Abstract: A two step method for preparing a filler composition, the filler composition useful to prepare a nanocomposite polymer and an epoxy nanocomposite coating. First, disperse a water dispersible filler material in a liquid comprising water, but without any added intercalation agent, to form a dispersion. Second, replace at least a portion of the water of the liquid with an organic solvent so that the water concentration of the liquid is less than six percent by weight to form the filler composition, the average size of at least one dimension of the filler material being less than two hundred nanometers upon examination by transmission electron microscopy of a representative freeze dried sample of the dispersion of the first step. A nanocomposite polymer can be prepared by mixing the filler composition with one or more polymer, polymer component, monomer or prepolymer to produce a polymer containing the filler composition.

Abstract: A method for preparing a filler composition useful for preparing a nanocomposite polymer is provided. The method includes a first step of dispersing a water dispersible filler material in a liquid comprising water to form a dispersion and a second step of replacing at least a portion of the water of the liquid with an organic solvent. The resulting filler composition features a water concentration of the liquid of less than six percent by weight, and the average size of at least one dimension of the filler material is less than two hundred nanometers upon examination by transmission electron microscopy of a representative freeze dried sample of the dispersion of the first step. A nanocomposite polymer, particularly and epoxy resin composition, can be prepared by mixing the above-made filler composition with one or more polymer, polymer component, monomer or prepolymer.

Abstract: A curable composition including (a) at least one cyclic diamine, (b) at least one non-heterocyclic amine that has a pKa value of approximately 9.5 to about 12 at 25° C. for the most basic amine group in the non-heterocyclic amine molecule, (c) at least one epoxy resin, and (d) at least one alkylated phenol; (i) wherein the equivalents of the amine hydrogens from the cyclic diamine compared to the total amine hydrogens from both the cyclic diamine and the non-heterocyclic amine in the composition are greater than about 5%; (ii) wherein the ratio of the equivalents of the total amine hydrogens in the composition to the equivalents of the total epoxies in the composition is greater than or equal to about 1; and (iii) wherein the alkylated phenol is in an amount greater than about 10 wt % of the curable composition.

Abstract: A curable divinylarene dioxide resin composition including (a) at least one divinylarene dioxide, (b) at least one cationic photoinitiator, and (c) optionally, at least one pigment material; a process for making the curable divinylarene dioxide resin composition; and a cured divinylarene dioxide resin composition made therefrom. The cured product made from the above curable divinylarene dioxide resin composition offers improved properties and are useful for various applications including ink formulations.

Abstract: A process for preparing a divinylarene dioxide comprising reacting a divinylarene, such as divinylbenzene, with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a solvent and in the presence of a catalyst to from a divinylarene dioxide; wherein the hydrogen peroxide is present in the reaction mixture in an excess or an equivalent mole ratio per mole of divinylarene.

Abstract: A novel hydroxyl-functional polyether derived from the reaction of (a) a divinylarene dioxide, particularly a divinylarene dioxide derived from divinylbenzene such as divinylbenzene dioxide (DVBDO); and (b) a diphenol; wherein the reaction product is thermally stable and exhibits an absence of self-polymerization (crosslinking or gelling) upon heating at elevated temperatures. The novel hydroxyl-functional polyether offers improved properties compared to known hydroxyl-functional polyethers such as solid epoxy resins, phenolic epoxy resins (hardeners), and poly(hydroxyl ethers).

Abstract: A resin formulation for use in a vacuum resin infusion molding process, said formulation comprising (a) a divinylarene dioxide, and (b) a polyaminoether; wherein the polyaminoether does not have pendent hydroxyl groups; and wherein the resin formulation may have a low viscosity of less than about 400 mPa-s.

Abstract: A two step method for preparing a filler composition, the filler composition useful to prepare a nanocomposite polymer. The first step is to disperse a water dispersible filler material in a liquid comprising water to form a dispersion. The second step is to replace at least a portion of the water of the liquid with an organic solvent to form the filler composition, the water concentration of the liquid of the filler composition being less than six percent by weight, the average size of at least one dimension of the filler material being less than two hundred nanometers upon examination by transmission electron microscopy of a representative freeze dried sample of the dispersion of the first step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new reactive monomer compositions that have a plurality of reactive, functional moieties, such as one or both of a hydroxyl moiety or a carboxylic acid moiety. The present invention also further relates to use of such reactive monomer compositions as a component of curable coating compositions, especially curable powder coating compositions.

Abstract: Novel carbonate polymer blend compositions and processes for their preparation are disclosed where an amount of a high molecular weight branched carbonate polymer component (HMWB PC) is combined with a second, lower molecular weight polycarbonate. A HMWB PC component is selected which is homogeneously dispersible in a blend with the second component. A preferred aspect of the invention is directed to intermediate compositions and processes for their use where the second PC is combined with a HMWB PC precursor having latent themally reactive moieties which can be activated to produce a desired and controlled level of high molecular weight, branched carbonate polymer component. Arylcyclobutene moleties are found to be preferred latent thermally reactive moleties. The carbonate polymer blends according to the present invention have surprisingly improved combinations of physical properties, thermal stability, color, melt strength, transparency and processability.

Abstract: There are disclosed carbonate polymers of dihydroxyaryl fluorene having crosslinkable moieties. There are also disclosed such polymers in the form of composites. The polymers of this invention are capable of being crosslinked by activation of the crosslinkable moieties. Once crosslinked, these polymers demonstrate an excellent combination of properties including resistance to melting at high temperatures, solvent resistance, optical clarity, impact resistance, and physical strength.

Abstract: There are disclosed carbonate polymers having ethenyl aryl moieties. Such carbonate polymers are prepared from one or more multi-hydric compounds and have an average degree of polymerization of at least about 1 based on multi-hydric compound. These polymers, including blends thereof, can be easily processed and shaped into various forms and structures according to the known techniques. During or subsequent to the processing, the polymers can be crosslinked, by exposure to heat or radiation, for example, to provide crosslinked polymer compositions. These compositions have a good combination of properties, including for example, processability into shaped articles having unexpectedly good combinations of toughness, solvent resistance, ignition resistance, modulus and resistance to thermal linear expansion.

Abstract: A process for preparing a halogenated polycarbonate wherein phenolic-terminated, halogenated carbonate oligomers are prepared in the presence of a coupling catalyst, and are then condensed by contact with a carbonate precursor.

Abstract: A process for preparation of a random copolycarbonate from an ortho-substituted dihydric phenol and a non-ortho-substituted dihydric phenol.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are obtained improved laminate structures comprising a substrate layer of a thermoplastic resin and a layer of crosslinked carbonate polymer on one or more surface areas. These structures have an excellent combination of properties, particularly in the areas of abrasion resistance, adhesion of the layers, weatherability (resistance to UV radiation, humidity, temperature), solvent resistance, hardness, impact strength, color, thermoformability, ignition resistance and recyclability of the article and scrap formed. In a preferred embodiment, the crosslinking in the crosslinked carbonate polymer layer is provided by crosslinking moieties, preferably arylcyclobutene moieties, which are terminally located relative to the precrosslinked carbonate polymer molecule chains.

Abstract: A halogenated copolycarbonate, including a poly(ester/carbonate), which contains reduced levels of phenolic end groups and end groups which result from side reactions of process chemicals with the copolycarbonate chain, has improved resistance to the degradation-inducing effects of such end groups and has improved washability.

Abstract: A process for preparing a halogenated polycarbonate wherein phenolic-terminated, halogenated carbonate oligomers are prepared in the presence of a coupling catalyst, and are then condensed by contact with a carbonate precursor.

Abstract: A process for preparation of a random copolycarbonate from an ortho-substituted dihydric phenol and a non-ortho-substituted dihydric phenol.

Abstract: There are disclosed carbonate polymers having terminal arylcyclobutene moieties. Such carbonate polymers are prepared from one or more multi-hydric compounds and have an average degree of polymerization of at least about 2 based on multi-hydric compound. These polymers, including blends thereof, can be easily processed and shaped into various forms and structures according to the known techniques. During or subsequent to the processing, the polymers can be crosslinked, by exposure to heat or radiation, for example, to provide crosslinked polymer compositions. These compositions have a good combination of properties, including for example, processability into shaped articles having unexpectedly good combinations of toughness, solvent resistance, ignition resistance, modulus and resistance to thermal linear expansion.

Abstract: In an improved process condensation polymers having terminal arylcyclobutene moieties are prepared. Such polymers are prepared by adding to a condensation polymerization process one or more arylcyclobutene chain terminating compounds along with the multi-hydric compounds and condensation polymer precursors that are typically employed in such a process. Desirably the condensation polymers have an average degree of polymerization of at least about 2, preferably at least about 3 based on multi-hydric compound. This process can be used to prepare a range of condensation polymers including polycarbonates, polyesters and polyester-carbonates. The resulting products can be easily processed and shaped into various forms and structures according to the known techniques. During or subsequent to the processing, the polymers can be crosslinked, by exposure to heat or radiation, for example, to provide crosslinked polymer compositions.