Abstract: A process for reducing the odor of sulfolane fluid comprises contacting the fluid with and oxidizing agent under conditions sufficient to effect the substantial reduction of odor in the fluid.

Abstract: A process for the production of arylene sulfide polymers is provided which comprises subjecting a mixture of at least one first sulfur source, at least one second sulfur source comprised of at least one organic monothiol compound, at least one polyhalo-substituted aromatic compound and at least one polar organic compound to polymerization conditions sufficient to produce the arylene sulfide polymer. The organic monothiol compound can be added at any time prior to substantial completion of polymerization to provide arylene sulfide polymers of increased extrusion rate.

Abstract: Films and fibers are prepared from arylene sulfide resins comprising first recurring units consisting of aromatic structures having the form: ##STR1## and second recurring units including units selected from aromatic structures having the form: ##STR2##

Abstract: A process is provided for removing solid and liquid impurities from a particulate arylene sulfide polymer recovered from a polymerization reaction mixture slurry, without significantly discoloring the resulting washed polymer. The process of this invention comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a first slurry, wherein the solid component thereof comprises a particulate arylene sulfide polymer recovered from a reaction mixture slurry, and wherein the liquid component thereof comprises a mixture of water and a reducing agent; (b) heating the first slurry to a temperature of at least about 185.degree. C. (365.degree. F.) but below the melting point of the particulate polymer, to wash the polymer contained therein; (c) cooling the first slurry to a temperature below about 100.degree. C. (212.degree. F.), to form a second slurry, wherein the solid component thereof comprises a washed particulate arylene sulfide polymer; and (d) recovering the washed particulate arylene sulfide polymer from the second slurry.

Abstract: Arylene sulfide polymers which can be linear, branched or modified are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of: (a) admixing a sulfur source and a cyclic organic amide in the presence of water to form an aqueous admixture wherein the molar ratio of the sulfur source to the cyclic organic amide is at least about 0.6:1 to about 1:1; (b) dehydrating said aqueous admixture to form a dehydrated admixture; (c) admixing with said dehydrated admixture at least one polymerizable halo-substituted aromatic compound to form a polymerization mixture; (d) subjecting the polymerization mixture to polymerization conditions effective to produce the arylene sulfide polymer; and (3) recovering the arylene sulfide polymer.

Abstract: A process for the production of arylene sulfide polymers is provided which comprises subjecting a mixture of at least one sulfur source, at least one organic monohalo compound, at least one polyhalo-substituted aromatic compound and at least one polar organic compound to polymerization conditions sufficient to produce the arylene sulfide polymer. The organic monohalo compound can be added at any time prior to substantial completion of polymerization to provide arylene sulfide polymers of increased extrusion rate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a process is provided for treating virgin poly(arylene sulfide) resins, wherein a heated polymer slurry, comprising a virgin poly(arylene sulfide) resin and water is contacted by an acidic treating solution comprising at least an acidic component, wherein the amount of the acidic component in the acidic treating solution is less than the amount necessary to result in at least a partial curing of the virgin poly(arylene sulfide) resin. In a second embodiment, the process is provided for treating a virgin poly(arylene sulfide) resin, wherein the virgin poly(arylene sulfide) resin is slurried with an aqueous acidic treating solution comprising an acidic component and an aqueous component and the concentration of the acidic component in the aqueous acidic treating solution is less than the amount necessary to result in at least a partial curing of the virgin poly(arylene sulfide) resin.

Abstract: Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) is prepared by the reaction of a p-dihalobenzene such as p-dichlorobenzene, with a dehydrated admixture of an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, and an alkali metal bisulfide such as sodium bisulfide, in a polar organic solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrollidone (NMP), employing a molar ratio of alkali metal hydroxide to alkali metal bisulfide of about 0.80:1 to 0.98:1. Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) having a high extrusion rate such as about 100 to about 1000 grams/10 minutes can be prepared in this manner.

Abstract: Arylene sulfide polymer having a high extrusion rate, e.g. at least about 100 g/10 min. are prepared by a process comprising: (a) dehydrating an aqueous admixture of a suitable sulfur source and a cyclic organic amide; (b) admixing a dihalo-substituted aromatic compound with the dehydrate mixture to form a polymerization mixture wherein the molar ratio of sulfur source to the cyclic organic amide is about 0.39:1 to about 0.6:1; (c) subjecting the polymerization mixture to reaction conditions sufficient to produce the arylene sulfide polymer; and (d) recovering the arylene sulfide polymer.

Abstract: Poly(arylene sulfide) oligomers are recovered in a process comprising steps of:(a) dehydration of an aqueous admixture of alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, and alkali metal bisulfide such as sodium bisulfide, in a polar organic solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), wherein the molar ratio of alkali metal hydroxide to alkali metal bisulfide is about 0.90:1 to about 1.05:1 prior to dehydration and 0.99:1 to about 1.

Abstract: A polyarylene sulfide is prepared in a reaction mixture containing a dihaloaromatic compound, a sulfur source, a polar organic compound and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal dithionite. The presence of dithionite in the reaction mixture enables the production of polymer and products therefrom having a reduced Tmc and enhanced heat stability.

Abstract: A method for affecting the crystallization of poly(phenylene sulfide), i.e., lowering the melt crystallization temperature or lowering the rate of crystallization of the polymer, in which phenylene sulfide polymer is contacted with polyvalent metal cations in solution, preferably aqueous at a temperature and for a time sufficient to affect the crystallization of the polymer.

Abstract: Granular poly(arylene sulfide) is recovered from a slurry comprising granular poly(arylene sulfide), polar organic solvent, alkali metal halide, poly(arylene sulfide) oligomers, untreated reactants in the water by heating the slurry under conditions to evaporate polar organic solvent, water and volatile impurities at a temperature below the normal boiling point of the polar organic solvent to produce a dry mixture containing poly(arylene sulfide), poly(arylene sulfide) oligomers and alkali metal halide which is then reslurried with water to produce a reslurried mixture containing aqueous alkali metal halide solution and dispersed poly(arylene sulfide) oligomers with the reslurried mixture being filtered through a coarse screen to recover granular poly(arylene sulfide) thereon and pass a filtrate containing poly(arylene sulfide) oligomers and aqueous alkali metal halide solution therethrough.

Abstract: A thickenable composition for sheet and bulk thermoset molding is described which comprises an adduct of a medium to high vinyl alkadiene polymer with a cyclic or acyclic anhydride of a mono or decarboxylic acid, a thickening agent, an organic peroxide, and a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, liquid alkanols and mixtures thereof. Magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide are the preferred thickening agents.

Abstract: Moldings having enhanced physical properties are made from compositions of a conjugated diene polymer, calcium carbonate and certain .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic modifiers.

Abstract: A process for removing deposits on metal surfaces, derived from certain poly(arylene sulfide) polymers, is provided by contacting the metal surfaces with a polyamine containing compound under conditions suitable to remove said deposits on the metal surfaces.

Abstract: A thickenable composition for sheet and bulk thermoset molding is described which comprises an adduct of a medium to high vinyl alkadiene polymer with a cyclic or acyclic anhydride of a mono or dicarboxylic acid, a thickening agent, an organic peroxide, and a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, liquid alkanols and mixtures thereof. Magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide are the preferred thickening agents.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition exhibiting improved physical properties and little or no blistering is provided consisting essentially of a CO.sub.2 or O.sub.2 terminated high vinyl alkadiene polymer, an inorganic filler, an organic peroxide compound, and a polyolefin modifier.

Abstract: In a thermosetting composition containing high vinyl alkadiene polymer, organic peroxide, calcium carbonate filler and optional ingredients comprising a vinyl arene liquid monomer, coupling agent, polymerizable plasticizer, and fiberglass reinforcing filler, the addition of an adduct of polybutadiene and a carboxylic acid anhydride improves properties of the molded compositions comprising flexural modulus, tensile strength and Barcol hardness.