Abstract: The present invention relates to various embodiments of a system and method for separating polymer from a solvent. In one embodiment a system for separating polymer from a solvent comprises an extrusion apparatus includes a hollow member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a feed port between the first end portion and the second end portion. The extrusion apparatus includes a back flash vent port disposed upstream of the feed port and a forward flash vent port disposed downstream of the feed port. The extrusion apparatus further includes a vent insert located at the forward flash vent port, a screw disposed inside the hollow member, and an internal superheating section disposed between the feed port and the downstream vent opening of the hollow member such that the length of the internal superheating section is greater than about four times the diameter, 4D, of the hollow member.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of forming dialkyl carbonate wherein catalyst buildup in the reaction equipment, the separation equipment, and transfer lines there between is reduced and even eliminated. In one embodiment, the method includes introducing alkanol, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and a catalyst to a reactor having a gaseous head space and a liquid body space. The reactor is operated under conditions to form dialkyl carbonate and water. A product stream containing dialkyl carbonate, water, and residual reactants is removed from the head space of the reactor and introduced to a cyclone with a flushing stream. A liquid bottom stream is captured from the cyclone and introduced to the reactor. The gaseous top stream contains product dialkyl carbonate.

Abstract: A method of forming a dialkyl carbonate stream, includes obtaining a byproduct stream from a diaryl carbonate formation reaction that has alkanol, residual dialkyl carbonate, and residual aromatic compound. This byproduct stream is introduced to a distillation column to produce an alkanol tops stream and a first dialkyl carbonate bottoms stream. The alkanol tops stream is reacted with oxygen, carbon monoxide, and catalyst to form a second dialkyl carbonate stream that is introduced to the distillation column. The alkanol tops stream from the column contains alkanol, dialkyl carbonate, and less than 20 ppm aromatic compound. The first dialkyl carbonate bottoms stream from the column contains dialkyl carbonate, water, aromatic compound, and less than 2,000 ppm alkanol and is introduced to a water separation device to produce a product dialkyl carbonate stream and a water stream.

Abstract: A composition comprises 20 to 80 wt. % of a polyester component comprising a modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer derived from a polyethylene terephthalate component selected from polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and having at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component; from 5 to 35 wt. % of a flame retardant phosphinate (I) or (II) (R1)(R2)(PO)—O]?mMm+ ??(I) [(O—POR1)(R3)(POR2—O)]2?nMm+x, ??(II) and/or a flame retardant polymer thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are independently are H, C1-C6-alkyl, or C6-C10-aryl; R3 is C1-C10, alkylene, C6-C10-arylene, -alkylarylene or -arylalkylene; M is an alkaline earth metal, alkali metal, Al, Ti, Zn, Fe, or boron; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; n is 1, 2, or 3; and x is 1 or 2; 1 to 25 wt. % of a melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate, melamine pyrophosphate, and/or melamine phosphate; and more than 0 to 25 wt. % of a polyetherimide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrically conducting polymer composition and method of making a composition including an organic polymer; and a first filler including at least one ceramic filler, at least one metallic filler, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing fillers, wherein a trip temperature of the composition does not change by an amount of greater than or equal to ±10° C. when the composition is cycled 100 times between room temperature and the trip temperature. Disclosed herein as well is an electrically conducting polymer composition including a first filler including at least one ceramic filler, at least one metallic filler, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing fillers and a second filler. The compositions of the present invention have a trip temperature that is lower than the HDT temperature of the composition and can have tunable trip temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polycarbonate having repeat units derived from tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). It has herein been found that polycarbonate having repeat units derived from TBHQ has superior properties as compared to polycarbonate having repeat units derived from other dihydroxy (hydroquinone-type) compounds. In one embodiment the present invention provides a polycarbonate having repeat units derived from tert-butylhydroquinone. The polycarbonate has a Mw (PC) of at least 9,000 g/mol.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises a polycarbonate having repeating structural carbonate units of the formula (1): wherein at least 60 percent of the total number of R1 groups contain aromatic organic groups and the balance thereof are aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic groups; and wherein the polycarbonate comprises terminal groups derived from reaction with a cyanophenol of the formula wherein Y is a halogen, C1-3 alkyl group, C1-3 alkoxy group, C7-12 arylalkyl, C7-12 alkylaryl, or nitro group, y is 0 to 4, and c is 1 to 5, provided that y+c is 1 to 5; optionally a branching agent; an impact modifier; and a flame retardant. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of a wide variety of parts, particularly those having a thin wall.

Abstract: A pigment contains one or more substantially spherical-shaped beads. Each substantially spherical-shaped bead includes one or more high aspect ratio particles encapsulated within an encapsulating material. Resinous compositions containing this pigment and a plastic, for example a polycarbonate, have a flowline-free colored, sparkling and/or metallescent appearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interfacial method of preparing ester-substituted diaryl carbonates. The method includes the steps of: forming a reaction mixture comprising phosgene, an ester-substituted phenol, an organic solvent, and a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine catalyst and a phase transfer catalyst, said reaction mixture having an organic phase and an aqueous phase, wherein said aqueous phase has a brine strength; allowing the reaction mixture to react wherein during the reaction, (i) the aqueous phase has a pH, and the pH is adjusted, if necessary, by the addition of an alkali metal hydroxide solution in amounts such that the pH is greater than or equal to 9.

Abstract: A weatherable composition comprising an upper layer that comprises a polymer system consisting essentially of a cycloaliphatic polyester resin, and an additive composition comprising an hindered amine light stabilizer and a low volatility, hydroxyphenyl triazine or pyrimidine UV absorber; an intermediate layer that comprises a polymer system consisting essentially of a cycloaliphatic polyester, and optionally, an additive composition comprising TiO2, dyes, pigments, and special effects additives; and a polymeric substrate, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between and in intimate contact with the upper layer and the substrate. The composition finds utility in articles such as automotive parts.

Abstract: A bumper system for an automobile vehicle includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a beam configured to attach to the vehicle, and a thermoplastic energy absorber coupled to the beam. The energy absorber includes an upper portion including a frame portion and a body having a plurality of tunable crush lobes extending from the frame portion. The energy absorber also includes an underbar spaced apart from the upper portion and a plurality of connecting towers extending between the upper portion and the underbar and connecting the underbar to the upper portion.