Abstract: Acrylate monomers such as methyl methacrylate, or other suitable monomers such as lactams, lactones, or acrylamides, are polymerized by reaction injection molding (RIM) utilizing a combination of organo group-4 catalysts, e.g., a neutral organo catalyst and a cationic organo catalyst. Preferably a Lewis acid is utilized which reacts with the neutral organo catalyst and forms in situ the cationic organo catalyst. Significant exotherms are rapidly generated and result in short cure times and typically in high conversions of at least 95 percent by weight of the monomer. The catalysts of the present invention give good control of tacticity and thus high Tg polymers such as syndiotactic methyl methacrylate can be produced.

Abstract: A one-part, solvent free in-mold coating composition exhibiting good hardness, good crack resistance, and good adhesion to fiber reinforced plastic substrates includes a blend of a urethane polyacrylate compound having three or more (meth)acrylate groups, a urethane diacrylate or urethane divinyl compound, one or more adhesion promoters, and one or more ethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable monomers.

Abstract: A moisture-permeable acoustic lamina which is usable as a wall covering has a foraminous woven fabric layer adhered to a fabric backing by a discontinuous thermoplastic polymer layer. The woven fabric preferably has an embossed undulate outer surface to enhance the acoustic properties of the lamina and to impart an aesthetic textural appearance. The individual yarns of the woven fabric are preferably substantially uniformly coated with a polyvinyl chloride plastisol to impart stain and wear-resistance, inhibit the growth of molds, fungi, bacteria and the like, and to enhance the appearance of the exposed face of the lamina. The moisture-permeable lamina structure allows wall covering paste, used to adhere the lamina to a wall, to dry at an acceptable rate, yet does not allow paste to bleed through the foraminous woven fabric layer.

Abstract: A latex useful as a binder for paper, nonwovens, and textiles is prepared by copolymerizing in aqueous emulsion using a redox initiator at 5.degree. C. a mixture of 35 to 60% weight of a conjugated diene monomer and from about 30 to 65% by weight of a vinyl aryl monomer. Additional improvements can be obtained by incorporating in the mixture a small percentage by weight of copolymerizable monomers such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid and/or a functional type monomer having an activatable methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl ester group and a vinyl group.

Abstract: A latex binder composition which is the reaction product of a conjugated diene monomer and a vinyl-substituted aromatic monomer along with minor amounts of other comonomers including acrylamide or a derivative thereof, methacrylic acid, N-methylolacrylamide, and optional unsaturated carboxylic acids, has an average particle size of less than 1,500 .ANG.. The latex binder which has good stability can be used on nonwoven cellulosic based substrates to impart high wet tensile strength thereto.

Abstract: An anti-fracture, water-resistant, masonry-bondable membrane comprises a lamina having a central layer generally containing at least one ply of a flexible material, e.g., an organic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride, generally in the form of a sheet, and a nonwoven fiber layer physically bonded to each side thereof. The formation of the lamina is generally accomplished by laminating a single, nonwoven layer to a layer or sheet of a flexible material in the presence of heat and pressure to produce a construction wherein the nonwoven fibers are partially embedded in the flexible material. Subsequently, two such constructions are bonded together under heat and pressure to produce essentially a four-ply lamina wherein the layers of flexible material such as a polymer are fused to one another.

Abstract: Low air permeable, pressurized articles such as play balls, e.g., a tennis ball, have a thin barrier layer formed on the vulcanized rubber core. The barrier layer is chemically bonded to the internal and/or external surface of the core, e.g., by the reaction of a Lewis acid, e.g., sulfur trioxide, with the core rubber. The thin barrier layer permits the tennis ball to be flexible and have good rebound life and yet extends the play life thereof before ball rebound or softness changes to undesired levels.

Abstract: A latex binder composition which is the reaction product of a conjugated diene monomer and a vinyl-substituted aromatic monomer along with minor amounts of other comonomers including acrylamide or a derivative thereof, methacrylic acid, N-methylolacrylamide, and optional unsaturated carboxylic acids, has an average particle size of less than 1,500 .ANG.. The latex binder which has good stability can be used on nonwoven cellulosic based substrates to impart high wet tensile strength thereto.

Abstract: The thermoplastic elastomer compositions contain a continuous phase or matrix of an engineering thermoplastic such as ester polymer and a discontinuous phase of an acrylic rubber which is cured substantially by using epoxidized oils. The cured composition which can be dynamically vulcanized has good physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, and high temperature resistance.

Abstract: A belt-line weather sealing strip for sealing the opening between a vehicle window housing and a slidable window pane includes an elongate, relatively rigid, thermoplastic base having at least one integrally attached thermoplastic resilient fastening means which extends downwardly and has a longitudinal slot which is capable of engaging an aperture edge portion of the housing forming the belt-line portion of the window opening. The sealing strip also includes a relatively flexible, elastomeric sealing element joined to the thermoplastic base. The fastening means is inserted downwardly through a vehicle window housing aperture and then moved horizontally to effect a secure engagement of the sealing strip with the housing.

Abstract: Sheet molded compound articles which optionally can be in-mold coated have the edges and exterior margin surfaces thereof sealed with a water-free and solventless fine particle size powder coating. The coating thickness has a gradual and smooth transition from the sealed edge to the non powder coated exterior surface thereby eliminating the need for sanding. The desired method of application is by electrostatic spraying and the cured powder coating is free of pops.

Abstract: An automotive wheelhouse sealing strip for providing a secondary seal to prevent infiltration and accumulation of dirt and mud in the gap between a rear door and a rear door opening in the vicinity of the wheelhouse of a four-door sedan vehicle includes a fully molded weather sealing member which is formed to accurately conform to the shape of the portion of the door opening to which the weather sealing member is to be attached, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing tight engagement between the vehicle body and the sealing member. The sealing strip generally includes a weather sealing lip having a sealing surface which sealingly abuts an inner peripheral surface of a vehicle rear door when the rear door is in the closed position, and a base portion which is adapted to be attached to a vehicle body part at a peripheral surface generally defining the rear door opening.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a movable window pane which is raisable or lowerable in a vehicle window opening includes a one-piece, closed-loop construction which is formed from two molded sealing elements secured together to form a sealing member adapted to be secured along the periphery of a window opening and to provide continuous sealing engagement with the interior and exterior periphery of the movable window pane. The one-piece seal assembly replaces a plurality of individual sealing components which are conventionally used to provide the weather seal between a vehicle window opening and a movable window pane which slides up or down to open or close the window opening.

Abstract: A primerless, one-part, heat curable, low volatile organic compound, polyurethane composition comprises a blocked polyurethane prepolymer made from a liquid hydroxyl terminated intermediate and an excess of a polyisocyanate, a curing agent, silicone and/or low friction polymer and optional fillers. Upon cure of the polyurethane composition, the silicone oil and/or low friction polymer generally imparts low friction and high abrasive resistant properties. A desired use is as a glass run channel coating.

Abstract: An anti-fracture, water-resistant, masonry-bondable membrane comprises a lamina having a central layer generally containing at least one ply of a flexible material, e.g., an organic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride, generally in the form of a sheet, and a nonwoven fiber layer physically bonded to each side thereof. The formation of the lamina is generally accomplished by laminating a single, nonwoven layer to a layer or sheet of a flexible material in the presence of heat and pressure to produce a construction wherein the nonwoven fibers are partially embedded in the flexible material. Subsequently, two such constructions are bonded together under heat and pressure to produce essentially a four-ply lamina wherein the layers of flexible material such as a polymer are fused to one another.

Abstract: Polymeric blends suitable for making plastic sheets and laminas which exhibit improved flexural durability while retaining stiffness and impact strength include a core made from a blend comprising polyvinyl chloride resin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl ester copolymer, one or more acrylic polymers or copolymers, a chlorinated polyolefin, a solid tin stabilizer, and one or more ester waxes. The lamina, which is suitable for use as an extended life credit card, is prepared by forming a polymeric blend of a core material into a base layer sheet material which is subsequently treated to reduce surface tension and improve ink adhesion thereto, then printed with desired indicia, and finally provided with a contact-transparent protective overlay which is laminated thereto.

Abstract: A process for repairing surface defects in plastic articles, especially plastic articles formed from fiber reinforced thermosetting resins, includes the steps of applying a powder coating composition to a defective area on the surface of a plastic article, curing the applied powder coating composition through the application of heat, and removing excess cured powder coating composition from the area of the defect to conform the area of the defect to the proper contours of the plastic article. The process can be utilized for repairing surface defects such as porosity, scratches, gouges and sand-through areas of cured thermoset substrates such as automotive body panels formed from sheet or bulk molding compounds.

Abstract: A one-piece glass run guide for retaining and smoothly guiding a slidable vehicle window includes a polymeric strip having a substantially U-shaped transverse cross section including a base, an inboard leg having a projecting lip portion which engages an interior surface of a slidable vehicle window, and an outboard leg having a projecting lip portion which engages an exterior surface of the slidable vehicle window. The glass run guide can be formed such as by injection or compression molding, extruded, or can be formed from a combination of molded and extruded portions.

Abstract: A closed injection mold for molding liquid resins into molded plastic articles containing at least one vent apparatus having a reciprocating vent pin operative to retract to open the vent opening and extend to close the vent opening. Each vent apparatus is responsive to a full resin level in the mold cavity to close the vent opening. When the vent opening is closed, cleansing fluid is automatically circulated through the debris charge line of the vent apparatus to clear the venting channels prior to the resin debris hardening.

Abstract: A weather sealing strip for sealing the opening between the periphery of a vehicle window opening and a slidable window pane includes an elongate, relatively rigid, thermoplastic backbone having at least one integrally attached thermoplastic fastening means which is adapted for insertion into an opening or slot of a sheet metal member forming the periphery of a window opening, and includes a relatively flexible, elastomeric, sealing element joined to the thermoplastic backbone. The sealing strip reduces the number of separate components and the number of steps needed to mount a sealing strip to a vehicle window opening.