Abstract: A method is provided for preparing the surface of a cyanate ester polymer or composite for metal plating. The surface is treated with a preheated solution containing a compound selected from the group consisting of at least one quaternary ammonium hydroxide and at least one primary amine. The method of the invention operates to improve adhesion between the treated surface and a subsequently plated metal, such that the resulting cyanate ester polymer or composite may replace certain metallic components in such applications as aircraft, spacecraft, and automobiles given its highly conductive metallic coating.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A dental composition containing an acid such as maleic acid, phosphoric acid or citric acid; an organosulfonate and/or an organosulfinate such as an acid group-containing (meth)acrylate monomer having in the molecules thereof a carboxyl group or a phosphoric acid group, a sodium benzenesulfonate or a sodium p-toluenesulfinate; a water-soluble organic solvent such as ethanol or propanol; and the water: but without substantially containing any polymerizable monomer except the above acid group-containing (meth)acrylate monomer, or further containing a hydroxy- or a dihydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate monomer. For adhesion of a dental filling material to teeth, the composition of the invention is used as a pre-treatment agent on teeth prior to applying an adhesive. This makes it possible to treat enamel and dentin simultaneously and to accomplish strong adhesive strength to both of them.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrically driven mechanochemical actuator comprising:(a) immersing a mixture of poly(2-hydroxethyl methacrylate) and poly(methacrylic acid) crosslinked with 1,1,1-trimethylol propane trimethacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate into an aqueous polyelectrolyte solution to form a hydrogel;(b) applying an electrical field to the hydrogel sufficient to provide buckling, rippling, and contraction of the hydrogel;(c) terminating application of the electrical field and allowing the hydrogel to relax and return to its original shape;(d) reapplying the electrical field to the hydrogel sufficient to provide buckling, rippling, and contraction of the hydrogel.

Abstract: A novel pathway for the synthesis of poly(propylene fumarate) includes first producing bis-hydroxypropyl fumarate and then its transesterification into poly(propylene fumarate). This synthetic pathway permits production of high molecular weight poly(propylene fumarate) and enables the production of a composite material useful in orthopedic procedures.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A plugging compound for chemical fastening technology is based on a free-radically polymerizable resin and a free-radical initiator spatially separated therefrom. The plugging compound in question is a self-supporting and storage-stable material which can be inserted in that form directly into a drill-hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrophilic, highly swellable hydrogels which are coated with non-reactive, water-insoluble film-forming polymers.

Abstract: New water base pressure sensitive adhesives with capability of use in production of high temperature quality masking tape are aqueous dispersions of the following mixture of components in the percentages by weight as specified:______________________________________ Component Percentage ______________________________________ Adhesive entity 45 to 65 Tackifier resin 20 to 40 Plasticizer 1 to 20 Stabilizer 0.1 to 10 Curing entity 0.1 to 10 Optional additives 0 to 20 ______________________________________The various components constitute the disperse phase of the aqueous dispersion and have a combined weight of between about 30 to 70% of the total weight, the curing entity is a combination of a plurality of curing agents that exhibit different curing speeds and the adhesive entity is a combination of a plurality of adhesive elastomers having different molecular weights.High temperature quality masking tapes made from the new PS adhesives avoid "freeze down" and "ghosting".

Abstract: Composites suitable for use as prostheses for attachment to soft tissues, such as cartilage, tendons, skin, tympanic membrane and gingiva, as well as to cancellous or trabecular bone, are based on combination of a polyolefinic binder with certain bioactive glass materials. The composites bond actively with soft tissues and are readily formulated achieve mechanical properties comparable to those of the soft tissue of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides injectable, bioabsorbable microdispersions suitable for use as a soft tissue repair or augmentation material in animals comprising a fluid carrier that is a liquid polymer selected from the group consisting of liquid polymers of a plurality of at least two different first lactone repeating units and other liquid polymers; and a particulate material. Additionally, the present invention also discloses methods of using these microdispersions for tissue augmentation and repair as well as kits which include prefilled containers to facilitate the use of these materials.

Abstract: Cable filling and flooding compositions are disclosed in which a carrier component such as process oil, mineral oil, synthetic oil, liquid polybutene or petrolatum is modified by the inclusion of high density polyethylene byproduct wax, a homo or partially crystalline copolymer of ethylene and, optionally, amorphous polypropylene and block copolymer to provide finished compositions with the application temperature viscosities, slump and other characteristics desirable for cable fill and flood applications.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer particles from an organic solvent solution of a polymer, which includes: (a) initially introducing polymer particles into a particle producing zone, (b) introducing an organic solvent solution containing an organic solvent and having a polymer concentration of 3 to 70% by weight, onto the polymer particles which are maintained in the particle producing zone, the particle producing zone not substantially containing steam, the organic solvent solution being added in an amount of not more than 250% by weight per hour based on the amount of the polymer particles which are initially held in the particle producing zone, and stirring the polymer particles under conditions in which the organic solvent would be vaporized, (c) separately introducing a poor solvent for the polymer into the particle producing zone, the poor solvent being selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene, pentane, hexane, octane, acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, the poor solvent being in an amo

Abstract: A granular material is presented comprising inorganic particles coated with an organometallic polymeric binder, the organometallic polymeric binder comprising the reaction product of water with at least one component of a binder precursor composition. The binder precursor composition is selected from the group consisting of 1) a first composition comprising an inert organic polymer and a hydrolyzable liquid organometallic solvent; 2) a second composition comprising a water reactive organic polymer dissolved in an inert organic solvent; and 3) a third composition comprising the water reactive organic polymer dissolved in the hydrolyzable liquid organometallic solvent.

Abstract: A system for controlling the color of compounded polymer(s) comprises: a compounder for mixing the constituents of the compounded polymer(s) to produce a substantially homogeneous mixture; a sensor for measuring the color of the substantially homogeneous mixture at predetermined intervals; a colorant additive feeder, responsive to a controller, for providing the colorant additive(s) to the mixture at substantially predetermined colorant additive addition rates; and a controller, responsive to the sensor, for controlling the colorant additive addition rate(s) of the feeder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-drying aqueous polymer dispersion based on a core/shell polymer having an alkyd resin in the core and an addition polymer grafted thereon, with 50-90 weight percent of the core/shell polymer being composed of alkyd resin and 50-10 weight percent being composed of addition polymer, and with the alkyd resincontaining more than 40 and up to 80 weight percent of unsaturated fatty acid, at least 5 mole percent of which contains conjugated double bonds,having an acid number of not more than 5 (mg KOH/g), andhaving a number average molecular weight in the range of 400 to 5000, and with the addition polymer having an acid number in the range of 40 to 200 (mg KOH/g).The aqueous polymer dispersions according to the invention were found to be highly stable and to have a comparatively low viscosity, even at concentrations of 40 weight percent and above.

Abstract: There is provided a melt extrudable, moisture curable thermoplastic polymer which is produced from a silane modified elastomeric polymer and which has improved hysteresis, reduced stress decay and improved creep properties. The polymer may be processed into a nonwoven web, film or foam which may be laminated to other materials such as spunbond polyolefin layers and may be used in medical, personal care, feminine hygiene and other applications.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition includes: an inorganic particulate substance whose surface is modified with a silane coupling agent having at least one functional group selected from a group consisting of vinyl group, (meth)acryloyl group, epoxy group, and amino group; and an aqueous resin having a functional group which is reactive with the functional group of the silane coupling agent. The aqueous coating composition has excellent storage stability, pigment dispersion, coloring property, adhesion to various substrates, and printing properties, and can be used for various applications, such as printing ink, coating materials, adhesives, fiber treatment agents, surface treatment agents, and the like.

Abstract: A medical device which is a surgically implantable device coated with an adjunctive polymer system. The adjunctive polymer system forms a solid matrix when introduced into a human or animal body. The adjunctive polymer system can contain a drug or a medicament which is released over time from the solid matrix. The adjunctive polymer system contacts body tissue into which the surgically implantable device is implanted.

Abstract: Chlorhexidine gluconate-containing adhesives have dispersed therein solid chlorhexidiene particles which will pass through a 125 .mu.m sieve and at least about 30% of the total volume of particles has a size of not less than 5 .mu.m. The adhesive may be a vinyl ether adhesive and may be coated upon a backing layer such as a hydrophilic polyurethane to produce products suitable for use as wound dressings, IV dressing or incise drapes. The chlorhexidine gluconate may be obtained as a freeze-dried solid and added directly, in suspension, to the adhesive mass without further milling.