Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization process for the synthesis of vinyl aromatic polymers, in which the sequence of monomers in the chain and the linear, branched soluble, or crosslinked insoluble structure, with reactive or different polarity functions, are controlled. Said process comprises the step of polymerizing vinyl aromatic monomers by means of an Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) reaction with an Activator ReGenerated by Electron Transfer (ARGET), the reaction being carried out at a temperature comprised between 25° C. and 110° C. in an inert gas atmosphere in the presence of a complex catalyst containing a cupric halide and a multidentate amine ligand, feeding to the reaction an organic initiator having two geminal halogens, an alkali metal (bi)carbonate, a solvent pair of an aliphatic alcohol and an acetic ester of the same aliphatic alcohol and possibly ascorbic acid, provided that no initiator is used with three or more active halogens, or polyvinyl monomers or inimers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization process for the synthesis of vinyl aromatic polymers, in which the sequence of monomers in the chain and the linear, branched soluble, or crosslinked insoluble structure, with reactive or different polarity functions, are controlled. Said process comprises the step of polymerizing vinyl aromatic monomers by means of an Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) reaction with an Activator ReGenerated by Electron Transfer (ARGET), the reaction being carried out at a temperature comprised between 25° C. and 110° C. in an inert gas atmosphere in the presence of a complex catalyst containing a cupric halide and a multidentate amine ligand, feeding to the reaction an organic initiator having two geminal halogens, an alkali metal (bi)carbonate, a solvent pair of an aliphatic alcohol and an acetic ester of the same aliphatic alcohol and possibly ascorbic acid, provided that no initiator is used with three or more active halogens, or polyvinyl monomers or inimers.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing regioregular polyesters, starting from asymmetric diols, may provide the polymer ordered structure and advantageous physical-chemical properties. Such methods can make it is possible to obtain regioregular polyesters having high glass transition temperatures Tg and crystalline properties. In the case in which the asymmetric diols are used in a pure enantiomeric form, with respect to the chiral carbon bound to the secondary hydroxyl, through the above-mentioned method it is possible to obtain regioregular and stereoregular polyesters, which may have thermal and crystalline properties further ameliorative with respect to non-chiral regioregular polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric compositions that can be used for producing packaging with dynamic cushioning, with a pleasant touch, with reduced abrasive power, in which the expanded particles constituting the packaging adhere well to one another and do not come detached during use. Said compositions comprise: a) from 70% to 90% by weight of a vinyl aromatic polymer and/or copolymer, calculated with respect to (a)+(b); b) from 10% to 30% by weight of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) containing a percentage that ranges from 10% to 30% by weight of vinyl acetate, calculated with respect to (a)+(b); c) from 3 to 10 parts by weight of a blowing agent, calculated on 100 parts of component a) added to component b); said copolymer (b) being distributed in the polymer (a) in the form of particles having an average volumetric diameter ranging from 1 nm to 2000 nm.

Abstract: The application relates to an expandable polymeric composition with an enhanced processability, which comprises a polymeric base, an expanding agent, and an additive with a plasticizing effect; said polymeric composition being characterized in that: the molecular mass at the maximum peak Mp of (i) ranges from 130 kDa to 190 kDa and the centrifugal average molecular mass Mz of (i) ranges from 430 kDa to 900 kDa, the difference in the glass-transition temperature (DTg) measured between a vinyl aromatic polymer having a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of (i) and composition of the vinyl aromatic fraction alone of (i), and a polymeric composition consisting of (i) and (iii), ranges from 1° C. to 8° C.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of polymer synthesis. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for the synthesis of regioregular polyesters, wherein the polymer ordered structure provides them with advantageous physical-chemical properties, starting from asymmetric diols. More particularly, by the method of the present invention it is possible to obtain regioregular polyesters having high glass transition temperatures Tg and crystalline properties. In the case in which the asymmetric diols are used in a pure enantiomeric form, with respect to the chiral carbon bound to the secondary hydroxyl, through the above-mentioned method it is possible to obtain regioregular and stereoregular polyesters, characterized by thermal and crystalline properties further ameliorative with respect to non-chiral regioregular polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vinyl polymers having certain characteristics which confer flame-retardant properties to the polymer and their polymeric compositions with other vinyl polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric compositions that can be used for producing packaging with dynamic cushioning, with a pleasant touch, with reduced abrasive power, in which the expanded particles constituting the packaging adhere well to one another and do not come detached during use. Said compositions comprise: a) from 70% to 90% by weight of a vinyl aromatic polymer and/or copolymer, calculated with respect to (a)+(b); b) from 10% to 30% by weight of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) containing a percentage that ranges from 10% to 30% by weight of vinyl acetate, calculated with respect to (a)+(b); c) from 3 to 10 parts by weight of a blowing agent, calculated on 100 parts of component a) added to component b); said copolymer (b) being distributed in the polymer (a) in the form of particles having an average volumetric diameter ranging from 1 nm to 2000 nm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-extinguishing polymeric composition comprising: a) a stabilizing polymeric composition containing i) from 80% to 99.5% by weight of one or more vinylaromatic polymers compatible with each other; and ii) from 0.5% to 20% by weight of at least one block copolymer containing: 1) at least one vinylaromatic polymer block compatible N with (i) and constituting a weight quantity equal to or higher than 15% by weight with respect to the whole block copolymer, and 2) at least one vinyl copolymer block containing epoxy groups so that there is from 0.7% to 19% by weight of oxirane oxygen calculated on the total of block copolymer; and b) from 0.03 phr by weight to 10 phr by weight, calculated on the basis of component (a), of at least one halogenated flame retardant.

Abstract: A sand dispensing system with a compact movable sand reservoir, mounted for movement atop a metal making furnace, is refillable with a predetermined amount of sand, and tilts with the furnace. The reservoir dispenses a directed stream of the predetermined amount of sand through a nozzle in a sump panel door to fill a tap hole in the furnace. One end of the nozzle receives the directed stream of sand. The opposite end of the nozzle projects into the furnace, to direct the sand stream into the tap hole when the sand reservoir is in the dispensing position. An imaging device may be used to inspect the tap hole before and after the sand is directed into the tap hole. A remote control may be used to operate the sand dispensing system. The predetermined amount may be adjusted as the fill volume of the tap hole increases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vinyl polymers having certain characteristics which confer flame-retardant properties to the polymer and their polymeric compositions with other vinyl polymers.

Abstract: A cationic polymerization process for the synthesis of nano-structured polymers containing graphene which comprises reacting graphite oxide dispersed in a solvent by means of ultrasounds, with at least one vinyl monomer and at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, in the presence of at least one strong inorganic acid and suitable for activating a cationic polymerization, wherein: —said graphite oxide contains from 5% to 60% by weight of bound oxygen, —said vinyl monomer contains at least one carboxylic group wherein the ratio between oxygen bound to the oxide and carboxylic groups ranges from 1:10 to 10:1 in moles per mole, and—the ratio between said vinyl aromatic monomer and the sum of the quantity of graphite oxide and vinyl monomer containing carboxylic groups ranges from 50% to 99% by weight.

Abstract: The present patent application relates to an expandable polymeric composition with an enhanced processability which comprises: i. a polymeric base comprising: a) from 0% to 100% by weight measured on the total base (i) of a vinyl aromatic polymer, b) from 100% to 0% by weight measured on the total base (i) of a co-polymer containing from 50% to 99% by weight of vinyl aromatic monomers and from 1% to 50% of at least one type of alkyl ester having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, derivative of acrylic or methacrylic acid, ii. from 0.2 to 10 parts by weight measured on 100 parts of polymeric base (i) of an expanding agent, and iii. alternatively: A) from 0 to 10 parts by weight measured on 100 parts of polymeric base (i) of an additive with a plasticizing effect when (i) comprises at least 2% by weight of (b), or B) from 0.

Abstract: A cationic polymerization process for the synthesis of nano-structured polymers containing graphene which comprises reacting graphite oxide dispersed in a solvent by means of ultrasounds, with at least one vinyl monomer and at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, in the presence of at least one strong inorganic acid and suitable for activating a cationic polymerization, wherein: —said graphite oxide contains from 5% to 60% by weight of bound oxygen, —said vinyl monomer contains at least one carboxylic group wherein the ratio between oxygen bound to the oxide and carboxylic groups ranges from 1:10 to 10:1 in moles per mole, and—the ratio between said vinyl aromatic monomer and the sum of the quantity of graphite oxide and vinyl monomer containing carboxylic groups ranges from 50% to 99% by weight.

Abstract: A sand dispensing system with a compact movable sand reservoir, mounted for movement atop a metal making furnace, is refillable with a predetermined amount of sand, and tilts with the furnace. The reservoir dispenses a directed stream of the predetermined amount of sand through a nozzle in a sump panel door to fill a tap hole in the furnace. One end of the nozzle receives the directed stream of sand. The opposite end of the nozzle projects into the furnace, to direct the sand stream into the tap hole when the sand reservoir is in the dispensing position. An imaging device may be used to inspect the tap hole before and after the sand is directed into the tap hole. A remote control may be used to operate the sand dispensing system. The predetermined amount may be adjusted as the fill volume of the tap hole increases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-extinguishing polymeric composition comprising: a) a stabilizing polymeric composition containing i) from 80% to 99.5% by weight of one or more vinylaromatic polymers compatible with each other; and ii) from 0.5% to 20% by weight of at least one block copolymer containing: 1) at least one vinylaromatic polymer block compatible N with (i) and constituting a weight quantity equal to or higher than 15% by weight with respect to the whole block copolymer, and 2) at least one vinyl copolymer block containing epoxy groups so that there is from 0.7% to 19% by weight of oxirane oxygen calculated on the total of block copolymer; and b) from 0.03 phr by weight to 10 phr by weight, calculated on the basis of component (a), of at least one halogenated flame retardant.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of vinylaromatic (co)polymers grafted on an elastomer comprising a rigid matrix consisting of vinylaromatic polymers or copolymers and of an elastomeric phase dispersed in the matrix in form of particles with a strictly bimodal distribution which comprises the functionalization of a first elastomeric fraction by means of a catalytic system containing a stable free radical initiator and subsequently the polymerization of the thus obtained mixture also in presence of a second non functionalized elastomeric fraction.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of vinylaromatic (co)polymers grafted on an elastomer in a controlled way, comprising the dissolving of an elastomer, such as polibutadiene, in a mixture consisting of a monomer and of a solvent in the presence of a polymerization catalytic system, which comprises an initiator of free radicals and a stable initiator of free radicals. The mixture obtained in this way is heated to a temperature of about 100° C. to functionalize the rubber, then more monomer is added and the temperature is raised to start the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of vinylaromatic (co)polymers grafted on an elastomer comprising a rigid matrix consisting of vinylaromatic polymers or copolymers and of an elastomeric phase dispersed in the matrix in form of particles with a strictly bimodal distribution which comprises the functionalization of a first elastomeric fraction by means of a catalytic system containing a stable free radical initiator and subsequently the polymerization of the thus obtained mixture also in presence of a second non functionalized elastomeric fraction.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of block copolymers, based on vinylaromatic monomers and monomers deriving from (meth)acrylic acid by means of radicalic polymerization which comprises polymerizing the monomers at a temperature higher than or equal to 120° C.