Abstract: High molecular weight polycarbonates are prepared from hindered bisphenols in a reaction sequence involving conversion of the hindered bisphenol to the corresponding bischloroformate and subsequent treatment with an amine catalyst and aqueous base to effect polymerization by hydrolysis and condensation of the bischloroformate groups. Tertiary aliphatic and cycloaliphatic amine catalysts bearing at least one methyl group are found to be especially effective in promoting this polymerization reaction. Reaction rates and selectivities are shown to be superior to known methods employing tertiary amines lacking methyl groups attached to nitrogen, such as triethylamine. The inclusion of chain stoppers allows the preparation of well defined mixtures of polycarbonate oligomers from hindered bisphenols. Additionally, the methodology may be used to prepare symmetrical diaryl carbonates from hindered phenols.

Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a cellulosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate/terephthalate ester units. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: An optically coated article comprising a polymeric substrate, such as aromatic polycarbonate, and a plurality of optical coating layers comprising alternate layers of silicon dioxide and amorphous hydrogenated silicon or variations thereof, produced by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The article is characterized by essentially constant optical characteristics over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that efficiently compound high levels of inorganic filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer at a commercial rate into homogeneous filled and devolatilized silicone compositions. In the method, filled silicone compositions are compounded by compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a first compounding apparatus to produce a first dispersed composition and simultaneously compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a second compounding apparatus that shares a common extruder shaft with the first compounding apparatus to produce a second dispersed composition. The system comprises a first compounding apparatus and a sequential second compounding apparatus that shares a common shaft with the first compounding apparatus.

Abstract: Solid blends of rubbery polymers and amorphous or crystalline polymers, said blends being free-flowing at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature or crystalline melting temperature of the amorphous or crystalline polymer, are prepared by intimate mixing procedures. In general, said mixing conditions include high shear conditions sufficient to convert polymer A to dispersed particles coated with polymer B and produce a free-flowing powder blend.

Abstract: A method of predicting optimal injection molding cycle time includes the steps of performing a thermal analysis through a thickness of a part made using an injection mold, calculating shrinkage as a function of cooling time, calculating friction forces between the part and mold, calculating ejection forces based on the coefficient of friction and the calculated shrinkage calculating the induced stress in selected high stress areas on the part, and comparing the induced stress with material yield stress to determine an optimal cycle time window within which the part can be ejected without being damaged.

Abstract: Polycarbonates having a high level of endcapping and containing a low level of Fries rearrangement product are prepared from dihydroxy aromatic compounds, such as bisphenol A, and diaryl carbonates such as diphenyl carbonate in a two stage process involving a tetraalkyl phosphonium carboxylate catalyzed oligomerization of the reactants in a first reaction stage followed by the addition of an alkali metal hydroxide co-catalyst in the second stage of the polymerization reaction. The late addition of the co-catalyst provides improved polymerization reaction rates as judged by higher polycarbonate molecular weights. The amount of alkali metal hydroxide co-catalyst is small thus avoiding the formation of excessive amounts of Fries product. The method has been used to provide Fries product levels between 200 and 800 parts per million in polycarbonates having Mn values between 7,500 and 8,500 Daltons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic method comprising contacting at least one diaryl carbonate with one or more dihydroxy aromatic compounds in the presence of a transesterification catalyst under melt polymerization conditions to afford a product polycarbonate. The transesterifcation catalysts used according to the method of the present invention are alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of organic polyacids in combination with tetraalkyl ammonium or tetraalkyl phosphonium compounds which serve as co-catalysts. The transesterification catalysts are derived from polyacids containing both CO2H groups and SO3H groups and from polyacids containing exclusively CO2H groups or exclusively SO3H groups. The catalysts employed according to the method of the present invention provide polycarbonates having reduced levels of Fries rearrangement product relative to conventionally employed catalysts such as sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing phosphoramides having a glass transition temperature in one embodiment of at least about 0° C., in another embodiment of at least about 10° C., and in still another embodiment of at least about 20° C., the phosphoramides being substantially free of acidic, basic, or halide impurities, or their precursors. The invention also relates to resin compositions comprising at least one thermoplastic resin and at least one phosphoramide having a glass transition temperature of at least about 0° C., wherein the phosphoramide is prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to breathable absorbent articles like baby diapers, adult incontinence articles and in particular to sanitary napkins or pantiliners. According to the present invention the articles are provided with an apertured backsheet for breathability. At least one of the breathable layers of the backsheet comprises a resilient, three dimensional web which consists of a liquid impervious polymeric film having apertures. The apertures form capillaries which are designed such that the backsheet provides an increased barrier to liquid passage out of the article and maintains water vapor permeability when the web is exposed to compressive pressure.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source; an effective amount of at least one bromide composition; an effective amount of at least one activating organic solvent; an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one titanium source and at least one copper source; and an effective amount of at least one base.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of a dihydric phenol in the presence of a monohydric phenol uses spectroscopic detection at at least two wavelengths. Because the method does not require a chemical separation of the dihydric phenol and monohydric phenol, it is very rapid and particularly suitable for the analysis of large numbers of samples, such as those derived from combinatorial libraries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a luminescent display comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, an organic light emitting layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a luminescent material which receives light from the organic light emitting layer and converts the light to a different wavelength, wherein the first and second electrodes together define an overlap region in which the organic light emitting layer is activated to emit light, and the luminescent material is disposed in a portion of the overlap region. The invention also relates to a method comprising the steps of creating an image and printing the image on a light emitting device comprising an organic light emitting layer after the light emitting device has been formed. The image may be created, for example on a personal computer, and printed with an inkjet printer. The image may be printed in phosphors which emit light of one wavelength upon absorbing light of a different wavelength from the organic light emitting layer.

Abstract: A catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing ytterbium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for determining barrier properties of at least one barrier coating with respect to a plurality of fluids. These methods and systems include a combination of acoustic wave and optical detection measurements. A dual-response acoustic wave transducer coated with the barrier coating is exposed to one or more of the fluids. The effects on the barrier coating, such as permeation of the fluid or dissolution of the coating, are measured using acoustic wave and optical techniques and the corresponding barrier properties are determined with respect to the fluids.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor comprises two solid, nonporous current collectors, two porous electrodes separating the collectors, a porous separator between the electrodes and an electrolyte occupying the pores in the electrodes and separator. At least one of the current collectors comprises a conductive metal substrate coated with a metal nitride, carbide or boride coating.

Abstract: An airfoil having a melting temperature of at least about 1500° C. and comprising a first piece and a second piece joined by a braze to the first piece. The first piece comprises one of a first niobium-based refractory metal intermetallic composite and a first molybdenum-based refractory metal intermetallic composite, and the second piece comprises one of a second niobium-based refractory metal intermetallic composite and a second molybdenum-based refractory metal intermetallic composite. The braze joining the first piece to the second piece comprises one of germanium and silicon, and one of chromium, titanium, gold, aluminum, palladium, platinum, and nickel. This abstract is submitted in compliance with 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b) with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention relates to plastic working of metals and alloys, predominantly low-plastic and hard-to-work ones, e.g., nickel-, titanium-, and iron-base high-temperature alloys, and producing billets for parts made by plastic working of said billets. The method comprises thermomechanical processing which is performed beginning with the temperature at which a total content of precipitates or an allotropic modification of the matrix exceeds 7%, followed by a stage-by-stage decrease of the working temperature down to the temperature at which a stable fine-grained microstructure of the material is obtained, with ratio between the grain size of various phases differing by not more than 10 times, the billet under processing undergoes deformation with a 1.2 to 3.9 times change in the billet cross-sectional area. When preparing billets from nickel-base alloys a stage-by-stage decrease of the working temperature is carried out so as to provide a maximum 14% gain in the &ggr;-phase at each stage.

Abstract: A superalloy weld composition includes: up to about 5.1 wt % Co; about 7.2 to about 9.5 wt % Cr; about 7.4 to about 8.4 wt % Al; about 4.3 to about 5.6 wt % Ta; about 0.1 to about 0.5 wt % Si; about 0.1 to about 0.5 wt % Hf; up to about 0.05 wt % C; up to about 0.05 wt % B; about 0 to about 2.2 Re; about 2.7 to about 4.4 wt % W; and balance Ni and typical impurities.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a channel is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core therebetween. The channel length is at least 10% of the length of the absorbent core. The channel has at least one first portion and at least one second portion being of different compression relative to one another. The first portion extends continuously along at least 30% of the length of the channel.