Abstract: The invention provides a cinnamic acid derivative having a novel spacer introduced into cinnamic acid which is photodimerizable, a cinnamic acid-polysaccharide derivative photocurable with high sensitivity and efficiency obtainable by introducing the above cinnamic acid derivative into a host polysaccharide such as a glycosaminoglycan, and a photocrosslinked cinnamic acid-polysaccharide derivative obtainable by exposing the same cinnamic acid-polysaccharide derivative to ultraviolet light irradiation.

Abstract: An improved process for making allylic/ethylenic copolymers is disclosed. Increasing the reaction temperature during addition of the ethylenic monomer/initiator mixture results in a substantial increase in the polymer yield obtained compared with the yield from a conventional process in which a constant temperature is used. Copolymers made by the process include valuable coating resins such as styrene-allyl alcohol and hydroxy-functional acrylic copolymers.

Abstract: Polymerization of vinylidene fluoride in carbon dioxide media is effectively initiated by dialkyl(2,2-azobisisobutyrate). Methyl is a preferred alkyl.

Abstract: Biscyanoacrylates in solution are prepared by reacting 2-cyanoacrylic acids or their alkyl esters with diols in the presence of sulfonic acids as catalysts. The reaction mixture is processed by substituting an aliphatic solvent for the aromatic solvent and is then subjected twice to fractional crystallization. The thus obtained biscyanoacrylates are very pure. They are therefore useful for producing storage stable cyanoacrylate adhesives. Their admixture increases the thermal resistance of the adhesives, which is particularly important in the case of electric and electronic components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition and a pneumatic tire using the rubber composition. The rubber composition comprises a diene base rubber comprising at least 15% by weight of a polybutadiene rubber, silica in an amount of 10 to 80 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the diene base rubber and, in an amount of 1 to 20% by weight of the amount of silica, a specific silane coupling agent, i.e., a bis (alkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide having a polysulfide chain in which the distribution of sulfur is specified. After curing, the cured rubber composition includes closed cells. Therefore, the rubber composition has a good processability at the time of manufacturing of a tire and a pneumatic tire using the same has excellent snow/ice grip performance and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cyanoacrylate-based compositions, which include in addition to the cyanoacrylate component, a thermal-resistance conferring agent, such as an alkylating agent and/or silylating agent, which provides reaction products of the compositions with improved thermal resistance properties.

Abstract: A non-crosslinked polymer having pendant zwitterionic groups and pendant functional groups can be coated from a coating composition onto a surface having pendant coreactive functional groups and, after coating, may be cured so that covalent bonds are formed between the coreactive functional groups on the polymer and the surface. Alternatively the polymer can be crosslinked after coating, by formation of covalent intermolecular cross-links between coreactive pendant functional groups on the polymer. The zwitterionic pendant groups preferably have, as the anion, a phosphate ester group, and as the cation, a quaternary ammonium group. The polymer coating is stable and provides improved biocompatibility, especially haemocompatibility.

Abstract: Homopolymers of olefin monomers having polar functional groups, and copolymers of these monomers with each other and with non-polar olefins and optionally carbon monoxide are disclosed. The polymers can be prepared by contacting the corresponding monomers with a transition metal catalyst under comparatively mild conditions; this preserves at least some of the polar functional groups in the resulting polymer. The polymers are suitable for processing in conventional extrusion processes, and can be formed into high barrier sheets or films, or low molecular weight resins for use in synthetic waxes in wax coatings or as emulsions.

Abstract: Polymers of one or more radical polymerisable monomers which polymer has pendant groups bearing a centre of permanent positive charge and other pendant groups capable of stably binding the polymer to a surface are useful in the treatment of surfaces to render them biocompatible. The polymers may contain pendant groups which bind the polymer to a surface by physisorption, covalent bonding or ionic interactions. Additionally reactive groups in the polymer may serve as points for attachment of ligands to the polymer when coated on a surface.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising the components (A), (B), (C) and (D), viz.(A) an isobutylene polymer which contains in a molecule, at least one alkenyl group capable of hydrosilylation reaction;(B) a curing agent which contains at least two hydrosilyl groups in a molecule;(C) a hydrosilylation catalyst; and(D) an organic compound which contains in a molecule, at least one alkenyl or alkynyl group capable of hydrosilylation reaction.This composition is excellent in workability because of its low viscosity, and has such advantages that the cured product thereof has large strength and further that the weight loss by heating is small. Since a large amount of an inorganic filler can be blended with this composition, it is possible to obtain a composition having high thixotropy and little sagging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the selective cross-linking of the dispersed phase of polymers based on acrylonitrile/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber/styrene (AES), which comprises: a) addition to the polymer, which leaves the end of the synthesis plant still in the molten state, of cross-linking substances and coreagents; b) passing the compound through suitable mixing equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable PHA copolymers comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units. The present invention further relates to a plastic article comprising a biodegradable copolymer, wherein the biodegradable copolymer comprises at least two randomly repeating monomer units (RRMU) wherein the first RRMU has the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H, or C.sub.1 or C.sub.2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2; the second RRMU has the structure ##STR2## and wherein at least 50% of the RRMUs have the structure of the first RRMU. The present invention further relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet comprising a film comprising a PHA of the present invention and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet.

Abstract: The use of copolymers ofA) 60-99 mol % of N-vinylpyrrolidone, andB) 1-40 mol % of a monomer selected from the group ofb1) C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 -alkyl esters of monoethylenically unsaturated C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -carboxylic acids,b2) N-alkyl- or N,N-dialkyl-substituted amides of acrylic acid or of methacrylic acid with C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 -alkyl radicals, orb3) vinyl esters of aliphatic C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 -carboxylic acids, or mixtures of these monomers,as surface-active substances in preparations of water-insoluble substances.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of resin particles comprising: heating a mixture comprised of a free radical initiator compound, at least one stable free radical compound, at least one free radical polymerizable monomer compound, and at least one free radical polymerizable crosslinking compound; and cooling the mixture, wherein the resulting product resin particles are crosslinked and are comprised of polymerized monomers and at least one crosslinking compound, and wherein the particles have a narrow particle size distribution, a narrow pore size distribution, and a high monomer to polymer conversion.

Abstract: A highly polymerizable N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide having an N-1,3-butadienylcarboxylic acid amide content of 30 ppm or less, a process for producing the same, and a process for producing a homopolymer of N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide or a copolymer thereof with another copolymerizable monomer using the same. Also, a highly polymerizable N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide is produced by thermal cracking or catalytic cracking of N-(1-alkoxyethyl)carboxylic acid amide or ethylidenebiscarboxylic acid amide, wherein the N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide content of the N-(1-alkoxyethyl)carboxylic acid amide or ethylenebiscarboxylic acid amide is 10 wt % or less.

Abstract: A composition of matter includes a polymerizable mixture comprising 1 to 99 weight percent of a first monomer and an initiator therefor, the first monomer being one of 1) at least one free-radically polymerizable monomer or 2) at least one cyanate ester monomer, and 99 to 1 weight percent of a second monomer and an initiator therefor, the second monomer being the member of 1) or 2) that is not selected as the first monomer, wherein the curative for the cyanate ester is a transition metal-containing organometallic compound curing agent and the curative for the free-radically polymerizable monomer is a free-radical generating curing agent or a transition metal-containing organometallic compound.

Abstract: A composition of matter includes a polymerizable mixture comprising 1 to 99 weight percent of a first monomer and an initiator therefor, the first monomer being one of 1) at least one free-radically polymerizable monomer or 2) at least one cyanate ester monomer, and 99 to 1 weight percent of a second monomer and an initiator therefor, the second monomer being the member of 1) or 2) that is not selected as the first monomer, wherein the curative for the cyanate ester is a transition metal-containing organometallic compound curing agent and the curative for the free-radically polymerizable monomer is a free-radical generating curing agent or a transition metal-containing organometallic compound.

Abstract: A planar, solid-state electrochemical oxygen sensor having a substrate, conductive strips deposited on the substrate, and a dielectric layer insulating portions of the conductive strips except those portions which define a working electrode and at least one second electrode. The working electrode may be defined by an open printed region of the dielectric, or by a needle-punched or laser-burned hole or opening in the dielectric which exposes a small region of one of the conduct strips. A solid electrolyte contacting the electrodes is covered by a semipermeable membrane which may comprise an acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer or an acrylate-based copolymer. A sample chamber is defined by the membrane, a cover member, and a gasket therebetween, and has a volume of from about 1 to about 2 .mu.l. The gasket is formulated from the highly cross-linked polymerization product of epichlorohydrin. All sensor components are selected such that a sensor operable for at least 2 days under normal conditions is produced.

Abstract: A wood article is submitted to a vacuum in an autoclave to remove air that it contains. Then, a solution which contains a water-soluble cross-linkable prepolymer, a polymerization initiator and optionally a wood preservative is introduced into the autoclave. Polymerization to form a polymeric network in the wood article is carried out in an atmosphere which may be substantially free of oxygen, while the optionally present preservative is chemically fixed to the wood. The result is a wood article with a permanently reduced hardness and an increased moisture content at equilibrium.

Abstract: Improved aqueous emulsion vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) polymer adhesives for use in packaging applications and on difficult to bond surfaces such as polyethylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and oriented polypropylene. The VAE polymers contain about 55-80 wt % vinyl acetate, 15-45 wt % ethylene, and 0-30 wt % of one or more additional ethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable monomer, based on the total weight of monomers. Cast films of the VAE emulsion polymers of this invention should have a tensile storage modulus (test frequency of 6.28 rad/sec) within the area encompassed by the following data points: 1.times.10.sup.5 and 2.times.10.sup.7 dynes/cm.sup.2 at 23.degree. C., and 1.times.10.sup.3 and 2.times.10.sup.6 dynes/cm.sup.2 at 70.degree. C.; preferably within the area encompassed by the following data points: 1.times.10.sup.6 and 1.5.times.10.sup.7 dynes/cm.sup.2 at 23.degree. C., and 3.times.10.sup.4 and 9.times.10.sup.5 dynes/cm.sup.2 at 70.degree. C.