Abstract: A latex particle comprises an interior core and an outer shell. The core comprises an acrylic or vinyl polymer, and the shell comprises a water soluble alkyd polymer and at least one surfactant. Substantially all or all of the alkyd polymer is present in the shell of the latex particle and substantially none or none or the alkyd polymer is present in the core of the latex particle. Also described is a process for making the latex particle wherein the water soluble alkyd polymer is present as a co-surfactant during polymerization.

Abstract: This invention relates to a waterborne fluoropolymer composition useful for the fabrication of Li-ion-Battery (LIB) electrodes. The fluoropolymer composition contains an organic carbonate compound, which is more environmentally friendly than other fugitive adhesion promoters currently used in waterborne fluoropolymer binders. An especially useful organic carbonate compound is ethylene carbonate (EC) and vinylene carbonate (VC), which are solids at room temperature, and other carbonates which are liquid at room temperature such as propylene carbonate, methyl carbonate and ethyl carbonate. The composition of the invention is low cost, environmentally friendly, safer, and has enhanced performance compared to current compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer weatherable film structure having an outer layer of a highly weatherable film, a layer having a high thermal deformation temperature, an optional tie layer, and a thin layer of polyolefin or polyamide. The highly weatherable film layer preferably is polyvinylidene fluoride. The polyolefin or polyamide layer is less than 500 microns in thickness, and preferably the whole film structure is less than 750 microns thick. The polyolefinjpolyamide side of the film structure can easily be adhered to many different substances—especially polyolefins and polyamides. This film can be used to provide a highly weatherable protective layer a substrate. One useful application for the film is in a photovoltaic module to protect the back side of the module from weathering and abrasion. The multi-layer film structure can be adhered to a typical polyolefin-based encapsulant layer and used as a backsheet encapsulant in a photovoltaic module.

Abstract: The viscosity of aqueous dispersions of normally solid organic peroxides may be advantageously lowered through the use of surfactants which are polyglyceryl esters of C6-C12 fatty acids. The reduction in viscosity facilitates milling the peroxides to reduce particle size and also provides dispersions of small particle size peroxides which may be readily poured or pumped.

Abstract: Polymer latex binders useful for preparing coating compositions containing low levels of, or which are substantially free of, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as volatile freeze-thaw additives are prepared by multistage emulsion polymerization, wherein one stage provides a copolymer having a relatively high glass transition temperature and containing an oxyalkylene-containing (meth)acrylate comonomer.

Abstract: Embodiments of organic peroxide formulations provide longer scorch time protection and require fewer additives. The peroxide formulations may include, for example, at least one organic peroxide, at least one nitroxide-containing compound (e.g., 4-hydroxy-TEMPO), and at least one quinone-containing compound (e.g., mono-tert-butylhydroquinone). Embodiments of the present invention relate to organic peroxide compositions comprising scorch retarders. Embodiments of the invention also relate to crosslinkable elastomer compositions, processes for curing the elastomers, and products made by such processes.

Abstract: A blowing agent for thermosetting foams is disclosed. The blowing agent is predominately the trans isomer of the hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO) HFCO-1233zd alone or in combination with a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO), a hydrocarbon. The blowing agent is effective as a blowing agent in the manufacture of thermosetting foams.

Abstract: Disinfectant compositions include 0.001 to 10% by weight of hydrogen peroxide or a hydrogen peroxide source based on the total weight of the composition; 0.001 to 20% by weight of at least one amphoteric surfactant based on the total weight of the composition; and 0.001 to 15% by weight of at least one alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic compound comprising at least one hydroxyl group, carboxylic group, or combination thereof based on the total weight of the composition. The disinfectant compositions are particularly effective at treating surfaces contaminated with resistant bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus at a fast killing rate.

Abstract: A method of separating a composition containing at least one organofluorine compound from at least one inorganic compound by contacts the composition with a semipermeable membrane. Other methods separate a organofluorine compound from a composition containing at least one other organofluorine compound or chlorocarbon. Methods also include isolating a single organofluorine compound from a composition comprising a mixture of organofluorine compounds, chlorocarbons, and/or inorganic compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to an process for coating a glass substrate with an environmentally friendly aqueous, fluoropolymer coating composition. The process involves applying a polyurethane primer to the glass substrate, and partially, but not completely crosslinking this primer coating. An aqueous hydroxyl-functional fluoropolymer coating is then applied to the partially crosslinked primer coating, and the coating allowed to fully cure. The invention also relates to the intertwined multilayer primer/fluoropolymer coating on the glass substrate. The final coating has excellent wet adhesion to glass, good weathering, durability, chalking resistance, chemical resistance, and dirt pickup resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer membrane composition having improved water flux and stable pore size. The water flux is improved by increasing the hydrophilicity of the membrane using a matrix polymer blended with controlled architecture amphiphilic block copolymers. Preferred membranes are those having a fluoropolymer matrix and acrylic amphiphilic block copolymers. The addition of the amphiphilic block copolymers are especially useful in microfiltration and ultra filtration membranes when used in water filtration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel synthesis method for forming superacid functional molecules that include monomers, as well as new polymers and copolymers formed from the monomers, and uses for these superacid molecules, polymers, and copolymers. The superacid molecules have an alpha, alpha-difluorosulfonic acid functionality that can be obtained by a reaction between various Grignard reagents and an alkyl(2-fluorosulfonyl)-1,1-difluoroacetate, such as methyl (2-fluorosulfonyl-1,1-difluoroacetate. The molecules, polymers and copolymers would be expected to have enhanced ion conductivity, and would be useful in a variety of applications, including as ion-conductive materials, surfactants, and ion exchange resins.

Abstract: Tie layers comprised of amorphous polyetherketoneketone are used to join substrates to form laminates and other assemblies.

Abstract: Heat-resistant, high strength fibers useful in a wide range of end-use applications are prepared using a polymeric composition containing polyetherketoneketone and mineral nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved modified polyamide having increased molecular weight and substantially the same or marginally increased viscosity versus shear weight as the unmodified polyamide. A method for modifying polyamides to provide these improved properties also is disclosed wherein a polyamide having an initial molecular weight is contacted with at least one organic peroxide, at least one coagent and/or one free-radical trap to form an improved polyamide having an increased molecular weight and substantially the same viscosity versus shear rate. The present disclosure also relates to polyamide compositions comprising organic peroxides and articles made from the modified polyamide.

Abstract: Fibers sized with a coating of amorphous polyetherketoneketone are useful in the preparation of reinforced polymers having improved properties, wherein the amorphous polyetherketoneketone can improve the compatibility of the fibers with the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A process for crosslinking an elastomer composition in the presence of an organic peroxide formulation is disclosed. The organic peroxide formulation may comprise additional compounds chosen from bis-, tri- and higher poly-maleimides, bis-, tri- and higher poly-citraconimides, peroxide-crosslinkable silicone elastomers, p-phenylenediamine based antiozonants, sulfur containing organic compounds which are accelerators for the sulfur curing (crosslinking) of polymers which are curable/crosslinkable by sulfur, and polysulfide polymers. Methods of manufacturing elastomer articles, methods of reducing mold-fouling, elastomer compositions, and elastomer articles made from the elastomer compositions are also disclosed.

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 an acrylic copolymer additive useful as a process aid in highly filled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) composites. The acrylic additive is especially useful in highly filled PVC flooring tiles, rolled flooring, pipe and siding. The acrylic copolymer additive contains from 50 to 79 weight percent of methyl methacrylate monomer units, and has a Tg of less than 90° C.

Abstract: Compositions useful as plastic additives may be prepared from renewable resources such as vegetable oils by functionalizing an unsaturated fatty acid ester with epoxy, acyloxy, and optionally alkoxy groups.