Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane having prolonged biostability has tertiary amino groups in the polymer chain. Protonation of the amino groups with an aqueous acid causes the polymer to absorb up to 1,700% by weight of water and swell. The protonated amino groups form a complex with an antithrombogenic agent to give an antithrombogenic polyurethane. The invention includes a shaped article of the polyurethane.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane has tertiary amino groups in the polymer chain. Protonation of the amino groups with an aqueous acid causes the polymer to absorb up to 1,000% by weight of water and swell. The protonated amino groups form a complex with an antithrombogenic agent to give an antithrombogenic polyurethane. The invention includes a shaped article of the polyurethane. The shaped article may be antithrombogenic.

Abstract: Epoxy-based nonwoven webs are provided. The webs are formed by meltblowing a blend of an epoxy resin and a polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer. Whereas epoxy resins by themselves produce nonwoven webs which are brittle and glassy, epoxy/PCL blends have been found to produce webs which have good flexibility and elongation and are not glassy. If desired, once formed, the epoxy/PCL webs can be cured with, for example, an epoxy crosslinking agent to produce webs having enhanced solvent resistance properties.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermally reversible superabsorbent polymer adapted for use in melt processes, the polymer having a thermally reversible bond which is adapted to evanesce at an elevated temperature and revert to a thermally reversible bond upon cooling to ambient temperature so that the polymer is adapted, upon being heated to that elevated temperature, to dissociate into melt processable polymer fragments and, upon being cooled from that elevated temperature to ambient temperature, to re-associate. Also disclosed are superabsorbent polymer fibers and sheets formed from the thermally reversible superabsorbent polymer. The polymer fibers may be meltblown fibers which may be formed into a coherent nonwoven web. The meltblown fibers may include microfibers. The meltblown web may also include at least one type of secondary fiber, particulates or a mixture of fibers and particulates.