Abstract: This invention relates to a modified phenolic resin and a process of modifying a phenolic resin by an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylate compound. The ethylenically unsaturated carboxylate compound contains a thermally polymerizable or crosslinkable functional group, and has affinity to or is chemically bonded to the hydroxyl phenyl or the benzene ring of the phenolic resin, thereby introducing the thermally polymerizable or crosslinkable functional group in the phenolic resin. The invention also relates to a rubber composition comprising a rubber component and the modified phenolic resin component wherein the rubber composition does not contain a methylene donor cross-linking agent that decomposes to an aldehyde. The invention also relates to a formaldehyde-free process for preparing a rubber composition comprising mixing a rubber component and the modified phenolic resin component, wherein the process does not emit formaldehyde.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: This invention relates to resins having a molar ratio of methylol groups to ether groups in the resin is from 0.5:1 to about 2:1. Methods for making the composition are also provided. A bladder formulation comprising resins of the invention is also provided. A vulcanized elastomer composition prepared by vulcanizing the bladder formulation of the invention is also provided. A method of increasing thermal stability in a rubber by curing said rubber with a resin of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the stability of a base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin (such as an amine-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin). The process comprises the step of reacting a base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin with a salicylic acid to stabilize the base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to a modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the stabilizing process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for preparing novolak resins and using the same as reinforcing resins. One process comprises reacting one or more alkylphenols with an aldehyde in the presence of a base to form a resole resin, wherein for each mole of alkylphenol at least 1.5 moles of aldehyde are reacted; and reacting the resole resin with one or more phenolic compounds in the presence of an acidic catalyst to form a novolac resin, wherein for each mole of alkylphenol at least 1.5 moles of the phenolic compounds are reacted. Another process comprises reacting one or more alkylphenols with an aldehyde in the presence of a base to form a resole resin, and reacting the resole resin with one or more phenolic compounds under an elevated temperature to form a novolac resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for preparing novolak resins and using the same as reinforcing resins. One process comprises reacting one or more alkylphenols with an aldehyde in the presence of a base to form a resole resin, wherein for each mole of alkylphenol at least 1.5 moles of aldehyde are reacted; and reacting the resole resin with one or more phenolic compounds in the presence of an acidic catalyst to form a novolac resin, wherein for each mole of alkylphenol at least 1.5 moles of the phenolic compounds are reacted. Another process comprises reacting one or more alkylphenols with an aldehyde in the presence of a base to form a resole resin, and reacting the resole resin with one or more phenolic compounds under an elevated temperature to form a novolac resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the stability of a base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin (such as an amine-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin). The process comprises the step of reacting a base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin with a salicylic acid to stabilize the base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to a modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the stabilizing process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyimide resins comprises stirring a diamine and a dianhydride in a solvent to form a slurry; heating the slurry to a temperature sufficient for the diamine and dianhydride to react wherein the temperature is below the melting point of the dianhydride, below the melting point of the diamine, or below the melting points of the dianhydride and diamine; and reacting the diamine and dianhydride to form a polyimide having sufficient molecular weight to precipitate from the solvent.

Abstract: A method of preparing a purified dianhydride is provided where said method comprises the steps of preparing a first mixture comprising water, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one dianhydride, said dianhydride comprising at least one impurity which is soluble in aqueous acid heating said first mixture until substantially all of said dianhydride is converted to a tetraacid comprised in a second mixture; filtering at least a portion of said second mixture to provide a solid tetraacid and a filtrate, said filtrate comprising at least a portion of said impurity; and heating the tetraacid provided in a solvent with concurrent distillation of water to provide a third mixture comprising a purified dianhydride and a solvent.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polycarbonate comprises preparing a free hydroxyl-containing polycarbonate and reacting the hydroxyl-containing polycarbonate with a mixture of (B) a symmetrical optionally activated aromatic carbonic acid diester and (C) an optionally substituted aromatic hihydroxy compound, diol or diacid. A copolymerization reagent comprises a mixture of (B) a symmetrical optionally activated aromatic carbonic acid diester and (C) an optionally substituted aromatic hihydroxy compound, diol or diacid. A copolymer comprises [polycarbonate]x moieties; (B) [symmetrical optionally activated aromatic carbonic acid diester]y moieties and (C) [optionally substituted aromatic hihydroxy compound, diol or diacid]z moieties, wherein x, y and z are mole percents of the copolymer.

Abstract: Polycarbonate compositions incorporating long chain alkylphenol endgroups, for example cardanol, show enhanced pit replication characteristics when molded into optical disks. The enhancement in molding performance is especially pronounced at the shortest mold cycle times tested. Thus, a blend of 75 parts by weight bisphenol A polycarbonate 92 percent encapped with phenol, and 25 parts by weight bisphenol A polycarbonate about 100 percent endcapped with cardanol showed enhanced pit replication performance in optical disk molding trials relative to the same bisphenol A polycarbonate alone and analogous blends utilizing short chain alkylphenols.

Abstract: A method for end-capping polycarbonate resins, comprising the step of processing a mixture comprising a polycarbonate having free hydroxyl-end groups and an end-capping reagent in a melt transesterification reaction to produce a polycarbonate resin, wherein the end-capping reagent comprises a mixture of: (a) at least one species of a symmetrical activated aromatic carbonate, and (b) at least one species of an optionally-substituted phenol, whereby said end-capping reagent reacts with at least some of the free hydroxyl end-groups of the polycarbonate to produce an end-capped polycarbonate resin.

Abstract: A method for end-capping polycarbonate resins, comprising the step of processing a mixture comprising a polycarbonate having free hydroxyl-end groups and an end-capping reagent in a melt transesterification reaction to produce a polycarbonate resin, wherein the end-capping reagent comprises a mixture of: (a) at least one species of a symmetrical activated aromatic carbonate, and (b) at least one species of an optionally-substituted phenol, whereby said end-capping reagent reacts with at least some of the free hydroxyl end-groups of the polycarbonate to produce an end-capped polycarbonate resin.

Abstract: Polycarbonate compositions incorporating long chain alkylphenol endgroups, for example cardanol, show enhanced pit replication characteristics when molded into optical disks. The enhancement in molding performance is especially pronounced at the shortest mold cycle times tested. Thus, a blend of 75 parts by weight bisphenol A polycarbonate 92 percent encapped with phenol, and 25 parts by weight bisphenol A polycarbonate about 100 percent endcapped with cardanol showed enhanced pit replication performance in optical disk molding trials relative to the same bisphenol A polycarbonate alone and analogous blends utilizing short chain alkylphenols.