Abstract: Thermosetting resins which are essentially vinylbenzyl end-capped ethers of the oligomeric condensation products of certain dihydric phenols and formaldehyde are readily polymerized to give an extensively cross-linked polymer particularly useful in printed circuit boards and similar laminates. Effective cost reduction may be enjoyed by replacing up to 50% of the vinylbenzyl moieties by other groups, such as alkyl and benzyl groups, without destroying the usefulness of the resulting thermosetting resins. The vinylbenzyl ether product from bisphenol-A is especially recommended.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic composite and a process for reducing the ignition temperature of diesel soot. The process comprises contacting an exhaust gas from a diesel engine, which exhaust contains diesel soot, with a catalytic composite. The composite comprises a sulfur resistant refractory inorganic oxide selected from the group consisting of titania, zirconia, silica, silica-alumina and alumina which has been treated to be sulfur resistant, i.e. alumina treated with titania, zirconia, etc. which has deposited thereon at least one catalytic element selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd and Rh. The inorganic oxide may be deposited on ceramic or metallic traps.

Abstract: Chlorofluorocarbon solvents, particularly R113, may be purified by removing SO.sub.2 or its equivalent to the level of below about 0.3 ppb by contact with alumina or zeolites.

Abstract: A die for forming honeycomb structures has an arrangement that facilitates fabrication and the support of channel forming pins across the surface of the die by the use of multiple die sections. The die is used for forming multi-channeled honeycomb structures from extrudable materials. The die has a first die body that has an inlet face and outlet face and integrally formed channel forming pins that extend past the outlet face of the die. A set of integrally formed links interconnect the channeled pins and support the channeled pins from the die body. Together the channel forming pins and links define a set of cavity for passing extrudable material through the die body. The die includes at least one additional die body, which is at least partially superimposed above the inlet face of the first die body.

Abstract: There are described vinyl ether terminated ester oligomers which cure or polymerize particularly rapidly, especially by cationic polymerization which is radiation induced in the presence of an onium salt. The oligomeric units arise from the reaction of a polycarboxylic acid having at least three carboxylic acid groups with a diol, although esters with triols and higher polyhydric diols also are useful, especially where an extensively cross-linked product is desired. The carboxyl-terminated oligomeric esters are esterfied with vinyl ether terminated alcohols which can be thought of as the adducts of alkynes and diols.

Abstract: Products for the personal care industry are formulated with gels comprising a telomer-copolymer of ethylene and a silane, and a solvent. Preferably a silicone oil or a substitute is included with sufficient solvent to provide a stable ternary gel. The gels provide the inherent advantages of silicones in such applications while reducing the amount required and improving stability of the formulations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a crystalline compound having an empirical formula LaCr.sub.x A.sub.1-x O.sub.4 yH.sub.2 O where A is a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Sr, Ca and Ba, x ranges from 0.99 to about 0.7 and y ranges from 0 to 0.15. The process comprises adding a solution of the appropriate metal salts to a solution of ammonium hydroxide thereby precipitating a hydroxide gel intermediate, which is dried and calcined in air to yield the resultant crystalline compound which has a huttonite structure. Additionally, this invention relates to a process for the preparation of a ceramic powder having the empirical formula LaCr.sub.x A.sub.1-x O.sub.3, where A is a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Sr, Ca and Ba, and x ranges from 0.99 to about 0.7. Finally, a ceramic composition having the empirical formula LaCr.sub.x A.sub.1-x O.sub.4 yH.sub.2 O having a huttonite structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Chlorine-resistant semipermeable membranes which comprise an interfacial polymerized reaction product composite on a porous support backing material may be prepared by contacting a porous support material such as polysulfone with an aqueous solution of an aromatic polyamine, said aqueous solution containing a polyhydric compound and an acid acceptor. The coated support material is then contacted with an organic solvent solution of an aromatic polycarboxylic acid halide for a period of time sufficient to form an interfacial polymerized reaction product on the surface of the support material. The resulting composite is then post treated by washing with an alkaline compound, leaching with sodium bisulfite and treating the leached composite with a polyhydric compound. The resultant membrane composite may be used in separation processes such as the desalination of brackish or sea water, trhe membrane being resistant to attack by chlorine which is present in the water.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a phosphoric acid in a mutually miscible solvent. A reference gas or a solid reference substance is used. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds such as ketones and fluorocarbons are removed from vapor streams by contacting the vapor stream with a bed of an adsorbent comprising a binderless carbon molecular sieve. The carbon molecular sieves are characterized by their method of manufacture which includes forming a polymer from oxygen-free precursors and carbonizing directly to the finished sieve material in the absence of oxygen.

Abstract: A method is described for producing hydrophobic carbon molecular sieves. The method does not employ a binder to form or shape previously carbonized materials. Instead, a cross-linked oxygen-free polymer is first produced. Fine particles of this polymer are then pelletized or shaped as by simple extrusion. The extruded pellets are then carbonized in an oxygen-free atmosphere to yield binderless homogeneous particles of similar shape comprised of carbon sieves.

Abstract: Anion exchange resins which have been exchanged with molybdate at acid pH are effective catalysts for epimerizing compounds with the structural unit: ##STR1## Cheif among these are aldoses, especially aldopentoses and aldohexoses, as well as some deoxy-sugars. A method for the continuous epimerization of aldoses and other compounds having the necessary structural feature shown using a fixed bed of molybdate-exchanged resin is quite efficient, and can be employed in enhancing the yield of the thermodynamically formed epimer which is produced as the minor epimer in a mixture under kinetic control.

Abstract: A method for forming honeycomb structures by stepwise formation of channel walls reduces the pressure loading imposed by the extrudable material on a die that uses this method, facilitates the formation of well knitted channel walls, and requires only a minimum amount of lateral flow in the discharge zone to perform final interconnections between channel walls that have been substantially formed upstream of the discharge zone. The method presses extrudable material in substantially axial flow through a fist partitioning zone and subdivides the material into a series of flow segments having on their outer surfaces a portion of the channel wall surfaces formed. The extrudable material passes from the first partitioning zone in substantially axial flow while at least a portion of the channel walls formed in the first partitioning zone are maintained on the surface of the segments.

Abstract: Acid gases such as carbon dioxide are removed from air or other gases using a unique carbon-based material. The material is a carbon molecular sieve prepared from oxygen-free precursors carbonized in the absence of oxygen. The pores of the material are then enlarged as by high temperature steaming. Alcohol amines are then used to impart an amine functionality to the materials. A gas to be treated is contacted with this material at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, with the adsorbed gas being released by heating to a moderate temperature.

Abstract: Homogeneous thermoset copolymers which may be used in the preparation of laminates for circuitry boards will comprise a poly(vinyl benzyl ether) of a polyphenol and a polyalkadiene in which the alkadiene monomer will contain from 3 to about 8 carbon atoms. The polymers are prepared by admixing a solution of the poly(vinyl benzyl ether) of a polyphenol dissolved in an organic solvent with a solution of the polyalkadiene also dissolved in an organic solvent. The admixing is done at an elevated temperature to form the desired composite. The resulting copolymer will possess desirable characteristics such as high glass transition temperature and low dielectric constant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing an electrochemical process involving hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. Specific applications are fuel cells for producing an electrical current and separation of hydrogen from a gaseous mixture. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a phosphoric acid in a mutually miscible solvent. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support. In one embodiment, the membrane may be formed into a hollow fiber having electrically conductive particles with catalyst embedded in the fiber walls; a multiplicity of such fibers may be used to form a hydrogen separation device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises a three-component blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), with an inorganic compound, such as a phosphoric acid, and a poly organic acid, such as poly(acrylic acid), in a mutually miscible solvent. A reference gas or a solid reference substance is used. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing an electrochemical process involving hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentraton cell. Specific applications are fuel cells for producing an electrical current and separation of hydrogen from a gaseous mixture. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises a three-component blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), with an inorganic comound, such as a phosphoric acid, and a polyorganic acid, such as poly(acrylic acid), in a mutually miscible solvent. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support. In one embodiment, electrically conductive particles with catalyst are partially embedded in the membrane to form a hydrogen separating device.

Abstract: Homogeneous thermosetting copolymers comprising a mixture of styrene-terminated tetrakisphenols and compounds containing at least one pendant vinyl group as exemplified by styrene-terminated tetrakisphenol ethane and styrene-terminated bisphenol A will possess desirable characteristics such as low dielectric constants and high glass transition temperatures. These polymers may be utilized as a component in laminates or circuit boards which are employed in relatively complicated pieces of electronic equipment.

Abstract: Substituted pyridine compounds particularly alkyl-substituted pyridines, are directly fluorinated to the corresponding 2-fluoro alkyl-substituted pyridines. Fluorine gas, preferably diluted with an inert gas, is passed into the substituted pyridine, preferably in a solvent, at a temperature of +25.degree. C. to -40.degree. C., preferably about -25.degree. C.