Abstract: Gaps between adjacent members in a building construction are sealed by applying a self-adhering barrier sheet to the adjacent members to span the gap. The self-adhering barrier sheet includes a flexible sheet of a barrier material. The flexible sheet has opposing edges, of which at least one is tapered. A pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to at least a portion of at least one major surface of the flexible sheet. The edges of the self-adhering barrier sheet are adhered to the adjacent structural elements by means of the pressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive has a thickness equal to or less than the maximum thickness of the flexible sheet. Where two self adhering barrier sheets overlap at an angle on a substrate, the tapered edge of the underlying sheet allows a smooth transition for the overlapping sheet, preventing the formation of an open gap between the barrier sheets and the substrate where air and moisture can penetrate.

Abstract: A process to form a crosslinked composition, said process comprising thermally treating a composition that comprises the following components: a) an olefin/silane interpolymer, b) a cure catalyst, and c) a multi-vinyl compound. A composition comprising the following components: a) an olefin/silane interpolymer, b) a cure catalyst, and c) a multi-vinyl compound.

Abstract: Chemically modified polyesters, foamable compositions thereof that form low density foams, and methods of making the foamable compositions and foams are disclosed. The compositions comprise an amorphous copolyester, or amorphous co-polyesterpolycarbonate or amorphous co-polyesterpolyether or combination thereof. Additionally, uses for the low density foams are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides bi-component core-shell polymeric microfibers for reinforcing concrete comprising as a first component (shell) ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) polymer and at least one plasticizer, preferably, polyethylene glycol, and as a second component (core) a polymer chosen from a polyamide, a polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and a polymer blend of a polyolefin and an anhydride grafted polyolefin and having an aspect ratio of length to diameter (L/D) or equivalent diameter of from 300 to 1000. The bi-component polymeric microfibers comprise from 5 to 45 wt. % of the first component, are easily processed, and provide fiber cements having improved mechanical properties at relatively low microfiber loadings.

Abstract: Chemically modified polyesters, foamable compositions thereof that form low density foams, and methods of making the foamable compositions and foams are disclosed. The compositions comprise an amorphous copolyester, or amorphous co-polyesterpolycarbonate or amorphous co-polyesterpolyether or combination thereof. Additionally, uses for the low density foams are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for preparing a carbonized article comprising providing a fabricated polyolefin article; crosslinking the fabricated article with a boron-containing species (BCS); stabilizing the fabricated article by air oxidation; and carbonizing the fabricated article. The present disclosure further describes preparing a stabilized article.

Abstract: A method for preparing a carbonized article comprising: (a) providing a polyolefin resin; (b) forming a fabricated article from the polyolefin resin; (c) crosslinking the fabricated article; (d) stabilizing the fabricated article in a boron-containing oxidizing environment (BOE); and (e) carbonizing the fabricated article. The present disclosure further describes a method for preparing a stabilized article.

Abstract: In one instance, the present disclosure describes a crosslinked polyolefin article comprising: a carbon to hydrogen mol ratio of from 1:1.2 to 1:2.2; and 0.1 to 5 weight percent boron. In one instance, the present disclosure describes a stabilized polyolefin article comprising: a carbon to hydrogen mol ratio of from 1:0.8 to 1:1.3; greater than 18 weight percent oxygen; and 0.3 to 4 weight percent boron.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for preparing a carbonized article comprising: providing an olefin resin in a melt phase; treating the olefin resin with a boron-containing species (BCS); forming a fabricated article from the treated olefin resin; crosslinking the fabricated article; stabilizing the fabricated article by air oxidation; and carbonizing the fabricated article. The present disclosure further describes a method for preparing a stabilized article.

Abstract: In one instance, the present disclosure describes a method for preparing a carbonaceous article comprising: providing a crosslinked polyolefin fabricated article; stabilizing the crosslinked polyolefin fabricated article by air oxidation to provide a stabilized fabricated article; treating with a boron-containing liquid (BCL) during or intermediate to at least one of the preceding steps; and carbonizing the stabilized fabricated article. In one instance the present disclosure describes a method for preparing a stabilized article.

Abstract: A process for preparing a stabilized fabricated article from a polyolefin resin, the process includes incorporating functional groups in the polyolefin resin thereby yielding a polyolefin resin having crosslinkable functional groups. The polyolefin resin having crosslinkable functional groups is converted to a fabricated article. The fabricated article is chemically crosslinked thereby yielding a crosslinked fabricated article. The crosslinked fabricated article is stabilized in an oxidizing environment at an elevated temperature. The stabilized fabricated article thus produced can be prepared as a carbonaceous article by heating the stabilized fabricated article in an inert environment.

Abstract: The invention includes a spiral wound module comprising at least one membrane sheet wrapped about a permeate collection tube wherein the membrane sheet (14) comprises a plurality of capillary channels in parallel arrangement with each other and which are in fluid communication with the permeate collection tube (12). Many additional embodiments are disclosed along with methods for making and using the module and corresponding components.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved solid state polymer devolatilization process which comprises heating a wet feed mixture comprising polymer, residual monomer(s), process solvents and active catalyst residues in the presence of an inert gas, wherein the improvement comprises replacing the inert gas with a catalyst deactivating gas.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a solid state devolatilization finishing process for a wet feed material of syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer containing volatiles, including at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the improvement comprises: rapidly heating the wet feed material, such that the temperature of the wet feed material is increased at a rate of at least 10.degree. C./min., to a temperature between about 150.degree. C. and the melting point temperature of the syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, while concurrently removing evolved volatiles.

Abstract: Miscible blends of (1) a thermoplastic methylol polyester having backbone repeating units containing pendent hydroxyl and methylol moieties and divalent organic moieties such as 1,3-phenylene, 1,4-phenylene, 2,6-naphthalene, biphenylene and isopropylidene diphenylene, and (2) a linear, saturated polyester or copolyester of aromatic dicarboxylic acids, such as poly(ethylene-co-1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PETG) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), have improved clarity and exhibit enhanced barrier to oxygen relative to PET and PETG.