Abstract: The invention is directed to polyester processes that utilizes a pipe reactor in the esterification, polycondensation, or both esterification and polycondensation processes. Pipe reactor processes of the present invention have a multitude of advantages over prior art processes including improved heat transfer, volume control, agitation and disengagement functions.

Abstract: A glycolic acid copolymer comprising (a) 80 to less than 95% by mole of glycolic acid monomer units, (b) 5.0 to 20.0% by mole of non-glycolic, hydroxycarboxylic acid monomer units, and (c) 0 to 0.10% by mole of diglycolic acid monomer units, the non-glycolic, hydroxycarboxylic acid monomer units (b) constituting a plurality of segments each independently consisting of at least one monomer unit (b), wherein the segments have an average chain length of from 1.00 to 1.50 in terms of the average number of monomer unit or units (b), the total of the components (a), (b) and (c) being 100% by mole, the glycolic acid copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 or more.

Abstract: A polytrimethylene terephthalate resin comprising: 90 to 100 mole % of trimethylene terephthalate recurring units, and 0 to 10 mole % of at least one monomer unit obtained from a comonomer other than the monomers used for forming the recurring units and copolymerizable with at least one of the monomers used for forming the recurring units, which resin has the following characteristics: (A) an intrinsic viscosity [?] of from 0.8 to 4.0 dl/g; (B) an Mw/Mn of from 2.0 to 2.7; (C) a psychometric lightness L-value (L-1) of from 70 to 100 and a psychometric chroma b*-value (b*-1) of from ?5 to 25; and (D) a psychometric lightness L-value (L-2) of from 70 to 100 and a psychometric chroma b*-value (b*-2) of from ?5 to 25 as measured after heating the resin at 180° C. for 24 hours in air.

Abstract: In the invention, a polyester resin comprising dicarboxylic acid constitutional units and diol constitutional units wherein 5 to 60 mol % of the diol constitutional units has a cyclic acetal skeleton is produced by a process comprising an oligomerization step and a polymerization step. In the oligomerization step, an ester having a limited acid value is transesterified with a diol having a cyclic acetal skeleton in the presence of a basic compound to obtain an oligomer. The oligomer is then polymerized in the subsequent polymerization step to increase the molecular weight.

Abstract: In the invention, a polyester resin having dicarboxylic acid constitutional units and diol constitutional units wherein 5 to 60 mol % of the diol constitutional units has a cyclic acetal skeleton is produced by a process including an oligomerization step and a polymerization step. In the oligomerization step, an ester having a limited acid value is transesterified with a diol having a cyclic acetal skeleton in the presence of a titanium compound to obtain an oligomer. The oligomer is then polymerized in the subsequent polymerization step to increase the molecular weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for preparing porous dielectric thin films containing pore-generating material, said composition comprising gemini detergent, and/or a quaternary alkyl ammonium salt, a thermo-stable organic or inorganic matrix precursor, and solvent for dissolving the two solid components. There is also provided an interlayer insulating film having good mechanical properties such as hardness, modulus and hydroscopicity, which is required for semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Biodegradable block copolyesters obtained from crystalline blocks and amorphous blocks, wherein the repeating units of both blocks are of the dicarboxylic acid/diol type. Said copolyesters are characterized by a melting temperature equal to or less than 15% lower than the starting crystalline polymer temperature, and by increased tenacity that makes them particularly useful in the production of different types of objects.

Abstract: A copolymer composition comprises an arylate polyester unit, an aromatic carbonate unit, and a soft-block moiety, wherein individual occurrences of the soft block moiety are linked by a spacer unit comprising one or more of the arylate polyester units, one or more of the aromatic carbonate units, or a combination comprising each of these. In one embodiment, a soft block moiety comprises a polysiloxane unit. A film of the composition has a percent transmittance of greater than or equal to 60% as determined according to ASTM D1003-00. A method of forming a copolymer composition is disclosed, comprising substantially forming the bis-haloformates of a dihydroxy compound comprising an arylate polyester unit, and a dihydroxy compound comprising a soft-block moiety, and reacting the bis haloformates with a dihydroxy aromatic compound.

Abstract: Methods of reducing exposure to latex comprise forming an item comprising a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising two randomly repeating monomer units. The first randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure: wherein R1 is H, or C1-2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2; and the second randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure: wherein R2 is a C3-19 alkyl or C3-19 alkenyl. At least 50% of the randomly repeating monomer units have the structure of the first randomly repeating monomer unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of manufacture of polytrimethylene ether glycol, in which one or more inorganic compounds selected from an inorganic salt and an inorganic base is utilized during certain purification steps to reduce phase separation time.

Abstract: Methods to decrease aldehyde content of a polymer are provided. An effective amount of an additive that contains a P—H functionality is incorporated into the polymer in the presence of an acidic of basic catalyst compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Bioerodible poly(ortho esters) useful as orthopedic implants or vehicles for the sustained delivery of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural agents from dioxane-based di(ketene acetals). Block copolymers contain these bioerodible poly(ortho esters). These block copolymers have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks. They form micelles in aqueous solution, making them suitable for encapsulation or solubilization of hydrophobic or water-insoluble materials; and they also form bioerodible matrices for the sustained release of active agents.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of coated polymer particles containing superparamagnetic crystals, said process comprising reacting porous, surface-functionalized, superparamagnetic crystal-containing polymer particles of diameter 0.5 to 1.8 ?m with at least one polyisocyanate and at least one diol or at least one epoxide.

Abstract: A process of manufacture of polytrimethylene ether glycol comprising: (a) polycondensing reactant comprising diol selected from the group consisting of 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol dimer and 1,3-propanediol trimer or mixtures thereof in the presence of acid polycondensation catalyst to form polytrimethylene ether glycol; (b) adding water to the polytrimethylene ether glycol and hydrolyzing the acid esters formed during the polycondensation to form a hydrolyzed mixture containing the polytrimethylene ether glycol and the hydrolyzed acid esters; (c) adding organic solvent that is miscible with water to the hydrolyzed mixture to form an aqueous-organic mixture comprising (i) organic phase containing polytrimethylene ether glycol and residual acid polycondensation catalyst from the polycondensing and (ii) water phase; (d) separating the water phase and the organic phase; (e) adding base to the separated organic phase to neutralize the residual acid polycondensation catalyst by forming salts of the residual ac

Abstract: A process of manufacture of polytrimethylene ether glycol comprising: (a) polycondensing reactant comprising diol selected from the group consisting of 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol dimer and 1,3-propanediol trimer or mixtures thereof in the presence of acid polycondensation catalyst to form polytrimethylene ether glycol; (b) adding water to the polytrimethylene ether glycol to form an aqueous mixture; (c) heating the aqueous mixture to hydrolyze acid esters formed during the acid catalyzed polycondensation; (d) adding to the hydrolyzed aqueous mixture organic solvent that is miscible with polytrimethylene ether glycol to form (i) organic phase containing the polytrimethylene ether glycol and residual acid polycondensation catalyst from the polycondensing and (ii) aqueous phase; (e) separating the aqueous phase and the organic phase; (f) adding base to the separated organic phase to neutralize the residual acid polycondensation catalyst by forming salts of the residual acid polycondensation catalyst; (g

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer resin which has good melt viscosity, melt tension, and thermal resistance, wherein it is prepared by introducing a chain extender and a stabilizer for hydrolysis to a thermoplastic elastomer resin produced through melt polymerization in the presence of hydroxy carboxylic acid compound and subjecting the mixture to reactive extrusion to increase the molecular weight and crosslinking degree of the elastomer resin. The thermoplastic elastomer resin according to the present invention has good properties for automobile parts, particularly constant velocity joint boots and bellows.

Abstract: A process utilizing PET as a reactive constituent to manufacture other polymers containing the pre-condensed moieties by the rapid transesterification of the condensation polymer with a pre-made modifying polymer containing the desired mix of other monomers. The process involves as a first step the manufacture of a modifying polymer containing the desired mix of acids and alcohols to a specific molecular weight such molecular weight dependent on the desired final level of utilized condensation polymer and the finished molecular weight. The second step of the process involves the rapid buildup of molecular weight and/or polymer uniformity by the rapid transesterification of the condensation polymer with the modifying polymer. The second step can be performed in any suitable vessel including an extrusion line. The process has the advantage of greatly reduced cycle times over other condensation polymer utilization processes such as the recycling of PET into other materials.

Abstract: A construct that comprises a base material and a polyhydroxyalkanoate, wherein at least a part of the base material is coated with the polyhydroxyalkanoate, and the polyhydroxyalkanoate comprises a 3-hydroxyalkanoic acid unit other than 3-hydroxypropionic acid unit, 3-hydroxy-n-butyric acid unit, and 3-hydroxy-n-valeric acid unit. In addition, an electrostatic charge image developing toner allows to design the toner characteristics such as chargeability, flowability, stability in time and environmental stability uniform among the toners of different colors. The toner has a small particle size enough for enabling uniform dispersion and being excellent in color saturation and transparency. The toner also shows higher contribution to the environmental security. The toner includes a coloring agent of which at least a part of the surface is covered with polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA).

Abstract: The invention provides blends of macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO) with high-molecular-weight polymer and polymerization catalyst as friable, one-component, ready-to-polymerize materials with long shelf life. The invention also provides methods for preparation and use of the blend materials. The blends are used, for example, in the production of thermoplastics via low-pressure processes, such as rotational molding and powder coating, without modification of existing equipment. The blends are particularly useful where it is desired to exploit the ability to polymerize and crystallize MPO isothermally, but where the melt viscosity of unfilled MPO is too low for use in existing equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of hydroxy-functionalized amide acetals from bis-(beta hydroxy)amines and hydroxyl containing moieties.