Abstract: The present disclosure relates the polymer compositions, fibers, and yarns having near-permanent antimicrobial activity, and a method of producing the same. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial polymer composition from 50 wt % to 99.9 wt % of a polymer, from 5 wppm to 1000 wppm of zinc, and from 0.005 wt % to 1 wt % of phosphorus, wherein fibers formed from the polymer composition demonstrate a zinc retention rate of greater than 20% when tested in a dye bath test.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nonwoven polyamide structure having antimicrobial properties comprising: nonwoven polyamide fibers comprising less than 4000 ppm zinc dispersed within the nonwoven polyamide fibers; and less than 2000 ppm phosphorus. The fibers have an average fiber diameter of less than 25 microns; and the polyamide structure demonstrates a Staphylococcus Aureus reduction of at least 90%, as measured by ISO 20743-13.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: A process for producing a high-purity acetonitrile product from a low-purity acetonitrile feedstock streams. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a process for producing a sales-grade, high purity acetonitrile by (a) distilling the feedstock stream in a to yield a crude acetonitrile stream, (b) treating the crude acetonitrile stream to produce an intermediate acetonitrile stream, (c) purifying the intermediate acetonitrile stream in a pressure swing distillation system to produce a recycle stream and an acetonitrile product stream, (d) recycling the recycle stream to the first distillation column, and (e) distilling the acetonitrile product stream to yield a purified acetonitrile product stream of at least 98 wt. % acetonitrile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing an improved compounded product and a compounded product prepared by that process.

Abstract: A base polyamide composition comprising a nylon mixture having caprolactam units from 1 wppb to 50 wppm catalyst composition; and greater than 0.75 wt % residual caprolactam, wherein the base polyamide composition has a delta end group level ranging from 30 neq/gram to 90 neq/gram.

Abstract: A terpolymer composition is described that contains a statistical amount of 50-98 wt % of a first repeating AA-BB comonomer unit; 1-25 wt % of a second repeating AA-BB comonomer unit; and 1-25 wt % of a repeating lactam comonomer unit or 1-25 wt % of a third repeating AA-BB comonomer unit, where the terpolymer composition exhibits a high melting point similar to that of PA66 while also exhibiting a significantly reduced crystallization rate and crystallization temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fluid bed processes that utilize silica particles as a fluidization aid. The process comprises reacting one or more reactants in a reactor comprising a fluid bed to form a product. The fluid bed comprises a catalyst composition comprising a catalyst and an inert additive composition comprising silica particles from 0.5 wt % to 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the catalyst composition. The silica particles are discrete, inert particles that are mixed with the catalyst in the fluid bed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polyamide compositions and resulting injection-molded articles that can be plated, e.g., metal coated, to form aesthetic injection-molded articles. The polyamide compositions may include from 45 wt. % to 75 wt. % of an polyamide, from 2 wt. % to 40 wt. % of an etchable filler, from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. % of a semi-structural mineral, and optionally from 0.1 wt. % to 13 wt. % of additive. The polyamide composition imparts very good surface appearance to injection-molded articles that are substantially free of visual defects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polyamide compositions and resulting injection-molded articles that can be plated, e.g., metal coated, to form structurally aesthetic injection-molded articles. The polyamide compositions may include from 40 wt. % to 80 wt. % of a polyamide, from 0.5 wt. % to 40 wt. % of an etchable filler, from 5 wt. % to 30 wt. % of glass fiber, optionally less than 40 wt. % of a semi-structural mineral, and optionally from 0.1 wt. % to 13 wt. % of additive. The polyamide composition imparts very good surface appearance and excellent mechanical properties to injection-molded articles that are substantially free of visual defects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing high molecular weight polyamides from caprolactam. In particular, the present disclosure relates to processes for adding water during Solid State Polymerization (SSP) to remove residual caprolactam to form high molecular weight polyamides, e.g., Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 copolymers, having low residual caprolactam monomer content. The water addition step controls the SSP process for a specific time to produce polyamides with a desired molecular weight and low residual caprolactam monomer content.

Abstract: A method for tuning characteristics of a polyamide nanofiber nonwoven comprising the step of targeting a specific average nanofiber diameter and/or a specific relative viscosity for the polyamide nanofiber nonwoven. The specific average nanofiber diameter is within a range from 100 nm to 1000 nm and/or the specific relative viscosity is within a range from 5 to 75, e.g., from 15 to 50. The process further comprises the steps of extruding a polyamide composition having a moisture content with a pressurized gas through a fiber forming channel having a channel temperature to form the polyamide nanofiber nonwoven having the target average nanofiber diameter and/or relative viscosity and controlling the moisture content, the pressure of pressurized gas, and/or the channel temperature based on the specific average nanofiber diameter and/or the specific relative viscosity.

Abstract: A heat-stabilized polyamide composition comprising from 25 wt % to 90 wt %% of an amide polymer from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt % of a cerium-based heat stabilizer, a second heat stabilizer, a halide additive, and less than 0.3 wt % of a stearate additive. A weight ratio of halide additive to stearate additive is less than 45.0.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing polymers using a plug flow reactor. The process includes providing an aqueous monomer solution comprising amide monomers; evaporating the aqueous monomer solution to form a concentrated monomer solution; and polymerizing the concentrated monomer solution in a plug flow reactor comprising a shell side and a tube side to form a first process fluid comprising polymers. The concentrated monomer solution flows on the shell side from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-halogen flame retardant thermoplastic polyamide composition that provides improved mechanical and electrical stability at elevated temperatures, where the thermoplastic composition comprises a polyamide resin; a non-halogen, nitrogen-containing flame retardant; a heat stabilizer containing a copper halide and an organophosphorus compound; an optional lubricant and/or mold release agent; and an optional colorant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing an improved compounded product and a compounded product prepared by that process.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved conversion of nitrous oxide (N2O) present as a by-product in a chemical process to NOx which can be further converted to a useful compound or material, such as nitric acid.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyamide compositions are described that provide a superior combination of glow wire ignition and elongation/toughness properties, comprising a polyamide resin; a bromine-containing flame retardant; a hindered phenolic heat stabilizer; and optionally at least one of a flame retardant synergist, a plasticizer, a lubricant, a mold release agent, an acid scavenger and a colorant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalyst compositions containing a mixed oxide catalyst of formula (I) or formula (II) as described herein, their preparation, and their use in a process for ammoxidation of various organic compounds to their corresponding nitriles and to the selective catalytic oxidation of excess NH3 present in effluent gas streams to N2 and/or NOx.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.