Abstract: Poly(arylene sulfide) polymers containing sulfone, ether and biphenyl groups are prepared by a two step process. In the first step, a diphenol is reacted with either a dihaloaromatic sulfone monomer or a bis(haloarylsulfonyl) biphenyl monomer, or both, in the presence of an alkali metal base and a polar organic compound. In the second step, the reaction mixture above is reacted with a sulfur source, and any monomer which was not employed in the first step, if any. The polymers prepared according to the invention process exhibit increased glass transition temperatures over those of known poly(arylene sulfide) polymers. The structure of repeating units of the polymer can be controlled by varying the sequence of addition of the monomers.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing reactant concentrations for the polymerization of PPS without creating a deterioration of the molecular weight of the resultant polymer by limiting the amount of by-product water present during the initial portion of the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Poly(arylene sulfide/sulfone) polymers are treated in order to increase melt stability and decrease impurities by contacting the poly(arylene sulfide/sulfone) polymer with a soluble zinc compound and an acidic solution. In one embodiment, the polymer is treated first with the soluble zinc compound, followed by treatment with the acidic solution. In another embodiment, the polymer is treated in one step with a solution comprising a water soluble zinc compound in an acidic solution.

Abstract: A method for making polymerization catalysts is disclosed which comprises contacting a soluble complex prepared from the combination of a metal dihalide and a transition metal compound with a particulate material comprising zirconium phosphate and then reacting the resulting mixture with an organoaluminum halide to produce a catalyst precursor. The catalyst precursor is then contacted with a halogen containing compound selected from halides of Groups IVA and VA to produce the catalyst. Novel catalysts prepared in accordance with the invention method, novel polymerization processes therewith and novel polymers having relatively high melt flow rates while retaining good mechanical strength are also disclosed.

Abstract: Olefin complexing reagents comprising Cu(I) carboxylate/BF, adducts in aromatic solvents and a method of preparation therefor, and use of said reagents in the separation of olefins from paraffins are provided.

Abstract: An arylene sulfide polymer having derivatized end-groups and a process for preparing derivatized arylene sulfide polymer comprising contacting at an elevated temperature, an arylene sulfide polymer, a compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl radical having 1 to about 17 carbon atoms, an aryl radical having 6 to about 16 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof and X is selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine, and a solvent which is stable in the presence of the compound and is capable of dissolving the arylene sulfide polymer.

Abstract: An arylene sulfide polymer and a process for preparing same by contacting a sulfur source, a cyclic organic amide and a dihaloaromatic compound to produce a polymerization mixture, polymerizing the polymerization mixture and recovering the arylene sulfide polymer wherein the process is conducted in the presence of a compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of bromine and iodine, Y is a non-activating or deactivating group and is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## R' and R" are hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, and Ar' is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3##

Abstract: A process for producing an easily recoverable poly(arylene sulfide) polymer having a melt flow of less than 130 g/10 min., which processes comprises:a) adding a second polar organic compound to a polymerization reaction mixture during polymerization immediately prior to termination of said polymerization, wherein said polymerization reaction mixture is formed by reacting reactants comprising a dihaloaromatic compound, a sulfur source and a first polar organic compound under suitable polymerization conditions, and wherein the molar ratio of second polar organic compound added to first polar organic compound is in the range of 0.05 to 2; and thereafterb) terminating said polymerization; andc) recovering said polymer.

Abstract: A technique is provided for both forming frame portions from thermoplastic resin prepregs containing randomly arranged reinforcing fibers directly at predetermined location(s) upon a preformed wall portion and simultaneously bonding such as formed frame portions directly to such wall portion at such location(s). The wall portion is itself a laminate derived from thermoplastic resin prepregs containing ordered, substantially continuous reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A two-step process to make a poly(arylene sulfide sulfone) polymer containing ether groups having high molecular weights is described. In the first step an aromatic diphenol, a dihaloaromatic sulfone, a polar organic compound and an alkali metal base are reacted at an elevated temperature. During the first step the reactor is vented. Subsequently, a sulfur source is added to form a poly(arylene sulfide sulfone) polymer containing ether groups. An alkali metal carboxylate is also present in the second step. The polymers prepared by the invention method exhibit higher inherent viscosities, indicating higher molecular weight.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering poly(arylene sulfide) polymers characterized by low ash and oligomer concentrations and having a larger particle size, which method comprises, during recovery, adding or maintaining a sufficient amount of a polar organic compound to the reaction mixture immediately after solidifying the poly(arylene sulfide) polymer.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing more granular (i.e., higher bulk density) particulate poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resins having associated therewith improved processability and thermal stability, without generating pressures significantly greater than those generated during polymerization reactions of particulate poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resins.

Abstract: An arylene sulfide polymer and a process for preparing arylene sulfide polymers by contacting a sulfur source, a cyclic organic amide and a dihaloaromatic compound to form a polymerization mixture, polymerizing the polymerization mixture and recovering the arylene sulfide polymer wherein the process is conducted in the presence of a suitable olefin.

Abstract: Olefin complexing reagents comprising Cu(I) carboxylate/BF.sub.3 adducts in aromatic solvents and a method of preparation therefor, and use of said reagents in the separation of olefins from paraffins are provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the inventive process comprises: (a) preparing a first slurry comprising a first particulate PAS resin and a polar organic compound, (b) heating the first slurry to a temperature in the range of about 20.degree. C. (68.degree. F.) and about 40.degree. C. (104.degree. F.) below the liquid-to-solid phase transitional temperature of the first particulate resin, and (c) rapidly cooling the first slurry to below about 50.degree. C. (122.degree. F.) below the liquid-to-solid phase transitional temperature of the first particulate resin in the polar organic compound to form a second slurry, comprising the polar organic compound and a polymeric mixture comprising a novel particulate high molecular weight PAS resin and a minor amount of a particulate low molecular weight PAS resin.

Abstract: A poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resin having improved handling characteristics is prepared by a process comprising preparing in a first enclosed vessel a slurry comprising a solid poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resin and a liquid polar organic compound, and optionally water; then substantially liquifying the resin to form a mixture comprising substantially liquified resin and polar organic compound; then flashing the mixture into a second vessel having a pressure lower than the first vessel, thereby removing a portion of the polar organic compound and solidifying the resin.When the slurry further comprises water, the invention method optionally includes a venting step prior to the substantial liquification of the resin and/or a concentration step after the substantial liquification of the resin.

Abstract: The invention is a process to provide more granular, higher bulk density particulate poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resins having associated therewith improved handling.The process for treating a first slurry comprising a solid particulate poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resin dispersed in a liquid medium comprising a polar organic compound, comprises: (a) liquifying the first solid particulate resin in the first slurry to form a first mixture comprising a liquified resin and the polar organic compound; (b) adding, to the first mixture, a sufficient amount of at least one separaton agent to produce a second mixture, and (c) reducing the temperature of the second mixture sufficiently to solidify the liquified resin to form a second slurry comprising a polar organic compound and a second solid particulate resin having a bulk density greater than the first solid particulate resin would if recovered.

Abstract: Aromatic sulfide/ketone polymer is prepared from dihaloaromatic ketone, alkali metal sulfide, water and a polar organic compound. The polymerization reaction mixture comprising the aromatic sulfide/ketone polymer is subjected to a heat soak at elevated temperature then a separation agent (non-solvent) is added under controlled conditions and subsequently cooled to provide a mixture comprising particulate aromatic sulfide/ketone polymer.

Abstract: A composition is provided which consists essentially of a blend of poly(arylene sulfide) polymers, fibrous reinforcement, a hydrotalcite, a nucleating agent, an organosilane, a mold release agent and optionally a pigment. The invention composition is particularly useful for injection molding applications.

Abstract: This invention provides a process to produce aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymers exhibiting high molecular weight, and having a light or "whitish" coloration. This process employs a dihaloaromatic sulfone, a sulfur-containing compound and a 1,3-dialkyl-2-imidazolidinone. These lighter colored polymers are more preferable commercially and may be useful in the production of coatings, films, molded objects, and glass or carbon fiber composites.