Abstract: Monomers having at least two reactive ethylenically unsaturated sites may be polymerized via a free-radical reaction in the presence of a polyol to produce a dispersant useful in preparing polymer polyols that find uses as coreactants to produce polyurethane foams. The monomers include, but are not limited to, polyethylenically unsaturated maleimides and acrylates. The dispersants prepared in this manner can be used in very small quantities, about 2 to 5 wt. % of the total polyol and still produce a styrene/acrylonitrile polymer polyol with high solids and high styrene levels.

Abstract: Dispersants that are the reaction product of polyoxyalkylene polyether polyols with polymers containing anhydride groups are discussed. These dispersants may be used in the production of polymer polyols having high styrene contents and high solids contents. The polymers containing the anhydride groups may be preformed polymers which are then reacted with the polyol, or may be formed in the polyol directly prior to esterification with the polyol to form the dispersants. Maleic anhydride and methacrylic arthydride and derivatives thereof are examples of monomers suitable for the dispersants. Polymer polyols made using these dispersants may be reacted with polyisocyanates to produce polyurethanes.

Abstract: A polymer polyol composition comprising a continuous phase, a disperse phase within the continuous phase, and a dispersant to enhance the stability of the polymer polyol is disclosed. The dispersant is a grafted polyol-polyacrylate dispersant comprised of a isocyanate vinyl monomer/ethylenically unsaturated monomer random copolymer and a polyoxyalkylene polyether, wherein the random copolymer and the polyoxyalkylene polyether are connected through at least one urethane graft site.Methods of preparing the polymer polyol composition and the grafted polyol-polyacrylate dispersant are provided. The polymer polyol compositions have low viscosities as well as high stability and may be prepared with high levels of dispersed vinyl polymer and high styrene:acrylonitrile ratios in the dispersed vinyl polymer. The polymer polyol compositions are useful for the preparation of polyurethanes, particularly polyurethane foams.

Abstract: Novel polymer polyols based on halogenated aromatic monomers such as tribromostyrene give polyurethane foams with improved flame retardant properties. For example, replacing conventional SAN polymer polyols with tribromostyrene (TBS)/acrylonitrile polymer polyols allows the preparation of polyurethane foams passing British Standard 5852, Part 2, Ignition Source 5 Combustion Test and having better ASTM E-906 values without the need for solid fillers such as melamine or aluminum trihydrate, although these and other flame retardant additives may be optionally employed as well. Elimination of these fillers also provides other improvements such as superior strength and better compression set properties. The TBS dispersions may also be used in conjunction with melamine to eliminate the need for liquid fire retardant additives.

Abstract: A stable, low viscosity polymer polyol composition comprising a continuous phase, a disperse phase within the continuous phase, and a dispersant for enhancing the stability of the resultant polymer polyol is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispersant is formed by polymerizing at least one acrylate monomer in a polyether polyol to form a single phase homogeneous liquid intermediate reaction product which is transesterified to form a polyol polyacrylate dispersant.

Abstract: A polymer polyol composition comprising a continuous phase, a disperse phase within the continuous phase, and a dispersant to enhance the stability of the polymer polyol is disclosed. The dispersant is a grafted polyol-polyacrylate dispersant comprised of a isocyanate vinyl monomer/ethylenically unsaturated monomer random copolymer and a polyoxyalkylene polyether, wherein the random copolymer and the polyoxyalkylene polyether are connected through at least one urethane graft site.Methods of preparing the polymer polyol composition and the grafted polyol-polyacrylate dispersant are provided. The polymer polyol compositions have low viscosities as well as high stability and may be prepared with high levels of dispersed vinyl polymer and high styrene:acrylonitrile ratios in the dispersed vinyl polymer. The polymer polyol compositions are useful for the preparation of polyurethanes, particularly polyurethane foams.

Abstract: Polyacrylate graft-polyols are found to be homogeneous liquids useful as dispersants in vinyl polymer polyols. The novel polyacrylate graft-polyols are made by polymerizing at least one acrylate monomer in a polyol where the resultant polyacrylate is soluble in the polyol used. The polyol may be a polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol. No copolymer or unsaturated polyol is required to make vinyl polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios, good stability and improved viscosity properties when these polyacrylate graft-polyol dispersants are employed. The vinyl polymer polyols are in turn useful in reactions with polyisocyanates in the presence of suitable catalysts to make polyurethane products.

Abstract: Very low viscosity polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios and good stability may be achieved by the use of epoxy modified polyols as dispersants. The epoxy modified polyols useful as dispersants may be made by one of three methods: (1) adding the epoxy resin internally to the modified polyol, (2) capping or coupling a polyol not containing an epoxy resin with such a resin, and (3) providing the epoxy resin both internally to the polyol and as a cap or coupler. Epoxy modified polyols having a hydroxyl to epoxy ratio of about 8 or less, made by one of these techniques, are superior dispersants and provide polymer polyols having higher styrene contents, and improved stability and viscosity properties. In one aspect, the epoxy modified polyols contain a significant amount of high moleular weight polyol adducts; generally from about 5 to about 30 wt. % of materials having a GPC molecular weight of greater than 100,000; and at least greater than 80,000.

Abstract: A stable, low viscosity polymer polyol composition comprising a continuous phase, a disperse phase within the continuous phase, and a dispersant for enhancing the stability of the resultant polymer polyol is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispersant is formed by polymerizing at least one acrylate monomer in a polyether polyol to form a single phase homogeneous liquid intermediate reaction product which is transesterified to form a polyol polyacrylate dispersant.

Abstract: Very low viscosity polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios and good stability may be achieved by the use of epoxy resin-modified polyols as dispersants. The epoxy resin-modified polyols useful as dispersants may be made by reacting a polyol initiator having an active hydrogen functionality of 3 to 8 and one or more alkylene oxides with an epoxy resin. It is preferred that all of the epoxy resin-modified base polyol dispersant be initially charged to the reactor, along with part of the base polyol. In this invention, the base polyol is a conventional polyol unmodified with epoxy resin. The use of epoxy resin-modified polyols as dispersants results in polymer polyols having higher styrene contents, and improved stability and viscosity properties.

Abstract: Low viscosity polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios and good stability may be achieved by the use of epoxy resin-modified polyols as the base polyols. The styrene/acrylo-nitrile ratio may be as high as 95/5 and even 100/0 in the polymer polyols. The epoxy resin-modified polyols useful as base polyols may be made by reacting a polyol initiator having an active hydrogen functionality of 3 to 8 and one or more alkylene oxides with an epoxy resin. It is preferred that only a small part of the epoxy resin-modified base polyol be initially charged to the reactor, and that the balance, a relatively larger part, be a part of the monomer feed stream to the reactor.

Abstract: Low viscosity polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios and good stability may be achieved by the use of a base polyol having a molecular weight higher than 4000, for example, from 4000 to 6500 and a high molecular weight (HMW) dispersant. The dispersant polyol may range from 1 to 20 wt. %, but may be less than 5 wt. % of the total polyol component of the polymer polyol. The HMW dispersant should have a molecular weight higher than about 6000. Preferably, a semi-batch reactor is used, and a relatively high concentration of the HMW dispersant is initially charged to the reactor, relative to the portion of base polyol. Monomer ratios of styrene to acrylonitrile of 85/15 may be achieved with this method.

Abstract: Low viscosity polymer polyol polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios and good stability may be achieved by the use of a high molecular weight (HMW) dispersant polyol comprising less than 5 wt. % of the total polyol component of the polymer polyol. The HMW dispersant should have a molecular weight higher than about 6000. Preferably, a semi-batch reactor is used, and a relatively high concentration of the HMW dispersant is initially charged to the reactor, relative to the portion of base polyol, which has a molecular weight of less than 4000.

Abstract: Polymer dispersion polyols made by the free radical polymerization of a monomer mixture of at least a maleimide monomer and a copolymerizable styrenic monomer in an organic polyl medium are disclosed. The resulting polymer polyols are suitable for use to prepare flame retardant polyurethanes.

Abstract: Stable, fluid polymer polyols made by the free radical polymerization of a monomer mixture of an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride and a copolymerizable monomer in an organic polyol medium of secondary hydroxyl terminated polyol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polymer polyols form stable, acrylonitrile-free dispersions.

Abstract: A bland food supplement which can be used as a filler, extender, or protein binder in a variety of food products is made from water-extracted vegetable pulp such as sugar beet pulp. The pulp is contacted with an aqueous bleaching solution selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, an alkali metal peroxide, ammonium persulfate, sulfur dioxide, sodium hydrosulfite, sodium chlorite, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine, chlorine dioxide and combinations thereof. The bleached pulp is separated from the bleaching solution, and is then dried to obtain a stable, free-flowing, food supplement comprising about 4% to 8% by weight water, about 7% to 9% crude protein, about 15% to 25% crude fiber, about 60% to 70% nitrogen-free extracts, and about 2.5% to 5% ash.