Abstract: The present invention relates to blowing agent compositions that contain at least one hydrofluorocarbon having a boiling point of 30° C. or higher and lower than about 120° C., at least one hydrofluorocarbon having a boiling point lower than 30° C., and at least one component selected from low-boiling alcohols and low-boiling carbonyl compounds. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing polymeric foam using such blowing agent compositions, as well as polymeric foams and foamable polymer compositions containing such blowing agent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unitary run flat tire (RFT) reinforcement that is formed into a relatively rigid shape. The reinforcement is insertable into a mold for an RFT support and can maintain the needed structural rigidity for such insertion. Further, the invention provides an RFT support that is molded and includes the RFT reinforcement. The invention also provides a wheel assembly including a tire, a rim, and an RFT support between the rim and the tire, where the support includes the RFT reinforcement. The RFT support can have a colored indicator formed or subsequently applied thereto to indicate one or more attributes of the support.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an ethylene interpolymer composition characterized as having a narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) and optimized compositional uniformity, a process for making such a composition and a fabricated article made from such composition. The novel composition is characterized as having at least two polymer components, the first component having an ATREF peak temperature, Tpeak1 and a viscosity average molecular weight, Mv1, and the second component having an ATREF peak temperature, Tpeak2, and a viscosity average molecular, Mv2, wherein the temperature differential between Tpeak2 and Tpeak1 decreases with increased composition density and Mv1/Mv2 is less than or equal to 1.2. The novel composition is further characterized as having a Mw/Mn of less than or equal to 3.3 as determined by gel permeation chromatography, an I10/I2>6.6, and a composition density less than 0.945 gram/cubic centimeter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unitary run flat tire (RFT) reinforcement that is formed into a relatively rigid shape. The reinforcement is insertable into a mold for an RFT support and can maintain the needed structural rigidity for such insertion. Further, the invention provides an RFT support that is molded and includes the RFT reinforcement. The invention also provides a wheel assembly including a tire, a rim, and an RFT support between the rim and the tire, where the support includes the RFT reinforcement. The RFT support can have a colored indicator formed or subsequently applied thereto to indicate one or more attributes of the support.

Abstract: A peelable seal comprises a mixture of at least two immiscible polymers. The first polymer forms a continuous phase in the peelable seal, whereas the second polymer is dispersed in the continuous phase. For example, a peelable seal can also be made from a mixture of an ethylene polymer with a melt index in the range from about 0.1 to about 20 g/10 minutes and a propylene polymer with a melt flow rate in the range from about 0.01 to about 2 g/10 minutes. The two polymers define a shear viscosity differential: &Dgr;=|(&eegr;1−&eegr;2)/&eegr;1|, wherein &eegr;1 and &eegr;2 are the respective shear viscosity for the first and second polymers at a temperature of 230° C. and a shear rate of about 100 radian/second. Preferably, the shear viscosity differential is less than about 100%.

Abstract: The present invention is a nanocomposite which is a dispersion of nanofiller particles derived from layered metal oxides or metal oxide salts. The nanocomposite is advantageously prepared by first swelling an untreated clay in water, then removing the water to form an organophilic clay that is dispersible in non-polar organic solvents. The organophilic clay can then be treated with an alkyl aluminoxane and subsequently a catalyst to form a complex that promotes olefin or styrenic polymerization and platelet dispersion. The nanocomposite can be prepared directly by in situ polymerization of the olefin or the styrene at the nanofiller particles without shear, without an ion exchange step, and without the need to incorporate polar substituents into the polyolefin or polystyrene.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyamino monosuccinic acids, salts or chelates thereof by (a) reacting a maleic or fumaric acid ester or mixtures thereof with a polyamino compound in a primary alcohol as a solvent, (b) hydrolyzing the product obtained in step (a), and (c) separating the primary alcohol. The use of a primary alcohol as the solvent results in a markedly purer polyamino monosuccinic acid product and simpler reaction conditions than when the solvent is a secondary or tertiary alcohol.

Abstract: Biscyclopentadienyl, Group 4 transition metal complexes formed with conjugated dienes wherein the diene is bound to the transition metal either in the form of a &sgr;-complex or a &pgr;-complex in combination with strong Lewis acids, Bronsted acid salts, carbenium ion salts, salts containing a cationic oxidizing agent, or subjected to bulk electrolysis in the presence of compatible, inert non-coordinating anions form catalysts for polymerizing olefins, diolefins and/or acetylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: A method for producing a nonwoven fabric comprises passing a fiber web through a pair of rollers to obtain a thermally bonded fabric with a high percentage of bond areas. The high percentage of bond areas is formed by an engraved pattern on at least one of the rollers. The engraved pattern has a high percentage of bond point areas and wide bond point angles. The nonwoven fabric has increased tensile strength, elongation, abrasion resistance, flexural rigidity, and/or softness.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions comprising a group 4 metal complex and an activator corresponding to the formula: (A*+a)b(Z*J*j)−cd, wherein: A* is a cation of charge +a, selected from the group consisting of ammonium-, sulfonium-, phosphonium-, oxonium-, carbonium-, silylium-, ferrocenium-, Ag+, and Pb+2; Z* is an anion group of from 1 to 50 atoms, not counting hydrogen atoms, further containing two or more Lewis base sites as defined in the claims; J* independently each occurrence is a Lewis acid coordinated to at least one Lewis base site of Z*, and optionally two or more such J* groups may be joined together in a moiety having multiple Lewis acidic functionality, j is a number from 2 to 12 and a, b, c, and d are integers from 1 to 3, with the proviso that a×b is equal to c×d.

Abstract: The invention is a laminate structure comprising two or more layers of one or both of a) a polymeric layer containing olefinic unsaturation; and b) a polymeric layer having active hydrogen atoms; wherein, c) an adhesive layer is located between the layers derived from one or more compounds having one or more nitrile oxide moieties; wherein a portion of the nitrile oxide moieties, or derivatives thereof, is reacted with olefinic unsaturation of layer a), the active hydrogen atoms of layer b or both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to elastic articles comprising a crosslinked or crosslinkable ethylene polymer and a method for making the same. In particular, the invention relates to a shaped article (e.g. film or fiber) characterized by improved elasticity at elevated temperatures and comprising a substantially cured, irradiated, or crosslinked (or curable, irradiated or crosslinkable) homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. The improved elastic article of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in applications where good elasticity must be maintained at elevated temperatures such as, for example, personal hygiene items and disposable infection-control garments at body temperatures of about 100° F. (38° C.).

Abstract: Molded articles of thermoplastic polyolefin blends having improved resistance to fluids such as petroleum fuels after being painted with flexible coatings such as polyurethane paints and the like are disclosed. These blends include a crystalline or semi-crystalline polyolefin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or a copolymer of ethylene and a C3 to C10 olefin, and a multimodal elastomer of sequentially polymerized ethylene-&agr;-olefin monomers. The substantially crystalline polyolefin is present in an amount of 30 to 98 weight percent, while the multimodal elastomer, which is substantially amorphous, is present in an amount of about 2 to 70 weight percent. The blends may contain additional polymeric components, fillers and the like. In addition to increased paint adherence, higher weld line strength, low temperature ductility, and processability can be achieved.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polyurethane film comprising two steps is disclosed. The first step comprises preparing a nonionic prepolymer formulation, the prepolymer formulation comprising a diisocyanate, an active hydrogen containing material, and a monol. The second step comprises preparing an aqueous dispersion of the prepolymer, in the presence of a surfactant. Both steps occur in the substantial absence of an organic solvent. Also disclosed is a polyurethane film and an aqueous dispersion useful for preparing such films. The present invention has the advantage of having increased shear stability. The dispersions of the present invention do not settle or coagulate prematurely. Moreover, the films of the present invention do not include the dermal irritants which occur in natural rubber latex. The films and dispersions of the present invention are thus suitable for use in applications such as, for example, medical applications.

Abstract: A stable free-flowing solid chelant composition is produced by the process comprising the steps of: a) adjusting the pH of an aqueous solution of the chelant to a value of from about 1.2 to about 3.0 by the addition of an inorganic acid; and b) drying the pH adjusted aqueous chelant product.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a continuous process and polymerization system characterized by separate injection of catalyst and make-up feed, an ethylene interpolymer composition characterized as having broad molecular weight distribution (MWD) and optimized compositional uniformity, a process for making such a composition and a fabricated article made from such composition. The novel composition is characterized as having a melt flow ratio, I10/I2, from 8 to 30, a Mw/Mn of greater than 4 as determined by gel permeation chromatography, a melt index, I2, from 0.01 to 1000 grams/10 minutes, preferably greater that 0.1 to 10 grams/10 minutes, and a density less than 0.945 g/cm3. The novel composition exhibits good processibility and improved toughness properties, especially excellent film tear and impact resistance, and is particularly well-suited for use in applications such as high performance trash can liners and heavy duty shipping bags.

Abstract: Film, molded articles and fibers prepared from ethylene/&agr;-olefin interpolymer compositions are disclosed. The interpolymer compositions are blends prepared by combining specified amounts of a narrow molecular weight distribution, narrow composition distribution breadth index interpolymer, and a broad molecular weight distribution, broad composition distribution breadth index interpolymer, with each blend component having a specified density, melt index and degree of branching.

Abstract: The invention is a high molecular weight polyether polyol prepared by the reaction of one or more compounds having one or more active hydrogen compounds with one or more alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst comprising calcium having counterions of carbonate and a C6-10 alkanoate in a solvent or dispersant which does not contain active hydrogen atoms. The polyether polyol prepared preferably has an equivalent weight of from about 1000 to about 20,000, a polydispersity of 1.3 or less and a residual catalyst level of from about 0 to about 2000 parts per million (ppm). In another embodiment the invention is a process for preparing such high molecular weight polyether polyols. The process comprises first, contacting one or more compounds having one or more active hydrogen atoms with one or more alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises calcium having counterions of carbonate and a C6-10 alkanoate in a solvent, wherein the solvent does not contain active hydrogen atoms.

Abstract: Elastic fibers and fabrics made from homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymers are disclosed which can be produced on conventional polypropylene or polyethylene fiber or fabric processes. They can be used to produce highly elastic structures that can have recycle compatibility between elastic and non-elastic components. The novel fibers have at least about 50% recovery at 100% strain. The fibers and fabrics are especially useful in making fabricated articles and components thereof (e.g., disposable diapers).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytic process for the preparation of alkylene glycols from alkylene oxide and water. Further, the invention relates to a method of preservation of catalysts in alkylene oxide containing systems. More in particular, it has been found that polycarboxylic acids, preferably oxalic acid, have a positive effect on the lifetime of catalyst systems based on anion exchange resins, and particularly those in the bicarbonate and oxalate forms.