Abstract: The present invention relates to UV curable encapsulant compositions based on acrylic and/or methacrylic block copolymers, to structures containing these compositions especially photovoltaic cells and to the use of these compositions in photovoltaic cells. The liquid encapsulant composition according to the invention comprises: an acrylic or methacrylic block copolymer, at least one acrylic or methacrylic monomer and/or oligomer, and at least one photo initiator.

Abstract: Data is obtained for a plurality of credit accounts for a first predetermined period of time. For each account in the plurality of credit accounts, an expected profitability is calculated based on the data. The expected profitability includes, for each given one of the accounts, an estimated probability of default for a given one of the accounts multiplied by, for each given one of the accounts: the minimum of zero and an increase in balance from scoring to default, in case of a default within a second predetermined period of time; and the maximum of zero and the increase in balance from scoring to default, multiplied by an annual percentage rate, in case of no default within the second predetermined period of time. At least one action is taken based on the expected profitability calculated for the plurality of credit accounts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid rubber acrylic block copolymer, and its use in modifying a thermoset composition. The liquid rubber acrylic block copolymer adds toughness and flexibility to a thermoset composition. The acrylic block copolymers are especially useful for modifying epoxy compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to UV curable encapsulant compositions based on acrylic and/or methacrylic block copolymers, to structures containing these compositions especially photovoltaic cells and to the use of these compositions in photovoltaic cells. The liquid encapsulant composition according to the invention comprises: an acrylic or methacrylic block copolymer, at least one acrylic or methacrylic monomer and/or oligomer, and at least one photo initiator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photovoltaic module comprising as an encapsulant a composition comprising at least one polyacrylate- or polymethacrylate-type block copolymer with the general formula B-(A)n, n being a natural integer no lower than one, preferably 1 to 8, the block A being selected from among methacrylates having a Tg higher than 0° C., the block B being a polyacrylate or a polymethacrylate having a Tg lower than 0° C., the block B being at least 50 wt % of the total weight of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition containing at least one lactic acid homopolymer and at least one block copolymer with a polydispersity index ranging from 1.5 to 5 and comprising: at least one block A that is miscible with the homopolymer and formed from monomers containing at least one methacrylate of formula CH2?C(CH3)—COOR1, and at least one block B that is immiscible with the homopolymer and formed from monomers containing at least one alkyl acrylate of formula CH2?CH—COOR2 and/or at least one methacrylate of formula CH2?C(CH3)—COOR3. The invention also relates to the use of this composition for the manufacture of medical articles, textile fibers, thermoformed plates or packaging, in particular films or bottles.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production and use of block copolymers which are obtained by means of controlled radical polymerization in the presence of nitroxides for the purpose of reinforcing fragile polymer matrices. The invention offers advantages such as (i) simplicity of copolymer synthesis and use and (ii) fine dispersion of the copolymer molecules in the fragile matrix, which ensures both the transparency of the material and high reinforcement against impact. More specifically, the invention relates to the radical synthesis of block copolymers comprising at least three blocks, which include one block having a glass transition temperature of less than 0° C. and a thermoplastic end block having a glass transition temperature of more than 0° C., thereby guaranteeing compatibility with the fragile matrix to be reinforced against impact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of nanostructured acrylic polymer materials having both very good optical properties and good mechanical and surface properties. The invention relates to an acrylic resin composition containing a PMMA matrix (component 1) having a glass transition temperature of greater than 0° C., dispersed in which is an acrylic block copolymer (component 2). Characteristically, the composition of the invention contains from 60 to 80% by weight of said PMMA matrix, and from 20 to 40% by weight of said block copolymer. According to another aspect, the invention relates to a transparent flat article containing the aforementioned acrylic resin composition, haying the following features: a thickness ranging from 300 to 900 microns, preferably from 400 to 700 micrometers; a light transmission at least equal to 91%; a haze of less than or equal to 2%; and no appearance of haze when the temperature rises to 80° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a living polymer comprising methacrylic and/or methacrylate units using a monofunctional or polyfunctional alkoxyamine consisting in polymerising one or several types of methacrylic an/or methacrylate units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of poly acrylic and/or methacrylic macroinitiators in the free radical addition reaction of vinyl aromatic monomers to improve the properties of the resulting copolymer and/or composite. More particularly, the present invention relates to the production of poly acrylic and/or poly methacrylic macroinitiators having nitroxyl end groups. Using such macroinitiators in the free radical addition reaction of vinyl aromatics such as polystyrene compatibilizes the acrylic monomer in the vinyl aromatic matrix thereby improving the properties of the resulting polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid rubber acrylic block copolymer, and its use in modifying a thermoset composition. The liquid rubber acrylic block copolymer adds toughness and flexibility to a thermoset composition. The acrylic block copolymers are especially useful for modifying epoxy compositions.

Abstract: Method of filtering and a filter device having a housing (1), enclosing a filter element (4) fixated against an axial end cap (2) of the device, provided with a second end cap (8) internal to the housing, unconnectedly therewith closing of the opposite axial end face of the filter element (4), a spring element (6) being provided urging said internal cap (8) against said axial end face, and a by-pass valve (9) being provided in said end cap, opening to an internal cylindrical chamber of the filter element (4) against spring force of a valve spring (11), the cap spring (6) and the valve spring (11) being provided with a corresponding spring setting, such that at top side down, i.e. incorrect mounting of the device, the combination of internal cap and cap spring may act as a safety, i.e. by-pass valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoset material with improved impact resistance comprising, by weight: •99 to 20% of a thermoset resin, •1 to 80% of an impact modifier comprising at least one copolymer chosen from copolymers comprising A-B-C and A-B blocks, in which: each block is connected to the other by means of a covalent bond or of an intermediate molecule connected to one of the blocks via a covalent bond and to the other block via another covalent bond, A is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and of at least one water-soluble monomer, C is either (i) a PMMA (homopolymer or copolymer) this PMMA comprising optionally a water-soluble monomer or (ii) a polymer based on vinyl monomers or mixture of vinyl monomers, B is incompatible or partially compatible with the thermoset resin and incompatible with the A block and the optional C block and its glass transition temperature Tg is less than the operating temperature of the thermoset material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition that contains, in weight and for a total of 100%: from 10 to 40% of a block copolymer including a central block B with Tg<0° C. and at least two side rigid blocks A and A? with Tg>0° C. that include MAM as a main monomer as well as patterns derived from (meth)acrylic acid and/or anhydrous groups of the formula (I) in which R1 and R2 are H or a methyl radical; from 90 to 60% of at least one PMMA. The invention also relates to the use of such a composition for making a transparent protection part for a projector, and to the projecting device itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition containing at least one lactic acid homopolymer and at least one block copolymer with a polydispersity index ranging from 1.5 to 5 and comprising: at least one block A that is miscible with the homopolymer and formed from monomers containing at least one methacrylate of formula CH2?C(CH3)—COOR1, and at least one block B that is immiscible with the homopolymer and formed from monomers containing at least one alkyl acrylate of formula CH2?CH—COOR2 and/or at least one methacrylate of formula CH2?C(CH3)—COOR3. The invention also relates to the use of this composition for the manufacture of medical articles, textile fibers, thermoformed plates or packaging, in particular films or bottles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a block copolymer comprising a sequence successively comprising a semicrystalline and/or hydrolysable block, an elastomeric block and an amorphous block, comprising the following stages: a) a stage of 1,2-addition, to a terminal ethylenic group of a semicrystalline and/or hydrolysable polymer, of an alkoxyamine which can correspond to the following formula (II): b) a stage of addition, to the medium resulting from stage a), of one or more monomers which are precursors of the elastomeric block, in return for which a semicrystalline and/or hydrolysable block-b-elastomeric block diblock copolymer is obtained; c) a stage of addition, to the medium resulting from stage b), of one or more monomers which are precursors of the amorphous block, in return for which the semicrystalline and/or hydrolysable block-b-elastomeric block-b-amorphous block triblock copolymer is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a graft copolymer composed of a block copolymer of general formula B-(A)n in which A is a rigid block polymer with a glass transition temperature of more than 0° C., B is a flexible block polymer with a glass transition temperature of less than 0° C.; and n is 1 or is a natural integer greater than 1, it being possible for the blocks A, when n is 2 or more, to be identical or different; and of polyamide (PA) grafts which are carried by the rigid polymer block or blocks, the resulting graft copolymer being represented by the formula (Ag)m-B-(A)p in which A and B are as defined above, Ag is the block A carrying at least one graft (PA) and m and p are natural integers whose sum is equal to n, but p being able to be equal to 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hot-coextrudable hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives particularly suitable for the production of multilayer films intended for what are called “repositionable” packages that are opened and reclosed easily. The films used in these packages comprise at least three layers, namely an outer layer intended to be complexed thereafter, a sealing and separable layer, defining all or part of the internal surface of the package, and between them a hot-melt adhesive layer that joins them together. In this type of package, the adhesive plays an essential role insofar as, once the package has been opened by the end user, the quality of the reclosure and of the reopening will depend on the performance of the adhesive, which is of course a pressure-sensitive adhesive, that is to say an adhesive that adheres simply by manual pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an impact-resistant transparent composition comprising a copolymer having repeat units resulting from the polymerization of acrylonitrile and of at least one vinylaromatic monomer, a particulate block copolymer and a core-shell copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a living polymer comprising methacrylic and/or methacrylate units using a monofunctional or polyfunctional alkoxyamine consisting in polymerising one or several types of methacrylic an/or methacrylate units.