Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable polyamide composition and to a polyamide foam obtained therefrom. This composition comprises a compound comprising at least one isocyanate function, a polyamide and a compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid function. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a polyamide foam from this composition.

Abstract: Pearls based on expanded polymers are produced by extruding an expandable composition containing a thermoplastic polymer and an expanding agent, and thereafter cooling and chopping the expanded material thus obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of particles based on a thermoplastic polymer with a mean diameter of less than 1 mm. The process of the invention comprises more particularly a stage of preparation of a composition comprising the thermoplastic polymer and an additive, in the molten state, of cooling the composition and of disintegration of the thermoplastic polymer dispersion.

Abstract: A method for preparing polyamide foam is described. Polyamide foam produced according to the method is also described. A method including heating a composition including at least one polyamide and at least one polyurethane, and stabilizing the resulting cellular structure is also described. Use of a composition including at least one polyamide and at least one polyurethane for preparing polyamide foam is also described.

Abstract: Certain polyamide beads or granules are useful as a sustaining material for underground natural or artificial cracks of the earth's crust essentially employed for the extraction of hydrocarbons such as crude oil or natural gas; such polyamide beads have a spherical or ellipsoidal shape and have a surface free of concave portions, advantageously having a uniform shape, and having a mean diameter lower than or equal to 1.7 mm and a porosity lower than 0.1 ml/g, and are produced using a particular cutting device/extruder.

Abstract: Spherical polyamide particles having a mean particle size of less than 1 mm, notably less than 100 ?m, are produced by dispersing the polyamide monomers in an inert liquid and then polymerizing same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of particles based on a thermoplastic polymer with a mean diameter of less than 1 mm. The process of the invention comprises more particularly a stage of preparation of a composition comprising the thermoplastic polymer and an additive, in the molten state, of cooling the composition and of disintegration of the thermoplastic polymer dispersion.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of magnesium oxide from a source containing magnesium salts, said process including the steps of: (a) adding an alkali and sulfur dioxide to the source containing magnesium salts, in a leach step to form a magnesium bi-sulfite containing leachate;(b) separating the insoluble materials from the leachate; (c) stripping excess sulfur dioxide from the leachate and precipitating the magnesium as solid magnesium sulfite hydrate; (d) separating the solid magnesium sulfite hydrate from the magnesium depleted leachate; and (e) calcining the solid magnesium sulfite hydrate and recovering the magnesium as magnesium oxide.

Abstract: Spherical polyamide particles having a mean particle size of less than 1 mm, notably less than 100 ?m, are produced by dispersing the polyamide monomers in an inert liquid and then polymerizing same.

Abstract: Pearls based on expanded polymers are produced by extruding an expandable composition containing a thermoplastic polymer and an expanding agent, and thereafter cooling and chopping the expanded material thus obtained.

Abstract: A sulfate process for producing titania from a titaniferous material is disclosed. The process includes leaching the titaniferous material and producing a leach liquor, separating titanyl sulfate from leach liquor, hydrolysis of the extracted titanyl sulfate, and thereafter calcining the solid phase produced in the hydrolysis step. The process is characterised by multiple stage leaching of the titaniferous material.

Abstract: A sulfate process for producing titania from a titaniferous material is disclosed. The process includes leaching the titaniferous material and producing a leach liquor, precipitating iron sulfate from the leach liquor, solvent extraction of titanyl sulfate from leach liquor, hydrolysis of the extracted titanyl sulfate, and thereafter calcining the solid phase produced in the hydrolysis step. The process is characterised by using at least part of the raffinate from the solvent extraction step as at least part of the leach solution in the initial leach step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable polyamide composition and to a polyamide foam obtained therefrom. This composition comprises a compound comprising at least one isocyanate function, a polyamide and a compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid function. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a polyamide foam from this composition.

Abstract: A sulfate process for producing titania from a titaniferous material is disclosed. The process includes leaching the titaniferous material and producing a leach liquor, separating titanyl sulfate from leach liquor, hydrolysis of the extracted titanyl sulfate, and thereafter calcining the solid phase produced in the hydrolysis step. The process is characterised by controlling the hydrolysis step and forming a selected particle size distribution of hydrated titanium oxides from titanyl sulfate.

Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of a metallic nickel product in a solvent extraction process which includes the steps of forming a nickel ammine complex by stripping nickel from a nickel loaded organic phase with a high strength ammonia solution and then reducing the nickel ammine complex with hydrogen from the high strength ammonia solution to produce a metallic nickel product. By virtue of the present process, a reductive precipitation of nickel by hydrogen is obtained so as to recover a metallic nickel product, and the process is advantageous in that it will allow for commercial processes wherein nickel may be recovered by hydrogen reduction based on high strength ammonia solutions.

Abstract: A sulfate process for producing titania from titaniferous material is disclosed. The process includes precipitating titanyl sulfate from leach liquors containing acidic solutions of titanyl sulfate. The process is characterised by: (a) multiple stage leaching to produce leach liquors containing acidic solutions of titanyl sulfate; (b) using depleted leach liquor from a titanyl sulfate precipitation reactor in the leach steps; and (c) controlling acid concentration in the leach steps to avoid premature hydrolysis and premature precipitation.

Abstract: Fluorescent probes that have binding affinity to ribosomes. The fluorescent probes are useful tools for identifying small molecules that bind to the 50S or 30S subunits of the bacterial and other ribosomes and serve as novel ribosome inhibitors. These probes are also useful for determining the interactions between a specific ligand and the ribosome.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyamide compositions having improved antistatic behaviour and/or improved hydrophilicity. These compositions are particularly suitable for the manufacture of polyamide-based yarns, fibres and filaments. The compositions comprise polyamide and a modifier containing polyether units, which modifies the antistatic and/or hydrophilic properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns polyester filaments and method for manufacturing same. More particularly it concerns a filament made of glycol ethylene polyterephtalate or polynaphtalate having high mechanical properties, and a method for stretching polyester filaments. It is obtained by a stretching process comprising two steps including a first step in which a low stretching ratio is applied, to cause minimal crystallization of the polymer and, a second step with a high stretching ratio. The global stretching ratio can reach values higher than 12. The filament has in particular an expanded elastic range that enables the improvement of its useful properties, for instance for manufacturing screen printing grids.