Abstract: A new polypropylene terephthalate composition is provided. The polypropylene terephthalate is comprised of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalate. The 1,3-propanediol is produced by the bioconversion of a fermentatble carbon source, preferable glucose. The resulting polypropylene terephthalate is distinguished from petrochemically produced polymer on the basis of dual carbon-isotopic fingerprinting which indicates both the source and the age of the carbon.

Abstract: A new polypropylene terephthalate composition is provided. The polypropylene terephthalate is comprised of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalate. The 1,3-propanediol is produced by the bioconversion of a fermentatble carbon source, preferable glucose. The resulting polypropylene terephthalate is distinguished from petrochemically produced polymer on the basis of dual carbon-isotopic fingerprinting which indicates both the source and the age of the carbon.

Abstract: A new polypropylene terephthalate composition is provided. The polypropylene terephthalate is comprised of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalate. The 1,3-propanediol is produced by the bioconversion of a fermentatble carbon source, preferable glucose. The resulting polypropylene terephthalate is distinguished from petrochemically produced polymer on the basis of dual carbon-isotopic fingerprinting which indicates both the source and the age of the carbon.

Abstract: An imbibed fiber that can be used as a delivery system for chemotherapeutic agents, especially substances useful in dental hygiene, is disclosed. The imbibed fiber comprises a fiber of an elastomeric polymer capable of imbibing the chemotherapeutic agents. A preferred elastomeric fiber is spandex. The fiber may be in the form of a dental floss, dental tape, gauze pad, or the like. A therapeutically effective amount of the agent is imbibed in the elastomeric polymer.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing an aramid surface to be metal plated by nonaqueous treatment with a strong base followed by water washing--all in the absence of metal cations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the manufacture of polyesters which involves heating polymerizable monomers, oligomers or low molecular weight polymers in a mixture of a solvent and non-solvent. The polymerization by-product is codistilled from the boiling solvent/non-solvent mixture.

Abstract: A dental hygiene product, and more particularly dental floss comprising a fiber having a core of a segmented polymer. The segments of the polymer are a combination of soft segments, preferably of polyether or polyester type, and of hard segments selected from a group consisting of polyurethane, polyamide, polyimide, and a mixture thereof. The content in hard segments is 5-40% of the polymer by weight. The dental floss of this invention is characterized by exceptionally robust elastic properties, which are necessary to ensure effective and efficient cleaning of teeth.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium polyarylamides are provided that are useful in articles of manufacture that require minimal ionic impurities. The polyarylamides are produced by reacting certain polyamides together with quaternary ammonium bases of the formula R.sup.4.sub.4 N.sup.+ X.sup.-, wherein each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that at least one of the R.sup.4 groups contains at least one beta hydrogen atom. There is also provided the process for producing the polyarylamides, the process for making articles of manufacture from the polyarylamides, and a process for modifying the surfaces of such polyamides.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for metallizing polymers comprising generating anionic sites on the structures, contacting same with the cation of the metal and then reducing the metal cation to metal at the anionic sites or treating the metal cations to form a semiconductor. The metallized polymers are useful as electrical conductors or semiconductors.

Abstract: Conductive fibers of a combination of aramid and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) are disclosed having a strongly bonded metal coating applied by electroless plating. PVP increases adhesion of the fiber surface to the electroless plating. The preferred aramid is poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide).

Abstract: Novel catalysts for polyester production by esterification and/or transesterification are MoS.sub.2 or WS.sub.2 which have been intercalated by alkali metals cations, especially lithium cations, and then contacted with an alcohol or a polyol, a preferred polyol being a glycol which is one of the monomeric units in the polyester produced.

Abstract: Conductive fibers of a combination of aramid and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) are disclosed having a strongly bonded metal coating applied by electroless plating. PVP increases adhesion of the fiber surface to the electroless plating. The preferred aramid is poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide).

Abstract: A process is disclosed for rendering shaped aramid and polybenzimidazole articles water repellent by grafting fluorinated compounds to the surface of the articles. The resulting grafted polymer and shaped articles made from the grafted polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the production of polyester which involves heating a polymerizable monomer or oligomer in an inert liquid which does not dissolve or swell the monomer, oligomer, or polyester product, while boiling the inert liquid and codistilling the low molecular weight byproduct of the polymerization.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium polyarylamides are provided that are useful in articles of manufacture that require minimal ionic impurities. The polyarylamides are produced by reacting certain polyamides together with quaternary ammonium bases of the formula R.sup.4.sub.4 N.sup.+ X.sup.-, wherein each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that at least one of the R.sup.4 groups contains at least one beta hydrogen atom. There is also provided the process for producing the polyarylamides, the process for making articles of manufacture from the polyarylamides, and a process for modifying the surfaces of such polyamides.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making polymers containing benzoxazole groups by heating, and thereby dehalogenating, novel anions of orthohalogenated aromatic amide groups of a polyamide. The products are useful as fibers and films.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making polymers containing benzoxazole groups by heating, and thereby dehalogenating, novel anions of orthohalogenated aromatic amide groups of a polyamide. The products are useful as fibers and films.

Abstract: A process for preparing shaped articles of manufacture such as fibers, films and coatings from aromatic polyamide anions in liquid sulfoxides; anisotropic solutions of aromatic polyamide anions useful for the preparation of shaped articles having anistropic properties; isotropic solutions comprising the potassium salt of the polyamide anion; and methods for regulating solution viscosity by control of the degree to which the aromatic polyamide anions are deprotonated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for metallizing polymers comprising generating anionic sites on the structures, contacting same with the cation of the metal and then reducing the metal cation to metal at the anionic sites or treating the metal cations to form a semiconductor. The metallized polymers are useful as electrical conductors or semiconductors.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for adhering aramid polymers by treating them with strong base to create anionic sites on the polymer surface. Subsequent reprotonation adheres contacting aramid surfaces.