Abstract: Polycyclic addition polymers derived from norbornene-type monomers are mixed with a variety of other polymers to generate families of new blends, alloys, and block copolymers.

Abstract: Polycyclic addition polymers derived from norbornene-type monomers are mixed with a variety of other polymers to generate families of new blends, alloys, and block copolymers.

Abstract: Addition polymers derived from norbornene-functional monomers are terminated with an olefinic moiety derived from a chain transfer agent selected from a compound having a terminal olefinic double bond between adjacent carbon atoms, excluding styrenes, vinyl ethers, and conjugated dienes and at least one of said carbon atoms has two hydrogen atoms attached thereto. The addition polymers of this invention are prepared from a single or multicomponent catalyst system including a Group VIII metal ion source. The catalyst systems are unique in that they catalyze the insertion of the chain transfer agent exclusively at a terminal end of the polymer chain.

Abstract: Addition polymers derived from norbornene-functional monomers are terminated with an olefinic moiety derived from a chain transfer agent selected from a compound having a terminal olefinic double bond between adjacent carbon atoms, excluding styrenes, vinyl ethers, and conjugated dienes and at least one of said carbon atoms has two hydrogen atoms attached thereto. The addition polymers of this invention are prepared from a single or multicomponent catalyst system including a Group VIII metal ion source. The catalyst systems are unique in that they catalyze the insertion of the chain transfer agent exclusively at a terminal end of the polymer chain.

Abstract: A single component ionic catalyst consists essentially of an organonickel complex cation, and a weakly coordinating neutral counteranion. The cation is a neutral bidentate ligand removably attached to a Group VIII transition metal in an organometal complex. The ligand is easily displaced by a norbornene-type (NB-type) monomer in an insertion reaction which results in an unexpectedly facile addition polymerization. A NB-type monomer includes NB or substituted NB, or a multi-ringed cycloolefin having more than three rings in which one or more of the rings has a structure derived from NB, and a ring may have an alicyclic alkyl, alkylene or alkylidene substituent. The insertion reaction results in the formation of a unique propagating species more soluble in a polar than in a non-polar solvent and devoid of an available .beta.-hydrogen for termination. The ensuing propagation of a polymer chain proceeds without measurable unsaturation.

Abstract: A process for increasing the molecular weight of cycloolefin monomers is provided by this invention which can be incorporated into ring-opening polymerization methods. This method is particularly suited for bulk polymerization processes but can also be used for solution polymerization processes. By increasing the molecular weight of the cycloolefin monomers, polymers having higher glass transition temperatures are obtained.

Abstract: Curable polycycloolefin resin solutions having particular utility in the fabrication of printed circuit boards are disclosed. A solvent soluble polymer is typically solution polymerized from norbornene-type monomers in the presence of a metathesis catalyst package. This polymer may then be purified by precipitation and redissolution. A curing agent, such as a high activation temperature peroxide can then be added to the solution and then this curing agent containing solution can be used to impregnate a suitable substrate such as a fiberglass cloth. The impregnated substrate can then be dried, preferably at temperatures above the glass transition temperature of the polycycloolefin but below the activation temperature of the curing agent. Then one or more prepregs can be stacked and laminated to conductive foil at a temperature high enough to activate the curing agent.

Abstract: Copolymers for use in preparing prepregs, which in turn are used to prepare printed circuit wiring boards are provided, as well as processes for producing the prepregs and wiring boards. The copolymers comprise repeating units derived from cycloolefin monomers, e.g., norbornene-type monomers, e.g., dicyclopentadiene-type monomers. Some of the monomers are silane-substituted while others are non silane-substituted. The silane-substituted monomers provide copolymers which exhibit improved properties when employed as the copolymers in prepregs for printed circuit wiring boards. For example, improved adhesion is achieved between the noncellulosic substrate and the polymers of components used in the wiring boards. These properties include, but are not limited to improved dielectric properties, improved adhesion to glass cloth substrates, etc.

Abstract: Copolymers for use in preparing prepregs, which in turn are used to prepare printed circuit wiring boards are provided, as well as processes for producing the prepregs and wiring boards. The copolymers comprise repeating units derived from cycloolefin monomers, e.g., norbornene-type monomers, e.g., dicyclopentadiene-type monomers. Some of the monomers are silane-substituted while others are non silane-substituted. The silane-substituted monomers provide copolymers which exhibit improved properties when employed as the copolymers in prepregs for printed circuit wiring boards. For example, improved adhesion is achieved between the noncellulosic substrate and the polymers of components used in the wiring boards. These properties include, but are not limited to improved dielectric properties, improved adhesion to glass cloth substrates, etc.

Abstract: Printed wiring boards useful for high frequency applications are obtained by laminating a conductive foil pretreated with a silane to a polynorbornene prepreg wherein a sheet of polyolefin film derived from C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 monomers is laminated between the prepreg and the foil to the surfaces of each member. The prepreg is made by impregnating a fiberglass cloth with a ring-opening polymerized polymer. The conductive foil is pretreated with a silane which is capable of improving the bond strength between the conductive foil and a norbornene copolymer.

Abstract: This invention provides improved prepregs for producing laminates and improved laminates using such prepregs. Processes for producing the prepregs and the laminates are also provided. Processes for producing the prepreg include the steps of providing a dipping solution or suspension comprising a polynorbornene polymer, a polyolefin polymer derived from C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 monomers, and a solvent followed by impregnating a non-cellulosic cloth with the solution. The solvent is removed from the cloth to form the prepreg. Printed circuit boards are also provided by a process which includes the steps of providing such a prepreg and pretreating the surface of a conductive film with a solution of a silane compound, effective to increase the bond strength between the copper foil and the prepreg, followed by laminating the prepreg to the conductive film.

Abstract: Printed wiring boards useful for high frequency applications are obtained by laminating a copper foil pretreated with a silane to a polynorbornene prepreg. The prepreg is made by impregnating a fiberglass cloth with a ring-opening polymerized polymer. The copper foil is pretreated with a silane which is capable of improving the bond strength between the copper foil and a norbornene copolymer.

Abstract: Liquid dicyclopentadiene feedstocks are provided for bulk polymerization by the addition of reactive norbornene function containing cycloolefin monomers to solid, high purity dicyclopentadiene compositions. These liquid dicyclopentadiene feedstocks provide a high degree of conversion to polymer under bulk polymerization conditions.

Abstract: Multi-layer laminates are provided of alternating or non alternating layers of reinforced epoxy and reinforced polynorbornene. The laminates are made by a process which includes an adhesion promotion step wherein at least one of the layers, prior to lamination, is pretreated with an adhesion promotion agent. Preferred adhesion promotion agents include silanes. One or more layers of copper foil can also be employed between exterior surfaces of the layers at the interface between the layers, as well as on the exterior of the laminates. The copper films can be etched to form patterns such as those suitable for printed circuit wiring boards.

Abstract: A process for increasing the molecular weight of cycloolefin monomers is provided by this invention which can be incorporated into ring-opening polymerization methods. This method is particularly suited for bulk polymerization processes but can also be used for solution polymerization processes. By increasing the molecular weight of the cycloolefin monomers, polymers having higher glass transition temperatures are obtained.

Abstract: Vapor phase chlorosulfonated polyolefins usually contain as much as about 100 to 200 parts of more per million of sulfur dioxide in the chlorosulfonated polyolefin particles, even after degassing, that is released over a period of time. The amount of sulfur dioxide released from vapor phase chlorosulfonated polyolefins can be reduced to an amount of less than 0.

Abstract: A negative photoresist is formed from a photosensitized ("PS") composition having as an essential component, a homopolymer or copolymer having a major molar amount of a ring-opened unsubstituted tetracyclic norbornene ("NB"), and/or a substituted tetracyclic NB having non-polar substituents, and a minor amount, if any, of another NB, optionally also similarly substituted with non-polar substitutents. The negative photoresist formed by exposure of a film about 1 micron thick of the PS composition to ultraviolet light in the range from about 220-450 nanometers forms, in the contact mode, a pattern of lines and spaces which are developed in a substantially aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent so as to provide a high resolution in the range from about 1 micron to about 2 microns in the pattern. Lines in the pattern have essentially vertical walls and substantially unswollen contours.

Abstract: An improved vapor phase process for chlorination of polyethylene in a fluidized bed is accomplished by chlorinating a mixture of powdered polyethylene and finely divided inorganic compounds having a dielectric constant of greater than about 40 and specific conductivity of greater than 10.sup.-13 and less than 10.sup.-1 (.OMEGA..sup.-1 cm.sup.-1) such as titanium dioxide, with chlorine, optionally under actinic light, at an initial temperature from about 20.degree.C. to about 70.degree. C. and raising the temperature of the reaction to at least about the crystalline melting point of the polyethylene and continuing the reaction until the polyethylene contains greater than 25 to 45 weight percent bound chlorine.

Abstract: An improved vapor phase process for chlorosulfonation of polyethylene, particularly in a fluidized bed, is accomplished by treating a mixture of powdered polyethylene, and finely divided inorganic compounds having a dielectric constant of greater than about 40 and specific conductivity greater than 10.sup.-13 to less than 10.sup.-1 (.OMEGA..sup.-1 cm.sup.-1), such as titanium dioxide, with chlorine and sulfur dioxide, optionally under actinic light, at an initial temperature from about 20.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C. and raising the temperature of the reaction to at least about the crystalline melting point of the polyethylene and continuing the reaction until the polyethylene contains about 25 to 45 weight percent bound chlorine and 0.5 to 3 weight percent sulfur to provide improved vulcanizable elastomers.

Abstract: Printed wiring boards useful for high frequency applications are obtained by laminating a conductive foil pretreated with a silane to a polynorbornene prepreg wherein a sheet of polyolefin film derived from C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 monomers is laminated between the prepreg and the foil to the surfaces of each member. The prepreg is made by impregnating a fiberglass cloth with a ring-opening polymerized polymer. The conductive foil is pretreated with a silane which is capable of improving the bond strength between the conductive foil and a norbornene copolymer.