Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated prosthetic nipple and areola suitable for use with a breast prosthesis, wherein the prosthetic nipple and areola comprises a first curable gel zone configured to define a nipple region, and a second curable gel zone integrally connected to the first curable gel zone and configured to define an areola region.

Abstract: High rubber graft thermoplastic compositions are prepared by melt blending an EPDM or an EP rubber and a copolymer derived from a vinyl cyanide compound and a vinyl aromatic compound. Both the copolymer and the rubber are independently either epoxy or carboxy functionalized.

Abstract: Epoxy-functionalized polyphenylene ethers are prepared by melt blending a polyphenylene ether with glycidyl acrylate in the presence of a lubricant such as at least one hydrogenated poly-.alpha.-olefin. The blending reaction takes place at a temperature in the range of about 250.degree.-300.degree. C., and the amount of glycidyl acrylate employed is about 2.5-5.0% by weight based on polyphenylene ether. The products are characterized by a gel content of less than 5% by weight. They form copolymer-containing compositions having excellent properties upon melt blending with linear polyesters such as poly(butylene terephthalate).

Abstract: A method for blending functionalized polyphenylene ethers made with graftable orthoester moieties, preferably the orthoester is 4-acryloyloxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane monomer, with nucleophilic polymers, preferably polyesters, polyamides, or functionalized polyolefins. The preferred method for blending is by a one-step process, in which all reactions occur in one pass.

Abstract: Ethylenically unsaturated graftable monomers are prepared by reacting hydroxy substituted orthoesters with electrophilic reagents, an alkaline reagent, and a phase transfer catalyst. Preferably the hydroxy orthoester is 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, and the preferred reagent is acryloyl chloride with sodium hydroxide as the base and methyltrialkylammonium (C.sub.8-10) chloride as the phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: Epoxy-functionalized polyphenylene ethers are prepared by melt blending a polyphenylene ether with glycidyl acrylate in the presence of a lubricant such as at least one hydrogenated poly-.alpha.-olefin. The blending reaction takes place at a temperature in the range of about 250.degree.-300.degree. C., and the amount of glycidyl acrylate employed is about 2.5-5.0% by weight based on polyphenylene ether. The products are characterized by a gel content of less than 5% by weight. They form copolymer-containing compositions having excellent properties upon melt blending with linear polyesters such as poly(butylene terephthalate).

Abstract: Functionalized polyphenylene ethers made with graftable orthoester moieties, preferably the orthoester is 4-acryloyloxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane monomer. The preferred method for grafting orthoester functionality onto polyphenylene ethers is by melt grafting. Once formed, these Polyphenylene ether graft orthoesters (PPE-g-OE) are useful as compatibilizers in blends of PPE with polyesters.

Abstract: The impact resistance of polyimides is improved by the addition of impact modifiers comprising, as a first stage, an elastomeric polydiorganosiloxane optionally polymerized simultaneously with but separately from one or more vinyl monomers, and as at least one grafted subsequent stage a polymer or copolymer of acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, a vinyl aromatic compound, (meth)acrylic acid, alkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomer.

Abstract: Ethylenically unsaturated cyclic ortho esters are prepared by the reaction of a hydroxy-substituted cyclic ortho ester such as 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane with acryloyl chloride, methacryolyl chloride, vinylbenzyl chloride or the like. They form polymers, especially random copolymers with styrene and EPDM graft copolymers; the latter are useful in the formation of copolymer-containing compositions with polyesters, polyamides and the like. The copolymer-containing compositions have excellent physical properties and may be employed to compatibilize blends of the same polymers.

Abstract: The emulsion polymerization of a mixture of organic silicon monomers and vinyl containing organic monomer is effected substantially concurrently. Flocculation of the emulsion polymerized material, and recovery of the flocculated material has been found useful in providing multi-lobed impact modifiers for a variety of organic thermoplastic polymers.