Abstract: The invention relates to a process for continuously preparing polyamide oligomers. This comprises continuous conveying of an aqueous solution of polyamide-forming monomers from a reservoir vessel into an oligomerization reactor, heating of the aqueous solution beyond a dissolution or storage temperature, the residence time of the monomer solution in the oligomerization reactor being limited and the pressure or the partial vapor pressure of the water being adjusted such that a conversion of monomers to polyamide oligomers does not exceed a maximum value and/or the polyamide oligomers formed do not phase-separate or spontaneously crystallize in solid form, and continuous discharge of the polyamide oligomers from the oligomerization reactor. A polyamide oligomer preparable by this process can be provided continuously in a mixture with water in a process for preparing a semicrystalline or amorphous, thermoplastically processible polyamide and then postcondensed to give a polyamide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to quick-drying two-component polyurethane coating compositions, to processes for preparing them, and to their use.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising an active ingredient with a maximum solubility in water at 20° C. of 10 g/l, and a hyperbranched polyester based on a hydrophobic dicarboxylic acid and a trifunctional alcohol. The invention further relates to the hyperbranched polyester mentioned, to a process for preparation thereof and to the use thereof for solubilizing an active ingredient with a maximum solubility in water at 20° C. of 10 g/l in aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising an active ingredient with a maximum solubility in water at 20° C. of 10 g/l, and a hyperbranched polyester which is joined to a polar polymer which comprises a polycondensate or a polymer comprising ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The invention further relates to the hyperbranched polyester mentioned and to a process for preparation thereof. It further relates to the use of the hyperbranched polyester for solubilizing the active ingredient in aqueous compositions.

Abstract: A nongelling and noncrosslinked, highly branched or hyperbranched polyester, obtained by reacting at least one selected from the group consisting of a monocarboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid, a tricarboxylic acid, a polycarboxylic acid, and a derivative thereof with at least one selected from the group consisting of a monoalcohol, a diol, a triol, a tetraol, and a polyol, wherein an average functionality of the carboxyl groups (f.A) and the hydroxyl groups (f.B) in a notionally hydrolyzed polyester satisfies a relation: f.A+f.B>4, a mole fraction of the carboxyl groups (x.A) in the notionally hydrolyzed polyester satisfies a relation: f.A/[(f.A*f.B)+f.A]?x?(f.A*f.B)/[(f.A*f.B)+f.B], and a degree of conversion (U) of the deficit functionality satisfies a relation: U.min?U?U.max.

Abstract: The present invention relates to quick-drying two-component polyurethane coating compositions, to processes for preparing them, and to their use.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for preparation of oxymethylene polymers. This process encompasses polymerization, in a homogeneous phase, of a monomer which forms oxymethylene groups, as far as 90% of maximum conversion in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde and of an initiator for cationic polymerization, followed by deactivation of the reaction mixture. The resultant oxymethylene polymers have alkyl ether end groups and are extremely stable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to seed treatment compositions comprising active ingredient and hyperbranched polymer. The hyperbranched polymer is used as seed coating agent, especially as a binder to promote adhesion of the active ingredient(s) to the seeds. The present invention also relates to methods of treating seed with such a composition.

Abstract: A process is described for preparation of oxymethylene homo- and copolymers. This encompasses heterogeneous polymerization of a monomer which forms oxymethylene groups in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde and of an initiator for cationic polymerization, followed by the deactivation of the polymer in a homogeneous phase via treatment with a basic aprotic solvent or with an aprotic solvent which comprises a base. Oxymethylene homopolymers with very high stability are also described.

Abstract: Laser-markable molding compositions, molding produced therewith and method of marking the same, wherein the molding compositions comprise: (a) at least one semicrystalline thermoplastic; and (b) at least one particulate additive selected from the group consisting of (i) light-sensitive salt compounds, (ii) inorganic oxides having an average particle diameter of less than 250 nm, and combinations thereof; wherein the light-sensitive salt compounds comprise compounds having two or more captions, wherein at least one of the two or more captions is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Sn, Sb, La, Pr, Ta, W, and Ce; and wherein at least another of the two or more captions is selected from the group consisting of elements of periods 3-6 of main groups II and III, elements of periods 5-6 of main group IV, elements of periods 4-5 of transition groups III-VIII, and the lanthanoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly branched or hyperbranched polyesters of specific construction, based on mono-, di-, tri- or polycarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof and mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- or polyols, to processes for preparing them, and to their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel molding compositions based on semicrystalline engineering thermoplastics which, in conventional processing techniques, give moldings with reduced surface gloss. A feature of the molding compositions is that they comprise, in a polymer matrix, if appropriate with the usual additives, polymer particles with a median size d50 of from 0.1 ?m to 100 ?m, and comprise at least one other incompatible or semicompatible polymer which has not been chemically crosslinked, and also, if appropriate, comprise salt-like additives. The invention further relates to moldings which are produced by means of conventional processing techniques, in particular via injection molding, from these matt-effect molding compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel molding compositions based on semicrystalline engineering thermoplastics which, in conventional processing techniques, give moldings with reduced surface gloss. A feature of the molding compositions is that they comprise, in a polymer matrix, if appropriate with the usual additives, polymer particles with a median size d50 of from 0.1 ?m to 100 ?m, and comprise at least one other incompatible or semicompatible polymer which has not been chemically crosslinked, and also, if appropriate, comprise salt-like additives. The invention further relates to moldings which are produced by means of conventional processing techniques, in particular via injection molding, from these matt-effect molding compositions.

Abstract: Novel halogen-free flame-retardant thermoplastic molding compositions are described, and give laser-markable moldings with increased quality of marking. The molding compositions comprise at least one thermoplastic A) and at least one light-sensitive compound of salt type B1) which within the polymer matrix when exposed to laser light changes its color or leads to a change in the color of the polymer matrix, and/or at least one light-sensitive or light-sensitizing oxide B2) which within the polymer matrix when exposed to laser light changes its color or leads to a change in the color of the polymer matrix, and at least one halogen-free compound or mixture C) which has a positive effect on the flammability and fire performance of the molding composition, and if appropriate, other conventional additives D). The invention further relates to moldings produced from these laser-markable flame-retardant molding compositions, and also to laser-marked moldings produced therefrom.

Abstract: Laser-markable molding compositions, molding produced therewith and method of marking the same, wherein the molding compositions comprise: (a) at least one semicrystalline thermoplastic; and (b) at least one particulate additive selected from the group consisting of (i) light-sensitive salt compounds, (ii) inorganic oxides having an average particle diameter of less than 250 nm, and combinations thereof; wherein the light-sensitive salt compounds comprise compounds having two or more cations, wherein at least one of the two or more cations is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Sn, Sb, La, Pr, Ta, W. and Ce; and wherein at least another of the two or more cations is selected from the group consisting of elements of periods 3-6 of main groups II and III, elements of periods 5-6 of main group IV, elements of periods 4-5 of transition groups III-VIII, and the lanthanoids.

Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic polyether ketone of the formula (II) [Ar—O—Ar?—CO—Ar?—O—Ar—CO—Ar?—CO—] ??(II) in which from 1% to 100% of the O-phenylene-CO units are substituted with an SO3M group and sulfonated and unsulfonated O-phenylene-CO units can be in any desired sequence with respect to one another, the radicals Ar, Ar? and Ar? independently of one another are substituted or unsubstituted 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene rings, and M, taking into account the ionic valencies, comprises one or more elements selected from the following group: H, NR4+, where R is H or C1-C4-alkyl, or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or a metal from subgroup 8, and is preferably H, NR4+, Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe or Pt.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for preparation of oxymethylene polymers. This process encompasses polymerization, in a homogeneous phase, of a monomer which forms oxymethylene groups, as far as 90% of maximum conversion in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde and of an initiator for cationic polymerization, followed by deactivation of the reaction mixture. The resultant oxymethylene polymers have alkyl ether end groups and are extremely stable.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for preparation of oxymethylene homo- and copolymers. This encompasses heterogeneous polymerization of a monomer which forms oxymethylene groups in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde and of an initiator for cationic polymerization, followed by the deactivation of the polymer in a homogeneous phase via treatment with a basic aprotic solvent or with an aprotic solvent which comprises a base. Oxymethylene homopolymers with very high stability are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel molding compositions based on semicrystalline engineering thermoplastics which, in conventional processing techniques, give moldings with reduced surface gloss. A feature of the molding compositions is that they comprise, in a polymer matrix, if appropriate with the usual additives, polymer particles with a median size d50 of from 0.1 ?m to 100 ?m, and comprise at least one other incompatible or semicompatible polymer which has not been chemically crosslinked, and also, if appropriate, comprise salt-like additives. The invention further relates to moldings which are produced by means of conventional processing techniques, in particular via injection molding, from these matt-effect molding compositions.

Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic polyether ketone of the formula (II) [Ar—O—Ar?—CO—Ar?—O—Ar—CO—Ar?—CO—]??(II) in which from 1% to 100% of the O-phenylene-CO units are substituted with an SO3M group and sulfonated and unsulfonated O-phenylene-CO units can be in any desired sequence with respect to one another, the radicals Ar, Ar? and Ar? independently of one another are substituted or unsubstituted 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene rings, and M, taking into account the ionic valencies, comprises one or more elements selected from the following group: H, NR4+, where R is H or C1-C4-alkyl, or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or a metal from subgroup 8, and is preferably H, NR4+, Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe or Pt.