Abstract: Provided is a cationic polymer-modified silica dispersion which comprises silica fine particles having an average particle diameter of less than 200 nm and a cationic polymer and which does not bring about coagulation of the silica particles. The above dispersion which is diluted to a solid concentration of 1.5% by weight is characterized by having a light scattering index (n value) of 2.0 or more. The above dispersion can be produced by oppositely-colliding a mixed solution obtained by mixing silica with a cationic polymer in a polar solvent at a treating pressure of 300 kgf/cm2 or more or passing it through an orifice under a condition that a pressure difference between the inlet side and the outlet side of the orifice is 300 kgf cm2 or more.

Abstract: A conducting polymer composite that is crosslinked comprising a semicrystalline polymer minor phase with conducting filler material dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the minor phase, and which is mixed with major phase polymers, the materials being selected such that the minor phase and major phases will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility. The minor phase being dispersed in the major phase in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the composite material. The composite material is crosslinked by physical or chemical means. The crosslinked conducting polymer composite having a reduced amount of conducting filler while supporting a continuous conductive network in the crosslinked polymer composite.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a polyamide-clay nanocomposite, products produced from the nanocomposite, and a process for preparing a polyamide-clay nanocomposite. The polyamide-clay nanocomposite comprises (a) an amorphous matrix polyamide comprising (i) a residue of a dicarboxylic acid component comprising at least two diacids and (ii) a residue of a diamine component, and (b) a layered clay material, wherein the layered clay material is dispersed in the matrix polyamide.

Abstract: An organic and inorganic complex composition wherein the resin is at 15-70 wt % and the content of one or more inorganic compounds capable of dehydration at 150° C. or more is at 80-30 wt %. When the composition is exposed to combustion, inorganic compounds being capable of dehydration at 150° C. or more and being contained in the organic and inorganic complex composition generate steam which then suppresses combustion. Simultaneously, endothermic reaction during steam generation deprives combustion heat. A switch having a molded article of which the entirety or a part is composed of an organic and inorganic complex composition is provided, wherein the base inside of the base of a box is composed of for example an organic and inorganic complex composition with the resin content at 15-70 wt % and the content of one or more inorganic compounds capable of dehydration at 150° C. or more at 80-30 wt %.

Abstract: Production of a paper coating composition having improved low shear viscosity at a high solids level of fine particle size calcium carbonate. The improvement in low shear viscosity is achieved by dissolving a fine particle size, partially hydrolyzed, low molecular weight poly(vinyl alcohol) powder in an aqueous slurry of pigment particles containing predominantly fine particle size calcium carbonate. Dissolution of the poly(vinyl alcohol) is achieved without external heating or adding water to the slurry. The slurry can then be formulated with other components to produce the ink jet paper coating composition which, when applied to a paper substrate, provides excellent ink jet printability.

Abstract: Nanocomposite compositions comprising organically modified clays and polyolefins or copolymers containing repeat units derived from olefins have flame retardant or flame resistant properties. Sheets and laminates of the nanocomposite can be utilized wherever flame retardant properties are desired.

Abstract: Hybrid layered silicates with galleries between the layers containing both inorganic and organic ions with different compositions in different galleries are described. The resulting hybrid layered silicates provide economical starting materials for polymers and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for depolymerizing and purifying contaminated post-consumer polyester. In the process, depolymerization is effected by way of glycolysis in an agitated reactor vessel. The process includes the steps of contacting a contaminated polyester with an amount of a glycol to provide a molar ratio of greater than about 1 to about 5 total glycol units to total dicarboxylic acid units at a temperature between about 150 to about 300° C. and an absolute pressure of about 0.5 to about 3 bars. This reaction is conducted for a time sufficient to produce, in the reactor, an upper layer having a relatively low density contaminant floating on top of a lower layer which includes a relatively high density depolymerized oligomer of the polyester, and separating the upper layer from the lower layer. The layers may be separated by removing the upper layer from the reactor in a first stream and removing said lower layer from the reactor in a second stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-concentration talc masterbatch comprising: (A) 10 to 60 parts by weight of an elastomer having a melt flow rate of from 0.5 to 150 g/10 min; (B) 40 to 90 parts by weight of talc having an average particle diameter of from 1 to 15 &mgr;m; and (C) 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a metal soap, based on 100 parts by weight of the sum of the ingredients (A) and (B).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire, which has belts, gum strips and an overlay, which contain 2-15 phr of thermoplastic reinforcing polymer as an addition to a compound or as a replacement for 5-25 phr of carbon black, has good high speed properties.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire is provided which comprises an under-belt pad (3) provided circumferentially between edge portions of a belt (1) and a carcass in a shoulder portion thereof, the under-belt pad (3) being of a rubber compound containing 10 to 60 parts by weight of carbon black and 3 to 30 parts by weight of silica with a total amount of carbon black and silica being 20 to 65 parts by weight, 2 to 5 parts by weight of sulfur and 0.5 to 3 parts by weight of resorcin or a resorcin derivative all relative to 100 parts by weight of rubber, and 0.5 to 2 parts by weight of hexamethylene tetramine or a melamine derivative as a methylene donor relative to 1 part by weight of the resorcin or the resorcin derivative, and having a dynamic viscoelasticity E′ or 5 MPa to 10 MPa, a loss tangent tan&dgr; of 0.10 to 0.18 and a 300% modulus of 11 MPa to 15 MPa.

Abstract: Carbon black having boron solid-solubilized therein, which has an electrical resistivity of not higher than 0.1 &OHgr;cm, as measured in accordance with JIS K1469.

Abstract: Intercalated layered materials prepared by co-intercalation of a multi-charged onium ion spacing/coupling agent and a matrix polymer between the planar layers of a swellable layered material, such as a phyllosilicate, preferably a smectite clay. The spacing of adjacent layers of the layered materials is expanded at least about 3 Å, preferably at least about 5 Å, usually to about 15-20 Å, e.g., 18 Å with the di-charged onium ion spacing/coupling agent. The intercalation of the matrix polymer then increases the spacing between adjacent layers to at least about 15 Å, preferably to about 20 Å to about 30 Å.

Abstract: A coating composition able to improve the cleanability and durability with respect to the surface of a substrate formed with an organic paint coating or the surface of a metal, plastic, glass, or other general substrate, containing superfine particles of tin oxide, indium oxide, or another metal oxide with an average size in the range of 5 to 15 nm, transparent with respect to visible light, and having conductivity, a binder containing a polyvinyl alcohol silylated by an isocyanate silane, colloidal silica, and a solvent of for example water, a glycol ether-based hydrophilic solvent, an alcohol-based hydrophilic solvent, or a mixture thereof, the coating composition being coated on an organic paint coating or other paint coating formed on a substrate or directly on the substrate for use as a protective coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a layer, preferably an innerliner, for prevention, or retardation, of air permeation from its inner chamber into the remainder of the tire. The innerliner is of a butyl rubber composition which contains a dispersion of starch/plasticizer composite.

Abstract: This invention relates to furan no-bake foundry binders comprising (a) a reactive furan resin, (b) furfuryl alcohol, and (c) a catalyst component comprising a catalytically effective amount of a Lewis acid furan catalyst. The invention also relates to foundry mixes prepared with the binder, foundry shapes prepared with the foundry mix, and metal castings prepared with the foundry shapes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer-clay nanocomposite having an improved gas permeability comprising (i) a melt-processible matrix polymer, and incorporated therein (ii) a layered clay material intercalated with a mixture of at least two organic cations. The invention also relates to processes for preparing a nanocomposite and articles produced from a nanocomposite.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for devulcanizing the surface of reclaimed rubber crumb into surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb that is suitable for being recompounded and recured into high performance rubber products, said process comprising the steps of (1) heating the reclaimed rubber crumb to a temperature which is within the range of about 150° C. to about 300° C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4×106 Pascals in the presence of a solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols and ketones, wherein said solvent has a critical temperature, which is within the range of about 200° C. to about 350° C., to devulcanize the surface of the rubber crumb thereby producing a slurry of the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb in the solvent, wherein the reclaimed rubber crumb has a particle size which is within the range of about 325 mesh to about 20 mesh, and (2) separating the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb from the solvent.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for devulcanizing the surface of reclaimed rubber crumb into surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb that is suitable for being recompounded and recurred into high performance rubber products, said process comprising the steps of (1) heating the reclaimed rubber crumb to a temperature which is within the range of about 150° C. to about 300° C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4×106 Pascals in the presence of 2-butanol to devulcanize the surface of the rubber crumb thereby producing a slurry of the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb in the 2-butanol, wherein the reclaimed rubber crumb has a particle size which is within the range of about 325 mesh to about 20 mesh, and (2) separating the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb from the 2-butanol.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a polyamide-clay nanocomposite, products produced from the nanocomposite, and a process for preparing a polyamide-clay nanocomposite. The polyamide-clay nanocomposite comprises (a) an amorphous matrix polyamide comprising (i) a residue of a dicarboxylic acid component comprising at least two diacids and (ii) a residue of a diamine component, and (b) a layered clay material, wherein the layered clay material is dispersed in the matrix polyamide.