Abstract: A cellulose ether that is predominantly substituted in the C3 position of the anhydroglucose unit of the cellulose is described. In an embodiment of the present invention, the partial degree of substitution in the C3 position of the cellulose ether is ≧60%, based on the total degree of substitution. Also described is a process for preparing the cellulose ether of the present invention. The process involves, reacting cellulose, dissolved in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate (NMMNO) and optionally other inert organic solvents, with alkylation reagents. The reaction takes place in the presence of: (i) an insoluble solid phase catalyst, e.g., solid ion exchange resins based on polystyrene having quaternary ammonium groups; (ii) stabilizers, e.g., propyl gallate; and (iii) optionally additional soluble co-catalysts, e.g., trimethylbenzylammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition which features improved surface appearance is disclosed. The composition contains a blend of (A) a grafted rubber comprising a crosslinked rubber substrate which contains a styrenic core and an acrylate rubber shell, to which grafted is a grafted phase, and (B) a copolymeric matrix containing a copolymer such as styrene/acrylonitrile, and (C) an aromatic (co)polycarbonate resin. The composition is useful in the preparation of molded articles which are characterized in having low haze, high gloss and the absence of corona defect.

Abstract: A process for preparing phosphonium phenolate is disclosed. The process entails a reaction of phosphonium halide with phenol in an aqueous alkaline solution at a temperature of 0 to 55° C. The molar ratio of phenol to phosphonium halide is between 2:1 to 10:1 and the pH of the solution is 9.5 to 11. An optional embodiment entails carrying out the reaction in the further presence of alcohol.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition suitable for preparing molded articles having improved properties, most notably high ductility and impact strength at low temperature, is disclosed. The composition contains a resinous blend of aromatic polycarbonate and a mixture of at least two grafted rubbers. The mixture of grafted rubbers contains a “small-mode” component having a weight average particle size of less than 0.3 microns and a “large-mode” component having a weight average particle size of 0.3 microns or larger. The inventive composition is characterized in the absence of flaky filler having an aspect ratio is at least 1.7 and particle size of 1-100 microns therefrom.

Abstract: A process for the production of an aromatic carbonate is disclosed. Accordingly, an aromatic hydroxy compound is reacted with carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a platinum group metal catalyst, a co-catalyst, a base, and optionally a quaternary salt as well as an inert organic solvent. The reaction is carried out under conditions whereby the inert organic solvent forms an azeotrope with the water arising during the reaction. The azeotrope is then removed from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Composites of at least two different plastics materials joined directly to one another, wherein A) is a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoplastic mixture of polymers which contain at least one polar compound of at least one of the metals of the 1st to the 5th main group or of the 1st to 8th subsidiary group of the Periodic System as an extremely finely divided powder, and B) is polyurethane.

Abstract: The production of polycarbonate by the phase boundary method is disclosed. In accordance with the inventive process, a solution that contains polycarbonate is repeatedly washed with a washing liquid and the washing liquid is separated from the solution that contains the polycarbonate by separating elements and the solvent is then evaporated. The process is characterized in that the organic solution that contains the polycarbonate and the washing liquid are separated from each other after the first washing stage in a coalescer that contains hydrophilic packing.

Abstract: Molding compositions comprising polyether block amide and homogeneously distributed antimicrobially active substances are disclosed. The compositions are suitable for molding a variety of articles, notably medical articles.

Abstract: A flame resistant thermoplastic molding composition is disclosed. The composition contains a mixture of two aromatic polycarbonates having differing solution viscosities, a vinyl(co)polymer made from at least two ethylenically unsaturated monomers, a graft polymer obtainable by graft polymerization of at least two monomers selected from chloroprene, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, styrene, acrylonitrile, ethylene, propylene, vinyl acetate and (meth)acrylates with 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the alcohol component, a phosphorous compound, a fluorinated polyolefin and an inorganic compound with an average particle size no greater than 200 nm. The inventive composition is additionally characterized in its improved stress cracking resistance.

Abstract: A flame-resistant, reinforced thermoplastic molding composition characterized by its improved properties is disclosed. The composition contains A) a mixture of two aromatic polycarbonate resins that differ one from the other in terms of their relative solution viscosities, B) an optional vinyl (co)polymer containing at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, C) a graft polymer, D) a phosphorus compound, E) fluorinated polyolefin, and F) inorganic reinforcing material.

Abstract: A homopolymer formed from monomers which contain groupings which are at least trinuclear, which are capable of absorbing the electromagnetic radiation of visible light, and which are structured so that in their thermodynamically stable state they are distended and strongly anisometric, is disclosed. The trinuclear groups of the homopolymer include at least one electron-attracting substituent which gives rise to a dipole moment which forms an angle of at least 20° with the longitudinal axis of the trinuclear groups. The homopolymer contains covalently bonded side groups branching from the backbone represented by the following formula, —§—T—Q—E. In the formula: § represents one of oxygen, sulphur and NR1; T represents a (CH2)n radical, optionally interrupted by, for example, —O—; Q represents a divalent linking group; and E represents the trinuclear group, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to moulding compositions which are treated with phosphazenes and are based on polycarbonate and graft polymers chosen from the group consisting of silicone rubbers, EP(D)M rubbers and acrylate rubbers as the graft base, and which have an excellent flameproofing and very good mechanical properties, such as resistance to stress cracking or notched impact strength.

Abstract: Polyurethane moulding compositions which can be melt processed in the form of sintering powders suitable for the preparation of grained sintered films and which are prepared exclusively from linear aliphatic components are described. The polyol component is composed of 30 to 80 parts by weight of an aliphatic polycarbonate diol with an average molecular weight {overscore (M)}n of 1000 to 2200 and 70 to 20 parts by weight of a polybutane diol adipate and/or a polycaprolactone diol with an average molecular weight {overscore (M)}n of 1000 to 2400. Moreover, the mixture contains 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate in an equivalence ratio of 2.3:1.0 to 6.2:1.0, based on the polyol mixture and butane-1,4-diol as chain extender, the equivalence ratio of the butane-1,4-diol based on the poly mixture being 1.3:1.0 to 5.2:1.0.

Abstract: A catayltic process for the hydrogenation of aromatic polymers is disclosed. The catalyst used in the process is a metal or mixture of metals of sub-group VIII of the periodic table together with a support of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide or a mixture thereof. The catalyst, having pores is characaterized in that the pores having diameters of 100 to 1,000 Å constitute less than 15 percent of the total volume of pores. The hydrogenation, that is carried out in the presence of at least one oxygen-containing hydrocarbon is characterized in that it is essentially complete and without significant degradation of molecular weights.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition containing 1 to 99 parts by weight of aromatic polycarbonate or polyester carbonate and 1 to 99 parts by weight of at least one graft polymer prepared by solution polymerization is disclosed. The graft polymer is characterized in having rubber content of 20 to 50 wt. % and in that the average particle size of its rubber phase is 80 to 600 nm. The composition, which optionally contains additives, flameproofing agents and reinforcing agents, is characterized by its improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of aromatic polymers is disclosed. Accordingly, the solvent used comprise an ether that contains no &agr;-hydrogen atom on a carbon atom adjacent to the ether function. The process results in virtually complete hydrogenation of the aromatic units.

Abstract: A process for the production of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is disclosed. The process entails (a) introducing and homogeneously mixing in a first static mixer (A) an isocyanate and (B) a mixture of compounds having an average of 1.8 to 3.0 Zerewitinoff active hydrogen atoms having a molecular weight of 400 to 10000 with and chain extenders having an average of 1.8 to 3.0 Zerewitinoff active hydrogen atoms and a molecular weight of 62 to 400 and optional auxiliaries to form a substantially unreacted mixture and (b) reacting said substantially unreacted mixture in a second static mixer to form thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The elastomer thus produced has improved mechanical properties and is suitable for the production of moldings.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polycarbonate molding composition is described. The thermoplastic composition contains a silicon compound, e.g., silicon dioxide, having an average particle diameter of 0.001 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m. The silicon compound is present in the composition in an amount of 0.01 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic polycarbonate. Also describe are shaped articles, e.g., data technology housing components, made from the thermoplastic polycarbonate composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A process of preparing bisphenol A having low residual contents of oxygen and phenol is described. The process involves: (a) melting mixed crystals of bisphenol A and phenol under a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of 100° C. to 120° C.; (b) feeding continuously the melt formed in step (a) into the top of a distillation unit under conditions of 120° C. to <160° C. and a pressure of >80 mbar to 200 mbar; (c) feeding contemporaneously with step (b) nitrogen into the bottom of the distillation unit; (d) allowing the melted feed material and the nitrogen feed to contact each other within the distillation unit, thereby forming a concentrated melt material having (i) a phenol content reduced to 10 to 25 wt. %, and (ii) a reduced oxygen content (e.g., an oxygen content of <1 ppm); and (e) optionally passing a stream of nitrogen through the concentrated melt material under conditions of at least atmospheric pressure, 180° C. to 220° C. and a nitrogen partial pressure of 1 to 1.

Abstract: A cellulose substance-containing lacquer emulsion prepared from a) 5-50 wt. % of cellulose substance b) 5-50 wt. % of one or more hydroxyl group-containing lacquer resins c) 0.1-10 wt. % of polyisocyanates with more than one free isocyanate group d) 0.5-30 wt. % of plasticizer e) 0.0-20 wt. % of emulsifier f) 0.0-45 wt. % of at least one organic solvent g) 10-65 wt. % of water wherein the sum of a) to g) is always 100 wt. %, characterized in that the ratio by weight of OH groups (from the lacquer resin) to NCO groups is 1:0.01-1.0 is described.