Abstract: Isocyanurate-modified polyisocyanate compositions prepared by reacting organic polyisocyanates in the presence of catalytic amounts of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal organo-hydroxamates or the metal salt-free acid complex at temperatures from 25.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foams by reaction of a mixture consisting of diphenylmethane diisocyanates and polyphenylene polymethylene polyisocyanates having a functionality greater than 2 containing 55 to 85 percent by weight diphenylmethane diisocyanate based on the total weight of the isocyanate mixture with polyester polyols or mixtures of polyester polyols and polyether polyols having a polyester polyol content of more than 60 percent by weight based on the weight of the polyol mixture, and optionally chain extenders, auxiliaries, and additives, in the presence of catalysts and, in particular, water as a blowing agent. The special selection of starting compounds results in the production of flexible polyurethane foams having a high resistance to hydrolysis, high load-bearing capacity, and high energy absorption upon impact.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomers having nearly Newtonian flow characteristics and having reduced thixotropy are provided by admixing with a pigmented polyol a minor amount of a sodium alkyl sulfate. The polyurethanes hereof are employed as surface coatings for athletic arenas, such as gymnasiums and the like.

Abstract: Furan-modified rigid isocyanurate foams are taught herein. The foams herein are prepared by either (1) the in situ polymerization of furfuryl alcohol and/or furfural during the foam formation reaction, or (2) the catalytic condensation of a furfuryl alcohol-blocked organic polyisocyanate.

Abstract: A method of improving the load-bearing properties of microcellular flexible, urethane foams wherein the processing characteristics for the production thereof are also improved, which comprises utilizing a combination of 1,4-butanediol and phenyldiethanolamine as a chain extender.

Abstract: Evenly pre-faded blue jeans are obtained by subjecting the blue jeans to a washing cycle comprising (a) an initial wash with detergent and emulsifier, (b) a suitable intermediate rinsing operation, (c) a bleaching operation in which the garments are subjected to the simultaneous action of bleach and a fabric softener of the quaternary ammonium type, alone or with the addition of a suitable amount of detergent, (d) a further rinsing operation, and (e) an optional final treatment with fabric softener and laundry sour.

Abstract: The flow rate of weak cell liquor is determined, using a device in the form of a small box having in one wall thereof a properly sized orifice, a vertically extending slot thereabove, and a rule placed alongside the slot to make it possible to read the flow rate. A cooperating member is provided to catch the liquid passing through the device and disperse it into a plurality of small droplets while feeding it to a trough by which the weak cell liquor is collected.

Abstract: Discrete thermoplastic fibers of fluorohydrocarbons and other self-bonding thermoplastic fibers are deployed as separators or diaphragms in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A reactive polyol composition useful in the preparation of high resilient polyurethane foams comprising a polyol and from 0.5% by weight to 5.0% by weight of a reactive diamine represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R is H or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and A and A' are NH.sub.2 or H with the provisos that in each ring either A or A' is NH.sub.2, not both and when A or A' is NH.sub.2 then the R attached to that carbon atom is H.

Abstract: Improved toluene sulfonic acid derivatives are precipitated at a constant pH from an aqueous salt solution.

Abstract: Deposits of alkali metal ions such as calcium and magnesium on chlor-alkali cathodes and diaphragms are removed by feeding an acid such as hydrochloric acid into the cathode feed in an amount sufficient to reduce the pH below 8 for a time sufficient to remove these deposits and restore the cell to normal operation. The use of this invention allows one to use relatively high hardness water as the cathode feed solution during normal operation of a membrane chlor-alkali cell.

Abstract: Liquid thixotropic isocyanate-terminated prepolymers are prepared by the reaction of a polyarylene polyalkylene polyisocyanate or diphenylmethane diisocyanate with certain graft polyols. The resulting prepolymers are particularly useful in the preparation of polyurethane coating compositions.

Abstract: Silicate fouling on the reboilers and trays and the distillation train used for the production of dihydric alcohols is arrested by the addition of caustic to the feed stream.

Abstract: Highly stable liquid 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) containing MDI-carbodiimide adducts are prepared by heating MDI at a temperature of from 180.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. for a period of from one hour to ten hours in the presence of tris(chloromethyl)phosphine oxide and thereafter equilibrating the adduct formation. Equilibration can occur by any of several methods, i.e., by cooling the composition to a temperature of from 60.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. within twenty minutes, maintaining the composition at this temperature for a period of from one hour to four hours and thereafter cooling the composition to room temperature or by cooling the composition to a temperature less than 100.degree. C. within twenty minutes, further cooling to room temperature, and maintaining the composition at room temperature for one week to two weeks. The resulting compositions have very low sediment contents and are particularly useful in the preparation of microcellular polyurethane foams.

Abstract: A process for making alkali hydroxide and chlorine in a plurality of electrolytic cells of the amalgam type, wherein a decomposer is provided for each cell and wherein alkali metal amalgam formed in the cell is reacted with water in a companion decomposer to form alkali hydroxide, the improvement comprising utilizing for each cell and corresponding decomposer a condenser and a separator component between the condenser and decomposer in the hydrogen outlet line of the decomposer to separate mercury vapor and water vapor initially liquefied in the condenser and divert the condensed mercury back into the decomposer.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams are prepared employing as the polyisocyanate ingredient a highly stable liquid 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) containing MDI-carbodiimide adducts prepared by heating MDI at a temperature of from 180.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. for a period of from one hour to ten hours in the presence of tris(chloromethyl)phosphine oxide and thereafter equilibrating the adduct formation. Equilibration can occur by any of several methods, i.e., by cooling the composition to a temperature of from 60.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. within twenty minutes, maintaining the composition at this temperature for a period of from one hour to four hours and thereafter cooling the composition to room temperature or by cooling the composition to a temperature less than 100.degree. C. within twenty minutes, further cooling to room temperature, and maintaining the composition at room temperature for one week to two weeks.

Abstract: Stable, liquid polyisocyanate compositions are prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate or a mixture of polyisocyanates and halogen-containing carboxylic acids. The polyisocyanates hereof are used to prepare polyurethanes, polyisocyanurates, poly(isocyanurate-urethane) and the like. These isocyanates can be used in foam formation, films, fibers, coating solutions, elastomers and the like.

Abstract: Initial cell voltages are reduced by decreasing the resistance of the diaphragm through a degassing procedure prior to or at installation thereof. This degassing procedure involves subjecting the diaphragm to subatmospheric pressure while contacting the diaphragm with electrolyte, said electrolyte being an aqueous saline solution having a surface active agent therein in an amount sufficient to reduce the surface tension below the critical surface tension for wetting the fibers, and increasing the pressure to atmospheric or cell working pressure to force electrolyte solution into the interstices of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomers of improved heat stability are made by a process in which a polyisocyanate is reacted with a polyol of high molecular weight with an OH:NCO ratio of 1:0.66 to 1:0.85, and the resulting adduct is later reacted with an excess of symmetrical diisocyanate and a diol as chain extender.

Abstract: Non-gelled polyalkylenepolyamine polyethers are prepared by the reaction of ethylenediamine and polyepichlorohydrin in the presence of an organic solvent. The solvent enables the reactants to be present at less than a 3:1 ratio of polyamine per chlorine atom.