Abstract: Electrical resistance heating elements are provided which are useful in heating fluid mediums, such as air and water. The heating elements include an element body having a supporting surface and a resistance wire wound onto the supporting surface which is connected to a pair of terminal end portions. Disposed over the resistance wire, and over most of the supporting surface, is a thermally-conductive polymeric coating which hermetically encapsulates and electrically insulates the resistance wire from the fluids to be heated. This thermally-conductive polymer coating has a thermal conductivity value of at least about 0.5 W/m .degree.K. Improved properties are preferably provided by ceramic powder, such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and MgO, and glass fiber additives.

Abstract: Transparent methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (MABS) thermoplastic copolymers may be provided with electrostatic dissipative (ESD) properties, while maintaining or enhancing physical properties of the MABS, such as impact strength, by blending the MABS with an inherently antistatic thermoplastic urethane copolymer which is the reaction product of a hydroxy-terminated polyalkylene ether oligimer, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkanediol and an aromatic diisocyanate, and compatibilizing the blend of MABS and urethane with an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene rubbery copolymer produced by emulsion polymerization containing at least 40 weight percent butadiene monomer and a ratio of styrene to acrylonitrile which will produce a rubbery copolymer having a refractive index in the range of about 1.53 to 1.55. All three copolymer components of the transparent blend have refractive indices in the range of about 1.53 to 1.55.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition comprising a polyester blend of polybutylene terephthalate and a copolyester derived from condensing ethylene glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol and terephthalic acid wherein the ethylene glycol units of the copolyester comprises at least 25 mole % based on the total glycol content. The polyester blend can also include an impact modifier. The blend is useful in the formation of molded keycaps.

Abstract: A flame-resistant polybutylene terephthalate molding composition has vastly improved fatigue strength and improved melt flow by incorporating therein a halogenated epoxy flame retardant represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein an n is the degree of polymerization and the halogenated epoxy resin has a molecular weight of at least about 20,000 to 40,000; X is a chlorine or bromine atom, and i is an integer of from 1-4.

Abstract: The present invention is a flame retardant composition comprising from 5 to 20 weight percent of a homopolymer of a monomer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein n=0 or 1, X is bromine or chlorine and R is hydrogen or methyl. The polymer has a molecular weight between 1.times.10.sup.3 and 10.times.10.sup.6, and preferably 5.times.10.sup.3 to 5.times.10.sup.6. The molecular weight is determined by gel permeation chromotography in tetrahydrofuran. The composition contains from 80 to 95 weight percent of a polyamide having an excess of polymer chain ends terminated with amine groups. There can be from 0 to 10, preferably 1 to 10, and more preferably 2 to 6 weight percent of antimony oxide. Optionally, the composition can contain an impact modifier and/or a filler.

Abstract: The present invention is a flame retardant composition comprising from 5 to 20 weight percent of a homopolymer of a monomer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein n=0 or 1, X is bromine or chlorine and R is hydrogen or methyl. The polymer has a molecular weight between 1.times.10.sup.3 and 10.times.10.sup.6, and preferably 5.times.10.sup.3 to 5.times.10.sup.6. The molecular weight is determined by gel permeation chromatography in tetrahydrofuran. The composition contains from 80 to 95 weight percent of a polyamide. There can be from 0 to 10, preferably 1 to 10, and more preferably 2 to 6 weight percent of antimony oxide. Optionally, the composition can contain an impact modifier and/or a filler.