Abstract: A shaped article optionally containing a prepreg, or a composite derived from the shaped article with the prepreg, is prepared from a curable composition derived from the reaction in the presence of a catalyst of epoxy resin having at least 0.05% by weight of an epoxy resin oligomer with a solid rubber possessing at least 1% by weight of reactive groups and which is swellable or soluble in the reaction mixture, in a rubber epoxy resin weight ratio between 1:1 to 1:20, wherein said epoxy resin comprises (a) at least one first epoxy resin having an epoxy functionality of greater than three and (b) at least one second epoxy resin having a functionality of greater than one to three.

Abstract: A curable composition and a method of making it comprises reacting in the presence of a catalyst epoxy resin(s) having at least 0.05% by weight of epoxy resin oligomer with a solid rubber which is swellable or soluble in the reaction mixture and possessing at least 1% by weight of reactive groups, in a rubber:epoxy resin(s) weight ratio of between 1:1 and 1:20, wherein said epoxy resin(s) comprises (a) at least one epoxy resin having an epoxy functionality of greater than three and (b) at least one second epoxy resin having a functionality of greater than one but not more than three; heating to effect the reaction, cooling to substantially ambient temperature, and adding any remaining portion of epoxy resin and curing agent(s).

Abstract: Methylenedianiline-free, PMR-type, curable compositions based on m-phenylenediamine or mixtures of m-phenylenediamine and p-phenylenediamine are described.

Abstract: Polymer compositions comprising phenol/formaldehyde systems and polyarylsulphones having epoxy pendent or end groups are disclosed together with novel epoxy-ended polyarylsulphones and novel cross-linked epoxy-ended polyarylsulphones. The compositions can be both unreinforced and reinforced with fibres and/or other fillers.

Abstract: A polymer composition especially suitable for producing fiber-reinforced structures having advantageous fracture toughness comprises a polyarylsulphone component and a thermoset resin component, each of which components is present at least partly as a phase continuous in at least one dimension. Preferred polyarylsulphones contain repeating units (PhSO.sub.2 Ph).sub.n and (Ph).sub.a linked through ether and/or thioether, where Ph is phenylene, n=1 to 2 and a=1 to 3; and such polyarylsulphones having amino end groups are provided as new compounds. The compositions can be made by spinodal decomposition of a mixture of the polyarylsulphone and a thermoset resin precursor.

Abstract: A polymer composition especially suitable for producing fibre-reinforced structures having advantageous fracture toughness comprises a polyarylsulphone component and a thermoset resin component, each of which components is present at least partly as a phase continuous in at least one dimension. Preferred polyarylsulphones contain repeating units (PhSO.sub.2 Ph).sub.n and (Ph).sub.a linked through ether and/or thioether, where Ph is phenylene, n=1 to 2 and a=1 to 3; and such polyarylsulphones having amino end groups are provided as new compounds. The compositions can be made by spinodal decomposition of a mixture of the polyarylsulphone and a thermoset resin precursor.

Abstract: Aromatic polymers comprise divalent aromatic units connected by ether and/or thioether linkages. At least one of such units carries at least one halogen radical linked to a nuclear carbon by a halogen-carbon bond or a functionalized derivative thereof linked to a nuclear carbon atom by a carbon-carbon bond.

Abstract: A moulding composition comprising an uncured or partly, cured thermoset resin precursor and, mixed intimately therewith, a polyarylsulphone containing the repeating unit (Ph, SO.sub.2, PH).sub.n, where Ph is phenylene and n is 1 or 2, linked through ether and/or thioether.

Abstract: An aromatic polymer comprises divalent aromatic units linked through oxygen, characterized in that some at least of those units are or contain aromatic rings free of electron-withdrawing groups and in that at least one of such rings carries at least one nitrogen radical linked to a nuclear carbon atom by a nitrogen-carbon bond.Preferably it consists to the extent of at least 75 mol percent by the repeating units:O--Ph'--O--Ph--A--Ph Ialone or in combination withO--Ph--A--Ph--O--Ph--A--Ph IIwherePh is paraphenylene;Ph' is phenylene, at least some of groups Ph' carrying a nitrogen radical;A is SO.sub.2 or CO; andthe As can be the same or different in the polymer chain.A process is provided which comprises nitrating a parent polymer and optionally reducing nitro groups to amino followed optionally by substitution of amino.

Abstract: A coated polyester film suitable for producing polyester/polyolefin laminates consists of biaxially oriented poly(ethylene terephthalate) film coated with a cross-linked styrene copolymer by deposition from an aqueous coating composition which comprises (A) a copolymer containing 50-75 mol % of styrene units and 25-50 mole % of comonomer units providing carboxylic groups (10-50 mole %) and alkyl carboxylate groups (20-50 mole %) and (B) a melamine/formaldehyde cross-linking agent. The styrene copolymer (A) is preferably a water-soluble copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride partially converted into butyl ester and partially neutralized with ammonia, and the cross-linking agent (B) is conveniently hexamethoxymethylmelamine. The polyolefin layer in the laminates produced may in particular be of low-density polyethylene.

Abstract: A process for producing an oriented thermoplastics film, e.g. a polyethylene terephthalate film, having an anti-static layer in which the film is oriented by stretching in at least one direction, and preferably biaxially oriented by stretching in two mutually perpendicular directions, and a coating composition comprising (i) an acrylic or methacrylic copolymer, which is preferably cross-linkable and (ii) an aqueous solution of at least one partially neutralized acidic phosphate ester is applied before the commencement of or during the molecular orientation.

Abstract: A coated film base suitable for coating with a light-sensitive photographic emulsion layer comprises a self-supporting film of a synthetic linear polyester and a continuous subbing layer applied to at least one surface of said self-supporting film comprising a water-insoluble copolymer of (a) styrene or a derivative of styrene, (b) a comonomer selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or a derivative of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and (c) a copolymerizable sulphonated ethylenically unsaturated comonomer having the general structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and represent hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, nitrile, amide, amine, ketone, ethyl or vinyl;R.sub.

Abstract: Light-sensitive photographic films are produced by coating polyester films with aqueous dispersions of polyesters or copolyesters containing free-functional acid groups. Corona discharge treatment of the polyester or copolyester layers is disclosed for direct adhesion to photographic emulsions or indirect adhesion via a polymeric sub and/or gelatin sub.

Abstract: Light-sensitive photographic films are produced by coating polyester films with aqueous dispersions of polyesters or copolyesters containing free-functional acid groups. Corona discharge treatment of the polyester or copolyester layers is disclosed for direct adhesion to photographic emulsions or indirect adhesion via a polymeric sub and/or gelatin sub.