Abstract: This invention provides a method of irreversibly immobilizing an enzyme into polyurethane coatings. This invention also provides for an enzyme-containing coating having a degree of immobilization of the enzyme of approximately 100%. The synthesis of waterborne polyurethane coatings in the presence of enzyme has enabled the irreversible attachment of the enzyme to the polymeric matrix. The distribution of immobilized enzyme as well as activity retention are homogeneous within the coating. Decreasing ECC hydrophobicity, via the use of a less hydrophobic polyisocyanate prepolymer during polymerization, significantly enhanced the intrinsic activity of the ECC.

Abstract: Clear, amine-initiated polyether polyols are made by epoxidizing an amine in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide catalyst. By reducing the amount of catalyst used during the polyol synthesis and by adding the catalyst after between 5 and 30% of the total amount of at least one alkylene oxide has been added, after lactic acid neutralization, gives a short chain polyol that has foam processing characteristics similar to the conventional sulfuric acid neutralized polyol. The polyols produced in this manner are particularly useful for the production of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition comprising a grafted acrylate rubber (ASA) and a gloss reducing agent and a process for making the same are disclosed. The gloss reducing agent is the reaction product of (i) an epoxidized grafted rubber having two or more epoxy groups in its graft phase and (ii) a compound having two or more terminal primary amine groups per molecule The gloss reducing agent may be either incorporated in ASA as the reaction product of (i) and (ii) or, in the altemative, formed upon the reaction of (i) with (ii) in the course of the thermal processing of the a blend containing ASA, (i) and (ii).

Abstract: A moisture curable, alkoxysilane-functional polyether urethanes containing a) 20 to 90% by weight, of a polyether urethane containing two or more reactive silane groups and polyether segments having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 3000 and a degree of unsaturation of less than 0.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing water-blown rigid polyurethane foams having at least an 80% closed-cell content which involves reacting a) at least one polyol mixture which is composed of (i) at least one polymer polyol; (ii) at least one polyol having a hydroxyl value within the range of from about 200 to about 800; and (iii) optionally, at least one polyol having a hydroxyl value within the range of from about 25 to about 115; with b) at least one polymeric isocyanate and/or a prepolymer thereof; in the presence of c) optionally, at least one catalyst; d) water; and e) optionally, at least one additive or auxiliary agent. The present invention is also directed to the closed-cell water blown rigid polyurethane foams produced by the process of the present invention. The invention is further directed to a polyurethane-foam forming mixture which is used to produce the water-blown rigid polyurethane foams of the present invention.

Abstract: Rigid foams are made by reacting a polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive composition which includes at least one isocyanate-reactive compound, preferably, an amine-initiated polyol and more preferably, an amine-initiated polyether polyol and a second, different polyol in the presence of a blowing agent composition which includes water and a catalyst composition which includes two different blowing catalysts, preferably, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine and bis(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)ether.

Abstract: A low gloss thermoplastic composition suitable for making article having low gloss and a process for its preparation are disclosed. The composition contains (I) a resinous component that includes (a) a (co)polyalkyl (meth)acrylate rubber characterized that it contains no grafted phase, (b) a poly(vinyl aromatic-co-nitrile)-grafted (co)polyalkyl (meth)acrylate rubber, and (c) a poly(vinylaromatic-co-nitrile), and (II) a gloss-reducing agent that is the reaction product of (d) a compound having two or more maleic anhydride groups per molecule, and (e) a compound having two or more terminal primary amine groups per molecule, with the proviso that the total of the maleic anhydride groups per molecule and the terminal primary amine functional groups per molecule is greater than 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyaspartate mixtures containing a) 5 to 50 equiv. %, based on the total equivalents of aspartate groups, of a polyoxypropylene polyaspartate corresponding to the formula wherein X1 represents the residue obtained by removing the amino groups from a polyoxypropylene polyamine having a functionality of n, R1 and R2 are identical or different and represent organic groups which are inert to isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less, R3 and R4 are identical or different and represent hydrogen or organic groups which are inert towards isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less and n is 2 to 4, and b) 50 to 95 equiv.

Abstract: A molded article comprising (a) a rigid support, e.g., a rigid seat support (10), having a plurality of perforations, and (b) a molded flexible hollow thermoplastic member (20), e.g., a flexible thermoplastic seat cushion, fixedly attached thereto is described. A portion of the flexible hollow member (b) extends through at least some of the perforations of the rigid support (a), embedding the edges of the perforations therein. The flexible material extending through the perforations forms an attachment element, e.g., an attachment head, that serves to fixedly attach the flexible hollow member (b) to the rigid support (a). Also described is a method of preparing the molded article of the present invention, in which the flexible hollow member (b) is fixedly attached to the rigid support (a) during the blow molding formation of hollow member (b).

Abstract: A hydrophobic polyurethane elastomer is disclosed comprising an isocyanate terminated prepolymer having an isocyanate content ranging from 4 to 12 wt. % NCO comprising the reaction product of: i) an OH terminated homopolymer of butadiene having molecular weight ranging from 1000 to 4000 and an OH functionality of from 1.9 to 2.1; ii) an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanate; and a diol chain extender having a molecular weight ranging from 62 to 400.

Abstract: A digital data storage assembly (2), e.g., a flexible thin film compact disc, is described. Digital data storage assembly (2) includes, (a) a thin film data storage carrier (11), having substantially opposed first (14) and second (17) surfaces, an aperture (20), and at least one tab (23, 26) extending partially into aperture (20). The assembly (2) also includes, (b) a rigid support (29) having substantially opposed first (32) and second (35) surfaces, and an aperture (38). The assembly (2) further includes, (c) a locking device (41) positioned at least partially around aperture (38) of rigid support (29). Locking device (41) includes at least one shelf (44, 47) extending out over a portion of the first surface (32) of rigid support (29). The shelf (e.g., 44) and a portion (e.g., 53) of the first surface (32) of rigid support (29) residing thereunder together define a tapered slot (e.g., 62), having an open end (59) and a closed end (56).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyether polyols by polyaddition of alkylene oxides onto starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms conducted in the presence of a double-metal cyanide catalyst wherein a reaction mixture is guided at least once through a zone which has an energy density of at least 105 J/m3 and wherein the residence time of the reaction mixture in this zone is at least 10−6 seconds per pass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyaspartate mixtures containing a) 5 to 70 equiv. %, based on the total equivalents of aspartate groups, of a cyclic polyaspartate corresponding to the formula wherein X1 represents the residue obtained by removing the amino groups from a cyclic polyamine having a functionality of n, R1 and R2 are identical or different and represent organic groups which are inert to isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less, R3 and R4 are identical or different and represent hydrogen or organic groups which are inert towards isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less and n is 2 to 4, and b) 30 to 95 equiv.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of three-dimensional acoustically sound automotive insulation parts. In particular, the process includes mixing a two component polyurethane resin, applying the resin to a substrate, molding the substrate and then trimming and demolding the resin applied substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyaspartates corresponding to the formula wherein X1 represents the residue obtained by removing the amino groups from a polyether polyamine having a functionality of n and a number average molecular weight of less than 600, wherein the amino groups are attached to primary carbon atoms and the ether groups are separated by at least two carbon atoms, R1 and R2 are identical or different and represent organic groups which are inert to isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less, R3 and R4 are identical or different and represent hydrogen or organic groups which are inert towards isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less and n is 2 to 4. The present invention also relates to polyureas prepared by reacting the polyaspartates and optionally other isocyanate-reactive compounds with polyisocyanates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for spraying a one-component composition by a) activating the trigger mechanism of a caulking gun having two or more rams and containing two or more cartridges to incrementally advance a ram into operative engagement with each cartridge and dispense a first liquid binder component from a first cartridge and a second liquid additive component from a second cartridge into a static mixer having an optionally removable spray tip, b) mixing the first component and the second component in the static mixer, c) discharging the mixed liquid components from the static mixer through the optionally removable spray tip at the downstream end of the static mixer into an atomizing zone, d) introducing air into the atomizing zone, e) atomizing the mixed liquid components in the atomizing zone, f) spraying the atomized liquid components onto a substrate and g) during an interruption in the spraying process or after termination of the spraying process, discarding the static mixe

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of rigid foams comprising reacting a polyisocyanate component with an isocyanate-reactive component in the present of a blowing agent. Suitable isocyanate-reactive components for the presently claimed invention comprises polyether polyols having an OH number of from 200 to 800 and containing from 3 to 8 hydroxyl groups wherein the level of alkalinity present in the polyether polyol is equivalent to a hydroxide ion level of from about 0.006% to about 0.21% by weight.

Abstract: A tubular assembly which includes a first (or outer) tube (12), a second (or inner) tube (21) and a plug (42) within the second tube (21) is described. The plug (42) resides within at least a portion of the second tube (21), which itself resides within a portion of the first tube (12). The first (12) and second (21) tubes each have perforations (15, 24), at least some of which are aligned. The plug (42) has cavities (45) in its exterior surface (48), at least some of which are aligned with the aligned perforations (36). Plastic material (e.g., thermoplastic material) is molded through aligned perforations (36) and at least partially fills aligned cavities (45). The edges (39) of aligned perforations (36) are embedded in the plastic material (53) molded therethrough. The plastic material (53) extending through aligned perforations (36), into cavities (45) and embedding perforation edges (39) therein, serves to fixedly attach the first tube (12), second tube (21) and plug (42) together.

Abstract: A glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic molding composition suitable for the preparation of articles having good surface properties is disclosed. The composition contains a resinous blend and a filler component. The resinous blend contains (i) to 50 wt. % of a grafted acrylate rubber, (ii) 2 to 10 wt. % of a first copolymer containing structural units derived from styrene (meth)acrylonitrile and maleic anhydride, (iii) 20 to 80 wt. % polyamide, and (iv) 0 to 40 wt. % of a second copolymer containing structural units derived from styrene and (meth)acrylonitrile, the percents being relative to the total amount of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv). The filler component of the inventive composition contains 5 to 50 percent of milled glass fibers, the percent being relative to the weight of the molding composition. Optionally, the inventive composition also contains a positive amount of a wollastonite. Molded articles that are prepared of the composition feature good mechanical properties and excellent surface quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel aromatic isocyanates obtained by partially hydrogenating naphthalene as well as the processes for preparing the same, and to their use as an isocyanate component in the production of polyurethanes.