Abstract: The present invention is directed to unconsolidated surface material comprising rubber particles, a color coating covering the rubber particles; and a polymer coating covering the color coating. The unconsolidated surface material is made by mixing rubber particles with a colorant to color coat the rubber particles thereby forming colored rubber particles and adding an emulsion polymer to the colored rubber particles to coat the colored rubber particles with the emulsion polymer to form a protective film around the colored rubber particles. The unconsolidated surface material may be used as synthetic mulch or as a playground safety surface.

Abstract: A process for coloring vulcanized rubber granules that exhibits improved color durability is provided. Coloring is achieved by mixing low concentrations of aqueous based organic or inorganic pigment dispersions with rubber particles for a short time. Binding colorant onto the colored rubber particles is achieved when elastomer latex is added in a second step. The resulting colored vulcanized rubber particles exhibit outstanding color stability and color abrasion resistance. Optimum color adhesion onto rubber particles is achieved by use of elastomer tailored to the type of colorant used. With organic pigments such as copper phthalocyanine, excellent color abrasion resistance to vulcanized rubber particles results when elastomers such as SBR are used. With inorganic pigments such as iron oxide, excellent color abrasion resistance results when elastomers with very low glass transition temperature (Tg) such as acrylic rubber are used. The process can be readily scaled to large commercial blending equipment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to colorized rubber and methods of coloring the same, particularly vulcanized rubber, and rubber particles. The present invention is more particularly directed to colorized vulcanized rubber particles having improved color durability. The present invention is also directed to utilization of the colorized rubber as synthetic mulch. In the compositions and methods of the present invention, it is preferable that aqueous organic or inorganic pigment dispersions are mixed with vulcanized rubber particles to color coat the rubber particles. Preferably an emulsion polymer is added to the color coated particles to encapsulate the particles. The resulting colored vulcanized rubber particles exhibit improved color stability and color abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A process for fabricating multilayered high barrier film products providing gas and moisture barrier properties is provided. The film products comprise at least a first polymer film having low permeability to moisture and a polymer blend film containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer functionalized for compatibility with the gas barrier polymer and so as to allow the polymer blend film to adhere to the first polymer film. A method for the preparation of multilayered high barrier film products includes the steps of forming a gas barrier polymer film from a polymer blend containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer and, bonding a moisture barrier polymer film to at least one side of the gas barrier film.

Abstract: Multilayered high barrier film products providing gas and moisture barrier properties. The film products comprise at least a first polymer film having low permeability to moisture and a polymer blend film containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer functionalized for compatibility with the gas barrier polymer and so as to allow the polymer blend film to adhere to the first polymer film. A method for the preparation of multilayered high barrier film products includes the steps of forming a gas barrier polymer film from a polymer blend containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer and, bonding a moisture barrier polymer film to at least one side of the gas barrier film.

Abstract: Multilayered barrier film products providing gas and moisture barrier properties. The film products comprise at least a first polymer film having low permeability to moisture and a heterogeneous polymer blend film containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer distributed in the gas barrier polymer, so as to allow the heterogeneous polymer blend film to adhere to the first polymer film. A method for the preparation of multilayered barrier film products includes the steps of forming a gas barrier polymer film from a heterogeneous polymer blend containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer and, bonding a moisture barrier polymer film to at least one side of the gas barrier polymer film. The method can be practiced utilizing conventional coextrusion equipment.

Abstract: A polymer blend comprises a high nitrile polymer and a compatible polyolefin functionalized with an unsaturated compound selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides and imides. Such blends can be used to form films and membranes having improved thermal, mechanical and optical properties. The blend combines the low oxygen permeability of high nitrile polymers with the low water vapor permeability of the polyolefins and are, therefore, useful in the packaging industry. A method for forming blends of high nitrile polymers with polyolefins includes the step of functinalizing a polyolefin prepared from a monoolefin having from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms with an unsaturated compound selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides and imides and blending from about 99 to 1 parts by weight of the functionalized polyolefin with from about 1 to 99 parts by weight of the high nitrile polymer.

Abstract: Divalent ion tolerant aromatic sulfonate suitable for enhanced oil recovery characterized by the formula: ##STR1## where x=0 to 4R'=H or Ch.sub.3R=CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2)y and y=1 to 15. Preferably, the compositioncomprises of second compound characterized by the formula ##STR2## wherein R, x, y, and R' are the same as defined in claim 1.

Abstract: Divalent ion tolerant aromatic sulfonate suitable for enhanced oil recovery characterized by the formula: ##STR1## wherein x=0 to 4R'=H or CH.sub.3R=CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2)y and y=1 to 15. Preferably, the composition comprises of second compound characterized by the formula ##STR2## wherein R, x, y, and R' are the same as defined in claim 1.

Abstract: The process for manufacturing a nylon-type polyamide from a dinitrile, a diamine and water in the presence of a catalyst is improved by using as a catalyst an ester of oxygenated phosphorus compound in conjunction with a strong base. For example, high quality nylon-6,6 is manufactured by contacting adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine and water with an ester of an oxygenated phosphorous compound and sodium hydroxide at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The process for manufacturing polyamides, suitable for fibers, from an .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile, and an .alpha.,.omega.-diamine in water in contact with a catalyst that is improved by (1) first, reacting the dinitrile and water in the presence of the catalyst at a temperature sufficient to cause substantial hydrolysis of the dinitrile and (2) subsequently adding the diamine to the reaction mixture of the dinitrile and water at a temperature sufficient to cause polymerization.

Abstract: Nylon-type polyamides are produced from a diamine and a diamide in contact with a catalyst comprising a carboxamide. For example, high quality nylon-6,6 is manufactured by contacting hexamethylenediamine and adipamide in water with a carboxamide, at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Nylon-type polyamides are produced from a diamine and a diamide in contact with a catalyst comprising a urea, thiourea, or derivatives thereof. For example, high quality nylon-6,6 is manufactured by contacting hexamethylenediamine and adipamide in water with urea, thiourea, or derivatives thereof catalyst, at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Polyamides are produced from diamines, dinitriles, and water in contact with a two-component catalyst system comprising (1) at least one copper containing compound and (2) at least one oxygen containing compound of phosphorus or sulfur.

Abstract: Nylon-type polyamides are produced from a diamine and a diamide in contact with a catalyst comprising a silicon compound. For example, high quality nylon-6,6 is manufactured by contacting hexamethylenediamine and adipamide in water with silica gel, at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A polyamide is produced by polymerizing at least one of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and ammonia, an ammonium salt of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an alpha, beta-unsaturated nitrile and water, a beta-amino propionic acid or alkyl derivative thereof and an alpha, beta-unsaturated amide and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst comprising a pentaammine cobalt (III) complex.

Abstract: Nylon-type polyamides are produced from a diamine and a diamide in contact with a catalyst comprising a phosphorus amide. For example, high quality nylon-6,6 is manufactured by contacting hexamethylenediamine and adipamide in water with a phosphorus amide compound at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Nylon-type polyamides are produced from a diamine and a diamide in contact with an oxygenated compound of carbon, boron, nitrogen or sulfur catalyst. For example, high quality nylon-6,6 is manufactured by contacting hexamethylenediamine and adipamide in water with an oxygenated compound of carbon, boron, nitrogen or sulfur at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A catalytic process for the production of high molecular weight nylon-type polyamides from omega-aminonitriles has been discovered. The process comprises contacting an omega-aminonitrile, water and a catalytic amount of an oxygenated sulfur compound catalyst. In one embodiment, sulfuric acid is utilized to polymerize 6-aminocapronitrile to nylon-6, at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: N-alkylamide-substituted amines, such as nitrilotripropionamide, are either self-polymerized or copolymerized with other monomers, such as amino acids, in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of aqueous ammonia and at a temperature of at least 200.degree. C. and autogenous pressure to form substantially linear polyamides, such as poly-.beta.-alanine and nylon-3/6.