Abstract: A method of synthesizing trimethylene carbonate is disclosed involving (a) reacting 1,3-propanediol and a compound chosen from phosgene and bis-chloroformates to form a polycarbonate intermediate having the structure: wherein n is at least 2; R1 is an end group chosen from H, R3-Cl, R3-OH and —C(O)Cl, where R3 is C1-C6 linear or branched alkyl and R2 is an end group chosen from —OCH2CH2CH2Cl, —OCH2CH2CH2OH and Cl; and (b) providing a combination of temperature and pressure corresponding to vapor phase conditions for trimethylene carbonate.

Abstract: A fire retardant, intumescent, curable composition for use in composite materials has as its principal ingredients a curable resin system and a fire retardant combination of a polyhydroxy compound, a polyphosphate, a nitrogen-containing compound and a polyacrylate monomer. Significant reduction of the flame spread index is achieved.

Abstract: A fast-drying coating composition intended primarily as an automotive clear coat contains (A) 25 to 80 weight percent of an acrylic polyol which is the polymerization product of unsaturated monomers of which 0.5 to 15 percent by weight (based on resin solids weight of the monomers) is an acrylate having the structure: where R1=H or CH3, R3 is H or an alkyl group, R4 is an alkyl group, and R5 is an alkyl group containing at least four carbon atoms; and (B) 20 to 75 weight percent of a curing agent reactive with hydroxyl groups, particularly polyisocyanates.

Abstract: A method for applying a bus bar to the peripheral edge region of a shaped substrate is disclosed. The method involves: 1) applying a protective coating to a blank substrate; 2) edging the blank substrate to shape; 3) applying a conductive coating to the peripheral edge region of the shaped substrate; and 4) removing the protective coating, along with excess conductive material.

Abstract: In a dispersion containing acrylic polymer microparticles, particularly useful in automotive coatings, the dispersion is formed by free radical addition copolymerization of unsaturated monomers in a hydrocarbon dispersing medium in the presence of first and second polymeric dispersion stabilizers. The first polymeric dispersion stabilizer has an acrylic backbone and polyester side chains, and the second polymeric dispersion stabilizer is a branched polyester formed from the reaction of polyol, polyacid or anhydride, and fatty acid.

Abstract: A method of forming a liquid-permeable asbestos-free diaphragm for use in an electrolytic cell (e.g., a chlor-alkali cell) is described. The method comprises, (a) forming a liquid-permeable diaphragm base mat of asbestos-free material on a foraminous structure (e.g., a foraminous cathode structure); (b) drawing through the base mat a topcoat slurry comprising an aqueous medium (e.g., deionized water), water-insoluble inorganic particulate material (e.g., attapulgite clay) and alkali metal polyphosphate (e.g., tetrasodium pyrophosphate decahydrate); and (c) drying the formed diaphragm. The inorganic material of the topcoat slurry is deposited on and within the diaphragm base mat.

Abstract: By use of polymeric color effect pigment, comprising a plurality of particles essentially free from metallic material, preferably free from inorganic material, and formed from a large number of layers of polymeric materials whose refractive indices differ from each other, metallic, reflective, or colored appearance is provided to coatings or other polymeric products without the use of relatively dense pigments.

Abstract: A chemical feeder that produces a solution of a chemical treating agent, e.g., calcium hypochlorite, is described. The chemical feeder comprises a housing (22) having a base (36), side wall (20) extending upwardly from the base, and a closed upper end (28), all of which define a cavity (2). An elongated substantially vertical hollow container (10) is centrally located within the cavity. The bottom of the side wall (12) of the container is adjacent to the base, and contains a plurality of perforations 14 in the lower portion of the side wall, which is spaced from the inside side wall of the housing. At least one hollow canister (40) having a plurality of perforations (47, 49) in its base and the lower portion of its side wall is interposed, e.g., slidably received, within the container.

Abstract: A method of producing (S)-3-[2-{(methylsulfonyl)oxy}ethoxy]-4-(triphenylmethoxy)-1-butanol methane sulfonate using 1,3-butadiene and a ketoethanal to form an intermediate racemic mixture. The racemic mixture is resolved to remove one isomer from the reaction product mixture. Following resolution, the following steps are performed: reduce the isomer to an alcohol, react the alcohol with triphenylmethyl chloride, ozonalyze the resulting reaction product, reduce the ozonalyzed product to yield a diol and react the diol with a methane sulfonyl compound to form (S)-3-[2-{(methylsulfonyl)oxy}ethoxy]-4-(triphenylmethoxy)-1-butanol methane sulfonate. Alternatively, the racemic mixture may first be reduced and the resulting racemic alcohol mixture is resolved to isolate one isomer of the alcohol and the remaining process steps are followed.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition comprising a dispersion in an aqueous medium of an acrylic addition polymer having carboxyl groups in which a proportion of the carboxyl groups are derived from a carboxyl functional chain transfer agent, the composition also comprising a base in an amount sufficient to at least partially neutralise the carboxyl groups on the polymer.

Abstract: A method of operating a chlor-alkali electrolytic cell comprising a catholyte compartment containing a cathode, an anolyte compartment containing an anode, and a liquid-permeable diaphragm partitioning the catholyte and anolyte compartments, is described. The method comprises adding water-insoluble inorganic particulate material, e.g., clay mineral, and alkali metal polyphosphate, e.g., tetrasodium pyrophosphate, to the anolyte compartment of the electrolytic cell while the cell is operating. The water-insoluble inorganic particulate material and alkali metal polyphosphate may be added to the anolyte compartment in the form of an aqueous slurry.

Abstract: A fiber glass mat adapted to reinforce thermoplastic polymeric molding material is provided with improved flow properties in the molding process without sacrificing strength and without unduly increasing loft of the mat. The improvement is achieved by needling the mat from both sides with the number of needle punches per unit area on one side being greater than that on the opposite side.

Abstract: Coating compositions comprised of (a) a carboxyl functional adduct which is the reaction product of (i) a compound, polymer or oligomer containing pendant and/or terminal hydroxyl or epoxy functional groups and (ii) tartaric acid, malic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, or anhydrides of said acids; and an anhydride curing agent are disclosed. The coating compositions have accelerated tack-free times and enhanced adhesion to zinc-coated steel and cold rolled steel without the use of a chrome containing wash primer.

Abstract: A fast-drying coating composition intended primarily as an automotive clear coat that may be cured at ambient conditions is provided with VOC less than 4.0 (preferably about 3.5) by the use as a major film-forming component an acrylic polyol that is the product of a combination of alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers and hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate monomers, at least one of which in a specific embodiment is the reaction product of a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate and .epsilon.-caprolactone. The coating composition further includes a curing agent reactive with hydroxyl groups, particularly a polyisocyanate.

Abstract: Disclosed are curable compositions such as adhesives and coatings containing as an adhesion promoter N-acyl amino acids having the structure: ##STR1## wherein n is 0 or 1, R.sup.1 is an alkyl or aryl group having from one to 10 carbon atoms optionally including --COOH, R.sup.2 is an alkylene or arylene group having from one to 10 carbon atoms, and R.sup.3 is H, --COOH, alkyl or aryl groups having from one to 10 carbon atoms, or carboxyl-substituted alkyl or aryl groups having from one to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A copolymer having utility in coating compositions comprises the addition polymerization product of an alpha-olefin monocarboxylic acid having at least 8 carbon atoms (particularly undecylenic acid) and a mono- or di-ester of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or anhydride (e.g., dialkyl maleat). The copolymer may be provided with hydroxy functionality by reacting the carboxylic acid functionality with an epoxy compound to permit use in curable coatings. Alternatively the copolymer may be base neutralized to serve as a surfactant in aqueous dispersion polymerization.

Abstract: A water reducible polyurethane resin for use in coating compositions is provided with humidity resistance at relatively low cost by employing a urethane prepolymer which is the reaction product of (i) a polyisocyanate, (ii) a polyhydroxy compound which is the reaction product of an organic acid and an epoxy compound, at least one of which includes a hydrocarbon group of at least six carbon atoms, and (iii) a monomer having an anionic group and functionality reactive with isocyanate. Preferred embodiments employ C.sub.36 dimer diacid and the propylene oxide ester of neodecanoic acid to make the polyhydroxy compound.

Abstract: A radiation curable coating composition comprising: (A) an unsaturated polyester component; and (B) a non-polymerized, cocurable vinyl ether component. Component (B) may be separate from or structurally incorporated in the unsaturated polyester component. The vinyl ether component contains an average of at least two vinyl ether groups per molecule of the vinyl ether component.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion containing cellulose ester, the dispersion being polymeric microparticles comprised of cellulose ester and a polymer formed from at least two different vinyl monomers of which at least one vinyl monomer is polyethylenically unsaturated. The dispersion of microparticles is formed by a high stress technique prior to polymerization of the vinyl monomers in the presence of the cellulose ester. Typically the dispersion also contains surfactant. A method of making the stable, cellulose ester-containing aqueous dispersion by (a) mixing together a cellulose ester, at least two vinyl monomers of which at least one vinyl monomer is polyethylenically unsaturated, surfactant, and water to form an emulsion; (b) particulating the emulsified mixture of (a) into microparticles by a high stress technique; and (c) copolymerizing the vinyl monomers in the cellulose ester-containing particulated emulsion of (b) to form a crosslinked polymer within the microparticles of the dispersion.

Abstract: A liquid, radiation curable composition is disclosed that includes a reactive diluent to lower initial application viscosity without substantial reduction of cure rate. The composition of the present invention comprises: (a) an unsaturated polyester polymer; (b) a non-polymerized, cocurable polyfunctional vinyl ether component; and (c) a reactive diluent which is an unsaturated dioic acid ester having the following structural formula: ##STR1## wherein at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is a group that includes an oxygen with a carbon adlacent thereto and an abstractable hydrogen attached to the carbon.