Abstract: Prepare extruded thermoplastic polymer foam by preparing a foamable polymer mixture containing thermoplastic polymer and blowing agent at a mixing pressure, cooling the foamable polymer mixture and extruding it through a foaming die at a die pressure at least 90 bars lower than the mixing pressure and out through a die opening having cross sectional dimensions of 2.5 millimeter or more and a cross sectional area of at least 700 square millimeters at a flow rate greater than 500 kilograms per hour and allow it to expand into a polymer foam between shaping elements while restraining the extrusion rate with a restraining device so as to form polymer foam having 96 volume percent or less void volume, anisotropic cell size, a thickness of 50 millimeter or greater, compressive and tensile moduli in the thickness dimension greater than 35 mega pascals and an average shear modulus greater than 16 mega pascals.

Abstract: Plasticizers are made from oil with a narrowed, fatty acid polydispersity and extracted from a microorganism, such as a natural or genetically modified bacterium or algae. These plasticizers can comprise either a large content of either saturated C4 and/or C6 triglycerides or unsaturated C12 or greater triglycerides that have been chemically modified by one or more of epoxidation, acylation and esterification. The plasticizers of this invention are particularly well-suited for use with polar polymeric resins such as PVC.

Abstract: The invention provides an ethylene-based polymer comprising the following properties: a) a melt index (12)>2.0 dg/min; b) a Mw(abs) versus 12 relationship: Mw(abs)<A+B(I2), where A=2.40×105 g/mole, and B=?8.00×103 (g/mole)/(dg/min); and c) a G? versus 12 relationship: G?>C+D(I2), where C=127.5 Pa, and D=?1.25 Pa/(dg/min). The invention also provides an ethylene-based polymer comprising the following properties: a) a melt index (12)>2.0 dg/min; b) a G? versus 12 relationship: G?>C+D(I2), where C=127.5 Pa, and D=?1.25 Pa/(dg/min) c) a chloroform extractable (Clext) versus G? relationship: Clext.<E+FG?, where E=0.20 wt %, and F=0.060 wt %/Pa; and d) a “weight fraction (w) of molecular weight greater than 106 g/mole, based on the total weight of polymer, and as determined by GPC(abs),” that meets the following relationship: w<I?J(I2), where I=0.080, and J=?4.00×10?3 min/dg.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for preparing carbonized polymers, such as carbon fibers, comprising: sulfonating a polymer with a sulfonating agent that comprises SO3 gas to form a sulfonated polymer; treating the sulfonated polymer with a heated solvent, wherein the temperature of said solvent is at least 95° C.; and carbonizing the resulting product by heating it to a temperature of 500-3000° C.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for low density flexible polyurethane foams are reaction products of reaction systems including at least one polyol and at least one isocyanate including at least 50% by weight of an MDI based isocyanate. The flexible polyurethane foam has a density of less than about 33 kg/m3 as determined according to ASTM D 3574-01, a tear strength of more than about 160 N/m as determined according to NBR 8515:2003 and a resiliency of at least 45% as measured according to ASTM D-3574-H.

Abstract: Provided are protected antimicrobial compounds which are useful for controlling microorganisms in aqueous or water-containing systems, such as oil or gas field fluids, at elevated temperature. The antimicrobial compounds are of the formula I: wherein R3 and R4 are as defined herein.

Abstract: Described are novel monocationic polyhydroxyl compounds and their uses in personal care compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed here are processes for preparing carbonized polymers (preferably carbon fibers), comprising sulfonating a polymer with a sulfonating agent that comprises SO3 dissolved in a solvent to form a sulfonated polymer; treating the sulfonated polymer with a heated solvent, wherein the temperature of the solvent is at least 95° C.; and carbonizing the resulting product by heating it to a temperature of 500-3000° C. Carbon fibers made according to these methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon or a liquid biologically derived fuel by adding to the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel at least one compound having formula (I), wherein R represents C1-C18 alkyl, C3-C18 alkenyl or C3-C18 alkynyl.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomers are formed by curing a reaction mixture containing at least one polyisocyanate at least one polyol, an aliphatic diol chain extender and a small amount of a secondary amino compound that may have none or one or more hydroxyl groups. The reaction is catalyzed with a metal catalyst. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is an organozirconium, organotitanium or tertiary amine-based catalyst. The presence of the secondary amine compound in those cases provides for a good surface appearance and good physical properties.

Abstract: Coating compositions, processes of making coating compositions, coated articles, and methods of forming such articles. Coating compositions include a dispersion of core/shell particles. The core includes a base polymer, and the shell includes a polar polymeric stabilizing agent. One or more hydrophobic particulate fillers is embedded at least partially in the shell. Processes include: (1) selecting the base polymer; (2) selecting the stabilizing agent; (3) selecting the particulate filler(s); (4) melt-blending these, and contacting the melt-blend with water optionally with a neutralizing agent, thereby forming the coating composition including a dispersion. Coated articles include a substrate including cellulose and a dispersion on at least one surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A two-component curable adhesive or sealant composition is provided. The first component may comprise a mixture of at least one polyol selected from the group comprising a polyester polyol, a polyester-polycarbonate copolymer polyol, and combinations thereof, a resin, and optionally a solvent. The second component may comprise a prepolymer obtained by reacting a polyester-polycarbonate copolymer polyol which is the reaction product of a polyester polyol which is the reaction product of one or more organic acids, and one or more glycols having a functionality of two or more and one or more polycarbonate polyols, at least one organic polyisocyanate component, and at least one chain extending agent and optionally a solvent. Alternatively, the first component may comprise a polyester-polycarbonate copolymer polyol, a resin, and optionally a solvent. The second component may comprise a polyisocyanate curative and optionally a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous pour point depressant dispersion composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, preferably ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); a dispersing agent; water; optionally an aqueous freezing point depressant; and optionally a stabilizing agent wherein the volumn average particle size of the dispersed thermoplastic polymer is equal to or less than 1 micrometers and a method to make and use said composition.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (a) a thermoplastic polymer; (b) a plurality of particles, each said particle having core-shell structure and comprising, (i) a core comprising one or more magnetic materials and (ii) a shell comprising silicon dioxide; wherein the composition comprises particles (b) in an amount from 2 to 15 wt % is provided. Further provided is a connector comprising the composition, a system comprising the connector and a process for improving bonding between two or more means for conveying fluids.

Abstract: A filter assembly (10) including a first (12) and second (14) filtration element positioned in an abutting end-to-end arrangement along a common axis (X). Both filtration elements (12, 14) include a cylindrical housing (16, 16?) enclosing a filtration media and extending along the axis (X) between opposing ends, and an end cap (18, 20, 18?, 20?) located at each of the abutting ends of the filtration elements (12, 14) and comprising an annular surface (28, 28?) co-extensive with the housing (16, 16?) and an annular stepped edge (29, 29?). The first (12) and second (14) filtration elements are positioned with their end caps (18, 20?) directly engaged with each other so that the stepped edges (29, 29?) collectively form a continuous annular groove (31) about the periphery of the filter assembly (10). The annular groove (31) provides an effective means for handling filtration elements without increasing the overall length of end cap.

Abstract: A filtration element with a fiber-reinforced shell and a method for fabricating the same. The fabrication method including the steps of: i) coating a multi-strand fiber with a liquid resin, ii) winding the coated fiber about the cylindrical filtration element, and iii) solidifying the resin to form a fiber-reinforced shell. The method is characterized by utilizing a spliced fiber formed by: a) aligning an end of a first multi-strand fiber with an end of a second multi-stand fiber such that the aligned fibers extend along a common axis (X), b) wrapping a layer of a heat-shrinkable film about the outer diameter of the aligned ends of the fibers wherein heat-shrinkable film includes a layer of adhesive that contacts the overlapping strands of the fibers, and c) heating the film so that the film draws inward upon the aligned ends of each fiber and forms an integral bond such that the effective cross-sectional area of a section of fiber.

Abstract: Epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters produced, at least in part, from a natural-oil soap stock and methods for making such epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters. Epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters can be employed in plasticizer compositions in combination with at least one epoxidized natural oil. Such plasticizers can be employed in preparing polymeric compositions comprising a polymeric resin, such as polyvinyl chloride, and the plasticizer. Such polymeric compositions can, in turn, be employed in making various articles of manufacture, such as coatings or jackets for wires and cables.

Abstract: A thin film composite membrane including a thin film polyamide layer positioned between a porous support and an outer coating, and a humectant; wherein the membrane has an A-value of at least 8 l/m2 hr/bar when tested at 25 l/m2 hr with pure water at 25° C. for one hour, and wherein the outer coating comprises a dissolvable cellulose polymer provided at coverage of at least 10 mg/m2 that substantially dissolves from the membrane after one hour of continuous cross-flow of water at 25 l/m2 hr and 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition comprising a) a stable aqueous dispersion of polymer particles having one or more structural units of i) a polyurea macromer; and ii) an acrylate, a methacrylate, a vinyl ester, or a styrene monomer, or a combination thereof; and/or b) an aqueous mixture of a i) polyurea macromer polymer particles; and b) acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl ester, or styrenic polymer particles, or a combination thereof, wherein the polyurea macromer is characterized by the following formula I: where A1, A2, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein. Compositions prepared using the compound of the present invention can be used to form coatings with excellent balance of low temperature film formation, hardness, and flexibility.

Abstract: The fluoropolymer compositions of the present invention generally incorporate ingredients comprising one or more fluoropolymers, an ultraviolet light protection component (hereinafter UV protection component), and optionally one or more additional ingredients if desired. The UV protection component includes a combination of at least one hindered tertiary amine (HTA) compound having a certain structure and a weight average molecular weight of at least 1000. This tertiary amine is used in combination with at least one organic, UV light absorbing compound (UVLA compound) having a weight average molecular weight greater than 500. When the HTA compound and the UVLA compound are selected according to principles of the present invention, the UV protection component provides fluoropolymer compositions with significantly improved weatherability characteristics for protecting underlying materials, features, structures, components, and/or the like.