Abstract: A process for producing a polyphenylene ether, which comprises contacting, with an aqueous solution of a chelating agent, a polyphenylene ether solution and adding a water-soluble poor solvent for the polyphenylene ether to precipitate the polyphenylene ether; and recovering the thus precipitated polyphenylene ether. A mixture remaining after the recovery of the polyphenylene ether is brought into contact with water to extract the water-soluble poor solvent, and a water phase containing the thus extracted water-soluble poor solvent is recovered by separation. The water-soluble poor solvent is separated and removed from the water phase by distillation, and the whole or a part of the remaining water phase is recycled as water to be brought into contact with the mixture, the remaining water phase having a content of a high-boiling-point organic substance of 1 wt. % or less.

Abstract: A process of controlling the molecular weight and dispersity of poly(p-ethylphenol) and poly(m-cresol) synthesized enzymatically by varying the composition of the reaction medium. Polymers with low dispersities and molecular weights from 1000 to 3000 are synthesized in reversed micelles and biphasic systems. In comparison, reactions in bulk solvents resulted in a narrow range of molecular weights (281 to 675 with poly(p-ethylphenol) in a DMF/water system and 1,400 to 25,000 with poly(m-cresol) in an ethanol/water system). Poly(p-ethylphenol) was functionalized at hydroxyl positions with palmitoyl, cinnamoyl, and biotin groups.

Abstract: A process of controlling the molecular weight and dispersity of poly(p-ethylphenol) and poly(m-cresol) synthesized enzymatically by varying the composition of the reaction medium. Polymers with low dispersities and molecular weights from 1000 to 3000 are synthesized in reversed micelles and biphasic systems. In comparison, reactions in bulk solvents resulted in a narrow range of molecular weights (281 to 675 with poly(p-ethylphenol) in a DMF/water system and 1,400 to 25,000 with poly(m-cresol) in an ethanol/water system). Poly(p-ethylphenol) was functionalized at hydroxyl positions with palmitoyl, cinnamoyl, and biotin groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick set composition and a method for preparing the composition. The composition comprises an aqueous sol of a polymer having a backbone that contains pendant cationic groups and pendant acid groups. The sol is prepared by forming a solution of a polymer that contains pendant cationic groups and pendant acid groups in an aqueous-based solvent that contains water and a suitable organic solvent and removing a sufficient amount of the organic solvent from the solution to form a composition characterized by being reversibly dissolvable and reconstitutable by addition and removal of a suitable organic solvent. The composition of the present invention provides quick-set films that can be prepared in the absence additional surface active agents and with a substantial absence of organic solvents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing unreacted monomers and other volatile matters from a polymer solution composition produced from a mixture containing an aromatic vinyl monomer, utilizes two or more flash devolatilizing vessels, and effects the removal by adjusting the solid content of the polymer solution composition at the outlet of the devolitilizer before the last-stage devolitilizer to a level in excess of 97%, adding 0.5-4 parts by weight of a foaming agent to the total polymer solution composition, passing the polymer solution composition through the last-stage devolitilizer while maintaining the pressure of the polymer solution at 10 kg/cm2 or more by means of a pressure controller and the temperature in the range 190-260° C., introducing the polymer solution composition to a vapor-liquid separation vessel maintained at a vacuum of 20 Torr or less, and allowing the composition to foam.

Abstract: A soft hydrogel containing a triblock copolymer and water is disclosed. The copolymer has formula (I): X-G-Y, wherein G is a non-hydroxylated hydrophilic linear polymer block containing p repetitive units, where p is a number from 10 to 150, each of X and Y is a polyester block containing m and n repetitive units, respectively, and the ratio (m+n)/p is high enough for said copolymer to be water-insoluble, said ratio (m+n)/p being selected in such a way that adding water to a solution of the copolymer in a water-miscible organic solvent leads to the formation of a soft hydrogel capable of retaining an amount of water at least as great as the weight of said copolymer. Said hydrogel is suitable for retaining and gradually releasing hydrophobic substance and/or hydrophilic macromolecules, including drugs.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyester from high-purity bis-&bgr;-hydroxyethyl terephthalate as a raw material containing cations and anions in trace amounts. Polyester production raw materials including bis-&bgr;-hydroxyethyl terephthalate containing cations and anions in a total weight of not more than 50 ppm, ethylene glycol and antimony trioxide and/or germanium dioxide as a polymerization catalyst are heated without substantially distilling off ethylene glycol and then heated under reduced pressure to be polycondensed while ethylene glycol is distilled off.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a vinylpyrrolidone polymer which exhibits good heat resistance and storage stability; a composition containing the vinylpyrrolidone polymer; a stabilization process for the vinylpyrrolidone polymer, and a preservation process for a vinylpyrrolidone polymer by which: even when the vinylpyrrolidone polymer is preserved for a long time or at high temperature, the physical properties such as molecular weight (K value) of the vinylpyrrolidone polymer can be prevented from changing, therefore the vinylpyrrolidone polymer can stably be preserved. To enhance the heat resistance and the storage stability, a vinylpyrrolidone polymer is mixed with a certain amount of antioxidant, and the oxygen concentration is suppressed to not higher than 50,000 ppm in a gas phase that contacts with the vinylpyrrolidone polymer when preserving.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyphenylene ether by oxidative polymerization of a phenol compound using a catalyst and an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst comprises a copper compound, a bromine compound, a diamine compound represented by the following formula (1): 1

Abstract: A process for forming a planarization film on a substrate that does not smoke or fume on heating includes applying a polymeric solution including a novolac resin having a weight average molecular weight between about 1000 and 3000 amu, which has been fractionated to remove molecules with molecular weight below about 350 amu, a surfactant selected from a group consisting of a non-fluorinated hydrocarbon, a fluorinated hydrocarbon and combinations thereof, and an optional organic solvent to a substrate, followed by heating the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing residual monomers from a slurry containing a polyvinyl chloride. The apparatus has a cylindrical tower with plural perforated plates provided in a vertical direction in the tower, plural chambers formed on the perforated plates serving as their bottom surface, slurry introducing portions provided at two or more of the chambers, flow-down sections provided between the perforated plates to allow the slurry to sequentially flow down from the perforated plate of an upper chamber to the perforated plate of a lower chamber, a steam introducing port at a bottom portion of the tower, a deaerating port at a top portion of the tower, a slurry discharging port at a chamber below a chamber having the slurry introducing port, and hot water ejectors directly under the perforated plates directed at least toward the lower surface of the perforated plates.

Abstract: A process for obtaining polyglycolyl urea from aromatic diglycinate, to insulate electric conductors without forming HCN polluting residues, characterized because a mixture of methylene bromopropionate and methylenedianiline in aliphatic solvent reacts in presence of a catalizer; the solvent is separated through distillation, filtration of the mother waters and purification through washing with water and addition to the resulting product of cresylic acid and methylene dilisocyanate under stirring, up to a temperature, of 60° C., and addition of a triethylenediamino catalizer, heating at a temperature of up to 185° C. and it is then distilled at a temperature of up to 200° C., obtaining a polyglycolyl urea hydantoin resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of polyamide-6 by polymerization of &egr;-caprolactam with full re-use of extracted caprolactam and oligomers. The extract is not subjected to a pretreatment for reduction of the cyclic dimer content. By carrying out the polymerization in two steps, the first at an elevated pressure, but lower than the vapor pressure of the reaction mixture supplied, and the second at approximately atmospheric or reduced pressure, the cyclic dimer content of the polymerizate leaving the second polymerization step is kept at a constant level. The process offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of production capacity and composition and proportion of recycled lactam in the lactam feed for the polymerization.

Abstract: Polymer emulsion compositions presenting low levels of residue after thermolytic decomposition are provided. The compositions, based on polyhydroxyalkanoates or acrylics, are useful in a variety of applications, including the metallization of cathode ray tube phosphor screens, where use of the compositions provides enhanced luminosity and ease of manufacture. Other applications include use of the emulsion in additives used in powder molding techniques and in the manufacture of ceramic tiles.

Abstract: A polymer devolatilization preheater and a method for using the same to preheat a polymer/solvent solution. The preheater includes an elongated, upright hollow vessel defining a heating chamber having a upper and lower ends, and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends. An inlet for a polymer/solvent solution is located adjacent the upper end of the chamber and a molten polymer outlet is located adjacent the lower end of the chamber. A plurality of heating tube bundles are mounted in the chamber, each bundle including a plurality of elongated serpentine heating tubes which are each arranged in a configuration having a major axis which extends across the chamber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The tubes are positioned such that the polymer/solvent solution comes into heat transferring contact with an outer surface thereof as the polymer/solvent solution flows along a path that extends from the polymer/solvent solution inlet to the polymer outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of functionalized polyphenylene ether resins through redistribution with a functionalized phenolic compound in the polyphenylene ether resin polymerization reaction solution without the addition of an added redistribution catalyst or promoter. The invention also relates to the functionalized polyphenylene ether resin made by the process as well as blends and articles containing the functionalized polyphenylene ether resin made by the process.

Abstract: A process is provided to recover at least one modifier compound and at least one polar organic compound from a P(AS) recycle mixture.

Abstract: It is possible to produce butene polymer at high yield, which polymer contains 80 mol % or more of polymer molecules having terminal vinylidene structure and being low in the content of residual organic fluorine by a process comprising Step (I) to polymerize in liquid phase by adding complex catalyst composed of boron trifluoride, ether and alcohol and/or water in specified ratios to C4 fractions and Step (II) to reduce the content of trimer and lighter components contained in the obtained polymer to 0.2% by weight or less by distillation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of very low molecular weight polyphenylene ether resin, typically within the intrinsic viscosity range of about 0.08 dl/g to about 0.16 dl/g as measured in chloroform at 25° C. The method preferably comprises 2,6-dimethylphenol as a monovalent phenol species. The invention also relates to the polyphenylene ether resin made by the process as well as blends and articles containing the polyphenylene ether resin made by the process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for closely linking a process for producing 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid (2,6-NDA) with a process for producing polyethylene naphthalate, thus eliminating the need for drying 2,6-NDA, handling solid 2,6-NDA, and optimizing particle size of 2,6-NDA which comprises: a) Adding an aqueous slurry of polymer grade 2,6-NDA directly into a process for making PEN, either by directly adding a stream from a 2,6 NDA process into a PEN process, or by adding water to polymer grade 2-6-NDA prior to adding the resulting slurry to a PEN process. b) Removing the slurry water during the first esterification reaction at the same time the water of reaction is removed.

Abstract: As a method of vacuum recovery of residual monomers from PVC paste resin latex by heating the latex, the present invention is capable of breaking foam derived from foamable PVC paste resin latex after polymerization by utilizing the methods: using a residual monomer vacuum recovery apparatus having a foam separator and transferring the foam which overflows from the vacuum recovery vessel to the foam separator so that the foam makes direct contact with steam causing a breakdown of the foam. This is done without reducing operability, without lowering stable operation, without degrading product quality, and without reducing the solid concentration of the latex.

Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t

Abstract: A method for continuously stripping an unreacted monomer from a vinyl chloride paste resin latex, comprising the steps of continuously supplying the latex to a vacuum recovery vessel, wherein the latex is boiling with generation of foam, under the condition that the temperature of the latex to be supplied is higher than that of the latex in the recovery vessel, withdrawing a monomer gas generated in the recovery vessel through an exhaust line provided with a foam separator, contacting the foam entrained into the exhaust line with steam introduced to the exhaust line and/or the foam separator, thereby destroying the foam, and returning the resulting latex in the separator to the recovery vessel. The unreacted monomer can be efficiently recovered from the latex by a continuous operation, and defoaming can be achieved without deteriorating the quality and without lowering the productivity.

Abstract: Provided are processes by which an ethylenimine polymer and an aqueous solution thereof can advantageously be produced at low costs in an industrial scale. The ethylenimine polymer can be produced by polymerizing crude ethylenimine obtained by a simple distilling operation from an ethylenimine-containing reaction mixture produced by subjecting ethanolamine to intermolecular dehydration reaction, preferably crude ethylenimine having impurity contents which are controlled in the specific ranges. When the above crude ethylenimine is polymerized in an aqueous medium, capable of being obtained is an aqueous solution of an ethylenimine polymer having a higher molecular weight than that produced by non-solvent polymerization. The ethylenimine polymer can be purified by, for example, adding water thereto, mixing them and then vaporizing and removing water under heating. The aqueous solution of an ethylenimine polymer can be purified by heating and condensing it.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for passing a polymerization effluent, comprising solid polymer, unreacted monomer, diluent and minor amounts of contaminants, to a high pressure flash where most of the fluid components are flashed and wherein a slip stream comprising diluent and minor amounts of monomer is separated from the bulk of the flashed fluid components. The slip stream is subjected to olefin removal to give an essentially olefin-free stream for recycle to a catalyst mud preparation area. The bulk of the flashed fluid components are recycled directly back to the polymerization zone without expensive olefin removal, although treatment to remove other contaminants can optionally be performed. The polymer and entrained fluid is passed to a low pressure flash zone where the fluids are flashed off, compressed and joined with the flash from the high pressure flash tank.

Abstract: A water-absorbing resin having superior water absorption properties, and a method for manufacturing the water-absorbing resin having superior water absorption properties in a short time, in which used waste materials are used for effective utilization of resources. To this end, a high-molecular material containing acrylonitrile, styrene and conjugated dienes as constituent units are processed with acid and/or alkali.

Abstract: A process for decolorizing polymers or copolymers which are obtained by cationic polymerization of tetrahydrofuran or of tetrahydrofuran and alkylene oxide, in the presence or absence of a telogen, comprises a) first, if desired, removing the low-boiling components by vacuum distillation or extraction and b) heating the remaining polymer or copolymer in the presence of at least one auxiliary selected from the group consisting of solid oxides and/or sheet silicates to from 20 to 150° C.

Abstract: A method for continuously stripping an unreacted monomer from a vinyl chloride paste resin latex, comprising the steps of continuously supplying the latex to a vacuum recovery vessel, wherein the latex is boiling with generation of foam, under the condition that the temperature of the latex to be supplied is higher than that of the latex in the recovery vessel, withdrawing a monomer gas generated in the recovery vessel through an exhaust line provided with a foam separator, contacting the foam entrained into the exhaust line with steam introduced to the exhaust line and/or the foam separator, thereby destroying the foam, and returning the resulting latex in the separator to the recovery vessel. The unreacted monomer can be efficiently recovered from the latex by a continuous operation, and defoaming can be achieved without deteriorating the quality and without lowering the productivity.

Abstract: A process of controlling the molecular weight and dispersity of poly(p-ethylphenol) and poly(m-cresol) synthesized enzymatically by varying the composition of the reaction medium. Polymers with low dispersities and molecular weights from 1000 to 3000 are synthesized in reversed micelles and biphasic systems. In comparison, reactions in bulk solvents resulted in a narrow range of molecular weights (281 to 675 with poly(p-ethylphenol) in a DMF/water system and 1,400 to 25,000 with poly(m-cresol) in an ethanol/water system). Poly(p-ethylphenol) was functionalized at hydroxyl positions with palmitoyl, cinnamoyl, and biotin groups.

Abstract: A process is provided to recover poly(arylene) sulfide from a poly(arylene) sulfide reaction mixture. In particular, a process is provided to recover poly(arylene) sulfide utilizing at least one extraction agent followed by vacuum drying.

Abstract: A process of controlling the molecular weight and dispersity of poly(p-ethylphenol) and poly(n-cresol) synthesized enzymatically by varying the composition of the reaction medium. Polymers with low dispersities and molecular weights from 1000 to 3000 are synthesized in reversed micelles and biphasic systems. In comparison, reactions in bulk solvents resulted in a narrow range of molecular weights (281 to 675 with poly(p-ethylphenol) in a DMF/water system and 1,400 to 25,000 with poly(m-cresol) in an ethanol/water system). Poly(p-ethylphenol) was functionalized at hydroxyl positions with palmitoyl, cinnamoyl, and biotin groups.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for the manufacture of a fluorescent polyphenolic product with high UV absorbance, its subsequent epoxidation, polyphenolic products, epoxidized derivatives and compositions thereof as well as laminates containing fluorescent polyphenolic products and derivatives thereof. The polyphenolic products are prepared by heating glyoxal at a temperature of about 80° C. to about 100° C. with a molar excess of a phenol in the presence of an acidic catalyst which is eliminated from the reaction mixture at a temperature below about 170° C. The total mole ratio of glyoxal to phenol charged to the reaction mixture is about 0.15 to 0.22 moles of glyoxal for each mole of phenol. The glyoxal is added continuously or by stepwise additions to the phenol so as to keep the aldehyde units in the reaction mixture to less than about 70% of the aldehyde units in the total quantity of glyoxal to be charged for making the polyphenol.

Abstract: A method of and device for removing a liquid from a resin of high melting point by means of a co-rotating twin extruder and an operation system of a liquid removal molding of a resin of high melting point by which a scaled down, highly effective, high performance and continuous stable operation of the device may be achieved.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing polymethacrylate moulding compounds, which have high thermal dimensional stability and high stability with respect to thermal decomposition, by the radical polymerization of methylmethacrylate monomers and optionally comonomers in at least two reactors operated successively, ensuring a high degree of blending. The process is characterized in that: a) a first reactor is operated at a temperature of less than 120° C.; and b) a second reactor or further successive reactors is/are operated in a temperature range of more than 130° C. and at most 200° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of recovering a polymer from an organic mixture comprising polymer and an organic solvent, the method comprising: a) admixing an aqueous solution and the organic mixture by the application of a combined mechanical and hydraulic shear force, the combined mechanical and shear force being sufficient to form a liquid-liquid dispersion; b) removing the organic solvent from the liquid-liquid dispersion thereby forming a remaining solution; and c) separating the polymer from the remaining solution. In one embodiment the polymer is a polycarbonate prepared by the interfacial method, and the organic solvent is methylene chloride.

Abstract: Devolatilization of molten polymer is carried out using a vertical static mixer which opens directly into a flash tank. Expansion of a stripping agent injected at an inlet of the static mixer occurs in the static mixer and the continued shearing causes disengagement of the vapor from the polymer, so that expansion is complete before the polymer enters the flash tank and stripper and volatiles are removed by a pump and condenser arrangement which holds the flash tank at a reduced pressure. Polymer outlets are in the floor of the flash tank and have metering pumps at their bottom end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of very low molecular weight polyphenylene ether resin, typically within the intrinsic viscosity range of about 0.08 dl/g to about 0.16 dl/g as measured in chloroform at 25° C. The method preferably comprises 2,6-dimethylphenol as a monovalent phenol species. The invention also relates to the polyphenylene ether resin made by the process as well as blends and articles containing the polyphenylene ether resin made by the process.

Abstract: A novel treatment and recovery process is provided which produces commercially desirable high molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide)s from undesirable low molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide)s. The novel process reduces the quantity of low molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide)s which otherwise have little or no commercial value and can require disposal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing protective colloid free, aqueous dispersions of vinyl ester co-polymers by radical emulsion polymerization of 40 to 99.5 weight percent vinyl acetate, 0 to 40 weight percent of one or several alkenes, 0 to 40 weight percent of one or several monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters of C6 to C12 alkyl carboxylic acids, and of (meth)acrylic-acid esters of alcohols with 1 to 12 C atoms and optionally, additional copolymerizable mono- or poly-ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Said method is characterized in that 0.1 to 5 weight percent of one or several emulsifiers are polymerized with a persulfate initiator in the presence of 0.5 to 20 weight percent mono- or poly-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid amides or derivatives thereof. The invention also relates to a method for producing protective colloid-free dispersion powders by spray drying or freeze drying said dispersions.

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: An apparatus for depolymerizing recycled polyester into its component ester monomers and half esters includes a first reactor for depolymerizing the recycled polyester, a separator for separating ester monomeric components and half-esters from secondary materials produced in the first reactor, and a second reactor for producing a low molecular weight polyester from liquefied separator products.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of methyl polysiloxane in the form of methyl cyclosiloxane of the general formula (R2SiO)x, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and alkaryl groups and “x” is an integer selected from 3-6, in which: a) liquifying silicone feedstock as herein defined is liquefied in a solvent selected from alcohol or siloxane in presence of a catalyst at a temperature of between 110° C.-180° C. to obtain a liquefied mass consisting of a mixture of methyl polysiloxane, solvent and filler; b) adding a metal hydroxide to the liquefied mass so as to convent the fillers to their corresponding silicates, the said silicates thus obtained are removed and the liquid recovered; and c) cyclyzing methyl polysiloxane in the liquid medium thus obtained in the presence of a cracking catalyst in the temperature range of 115-160° C. so as to crack the liquid methyl polysiloxane to a mixture of volatile methyl cyclosiloxane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the removal of lactide from polylactide and recovery of lactide from a lactide-containing gas by cooling the hot lactide-containing gas, wherein a polymer melt traveling through a nozzle forms thin threads the surface area of which is so large that in a normal-pressure or vacuum evaporator the lactide evaporates from the polymer rapidly into a hot carrier-gas flow and the polymer settles under gravity onto a collecting device. A hot lactide-containing gas is cooled rapidly to a temperature below 100° C., whereupon the lactide crystallizes from gas, forming lactide crystals, which are separated from the gas.

Abstract: A process for working up residues containing dihydroxy compounds resulting from the preparation of polyesters, where (1) in a first stage there is esterification or transesterification of a dicarboxylic acid or esters thereof or ester-forming derivatives with a molar excess of a dihydroxy compound, (2) in at least one second stage there is polycondensation of the esterification product obtained in (1), (3) the vapors (a) and (b) resulting from the reactions in (1) and (2) respectively are subjected to a treatment to recover the starting materials, wherein the treatment to recover the starting materials is carried out in the presence of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal compound in an amount of from 0.5 to 10% by weight, calculated as alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, based on the solids content of the vapors.

Abstract: Agglomerated particles of water-swellable addition polymers, the agglomerated particles having an average particle diameter of from 20 to 5000 &mgr;m and consisting of primary particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.

Abstract: The vinylidene chloride-based latex of the invention has a chlorine ion content reduced to or below 500 ppm based on the total concentration of all solid matter in the latex by weight, preferably by dialysis, and has excellent resistance to hot water treatment.

Abstract: Process for recycling an article based on at least one vinyl chloride polymer, in which: (a) the article is shredded into fragments having an average dimension of 1 cm to 50 cm, should it exceed these dimensions; (b) the fragments of the article, which are substantially dry, are brought into contact with a substantially anhydrous solvent capable of dissolving the vinyl chloride polymer, forming an azeotrope with water; (c) the polymer dissolved in the solvent is precipitated by injecting steam in the solution thus obtained, which moreover leads to the stripping of the water-solvent azeotrope and so leaves behind a mixture essentially consisting of water and of solid polymer particles; (d) the polymer particles are recovered.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of TFPX-dichloride is disclosed. The method involves reacting hexachloro-p-xylene with anhydrous HF in an inert organic solvent. The reaction is advantageous in that it produces relatively high yields of TFPX-dichloride, provides little waste, and is carried out as a simple, one-step process.

Abstract: Methods for devolatilizing polymer solutions have been invented which include, in certain aspects, dissolving a viscous polymer in a solvent forming a polymer-solvent solution, introducing the polymer-solvent solution into a thermal dryer, heating or cooling the polymer-solvent solution in the thermal dryer forming product polymer with solvent removed and separated solvent (which may include other residuals), the separated solvent with other residuals if present vaporizing in the thermal dryer forming a vapor, removing the vapor from the thermal dryer, and discharging product polymer from the thermal dryer.

Abstract: A silicone resin-containing emulsion composition is based on a silicone resin-containing emulsion obtained by emulsion polymerization of a mixture containing (A) a silanol group-bearing silicone resin and (B) a radical-polymerizable vinyl monomer. The silicone resin (A) contains 30-100 mol % of T units: R.sup.1 --SiZ.sub.3, and specifically 30-80 mol % of T-2 units: R.sup.1 --Si(OH)Z'.sub.2 among other T units wherein R.sup.1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, Z is a OH group, hydrolyzable group or siloxane residue, and Z' is a siloxane residue, and has a number average molecular weight of at least 500. The composition has a good film forming ability and cures into a flexible film having mar, weather and chemical resistance.