Abstract: Disclosed herein is multilayered sheet comprising a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive; wherein the IR absorbing additive is a metal oxide; and a first cap layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an electromagnetic radiation absorbing additive; wherein a surface of the first cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a multilayered sheet comprising melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive to produce a core layer; melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an ultraviolet radiation absorber to produce a first cap layer; combining the core layer with the first cap layer in such a manner that the cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayered sheet comprising a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive; a first cap layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an electromagnetic radiation absorbing additive; wherein a surface of the first cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a multilayered sheet comprising melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive to produce a core layer; melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an ultraviolet radiation absorber to produce a first cap layer; combining the core layer with the first cap layer in such a manner that the cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light diffusing substrate in the form of film or sheet including multi-wall sheet and a process for making such light diffusing article, wherein the article comprises a light transmitting thermoplastic resin and about 0.001 to 10 wt. parts of a polyalkyl silsesquioxane, wherein the alkyl group is selected from a methyl, a C12-C18 alkyl, hydride, phenyl, vinyl, and cyclohexyl. The light diffusing substrate is characterized as having a surface roughness expressed as a centerline average height Ra of about or less than 0.1 &mgr;m, a ten-point surface roughness Rz of about or less than 1.0 &mgr;m, and a maximum height surface roughness Rmax of about or less than 1.0 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A transparent, fire resistant polycarbonate composition comprises polycarbonate, poly(methylphenylsiloxane) and a salt based flame retardant. These polycarbonate compositions can attain UL94 V0 ratings at 1.6 millimeter thickness, previously possible only with a halogenated fire retardant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light diffusing substrate in the form of film or sheet including multi-wall sheet and a process for making such light diffusing article, wherein the article comprises a light transmitting thermoplastic resin and about 0.001 to 10 wt. parts of a polyalkyl silsesquioxane, wherein the alkyl group is selected from a methyl, a C12-C18 alkyl, hydride, phenyl, vinyl, and cyclohexyl. The light diffusing substrate is characterized as having a surface roughness expressed as a centerline average height Ra of about or less than 0.1 &mgr;m, a ten-point surface roughness Rz of about or less than 1.0 &mgr;m, and a maximum height surface roughness Rmax of about or less than 1.0 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A transparent, fire resistant polycarbonate composition comprises polycarbonate, poly(methylphenylsiloxane) and a salt based flame retardant. These polycarbonate compositions can attain UL94 V0 ratings at 1.6 millimeter thickness, previously possible only with a halogenated fire retardant.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a process for recovering valuable phenol and acetone from by-products of the condensation of phenol and a ketone from a mother liquor obtained for example upon crystallization of a 1:1 adduct of phenol and bisphenol, the mother liquor containing phenol, bisphenol, isomers, contaminant by-products of the condensation reaction of phenol with the ketone and acidic impurities. The mother liquor is distilled/evaporated leaving a tarry residue, which is the feedstock for the process of the invention. The recovery comprises catalytically cracking the feedstock with catalytic proportions of an aromatic sulfonic acid to extract the bisphenol-A values as phenol and acetone.

Abstract: It is possible to manufacture articles out of thermoplastic materials and to metallize the articles at their surface. In this way one can manufacture reflectors and similar articles. Most thermoplastic materials require extra processing steps prior to the metallization like application of primers, chemical etching and the like.The invention is based on the discovery that a certain type of materials can be metallized without any extra processing steps. The materials involved are polyestercarbonates or blends of polyestercarbonates and polycarbonate. This is quite surprising since polycarbonates can not be metallized in good quality without extra processing steps prior to the metallization step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a compound of formula 1 ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 correspond to H, a branched or non-branched, optionally substituted alkyl group, or an optionally substituted aryl group, suitable as a chain stopper in the preparation of an aromatic polycarbonate, by reaction of a compound of formula 2 ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 have the meanings described hereinbefore, with phosgene, comprising the continuous supply of the compound of formula 2 and phosgene to a solution of phosgene in a solvent, the temperature being kept at a value between 0.degree. and 15.degree. C. and the pH being kept at a value between 1 and 6.