Abstract: Apparatus and method for using a portable tool for assisting the making of holes in pipes to prepare for interconnected branch or cross lines. The apparatus includes a guide member and a plurality of bushings able to accommodate a plurality of hole saws of varying diameters. The apparatus includes a stop member to prevent inadvertent sawing of the opposite internal pipe wall. The apparatus includes a drill bit able to span the internal diameter of the pipe to create a pilot hole to mark the centerline of the cross hole to be sawed.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous hair setting compositions comprising, as the sole hair fixative component, rheology modifying, hair setting, associative polymers (RMHS), which are the polymerization product of a monomer mixture comprising an acidic vinyl monomer; and an associative monomer. The hair setting compositions provide surprisingly good to excellent hair setting efficacy, based on high humidity curl retention. A wide range of rheological characteristics was achieved together with good clarity and aesthetic product properties. Particularly preferred rheology modifying hair setting associative polymers are certain hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable and alkali-soluble associative polymers (ASAP) and HASE polymers disclosed herein. Also disclosed are methods of setting hair using RMHS polymer-containing compositions.

Abstract: A multilayer PEX pipe having improved resistance to oxidizing agents in water. The pipe has a thin tubular core (inner layer) of high density polyethylene and an outer layer of crosslinked polyethylene. The pipe may optionally have an oxygen barrier layer, such as poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (“EVOH”), contiguously disposed radially outward from the PEX layer. The pipe is suitable for potable water applications and for hot water radiant heating systems.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane composition having a high crystalline content which advantageously can be processed in an extruder. The composition includes a crystallization retarding component of a short chain or monomeric diol which is branched, substituted or contains heteroatoms, or a combination thereof. The crystallization retarding component delays the onset of crystallization during extrusion processing until the composition has exited the extruder.

Abstract: An electrochemical process for the preparation of water-soluble colorants, particularly triphenylmethane colorants and other water soluble technical dyes, is disclosed. In this process, the anode in the electrochemical cell comprises an open pore carbon material having specific void volume and surface area characteristics. A preferred electrode material is a carbon felt pad, preferably between about 1/16 inch and ¼ inch in thickness. This process provides faster reaction rates than electrochemical processes using standard electrodes, as well as higher yields compared to processes using chemical oxidizing agents.

Abstract: Breathable thermoplastic polyurethanes are prepared from the reaction of a polyol component, a polyisocyanate component, and a chain extender in the presence of a metal-free catalyst. The metal-free catalyst comprises a polyalcohol amine, a tertiary amine catalyst, or a combination thereof. The polyurethanes of the present invention are suitable for film applications as they form breathable films which are permeable to water vapor but not air or water. The polyurethane compositions are substantially metal-free, have low extractables, and excellent melt strength.

Abstract: A s,s?-bis-(?, ??-disubstituted-??-acetic acid)-trithiocarbonate and derivatives thereof can be used as an initiator, chain transfer agent, or terminator for polymerization of monomers such as free radical polymerizable monomers. Homopolymers, copolymers, and the like as well as block copolymers can be made utilizing the trithio carbonate compound such as in a living free radical polymerization as well as to form telechelic polymers.

Abstract: A stable, aqueous composition containing a substantially crosslinked alkali-swellable acrylate copolymer rheology modifier, a surfactant, an alkaline material, and various compounds therein, as for example substantially insoluble materials requiring suspension or stabilization, such as a silicone, an oily material, or a pearlescent material. Additionally, this invention also relates to the formation of a rheologically and phase stable cationic hair dye composition. The invention further relates to the incorporation of an acidic material after the addition of an alkaline material to reduce the pH of the composition without negatively impacting the viscosity of the composition.

Abstract: This invention is comprised of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer fiber obtained by melt spinning a polyurethane having a rebound of 60% or greater and a isocyanate-terminated polyether or polyester additive. The elastic fibers have low shrinkage, high heat resistance, low tensile set, and high elongation.

Abstract: A stable, aqueous composition containing a substantially crosslinked alkali-swellable acrylate copolymer rheology modifier, a surfactant, an alkaline material, and various compounds therein, as for example substantially insoluble materials requiring suspension or stabilization, such as a silicone, an oily material, or a pearlescent material. Additionally, this invention also relates to the formation of a rheologically and phase stable cationic hair dye composition. The invention further relates to the incorporation of an acidic material after the addition of an alkaline material to reduce the pH of the composition without negatively impacting the viscosity of the composition.

Abstract: A breathable polyurethane having an upright moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of more than about 500 gms/m2/24 hr comprises: (a) poly(alkylene oxide) side-chain units in an amount comprising about 12 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of said polyurethane, wherein (i) alkylene oxide groups in said poly(alkylene oxide) side-chain units have from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and are unsubstituted, substituted, or both unsubstituted and substituted, (ii) at least about 50 wt. % of said alkylene oxide groups are ethylene oxide, and (iii) said amount of said side-chain units is (i) at least about 30 wt. % when the molecular weight of said side-chain units is less than about 600 grams/mole, (ii) at least about 15 wt. % when the molecular weight of said side-chain units is from about 600 to about 1,000 grams/mole, and at least about 12 wt. % when the molecular weight of said side-chain units is more than about 1,000 grams/mole, and (b) poly(ethylene oxide) main-chain units in an amount comprising less than about 25 wt.

Abstract: A toughener comprising a trithiocarbonate polymer having an epoxy end group is described which is utilized with various thermosettable polymers such as epoxy, polyurethane, and the like. A toughened composition is made by curing the thermosettable polymer and the toughener utilizing various curing agents.

Abstract: A method of making oleochemical oil-based polyols by mixing an acid activated or acid leached clay, an epoxidized oleochemical oil, alcohol, and acid activated or acid leached clay so the epoxidized oleochemical oil reacts with said alcohol to form a oleochemical oil-based polyol, filtering out said clay, stripping off any excess alcohol, and recovering the oleochemical oil-based polyol.

Abstract: A method for producing thermosetting polyurethane after transformation from thermoplastic polyurethane with a hydrolyzable organo-silane which is grafted onto macromolecules of said thermoplastic polyurethane by means of a bonding agent. Said organo-silane has general formula (I), wherein R1,R2,R3=aliphatic alkyl, aromatic alkyl; n>1; R4 is an organic radical which can react with said bonding agent which comprises at least two isocyanate functions and the thermoplastic polyurethane obtained can, after transformation, become automatically cross-linked by coming into contact with water molecules in order to become thermosetting. The invention also relates to a product which can be obtained according to the inventive method.

Abstract: This invention relates to latex polymers and blends of such latex polymers used to produce gloves, coatings, binders for papers and nonwovens, and other articles having superior electrostatic dissipative properties. Such articles have a surface resistivity value below 1×1011 ohms/square per square, a static decay time of less than 1 second, or both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for the electrochemical preparation of p-aminophenols, especially 5-aminosalicylic acid. The process can be performed at a low temperature of below 50° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to latex polymers and blends of such latex polymers used to produce articles having superior electrostatic dissipative properties. The polymers and blends comprise one or more (1) polymers, in latex, or dispersion form, of (a) at least one reactive macromer of at least one alkylene oxide having at least one functional group capable of free-radical transformation, (b) optionally, at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one carboxylic acid group, and (c) optionally, one or more free radically polymerizable comonomers, and (2) one or more other polymer latexes or dispersions of such polymers as natural rubber, conjugated-diene-containing polymers, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene triblock copolymers, chlorosulfonated polyethylenes, ethylene copolymers, acrylic and/or methacrylic ester copolymers, vinyl chloride copolymers, vinylidene chloride copolymers, polyisobutylenes, polyurethanes, polyureas, and poly-urethane-urea)s.

Abstract: A controlled free-radical polymerization process for forming end-functionalized polymers is disclosed, particularly by degenerative iodine transfer. The end-functionalized polymers are characterized by a polydispersity less than 2.5 and a predetermined molecular weight. The end-functionalized polymers are useful as reactive intermediates in condensation polymerization, chain polymerization and heterogeneous polymerization reactions.

Abstract: A means to improve thermoplastic formulations in terms of the physical properties they exhibit, such as impact strength and ductility, have been developed. The addition of a block chlorinated polyolefin (b-CPO) to polymer blends in which at least one component comprises a halogen-free hydrogen-bond acceptor polymer, achieves the desired enhancement. The synergetic effect of the b-CPO with the selected polymer blend is demonstrated. Blends of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polycarbonates, copolyesters and copolyamides with a blend partner such as thermoplastic polyolefins, styrenic copolymers such as styrene acrylonitrile copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolymers, high rubber graft copolymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers, methylmethacrylate butadiene styrene copolymers and the b-CPO have enhanced ductility and impact resistance. The addition of 0.5 wt.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having melamine cyanurate as the only organic flame retardant additive. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions having the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions have excellent physical properties and are capable of passing both the UL-1581 section 1080 and UL-1581 section 1080, subject 758, section G tests for wire and cable constructions. The levels of melamine cyanurate used in the TPU compositions are from about 28 to about 50 weight percent of the TPU composition. The ultimate tensile strength of the TPU composition is greater than 1500 psi and preferably greater than 2900 psi. The TPU compositions also have both a low LOI % and a low peak rate of heat release.