Abstract: Nitrocellulose is plasticized with epoxidized fatty acid esters, such as epoxidized alkyl soyates. Nail varnish can be made from the plasticized nitrocellulose.

Abstract: A mixture of poly(vinyl halide) and epoxidized benzyl fatty acid ester, preferably epoxidized benzyl soyate (EBS), is disclosed. The epoxidized benzyl fatty acid ester as a plasticizer replaces common high molecular weight phthalates, such as diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), which are conventionally used for the manufacture of wire and cable insulation and jacketing. The epoxidized benzyl fatty acid ester, a bio-plasticizer, unexpectedly outperforms the higher molecular weight DIDP as demonstrated by superior retention of Strain at Break after accelerated aging at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Presently disclosed are high purity unsaturated fatty acid esters with an ester moiety characterized by having from five to seven members in a ring structure, which esters when epoxidized find particular utility as primary plasticizers in flexible polyvinyl halide applications. Also disclosed are processes for making the high purity esters.

Abstract: A mixture of poly(vinyl chloride) and epoxidized methyl soyate is disclosed. The epoxidized methyl soyate as a plasticizer replaces butyl benzyl phthalate which is conventionally used for the manufacture of multi-layer laminate sheet flooring or single layer tile flooring. The epoxidized methyl soyate, a bio-plasticizer, unexpectedly is a “drop-in” replacement for the butyl benzyl phthalate, both in terms of processing and performance. Also poly(vinyl chloride)-epoxidized methyl soyate mixtures have much better heat stability than poly(vinyl chloride)-butyl benzyl phthalate mixtures.

Abstract: A plastisol is disclosed comprising poly(vinyl halide) and a trimellitate plasticizer and a second plasticizer, with the trimellitate plasticizer comprising between about 60 and about 90 weight percent of the total plasticizer content. The plastisol can be made into a polymeric skin using spray molding techniques. The plastisol can be sprayed on a slush mold surface.

Abstract: An unhindered polyol is used to react with an epoxidized soyate to make epoxidized soyate diester in the presence of a catalyst. The unhindered polyol can be 1,3-propanediol or any polyol having four or more carbon atoms with no two adjacent carbon atoms having hydroxyl functionality. Preferably, a combination of catalysts is used to promote the transesterification reaction of the epoxidized soyate with the unhindered polyol to yield a high percentage of epoxidized soyate diester with epoxy functionality retained. The primary catalyst is a metallic hydroxide, and the secondary catalyst is a titanate. Bioderived epoxidized soyate diester plasticizers useful for thermoplastics and thermosets result.

Abstract: Presently disclosed are high purity unsaturated fatty acid esters with an ester moiety characterized by having from five to seven members in a ring structure, which esters when epoxidized find particular utility as primary plasticizers in flexible polyvinyl halide applications. Also disclosed are processes for making the high purity esters.

Abstract: A non-halogenated elastomeric latex is disclosed, using as flame retardants, an aqueous dispersion of organoclay and a conventional non-halogenated flame retardant, of which less is needed than conventionally, because of the use of the organoclay. The latex can become a film, sheet, or other article.

Abstract: A soft, pelletizable poly(vinyl chloride) plastisol having a Shore A hardness of less than about 70 is disclosed. The plasticizers employed in the plastisol can be petroleum-based plasticizers or bioplasticizers or both. A method of gelation, fusion, and controlled cooling in an agitating chamber permits a conventional liquid plastisol to be transformed into the pelletizable plastisol strand. If a pelletizer is used after cooling into strands or other shapes, then pelletized plastisol results. The formulation of liquid plastisol for hardness is unaffected by the transformation. The solidified plastisol can be stored for later extrusion or molding into a final plastic article shape.

Abstract: A mixture of poly(vinyl chloride) and epoxidized methyl soyate is disclosed. The epoxidized methyl soyate as a plasticizer replaces butyl benzyl phthalate which is conventionally used for the manufacture of multi-layer laminate sheet flooring or single layer tile flooring. The epoxidized methyl soyate, a bio-plasticizer, unexpectedly is a “drop-in” replacement for the butyl benzyl phthalate, both in terms of processing and performance. Also poly(vinyl chloride)-epoxidized methyl soyate mixtures have much better heat stability than poly(vinyl chloride)-butyl benzyl phthalate mixtures.

Abstract: An unhindered polyol is used to react with an epoxidized soyate to make epoxidized soyate diester in the presence of a catalyst. The unhindered polyol can be 1,3-propanediol or any polyol having four or more carbon atoms with no two adjacent carbon atoms having hydroxyl functionality. Preferably, a combination of catalysts is used to promote the transesterification reaction of the epoxidized soyate with the unhindered polyol to yield a high percentage of epoxidized soyate diester with epoxy functionality retained. The primary catalyst is a metallic hydroxide, and the secondary catalyst is a titanate. Bioderived epoxidized soyate diester plasticizers useful for thermoplastics and thermosets result.

Abstract: A non-halogenated elastomeric latex is disclosed, using as flame retardants, an aqueous dispersion of organoclay and a conventional non-halogenated flame retardant, of which less is needed than conventionally, because of the use of the organoclay. The latex can become a film, sheet, or other article.

Abstract: A cathodic protection compound is disclosed. The coating includes sacrificial metallic particles less noble than metal in the metal substrate to be protected. The coating also includes inherently conductive polymer in an amount of less than 1 weight percent of total solids of the coating. A concentrate of the metallic particles and inherently conductive polymer can also be prepared.

Abstract: A cathodic protection coating is disclosed that unexpectedly protects a treated metal substrate, notwithstanding the presence of a phosphate-containing conversion coating between the metal substrate and the cathodic protection compound. The cathodic protection coating includes sacrificial metallic particles less noble than metal in the metal substrate to be protected. The coating also includes inherently conductive polymer.

Abstract: A mixture of inherently conductive polymer and plastisol is disclosed. Articles made from the mixture can be used as electrostatic dissipative (ESD) articles.

Abstract: A cathodic protection compound is disclosed. The coating includes sacrificial metallic particles less noble than metal in the metal substrate to be protected. The coating also includes inherently conductive polymer in an amount of less than 1 weight percent of total solids of the coating. A concentrate of the metallic particles and inherently conductive polymer can also be prepared.

Abstract: A cathodic protection polymeric compound is disclosed. The compound has flowable material to serve as a binder, carbonaceous conductive media dispersed in the flowable material, sacrificial metal particles also dispersed in the flowable material. The carbonaceous conductive media serve as a carbon-based electron transfer agent and are in the form of particles, platelets, fibers, tubes, or combinations thereof. A galvanic circuit is formed by the metal particles serving as anodes, a metal substrate to be protected serving as the cathode, and the conductive media serving as the electron transfer agent. The flowable material can also include an ionically conductive or an inherently conductive polymer to further enhance the galvanic circuit.

Abstract: A bundling system with improved locking tie head comprising a smooth planar strap and a locking head with two flexible independent L-shaped pawls. One end of the pawl is anchored in the locking head. The locking head has two transverse pawl cavities allowing flexural movement of the pawl during insertion of the planar strap and locking engagement to prevent withdrawal of the strap.

Abstract: In the processing and handling of semiconductor silicon wafers, blank silicon wafers are replaced by chemically inert wafers during setup, adjustment, and operation. The inert material wafers eliminate the breakage associated with blank, silicon wafers while helping to purge the semiconductor wafer processing equipment of particulate contaminates.

Abstract: A wafer restraining device clips onto a semiconductor wafer cassette. The wafer restraining device is provided with at least one opening to allow bubbles forming during acid baths on excess resist-covered semiconductor wafers to escape. Portions of the wafer restraining device only contact the periphery of the sensitive, disc-shaped semiconductor wafers.