Abstract: A dispersion of an alkyd-containing polymer dispersed in water is used to form a waterborne coating composition; the alkyd-containing polymer being an acrylic-modified alkyd polymer, a silicone-acrylic-modified alkyd polymer, or a mixture thereof. The resulting waterborne coating composition includes about 2 to about 30% by weight of one or more thermal insulating fillers with the remainder being the alkyd-containing dispersion, such that the coating composition contains about 30 to about 80% by weight of the water and about 2 to about 50% by weight of the alkyd-containing polymer. The coating applied therefrom exhibits at least one of the following properties: a thermal conductivity that is less than 100 mW/mK; a weight retention of at least 70% after being heated up to 400 C as measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) with a heating rate of 20 C/min.; or a weight loss of less than 50% up to a temperature of 470 C as measured by the TGA.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a compatible thermoplastic material (film, sheet, or raft) as the base sheet or layer for 3-D printing an article. The use of the base film provides a means of printing a large article, and of reducing warpage by printing directly on the film. The printed article adheres to the film better than to traditional printer surfaces (glass, metal, glue, or reusable films), because the printed article and film weld together by forming chain entanglements, due to being compatible, miscible, or semi-miscible in the melt.

Abstract: An alkyd polymer composition for fast-drying, low VOC applications is provided. The alkyd polymer incorporates a minimum required level of a cyclic ether- and hydroxyl-containing composition formed from a sugar alcohol during the alcoholysis step while synthesizing the alkyd polymer. The disclosure also relates to the cyclic ether- and hydroxyl-containing composition which must have a minimum required level of cyclic ether structure incorporated therein in order to produce a sufficiently fast-drying alkyd polymer. Methods of making the cyclic ether- and hydroxyl-containing composition and the alkyd polymer comprising, as polymerized units, the cyclic ether- and hydroxyl-containing composition and a poly acid and/or an anhydride compound, as well as an optional polyol, other than the sugar alcohol, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semi-crystalline article from at least one pseudo-amorphous polymer including a poly aryl ether ketone, such as PEKK, including a softening step, wherein the at least one pseudo-amorphous polymer is heated to a temperature above its glass transition temperature to soften the polymer, and a crystallization step, wherein the at least one pseudo-amorphous polymer is heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and melting temperature, the pseudo-amorphous polymer being placed on a mold during either the softening step or the crystallization step before at least some crystallization takes place. The method results in articles demonstrating increased opacity, increased crystallinity, increased thermal resistance, improved chemical resistance, and improved mechanical properties over articles formed by traditional thermoforming processes.

Abstract: Curable resin compositions having extended open times at ambient temperatures and short cure times at elevated temperatures are prepared using a curable resin, a combination of room-temperature-stable liquid peroxides (including at least one perketal), a promoter salt, a thiol-functionalized organic accelerator and a free radical trap. The curable resin compositions are useful in pultrusion, cure-in-place pipe and resin transfer molding applications, among others.

Abstract: Disclosed are voided latex particles, useful as opacifying agents for coating compositions containing organic solvents. The particles have a hollow interior, which substantially maintains its integrity after the particles are placed in contact with an organic solvent at 25° C. for 30 days. The particles also have a hydrophilic polymeric interior shell surrounding the hollow interior that is swellable with an aqueous swelling solution. The particles have first and second polymeric intermediate shells, surrounding the interior shell, formed from polymers that are different from each other and different from the interior shell polymer. Finally, the particles have an outer polymeric shell, surrounding the interior shells, which is formed from up to 100% by weight, as polymerized units, of methyl methacrylate. The interior shells and the outer shell each have a Tg greater than 60° C. Also disclosed is a multi-stage emulsion process for making the particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating powders of semi-crystalline or crystallizable polymers. The apparatus includes a heating device for heating the powder to a temperature that is less than the melting temperature of a highest melting crystalline form of the powder, a vessel containing the powder that is exposed to heat produced by the heating device, and a mechanism for moving the vessel to cause the powder within the vessel to move with respect to the vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of organic peroxide formulations provide significant improvements in surface tackiness (often including tack-free surfaces) when curing elastomers in the presence of oxygen. The peroxide formulations may include, for example, one or more compounds selected from sulfur-containing compounds, organophosphite compounds, HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer) compounds, aliphatic allyl urethane compounds, and blends comprising nitroxides (e.g., 4-hydroxy-TEMPO) and quinones (e.g., mono-tert-butylhydroquinone).

Abstract: The invention relates to sized reinforcing fibers that comprise a reinforcing fiber sized with a fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer is functionalized and/or the reinforcing fiber is sized with a compatible functional non-fluorinated polymer that is compatible with the fluoropolymer. Functionalization of the fluoropolymer or the compatible non-fluorinated polymer provides enhanced properties, such as increased adhesion to the reinforcing fiber.

Abstract: An alkyd polymer composition for use in low volatile organic compound (VOC) containing products that exhibits a Gardner-Holdt viscosity with 30 weight % mineral spirits at 25° C. that is less than or equal to Z4, a thy-hard time of less than 10 hours when tested with metal driers according to ASTM D 1640-03, and a clear appearance. The alkyd polymer composition includes, as polymerized units an alkyd polymer of one or more fatty acids; a sugar alcohol having at least 6 carbon atoms; a polyol with four or more hydroxyl functional groups; and an aromatic polyacid with two carboxylic acid groups located in a meta-position relative to one another. The alkyd polymer composition includes at least one aliphatic oxide ring having one or more peaks located between 75 to 90 ppm as measured using C13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Abstract: The wet adhesion of a coating composition may be improved through the use of voided latex particles as opacifying agents which contain a hollow interior as well as an outer shell of a polymer containing functional groups such as amino, 1,3-diketo, urea or ureido. Other types of functional groups may be introduced to the outer shell polymer in order to vary other desired characteristics of the coating. The voided latex particles are non-film-forming.

Abstract: A method of incorporating a peroxide source that produces reactive oxygen species and optionally also incorporating steam with the peroxide source (or other source of heat), into soil as a method of soil remediation, i.e., to destroy or remove chemical contaminants that pose a threat to plant or animal life. The invention also relates to the use of the peroxide source along with optional steam (or other heat source) or hot vaporized peroxide solution to treat soils, in particular those intended for agriculture, as a pesticide for controlling nematodes, pathogenic fungi, insect pests and bacteria. The peroxide source may be applied to the soil using soil cultivation equipment to increase contact between the peroxide source and the soil to be treated. The peroxide source and/or steam or other source of heat or hot vaporized peroxide solution can also be applied with injection wells or infiltration galleries, for instance, for the pesticide use and soil remediation.

Abstract: A modular apparatus for coating glass articles with a chemical compound includes a coating hood section (10a) including a series of interconnected walls (12) defining an interior chamber (18, 20a, 20b) having an inlet (32) and an outlet (44), a blower (24) positioned at least partially in the interior chamber (18, 20a, 20b) to carry air from the inlet (32) towards the outlet (44); and a connector (50) for connecting the coating hood section (10a) to an identical coating hood section (10b). The connector (50) for connecting being defined on at least one of the interconnected walls (12) of the coating hood section (10a).

Abstract: Copolymers of one or more halogenated olefins and one or more halogenated co-monomers selected from the group consisting of halogenated alkenyl ethers, halogenated alkenyl esters, and halogenated (meth)acrylates are useful in various end-use applications wherein the presence of halogen (e.g., fluorine) in the copolymer imparts one or more desirable properties, as compared to analogous copolymers not containing halogen.

Abstract: Emulsion polymers and coating compositions made therefrom that exhibit exceptional roller stability and stain resistance to both hydrophilic and hydrophobic stains, without sacrificing scrub resistance. The emulsion polymers include, as polymerized units formed at a pH between 3 and 9: a) at least one nonionic or anionic unsaturated monomer in an amount ranging between about 78 wt. % to less than 100 wt. % based on the overall weight of the polymer composition b) one or more strong acid monomer in an amount ranging from about 0.01 wt. % to 2 wt. % based on the overall weight of the polymer composition; and c) at least one lower alkyl acrylate monomer in an amount ranging between about 1 wt. % to 20 wt. % based on the overall weight of the polymer composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator for non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices that has been coated with a polymer binder composition having polymer particles of two different sizes, one fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of less than 1.5 micron, and the other fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of greater than 1.5 microns. The bi-modal polymer particles provide an uneven coating surface that creates voids between the separator and adjoining electrodes, allowing for expansion of the battery components during the charging and discharging cycle, with little or no increase in the size of the battery itself. The bi-modal polymer coating can be used in non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices, such as batteries and electric double layer capacitors.

Abstract: A peroxide delivery system is produced. The peroxide delivery system includes a dry powder that releases the peroxide quickly and completely when needed. The peroxide delivery system may be produced by combining a liquid peroxide or peroxide solution with an inorganic solid support that is inert to the peroxide and is capable of adsorbing large amounts of the liquid peroxide or peroxide solution while remaining dry to the touch. Methods of combining the inorganic solid support with the liquid peroxide or peroxide solution are disclosed. The peroxide delivery system can be formulated in preparations of powders, liquids, foams, sprays, gels, ointments, creams, sticks, or pastes that can be utilized in a variety of applications such as cleaning, stain removal and antiseptic products, for example.

Abstract: A multiphase emulsion polymer for aqueous coating compositions containing little or no organic solvent includes at least one soft phase and at least one hard phase prepared by a multi-stage emulsion polymerization. The hard phase contains a hard phase polymer having a glass transition temperature in a range from 10 C to 100 C which is more than 50 C higher than that of the soft phase polymer. The hard phase is formed as a first stage polymer and the one soft phase is subsequently polymerized in the presence of the first stage polymer. The hard phase polymer includes at least one carboxylic acid monomer and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer. A method of making a multiphase emulsion polymer for aqueous coating compositions containing zero or low levels of organic solvent is disclosed. Such aqueous coating compositions may simultaneously have excellent block resistance, freeze thaw stability and low temperature coalescence characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluoropolymers that have been modified with low molecular weight, polymeric chain transfer agents, and uses of the modified fluoropolymers. The modified fluoropolymers provide enhanced properties to the fluoropolymer, such as increased adhesion, and hydrophilic characteristics. The modified functional fluoropolymers are useful in many applications, including as binders in electrode-forming compositions and separator compositions, for hydrophilic membranes and hollow fiber membranes, as an aqueous and a solvent cast coating for baked decorative and protective coatings, and as a tie layer between a fluoropolymer layer and an incompatible polymer layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to low density fluoropolymer foam, and preferably polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) foam, such as that made with KYNAR PVDF resins, and articles made of the foam. The foam is produced by adding microspheres containing blowing agents to the polymer and processing it through an extruder. The microspheres consist of a hard shell containing a physical blowing agent. The shell softens at elevated temperatures and allows the expansion of the blowing agent, and microsphere to create larger voids within the polymer matrix. By proper control of the polymer composition, viscosity, processing temperature, blowing agent selection, loading ratio, and finishing conditions, useful articles such as foamed PVDF pipe, tube, profiles, film, wire jacketing and other articles can be produced. The microspheres may be added to the fluoropolymer matrix by several means, including as part of a masterbatch with a compatible polymer carrier.