Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyesters containing (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having from 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues and up to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; and (b) a glycol component having from 11 to 25 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and 75 to 89 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles.

Abstract: Described are polyesters comprising (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising terephthalic acid residues; optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; 2,2,4,4-tetramethy-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and cyclohexanedimethanol residues. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.

Abstract: Described are polyester compositions comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid residues, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and cyclohexanedimethanol, wherein the inherent viscosity and the Tg of the polyester provides for certain polyester properties. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.

Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one phosphorus compound, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.

Abstract: Described are dialysis filter housings comprising polyester compositions comprising polyesters which comprise (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having terephthalic acid residues; optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues or ester residues thereof; 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.

Abstract: Described are polyesters containing (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having from about 80 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid or an ester thereof, and up to about 10 mole % of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or esters thereof; and (b) a glycol component having from about 40 to 65 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and from about 35 to 60 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and wherein the inherent viscosity is from 0.50 to less than 0.70 dL/g or less as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of high molecular weight polyesters by reacting one or more dicarboxylic acids directly with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and, optionally, one or more diols. The process uses an overall diol to dicarboxylic acid molar ratio of about 0.97 to about 1.2 and an incremental addition of either the diacid or diol components. The process provides a shorter total reaction time and, thus, lessens the thermal degradation of polyester which may result in high color and reduced molecular weight.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of high molecular weight polyesters by reacting one or more dicarboxylic acids directly with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and, optionally, one or more diols. The process uses an overall diol to dicarboxylic acid molar ratio of about 0.97 to about 1.2 and an incremental addition of either the diacid or diol components. The process provides a shorter total reaction time and, thus, lessens the thermal degradation of polyester which may result in high color and reduced molecular weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for depolymerizing recycled polyester into its component ester monomers and half esters includes a first reactor for depolymerizing the recycled polyester, a separator for separating ester monomeric components and half-esters from secondary materials produced in the first reactor, and a second reactor for producing a low molecular weight polyester from liquefied separator products.

Abstract: A process for recovering suitable polyester feedstock material from recycled polyester includes the steps of depolymerizing the polyester into its component ester monomers and half-esters; separating the monomers and half-esters from other secondary materials; and mixing the component ester monomers and half-esters with additional monomers to produce a low molecular weight polyester. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the recycled polyester is contacted with a component monomer or oligomer thereof to liquefy the polyester before the polyester is depolymerized.The invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out the process. The apparatus includes a first reactor for depolymerizing the recycled polyester, a separator for separating ester monomeric components and half-esters from secondary materials produced in the first reactor, and a second reactor for producing a low molecular weight polyester from the liquefied separator products.