Abstract: A silicon-modified thermoplastic resin is prepared by heating a mixture comprised of 10 to 90% by weight of an imide group-containing thermoplastic resin and 90 to 10% by weight of a modified silicon compound having an amino group--NH.sub.2 at one end of the molecule and an alkyl group --C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 (n is an integer of at least 1) at the other end of the molecule, to chemically bond the imide group-containing thermoplastic resin to the modified silicon compound.

Abstract: A light-transmitting plastic fiber comprising, as a core component, a methacrylimide group-containing polymer prepared by polymerizing methyl methacrylate in the absence of a chain transfer agent and then imidizing the methyl methacrylate polymer thus prepared, and another polymer as a sheath component.

Abstract: A heat resistant and impact resistant resin composition is disclosed which composition comprises 5 to 95 parts by weight of a maleimide copolymer (A) prepared by continuous polymerization in the absence of water, containing only small amounts of residual monomers and volatile components, and having a Mw/Mn of not greater than 3, a yellow index of not greater than 30, and an intrinsic viscosity of 0.3 to 1.5, and 5 to 95 parts by weight of a rubber-reinforced resin (B).

Abstract: Disclosed is a resin composition comprising a copolymer [I] having a number average molecular weight of at least 15,000, which comprises at least 30 mole % of the following recurring units [A]: ##STR1## and a compound [II] having a number average molecular weight of at least 1,000, which is comprised of perfluoroalkylether recurring units [D]. This resin composition is used as a cladding of a core-clad optical fiber.

Abstract: The flame-retardant cable of this invention is a single-core or multiple-core cable comprising a plastic optical fiber and at least one covering material covering this plastic optical fiber, and this flame-retardant cable is characterized in that at least one covering material is a highly flame-retardant resin, for example, a highly flame-retardant resin having an oxygen index (OI) of at least 32, preferably from 40 to 45, such as chlorinated polyethylene. This flame-retardant cable has an excellent flame retardancy with no lowering of the performances of the optical fiber. Moreover, the cable has an excellent flame resistance.

Abstract: A methacrylimide-containing polymer comprising a polymer (A) comprised of 5-100 weight % of units represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is H or C1-20 hydrocarbon group, and 0-95 weight % of units derived from an ethylenic monomer, wherein a polymer derived from at least one ethylenic monomer has been grafted onto the polymer (A). The methacrylimide-containing polymer is used as a blend with another thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic resin composition of an enhanced impact strength comprising 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin and 2 to 50 parts by weight of a graft copolymer (A) obtained by emulsion-graft-polymerizing a monomer mixture comprised of a major amount of an acrylic monomer and a minor amount of a monomer selected from aromatic vinyl monomers and vinyl cyanide monomers in the presence of 60 to 90% by weight (as solids), based on the weight of the graft copolymer (A), of a diene type rubber latex containing more than 50% by weight of a diene type rubber polymer having a weight average particle diameter of at least 0.3 .mu.m.

Abstract: A vinyl chloride resin composition having excellent impact resistance even at a low temperature and good weather resistance is disclosed. Such vinyl chloride resin composition comprises:(A) a vinyl chloride resin, and(B) a compound rubber type graft copolymerwherein one or more vinyl monomers are graft-polymerized onto a compound rubber that has an average particle diameter of 0.08 to 0.6 .mu.m and possesses such a structure that 1 to 10 wt. % of a polyorganosiloxane rubber component and 90 to 99 wt. % of a polyalkyl (meth)acrylate rubber component are entangled in an inseparable fashion, and the total amount of the polyorganosiloxane rubber component and the polyalkyl (meth)acrylate rubber component is 100 wt. %.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising as an image-transmitting member a multifilament type plastic optical fiber in which 50 to 20,000 islands having a core-sheath structure, a core diameter of 2 to 70 .mu.m and a circular or substantially circular section are arranged in a zigzag-stacked or square-stacked structure in the sea having a circular or substantially circular section, so that the lamination structure of the entire cores has a substantially circular shape in the section of the image-transmitting portion, wherein the same positional relationship of the ends of light-transmitting paths arranged in the section of the optical fiber is maintained on both the ends of the optical fiber, the periphery of the section of the image-transmitting portion of the optical fiber has a circular or substantially circular shape, and an object lens is attached to one end of the image-transmitting member and an image-transmitting light-receiving member is arranged on the other end of the image-transmitting member.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing carbon fibers with modified surfaces by electrolytic treatment. In the process, electric current is passed between carbon fibers and a counter electrode in an electrolytic solution to which an aromatic compound having at least one hydroxyl group and/or amino group is added.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optically active substance represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein m is an integer of 1 to 14, Y is ##STR2## R is --C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1, --OC.sub.n H.sub.2n+1, --OCOC.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 or --COOC.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 (in which n is an integer of 1 to 18), each of the asterisked carbon atoms is an asymmetric carbon atom, X a single bond, --CO.sub.2 --, or --OCO--, and A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano or methoxy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resin composition comprised of (A) 100 parts by weight of a polymer containing at least 10% by weight of methacrylimide units and (B) 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of a specific polyhydric alcohol compound and/or a specific compound having polyoxyethylene segments. This resin composition provides a shaped article having a good antistatic property and heat resistance.

Abstract: A methacrylic resin cast plate having an excellent antistatic property comprises (A) 100 weight parts of a polymer comprising 50 to 100 weight % of methyl methacrylate units and 0 to 50 weight % of copolymerizable monomer units and (B) 0.1 to 20 weight parts of a polymer comprising 20 to 100 weight & of units derived from a monomer having a quaternary ammonium base, which is represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3, R.sub.2 through R.sub.4 are H or (C1-9) alkyl which may have a substituent, m is from 1 to 10 and X.sup.- is an anion of a quaternizing agent, and 0 to 80 weight % of copolymerizable monomer units. The cast plate is obtained by polymerizing methyl methacrylate, a monomer mixture comprising at least 50 weight & of methyl methacrylate and up to 50 weight % of a copolymerizable monomer or a partial polymerization product thereof in the presence of the polymer (B).

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer composition comprising (I) 60 to 99.8 wt. % of an amorphous copolymer comprising (a) units derived from perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole and (b) units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer selected from ethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, and CF.sub.2 =CFOCF.sub.3, and (II) 0.2 to 40 wt. % of a compound having a hydrocarbon group containing at least one fluorine atom and at least one functional group selected from --OH, --SR, --COOH, --SO--, --SO.sub.2 --, --CONH--, --COO--CO--, --CONHCO--, --COO--, --CN, --NCO, --CO--, --HCOO--, --NH.sub.2 --, --NH--, .dbd.N, --SO.sub.3 H, --NHNH.sub.2, --CONH.sub.2, --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, --CH.dbd.CH--, (RO).sub.n X.sub.3-n Si--, wherein R is a C.sub.1-5 alkyl group, n is a number of 0 to 3, and X is halogen or a C.sub.1-5 alkyl group. The polymer composition is useful for a plastic cladding of an optical fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light attenuator comprising a stick or rod composed of a light-transmitting material, and a light-attenuating layer composed of a thermoplastic resin and formed on at least one end face of the stick or rod, wherein finely divided particles having a light-absorbing or light-scattering property are uniformly incorporated in the thermoplastic resin. This light attenuator is made by forming a light-attenuating thermoplastic resin layer having incorporated therein the light-absorbing or light scattering finely divided particles on a release film or paper; placing the light-attenuating layer formed on the release film or paper on a heating plate; press-bonding the end face of a rod or stick composed of a light-transmitting material inserted and set in a ferrule to the surface of the release film or paper; cooling the bonded assembly; and then peeling the release film or paper to transfer the light-attenuating layer to the end face of the light-transmitting rod or stick.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyester resin composition having an improved impact resistance is disclosed. This composition is comprised of (A) 30 to 70 weight parts of a polyester resin composed mainly of a polyalkylene terphthalate, (B) 5 to 28 weight parts of a polycarbonate resin, (C) 5 to 35 weight parts of a graft copolymer obtained by graft-polymerizing a monomer selected from aromatic vinyl monomers and methacrylic acid ester monomers in the presence of a rubbery polymer, and (D) 10 to 45 weight parts of a polyphenylene ether resin, which further comprises (E) 2 to 20 weight parts, per 100 weight parts of the resin composition comprising the components (A) through (D), of a copolymer having a main chain of a polyolefin copolymerized with glycidyl methacrylate and a side chain of a styrene polymer, in which the content of glycidyl methacrylate in the polyolefin copolymerized with glycidyl methacrylate is 5 to 30 weight %.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antistatic thermoplastic resin composition comprised of (A) 100 wt.parts of a thermoplastic resin and (B) 0.1-40 wt.parts of a polymer comprising 20-100 wt. % of units an anionic monomer represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or --CH.sub.3, A.sub.1 is ##STR2## in which n is 0, 1 or 2, ##STR3## in which B is an alkylene, arylene or aralkylene group which may have an ester bond, or ##STR4## in which B is as defined above and R.sub.6 is H or an alkyl group, or A.sub.1 is ##STR5## X is N or P, and R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 independently represent an alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group may have a substituent,and 80-0 wt. % of units of a copolymerizable vinyl or vinylidene monomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optically active compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## or a single bond, Z stands for a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a cyano group, R.sub.1 stands for an alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 stands for an alkyl group or alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and *C stands for the asymmetric carbon atom. This compound is used as a ferroelectric liquid crystal or an additive to a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester copolymer obtained by reacting (A) a dicarboxylic acid component composed mainly of terephthalic acid or its derivative with (B) a glycol component comprising 15 to 85 mole % of (B-1) an aliphatic diol having 2 to 16 carbon atoms and 85 to 15 mole % of (B-2), 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol in which the content of the trans-form is at least 80 mole %. This polyester copolymer has a low rate of crystallization and provides a shaped article having a high heat resistance.

Abstract: A high-impact resin is prepared from a combination of (A) a polyphenylene ether, (B) a styrene polymer and (C) a rubbery elastomer composition having a particle diameter distribution, determined by the histogram method in units of 0.01 .mu.m, such that at least 80%, based on the number, of particles have a particle diameter of from 0.03 to 9 .mu.m and that the particle diameter distribution has two peak values: one of from 0.1 to 1 .mu.m and another of from 2 to 8 .mu.m. The rubbery elastomer composition is a blend of 50-95 weight % of a rubbery elastomer having a particle diameter distribution such that a peak occurs in the range of 0.1 to 1 .mu.m, with a rubbery elastomer having a particle diameter distribution such that a peak occurs in the range of 2 to 8 .mu.m.