Abstract: The present invention is a composition comprising an alternating hydrogenated block copolymer having at least two hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer blocks and at least one conjugated diene polymer block, wherein the number average molecular weights (Mn) of each block can be different.

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymers having a slow rate of absorption, and a process for their preparation. The superabsorbent polymer has a slow rate of absorption, is crosslinked with a covalent crosslinking agent and the metal of a polyvalent metal coordination compound, has the metal of the coordination compound distributed essentially homogeneously throughout the polymer, and has an Absorption Rate Index of at least about 5 minutes. Prepare water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer particles having a slow rate of water absorption by polymerizing a monomer in the presence of a covalent crosslinking agent and a polyvalent metal coordination compound under conditions such that there is formed a polymer having reversible cationic crosslinks and such that the metal is distributed essentially homogeneously throughout the polymer particles.

Abstract: Extruded, substantially closed-polystyrene foams that exhibit improved fire resistance yet contain lower levels of brominated fire retardant are disclosed. Methods of preparing the foams, comprising extruding the polystyrene with a novel fire retardant formulation comprising a mixture of a) a phosphate compound, preferably TPP; b) less than about 2.5 percent HBCD based on 100 percent polystyrene; and optionally c) a flow promoter such as dimethyldiphenylbutane, the extrusion process using a blowing agent which is preferably selected from carbon dioxide, mixtures of two or more of carbon dioxide, water, alcohol, ether and hydrocarbons, or a mixture of hydrofluorocarbons, alcohols, and hydrocarbons, are also disclosed. Use of the phosphate compound in the fire retardant formulation allows a reduction in the amount of brominated compound required and a reduction in the foaming temperature, resulting in lower density foams.

Abstract: Anhydrous, liquid antimicrobial compositions comprising quaternaries 1-(benzyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride, 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride and the cis- and cis/trans-isomers thereof, 1-(&agr;-(2-xylyl))-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride and methyl 1-(3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride) acetate in admixture with an anhydrous carrier liquid and a thixotropic material are substantially stable to color changes, physical changes and/or chemical changes while under conventional storage conditions for extended time periods.

Abstract: A multiple layer adhesive and barrier film that combines good adhesion to substrates such as a foam material with a barrier to liquid permeation provides the substrate with a liquid barrier and adequate wear characteristics, particularly when the substrate is a foam material used as a carpet pad.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for producing ethylene homopolymerizates and ethylene copolymerizates exhibiting a lower mass density of up to 0.930 g/cm3 and a melt index ranging from 0.15 to 25 g/10 min (2.16 kg; 463 K). Said polymerizates exhibit an improved processing stability and improved availability in the installation at pressures greater than 1000 bar and at temperatures of up to 603 K. The polymerizates are produced in tubular reactors in the presence of radical-forming initiators, oxygen thereunder and chain transfer agents, of which at least one comprises an aldehydic structure. According to the inventive method, chemokinetic characteristics of the reactive feed materials (thermal half-life periods, concentrations, dosing quantities) are coupled with fluidically relevant characteristics of the tubular reactor (flow rate) while taking the target product quality (melt index, flow figure) into consideration.

Abstract: Blend compositions containing a novel homopolymer, the use of which allows the incorporation of more comonomer in the additional components of the blend (for the same overall density) resulting in increased tie molecule formation and improvement in properties such as ESCR, toughness and impact strength are disclosed. The homopolymers are important for applications where a high density is needed to ensure certain mechanical properties like abrasion resistance, indentation resistance, pressure resistance, topload resistance, modulus of elasticity, or morphology (for the chlorination of PE to CPE) and additional advantages such as melt processability. The blend can be obtained by dry or melt mixing the already produced components, or through in-situ production by in parallel and/or in series arranged reactors. These resins can be used in applications such as films, blow molded, injection molded, and rotomolded articles, fibres, and cable and wire coatings and jacketings and, various forms of pipe.

Abstract: A polymerization process comprises contacting one or more olefinic comonomers in the presence of at least a high molecular weight catalyst and at least a low molecular weight catalyst in a single reactor; and effectuating the polymerization of the olefinic comonomers in the reactor to obtain an olefin polymer. Preferably, both catalysts have the ability to incorporate a substantially similar amount of comonomers in the olefin polymer. The polymers produced by the process may have a relatively higher level of long chain branching while maintaining a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, i.e., MWD less than about 6. These interpolymers may exhibit processability similar to or better than LDPE but have physical properties similar to metallocene catalyzed polymers.

Abstract: Flexible, halogen-free films, both multilayer films and monolayer films, can replace polyvinyl chloride films in applications requiring high speed welding by high frequency radiation. The monolayer films result from a blend of a non-polar olefin polymer and a polar olefin polymer that contains carbon monoxide. The multilayer films have like that of the monolayer films, but located so as to promote high frequency sealing. Products made from such films are particularly well suited for medical device applications.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyurethane carpet backing prepared from a polyurethane-forming composition wherein fly ash is included as a filler material. High loadings of fly ash can be obtained without detriment to the process for preparing a polyurethane carpet backing, or adverse effect to the physical properties of the carpet backing.

Abstract: Novel metal complexes containing at least two heteroatoms attached to an indenyl or substituted indenyl radical which is bridged by ligand group thereby forming a covalent or coordinate/covalent bond to the metal, the use of such metal complexes in the formation of polymerization catalysts and processes for polymerizing &agr;-olefins using such catalysts.

Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with first and second wall portions (14,16), and which may include an integrated reinforcement structure (18). The seating system is capable of either or both of withstanding without rupture at least about 11000 Newtons in the direction in which the seat back (12) faces in a plane, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle or, upon rapid acceleration up to at least about 20 g, substantially no fragmentation of the seat back with at least a 30 kg mass placed behind the seat back.

Abstract: A poly(ethylene oxide) polymer having low and high molecular weight fractions is fractionated by dissolving the polymer in a solvent for the low molecular weight fraction. A good separation of the low and high molecular weight fractions can be obtained. When the poly(ethylene oxide) polymer contains a metal cyanide catalyst, this process also provides a good separation of the catalyst from the low molecular weight fraction. In this instance, the catalyst remains active and the high molecular weight fraction containing the catalyst can be recycled into subsequent polymerization processes.

Abstract: A method of treating reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea and polyurea polymers comprising exposing a reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea or polyurea polymer to an amount of infrared energy sufficient to increase the temperature of the polymer to at least 175° C., and then maintaining the temperature of the polymer at or above that temperature, for a time sufficient to increase the Gardner impact property, as measured using ASTMD-3029, when compared to the same polymer which has been heated to the same temperature and maintained thereat for the same time in a convection oven. The invention produces marked improvements in impact, heat sag and heat distortion temperature properties, and thus is particularly suited to rapid preparation of parts using a mass production conveyor and is particularly well-suited to preparation of parts which are to be subjected to later high temperature processes, such as the “E-coat” process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic interpolymer product comprising an &agr;-olefin interpolymerized with at least one vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer and/or at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer and, in at least one aspect, is characterized as having substantially synergistic thermal properties. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing the interpolymer product wherein the process employs two or more single site or metallocene catalyst systems in at least one reaction environment and wherein at least two of the catalyst systems have (a) different monomer incorporation capabilities or reactivities and (b) the same or, optionally, different monomer sequencing and/or tacticity characteristics.

Abstract: A high performance electrocatalyst is based on transition metal perovskites of praseodymium, samarium, terbium or neodymium which react with YSZ to form a product which is itself active as the cathode in a fuel cell. While PrCoO3 reacts with YSZ, the reaction product(s) do not result in severe degradation of cell performance. A fuel cell made with a cathode composed of only the reaction product of YSZ and PrCoO3 has good performance, indicating that this phase is itself not only a good conductor, but also a good catalyst for oxygen activation.

Abstract: A blend which comprises; A) a heterogeneous or homogenous linear ethylene homopolymer or interpolymer; B) a branched homopolymer or interpolymer;  wherein said blend has; 1) a melt index, I2, of about 0.05 to about 20 g/10 min; 2) a flexural modulus of ≧100,000 psi or ≦30,000 psi; 3) a melt strength of ≧2 cN; 4) a melt extensibility of ≧25 mm/sec; and 5) wherein said melt strength of said blend meets the following relationship; Melt strength≧FMS*[(f*A)+((1−f)*B)]; where: A=3.3814*(I2)−0.6476 and B=16.882*(I2)−0.6564; where  I2 is the measured melt index of the blend; f is the weight fraction of the linear polyethylene in the blend and FMS is ≧1.1. Also included in the present invention are foams, films, fibers, blow molded articles, wire and cable articles and extrusion coatings comprising said blend.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises: (a) a high molecular weight, branched component; and (b) a low molecular weight, branched component.

Abstract: The present invention provides an engineered closed wall system that includes one or more preinstalled conduits installed during fabrication of the closed wall system and an associated box that is positioned to intersect the preinstalled conduit at a standard connection port of the box and in a predetermined location. The location of the conduit and/or box can vary according to job-specific requirements. Advantageously, the conduit can be installed equidistant from the first and second outward layers. Specific boxes, and any ring extensions mounted to the boxes, can be sized to flexibly mount from either outward layer and still be substantially flush with the face of the outward layer and still intersect the conduit at a standard connection port provided on the box.

Abstract: The present invention provides one or more viewports formed at predetermined locations that allow inspections of an inside member of a closed wall system. The viewports can be disposed at predetermined locations that do not significantly impair the structural characteristics of the outward layers or inside members. In at least one embodiment, the viewports are formed in one or more outward layers during fabrication of a closed wall system. Generally, the closed wall system can be mass-produced in a manufacturing facility, although the closed wall system may be assembled at the job site.