Abstract: Polyolefins which have been modified by being graft polymerized with from about 1 to 15 weight percent of an acrylic acid or derivative thereof are outstanding nucleating agents when added to unmodified polyolefins in concentrations of about 0.1 to 15 weight percent.

Abstract: The response of middle distillates to flow improvers can be substantially improved by utilizing a dual-functioning flow improver composition which is a combination of two different wax modifying compounds. One of these functions as a wax growth arrester. The other functions as nucleating agent. Specifically, for example, it has been demonstrated that a copolymer of ethylene with vinyl acetate in combination with another copolymer of ethylene with vinyl acetate where either the vinyl acetate monomer is present in different proportions and/or the molecular weights are different is a flow improver combination which imparts significant improvements in the filterability of middle distillate fuels.

Abstract: Novel high impact plastics are prepared by the inclusion of 2 to 30 weight percent of chlorobutyl rubber in polymers of styrene and styrene-acrylonitrile and the grafting of said polymers onto said rubber. The graft copolymers are obtained by polymerizing the monomers of styrene or styrene-acrylonitrile in the presence of the chlorobutyl rubber, which is preferably precrosslinked.

Abstract: Modified polymers, particularly polyolefins having improved flow and in some instances improved adhesion properties over that of a polymeric, e.g. polyolefin, base stock used as a starting material, are produced by a controlled reaction often involving degradation in an extruder, in which an initiator is injected under conditions of either maximum distribution or intensive mixing wherein appreciable rheological, i.e. molecular weight distribution, changes in said base polymer occur. In some embodiments monomers are also grafted to said base stock, during said degradation process. In such instances, exceptional, novel, grafted polymers with high melt flow properties and other useful properties are obtained.

Abstract: Dicyanoformamides having aromatic moieties as novel composition of matter are prepared by the reaction of a diisocyanate having an aromatic moiety with two (2) moles of hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a specially defined, hindered catalyst which will not promote further polymerization.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing imides comprises reacting acid anhydrides with organic isocyanate groups in the presence of cyanide ion as a catalyst.

Abstract: Battery separators are produced from nonwoven mats of thermoplastic fibers by wetting the fibers with a surfactant-water mixture to modify the surface properties of the fibers in the nonwoven mat, vaporizing the water while depositing the surfactant on the fibers, heating the nonwoven mat prior to compressing and then compressing to increase the fiber-to-fiber bonding as well as to form the desired structure. During compressing, ribs may be formed by using appropriate embossed rolls or press plate patterns. After the compressing step, slitting, cooling and cutting steps are carried out to produce a battery separator of the desired dimensions.

Abstract: Solid polyolefins of alpha monoolefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms in the molecule such as, but not limited to, polyethylene and polypropylene containing a stearate radical such as calcium, zinc or magnesium stearate or stearic acid have added thereto an antifoaming amount of a barium compound which forms a water insoluble soap with the stearate radical in an alkaline solution.

Abstract: In the clean-up and recovery of isopropanol used to deash polypropylene prepared by the polymerization of propylene in the presence of a TiCl.sub.3.AlCl.sub.3 catalyst, the neutralized bottoms from the first stage of a two stage evaporization of isopropanol are deashed by adding a small quantity of water, which causes flocculation of a substantial portion of the ash in the bottoms which are separated from liquids in the system by centrifuging, with the centrate going to the second stage evaporization in which substantially only amorphous polypropylene is left as bottoms.

Abstract: Highly unusual and useful novel high-performance, oriented, lowcrystalline, essentially heterocyclic structures, e.g. films, are prepared from certain novel and important process sequences. These structures, e.g. films and fibers, possess a unique combination of minimal shrinkage at high temperatures, after orientation, coupled with negligible coefficent of expansion over an unusually wide temperature range.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes and techniques for forming either coatings or self-supporting films from polymeric powders which melt at high temperatures (>150.degree. C.) and cannot be made to fuse with the application of high temperatures. In particular, polyparabanic acid films and coatings are prepared from polyparabanic acid powders, utilizing vapors and mists of certain aprotic dipolar solvents.