Abstract: A continuous, substantially uniform tow useful in forming composite molded articles is prepared by forming a continuous tow of continuous carbon fibers, forming a continuous tow of thermoplastic polymer fibers to a selected width, uniformly and continuously spreading the carbon fiber two to a width that is essentially the same as the selected width for the thermoplastic polymer fiber tow, intermixing the tows intimately, uniformly and continuously, in a relatively tension-free state, and continuosuly withdrawing the intermixed tow.

Abstract: A composite article is prepared by forming a continuous tow of continuous carbon fibers, forming a continuous tow of thermoplastic polymer fibers, uniformly and continuously spreading the thermoplastic polymer fibers to a selected width, uniformly and continuously spreading the carbon fiber tow to a width that is essentially the same as the selected width for the thermoplastic polymer fiber tow, intermixing the tows intimately, uniformly and continuously, in a relatively tension-free state, continuously withdrawing the intermixed tow and applying the tow to a mold and heating the tow.

Abstract: Negative photoresist compositions are made from copolymers of 4-hydroxystyrene and dialkyl muconates, alkyl sorbates, alkadiene monomers or allyl esters of ethylenically unsaturated acids plus a photosensitizer.Such compositions are useful in photolithographic and photomasking operations in fabricating microelectronic devices, printed circuits, semiconductors, printing plates, dies and the like.

Abstract: A process for producing cyanoethyl derivatives of hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole is provided. The process comprises the steps of preparing an hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole solution, mixing with that solution a base with a pka of at least 9 to form an hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole anion and reacting the anion with acrylonitrile to produce a cyanoethyl derivative of the hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole polymer. The derivative can be formed into ultrafilters, ion exchange membranes and for other such separatory articles.

Abstract: A process for synthesis gas conversion utilizing perovskite catalysts is disclosed herein. The perovskites utilized in the process have a carbon selectivity of about eight mol percent or more for oxygenated compounds containing one to six carbon atoms. The process comprises reacting synthesis gas in the presence of a perovskite catalyst in the temperature range of about 200.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: The instant invention involves a process for preparing acrylic acid esters which comprises coreacting an acrylic acid and an aliphatic mono or polyol by maintaining one of the reactants in a reactor at elevated temperatures and adding the other reactant to the reactor over a period of time. By employing this process esterification times are reduced significantly.

Abstract: Copolymers of p-acetoxystyrene and dialkyl muconates or alkyl sorbates are selectively hydrolyzed to copolymers of p-vinylphenol and dialkyl muconates or alkyl sorbates using acid or base catalysis in an alcohol or water.

Abstract: This invention discloses novel membranes comprised of a blend of polyarylate and polybenzimidazole polymers. A membrane prepared from the blend of polybenzimidazole and polyarylate polymers exhibits enhanced properties over membranes prepared solely from either a polyarylate or a polybenzimidazole polymer. The addition of the polyarylate to the polybenzimidazole membrane allows the composition to be more thermally processable and less susceptible to moisture. The presence of the polybenzimidazole renders the polyarylate less reactive to solvents and increases its thermal stability. In addition, it has been surprisingly found that membranes prepared from the polybenzimidazole polyarylate blends show high regeneration capacity while retaining good flux ranges. The membranes prepared by this process exhibit good separation characteristics and provide an improved membrane with enhanced qualities over prior art membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are microporous polybenzimidazole articles prepared by the addition of a leachable additive to a polybenzimidazole polymer solution or dope and the subsequent leaching of the additive from the polybenzimidazole article. The microporous polybenzimidazole article may be formed into filaments or films. The micropores of the microporous polybenzimidazole article may be filled with an absorbent resin which will act to absorb chemicals or other harmful products. The microporous polybenzimidazole article with absorbent material may be formed into clothing which is highly resistant to both chemicals and heat.

Abstract: Radiation curable compositions useful as coatings for wood, metal, glass, fabric paper, fiber and plastics are made from copolymers of p-acetoxystyrene and another monomer which is an alkadiene or an allyl ester of a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated acid blended with ethylenically unsaturated compounds.

Abstract: Radiation curable compositions useful as coatings for wood, metal, glass, fabric, paper, fiber and plastics are made from copolymers of dialkyl muconates and p-acetoxystyrene blended with ethylenically unsaturated compounds.

Abstract: A process for sulfonating preformed hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole fibers is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of forming an hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole spinning solution; spinning hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole fibers, sulfonating the fibers by contacting them with a sulfonating agent, and heating the fiber in an inert atmosphere at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to convert the ionic bonds, formed in the sulfonating step to covalent bonds, thereby, providing a covalently bonded, sulfonated, hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole fiber. The fibers produced by the process of the present invention exhibit cation selectivity for electrodialysis and electrochemical applications.

Abstract: Negative photoresist compositions are made from copolymers of 4-acetoxystyrene and dialkyl muconates, alkyl sorbates, alkadiene monomers or allyl esters of ethylenically unsaturated acids plus a photosensitizer.Such compositions are useful in photolithographic and photomasking operations in fabricating microelectronic devices, printed circuits, semiconductors, printing plates, dies and the like.

Abstract: The instant invention involves a process used in preparing fibrous tows which may be formed into polymeric plastic composites. The process involves the steps of (a) forming a tow of strong filamentary materials; (b) forming a thermoplastic polymeric fiber; (c) intermixing the two tows; and (d) withdrawing the intermixed tow for further use.

Abstract: A substituted polybenzimidazole polymer is disclosed wherein sulfoalkyl derivatives of polybenzimidazole are produced by the reaction of a polybenzimidazole polymer with a sultone. Beta sultones may be directly reacted with the polybenzimidazole polymer to produce a sulfoethyl derivative of polybenzimidazole. However, when gamma, delta or eta sultones are used, the polybenzimidazole polymer preferably is first reacted with an alkali hydride to produce the polyanion of polybenzimidazole. The polybenzimidazole polyanion is then reacted with the sultone to produce a sulfoalkyl derivative of polybenzimidazole polymer. These derivatives may find great use as ion exchange devices or for reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration devices.

Abstract: The invention discloses substituted polybenzimidazole esters produced by reacting a polybenzimidazole polymer with a halogenated ester. It also discloses substituted polybenzimidazole carboxylic acids produced by hydrolyzing the polybenzimidazole ester previously provided with a strong hydroxyl base. These substituted polybenzimidazole products may be formed into separatory media with greater use then conventional polybenzimidazole polymer articles such as to form ultrafilters. Further, the polybenzimidazole carboxylic acids may be useful as weak cation exchange resins.

Abstract: Hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole fibers are produced by a wet jet/wet spinning or by a dry jet/wet spinning process. A spinning solution of hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole is extruded vertically downward through a spinneret into a liquid coagulation bath. The resulting fibers have pore sizes ranging from about 5 angstroms up to about 100 angstroms and are quite useful as ultra filters for molecules with a broad range of molecular weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of high strength polybenzimidazole filaments and molded products made from such filaments. The filaments produced by this process contain from about 10 to about 50 percent by weight residual solvent and can be heated at a temperature of about 350.degree. C. to about 600.degree. C. to produce three-dimensional foamed articles.

Abstract: A method for supporting metalloporphyrins on polybenzimidazole articles is disclosed herein. Microporous polybenzimidazole articles are treated with a strong base to produce an anionized polybenzimidazole article. A metalloporphyrin salt is dissolved in a solvent and is mixed with the anionized polybenzimidazole article to produce a microporous polybenzimidazole metalloporphyrin complex. This compound can be used in the selective oxidation of alkanes, olefins and aromatic compounds and is quite useful in the separation of oxygen from a gas stream. An alternative method of forming this complex by mixing directly the polybenzimidazole particulate with a weak metalloporphyrin salt without the use of a strong base results in lower percentages of substitution then does the principal method.

Abstract: The instant invention involves a process used in preparing fibrous tows which may be formed into polymeric plastic composites. The process involves the steps of (a) forming a tow of strong filamentary materials; (b) forming a thermoplastic polymeric fiber; (c) intermixing the two tows; and (d) withdrawing the intermixed tow for further use.