Abstract: A process for utilizing compact or porous plastics is described that comprise in part or totally polyurethane plastics, wherein the process is characterized by the fact that the plastics are prepared into a reaction mixture with a low hydroxyl number, which can be further processed in the conventional manner into new final products by swelling the plastics eithera) in suitable swelling agents and reducing in size into a free flowing gel; orb) dissolving and/or decomposing in suitable hydroxy polyols; andc) adjusting the hydroxyl number to the desired size;d) optionally transforming the reaction mixture comprising a), b) and c) into a polyurethane prepolymer,e) further processing the individual reaction mixtures a) to c) into a polyurethane product or into a plastic with the aid of other suitable hardener systems.

Abstract: A process for the decomposition of polyurethane plastic waste materials in which a compound containing at least two isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms (e.g., glycol) and polyurethane plastic, together with 2 to 20 times the amount of previously regenerated material, are treated in a mixing and comminution device.

Abstract: Process for recycling flexible foams by glycolysis and extraction. The glycolysis is conducted by allowing the foam to react with low molecular weight polyols, then allowing the mixture to separate in two phases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recycling a polymer crosslinked through acyl carbamate bond. Disclosed is a re-crosslinkable composition obtained by adding an alcohol to the polymer crosslinked through acyl carbamate bond and heating.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for recycling resin scrap including a thermosetting resin paint film and a thermoplastic resin substrate as its major components, wherein the resin scrap is supplied into a passage of a cylinder, melted, and delivered by delivering means from an upstream side to a downstream side of the passage of the cylinder, and hydrolyzed by a hydrolyzing agent while forming a highly packed region with a resistor. The resistor restricts the resin scrap to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side in a short period of time, and forms the highly packed region where a contact efficiency is enhanced between the resin scrap and the hydrolyzing agent.

Abstract: A process for the separation of laminated components from polyurethane adhesive bonded composite laminates is provided. In this process, the laminates are treated with monofunctional aliphatic alcohols with 3 to 12 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof at temperatures of 100.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. to alcoholize the polyurethane. If necessary, water is added to the process. The alcoholysis product is removed and the components are separated from each other. This process is particularly useful in separating fabric components from expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane.

Abstract: A process for producing a foamed isocyanate-based polymer based on an amount of water and an amount of catalyst, the process comprising the steps of: providing a first stream comprising a particulate, non-cellular filler material surrounded by a mixture comprising less than 100% by weight of the amount of water and less than 100% by weight of the amount catalyst; providing a second stream comprising an active hydrogen-containing compound and the remainder of the amount of water and the amount of catalyst; providing a thin stream comprising an isocyanate; feeding each of the first stream, the second stream and the third stream-independently of one another to a mixing device; mixing the first stream, the second stream and the third stream in the mixing device to produce a reaction mixture; and allowing the reaction mixture to expand to produce the foamed isocyanate-based polymer. A system for alternating between production of filled or untilled isocyanate-base foam is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to one-component and two-component heat-curable or moisture-curable coating compositions, and processes for their use in providing a slippery coating on a substrate utilizing a polyisocyanate-based low VOC coating composition, employing a fluoro-containing active hydrogen-containing compound, and which is suitably rapidly hardened under the influence of heat or moisture.

Abstract: A method of recycling discarded PU foam articles comprises a first step of grinding the discarded PU foam articles into fine particles, which are then mixed with a predetermined amount of a powdered plastic to form a mixture. The mixture is heated to become a molten mixture, which is cooled to take form. The molten mixture may be adhered to the surface of a cloth or leather material when the cooling and the forming processes of the molten mixture are under way. The final product can be burned at a high temperature to produce a high-carbon residue, which is added to the mixture to make a product having a deodorant and an antistatic effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reusing the overspray obtained when spraying water dilutable two-component polyurethane coating compositions containing a polyisocyanate and a compound containing isocyanate reactive groups by(i) collecting the overspray and optionally diluting it with water,(ii) simultaneously with or after step (i), reacting the overspray, optionally in the presence of emulsifiers, with compounds which are more reactive with isocyanate groups than both water and the compounds containing isocyanate reactive groups and(iii) reusing the resulting aqueous solution or dispersion of the chemically modified overspray in a one- or two-component, chemically and/or physically drying coating composition, optionally after adjusting the spray viscosity of the coating compositions to a suitable spray viscosity by either removing or adding water and optionally after the addition of additives.

Abstract: A foamed isocyanate-based polymer containing a filler material, the filler material being present at a level greater than 30% by weight of the polymer and having a specific gravity of less than about 2.0 with the provisio that the filler material is not melamine. A process for producing the a foamed isocyanate-based polymer is also disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing a first mixture comprising water, a catalyst and a substantially inert filler material, the filler material being wetted by the water and the catalyst; providing a second mixture comprising an isocyanate and an active hydrogen-containing compound; mixing the first mixture and the second mixture to provide a reaction mixture; allowing the reaction mixture to expand to produce the foamed isocyanate-based polymer.

Abstract: An isocyanate-based elastomer containing a filler material, the filler material being present at a level in the range of from about 30% to about 90% by weight of the elastomer and having a specific gravity of less than about 2.0. A process for producing the isocyanate-based elastomer is also disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing a first mixture comprising a catalyst and a filler material, the filler material being wetted by the catalyst; providing a second mixture comprising an isocyanate and an active hydrogen-containing compound; mixing the first mixture and the second mixture to provide a reaction mixture; allowing the reaction mixture to react to produce the isocyanate-based elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering and recycling the organic binder components accumulating as overspray during the spraying of a solvent-containing, two-component polyurethane lacquer or a solvent-containing, moisture-curing, one-component polyurethane lacquer byi) washing the overspray out of the exhaust air of a coating plant with the aid of an aqueous medium which a) contains in dissolved or dispersed form compounds that exhibit greater reactivity towards isocyanate groups than either water or the isocyanate-reactive groups present in two-component polyurethane lacquers, and b) may contain emulsifiers,ii) isolating the chemically modified overspray formed in step (i) in the form of lacquer sludge by treatment with coagulating agents, which may be present in the aqueous medium,iii) mixing the lacquer sludge, containing fully reacted lacquer constituents, coagulating agents and water, optionally after a portion of the water is removed, with an organic solvent andiv) separating the org

Abstract: Compounds containing alcoholic hydroxyl groups suitable as a starting material for the isocyanate polyaddition process by the alcoholysis of polyisocyanate polyaddition products are produced. Polyurethane urea or polyurea waste products having a molar ratio of urea groups to urethane groups of from 1:20 to 1:0 are heated in size reduced form to temperatures of from 120.degree. to 250.degree. C. together with B) polyhyhdric alcohols in the molecular weight range of from 62 to 250 in a ratio by weight of A:B of from 3:1 to 1:10. At least 10% of the polyhydric alcohol B put into the process is subsequently removed by distillation under reduced pressure. A total of up to 1000% by weight, based on the weight of polyurethane urea or polyurea waste A, of one or more polyhydroxy compounds having a molecular weight above 250 which is (are) not volatile under the distillation conditions may optionally be added to the mixture before and/or after removal of the excess alcohol B by distillation.

Abstract: A process for converting polyurethane foam into reusable polyol composition which comprises glycolyzing the polyurethane foam to yield a glycolysis polyol product containing amines and reacting the glycolysis polyol product with an alkylene oxide in a mole ratio of <1 mole of alkylene oxide per mole of active amine hydrogen atom in the glycolysis polyol product.

Abstract: Laminated scrap produced by a reaction injection molding process, comprising a thermoplastic resin substrate and a vinyl skin, together with a polyurethane foam layer disposed therebetween, is ground with cryogenic coating. Thereafter, the granulated particles of the scrap lamination are passed serially through density-based separators to separate the laminated layers. The method and apparatus of the invention permit the separation of the layers of such scrap parts, such that one or more of the constituent parts may be recovered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering and recycling the organic binder components accumulating during the spraying of a solvent-containing, two-component polyurethane coating or a solvent-containing, moisture-curing one-component polyurethane coating byi) forming a coatings slurry containing the organic binder components, water and a coagulating agent,ii) mixing the coatings slurry, optionally after removing a portion of the water, with an organic solvent which is inert towards isocyanate groups,iii) reacting the free isocyanate groups present in the mixture obtained in step (ii) with a compound containing one isocyanate-reactive group which is more reactive with isocyanate groups than both water and the isocyanate-reactive component of the two-component polyurethane coating, if present, andiv) removing any remaining water and insoluble components from the organic phase accumulating in step (iii) and recovering the organic phase containing the organic binder components.

Abstract: Thermoset polymers such as polyurethanes and unsaturated polyester resins may be conveniently converted into useful volatile lower molecular weight organic compounds. Fillers can be recovered from filled thermoset resins using the process of the invention, which employs a zeolite-containing particulate catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recycling thermosetting polyurethane soft foams in which they are comminuted in a mill, irrespective of their initial shape, density and structure, and are then pressed under the influence of pressure and elevated temperatures to high-strength sheets of various structures.

Abstract: A plastic foam material comprises an aggregate of discrete elements made of substantially individual cellulose fibers combined with a cellulose starch and including a plurality of bubbles produced by a gas-generating agent. The discrete elements are suspended in a matrix also including a plurality of bubbles produced by a gas-generating agent. In a preferred embodiment the matrix is also made of substantially individual cellulose fibers combined with a cellulose starch and formed into a geometric shape. In another preferred embodiment the discrete aggregate elements are substantially closed-cell foam and the matrix is substantially open-cell foam. In yet another preferred embodiment the discrete aggregate elements are substantially closed-cell, and the foam matrix is also substantially closed-cell.

Abstract: A process of separating vinyl skin from a foam backing and recovering the separated components by granulating the plastics composite into small chips, mixing the chips with a quantity of water in a vessel to swell and break the cell structure of the foam at the foam/vinyl interface resulting in flotation of the foam bits and sinking of the heavier vinyl bits. The separated foam is recovered by adding additional water to flow the foam material from the mix vessel. The vinyl is then removed from the bottom of the vessel and the separated components are dried for recycling or improved disposal purposes.

Abstract: A process for the continuous glycolytic cleavage of polyurethane plastics waste in multi-shaft screw machines by the addition of optionally preheated diols, at a degradation temperature of 250.degree. C., while maintaining a pressure at least such that the polyurethane-diol mixture is in the liquid phase, by the discharge of the glycolysate mixture after short residence times of from 2 to 30 minutes in the reaction screw, and by rapid cooling of the glycolysate mixture.

Abstract: A sprayable, modified polyisocyanurate solid or foam composition, with fast reaction times and excellent fire properties and capable of being sprayed in a one-to-one, fixed-volume spray system, is prepared by the reaction of a low-functionality MDI, with a polyol composition comprising a methoxy polyethylene glycol and a methyl glucoside polyol, the reaction carried out in the presence of a trimerization catalyst, to provide a sprayable polyisocyanurate composition particularly useful for spraying upright and overhead surfaces, due to the fast reaction time and rapid cure.

Abstract: A polyisocyanurate coating composition, which composition comprises and is prepared by reaching 100 parts of a methylene diisocyanate, having an average functionality of less than about 2.4, with a mixture of a di or triethylene glycol and a methoxy polyethylene glycol, the reaction carried out in the presence of a trimerization catalyst, and to a polyisocyanurate-coated, rigid-foam insulation board coated with such composition.

Abstract: A reaction mixture containing comminuted, flexible polyurethane foam scrap is used in making new flexible polyurethane foam. The process achieves a highly satisfactory utilization of foam scrap, while providing a quality foam product.

Abstract: Mixtures of aromatic polyols containing ester functionalities suitable for use as polyol extenders in polyurethane foams prepared by reacting dibasic acid residues with an alkylene glycol residue, the reaction product of which is reacted with recycled polyethylene terephthalate into which scrap RIM is dissolved, are described. Scrap RIM is recycled reaction injection molded polyurethane material which has been chopped or pulverized. From about 10 to 50 wt. % of the resulting modified extender polyol mixture may be scrap RIM. Surprisingly, the process is non-catalytic. These novel polyols may be blended with conventional polyols to yield excellent rigid foams, thus serving as useful polyol extenders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for separating polyurethane hydrolyzates, preferably polyurethane foam hydrolyzates, into substantially amine-free foamable polyethers and diamines, comprising (a) (i) briefly expanding a hot polyurethane hydrolyzate obtained in a continuous screw extruder to normal pressure or in vacuo and, without using readily volatile components (ii) spraying said hydrolyzate directly into a tubular coil evaporator which is heated to 180.degree.-300.degree. C. and at the end of which a pressure of from 0.1 to 20 mbar is applied and (iii) separating a hydrolyzate containing less than 1% by weight of NH.sub.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for the treatment of waste polyurethane particles by alcoholysis or acidolysis. The particles are treated with a solvent at a reaction temperature within the range of 120.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. while being subjected to comminution until the particles are liquified. The resultant liquified product may be converted to a polyurethane by treatment with a polyisocyanate. An apparatus for conducting this process includes shaped blades and fixed heated elements for exerting strong shear forces on the particles or fragments of polyurethane.

Abstract: An improved building material element or board having good thermal insulation properties comprising expanded vermiculite granules coated with 2 to 30% by weight, based on the weight of vermiculite, with an organic binder formed into a press cake which is then press heated to form the building element, the improvement comprising that at least a portion of the coated vermiculite granules are recycled particles which increases the density and has a more uniform and more easily sized surface and a process for its preparation.