Abstract: A method for activating silicone rubber surfaces comprising steps of: i) swelling at least the surface of the silicone rubber matrix with a silicone rubber swelling solvent; ii) treating the silicone rubber matrix during or after the swelling with a solution comprising at least a reactive silane, the reactive silane comprising: a) at least one Si—C bond and; b) at least one hydrolytically labile bond linked to at least one of the Si atoms present in the reactive silane and; c) at least one functional group F1 connected via a Si—C bond to the same or an other Si atom present in the reactive silane, the functional group comprising electrophilic and/or nucleophilic moieties, and/or at least one functional group F2 connected via a Si—C bond to the same or an other Si atom present in the reactive silane comprising moieties which become electrophilic or nucleophilic moieties by a mechanism selected from the group consisting of ring opening of a cyclic structure, hydrolysis, displacement or by a migration reaction;

Abstract: A method of producing the high molecular weight polycarbodiimide comprises the steps of providing an isocyanate component comprising toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a carbodiimidization catalyst, and a first solvent. The method further comprises the step of polymerizing the isocyanate component in the first solvent and in the presence of the carbodiimidization catalyst to produce a reaction mixture including at least one carbodiimide compound and the first solvent. In addition, the method comprises the step of combining a second solvent and the reaction mixture. Finally, the method comprises the step of polymerizing the at least one carbodiimide compound for a second period of time in the first and second solvents and in the presence of the carbodiimidization catalyst to produce the high molecular weight polycarbodiimide.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a polyurethane resin for moisture-permeable waterproof materials which is excellent in all of the moisture permeability, waterproofness, and resistance to washing.

Abstract: An improved drilling and completion fluid can be used in subterranean drilling for oil and gas. Sodium silicate and potassium silicate-based drilling fluids are commonly used drilling fluids with the notable attributes of exceptional shale stabilization characteristics coupled with exceptional environmental performance Environmental and wellbore stabilization characteristics are improved by using high ratio aqueous silicates wherein ratio is defined as the molar ratio of SiO2:Me2O, where Me is an alkali and is most commonly sodium or potassium (i.e. Na2O and K2O). For high ratio aqueous alkali silicates, the molar ratio of SiO2:Me2O can range from just over 4.0 to about 12.0.

Abstract: We disclose a method of making an asphalt composition containing large quantities of ground tire rubber. Over 20% GTR by weight can be used in the asphalt composition without the GTR settling out. The method comprises a series of heating and blending and using a GTR stabilizer.

Abstract: Accelerator solution suitable for forming a redox system with peroxides, comprising (i) a compound of a first transition metal selected from manganese and copper, (ii) a compound of a second transition metal; the weight ratio of first transition metal:second transition metal being in the range 3:1 to 200:1, (iii) a nitrogen-containing base, and (iv) a hydroxy-functional solvent, with the proviso that the accelerator solution does not contain ascorbic acid.

Abstract: An expanded bead of a polylactic acid resin, having an exterior surface, a surface region including the entire exterior surface and having a weight of one-sixth to one-fourth the weight of the expanded bead, and a center region located inside the surface region and having a weight of one-fifth to one-third the weight of the expanded bead, wherein the expanded bead, the surface region and the center region, after having been subjected to a pretreatment including a heat treatment at 110° C. for 120 minutes followed by cooling at a cooling speed of 2° C./min, have endothermic calorific values of (Br:endo), (Brs:endo) and (Brc:endo), respectively, when measured by heat flux differential scanning calorimetry at a heating speed of 2° C./min in accordance with JIS K7122 (1987), and wherein (Br:endo) is greater than 25 J/g and (Brs:endo) is smaller than (Brc:endo) and is not smaller than 0 J/g.

Abstract: Provided is a polycarbonate resin composition that can exhibit an improved flame retardancy, flowability, rigidity, warping resistance, impact resistance, heat resistance, and wet heat stability all at the same time. This polycarbonate resin composition comprises 3 to 30 mass parts of (C) a phosphazene compound and 0.001 to 1 mass parts of (D) a fluoropolymer per 100 mass parts of the total of a component (A) and a component (B) formed of 40 to 95 mass % of (A) a polycarbonate resin and 5 to 60 mass % of (B) a filler selected from glass fillers and carbon fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to admixtures of thermoplastic polyurethane base polymers that resist surface dulling and fluorinated additives and their use in the manufacture of articles, such as medical devices. For example, the admixtures of the invention are useful in the manufacture of blood dwelling medical devices, such as catheters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid curable epoxy resin composition which includes a cycloaliphatic epoxy compound (A) having at least one alicyclic skeleton and two or more epoxy groups per molecule; a silica (B); and a phosphite ester (C). The liquid curable epoxy resin composition preferably includes, for example, 5 to 80 parts by weight of the cycloaliphatic epoxy compound (A) having at least one alicyclic skeleton and two or more epoxy groups per molecule; 20 to 95 parts by weight of the silica (B); and 0.001 to 5.0 parts by weight of the phosphite ester (C), per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the components (A) and (B).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are blended thermoplastic compositions comprising at least one polycarbonate polymer, at least one polyester polymer, and at least one reinforcing filler. The thermal blended polycarbonate compositions can optionally further comprise at least one polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, at least one impact modifier polymer, and/or at least one flame retardant. The resulting compositions can be used in the manufacture of articles requiring materials with high modulus and high flowability, while retaining good impact strength. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: To provide a resin composition that has a high impact resistance, hardly causes peeling during molding, and is excellent in flame retardancy, heat resistance, and heat aging resistance for a long period. A resin composition containing (A) polyphenylene ether, (B) a hydrogenated block copolymer that is obtained by hydrogenating a block copolymer including a polystyrene block and a conjugated diene compound polymer block, and that has a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 to 500,000, and (C) an organic phosphorus-based flame retardant within a specified amount, wherein a value of the loss tangent (tan ?) peak height of the (B) component in a dynamic viscoelasticity spectrum obtained by measurement of the resin composition at a frequency of 10 Hz is in a specified range.

Abstract: A method to generate renewable high performance composites and thermoplastics. These materials can be generated from a renewable phenol (syringaldehyde) that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of syringaldehyde as a precursor to composites has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum derived resins.

Abstract: Polyisocyanurate foam composition, articles comprising the composition and a method of making the composition are described. The polyisocyanurate foam composition comprises the reaction product of a polyisocyanate compound; and a first polyester polyol comprising the residue of orthophthalic acid; a second polyester polyol comprising the residue of terephthalic acid; at least one polyether polyol having a functionality of at least 3 and a hydroxyl number greater than 200; and a physical blowing agent, wherein the isocyanate index is greater than 250.

Abstract: Toughened polymeric materials and methods of forming toughened polymeric materials are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming toughened polymeric materials may include preparing a branched polymeric additive; mixing the branched polymeric additive with a polymer to form a polymeric mixture, wherein the branched polymeric molecule either mixes and/or bonds with the polymer to reduce mobility in the polymer; and curing the polymeric mixture. In some embodiments, a toughened polymeric material comprises a polymer network; and a branched polymeric molecule bonded to the polymer network.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to acetylated castor components and compositions including the same. The acetylated castor component may be an acetylated castor oil and/or an acetylated castor wax. The acetylated castor component may be blended with an epoxidized fatty acid ester. The present acetylated castor components and blends find advantageous application as a plasticizer.

Abstract: Bituminous paving mixtures containing lubricating agents or additives may be prepared at hot mix temperatures and cooled, paved and compacted at temperatures 10-55° C. lower than the hot mix temperatures. The increased temperature range between the hot mix temperatures and the paving and compacting temperatures is facilitated by the improved compacting properties of the paving mixture when it includes the lubricating agents or additives.

Abstract: Silicone pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) compositions and methods for their preparation are provided. In one embodiment, PSAs are formed from a silicone polymer mixture by condensation polymerization of low viscosity polyorganosiloxanes in inert solvents and/or silicone fluids, and optionally adding a silicone resin (MQ) during polymerization. The silicone polymer mixture formed may also be mixed with a silicone resin (MQ) and bodying catalyst, and bodying is allowed to continue until the desired reaction product is formed.

Abstract: An extrusion expansion of low molecular weight polyalkylene terephthalates having an IV of below 1.0 dl/g to produce gas-charged beads is disclosed. The process includes an extrusion expanding of the resins and an underwater pelletizing of the melt threads. The obtained beads show a composite structure and are characterized by an IV of 0.69 dl/g or more and a melt viscosity ?0 of higher than 300 Pa·s.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an aliphatic polyester having an increased molecular weight comprising the steps of: (i) introducing into a mixing tank equipped with an inlet for injecting a diisocyanate an aliphatic polyester prepolymer which has a number average molecular weight of 5000 or higher and has terminal hydroxyl groups and in which at least one acid component is a succinic acid compound, wherein the aliphatic polyester prepolymer is introduced above the position of the inlet and wherein the aliphatic polyester prepolymer is melted at a temperature not lower than a melting point of the prepolymer and is in a liquid state, (ii) injecting a diisocyanate into the aliphatic polyester prepolymer, wherein the amount of diisocyanate is equivalent to between one tenth and two times the amount of the hydroxyl groups in the aliphatic polyester prepolymer; and (iii) reacting the aliphatic polyester prepolymer with the diisocyanate.