Abstract: A cable splice is environmentally sealed by positioning around it a stretched sheet of a curable elastomeric composition, allowing the sheet to relax into engagement, and then curing the composition. The composition may comprise a polychloroprene elastomer and a polyepoxide and optionally a curing agent, the polyepoxide present in sufficient quantity that it can act as a plasticizer.

Abstract: Polymers of low surface energy, particularly fluoropolymers, may be surface treated by deposition of thin layer of carbon, particularly by magnetron sputtering. Such surface treating improved bondability and printability.

Abstract: An article, suitable for use as a body implant, is made from a novel composition comprising a multiple phase polymer composition comprising:(a) a first phase which comprises a substantially nonhydrophilic polymeric component; and(b) a second phase which comprises a hydrophilic polymeric component;said composition (i) being capable of absorbing water to an extent that it softens with a softening ratio of at least about 2:1 and/or swells with a swelling ratio of at least about 1.3:1; and (ii) when substantially completely hydrated has an energy to break of at least about 700 N-cm/cm.sup.3 and a 2.5% Secant modulus of less than about 7,000 N/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A graphic artwork includes a thin film coating layer thereon which includes a copper oxide which is substantially opaque to ultraviolet light and partially transmissive to visible light and suitable for printing circuiting on a printed circuit board or for other graphic artwork. In the case where the thin film compound includes unoxidized copper, etching thereof to achieve a predetermined pattern on the graphic artwork is facilitated by using a mixture of ammonium chloride and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A process for producing an aromatic polyketone which comprises polymerizing an appropriate monomer or monomers by a Friedel-Crafts polymerization reaction using a Lewis acid catalyst. A controlling agent such as a Lewis base may be added to the reaction medium and/or the reaction is conducted under specified conditions to control the reaction. The reaction medium comprises, for example, aluminum trichloride as the Lewis acid, an organic Lewis base such as N,N-dimethylformamide or an inorganic Lewis base such as sodium or lithium chloride, and a diluent such as methylene chloride or dichloroethane. The amount of Lewis acid, the amount of Lewis base, the temperature of the reaction and the monomer to diluent molar ratio are varied depending on the monomer system to obtain melt-processable, high molecular weight, substantially linear polymers, for example poly(carbonyl-p-phenylene-oxy-p-phenylene), poly(carbonyl-p-phenylene-oxy-p-phenylene-oxy-p-phenylene), and the like.

Abstract: Poly(arylene ether ketones) are prepared by a Friedel-Crafts polymerization wherein a gelled reaction mixture is produced, by permitting the polymerization to proceed in a first reactor until substantial partial polymerization has occurred, but before substantial gelation of the reaction mixture; transferring the partially polymerized reaction mixture into a piston-equipped second reactor; permitting polymerization to continue in the second reactor until a gelled, polymerized reaction mixture has been obtained; and discharging the polymerized reaction mixture from the second reactor by stroking the piston.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a wraparound heat recoverable sleeve, and a resilient girdle provided with means for fastening opposed edge regions thereof together, thereby enabling the girdle to hold the sleeve in its wrapped configuration during recovery.The girdle is particularly suitable for use with sleeves that are wrapped around an object more than once.

Abstract: Friedel Crafts preparation of aryl carbonyl compounds having an exceptionally high degree of isomeric purity and freedom from by-products can be achieved by adding to the Lewis acid reaction system a protic controlling agent selected from ROX, water, RCOOX, RSO.sub.3 X, and ROY, wherein R is organic, X is hydrogen or metal, and Y is metal. Contrary to conventional expectation, the protic agent does not significantly alkylate or acylate the Friedel Crafts reaction product.

Abstract: Curved composite articles, for example aeronautical radomes, are given a curved surface layer by consolidation under heat and pressure of a fusible polymeric fabric. Polyaryletherketone fabrics are preferred.

Abstract: A self-contained solder delivery device comprises a housing, a quantity of solder together with flux and a pressuring means for forcing the solder from the housing. The device can be used in a connector for use in connecting the conductors of electric power cables.

Abstract: An electrode, preferably of a conductive polymer, has on its surface, preferably over all of its surface, an ion exchange material, preferably of significant thickness. Such a coated electrode may be used for sensing the presence or measuring the concentration of an ionic species, or for removal from or release of an ionic species into an electrode.

Abstract: An article, suitable for use as a body implant, is made from a novel composition comprising a multiple phase polymer composition comprising:(a) a first phase which comprises a substantially non-hydrophilic polymeric component; and(b) a second phase which comprises a hydrophilic polymeric component;said composition (i) being capable of absorbing water to an extent that it softens with a softening ratio of at least about 2:1 and/or swells with a swelling ratio of at least about 1.3:1; and (ii) when substantially completely hydrated has an energy to break of at least about 700 N-cm/cm.sup.3 and a 2.5% Secant modulus of less than about 7,000 N/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Aromatic oligomers, in particular arylene ketone and arylene sulfone oligomers, are prepared by reacting an appropriate monomer system in the presence of free Lewis acid and a complex between a Lewis acid, for example, aluminum trichloride, and a Lewis base, for example, N,N-dimethylformamide, and, optionally, a diluent, such as methylene chloride. The process is particularly advantageous for the preparation of substantially or all paralinked arylene ether ketone oligomers as the presence of the Lewis acid/Lewis base complex markedly reduces alkylation and ensures the substantial absence of ortho substitution. The monomer system can be, for example, a self-reacting monomer such as p-phenoxy-benzoyl chloride or a two-monomer system such as 1,4-diphenoxybenzene and terephthaloyl chloride.

Abstract: This invention discloses novel composition comprising a blend of a poly(aryl ether ketone) and from about 1% to about 50% of poly(phenylene oxide). The blends have high use temperatures, abraision resistance and solvent resistance, and are extrudable. Further, the blends can be crosslinked.

Abstract: A marker assembly 1 comprises a support layer 2 that has a surface which is provided with a porous coating 3 of a curable material, e.g. a particulate epoxy coating. The coating may be printed on using for example an ink jet printer to form indicia 6, and may be cured after the indicia have been formed in order to render them substantially indelible. The opposite side of the support layer 2 may be provided with suitable means for supporting the maker on a surface, e.g. a layer 4 of adhesive. The marker may be formed from a dimensionally stable or dimensionally heat-recoverable material.

Abstract: A method is provided for stabilizing a poly(arylene ether ketone), comprising the steps of:(a) digesting the poly(arylene ether ketone) in an aqueous medium to remove polymerization solvent, and(b) hydrothermally treating the poly(arylene ether ketone) by heating it to a temperature of at least 160.degree. C. while contacting it with water.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a poly(arylene ether ketone), which method comprises in one embodiment heating the poly(arylene ether ketone) at a temperature between about 240.degree. C. and about 325.degree. C. for a period of between about 0.5 and about 24 hours, prior to any melt-processing of the poly(arylene ether ketone) and in another embodiment hydrothermally treating the poly(arylene ether ketone) by heating it to a temperature of at least 160.degree. C. while contacting it with water.

Abstract: A double-walled article in the form of a tube having a small volume filling of a friction-reducing liquid or solid between its two walls. The article is able to revolve over a substrate by relative sliding motion between its two walls, to provide environmental or electrical protection.

Abstract: Novel aromatic poly(ether ketones) having imide, amide, ester, azo, quinoxaline, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, or benzothiazole groups, comprising, for example, a repeat unit ##STR1## are prepared by Friedel Crafts polymerization.

Abstract: An article having a surface comprising an olefin polymer is marked with indicia using an ink comprising a binder capable of substantially complete cure at a temperature of about 100.degree. to 300.degree. C. for less than about 10 minutes and then heated to cure the binder. The indicia are permanent, e.g. are resistant to being rubbed off and are solvent resistant. Heat-recoverable marker sleeves having such permanent indicia are particularly useful for marking wires, e.g. in aircraft harnessing.