivalent substituent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a liquid crystalline polyester which is produced from an aromatic carboxylic acid, an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, an aromatic diol and/or an aromatic hydroxylamine, including a polymerization step (1) for producing a prepolymer of the liquid crystalline polyester and a solid-state polymerization step (2) for elevating the polymerization degree of the resultant prepolymer, the number of aromatic ring terminal groups of the prepolymer satisfying the following equation (i): [(the number of aromatic ring terminal groups)/[(the number of carboxylic terminal groups)+(the number of aromatic ring terminal groups)]]×100≧7(%) (i). According to the invention, all-aromatic type liquid crystalline polyesters can be produced within a short time and at low cost.

Abstract: The present invention provide a liquid crystalline polyester that can be used in production of a molded article having sufficient mechanical strengths in which the melted liquid crystalline polyester has sufficient fluidity in thin-walled portions when the thin-walled molded article is manufactured, and to provide a method for producing the liquid crystalline polyester. A liquid crystalline polyester obtained by copolymerizing 4-acyloxybenzoic acids (I) and 2-acyloxy-6-naphthoic acids (II) in the presence of an imidazole (V) can be used in production of a molded article in which the melted liquid crystalline polyester has sufficient fluidity in thin-walled portions when the thin-walled molded article is manufactured, and which has sufficient mechanical strengths as well, thereby completing the present invention.

Abstract: Polyester resins formed by recurring units X=[O—(CH2)n—OCO—(CH2)m—CO] and/or Y=[O—(CH2)k—CO], where the half-sum of n+m is equal to or greater than 6 and k is a number equal to or greater than 6, or by copolymers comprising units and/or sequences having the formula xi[O—(CH2)ni—OCO—(CH2)mi—CO]; yj[O—(CH2)kj—CO] where: i,j=1-5; ni=2-22; mi=0-20; kj=1=21; (Formula (1)) and xi and yj vary between 0 and 1 and are molar fractions of the various units such that (Formula (2)), are used for the preparation of products in which a permeability to water vapour of less than 350 g×30 &mgr;m/m2 per day, measured at 38° C. and 90% RH and good biodegradability are required.

Abstract: A process for producing a liquid crystalline polymer with increased polymerization rate and reduced deposition of monomer-derived substances to the reaction vessel during production is provided. A liquid crystalline polymer having a constituent unit derived from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in an amount 8 mol % or less is produced by conducting reaction at the presence of a catalytic amount of a catalyst comprising a potassium compound and a trivalent cobalt compound in combination.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer beads comprising an anisotropic polymer material with helically twisted structure, to their use in reflective films, spraying or printing inks or as pigments, for optical or electrooptical, decorative or security applications, to a reflective film comprising one or more polymer beads in a transmissive binder, and to a security marking or security device comprising one or more polymer beads or comprising a reflective film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stretchable blend comprising a stretchable liquid crystal polymer and a thermoplastic. These stretchable blends can be stretched at the same temperature range as many conventional thermoplastics. During a post orientation process, such as fiber or film stretching, the stretchable liquid crystal polymer can stretch and deform along with the thermoplastic matrix maintaining adhesion between the liquid crystal polymer domains and the thermoplastic matrix thereby improving the physical properties of the oriented article.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making a low color copolymer of ethylene glycol, isosorbide and terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate. This copolymer, poly(ethylene-co-isosorbide) terephthalate, is useful for making bottles, hot-fill containers, films, sheet, fiber, strand and optical article applications. It can also be used to make polymer blends and alloys.

Abstract: A batch type apparatus for producing a liquid crystalline polymer includes a reactor, a first gas-pressurizing unit, a die-head, a shut-off valve, and a die-plate. The reactor produces a liquid crystalline polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase. The reactor has a discharge port at a lower portion thereof. The first gas-pressurizing unit is attached to the reactor for discharging under pressure the liquid crystalline polymer by use of an inert gas. The die-head includes, at one end portion thereof, a discharge valve which opens and closes the discharge port; at a middle portion thereof, an internal chamber which communicates with the discharge port and is heated and regulated from the peripheral surface thereof; and at the other end portion thereof, an opening which forms an end portion of the internal chamber. The shut-off valve is connected to the other end portion of the die-head and capable of opening and closing the opening. The die-plate is disposed at the opening of the shut-off valve.

Abstract: Articles made from a thermoplastic resin composition comprising a high modulus fiber and a resorcinol polyester or resorcinol polyester carbonate resin showing high strength and stiffness along with surprisingly good retention of gloss and color when exposed to weathering.

Abstract: Biodegradable resin products consisting essentially of a polymeric resin of starch, polyesters such as polylactic acid, or other suitable polyesters. In admixture with the resin is a particulate vapor phase corrosion inhibitor selected from amine salts, triazole derivatives, alkali dibasic acid salts, and mixtures thereof, and is present in an amount ranging from between about 1% and 3% by weight of the polymeric resin and which is shaped into formed articles.

Abstract: A polyether ester elastomer comprising about 90-about 60 weight % polytrimethylene ether ester soft segment and about 10-about 40 weight % trimethylene ester hard segment, and use thereof in fibers and other shaped articles. The fibers have excellent physical properties, including superior strength and stretch recovery.

Abstract: A process for producing a wholly aromatic polyester which is excellent in heat resistance, mechanical properties and yet color and has a high degree of polymerization by melt polymerizing a dicarboxylic acid and a diol directly on an industrial scale at a low cost in a short period of time without esterifying the dicarboxylic acid or diol in advance. To produce the wholly aromatic polyester by reacting and molding an aromatic dicarboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid, an aromatic diol such as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and a diaryl carbonate by heating, a combination of a specific pyridine compound and an alkali metal (bi)carbonate, a combination of a specific pyridine compound and an organic tin compound or a specific titanium compound is existent as a catalyst. Thereby, the wholly aromatic polyester having the above properties is obtained.

Abstract: Sulfonated polyimide polymers incorporating bulky monomers are disclosed. The polymers have a liquid crystalline structure and exhibit high conductivity, high water uptake and water stability over a range of relative humidities and temperatures. The polymers are particularly adapted for use as a polymer electrolyte membrane in fuel cells.

Abstract: Polyketones are manufactured by reacting an aromatic carboxylic acid with a biractive aromatic compound, using as a catalyst a combination of a carboxylic acid anhydride and phosphoric acid, or equivalent thereof. The product polymers are useful as molding resins.

Abstract: Thermoplastics may be melt spun at high production rates, and without physical property degradation, by spinning a blend of the thermoplastic and a minor amount of a specified liquid crystalline polymer.

Abstract: A precursor of a polybenzoxazole resin which comprises a crosslinking group in a molecule and has a specific structure, a polybenzoxazole resin obtained from the precursor by the condensation reaction and the crosslinking reaction, an insulating film comprising the polybenzoxazole resin and a semiconductor device comprising an insulating interlayer film in multi-layer wiring or a film for protecting surfaces which comprises the above insulating film. The precursor exhibits excellent processability due to excellent solubility in solvents and, after the ring closure, excellent heat stability in applications. The resin exhibits excellent electric, physical and mechanical properties and is advantageously used for insulating interlayer films of semiconductor devices and the like applications.

Abstract: A polymer comprising a tagging material is provided wherein the tagging material comprises at least one organic fluorophore dye, at least one inorganic fluorophore, at least one organometallic fluorophore, at least one semi-conducting luminescent nanoparticle, or combination thereof, wherein the tagging material has a temperature stability of at least about 350° C. and is present in a sufficient quantity such that the tagging material is detectible via a spectrofluorometer at an excitation wavelength in a range between about 100 nanometers and about 1100 nanometers. Further embodiments of the present invention include a method for identifying a polymer and an article comprising a polymer wherein the polymer contains the aforementioned tagging material.

Abstract: Highly stretchable, anisotropic melt-forming polymers consisting essentially of recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid and hydroquinone are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid crystalline polyester comprising the steps of acylating phenolic hydroxyl groups of an aromatic diol, an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, or an aromatic diol and aromatichydroxycarboxylic acid with a fatty anhydride to obtain an acylated substance, and trans-esterifying said acylated substance with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, or an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, wherein the acylation, the trans-esterification, or the acylation and trans-esterification is conducted in the presence of a heterocyclic organic base compound containing two or more nitrogen atoms.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polyester resin composition having an apparent melt viscosity of 10 to 100 Pa·sec at a shearing rate of 1000 sec−1 and a flow temperature of +40° C., obtained by compounding 10 to 100 parts by weight of an inorganic filler in the form of fiber and 10 to 100 parts by weight of an inorganic filler in the form of plate based on 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystal polyester resin, wherein the liquid crystal polyester resin contains at least 30 molt of a repeating structural unit of the following formula Al and has a flow temperature of 270° C. to 400° C., the inorganic filler in the form of fiber has an average fiber diameter of 0.

Abstract: This invention provides cycloaliphatic polyimide having the following formula (I): wherein 1 and n are integers from 4 to 7; m is an integer from 0 to 2; p is an integer from 1 to 8; polycyclic aliphatic compound R reprents C1-8 cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl, norbornenyl, decalinyl, adamantanyl, or cubanyl. That cycloaliphatic polyimide can be a through transparent film, their thermal stability is over 430° C. and dielectric constant is about 2.7.

Abstract: An unsaturated carboxyl group-terminated polyester resin having suitable properties for use in a powder coating for wood and other temperature-sensitive substances is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of aromatic polyesters which comprises polymerization of a aromatic dicarboxylic acid substituted with a polar group weight percentage in the range of 20 to 75 with a substituted aromatic diol weight percentage in the range of 25 to 78 by known method herein described.

Abstract: A new phosphazene-based polyester macro-molecule is provided, as is a method for producing the macro-molecule.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystalline polymer which is obtained by copolymerizing at least one polyfunctional aromatic monomer selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the formulae (I), (II) and (III) below with at least one polymerizable monomer. The liquid crystalline polymer of the present invention is excellent in heat resistance, molding properties, flow properties and mechanical properties, especially it provide molded article with improved weld strength.

Abstract: Provided are a aromatic liquid crystalline polyester resin having improved low temperature processability, a film having excellent gas barrier property. The aromatic liquid crystalline polyester resin is obtained from an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and an aromatic diol, by optimizing formulation ratio of the above-described three components. The aromatic liquid crystalline polyester resin comprises an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid unit, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid unit and an aromatic diol unit, as repeating units, wherein the repeating unit (A) as an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid unit, is contained in an amount of 30 mol % or more based on the total amount of repeating units, and the polyester has a logarithmic viscosity of 1.5 dl/g or more, a flow temperature of 300° C. or less, and a melt tension measured at a temperature higher than the flow temperature by 25° C. or more of 1.

Abstract: A wholly aromatic copolyester having repeating units of the formula: wherein Ar1 is wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH3, —CF3, —Cl, —Br, and —C6H5; wherein Ar2 is selected from the group consisting of wherein X is selected from the group consisting of —Br, —Cl, —CH3 and —C6H5; wherein Ar3 is wherein Ar4 is selected from the group consisting of wherein m has a value of 0.05 to 0.95 and n has a value of 100-m, is characterized by accessible nematic-isotropic transition temperatures providing outstanding orientational order and mechanical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a select class of liquid crystalline polyesters and molding compositions comprising the polyesters and glass fiber. The liquid crystalline polyesters consist essentially of (1) diacid residues consisting essentially of (i) cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid residues and (ii) other diacid residues selected from terephthalic acid residues, 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid residues, or a mixture thereof; (2) diol residues consisting essentially of hydroquinone residues, 4,4′-biphenol residues or a mixture thereof; and, optionally, (3) p-hydroxybenzoic acid residues. In the above definition, the moles of diol residues are equal to the moles of diacid residues and the total of the (1), (2) and (3) mole percentages is equal to 100. The liquid crystalline polyesters have melting points determined by differential scanning calorimetry equal to or less than 360° C.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions containing an LCP and one or more aromatic phosphonites. Also disclosed is a novel process for preparing LCPs in the presence of one or more aromatic phosphonites. The process enables the preparation of LCPs in a more controlled manner so that the LCPs have excellent thermal/oxidative stability. The LCPs are useful where the combination of good mechanical properties, excellent thermal resistance properties, and excellent thermal stability are desired, such as in electrical/electronic applications and electrical connectors.

Abstract: A gas barrier polymer composition with active hydrogen functionality is provided. The polymer may be prepared by reacting a solution of organic diacid containing at least one active hydrogen group and diglycidyl ether in the presence of an optional catalyst. The pressure, temperature, and time parameters of the reaction are preferably regulated to prevent degradation and subsequent incorporation of degradation products of organic diacid containing at least one active hydrogen group into the gas barrier polymer composition. A formulation of the gas barrier polymer composition and a carrier may be used to coat plastic materials, containers, and preforms. The gas barrier polymer composition may also be employed in a method of making multilayer packaging materials or container preforms. The multilayer packaging materials or preforms can be used to make containers useful in packaging gas sensitive substances.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical elements comprised of an optical isotropic completely aromatic polyester with a glass transition temperature Tg≧180° C.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention are produced by blending hydroxy-functional polyesters with proteins at elevated temperatures. These compositions can be shaped into articles by known processes such as extrusion, compression molding, and injection molding. Among articles that can be made from such compositions are those with sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a select class of liquid crystalline polyesters and molding compositions comprising the polyesters and glass fiber. The liquid crystalline polyesters consist essentially of (1) diacid residues consisting essentially of (i) cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid residues and (ii) other diacid residues selected from terephthalic acid residues, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid residues, or a mixture thereof; (2) diol residues consisting essentially of hydroquinone residues, 4,4′-biphenol residues or a mixture thereof; and, optionally, (3) p-hydroxybenzoic acid residues. In the above definition, the moles of diol residues are equal to the moles of diacid residues and the total of the (1), (2) and (3) mole percentages is equal to 100. The liquid crystalline polyesters have melting points determined by differential scanning calorimetry equal to or less than 360° C.

Abstract: A polyimide represented by the following general formula (1); wherein l, m, and n represent not the order of each repeating unit, but the numbers of each repeating unit existing in the molecule, E1 is a photosensitive group, E2 is a group comprising an alkyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, —A(—E1)—, —A(—E2)—, and B each are a divalent organic group, X and Y each are a tetravalent organic group, X, Y, A, B, E1 and E2 may be identical or different among the repeating units, 1 is an integer of 1 or more, m and n each are an integer of 0 or more. The polyimide and polyimide compositions comprising it has thermoreactivity as well as photoreactivity and photosensitivity.

Abstract: Provided are a aromatic liquid crystalline polyester resin having improved low temperature processability, a film having excellent gas barrier property. The aromatic liquid crystalline polyester resin is obtained from an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and an aromatic diol, by optimizing formulation ratio of the above-described three components. The aromatic liquid crystalline polyester resin comprises an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid unit, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid unit and an aromatic diol unit, as repeating units, wherein the repeating unit (A) as an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid unit, is contained in an amount of 30 mol % or more based on the total amount of repeating units, and the polyester has a logarithmic viscosity of 1.5 dl/g or more, a flow temperature of 300° C. or less, and a melt tension measured at a temperature higher than the flow temperature by 25° C. or more of 1.

Abstract: A stretchable liquid crystal polymer having recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, at least one aromatic diacid and at least one aromatic diol and/or hydroxyamine component, at least a portion of which is 4,4′-biphenol, and one or more aromatic monomers that provide the polymers with selected 1,3-(meta-) linkages. Stretchable polymers are especially suitable for multilayer laminates and bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A branched polyester resin of the Formula wherein n and m represent randomly repeating segments, and the number of n and m segments in the polymer backbone are each of from about 10 to about 10,000; X is an alkylene group, an olefinic group, or an arylene; Y is an organic dioxy group or radical of I, II, or mixtures thereof; Z is an organic trioxy radical of III, IV, or mixtures thereof; and wherein R and R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; G is an alkylene or arylene group, and a is 0 or 1.

Abstract: Amorphous copolyesters containing residues derived from 2,2′-[2,2-](sulfonylbis(4,1-phenyleneoxy))bis(ethanol). They exhibit enhanced heat distortion temperatures and glass transition temperatures without a significant increase in viscosity at low shear rates. The amorphous copolyesters also have improved resistance to attack by lipid solutions and are readily molded and extruded to form medial devices such as connectors, tubes, etc. which are useful for transport of lipids and other medical solutions.

Abstract: Process for producing highly stretchable, amorphous anisotropic melt-forming polymers having recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, at least one aromatic diacid and at least one aromatic diol and/or hydroxyamine component, at least a portion of which is 4,4′-biphenol, which process comprises incorporating into such polymers recurring units derived from one or more aromatic monomers that provide the polymers with selected meta-linkages wherein each of said recurring units is present in the polymer in specific amounts.

Abstract: Process for producing highly stretchable, amorphous anisotropic melt-forming polymers consisting essentially of recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, an aromatic diacid, at least a portion of which comprises 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, and an aromatic diol and/or hydroxyamine component, at least a portion of which is 4,4′-biphenol; which comprises incorporating into such polymers recurring units derived from resorcinol, wherein each of said recurring units is present in the polymer in specified amounts.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel synthetic polymers which contain bulky carboxylic monomer units which contain minimally two aryl rings linked by one or more linking groups such that rotation of the aryl rings relative to each other is structurally prohibited, thus being a rigid bulky monomer unit, or sterically disfavored, thus being a rotationally hindered bulky monomer, and which contain at least one flexibilizing monomer which contains a six- to twelve-membered, conformable carboxylic structure. The bulky and flexible monomer units are linked by suitable linking groups to form polymers which exhibit high Tg but which exhibit ductile behavior. The polymers have optical properties suitable for use as optical disks and other optical elements.

Abstract: A method of producing an aromatic polyester by distilling a low-boiling fraction from a polycondensation vessel containing a reaction product obtained by acetylating raw monomers of the aromatic polyester with acetic anhydride, wherein the polycondensation vessel is provided with a partial condenser, and controlling a temperature of the low-boiling fraction distilled from the partial condenser within a range from 80 to 150° C. while the amount of the low-boiling fraction distilled from the partial condenser is within a range from 50% to 90% based on a theoretical recovery amount is provided; and according to this method, adhesion of low-molecular compounds to a partial condenser in the production can be prevented and an improvement in yield of the aromatic polyester and stabilization of product quality can be accomplished.

Abstract: A mixture of a polyester, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) PET, and a second polymer which is poly(vinyl alcohol) or an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer when extrusion compounded exhibits a lower residual acetaldehyde content than does PET alone when similarly treated. The invention pertains to any polyester used in the manufacture of bottles or containers which in turn are used to store consumer materials, especially food, beverages and most especially water.

Abstract: An amorphous copolyester having a maximum melt viscosity at 1 radian/second and at about 260 to about 290° C. of about 12000 poise, a glass transition temperature ranging from about 88° C. to about 120° C., and an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.6 dl/g. The amorphous copolyesters comprise the reaction product of a diol component and a dicarboxylic acid component. The diol component comprises residues of from about 5.0 to about 50 mole % of 2,2′-(sulfonylbis (4,1-phenyleneoxy))-bis(ethanol) which has the following chemical formula: and from about 50 to about 95 mole % of a mixture of at least two diols selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and mixture thereof. The dicarboxylic acid component comprises residues of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 1,4-cyclohexandedicarboxylic acid, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A branched polyester resin of the Formula wherein n and m represent randomly repeating segments, and the number of n and m segments in the polymer backbone are each of from about 10 to about 10,000; X is an alkylene group, an olefinic group, or an arylene; Y is an organic dioxy group or radical of I, II, or mixtures thereof; Z is an organic trioxy radical of III, IV, or mixtures thereof; and wherein R and R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; G is an alkylene or arylene group, and a is 0 or 1.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystalline polyester resin for extrusion molding having a solder heat resistant temperature of 250.degree. C. or more, wherein the ratio ((viscosity 2b)/(viscosity 1b)) of the melt viscosity (viscosity 1b) under a shearing speed of 1000/sec at the flow initiation temperature and the melt viscosity (viscosity 2b) under the same shearing speed at a temperature 20.degree. C. higher than the flow initiation temperature is from 0.10 to 0.70. The extrusion molding material of the above-described liquid crystalline polyester resin has excellent heat resistance, and can provide an extrusion molded article, especially a film having excellent appearance.

Abstract: Process for producing highly stretchable, amorphous anisotropic melt-forming polymers having recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, at least one aromatic diacid and an aromatic diol and/or hydroxyamine component, at least a portion of which is 4,4'-biphenol, which comprises incorporating into such polymers recurring units derived from resorcinol and at least one additional monomer that provides the resulting polymer with selected meta linkages, wherein each of said recurring units is present in the polymer in specified amounts.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an unsaturated polyester which comprises (i) reacting an organic diol with a cyclic akylene carbonate in the presence of a first catalyst to thereby form a polyalkoxy diol, and (ii) optionally adding thereto a further amount of cyclic alkylene carbonate in the presence of a second catalyst, and (iii) subsequently polycondensing the resulting mixture with a dicarboxylic acid.