Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a polyoxyalkylene polyol by polyoxyalklating a starter compound with a mixture of two different alkylene oxide monomers in which the first alkylene oxide monomer content of the mixture decreases as the content of the second alkylene oxide monomer increases over the course of the polyoxyalkylation, digesting unreacted monomers of the alkylene oxides and capping the polyol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystalline, hydroxide containing double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst of the formulae (I) or (II), M1x[M2(CN)6]yOH.L??(I) M1x[M2(CN)6]y.zM1(OH)q.L (II) wherein M1 represents a metal selected from Zn+2, Fe+2, Ni+2, Mn+2, Co+2, Sn+2, Pb+2, Fe+3, Mo+4, Mo+6, Al+3, V+4, V+5, Sr+2, W+4, W+6, Cu+2 and Cr+3, M+2 represents a metal selected from Fe+2, Fe+3, Co+2, Co+3, Cr+2, Cr+3, Mn+2, Mn+3, Ir+3, Ni+2, Rh+3, Ru+2, V+4 and V+5, L represents an organic ligand and x, y and q are chosen to maintain electroneutrality. Further provided are processes for the production of the inventive DMC catalysts. The crystalline, hydroxide containing DMC catalysts of the present invention may find use in the preparation of polyols, such as polyether polyols.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high support (HS) and high support-high resilience (HS-HR) flexible polyurethane foams prepared by catalyzed reaction of one or more di- or polyisocyanates at an isocyanate index from about 70 to about 130 with: (a) a polyoxyalkylene polyol or polyoxyalkylene polyol blend having an average hydroxyl weight of at least about 1000 and an average primary hydroxyl content of at least about 25%; and (b) an effective amount of a blowing agent containing water; in the presence of from about 0.01 to about 0.5% parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of said polyol component of a liquid hydrocarbon containing greater than 50% of polymerized butadiene. The high support (HS) and high support-high resilience (HS-HR) flexible polyurethane foams of the present invention have a reduced force to crush (FTC).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an activated starter mixture which can be used to prepare polyoxyalkylene polyols. The present invention is also directed to a process for preparing an activated starter mixture, particularly, to a process for preparing an activated starter mixture which is composed of a low molecular weight starter compound. The present invention is also directed to a batch or semi-batch process for the polyaddition of an alkylene oxide on to an activated starter mixture, particularly, on to an activated starter mixture which is composed of a low molecular weight starter compound. The present invention provides an activated starter mixture, particularly, an activated starter mixture which is composed of a low molecular weight starter compound, which rapidly initiates polymerization. The present invention can eliminate the need to synthesize costly high molecular weight starter compounds by KOH catalysis in a separate, dedicated reactor.

Abstract: Oleophilic polyoxyalkylene monoethers having reduced water affinity are disclosed. The monoethers have a hydrocarbyl residue, a polyoxyalkylene moiety, and a hydroxyl end group. The monoethers contain less than about 6 mole percent of alkoxylated unsaturates, and preferably less than about 5 mole percent of polyoxyalkylene diols. The monoethers offer substantial advantages for fuel compositions, particularly reduced water affinity. By using deposit-control additives based on the monoethers, formulators can offer better fuels for cleaner engines.

Abstract: Improvements in tuft bind and/or elongation of tufted carpet may be achieved by selecting, as components of a tuft bind adhesive, one or more of: i) a polyol component comprising a low or ultra-low unsaturation polyoxypropylene polyol optionally containing up to 30 weight percent oxyethylene moieties, and ii) a chain extender component comprising 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: Microcellular polyurethane flexible foams suitable for use as lightweight shoe sole components are produced by dissolving carbon dioxide into one or both of the iso-side or resin-side of an isocyanate-prepolymer-based microcellular polyurethane foam formulation. The resultant foams possess more uniform cell structure and enhanced physical properties as compared to all water-blown foams of the same basic formulation and density. The hardness of the foams is more suitable for shoe sole, particularly midsole applications, than that of the water-blown foams, despite the lower urea hard segment content of the CO2 blown foams.

Abstract: Microcellular polyurethane flexible foams suitable for use as lightweight shoe sole components are produced by dissolving carbon dioxide into one or both of the iso-side or resin-side of an isocyanate-prepolymer-based microcellular polyurethane foam formulation. The resultant foams possess more uniform cell structure and enhanced physical properties as compared to all water-blown foams of the same basic formulation and density. The hardness of the foams is more suitable for shoe sole, particularly midsole applications, than that of the water-blown foams, despite the lower urea hard segment content of the CO2 blown foams.

Abstract: Elastomers with improved physical properties, particularly hardness, resilience, tear strength, and compression set, may be prepared by the chain extension or moisture cure of isocyanate-terminated prepolymers prepared from a polyol component comprising a high molecular weight, low unsaturation polyoxypropylene diol and a low molecular weight diol. The elastomers are useful for applications such as rollers and other applications for which these physical properties are important.

Abstract: Low density microcellular polyurethane foams suitable for athletic shoe midsoles and other applications are prepared by diol chain extension of 12 to 16% free NCO isocyanate-terminated prepolymers prepared by reacting an excess of di- or polyisocyanate with one or more high molecular weight, high functionality polyoxypropylene diols preferably employing water as a reactive blowing agent. The microcellular elastomers exhibit increased hardness despite the higher molecular weight of the polyoxypropylene diol and further exhibit greater tear resistance, lower compression set, and markedly lower shrinkage.

Abstract: Viscoelastic foams and a process for making them are disclosed. The foams are produced with a unique isocyanate-reactive mixture that includes a low equivalent weight polyol and from about 15 to about 70 wt. % of a polyester or polyoxyalkylene monol having a number average equivalent weight greater than about 1000. The monol is the key to formulating excellent viscoelastic foams over a broad range of processing conditions and isocyanate indices. A “reactive” monol gives TDI-based viscoelastic foams with improved “hand feel” and reduced levels of residual toluenediamines.

Abstract: Tufted carpeting can be manufactured employing polyurethane adhesives and cured face up without dripping, when one or more drip-reducing process steps of adding a non-Newtonian thickener to the adhesive or forming a viscosified or cured film on the outer surface of the adhesive are practiced prior to entry of the greige good into the curing oven.

Abstract: Laminated carpeting consisting of a secondary backing adhered to a greige good of yarn tufted into a primary backing are prepared from polyurethane adhesives by single puddle processes which allow for lowered use of polyurethane while producing carpets exhibiting excellent delamination strength. Preferably, a reactive polyurethane system is employed as a primary adhesive, and the secondary backing is skip-coated with a minor amount of a non-advancing skip coat.

Abstract: Tufted carpeting can be manufactured employing polyurethane adhesives and cured face up without dripping, when one or more drip-reducing process steps of adding a non-Newtonian thickener to the adhesive or forming a viscosified or cured film on the outer surface of the adhesive are practiced prior to entry of the greige good into the curing oven.

Abstract: Dispersion polyols which are liquid-liquid dispersions containing a first having a substantially Polyoxypropylene internal block having an equivalent weight in excess of about 700 Da and a high oxyethylene-content external block, and a second polyol which is a substantially polyoxyethylene polyol containing minimally 50 weight percent oxyethylene moieties. The dispersion polyols are stable and exhibit broad processing latitude when preparing hypersoft polyurethane foams. The dispersion polyols are advantageously prepared in situ, preferably in the presence of a double metal cyanide oxyalkylation catalyst.

Abstract: Improved double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts are disclosed. The catalysts comprise a DMC compound, an organic complexing agent, from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of an organophosphine oxide, and optionally, a polyether. Compared with other DMC catalysts prepared in the absence of the organophosphine oxide, those of the invention have higher activity for epoxide polymerization, and they give polyols having reduced unsaturation even at high epoxide polymerization temperatures.

Abstract: Improvements in tuft bind and/or elongation of tufted carpet may be achieved by selecting, as components of a tuft bind adhesive, one or more of: i) a polyol component comprising a low or ultra-low unsaturation polyoxypropylene polyol optionally containing up to 30 weight percent oxyethylene moieties, and ii) a chain extender component comprising 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: Polymer polyols and polymer-modified polyols having substantially no transition metal content in the polyol continuous phase may be prepared from encapsulative double metal cyanide complex-catalyzed polyoxyalkylene polyether base polyols without substantial removal of double metal cyanide complex catalyst residues from the base polyol and subsequent in situ polymerization of one or more polymerizable monomers.

Abstract: Energy absorbing rigid polyurethane foams have both high energy absorbing efficiency as well as exceptional recovery after deformation, allowing their use in visible energy absorbing structures, particularly in the transportation vehicle industry. The foams are prepared by reaction of one or more di- or polyisocyanates with a polyol component containing both high and low molecular weight polyols, and optionally chain extenders, crosslinkers, and other additives, wherein at least one polyol is a polymer polyol such that the total vinyl polymer solids content of the foam is greater than 15 weight percent.

Abstract: Microcellular elastomers and a process for making them are disclosed. The process comprises reacting a resin component ("B" side) with an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer ("A" side). Pre-reacting the right proportion of chain extender into an "A" side that also includes a high-primary, low-unsaturation polyol is the key to making low-density (less than 0.5 g/cm.sup.3) microcellular elastomers while avoiding problems with poor processing or inferior physical properties. The process is easy to practice, and provides lighter, high-quality polyurethane products, including protective sports equipment, arm rests or steering wheels for the auto industry, and midsoles or shoe soles for footwear.