Abstract: An initiator for cationic polymerization comprises a salt of a protic acid as well as a protic acid. The molar ratio of protic acid to salt is in the range from 1:0.01 to 1:2000. The initiator is used for example for cationic homo- or copolymerization of trioxane, and permits stable and flexible operation of the polymerization.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner used for an image forming method that utilizes a heat-pressure type fuser equipped with a fusing member having a surface layer containing polybenzimidazole, wherein the toner comprises at least cycloolefin copolymer resins as binder resins. The cycloolefin copolymer resins comprise a mixture of 0 to 75 percent by weight of a low molecular weight component having a weight-average molecular weight of less than 15000, 5 to 25 percent by weight of a medium molecular weight component having a weight-average molecular weight of 15000 to 100000, and 20 to 95 percent by weight of a high molecular weight component having a weight-average molecular weight of more than 100000.

Abstract: A process is described for producing plastics composites comprising a polyacetal molding, onto part or all of at least one surface of which a molding or a coating composed of thermoplastic has been directly molded. The process encompasses the following measures: i) production of a polyacetal molding ii) treating at least one predetermined portion of one of the surfaces of the polyacetal molding with an atmospheric, potential-free plasma, and iii) single or multiple molding-on of the thermoplastic to at least one part of the surface treated with the atmospheric, potential-free plasma. Instead of the polyacetal molding, the molding composed of thermoplastic may be produced first, the polyacetal molding being molded onto this after the plasma treatment. The process can produce polyacetal composites in particular with thermoplastic elastomers, and these feature good adhesion.

Abstract: A composite article made from polyacetal and from at least one modified styrene-olefin elastomer, which comprises from 15 to 70% by weight, based on the weight of the modified styrene-olefin elastomer, of non-olefinic thermoplastic material, and also a process for producing the same, where a molding made from polyacetal is firstly molded, onto which is then molded a coating or at least one molding made from the modified styrene-olefin elastomer, and an adhesive bond is formed between the polyacetal and the modified styrene-olefin elastomer.

Abstract: A toner for developing electrostatic charge images that exhibits superior fixability at low temperature so as to realize satisfactory fixing performance even with less energy, that exhibits high stress resistance so as to be free from blade contamination by molten toner, and that exhibits excellent performances in any environmental conditions. In particular, a toner for developing an electrostatic charge images, comprising at least a binder resin, a colorant and a charge control agent, wherein a low-molecular-weight polymer having functional groups is used at least as the charge control agent and a cycloolefin copolymer resin is used at least as the binder resin.

Abstract: Laser-markable molding compositions, molding produced therewith and method of marking the same, wherein the molding compositions comprise: (a) at least one semicrystalline thermoplastic; and (b) at least one particulate additive selected from the group consisting of (i) light-sensitive salt compounds, (ii) inorganic oxides having an average particle diameter of less than 250 nm, and combinations thereof; wherein the light-sensitive salt compounds comprise compounds having two or more cations, wherein at least one of the two or more cations is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Sn, Sb, La, Pr, Ta, W. and Ce; and wherein at least another of the two or more cations is selected from the group consisting of elements of periods 3-6 of main groups II and III, elements of periods 5-6 of main group IV, elements of periods 4-5 of transition groups III-VIII, and the lanthanoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyoxymethylene molding composition comprising: (A) from 0.1 to 5.0% by weight of a compatibilizer, (B) from 5 to 50% by weight of an impact modifier, (C) the remainder to 100% by weight of a polyoxymethylene. The molding compositions of the invention have substantially improved mechanical properties, in particular impact resistance.

Abstract: Process for removing methanol from formaldehyde-containing solutions. The present invention relates to a process for removing methanol from formaldehyde-containing solutions, with methanol being converted into formaldehyde dimethyl acetal by reactive distillation in the presence of an acidic fixed-bed catalyst, and the resultant mixture comprising methanol, formaldehyde dimethyl acetal and possibly other impurities being distilled off.

Abstract: Composite bodies, processes for making them, and their uses are disclosed, the composite bodies comprising a polyacetal portion and a modified thermoplastic vulcanizate portion bonded together, wherein the modified thermoplastic vulcanizate portion comprises a modified thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer having a hardness of 30 to 90 Shore A and wherein the modified thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer comprises: (a) 2 to 75% by weight of an at least partially crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene rubber in from 1 to 50% by weight of a polyolefinic matrix further comprising 0.05 to 10% by weight of an ingredient selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, crosslinking aids, and mixtures thereof; (b) 1 to 30% by weight of a compatibilizer; and (c) 10 to 70% by weight of a non-olefinic thermoplastic material, all percentages by weight based on a total weight of the modified thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer.

Abstract: Polyoxymethylene molding compositions, their use, and moldings produced therefrom A ground molding composition is described, comprising a) a compounded material composed of i) at least one polyoxymethylene homo- and/or copolymer, ii) at least one impact modifier, and iii) optionally other conventional additives, which b) has been milled to give a powder at least 90% by weight of whose particles have a grain size of <600 ?m and a median grain size (D50) of from 100 to 500 ?m. These molding compositions can be processed to give moldings, in particular via rotomolding.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for preparation of oxymethylene polymers. This process encompasses polymerization, in a homogeneous phase, of a monomer which forms oxymethylene groups, as far as 90% of maximum conversion in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde and of an initiator for cationic polymerization, followed by deactivation of the reaction mixture. The resultant oxymethylene polymers have alkyl ether end groups and are extremely stable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a toner for developing an electrostatically charged image of a heat roller type copier or printer, the toner consisting essentially of a binder resin, a colorant and a charge control agent, in which the binder resin at least includes a polyolefin resin having a cyclic structure, and a polyolefin resin of a cyclic structure having an intrinsic viscosity (i.v.) of 0.25 dl/g or more, a heat distortion temperature (HDT) by DIN53461-B of 70° C. or higher, and a number average molecular weight of 7,500 or more and a weight average molecular weight of 15,000 or more, as measured by GPC, is contained in a proportion of less than 50% by weight based on the entire binder resin.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for preparation of oxymethylene homo- and copolymers. This encompasses heterogeneous polymerization of a monomer which forms oxymethylene groups in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde and of an initiator for cationic polymerization, followed by the deactivation of the polymer in a homogeneous phase via treatment with a basic aprotic solvent or with an aprotic solvent which comprises a base. Oxymethylene homopolymers with very high stability are also described.

Abstract: Polyoxymethylene with improved resistance to acids, comprising A from 84 to 99.79% by weight of at least one polyoxymethylene homo- or copolymer, B from 0.1 to 5% by weight of at least one polyalkylene glycol, C from 0.1 to 10% by weight of zinc oxide, and D from 0.01 to 1% by weight of one or more nitrogen-containing costabilizers, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A to D is 100%. This polyoxymethylene is particularly advantageous when used for producing moldings for use in contact with aggressive acids or with aggressive acid-containing cleaning agents, in particular for applications in the sanitary sector or the white goods sector.

Abstract: Composites are described, comprising polyacetal and at least one thermoplastic polyester elastomer formed by a polyacetal molding which has been partially or completely coated with the thermoplastic polyester elastomer or onto which one or more moldings composed of the thermoplastic polyester elastomer have been directly molded. The composites are characterized in that the polyacetal and the thermoplastic polyester elastomer have been bonded adhesively or cohesively to one another via injection of the thermoplastic polyester elastomer onto the polyacetal molding, and in that the tensile bond strength between the polyacetal and the thermoplastic polyester elastomer is at least 0.5 N/mm2. The composites may be used as connectors, as functional components with integrated sealing properties and/or with integrated damping properties, or else as non-slip and easy-grip elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to moldings or molding compositions composed of polyoxymethylene and featuring very low formaldehyde emission, comprising from 0.1 to 50.0% by weight of a tribological modifier, from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of a cyclic stabilizer which contains at least one nitrogen atom in the ring, and from 0.05 to 1% by weight of at least one ester composed of a polyhydric alcohol and of at least one (C10-C32) fatty acid, and also to their production and use.

Abstract: Polyoxymethylene molding compositions, their use, and moldings produced therefrom A ground molding composition is described, comprising a) a compounded material composed of i) at least one polyoxymethylene homo-and/or copolymer, ii) at least one impact modifier, and iii) optionally other conventional additives, which b) has been milled to give a powder at least 90% by weight of whose particles have a grain size of <600 ?m and a median grain size (D50) of from 100 to 500 ?m. These molding compositions can be processed to give moldings, in particular via rotomolding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparation of polymer blends comprising at least one polyoxymethylene and at least one thermoplastic elastomer, where the thermoplastic elastomer is micropelletized by a pelletizing process and the pellets obtained in a) are dispersed in the polyoxymethylene matrix via melting of the components and mixing of these at low shear forces, and also to the use of micropelletized thermoplastic elastomers for preparation of polyoxymethylenes with low formaldehyde emission.

Abstract: A process is described in which surfaces of foamed plastics are provided with electrical conductor tracks, with the aid of selectively ablating processes. The process permits low-cost production of moldings from plastic with conductor tracks integrated on the surface. The products of the process may be used in the electrical and electronics industries, for example.

Abstract: Homo- or copolyoxymethylenes are described and contain the repeat structural unit of formula I -A-O—R1—O—CO—(R2—CO—)m—O—??(I), where A is a radical derived from a homo- or copolyoxymethylene, R1 is an alkylene radical having at least two carbon atoms, or a cycloalkylene radical, R2 is a direct carbon-carbon bond, or an alkylene, cycloalkylene, arylene, or aralkylene radical, and m is 0 or 1. These polymers may be prepared by reacting end-group-functionalized homo- or copolyoxymethylenes with selected chain-linking agents. The reaction products can be used to produce moldings.