Abstract: Liquid crystalline polymers (LCP) with relatively high melting points are prepared by a process which includes solid state polymerization of a (pre)polymer, which contains alkali metal cations, to raise the LCP molecular weight. The presence of the alkali metal cations in the (pre)polymer usually results in a final polymer with less color and/or a higher melting point. The LCPs are useful as molding resins and for films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to layered articles comprising (a) a substrate comprising 99.5-40 weight percent of an polyoxymethylene polymer; and 0.5-60 weight percent of at least one non-acetal thermoplastic polymer; and (b) at least one additional layer deposited thereon.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline polymers (LCP) with relatively high melting points are prepared by a process which includes solid state polymerization of a (pre)polymer, which contains alkali metal cations, to raise the LCP molecular weight. The presence of the alkali metal cations in the (pre)polymer usually results in a final polymer with less color and/or a higher melting point. The LCPs are useful as molding resins and for films.

Abstract: Polymers containing &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Abstract: A multiphase polymer composition having increased impact resistance at low temperatures, includes a blend of an ionomer dispersed in nylon 6, a polyamide other than nylon 6, and a composition that includes EP or EPDM grafted with 0.05 to 3 weight percent of a carboxylic acid or any anhydride thereof. The ionomer is formed from a partially neutralized acid copolymer precursor, the acid copolymer precursor having polymerized in-chain units derived from the monomers comprising: (a) ethylene, (b) 2 to 25 weight percent of (meth)acrylic acid, (c) 0.1 to 15 weight percent of a dicarboxylic acid monomer, (d) 0-40 weight percent of a C1-C8-alkyl alkyl acrylate, the ionomer being formed by neutralization of from about 5 to 90 percent of the total number of carboxylic acid units in the copolymer with metal ions.

Abstract: Polymers containing &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Abstract: A multiphase polymer composition having increased impact resistance at low temperatures, includes a blend of an ionomer dispersed in nylon 6, a polyamide other than nylon 6, and a composition that includes EP or EPDM grafted with 0.05 to 3 weight percent of a carboxylic acid or any anhydride thereof. The ionomer is formed from a partially neutralized acid copolymer precursor, the acid copolymer precursor having polymerized in-chain units derived from the monomers comprising: (a) ethylene, (b) 2 to 25 weight percent of (meth)acrylic acid, (c) 0.1 to 15 weight percent of a dicarboxylic acid monomer, (d) 0-40 weight percent of a C1-C8-alkyl alkyl acrylate, the ionomer being formed by neutralization of from about 5 to 90 percent of the total number of carboxylic acid units in the copolymer with metal ions.

Abstract: A multiphase polymer composition having increased impact resistance at low temperatures, includes a blend of an ionomer dispersed in nylon 6, a polyamide other than nylon 6, and a composition that includes EP or EPDM grafted with 0.05 to 3 weight percent of a carboxylic acid or any anhydride thereof. The ionomer is formed from a partially neutralized acid copolymer precursor, the acid copolymer precursor having polymerized in-chain units derived from the monomers comprising: (a) ethylene, (b) 2 to 25 weight percent of (meth)acrylic acid, (c) 0.1 to 15 weight percent of a dicarboxylic acid monomer, (d) 0-40 weight percent of a C1-C8-alkyl alkyl acrylate, the ionomer being formed by neutralization of from about 5 to 90 percent of the total number of carboxylic acid units in the copolymer with metal ions.

Abstract: A polyacetal composition is provided for use in plastic-plastic wear applications, said composition containing about 85 to 99 weight percent polyacetal, about 0 to 5 weight percent polytetrafluoroethylene fibers, about 0.5 to 5 weight percent ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer, and about 0.5 to 5 weight percent of at least one lubricant. The compositions are particularly useful in forming shaped articles for use especially in conveyor chain applications and gear applications.

Abstract: A poly(lactic acid) composition having improved physical properties comprises a homogeneous solid solution of (a) a polymer having a number average molecular weight of 3,000-200,000 and selected from the group consisting of (1) poly(lactic acid), (2) copolymers of lactic acid containing at least 50 mole % lactic acid units, and (3) mixtures thereof; and (b) a plasticizer comprising an epoxidized oil selected from the group consisting of (1) epoxidized soybean oil; and (2) epoxidized linseed oil.

Abstract: Laminar articles are disclosed comprising a heterogeneous melt of (a) a polyolefin, (b) a barrier resin comprising a blend of a condensation polymer incompatible with the polyolefin such as a polyamide and a phenol-formaldehyde resin, and (c) a compatibilizer. A process for making such laminar articles is also disclosed. Multilayer structures incorporating this barrier resin are also disclosed.

Abstract: Incorporation of a thermoplastic polyurethane and at least one thermoplastic crystalline polymer selected from nylon 6, nylon 612, polypropylene, and polyalkylene terephthalates containing at least one ethylene copolymer into polyacetal polymer results in blends characterized as having improved toughness, or impact strength, and improved elongation over that of a comparable blend of polyacetal and at least one of said crystalline polymers alone.

Abstract: This invention relates to blends containing (a) 40-98 weight percent polyoxymethylene, (b) 1-40 weight percent thermoplastic polyurethane, and (c) 1-59 weight percent of at least one amorphous thermoplastic polymer, said blends being characterized as having better mold shrinkage than polyoxymethylene/thermoplastic polyurethane compositions and also having a useful balance of physical properties, such as stiffness, elongation, and toughness.

Abstract: Polyoxymethylene compositions having 5-15 wt. thermoplastic polyurethane; where the polyurethane has a soft segment glass transition of lower than 0.degree. C., the polyoxymethylene has a molecular weight of 20,000-100,000, and the polyurethane is dispersed in the polyoxymethylene as discrete particles show extraordinary impact resistance as measured by Gardner impact.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions consisting essentially of 25-80 weight percent polyamide, 10-70 weight percent polyarylate, 0.5-30 weight percent elastomeric modifier, and 0.5-7 weight percent epoxy functional polymer, where the epoxy functional polymer and the polyarylate are preblended with each other, show unexpectedly superior resistance to high speed puncture, even as compared with the same formulation absent preblending.

Abstract: A blow moldable composition of a polyester, an epoxide polymer and a source of catalytic cations.

Abstract: Polyoxymethylene compositions having 15-40 wt. % thermoplastic polyurethane, where the polyurethane has a glass transition of lower than -15.degree. C., the polyoxymethylene has a molecular weight of 20,000-100,000, and the polyurethane is dispersed in the polyoxymethylene as small particles show extraordinary toughness as measured by notched Izod.