Abstract: The invention relates to a melt-processable fiber-bonding agent made of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), such as KYNAR® PVDF from Arkema, as well as to fibrous materials bonded with the PVDF fiber-bonding agent. The PVDF fiber-bonding agent is a low-melt temperature, low melt viscosity PVDF polymer or copolymer with excellent chemical and oxidative resistance properties, and is suitable for bonding fibers in non-woven fabrics, especially for use in chemically-aggressive environments. The PVDF fiber-bonding agent composition allows it to be processed into fibers on conventional melt spinning equipment. The PVDF fiber-bonding agent is introduced into non-woven fabric in the form of a continuous fiber web or as a component of a mixed fiber formulation. When heated above its melting point, the lower melting point PVDF fiber-bonding agent of the invention bonds the fibers of the fiber framework at the fiber cross-over points.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shear stable latex comprising functionalized fluoropolymer, a particle size modifier and a surfactant; said latex having solids content of at least 15 wt %, where the ratio of particle size modifier to surfactant is equal to or greater than 2 on a molar to molar basis.

Abstract: Devices and methods for provided both an antimicrobial vapor such as hydrogen peroxide and/or peracetic acid and water vapor in an enclosed or partially enclosed space are described. The device and method provided is for the reduction or elimination of microbes from air and surfaces in contact with air within an enclosed or partially enclosed space using hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid in the vapor phase and also provide for humidity from water vapor. The device and method are directed towards a release of an antimicrobial vapor and water vapor through a permeable container/barrier containing a matrix into which water and an antimicrobial vapor producing material are absorbed.

Abstract: An injection molding process to mold a fluorinated thermoplastic elastomeric polymer composition is disclosed. An article made using the process has little shrinkage.

Abstract: Waterborne vinyl acetate-acrylic, “vinyl acrylic” emulsion copolymers which can be used in architectural coatings and impart stain resistance to such coatings are provided. The vinyl acrylic emulsion copolymer particles in the emulsion may contain one or more particle size modes, each with a respective narrow particle size distribution. The vinyl acrylic emulsion copolymers contain as a comonomer an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and also contain a hydrolyzable silane comonomer. The hydrolyzable silane may be present as a comonomer in the vinyl acrylic copolymer and/or may be added to the vinyl acrylic emulsion copolymer emulsion in the form of a hydrolyzable silane that may have a reactive group that is capable of reacting with the vinyl acrylic copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluoropolymer coating composition that can be used, for example, in coating electrodes and/or separators in electrochemical devices. The fluoropolymer coating composition preferably contains multiple fluoropolymer phases. The coated electrodes and/or separators have both excellent wet adhesion, excellent dry adhesion, and low leachables. Each of the fluoropolymer phases contains polymers having at least 10 weight percent, of a common fluoromonomer, making the polymer phases compatible with each other, and allowing for the phases to be distributed fairly homogeneously on a macroscopic level throughout the composition and dried coating formed from the composition.

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: A composite polymer process aid is provided. The process aid includes one or more inorganic mineral fillers and one or functionalized polymers. The functionalized polymers include at least one base polymer functionalized with an epoxy, hydroxyl, ?-keto ester, ?-keto amide, or carboxylic acid reactive functional group. The composite polymer process aid is in the form of a plurality of individual particles. At least a portion of the individual particles include both inorganic mineral fillers and the functionalized polymers. The composite polymer modifier is formed by a process of: i) blending an aqueous solution, an aqueous dispersion, an aqueous suspension, an aqueous slurry, or a dry powder of the mineral fillers with an aqueous solution, an aqueous dispersion, an aqueous suspension or an aqueous emulsion of the functionalized polymers to form an aqueous blend, and ii) powderizing the aqueous blend to form the composite polymer process aid.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel linear, semi-crystalline, functional fluoropolymers that have been obtained by copolymerizing a fluorinated vinylic monomer and a hydrophilic (meth)acrylic comonomer bearing a halogen functionality.

Abstract: A method of reducing foamed density that results in a foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) component exhibiting reduced density. The foamed PVC component contains at least a PVC resin and a process aid blend. The process aid blend contains from 1 weight % to 60 weight % (based on the weight of the blend) of a functionalized process aid, and from 99 weight % to 40 weight % (based on the weight of the blend) of a non-functionalized process aid. The functionalized process aid includes at least one base polymer functionalized with a reactive epoxy, hydroxyl, ?-keto ester, ?-keto amide, or carboxylic acid functional group. The foamed PVC component containing the process aid blend has a lower density than a reference foamed PVC component made using the same process conditions and additives, but which contains only non-functionalized process aid and not the functionalized process aid.

Abstract: Shell-and-tube devices typically require regular maintenance. Described herein is an automated method for tracking the status of individual tubes during maintenance activities and recording status data for review and analysis. Status data may optionally be reported in real-time summary format and/or used to predict time-to-completion. The method minimizes omission errors and helps to reduce the expense of performing maintenance activities in shell-and-tube devices, including shell-and-tube reactors and heat exchangers.

Abstract: There is provided a method for increasing the bulk density of low bulk density materials by gently admixing a low bulk density material and a liquid and thereafter removing substantially all of the liquid, for example, by evaporation.

Abstract: Methods of blending liquid peroxide solutions and crystalline or amorphous solid materials to provide a dry-to-the-touch peroxide containing solid materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel linear, semi-crystalline, functional fluoropolymers that have been obtained by copolymerizing a fluorinated vinylic monomer and a hydrophilic monomer chosen from vinyl alkyl acids, vinyl phosphonates, functional acrylamides, carbonates, vinyl ethers, alkoxy compounds, and double hydrophilic group monomers.

Abstract: The invention relates to heat treatment of polymorphic semicrystalline or crystallizable polymers to increase the content of the highest melting crystalline form. Such heat treatment results in a polymer powder that has a consistent, uniform melting range, improved flow and improved durability of the powder particle size for applications that require powder flow at elevated temperatures. In addition to improved powder properties, the articles produced from the powders also exhibit better physical properties in both appearance and in mechanical properties. Thus the invention also includes polymer powders and articles produced by the described processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermoplastic filament for use in 3-D printers, in which the core of the filament is non-solid or mono-filament. The filament may contain a multitude of small micro-voids, (a micro foam), be a foam-core structure, be hollow, or have a monofilament core. The filament of the invention is especially useful with crystalline and semi-crystalline polymers, and reduces the negative effect of filament voids, formed by shrinkage during the cooling of the filament.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a low Tg compatible resin as an adhesive layer for the welding of a thermoplastic composite structure to a thermoplastic or thermoset structure. The invention is especially good for the welding of large parts, such as wind turbine halves and spar caps. A useful thermoplastic composite is one formed by the infusion and curing of long fibers by a reactive acrylic liquid resin system, such as ELIUM® resin systems from Arkema.

Abstract: A stable polyol pre-mix composition comprises a blowing agent, a polyol, a surfactant, and a catalyst composition comprising an oxygen-containing amine catalyst and a metallic salt. The oxygen-containing amine catalyst may be, for example, one or more of an alkanol amine, an ether amine, or a morpholine group-containing compound such as, for example, 2-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethanol or N,N,N?-trimethylaminoethyl-ethanolamine. The metallic salt may be, for example, alkali earth carboxylates, alkali carboxylates, and carboxylates of metals selected form the group consisting of zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), tin (Sn), cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), aluminum (Al), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), chromium (Cr), scandium (Sc), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba).

Abstract: A polyol pre-mix containing at least one halogenated hydroolefin blowing agent and having improved shelf life stability is provided, wherein each polyol combined with the halogenated hydroolefin blowing agent has an apparent pH of between 3 and 11.4. Controlling the apparent pH of the polyol(s) enables the polyol pre-mix to be stored for extended periods of time and then used in combination with organic polyisocyanate to produce foam formulations having gel times and tack free times not significantly different from those exhibited when freshly prepared polyol pre-mix is used.

Abstract: A container which is useful for safely storing and transporting compositions, such as liquid organic peroxide-containing compositions, which may be flammable, combustible, susceptible to exothermic decomposition, explosive and/or otherwise hazardous, is provided. The container includes a containment vessel having thermoset polymer-containing walls, as well as a vent mechanism. The containment vessel may be manufactured by a rotational molding process using a thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyethylene, which is crosslinked to provide the thermoset polymer.