Abstract: A polyurethane foam is prepared from a reaction mixture that includes specific amounts of a polyol, an aromatic isocyanate compound, a particulate poly(phenylene ether), and a blowing agent. The polyurethane foam exhibits one or more of increased compressive force deflection, increased flame retardancy, and increased rate of formation. A method of preparing the foam and articles incorporating the foam are described.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane is formed by the reaction of a specific hydroxy-diterminated poly(phenylene ether) and an organic diisocyanate. The polyurethane-forming reaction optionally employs diols other than the hydroxy-diterminated poly(phenylene ether). Compared to thermoplastic polyurethanes lacking the residue of the hydroxy-diterminated poly(phenylene ether), the thermoplastic polyurethanes described herein exhibit properties including one or more of improved heat and oxidation resistance, improved resistance to acids, bases, and solvent, and reduced water absorption.

Abstract: A rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam includes 1 to 50 weight percent of a particulate poly(phenylene ether) having a mean particle size of 1 to 40 micrometers. The particulate poly(phenylene ether) imparts reduced flammability and reduced water absorption to the foam. The foam is useful as a thermally insulating material in articles including domestic appliances, building materials, tanks, pipelines, heating pipes, cooling pipes, cold stores, and refrigerated vehicles.

Abstract: A homogeneous solid composition includes an aromatic epoxy resin and a poly(phenylene ether) having a number average molecular weight of 600 to 2000 atomic mass units and an average of 1.5 to 3 hydroxyl groups per molecule. The molecular weight and hydroxyl functionality of the poly(phenylene ether) allow it to be dissolved in the epoxy resin at relatively low temperature, and remain dissolved as the solution is cooled and solidified. The homogeneous solid composition facilitates incorporation of the poly(phenylene ether) into powder coating compositions that exhibit reduced water absorption in the cured state.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam is prepared from a reaction mixture that includes an aromatic isocyanate compound, and blowing agent, and a polyol that itself includes a poly(phenylene ether) having a number average molecular weight of 600 to 2000 atomic mass units and an average of 1.5 to 3 hydroxyl groups per molecule. Use of the poly(phenylene ether) is associated with faster formation of polyurethane, and increased compression force deflection. The polyurethane is useful for forming articles including bedding, furniture, automotive interiors, mass transportation interiors (seating, padding, instrument panels, door panels, steering wheels, armrests, and headrests), flooring underlay (foam, rebond binder), packaging, textiles, lining and gasketing applications, acoustic dampening materials, and weather stripping.

Abstract: A composition contains (a) 1 to 40 weight percent of poly(phenylene ether) particles having a mean particle size of 1 to 40 micrometers; and (b) 60 to 99 weight percent of a polyoxymethylene; wherein polystyrene is absent from the poly(phenylene ether) particles; wherein the composition comprises less than 0.1 volume percent, based on the total volume of the composition, of particulate metals, metalloids, oxides thereof, and combinations thereof, wherein the metals and metalloids are selected from iron, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead, zinc, tin, chromium, nickel, tungsten, silicon, gold, silver, platinum, and alloys thereof. The poly(phenylene ether) particles reduce the density and increase the char yield of the polyoxymethylene. When the composition is prepared at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the poly(phenylene ether), increased flexural strength can also be obtained. The composition is useful as a molding composition for a variety of articles.

Abstract: A polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam is prepared from a reaction mixture that includes comprising a polyol, an aromatic isocyanate compound, and a blowing agent. The polyol includes a poly(phenylene ether) having a number average molecular weight of 600 to 2000 atomic mass units and an average of 1.5 to 3 hydroxyl groups per molecule. The polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam exhibits improved resistance to burning and/or reduced elapsed times to formation of tack-free foams relative to foams prepared without the poly(phenylene ether).

Abstract: A copolymer exhibiting improved heat resistance relative to phenolic resins is formed by the reaction of a bisphenol diglycidyl ether and a phenolphthalein and/or a phenolphthalimidine in a molar ratio of 0.98:1 to 1.02:1 in the presence of a catalyst. The copolymer can be used to mold plastic parts. The copolymer is also useful as a flexibilizer in thermoset compositions, and useful as a compatibilizer in blends of polar and non-polar polymers, and blends of non-polar polymers and polar fillers.

Abstract: An epoxybenzyl-terminated poly(arylene ether) has the structure R—W—R wherein W is a divalent poly(arylene ether) residue terminated with phenolic oxygen atoms, and R is an epoxybenzyl group, wherein each occurrence of R is the same or different. The epoxybenzyl-terminated poly(arylene ether) is formed by reacting a peroxide-containing reagent with a vinybenzyl-terminated poly(arylene ether). Also disclosed is a curable composition including the epoxybenzyl-terminated poly(arylene ether)s, a curing promoter, and, optionally, an auxiliary epoxy resin. The curable composition is useful for the preparation of composites, and in particular, composites used in manufacturing printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-dusting poly(phenylene ether) particles comprising 80 to 96 weight percent of poly(phenylene ether) particles having a mean particle size of 1 to 40 micrometers; and 4 to 20 weight percent of a liquid reactive diluent. Poly(alkenyl aromatic) resins, rubber-modified poly(alkenyl aromatic) resins, and hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, and non-hydrogenated block copolymers of an alkenyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diene are all excluded from the particles. The liquid reactive diluent is selected from a first polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule, a first epoxy resin, a first ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a polyether-modified polysiloxane, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed are compositions comprising the non-dusting poly(phenylene ether) particles and a thermoset composition, wherein the liquid reactive diluent is reactive with the components of the thermoset composition.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam is prepared from a reaction mixture that includes specific amounts of a polyol, an aromatic isocyanate compound, a particulate poly(phenylene ether), and a blowing agent. The polyurethane foam exhibits one or more of increased compressive force deflection, increased flame retardancy, and increased rate of formation. A method of preparing the foam and articles incorporating the foam are described.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam is prepared from a reaction mixture that includes an aromatic isocyanate compound, and blowing agent, and a polyol that itself includes a poly(phenylene ether) having a number average molecular weight of 600 to 2000 atomic mass units and an average of 1.5 to 3 hydroxyl groups per molecule. Use of the poly(phenylene ether) is associated with faster formation of polyurethane, and increased compression force deflection. The polyurethane is useful for forming articles including bedding, furniture, automotive interiors, mass transportation interiors (seating, padding, instrument panels, door panels, steering wheels, armrests, and headrests), flooring underlay (foam, rebond binder), packaging, textiles, lining and gasketing applications, acoustic dampening materials, and weather stripping.

Abstract: A composition includes 50 to 95 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyurethane, and 5 to 50 weight percent of a particulate engineering plastic. The particulate engineering plastic has a glass transition temperature or a crystalline melting point greater than or equal to 200° C. and includes a polyarylsulfone, a polyimide, a poly(phenylene sulfide), a semi-crystalline polyamide, or a combination thereof. Incorporation of the particulate engineering plastic into the thermoplastic polyurethane improves one or more of tensile strength, heat resistance, hardness, and char formation.

Abstract: A composition contains (a) 1 to 40 weight percent of poly(phenylene ether) particles having a mean particle size of 1 to 40 micrometers; and (b) 60 to 99 weight percent of a polyoxymethylene; wherein polystyrene is absent from the poly(phenylene ether) particles; wherein the composition comprises less than 0.1 volume percent, based on the total volume of the composition, of particulate metals, metalloids, oxides thereof, and combinations thereof, wherein the metals and metalloids are selected from iron, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead, zinc, tin, chromium, nickel, tungsten, silicon, gold, silver, platinum, and alloys thereof. The poly(phenylene ether) particles reduce the density and increase the char yield of the polyoxymethylene. When the composition is prepared at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the poly(phenylene ether), increased flexural strength can also be obtained. The composition is useful as a molding composition for a variety of articles.

Abstract: A homogeneous solid composition includes an aromatic epoxy resin and a poly(phenylene ether) having a number average molecular weight of 600 to 2000 atomic mass units and an average of 1.5 to 3 hydroxyl groups per molecule. The molecular weight and hydroxyl functionality of the poly(phenylene ether) allow it to be dissolved in the epoxy resin at relatively low temperature, and remain dissolved as the solution is cooled and solidified. The homogeneous solid composition facilitates incorporation of the poly(phenylene ether) into powder coating compositions that exhibit reduced water absorption in the cured state.

Abstract: A polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam is prepared from a reaction mixture that includes comprising a polyol, an aromatic isocyanate compound, and a blowing agent. The polyol includes a poly(phenylene ether) having a number average molecular weight of 600 to 2000 atomic mass units and an average of 1.5 to 3 hydroxyl groups per molecule. The polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam exhibits improved resistance to burning and/or reduced elapsed times to formation of tack-free foams relative to foams prepared without the poly(phenylene ether).

Abstract: A rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam includes 1 to 50 weight percent of a particulate poly(phenylene ether) having a mean particle size of 1 to 40 micrometers. The particulate poly(phenylene ether) imparts reduced flammability and reduced water absorption to the foam. The foam is useful as a thermally insulating material in articles including domestic appliances, building materials, tanks, pipelines, heating pipes, cooling pipes, cold stores, and refrigerated vehicles.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane is formed by the reaction of a specific hydroxy-diterminated poly(phenylene ether) and an organic diisocyanate. The polyurethane-forming reaction optionally employs diols other than the hydroxy-diterminated poly(phenylene ether). Compared to thermoplastic polyurethanes lacking the residue of the hydroxy-diterminated poly(phenylene ether), the thermoplastic polyurethanes described herein exhibit properties including one or more of improved heat and oxidation resistance, improved resistance to acids, bases, and solvent, and reduced water absorption.

Abstract: An intumescent coating composition having improved char yield, while maintaining its physical, mechanical, and esthetic properties comprises (a) particulate poly(phenylene ether), wherein the mean particle size of the poly(phenylene ether) is 1 to 100 micrometers; (b) a film-forming binder; (c) an acid source; (d) a blowing agent; and (e) optionally, a carbon source other than the particulate poly(phenylene ether); wherein polyolefins, homopolystyrenes, rubber-modified polystyrenes, styrene-containing copolymers, and hydrogenated and unhydrogenated block copolymers of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene are all absent from the composition.

Abstract: A poly(phenylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether)-poly(phenylene ether) (PPE-PHE-PPE) triblock copolymer is formed by reaction of a monohydroxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether) with a diepoxy-terminated poly(hydroxy ether) in the presence of a base. The PPE-PHE-PPE triblock copolymer is useful as a compatibilizer in blends of polar polymers and non-polar polymers. The PPE-PHE-PPE triblock copolymer is also useful as a compatibilizer for non-polar polymers and polar fillers.