Abstract: An improved process to enhance polyurethane foam performance is described. Polyurethane foam is prepared by reactions between a polyisocyanate and an active hydrogen-containing component wherein said reactions are conducted in the presence of catalysts composed of (a) at least one specific tertiary amine carbamate (formed by the reaction of reactive tertiary amine and polyisocyanate) and, optionally, (b) salts formed by the reaction between the specific tertiary amine carbamate(s) and hydroxy- and/or halo-carboxylic acids. The specific tertiary amine carbamates in the subject invention are dimethylaminoethoxyethyl carbamate, bis(dimethylaminopropyl)amino-2-propyl carbamate, dimethylaminoethyl carbamate, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams formed under vacuum (below atmospheric pressure) conditions using a specific mixture of polyisocyanate and with a major portion of methylene diisocyanate (MDI) and a specific mixture of polyether and graft polyols exhibit superb static shock cushioning characteristics (energy absorption) as illustrated by drop curves of deceleration versus static load. The foam-forming ingredients are mixed together and foamed under controlled pressures in the range 0.5 to 0.90 bar (absolute), preferably 0.5 to 0.8 bar (absolute). A major portion of the MDI is 4, 4′ methylene diisocyanate.

Abstract: A method of making a novel composition of a porous medium comprising volume elements of both voids and pores wherein the voids are much larger than the mean size of the pores. The method includes a first step of preparation of a porous medium comprising solid particles the approximate size selected for the voids and pores as volume elements and a second step of removing the particles by etching out with hydrofluoric acid or other means to form a porous medium comprising both voids and pores. In another embodiment, the voids are prepared from Bow etching out of a polymeric hydrogel silica particles which were allowed to self-assemble as a crystalline colloidal array prior to formation of the polymeric hydrogel around them, thereby forming a porous medium containing a crystalline colloidal array of voids containing aqueous solution. In another embodiment, a method of partitioning macromolecules between a solution comprising the macromolecules, and the voids and pores of a porous medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyurethane and polyisocyanurate closed-cell foams. More particularly, the invention relates to polyurethane and polyisocyanurate closed-cell foams prepared with a blowing agent comprising 1-chloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124) and 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b). Foams prepared with the blowing agent of the invention possess improved thermal performance.

Abstract: A one-component polyurethane foam composition is described, which contains at least one prepolymer (isocyanate prepolymer), which has isocyanate groups, at least one blowing agent and known auxiliary and additive materials containing at least one ester, free of reactive hydrogens, of a polycarboxylic C2 to C7 acid and a monohydric C1 to C7 alcohol and/or a monocarboxylic C1 to C7 acid with a multihydric C2 to C7 alcohol as means for improving the complete and embrittlement-free curing even at low temperatures and/or low ambient humidities, as well as the use of these esters, which are free of reactive hydrogen atoms, for improving the embrittlement-free curing of such one-component polyurethane foam compositions under unfavorable conditions (low temperature and little available ambient humidity).

Abstract: The invention described herein pertain generally to at least semi-rigid polyurethane foams which cure upon exposure to moisture and which contain major amounts of non-ozone depleting hydrofluorocarbon gas. The foams additionally contain a diisocyanate, preferably, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diusocyanate (MDI) and optionally including higher oligomers of MDI (polymeric MDI) in addition to at least two polyols of different molecular weights, e.g., as measured by number average molecular weight, preferably a polyester or polyether polyol, more preferably a polyalkylene polyol. The at least two polyols have a difference in molecular weight which is greater than or equal to 10%, preferably greater than or equal to 20%, more preferably greater than or equal to 35%, and most preferably greater than or equal to 50%, said number average molecular weight of the higher molecular weight polyol being no greater than approximately 4,000.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane foam comprising reacting a polyol component with an isocyanate component in the presence of a catalyst comprising a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein p is an integer of 4 to 8, and a compound having a primary amino group and a tertiary amino group in its molecule, a blowing agent and a surfactant. The polyurethane foam obtained by the process of the present invention can be suitably used for heat insulating materials for construction materials, electric refrigerators, refrigerated warehouses, baths and the like, interior materials for automobiles, and the like.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a macramer suitable as a stabilizer precursor in a polymer polyol, which process comprises reacting a polyol with a cyclic dicarboxylic acid anhydride not containing any polymerizable double bond, and subsequently reacting the adduct thus obtained with an epoxide compound containing a polymerizable double bond. The macromers can be applied for the preparation of polymer polyols which are, in turn, very suitable for manufacturing flexible polyurethane foams.

Abstract: Provided is a polyolefin base porous film comprising a polyolefin composition in which calcium carbonate particles, preferably calcium carbonate particles subjected to surface treatment with chain carboxylic acid having 3 to 6 carbon atoms are dispersed. This polyolefin base porous film is characterized by that the leached solution with water has a pH which falls in the vicinity of neutrality and has a low stimulation to the skin, and therefore it is useful for goods contacting human bodies, particularly a back sheet for a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: The invention relates to the combined use of metal salts of ricinoleic acid with reactive amines in the preparation of polyurethane foams (PUR foams) and of their solutions in aqueous or organic solvents in the preparation of polyurethane foams in combination with reactive amines.

Abstract: Polyol blend comprising a polyester polyol, a tertiary amine catalyst and an organic carboxylic acid wherein said carboxylic acid contains at least one OH, SH, NH2 or NHR functional group, wherein R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group and the use of said polyol blend in the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foams.

Abstract: New, useful and surprisingly effective polymeric triphenylmethane colorant-containing compositions which exhibit very low color degradation within polyurethane foams. Generally during polyurethane foam production, certain amine-based hydroxyl-group containing catalysts deleteriously attack the nitrogen linking groups within triphenylmethane polymeric colorants. Such compositions require the presence of nominal yet effective amounts of organic cyclic ester materials. The ring systems of such materials appear to open during exposure to heat (during the foaming procedure) and release carboxylic acids into the foaming formulation. The tertiary amines become quenched by the carboxylic acids and thus do not exhibit degradation of the TPM-based chromophore. The resultant foams exhibit substantially uniform color throughout. The processes and resultant foams are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polyurethane foam, especially according to the one-shot foaming process, the quasi-prepolymer process and the prepolymer process by reactions between a polyisocyanate and an active hydrogen-containing component including water and an organic polyol wherein said reactions are conducted in the presence of a reaction product formed by reaction between a tertiary amine and a carboxylic acid having halo functionality and optional hydroxyl functionality.

Abstract: Method of making substantially windowless open-celled polyurethane foams which have superior wiping properties is disclosed. The ingredients for making such foams comprise: a polyol, catalyst, silicon stabilizer, blowing agent, toluene diisocyananate and cell-openers and/or surfactants.

Abstract: Viscoelastic foams and a process for making them are disclosed. The foams are produced with a unique isocyanate-reactive mixture that includes a low equivalent weight polyol and from about 15 to about 70 wt. % of a polyester or polyoxyalkylene monol having a number average equivalent weight greater than about 1000. The monol is the key to formulating excellent viscoelastic foams over a broad range of processing conditions and isocyanate indices. A “reactive” monol gives TDI-based viscoelastic foams with improved “hand feel” and reduced levels of residual toluenediamines.

Abstract: Porous polyimide dielectric materials having low dielectric constants useful in electronic component manufacture are disclosed along with methods of preparing the porous polyimide dielectric materials. Also disclosed are methods of forming integrated circuits containing such porous polyimide dielectric material.

Abstract: An improved process to enhance polyurethane foam performance is described. Polyurethane foam is prepared by reactions between a polyisocyanate and a polyfunctional isocyanate-reactive component wherein said reactions are conducted in the presence of catalysts composed of (a) a specific reactive tertiary amine compound selected from the group consisting of bis(dimethylaminopropyl)amino-2-propanol, bis(dimethylaminopropyl)amine, dimethylaminopropyldipropanolamine, bis(dimethylamino)-2-propanol, N,N,N′-trimethyl-N′-hydroxyethyl-bis(aminoethyl)ether and mixtures thereof; and (b) at least one carboxylic acid salt of the specific reactive tertiary amine compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-carboxylic acid salts and halo-carboxylic acid salts.

Abstract: A flexible, metallized, polyurethane foam has, incorporated therein, particles selected from copper and copper oxide in an amount, based on metallic copper, of at least 1% by weight of the total weight of the metallized foam. The copper can be incorporated into the foam by (a) mixing the particles with a polyol and reacting the polyol with a polyisocyanate in the presence of a foaming agent to form the flexible polyurethane foam, whereby the particles are incorporated in-situ within the foam; or (b) forming a slurry of the particles in a polymer latex medium and treating the foam with the said slurry to allow impregnation of the particles into the foam. An article for alleviation of discomfort from an ailment associated with a joint, limb or muscle contains the flexible polyurethane foam covered by a fabric.

Abstract: A process for producing a rigid polyurethane foam provides a rigid polyurethane foam having a closed-cell size of about 80-130 &mgr;m and thus, improved heat insulating properties.

Abstract: The use of enol ether capped polyether-polysiloxane copolymers as surfactants in polyurethane foam applications is taught herein. These enol ether capped surfactants exhibit a high capping efficiency and yield good performance. Moreover, they are stable in water/amine premixes.