Abstract: An extrusion head for a blow molding machine wherein a movable plunger is slidably mounted in a distributor head which receives a melt at an inlet end of its channel and directs it along such channel to the terminal end of the channel while simultaneously directing portions of it along spiral radial paths to the lower circumferential edge of the distributor head to fill an accumulator chamber which also causes the plunger to recede facilitating the filling of the accumulator chamber. The channel as defined by the adjacent circumferential wall and the curvilinear contour on the distributor head defines a smooth integral flow channel that is curvilinear in cross section.

Abstract: Blend compositions and process are provided comprising admixing of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride, each having specified inherent viscosity wherein the difference in the inherent viscosity of the polyvinyl chloride of the blend, measured in similar accordance with ASTM-D1243 is at least 0.2 units higher than the precursor polyvinyl chloride for the chlorinated polyvinyl chloride of the blend. Preferably the I.V. of the polyvinyl halide is from 0.2 to 1.0 units higher with the most preferred difference in I.V. (.DELTA.I.V.) being 0.35 to 0.65 units so as to yield a balance of property improvements including tensile strength, impact resistance, heat distortion temperature and weatherability. The compositions also can further comprise a Tg enhancing agents which otherwise embrittle conventional PVC compounds.

Abstract: A two-step process for the post-chlorination of PVC homopolymer and other predominantly vinyl chloride-containing polymers is disclosed, which process produces chlorinated PVC ("CPVC") containing at least 70% by weight Cl, in a fast, but controllable, aqueous, two-step process catalyzed using an organic peroxide catalyst instead of actinic radiation. Less than 10% excess Cl remains after the second stage, even when 75 wt% Cl CPVC is made. In the first step, an aqueous slurry of PVC is chlorinated in the absence of liquid chlorine and free oxygen, preferably at a starting temperature in the range from about 30.degree. C. to 75.degree. C., in the presence of at least an essentially stoichiometric amount of chlorine required to make the desired Cl content in the end product, and, a catalytic amount of the peroxy catalyst, at least sufficient to produce `first step CPVC` having an intermediate Cl level of chemically bound Cl in the range from 67% to 72% by weight. The temperature is maintained below the T.sub.

Abstract: Solid solution catalyst in particulate form consisting of attrition resistant .alpha.-Al.sub.2 0.sub.3 particles with 0.5 to 10% by weight, expressed as the oxide, of iron cations substituted for aluminum cations in said catalyst support stabilized with 0.5 to 10% by weight, expressed as the oxide, of lanthanum and modified with at least two, preferably three, metal cations selected from the metals consisting of chromium, cobalt, magnesium, manganese, and barium; wherein one of said metal cations is barium and said catalyst has X-ray diffraction pattern with peak positions different than that of the .alpha.-Al.sub.2 0.sub.3 structure. A process is disclosed which produces ethylene from ethane while producing reduced amounts of vinyl chloride from said ethane to ethylene process.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer resins are described which comprise vinyl halide grafted to crosslinked acrylic latex particles comprising predominantly acrylate-containing, crosslinked polymer chains derived from(A) at least one acrylate monomer of the formulaCH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sub.1)C(O)OR.sub.2 (I)wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl; and R.sub.2 is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxy alkyl or alkyl thioalkyl group containing from 2 to about 7 carbon atoms, or a cyano alkyl group containing from 2 to about 7 carbon atoms; and(B) at least one alpha, beta-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, provided that the dicarboxylic acid repeating units are optional when the TPE resin contains less than about 35% by weight of vinyl halide.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer blends containing polyvinyl chloride having improved oil resistance, exceptionally low compression set and softness are made by mixing a polyvinyl chloride-acrylate copolymer with effective amounts of cured acrylate elastomers. The polyvinyl chloride-acrylate copolymer has an inherent viscosity of from about 0.3 to about 4.0 and is made from a vinyl constituent which is a vinyl chloride monomer with an optional vinyl component comonomer and one or more acrylate monomers having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an aliphatic, an aromatic, or combinations thereof, having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a halogen derivative thereof, or hydrogen, and R.sup.

Abstract: Thermal stability of vinyl halide polymers is enhanced by the use of dienophiles such as N-alkyl maleimides, and bis compounds thereof, disclosed herein. The maleimides and bis compounds thereof produce synergistic results in terms of thermal stability of vinyl halide polymers when used in conjunction with conventional metal-containing thermal stabilizers. Environmental concerns are abated and certain other advantages are realized if the maleimides disclosed herein are used in conjunction with conventional nonmetallic thermal stabilizers to stabilize vinyl halide polymers against heat deterioration. Bis compounds of the N-alkyl maleimides disclosed herein, when used as thermal stabilizers for vinyl halide polymers, promote crosslinking without degrading the vinyl halide polymer.

Abstract: Blend compositions are provided comprising first polyvinyl chloride and a second polyvinyl chloride wherein the inherent viscosity (I.V.) of the second polyvinyl chloride, measured in accordance with ASTM1243 is at least about 0.2 units higher than the I.V. of the first polyvinyl chloride. Preferably the I.V. of the second polyvinyl chloride is from 0.2 to 1.0 units higher than the I.V. of said first polyvinyl chloride, with the most preferred difference in I.V. (.DELTA.I.V.) being 0.35 to 0.65 units so as to yield a balance of property improvements including impact resistance, heat distortion temperature, melt flow and melt viscosity. The compositions also can further comprise melt flow enhancers and/or Tg enhancing agents.

Abstract: An elongate substantially rectangular louver or assembly of louvers each comprising an elongate conformable web sleeve or web envelope which substantially or completely surrounds and conforms generally to the periphery of a slat inserted therein and the louver has a depending means for removable attachment to a louver assembly support and the slat is removably attached to the web sleeve or web envelope.

Abstract: Rigid thermoplastic articles are disclosed which have reduced surface gloss. The reduced gloss is achieved by the use of a mixture of polymers having different viscoelastic properties. The preferred embodiment is a mixture of PVC and crosslinked PVC.

Abstract: An elongate louver or assembly of louvers each comprising an improved multi-layer louver configuration comprising an opacified pearlescent outer layer having a claimed range of opacity which substantially or completely occludes an base layer, said increased opacity substantially reduces or eliminates perceptible non-uniformity in coloration, shade change and thickness of the outer layer, while improving resistance to yellowing, processing characteristics, and raw material cost economics.

Abstract: Copolymers of vinyl or vinylidene halides and vinyl esters of fatty acids having low molecular weights, good particle characteristics, and improved melt flow are made by aqueous polymerization utilizing an effective amount of a mercaptan as a chain transfer agent, wherein the chain transfer agent is admixed with the vinyl esters to form a chain transfer composition, and the composition be added before the start of the polymerization.

Abstract: Solid solution catalyst in particulate form consisting of attrition resistant .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 particles with 0.5 to 10% by weight, expressed as the oxide, of iron cations substituted for aluminum cations in said catalyst support stabilized with 0.5 to 10% by weight, expressed as the oxide, of lanthanum and modified with at least two, preferably three, metal cations selected from the metals consisting of chromium, cobalt, magnesium, manganese, and barium; wherein one of said metal cations is barium and said catalyst has X-ray diffraction pattern with peak positions different than that of the .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 structure. A process is disclosed which produces ethylene from ethane while producing reduced amounts of vinyl chloride from said ethane to ethylene process.

Abstract: Products formed from crosslinked vinyl resins and a plasticizer exhibit a low degree of marring after contacting polymeric substrates or substrates coated with a polymeric layer.

Abstract: Ethylene is prepared in an oxydehydrogenation reaction of ethane by contacting a charge amount of ethane, an oxygen source, a chlorine source and water in the presence of a solid solution catalyst at an effective temperature. A low yield of vinyl chloride and a high yield of ethylene are obtained at a high ethane conversion.

Abstract: Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride resins when crosslinked have improved melt strength in comparison with non-crosslinked chlorinated polyvinyl chloride resins. Moreover, the crosslinked chlorinated polyvinyl chloride resins have unexpected improved processing properties such as reduced processing torgue in comparison with crosslinked polyvinyl chloride resins which upon crosslinking exhibit increased processing torque. Various amounts of non-crosslinked chlorinated polyvinyl chloride and/or non-crosslinked polyvinyl chloride which does not affect said improved properties can be blended with the cross-linked chlorinated polyvinyl chloride resins.

Abstract: Vinyl halide polymer compositions exhibiting reduced gas permeability are described which comprise a mixture of(a) at least one vinyl halide polymer; and(B) from about 1 to about 40 parts by weight per 100 parts of vinyl halide polymer (A) of at least one olefinic nitrile polymer.The vinyl halide polymers preferably are vinyl chloride homopolymers and copolymers, and the olefinic nitrile polymers are copolymers of an olefinically unsaturated nitrile such as acrylonitrile and one or more monomers from the group of conjugated dienes, monoolefins, olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid esters, and vinyl aromatic compounds. The olefinic nitrile polymer can be chosen or manufactured to have a refractive index which is similar to the refractive index of the vinyl halide polymer thereby resulting in a more transparent composition.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced composites are comprised of a vinyl resin composition and fibrous reinforcement material which is coated with a uniformly thin and continuous elastomeric coating. The coating is prepared from an aqueous dispersion containing a reactive liquid polymer composition, an epoxy resin and a curing agent.

Abstract: A hinged flexible article is provided which has rigid or semirigid substrate means with an insert of a hinge material which permits repeated flexing of the article about the hinge without failure. The substrate means has a hardness of at least about 35 Shore D as measured by ASTM test D-2240, while the hinge material has a hardness of from about 25 to about 60 Shore D as measured by ASTM test D-2240.

Abstract: Coating compositions comprise a thixotropic resin dispersion in which the resin particles are a vinyl polymer, a cross-linked unsaturated carboxylic acid polymer which is neutralized with a salt of a low valence metal, and an adhesion promoter.