Abstract: The present application relates reinforced poly(arylene sulfide) compositions and processes of producing the reinforced poly(arylene sulfide) compositions. The reinforced poly(arylene sulfide compositions can be prepared by blending the reinforcing agent with the poly(arylene sulfide) or by including the reinforcing agent in the process to produce the poly(arylene sulfide). Reinforcing agents which can be utilized are graphenes (e.g., single-walled carbon nanotubes). The inclusion of the graphene reinforcing agent in the poly(arylene sulfide) composition affects the crystallization properties and/or the conductivity of the melt processed poly(arylene sulfide) compositions.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer in which polymerization reactants comprising an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide and a polar organic compound are pre-reacted at a first temperature to form a mixture, then the mixture is reacted with a sulfur source at a second temperature under conditions sufficient to remove at least a portion of the water that is contained in the mixture, thereafter the thus dehydrated mixture is contacted with at least one dihaloaromatic compound under polymerization conditions.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer in which polymerization reactants comprising an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide and a polar organic compound are pre-reacted at a first temperature to form a mixture, then the mixture is reacted with a sulfur source at a second temperature under conditions sufficient to remove at least a portion of the water that is contained in the mixture, thereafter the thus dehydrated mixture is contacted with at least one dihaloaromatic compound under polymerization conditions.

Abstract: A process is provided to recover at least one modifier compound and at least one polar organic compound from a poly(arylene sulfide) reaction mixture comprising high molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide), low molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide), cyclic and linear poly(arylene sulfide) oligomers, at least one polar organic compound, at least one modifier compound, and an alkali metal halide by-product.

Abstract: A process is provided to recover at least one modifier compound and at least one polar organic compound from a reaction mixture comprising high molecular weight Poly(arylene sulfide) product, low molecular weight P(AS), cyclic and linear P(AS) oligomers, at least one POC, at least one modifier, an alkali metal halide by-product, and water.

Abstract: A process is provided to recover at least one modifier compound and at least one polar organic compound from a P(AS) recycle mixture.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer which employs waste material comprising poly(arylene sulfide) polymer that is normally discarded or otherwise disposed of, wherein the waste stream is contacted with a polymerization reaction mixture under polymerization conditions. The waste material can optionally contain other components such as cyclic and linear oligomers, inorganic salts, polar organic compounds and water.

Abstract: A process is provided to recover poly(arylene) sulfide from a poly(arylene) sulfide reaction mixture. In particular, a process is provided to recover poly(arylene) sulfide utilizing at least one extraction agent followed by vacuum drying.

Abstract: A novel treatment and recovery process is provided which produces commercially desirable high molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide)s from undesirable low molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide)s. The novel process reduces the quantity of low molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide)s which otherwise have little or no commercial value and can require disposal.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a composition said process comprising mixing about 60% by weight to about 90% by weight of a first P(AS) having a melt flow index of about 120 grams/10 minutes or more and about 10% by weight to about 40% by weight of a second P(AS) having a melt flow index of about 110 grams/10 minutes or less. In another embodiment of this invention, said composition and manufactures produced from said composition are provided.

Abstract: A process for the removal of poly(arylene sulfide) based deposits from an article by contacting said poly(arylene sulfide) based deposits with a polar aprotic compound, a base, an organosulfur compound having the formula:R.sub.1 --S--S--R.sub.2,wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms per radical, and optionally, a halogenated aromatic compound.

Abstract: A process is provided for moving at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of phenol thiophenol, and phenyl disulfide from contaminated NMP by reacting at least one monohalogenated aromatic compound and a base with the contaminate NMP.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a high molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide) polymer employing at least one dihaloaromatic compound, a sulfur source, a polar organic compound, a lithium salt which is soluble in the polar organic compound, and water in an amount less than about 1.75 moles of water per mole of sulfur under polymerization conditions. The pressure and temperature are chosen to allow the volatile reactants to be maintained in liquid form in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer which employs at least one base as a reactant, wherein the base is contacted with the polymerization reaction mixture incrementally during the polymerization.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming poly(arylene sulfide) fibrids by flashing a solution which is comprised of a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer in a polar organic compound and which is essentially free of solids under suitable conditions to form a solidified product comprising poly(arylene sulfide) fibrids.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer which employs as a reactant cyclic arylene sulfide oligomers.

Abstract: A method is provided for selectively extracting the lower molecular weight fraction of a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer by contacting the polymer with a polar organic compound and a promoter compound to form a less dense polymer-lean liquid phase and a more dense polymer-rich liquid phase, separating the polymer-lean liquid phase from the polymer-rich liquid phase, and recovering the polymer from the polymer-rich phase. Alternatively, either of the phases can be isolated and polar organic compound and optionally promoter can be added to form two new phases, followed by isolation of the new polymer-rich phase. This process can be repeated as often as desired or practicable in order to recover polymer having a desired molecular weight and/or molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resin having improved handling characteristics is prepared by a process comprising preparing in a first enclosed vessel a slurry comprising a solid poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resin and a liquid polar organic compound, and optionally water; then substantially liquifying the resin to form a mixture comprising substantially liquified resin and polar organic compound; then flashing the mixture into a second vessel having a pressure lower than the first vessel, thereby removing a portion of the polar organic compound and solidifying the resin.When the slurry further comprises water, the invention method optionally includes a venting step prior to the substantial liquification of the resin and/or a concentration step after the substantial liquification of the resin.

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: A process for preparing poly(arylene sulfide) with reduced metal contamination is produced by contacting a dihaloaromatic compound, a sulfur source, a polar organic compound, and an alkali metal carboxylate in a reaction vessel wherein at least the liquid contacting parts of the vessel are constructed of titanium. In another aspect of the invention a polymer produced by the above described process is provided.