Abstract: Nerve channels made from high molecular weight lactic acid polymers, preferably polymers having a molecular weight between about 234,000 and 320,000, provide an unexpectedly beneficial effect on cell growth and regeneration of function.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber comprising a major amount of a continuous phase comprising one or more melt processible polyesters of fiber forming molecular weight, and a minor amount of one or more polyolefins non-uniformly dispersed in said continuous phase such that the concentration of polyolefins at or near the surface of said fiber is greater than the concentration of polyesters at or near the surface of said fiber, and a process for preparing said fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to an implantable medical device capable of encouraging cellular growth and regeneration of function fabricated totally or in part from one or more bioresorbable polymers, as for example bioresorbable homopolymers derived from the polymerization of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids, where at least one of the polymers has an average molecular weight of from about 234,000 to about 320,000 as measured by gel permeation chromatography.

Abstract: A trilobal or quadrilobal fiber formed from thermoplastic polymers, said fiber having a cross-section comprised of a central core having three or four T-shaped lobes, the legs of each intersecting at the center of said core such that the angle between the legs of adjacent lobes is from about 80.degree. to about 130.degree..

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber comprising a major amount of a continous phase comprising one or more melt processible polyesters of fiber forming molecular weight, and a minor amount of one or more polyolefins non-uniformly dispersed in said continuous phase such that the concentration of polyolefins at or near the surface of said fiber is greater than the concentration of polyesters at or near the surface of said fiber, and a process for preparing said fiber.

Abstract: A method of forming foamed fibers which comprises the steps of forming a melt of a polymer of fiber-forming molecular weight in which is admixed a blowing agent, and a closed-cell-forming additive, extruding said melt through a spinnerette, quenching said melt downstream of said spinnerette under conditions at which bubbles form in said melt, and drawing said melt as it is quenched to produce a foamed fiber having fine bubbles contained therein is disclosed. The product fibers may contain substantially only closed-cells and/or substantially uniform cross sectional area cells.

Abstract: Crimped foamed fibers are produced by a process which eliminates any mechanical deformation steps. The process comprises the step of forming foamed fibers having a plurality of randomly arranged cells distributed asymetrically over a given cross section and occupying at least about 10% of the cross sectional area of the fiber, and heating the foamed fibers while maintaining the fibers under no load condition to produce a crimped foamed fiber. The crimped foamed fibers are used in apparel, carpet fibers, thermal insulation, acoustic and filtration.

Abstract: A process for rapidly and substantially decreasing the melt index and increasing the viscosity of polymers of caprolactams during melt processing by forming a molten mixture of the polymer and a phosphite compound and heating the mixture until the desired change in melt index and viscosity are obtained.

Abstract: A process for preparing quasi-random copolymers is described which involves heating a mixture of polyamides in the presence of one or more phosphite promotor(s). The process is conducted at temperatures between about 265.degree. C. and 315.degree. C. with the process time generally ranging from about 2 to about 20 minutes. The process is especially useful for preparing copolymers from a mixture of poly(caproamide) and poly(hexamethylene adipamide). The copolymer products prepared in accordance with the process are particularly suitable for the production of plastic films which have improved properties as compared to either of the homopolymers.

Abstract: A process for preparing block, and/or graft copolymeric compositions by forming an intimate mixture of two or more polymers, at least one of which includes one or more amino junctions and at least one of the remaining polymers includes one or more carboxylic acid junctions and an effective amount of a phosphite compound, and thereafter heating the intimate mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form the desired block, and/or graft copolymers.

Abstract: A flame retarded, injection moldable, saturated, linear polyester composition contains red phosphorus as flame retardant and a metal iodide as phosphine suppressing agent. The metal is one of the groups 1a and 2b of the periodic table of elements with potassium iodide being the most preferred.The phosphine evolution of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) molding composition containing 4% red phosphorus as flame retardant is reduced to 0.3 ppm at the die and to 1.0 ppm in storage by the addition of 0.6% of potassium iodide.

Abstract: Uranium is extracted from phosphoric acid with organophosphorus extractants supported or impregnated on polymeric resins, and especially macroreticular resins. Suitable extractants include mono and dialkylphenyl esters of phosphoric acid. Uranium may be stripped from the supported or impregnated resins with hotter or more concentrated phosphoric acid, optionally with oxidation to hexavalent form, or with aqueous fluoride solutions.

Abstract: A process for decreasing the melt index and increasing the viscosity of polyamide compositions by adding thereto an effective amount of an aryl phosphate compound, and thereafter heating the composition until the desired changes in melt index or viscosity are attained.

Abstract: This invention relates to fire retarded polymeric composition comprising a polymeric material, red phosphorus and a phosphine suppressant which is a copper salt.

Abstract: Aqueous phosphoric acid solutions containing uranium values are contacted with an organic solution of a mixture of organophosphorus compounds produced from a carboxylic acid and PCl.sub.3 in the presence of water or from corresponding acid halides or anhydrides and phosphorous acid to extract the uranium values. The organophorus compounds generally include an alkane-1,1,2-triphosphonic acid or a 1-hydroxy-1,1-alkanediphosphonic acid or both, which differ from common organophosphorus extractants in having a carbon-phosphorus bond. The extraction has high distribution coefficients even when the phosphoric acid solution is 10 molar or more and even when the extraction is conducted at elevated temperatures such as 60.degree. C. While distribution coefficients in the presence of iron are higher for tetravalent uranium, efficient extraction can be conducted of hexavalent uranium as well.

Abstract: Hydrophilic additives are provided which may be introduced into fibrous articles to provide improved water absorbency and charge dissipation properties which resist abrasion and laundering. The fibrous articles are treated by contacting the articles with at least one hydrophilic additive, polyfunctional reactant and nitrogen catalyst under conditions sufficient to incorporate hydrophilic additive, polyfunctional reactant and nitrogen catalyst in the articles, followed by heating the fibrous articles to obtain the desired fiber characteristics.

Abstract: Hydrophilic additives are provided which may be introduced into fibrous articles to provide improved water absorbency and charge dissipation properties which resist abrasion and laundering. The fibrous articles are treated by contacting the articles with at least one hydrophilic additive and nitrogen catalyst under conditions sufficient to incorporate additive and catalyst in the article, followed by heating the treated article to obtain the desired fiber characteristics.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing .alpha.-chloro-.epsilon.-caprolactam, an intermediate for the synthesis of L-lysine, comprising reacting an N-substituted -.alpha.-chloro-.epsilon.-caprolactam, wherein the N-substituent is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of arylsulfonyl, aroyl and alkanoyl radicals, with .epsilon.-caprolactam at a temperature within the range of about 50.degree. to about 250.degree. C to form .alpha.-chloro-.epsilon.-caprolactam and an N-substituted-.epsilon.-caprolactam. A continuous process is also described for the production of .alpha.-chloro-.epsilon.-caprolactam further comprising the chlorination of N-substituted-.epsilon.-caprolactam to produce N-substituted-.alpha.-chloro-.epsilon.-caprolactam.

Abstract: A polyester composition comprising the salt of a dimer acid, trimer or salt of a mixture of dimer acid and trimer acid, and from 0.5 to 10 percent fine particulate red phosphorous. The salt is preferably the sodium salt of the dimer and/or trimer acids. Alternately, the salt can be the sodium salt of an organic polymer having pendant carboxyl groups. The red phosphorous can contain a phosphine suppressant such as a metal hydroxide or copper compound. The preferred red phosphorous used is believed to be coated with an aliphatic polyamine and bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin condensate, reacted with acrylonitrile and ethylene oxide produced by American Hoescht as Exolite .sup.TM 405. The composition can contain a filler, plasticizer, impact modifier, and/or a polyepoxide.