Abstract: A monolithic rib plate is described. The rib plate comprises multiple first screw orifices located substantially along a first line and connected by first bridges, multiple second screw orifices located laterally on one side of the first line and connected by second bridges, wherein one or more of the second bridges have a smaller cross-section than the first bridges, and third bridges, each connecting one of the second screw orifices with one of the first screw orifices. Also described is a rib plate system comprising the monolithic rib plate and at least one of one or more polyaxial locking screws, a tool for removing the second bridges, a tool for bending the monolithic rib plate, and one or more orifice bridge plates.

Abstract: A monolithic rib plate is described. The rib plate comprises multiple first screw orifices located substantially along a first line and connected by first bridges, multiple second screw orifices located laterally on one side of the first line and connected by second bridges, wherein one or more of the second bridges have a smaller cross-section than the first bridges, and third bridges, each connecting one of the second screw orifices with one of the first screw orifices. Also described is a rib plate system comprising the monolithic rib plate and at least one of one or more polyaxial locking screws, a tool for removing the second bridges, a tool for bending the monolithic rib plate, and one or more orifice bridge plates.

Abstract: A monolithic rib plate is described. The rib plate comprises multiple first screw orifices located substantially along a first line and connected by first bridges, multiple second screw orifices located laterally on one side of the first line and connected by second bridges, wherein one or more of the second bridges have a smaller cross-section than the first bridges, and third bridges, each connecting one of the second screw orifices with one of the first screw orifices. Also described is a rib plate system comprising the monolithic rib plate and at least one of one or more polyaxial locking screws, a tool for removing the second bridges, a tool for bending the monolithic rib plate, and one or more orifice bridge plates.

Abstract: A mixture comprising (a) one or more liquid UV absorbers, with the proviso that Tinuvin 384-2 as a liquid UV absorber is excluded, (b) one or more branched polymers comprising stabilizing groups, (c) optionally one or more further additions. Use of such a mixture for stabilizing inanimate organic materials against the effect of light, oxygen and/or heat. Inanimate organic materials comprising at least one such mixture, and also articles produced from such inanimate organic materials. Methods of stabilizing inanimate organic materials against the effect of light, oxygen and/or heat by adding to said inanimate organic materials at least one such mixture in an effective amount.

Abstract: A mixture comprising (a) one or more liquid UV absorbers, with the proviso that Tinuvin 384-2 as a liquid UV absorber is excluded, (b) one or more branched polymers comprising stabilizing groups, (c) optionally one or more further additions. Use of such a mixture for stabilizing inanimate organic materials against the effect of light, oxygen and/or heat. Inanimate organic materials comprising at least one such mixture, and also articles produced from such inanimate organic materials. Methods of stabilizing inanimate organic materials against the effect of light, oxygen and/or heat by adding to said inanimate organic materials at least one such mixture in an effective amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to selected glycidyl or carbonyl functional N-alkoxy-4,4-dioxy-polyalkyl-piperidine compounds forming an open chain or cyclic ketal structure, a polymerizable composition comprising a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and b) a glycidyl or carbonyl functional N-alkoxy-4,4-dioxy-polyalkyl-piperidine nitroxide initiator compound. Further aspects of the present invention are a process for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers and the use of glycidyl or carbonyl functional N-alkoxy-4,4-dioxy-polyalkyl-piperidine nitroxide initiators for radical polymerization.

Abstract: A mixture comprising (a) one or more liquid UV absorbers, with the proviso that Tinuvin 384-2 as a liquid UV absorber is excluded, (b) one or more branched polymers comprising stabilizing groups, (c) optionally one or more further additions. Use of such a mixture for stabilizing inanimate organic materials against the effect of light, oxygen and/or heat. Inanimate organic materials comprising at least one such mixture, and also articles produced from such inanimate organic materials. Methods of stabilizing inanimate organic materials against the effect of light, oxygen and/or heat by adding to said inanimate organic materials at least one such mixture in an effective amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of polyamides in the presence of a phosphonate, which is already added at the beginning of the polycondensation or polyaddition process. The resulting prepolymer exhibits a high molecular weight and is almost colorless. A further aspect of the invention is the use of a phosphonate for increasing the molecular weight and modification of polyamides during polycondensation.

Abstract: Novel liquid polymeric compounds of the formula (I) wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1, are disclosed as stabilizers for protecting organic materials against oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for the preparation of grafted polymers wherein in a first step A) a oligomer or polymer is prepared by controlled radical polymerization in the presence of a stable free nitroxyl radical or a nitroxylether to obtain a nitroxyl terminated oligomer or polymer and in a second step B) the nitroxyl terminated oligomer or polymer is mixed and reacted with a thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer or copolymer in its molten state at a temperature at which cleavage of the nitroxyl-polymer/oligomer bond occurs, whereby the nitroxyl terminated oligomer or polymer is grafted onto the thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer. A further subject of the present invention is a grafted polymer prepared by said process.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of producing comb block copolymers from epoxy-functionalized nitroxylethers and further monomers by anionic polymerization followed by nitroxyl mediated controlled free radical polymerization. The block copolymer backbone has defined initiating points where radical grafting of ethylenically unsaturated monomers can take place. Further aspects of the invention are comb block copolymers obtained by this process and the use of such polymers for plastic applications.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for the preparation of star and block-copolymers, which are prepared by controlled free radical polymerization using epoxy-functionalized alkoxyamines and multifunctional compounds capable of reacting with the epoxy group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the modification of copolymers, in particular of grafted copolymers into comb copolymers. The modification comprises the steps (i) of controlled radical polymerization of a polymer or copolymer bearing a epoxide group at one end resulting from the initiation step, and (ii) a heating step of the polymer prepared under (i) and a copolymer bearing a functional group either in the backbone or attached to a side chain, which is able to react with the epxide group. The result is a comb copolymer with well controlled chain length of the grafted side arms expressed for example by a low polydispersity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to open chain alkoxyamine compounds, a polymerizable composition comprising a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and b) at least one open chain alkoxyamine compound. Further aspects of the present invention are a process for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and the use of open chain alkoxyamine compounds for controlled polymerization. The intermediate N-oxyl derivatives, a composition of the N-oxyl derivatives with ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a free radical initiator X, as well as a process and their use for polymerization are also subjects of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming comb or star copolymers. The comb or star copolymers are useful in surface modification of thermoplastic materials or as surfactants. The method is aimed at attaching a polymeric side chain differing in polarity and chemical structure from the backbone and forming a comb or star copolymer structure. In particular the process comprises polymerizing in a first step a polymer backbone from epoxy and nitroxylether group containing monomers and in a second step polymerizing under controlled radical conditions a comb or star structure onto this backbone.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a composition of a thermoplastic polymer and a triblock-copolymer or grafted comb copolymer, with enhanced melt flow during processing. Further aspects of the invention are the triblock-copolymers or grafted comb polymers itself, a method for their production and their use as compatibilizers and meltflow enhancing additives. Yet another aspect of the invention are functional alkoxyamines, which are useful for the preparation of the triblock-copolymers or grafted comb polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to selected glycidyl or carbonyl functional N-alkoxy-4,4-dioxy-polyalkyl-piperidine compounds forming an open chain or cyclic ketal structure, a polymerizable composition comprising a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and b) a glycidyl or carbonyl functional N-alkoxy-4,4-dioxy-polyalkyl-piperidine nitroxide initiator compound. Further aspects of the present invention are a process for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers and the use of glycidyl or carbonyl functional N-alkoxy-4,4-dioxy-polyalkyl-piperidine nitroxide initiators for radical polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to selected glycidyl or carbonyl functional N-alkoxy-4,4-dioxy-polyalkyl-piperidine compounds forming an open chain or cyclic ketal structure, a polymerizable composition comprising a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and b) a glycidyl or carbonyl functional N-alkoxy-4,4-dioxy-polyalkyl-piperidine nitroxide initiator compound. Further aspects of the present invention are a process for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers and the use of glycidyl or carbonyl functional N-alkoxy-4,4-dioxy-polyalkyl-piperidine nitroxide initiators for radical polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the modification of copolymers, in particular of grafted copolymers into comb copolymers. The modification comprises the steps (i) of controlled radical polymerization of a polymer or copolymer bearing a epoxide group at one end resulting from the initiation step, and (ii) a heating step of the polymer prepared under (i) and a copolymer bearing a functional group either in the backbone or attached to a side chain, which is able to react with the epxide group. The result is a comb copolymer with well controlled chain length of the grafted side arms expressed for example by a low polydispersity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of attaching a polymeric side chain differing in polarity and chemical structure from the backbone and forming a comb or star copolymer structure. In particular the process provides a method of polymerizing in a first step a polymer back bone from epoxy group containing monomers and in a second step polymerizing under controlled radical conditions a comb or star structure onto this back bone.