Abstract: A preparation process of aliphatic polyester having a weight average molecular weight of 15,000 or more by conducting a direct polycondensation reaction of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol or a mixed aliphatic polyhydric alcohol and an aliphatic polybasic acid or a mixed aliphatic polybasic acid, or additionally a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a mixed hydroxycarboxylic acid or an oligomer of the hydroxycarboxylic acid in a reaction mixture containing an organic solvent.The aliphatic polyester thus obtained contains an extremely small amount of impurities, has low color and can exhibit satisfactory strength in the form of films, filaments and other shaped articles.

Abstract: Crystals of 6,6'-dihydroxy-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl -1,1'-spirobiindane (hereinafter referred to as SPI) are obtained by cooling a phenol solution containing 6,6'-dihydroxy-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-1,1'-spirobiindane when crystallization is started at a temperature higher than a transition temperature between SPI and an adduct of SPI with phenol. The crystals are washed with an organic solvent or contacted with water and further washed with an organic solvent. When crystallization is started at a temperature less than the transition temperature, adduct crystals of SPI with phenol are obtained from the phenol solution. Phenol is removed from the adduct crystals and the adduct crystals are contacted with water to obtain a hydrate and further the hydrate is washed with an organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polyol obtained by using a specified polyhydric alcohol, polyoxyalkylene polyol, aliphatic amine and/or alkamlamine as a raw material and adding an organic polycarboxylic acid or its anhydride and an alkylene oxide; a polyurethane resin prepared from said novel polyol and an organic polyisocyanate; a rigid polyurethane foam prepared by using a hydrochlorofluorocarbon or hydrofluorocarbon foaming agent which has very low public hazards; and a composite utilizing thereof.The production of rigid polyurethane foam by using the polyol of the invention can be carried out in good operation efficiency and low public hazards. Additionally, properties of the foam thus obtained is equivalent to those of rigid polyurethane foams obtained by using conventional chlorofluorocarbons. Consequently, the rigid polyurethane foam of the invention is very useful for insulation materials and structural insulation materials.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the interior of a molding machine having a residual thermoplastic resin after molding comprises the step of cleaning the interior of a molding machine with a cleaning composition which comprises:(A) 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin;(B) 2 to 100 parts by weight of a polyalkylene oxide glycol having a viscosity-average molecular weight ranging from 10,000 to 1,500,000; and(C) 0.5 to 5 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the sum of the foregoing components (A) and (B), of an alkylsulfate represented by the following general formula (I):R.sub.1 --O--SO.sub.3 M (I)wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group having 8 to 20 carbon atoms and M represents an ion selected from the group consisting of K, Na and NH.sub.4 or a fatty acid salt represented by the following general formula (II):R.sub.2 COOX (II)wherein R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group having 7 to 23 carbon atoms and X represents an ion selected from the group consisting of K, Na, Ca, Mg and Zn.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method for simultaneously preparing a highly pure bisphenol F and/or a bisphenol F for general use and a novolak phenol resin and/or a high molecular weight novolak phenol resin comprising the steps of:(1) a preparation step comprising reacting phenol with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst and removing the acid catalyst, water and the unreacted phenol from the resulting reaction product to give a crude bisphenol F;(2) a distillation step comprising distilling a part of the crude bisphenol F to give a highly pure bisphenol F, as a distillate, having a binuclear moiety-content of not less than 95% by weight and a novolak phenol resin, as a still-bottom product, having a binuclear moiety-content of not more than 15% by area;(3) a step for mixing the highly pure bisphenol F with the remaining crude bisphenol F to give a bisphenol F for general use; and(4) a step for polymerizing the novolak phenol resin with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst to give a high molec

Abstract: A polypropylene resin composition which comprises (A) 100 parts by weight of polypropylene, (B) 20-50 parts by weight of at least one elastomer selected from an ethylenic elastomer, an hydrogenated styrene-butadiene copolymer and a hydrogenated styrene-isoprene block copolymer, (C) 0.3.about.20 parts by weight of polycarbonatediol having a skeleton of aliphatic carbonate with both terminals being a hydroxyl group and (D) 0.about.50 parts by weight of an inorganic filler. The resin composition can provide a molded article having a good adhesive property to a film applied thereon without pretreatment by a halogen-containing solvent.

Abstract: A leak detection system for gas, steam or the like in a plant yard includes a plurality of sampling modules and wind direction and velocity indicators both arranged around apparatus or equipment in the plant yard. Samples of the atmosphere around the apparatus or equipment are drawn through the sampling modules, and the concentration of a substance leaked into the atmosphere is detected by a sensor module. At the same time, the direction and velocity of wind in the plant yard are determined. Leakage of gas, steam or the like in the plant yard can be detected based on the concentrations and wind direction and velocity. Methods for the determination of the direction and/or velocity of wind, wind direction and velocity indicators, and anemoscopes are also described.

Abstract: An optical recording medium for pit length recording with excellent error rate and jitter value which has a transparent injection molded resin substrate, a recording layer containing a phthalocyanine dye of formula (1) overlying the substrate and a covering layer overlying the recording layer. Also, a method of optical recording by pit length recording with a focused laser beam using an optical recording medium as described above.

Abstract: An internal release agent comprises a sulfur-containing acid phosphoric esters selected from the group consisting of thiophosphoric acid esters and dithiophosphoric acid esters of the formula, ##STR1## where X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom, at least one of X and Y is a sulfur atom, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently alkyl groups.

Abstract: A resin for electrophotographic toner comprising a degradable polyester resin which is an amorphous poly (.alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid) prepared by direct dehydration-polycondensation of an .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid and having, preferably, a number-average molecular weight ranging from 2000 to 7000. A further resin for electrophotographic toner comprising a degradable polyester resin which may be prepared by reacting an amorphous or semicrystalline poly (.alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid), having a number-average molecular weight ranging from 1000 to 7000 or 2000 to 7000 and prepared by direct dehydration-polycondensation of an .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid, with a polyol having at least three hydroxyl groups or a polycarboxylic acid having at least three carboxyl groups in the molecule and, in case of the reaction product with the polyol can further be reacted with a diisocyanate to give an urethane-modified polyester. These polyesters can likewise be used as resins for toner.

Abstract: Alpha-hydroxy-isobutyramide is produced by continuously hydrating acetone cyanohydrin in a liquid phase in the presence of a manganese dioxide catalyst and in the presence of a particular oxide dissolved in water, oxoacid, heteropolyacid or a salt of the acids.

Abstract: A purification process of a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid for efficiently removing a catalyst with a simple method from solid polyhydroxycarboxylic acid by bringing the solid polyhydroxycarboxylic acid which is obtained by a catalytic reaction and has an inherent viscosity of 0.1.about.5.0 dl/g into contact with an acid substance in the presence of a hydrophilic organic solvent. Also disclosed is a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid prepared by direct dehydration polymerization having an extremely reduced content of residual catalyst.

Abstract: There is disclosed an actinic-radiation-curing, hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, which comprises a mixture in a limited mixing ratio of an acrylic high-molecular-weight polymer that is made up of main chain having a molecular weight of 8,000 to 100,000 and a glass transition temperature of -75.degree. to -20.degree. C., and branched chain, in which the main chains and/or branched chains have or at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; and a low-molecular-weight polymer having a molecular weight of 500 to 8,000 and a glass transition temperature of lower than 100.degree. C., which polymer has or does not have an ethylenically unsaturated group in the molecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing L-serine from glycine and formaldehyde in the presence of cells of a microorganism or a cell-treated product having a serine hydroxymethyl transferase activity by an enzymatic method.

Abstract: A polyphenylene ether resin composition containing (A) 100 parts by weight of a polyphenylene-ether-base resin composed of 100-60 wt. % of a polyphenylene ether resin and 0-40 wt. % of a polystyrene resin and (B) 1-40 parts by weight of a dicarboxylic acid ester copolymer obtained from a vinyl monomer and an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid ester as copolymerizable components. The dicarboxylic acid ester copolymer has a weight average molecular weight not greater than 60,000. The polyphenylene ether resin composition, if necessary, can further comprise (C) 1-40 parts by weight of conductive carbon or an A-B-A' type or A-B'-B" type block copolymer elastomer. Owing to its excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance and moldability, the resin composition is useful in the fields of automotive vehicles, home electronic or electric appliances and industrial parts or components.

Abstract: A process for producing an aromatic polycarbonate by reacting an aromatic dihydroxy compound, an alkali or alkaline earth metal base and a carbonyl halide compound comprises feeding a polymerization catalyst as the carbonyl halide is fed to a mixture of the aromatic dihydroxy compound, the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, water and an organic solvent. The molecular weight of the aromatic polycarbonate can be properly controlled, the rate of end capping is high, and coloration of the aromatic polycarbonate is less. Such aromatic polycarbonate can be produced while suppressing hydrolysis of the carbonyl halide compound and/or haloformate compound.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to polyimides having excellent thermal resistance and process for preparing the same comprising carrying out condensation of 4,4'-bis(3-aminophenoxy)biphenyl with pyromellitic dianhydride in the presence of a different diamine compound and optionally with a different tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a heat resistant resin composition consisting essentially of an aromatic polyetherimide and a defined polyimide.In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a polyimide resin composition comprised on a defined polyimide and a separate high-temperature engineering polymer.In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a resin composition comprised of a defined polyimide and an aromatic polyamideimide.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to polyimides having excellent thermal resistance and process for preparing the same comprising carrying out condensation of 4,4'-bis(3-aminophenoxy)biphenyl with pyromellitic dianhydride in the presence of a different diamine compound and optionally with a different tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a heat resistant resin composition consisting essentially of an aromatic polyetherimide and a defined polyimide.In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a polyimide resin composition comprised on a defined polyimide and a separate high-temperature engineering polymer.In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a resin composition comprised of a defined polyimide and an aromatic polyamideimide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a disk-type information recording medium such as an optical disk. The method and apparatus of the present invention involves the concept of automatically removing any surplus organic materials deposited on cylindrical outer surfaces of the disk and also provides for a disk-type information recording medium of a high quality finish. In the method and apparatus of the present invention, a cleaning belt is utilized to contact a disk which is positioned on a rotatable cleaning table to remove any organic materials existing on the cylindrical outer surface of the disk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polysulfide based resin lens, comprising a mixture of at least one epoxy resin having at least two epoxy groups, and at least one polythiol compound having at least two mercaptan groups, and at least one internal release agent, which is cast polymerized, and the process for preparing the same.