Abstract: Plastic optical fibers or plastic optical fiber cores with good high temperature resistance to optical attenuation loss are prepared from a cyclic block copolymer characterized by a: A. Weight ratio of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block to hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block of 35:65 to 10:90; B. Number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 40,000 to 150,000, grams per mole (g/mol); and C. Hydrogenation level such that each hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer block and each hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer block has a hydrogenation level of at least 95 percent.

Abstract: Multilayer films comprising three or more layers have improved properties for a variety of applications. The multilayer films often have a total thickness of from about 10 to about 50 microns. Blown multilayer film properties may include excellent cling with reduced unwinding noise levels. Cast multilayer film properties include improved elasticity, impact, puncture, and tear properties.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a first composition, which first composition comprises the following: A) a first interpolymer comprising, in polymerized form, ethylene, an ?-olefin and a nonconjugated polyene; B) a second interpolymer comprising, in polymerized form, ethylene, an ?-olefin and a nonconjugated polyene; and wherein the first composition has at least one of the following features: a) an [(ML(1+4, 125° C.))/Mw(conv)]*1000 greater than 0.429 mole/g; b) a Mooney Viscosity (ML, 1+4, 125° C.) greater than, or equal to, 70, and has a low shear viscosity (? at 0.1 rad/sec) less than, or equal to, 100,000 Pa·sec; and c) a Mooney Viscosity (ML(1+4, 125° C.)) greater than, or equal to, 70, and has an [Mw(abs)]/[Mw(conv)] less than 1.2.

Abstract: Provided are surfactant compositions that are useful as wetting agents in aqueous formulations. The compositions comprise (a) a dialkyl sulfosuccinate compound of formula (I); and (b) a secondary alcohol alkoxylate compound of formula (II): wherein R, M, R1, R2, and n are as defined herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards using a carbon-Michael compound. As an example, a method of using a carbon-Michael compound to reduce heat transfer can include locating the carbon-Michael compound between a heat provider and a heat receptor, where the carbon-Michael compound is a reaction product of a multifunctional acrylate compound with a multifunctional Michael donor, and the heat provider has a temperature from 100 C to 290 C.

Abstract: The present invention appreciates that compounds comprising nitrogen-containing moieties that are at least divalent (e.g., urea, urethane, amide, etc.) can be reacted with azides using at least radiation energy to initiate the reaction between at least a portion of the compounds and the azides to form membranes that have surprisingly high selectivities for acid gases relative to nonpolar gases such as hydrocarbons. The membranes are also resistant to CO2 plasticization and have high acid gas flux characteristics. The resultant membranes can be extremely thin (e.g., 10 micrometers or less), which promotes high permeability for the acid gas and can translate into high productivity on a scaled-up, industrial level.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes at least two solar active elements separated by a gap, with a flexible material provided to define the gap. The article provides for enhanced resilience and conformity to an installation surface.

Abstract: A curable composition including (a) at least one epoxide compound comprising: (i) at least one solid or semi-solid epoxy resin; and (ii) at least one divinylarene dioxide resin compound; and (b) at least one hardener; wherein the curable composition being cured comprises a cured thermoset product having a Tg of greater than about 120° C. A thermoset can be prepared from the above curable composition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for paper mill equipment that can better withstand the conditions of a paper mill. Embodiments encompass paper mill equipment that incorporate a polyurethane layer having a hysteresis value of less than 70% and a permanent set of less than 30%. The polyurethane layer includes a polyurethane produced by curing a mixed composition. The mixed composition includes at least a urethane prepolymer (A) and at least a curing agent (B) having an active hydrogen group (H). The urethane prepolymer (A) has at least one terminal isocyanate group and is obtained by reacting at least a polyisocyanate compound (a) with at least a polycarbonate diol compound (b) having a number average molecular weight of at least 1500 g/mol. The curing agent (B) includes at least an amine compound. The elastomer compositions are also useful to coat the acid pickling roller in the steel industry.

Abstract: A reaction system comprising an organic polyisocyanate and an isocyanate reactive component for preparation of a viscoelastic polyurethane foam is provided. The isocyanate reactive component comprises (i) from 10 to 50% by weight of one or more low equivalent weight propylene oxide rich (PO-rich) polyols having a combined number average equivalent weight from 200 to 500, (ii) from 45 to 95% by weight of one or more ethylene oxide (EO-rich) polyols having a combined number average equivalent weight from 200 to 800 and an ethylene oxide content from 40% to 65% by weight of the total mass of the EO-rich polyol and at least one of (iii) from 10 to 30% by weight of one or more high equivalent weight PO-rich polyols having a number average equivalent weight from 800 to 2,000 or (iv) from 10 to 40% by weight of one or more propylene oxide co-polymer polyols containing styrene-acrylonitrile.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for chromatography of a polyolefin polymer, comprising introducing a solution of the polyolefin polymer into a liquid flowing through a liquid chromatography stationary phase, the liquid chromatography stationary phase comprising graphitic carbon. The invention also provides an apparatus for polyolefin polymer chromatography, comprising a liquid chromatography stationary phase, the liquid chromatography stationary phase comprising graphitic carbon and at least one inert filler.

Abstract: Oil-water dispersions and emulsions derived from petroleum industry operations are demulsified and clarified using an aqueous water clarifier composition. Formation of such oil-water dispersion and emulsions is inhibited and mitigated using the aqueous water clarifier composition comprising a latex dispersion of an anionic polymer, an alcohol, and a base. The latex dispersion of an anionic polymers comprise an anionic polymer comprising: A) 2-80% by weight of at least one C3-C8 ?,?-ethylenically N unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer; B) 15-80% by weight of at least one nonionic, copolymerizable ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated monomer; C) 0-50% by weight of one or more of the following monomers: C1) at least one nonionic vinyl surfactant ester; or C2) at least one nonionic, copolymerizable ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated monomer having longer polymer chains than monomer B), or C3) at least one nonionic urethane monomer; and, optionally, D) 0-5% by weight of at least one crosslinker.

Abstract: A curable epoxy resin composition containing (a) from 60 to 85 weight percent of a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin, (b) from 15 to 40 weight percent of an oxazolidone ring containing epoxy resin, (c) at least one anhydride hardener, and (d) at least one toughening agent, where weight percent values are relative to total weight of epoxy resins in the curable epoxy resin composition; a process for preparing the curable epoxy resin composition; a composite containing a continuous reinforcing fiber embedded in a reaction product of the curable epoxy resin composition and a cable comprising the composite as a core.

Abstract: A mullite body comprising: a plurality of crystals, wherein about 70 percent or greater of the crystals have a crystal diameter that is within about 3 microns or less of an average diameter of the plurality of crystals, and a porosity of 55 percent or greater; and made using a process comprising: mixing precursor materials together with an average aggregate particle size of about 3 microns or smaller measured using a particle size analyzer; heating greenware in air to a first temperature such that the greenware is dried and forms calcineware, heating the calcineware in a silicon tetrafiouride atmosphere to form flurotopaz, and heating to a second temperature so that a mullite structure is formed.

Abstract: The present invention a process and apparatus for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) isomer mixtures with a low 2,2?-MDI isomer content and a high 2,4?-MDI isomer content. The resulting mixtures have an increased reactivity and are acceptable in food grade application due to the reduction in primary aromatic amines formed during the curing process. The process and apparatus also include controlling the amount of 4,4?-MDI, which is the most reactive isomer in the mixture allowing use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A method for preparing ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate salt comprising reacting a secondary amine with an aldehyde to form an iminium ion; hydrogenating the iminium ion by reaction with a reducing agent to form a tertiary amine; reacting the tertiary amine with a mineral acid to form an amine salt; and reacting the amine salt with K[B(C6F5)4], Li[B(C6F5)4], or combinations thereof to form an ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate salt, wherein the secondary amine is derived from a non-animal source and the aldehyde has seven or more carbon atoms; wherein the ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate salt is characterized by a solubility at 25° C. in hexane, cyclohexane or methylcyclohexane of at least 10 weight percent; and wherein the tertiary amine has a molecular weight of at least 450 g/mole is provided.

Abstract: A fire retardant and antistatic polyurethane elastomer free of mercury and having a Shore A hardness of at least 30 is prepared from a polyol component and a prepolymer (e.g., an isocyanate) component. The polyol component comprises (A) a saturated polyester polyol of ethylene/butane/adipate of a nominal molecular weight and with a functionality of 2 or more, (B) a polyester polyol of ethylene/trimethylol propane/neopentyl adipate of nominal molecular weight and with a functionality of 2.5 or more, (C) an optional glycol chain extender, (D) an optional polymethyl alkyl siloxane defoamer, (E) an optional desiccant paste, (F) an optional polybutadiene oligomer, (G) an antistatic agent, (H) an optional surface modified fumed silica, (I) tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)phosphate flame retardant, (J) ammonium polyphosphate flame retardant, and (K) an organometallic catalyst other than a mercury-based organometallic catalyst, e.g., a tin-based catalyst.

Abstract: A two-component curable epoxy resin system is disclosed. The resin system includes an epoxy resin component containing at least 80% by weight of a polyglycidyl ether of a polyphenol. The system also includes an hardener mixture containing mainly polyethylene tetraamines. The system include triethylene diamine in specific amounts as a catalyst. The system has beneficial curing characteristics that make it useful for producing fiber-reinforced composites in a resin transfer molding process.

Abstract: Cross-linkable polymeric compositions comprising an ethylene-based polymer, an organic peroxide, and a polyallyl cross-linking coagent, where the polyallyl cross-linking coagent and the organic peroxide are present in amounts sufficient to provide an allyl-to-active oxygen molar ratio of at least 1.6, based on the allyl content of the polyallyl cross-linking coagent and the active oxygen content of the organic peroxide. Such cross-linkable polymeric compositions can be employed in forming coated conductors.

Abstract: Prepare a thermoplastic polymer foam having a porosity of 70% or more and at least one of: (i) an average cell size of 200 nanometers or less; and (ii) a nucleation density of at least 1×1015 effective nucleation sites per cubic centimeter of foamable polymer composition not including blowing agent using a foamable polymer composition containing a thermoplastic polymer selected from styrenic polymer and (meth)acrylic polymers, a blowing agent comprising at least 20 mole-percent carbon dioxide based on moles of blowing agent and an additive having a Total Hansen Solubility Parameter that differs from that of carbon dioxide by less than 2 and that is present at a concentration of 0.01 to 1.5 weight parts per hundred weight parts thermoplastic polymer.