Abstract: A process for the formation of a purified anhydrosugar alcohol is disclosed, whereby the resultant purified anhydrosugar alcohol has a purity of at least 99.8% and is substantially colorless. The anhydrosugar alcohol is purified by distillation, recrystallization from methanol, ethanol or ethylene glycol, melt recrystallization, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the purification is by distillation followed by recrystallization from methanol, ethanol or ethylene glycol. A test for determining the purity of the anhydrosugar alcohol is disclosed, wherein the color of the anhydrosugar alcohol after annealing at a temperature of at least 260° C. for at least four hours is examined. Alternatively, purity can be determined by examination of ultraviolet (UV) transmittance of the purified anhydrosugar alcohol at various wavelengths.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making a low color copolymer of ethylene glycol, isosorbide and terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate. This copolymer, poly(ethylene-co-isosorbide) terephthalate, is useful for making bottles, hot-fill containers, films, sheet, fiber, strand and optical article applications. It can also be used to make polymer blends and alloys.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making a low color copolymer of ethylene glycol, isosorbide and terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate. This copolymer, poly(ethylene-co-isosorbide) terephthalate, is useful for making bottles, hot-fill containers, films, sheet, fiber, strand and optical article applications. It can also be used to make polymer blends and alloys.

Abstract: A polymer blend including a polyester and another thermoplastic polymer. The polyester includes terephthaloyl moieties and, optionally, other aromatic diacid moieties; and ethylene glycol moieties; optionally diethylene glycol moieties; isosorbide moieties; and, optionally one or more other diol moieties. The polyester has an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.35 dL/g.

Abstract: A polymer blend including a polyester and another thermoplastic polymer. The polyester includes terephthaloyl moieties and, optionally, other aromatic diacid moieties; and ethylene glycol moieties; optionally diethylene glycol moieties; isosorbide moieties; and, optionally one or more other diol moieties. The polyester has an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.35 dL/g.

Abstract: An optical article made of a transparent polymer which includes terephthaloyl moieties, optionally, other aromatic diacid moieties; ethylene glycol moieties; isosorbide moieties; and, optionally, one or more other diol moieties, wherein the polymer has an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.35 dL/g as measured on a 1% solution (weight/volume) in o-chlorophenol at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A polyester container made from a polymer having ethylene glycol moieties, isosorbide moieties and terepthaloyl moieties, and the method of making the container is described. The polyester container is suitable for holding liquids and solids, and may be hot-filled or cold-filled. In particular, wide-mouth jars and narrow-necked bottles may be formed. The polyester has an inherent viscosity of at least 0.35 dL/g when measured as a 1% (weight/volume) solution of the polyester in o-chlorophenol at a temperature of 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A polyester fiber made from a polymer having ethylene glycol moieties, isosorbide moieties and terepthaloyl moieties, and the method of making the fiber is described. The polyester fiber is used to form articles suitable for commercial, especially textile, and industrial uses, and has an inherent viscosity of at least 0.35 dL/g when measured as a 1% (weight/volume) solution of the polyester in o-chlorophenol at a temperature of 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A polyester polymer and method for making the polyester, wherein the polyester is prepared by (1) combining in a reactor a monomer containing a diacid moiety; a monomer comprising a diol moiety; and a monomer containing an isosorbide moiety; with a condensation catalyst suitable for condensing aromatic diacids and diols; and (2) heating the monomers and catalyst to polymerize the monomers to yield a polyester having an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.15 dL/g.

Abstract: A sheet made of a polyester which includes monomer units of terephthaloyl moieties, ethylene glycol moieties and isosorbide moieties is described. The polyester has an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.35 dL/g when measured as a 1% (weight/volume) solution of said polyester in o-chlorophenol at a temperature of 25.degree. C. The present invention also relates to a method of making the polyester sheet described above and a method of thermoforming the sheet into articles.

Abstract: A polyester film made from a polymer having ethylene glycol moieties, isosorbide moieties and terepthaloyl moieties, and the method of making the film is described. The polyester film is used to form articles such as films, lacquers, labels, capacitors, insulators, and the like, and has an inherent viscosity of at least 0.35 dL/g when measured as a 1% (weight/volume) solution of the polyester in o-chlorophenol at a temperature of 25.degree. C.

Abstract: An isotropic polyester polymer and method for making the polyester is prepared by (1) combining in a reactor a monomer containing a terephthaloyl moiety; optionally, one or more other monomers containing an aromatic diacid moiety; a monomer comprising an ethylene glycol moiety; a monomer containing an isosorbide moiety; optionally, one or more other monomers containing a diol moiety; and optionally, a monomer containing a diethylene glycol moiety; with a condensation catalyst suitable for condensing aromatic diacids and glycols; and (2) heating the monomers and catalyst to polymerize the monomers to yield a polyester having an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.35 dL/g.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. A poly(ester-amide) of the present invention may have recurring units of: (a) 4-hydroxybenzoyl moiety, (b) 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moiety, (c) 4,4'-biphenol moiety, (d) terephthaloyl moiety, and (e) an aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is derived from p-aminophenol, p-phenylenediamine, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, etc. The resulting poly(ester-amide) is capable of undergoing melt-processing in the temperature range of from about 300.degree. to about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention provides novel liquid crystalline polymers which, when mixed with a suitable dye and extruded, yields polarizer films with superior polarizing efficiency, transmittance, dichroic ratio, and thermal and humidity stability. The invention further provides a process to prepare such polymers and polarizer films therefrom.

Abstract: An aromatic polyester having recurring monomer units derived from terephthalic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4,4'-biphenol, and resorcinol. This polyester is melt processible and may be amorphous or semi-crystalline.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. A poly(ester-amide) of the present invention may have recurring units of: (a) 4-hydroxybenzoyl moiety, (b) 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moiety, (c) 4,4'-biphenol moiety, (d) terephthaloyl moiety, and (e) an aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is derived from p-aminophenol, p-phenylenediamine, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, etc. The resulting poly(ester-amide) is capable of undergoing melt-processing in the temperature range of from about 300.degree. to about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: A paint remover composition consisting essentially of a single phase mixture of water, trioxane and an organic co-solvent having a flash paint above about 80.degree. C. is disclosed and claimed. Particularly preferred co-solvents are gamma-butyrolactone and N-methyl pyrrolidone.

Abstract: An improved liquid crystalline polymer blend is produced by mixing a preformed thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in the melt phase with reactants needed to form a second liquid crystalline polymer under conditions sufficient to form the second liquid crystalline polymer. The resulting blends are anisotropic and have improved morphology and improved melt processability. The method is particularly useful when the second liquid crystalline polymer is biphasic or is difficult to synthesize or process in the melt.

Abstract: Pseudo network polymer is characterized by a network of linear segments which is composed of recurring units of a multivalent branching moiety, a chain-defining moiety, and a coupling moiety. The polymer may be formed into film, fiber and molded articles which exhibit improved mechanical properties in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. A poly(ester-amide) of the present invention may have recurring units of: (a) 4-hydroxybenzoyl moiety, (b) 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moiety, (c) 4,4'-biphenol moiety, (d) terephthaloyl moiety, and (e) an aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is derived from p-aminophenol, p-phenylenediamine, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, etc. The resulting poly(ester-amide) is capable of undergoing melt-processing in the temperature range of from about 300.degree. to about 400.degree. C.