Abstract: Molded products made from gelatinized starch can be made water-resistant by coating with biodegradable polyesters such as poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and poly(.di-elect cons.-caprolactone) (PCL). Adherence of the two dissimilar materials is achieved through the use of an intervening layer of a resinous material such as shellac or rosin which possesses a solubility parameter (hydrophobicity) intermediate to that of the starch and the polyesters. Coating is achieved by spraying an alcoholic solution of the shellac or rosin onto the starch-based article and subsequently coating with a solution of the polyester in an appropriate solvent. Biodegradable products made by the instant process have utility in the food service industry.

Abstract: A helical structure with a high toughness includes a number of helical elements as an artificial substitute for collagen filament constituting a biological tissue, which can be easily exchanged for a part so as to permanently extend the service life, and which can be easily assembled into a required structure and vice versa. The helical elements are made of wiry materials with a predetermined diameter helically wound with a predetermined lead and pitch so that the diameter of the helix of the helical elements is about two times that of the wiry material. The form of the crest of the structure may correspond with that of the trough, and the trough may be located outside the center of the helix. A number of the helical elements are collectively solidified with their mutual troughs and crests united side by side.

Abstract: An abrasion-resistant fluoropolymer mixture comprising(A) from 75 to 99% by weight of a fluorocarbon polymer(B) from 1 to 25% by weight of an oxidized polyarylene sulfide and, based on the sum (A)+(B),(C) from 0 to 15% by weight of a filler,is used for the production of feed pipes for Bowden cables which are pressure-resistant and abrasion-resistant.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for providing soil resistance and resistance to staining by acid dyes to fibers and textiles by simultaneous or sequential application of a sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation product and partial fluoroesters or fluorothioesters formed from copolymers of maleic anhydride and perfluoroalkyl alcohols or perfluoroalkyl thiols.

Abstract: Process for the production of a high tenacity propylene polymer fiber which includes:spinning fiber from a molten propylene polymer composition which essentially includes an olefin polymer (I) and a high molecular weight propylene polymer (II) having a branching index less than 1 and melt strength from 5 to 40 cN; the propylene polymer (II) being present in a concentration from 0.1 to 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition; anddrawing the solid fiber thus obtained with a draw ratio greater than 4.5 when the spinning step is continuous and greater than 5 when the spinning step is discontinuous.

Abstract: A tube of porous PTFE having at least two first and at least two second regions wherein the at least two first regions have a greater density than the at least two second regions. For tubes of porous expanded PTFE having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils, the at least two first regions have a mean fibril length that is less than that of the at least two second regions. Preferably the regions are arranged in the form of ring-shaped segments of the tube wherein denser segments alternate along the length of the tube with less dense segments. Other arrangements between the different regions are possible; for example, the regions may be oriented in a spiral relationship with each other along the length of the tube. The porous PTFE tubes of the present invention have excellent radial compression resistance without requiring additional exterior reinforcing members due to the presence of the denser regions that are provided with a circumferential orientation.

Abstract: A polymer having silicon atoms and sulfonium salt units in its main chain is provided which is obtained from a reaction between a polymer having silicon atoms, which is obtained by polymerizing 4,4'-thiodiphenol or a mixture of 4,4'-thiodiphenol and a diol compound and a silane or siloxane derivative, and a diaryliodonium salt or an alkyl. halide. The polymer having both silicon atoms and sulfonium salt units in its main chain are useful as a photoacid generator for chemically amplified resist and a base resin and a dissolution inhibitor for the resist.

Abstract: The present invention includes curable compositions adapted to coat substrates. In one embodiment, the composition includes an antioxidant selected from terpene materials; vitamin materials different from the terpene materials; and combinations thereof in an amount of about 0.00001 weight percent to about 5 weight percent based upon the weight of the substrate. In another embodiment, the composition includes (a) an antioxidant selected from terpene materials; vitamin materials different from the terpene materials; and combinations thereof in an amount effective to inhibit oxidation of the composition; and (b) a film-forming material capable of forming a substantially uniform continuous coating on the substrate. Also included are substrates and sized glass fibers coated with such compositions and fabrics woven from such coated fibers. Other aspects of the present invention include methods for inhibiting the oxidation of a coating composition adapted to coat substrates.

Abstract: A high heat resistant hot melt adhesive composition, its method of manufacture and its use on plastic and metallized foil containers, structures and the like is described herein, which adhesive contains a blend of an amorphous polyalphaolefin polymer, a solid benzoate plasticizer and a hydrocarbon tackifier where the elevated peel value of the resulting adhesive composition is greater than 160.degree. F.

Abstract: Photolytically crosslinkable thermally stable compositions comprising at least one crosslinkable polymer and a crosslinkable quantity of a multifunctional 3,4-disubstituted maleimide. The compositions may be employed to prepare adhesives and photo printing mats.

Abstract: A blackout drapery lining including a first substrate of a textile material having an inner surface and an external surface, the external surface forming a first finished surface of the drapery lining. A first adhesive layer having an opaque pigment is adhered to the first substrate and covers the inner surface of the first substrate to provide a substantially light impermeable barrier for the drapery lining. The drapery lining also includes a second substrate of a textile material having an inner surface and an external surface, the inner surface of the second substrate being adhered to the first adhesive layer and the external surface of the second substrate forms a second finished surface of the drapery lining.

Abstract: The invention described both a process for the preparation of a natural fiber and thermoplastic composite and the resulting products therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to coating compositions for producing watertight, vapor-permeable and flame-retardant coatings, comprising a vinyl chloride copolymer or vinyl acetate/ethylene dispersion, flameproofing agents, foam stabilizer and optionally crosslinkers. The invention further relates to a process for producing watertight, vapor-permeable and flame-retardant coatings by mechanically foaming the coating composition to produce a stable foam, applying the foam to a woven, knitted or nonwoven support material on one or both of the sides and drying it at a temperature of from 60.degree. to 180.degree. C. and optionally, after drying, compressing the foam layer. The textile support materials coated with the coating composition are suitable for use in building protection and in the geotextile sector.

Abstract: Hand-tearable barrier laminates are provided which include a reinforcing layer having a first tensile strength laminated to flexible cellulosic web comprising open porosity and a second tensile strength which is less than the first tensile strength. The web is treated with a water-resistant polymeric resin for providing liquid water resistance to the web while permitting water vapor to pass through it. Inexpensive web materials can be substituted for polymer foam and microperforated plastic films currently employed by the housing industry.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising flexible polymer matrix and rod-shaped reinforcing member finely dispersed therein at the molecular level, wherein the diameter of the section cut in right angle to the longitudinal direction of said rod-shaped reinforcing member is less than 0.07 .mu., and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: A multilayer polyimide-fluoropolymer insulation structure containing (a) a layer of a polyimide-fluoropolymer composite composed of a polyimide copolymer base layer, fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) copolymer layers bonded to both sides of the polyimide copolymer base layer and a FEP-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) blend layer bonded to at least one of the FEP layers and (b) an overlying layer of unsintered PTFE. The insulation structure has superior cut-through resistance when used in aerospace wire and cable applications.

Abstract: A breathable non-woven fabric having barrier capabilities to biological liquids comprised of at least one non-woven layer bonded to at least one surface of a thermoplastic microporous film, the non-woven composite fabric providing a barrier to passage: (a) of biological liquid when the composite fabric is subjected to contact with synthetic blood under the dictates of testing procedure ASTM ES21-92; and (b) to viral penetration when the composite fabric is subject to contact with .phi.X174 bacteriophage suspension at a titer of 10.sup.3 PFU/mL for 5 minutes with no applied pressure, 1 minute at 13.8 kPa (2.0 PSIG), and 54 minutes with no applied pressure while maintaining a moisture of vapor transmission rate of greater than about 450 grams per square meter for 24 hours at about 75.degree. F.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an imidized polycarboxylic acid polymer useful as a cement admixture, to improved cement compositions containing said polymer and to a process of forming the same.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced resin pipes and pipe fittings have a structural pipe wall formed from helically wound reinforcing fiber that is bonded together with a polymer resin. An intermediate layer is disposed around the structural pipe wall, and a fiber-reinforced layer is disposed around the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is formed from material selected from the group consisting of impact attenuating and impact absorbing materials. The fiber-reinforced resin layer comprises layers of helically wound reinforcing fiber bonded together with a polymer resin. The materials selected to form the fiber-reinforced resin layer can be the same or different from that used to form the structural pipe wall. The pipe may comprise a single intermediate and fiber-reinforced layer disposed around the structural pipe wall, or may comprise an impact resistant jacket disposed around the structural pipe wall, wherein the jacket is made up of alternating intermediate and fiber-reinforced resin layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyurethane layers having higher surface energy. These polyurethane layers are formed on a substrate from a reactive mixture, and comprised of A) a compound containing isocyanate groups, B) an organic compound containing isocyanate-reactive groups, and C) at least one material selected from the group consisting of 1) reactive non-ionic polar materials, 2) reactive ionic polar materials, 3) non-reactive polar materials, and 4) mixtures thereof. Polyurethane layers such as these have been found to have improved adhesion and wet-out properties when used as precoat layers for carpet backing.