Abstract: Catalyst for the polymerization of olefins, process for its preparation, and its use.The present invention relates to a supported catalyst for the polymerization of olefins, which can be prepared by reacting the reaction product formed from an aluminoxane and at least one metallocene with a microporous, polymeric support.

Abstract: The non-flammable phenolic resin foam with plane surface and high fire resistance in this invention is produced by mixing 30 to 100 parts by weight of resol type phenolic resin, 0.3 to 10 parts by weight of foaming agent, 10 to 50 parts by weight of curing agent, 30 to 800 parts by weight of ceramic micro-hollow particles (compression strength of 600 kgf/cm.sup.2 or more, bulk density of 0.3 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 and melting point of 1500.degree. C. or more), 2 to 250 parts by weight of inorganic filling agent, 40 to 250 parts by weight of aluminum hydroxide with water, press molding and heating for curing.

Abstract: Polyurethanes are recycled by comminution to particle sizes of from 0.01 to 2 mm and addition to the polyaddition mixture for preparing polyurethanes from(a) polyisocyanates,(b) substances reactive toward isocyanates and having active hydrogens, and, if desired,(c) chain extenders and/or crosslinkers, catalysts, blowing agents and customary additivesin an amount of from 0.1 to 40% by weight, based on the poly-addition mixture.

Abstract: Expandable, rubber-modified styrene polymers for elastic polystyrene foams comprisea) a continuous phase comprising polystyrene or a styrene copolymer containing at most 50% of copolymerized comonomers andb) from 5 to 30% by weight of a butadiene-styrene block copolymer dispersed therein,and also a low-boiling blowing agent. The rubber particles have a compact lamellar structure without polystyrene inclusions. The expandable styrene polymers are prepared by polymerization of styrene in the presence of the block copolymer and impregnation with the blowing agent.

Abstract: Modified or filled rebond polyurethane foam structures having desired plushness and compression without adversely affected tensile strength at a given density as compared to unfilled rebond polyurethane foams are formed from an admixture of shredded or chopped polyurethane foam particles and a finely divided inorganic mineral filler, such as barium sulfate or calcium carbonate or mixtures of these and like mineral fillers, that is further mixed with a substantially non-foam forming liquid prepolymer binder. A portion of the polyurethane foam particles, from about 10 to about 60 parts by weight based upon 100 parts by weight, is replaced with filler. For each 100 parts by weight of the combined foam particles and filler, about 10 to about 30 parts by weight of prepolymer is added. After the wetted admixture is compressed to the required density, the prepolymer binder is cured with heat and/or steam.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a composite material comprising a product of a combination of materials. The combination of materials comprises an inorganic filler comprised of ceramic cenospheres, a thermoplastic polymer and a coupling agent comprised of at least one fatty acid having at least 16 carbon atoms and at least one rosin acid having at least 16 carbon atoms. The combination may further comprise an organic filler comprised of cellulosic material and wherein the thermoplastic polymer has a melt temperature of less than the char temperature of the organic filler. The invention is further directed at a process for producing the composite material comprising the step of combining the components at a temperature of greater than or equal to the melt temperature of the thermoplastic polymer. Where the components include the organic filler, the process temperature is less than the char temperature of the organic filler.

Abstract: Porous, absorbent macrostructures that comprise flexible interparticle bonded aggregates and are useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins are disclosed. These porous macrostructures are treated with an effective amount of a latex to coat at least a portion of the particles comprising the bonded aggregate so as to impart increased flexibility to the macrostruture. This latex is capable of being sintered at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. or lower, is at least somewhat hydrophilic when sintered, and has a Tg of about 25.degree. C. or lower when sintered.

Abstract: An additive for synthetic resins is provided. The additive comprises particles surface-coated with a petaloid porous hydroxyapatite having a chemical formula Ca.sub.5 (PO.sub.4 ).sub.3 (OH) and the petaloid porous hydroxyapatite is not less than 5% by weight of the particles. The additive can be added to any kinds of synthetic resins. If the additive is used in a polyethylene film, blocking of the film is not only prevented, but good transparency and good anti-scratch ability are imparted, and if the additive is used in a polyester, a film having good slipperiness, anti-abrasion and less coarse protrusions can be provided.

Abstract: A foamed isocyanate-based polymer having a cellular structure and comprising a non-surface cross-linked superabsorbent polymer, the foamed polymer being capable of: (i) absorbing at least about 10 times its weight of a 0.9 wt./wt. % aqueous NaCl solution maintained at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to about 25.degree. C., and (ii) retaining at least about 10 times its weight of absorbed aqueous NaCl solution which is bound to the superabsorbent polymer. A process for producing the foamed isocyanate-based polymer is also described. The process comprises the steps of: contacting an isocyanate, an active hydrogen-containing compound, an aqueous blowing agent, a catalyst and a non-surface cross-linked superabsorbent polymer, the superabsorbent polymer being capable of absorbing at least about 10 times its weight of a 0.9 wt./wt. % aqueous NaCl solution maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 20.degree. to about 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A syntactic foam-core material and method for its production are disclosed wherein glass microspheres and chopped fiberglass are dispersed within a slurry comprised of a suitable resin such as an epoxy and a suitable solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone. Under carefully controlled vacuum and rate of addition conditions, the microspheres and chopped fiberglass are added to the slurry to form a light weight syntactic foam-core material. The material may either be stored under cold conditions for use at a later time as a B-stage material or it may be shaped and/or molded to conform to a desired configuration which, for example, may correspond with a desired component part. After curing, the material may be machined to final dimensions. The material may be characterized as a tightly packed network of resin-coated microspheres spaced by controlled, yet random voids comprising at least 20%, and more usually, between 23 and 25% by volume, of the fully-cured material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic article formed from several foamed thermoplastic elastomers, such as a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer based on polypropylene and a vulcanized elastomer at least one of an elastomeric styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene block copolymer, an elastomeric styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer, a thermoplastic elastomer based on polypropylene and an elastomeric styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene block copolymer and a thermoplastic elastomer based on polypropylene and an elastomeric styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer. The present invention further provides plastic articles based on a blend of thermoplastic elastomers and thermoplastic elastomer olefins. The invention further provides a process for making these articles.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a metal complex capable of being dispersed in or alternatively, formed in a water-absorbing article having one or more metal ions situated within a sponge, at least one chelating polymer chelated to the transition metal ion and at least one potentiator chelated to the transition metal ion.

Abstract: A rebond foam comprising a plurality of isocyanate-based polymeric foam pieces bonded to one another with an isocyanate-based binder is disclosed. A superabsorbent material is comprised in one or both of the isocyanate-based polymeric foam pieces and the isocyanate-based binder. The rebond foam is capable of: (i) absorbing at least about 5 times its weight of a 0.9 wt./wt. % aqueous NaCl solution maintained at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to about 25.degree. C., and (ii) retaining at least about 5 times its weight of absorbed aqueous NaCl solution which is bound to the superabsorbent material. A process for producing a rebond foam is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a reprocessed resin which decreases volume of a thermoset resin foamed material recovered from waste of various resin products and moldably form said thermoset resin foamed material into various molded articles to thereby effectively recover and reprocess the thermoset resin foamed material, a reprocessing method therefor and a method for molding a molded article formed of said reprocessed resin. A pulverized resin to be processed formed of a thermoset resin foamed material along with a thermoplastic resin molding material are applied with a stirring impact force to produce shearing heat generation based on the stirring impact force and are gelled and blended by the shearing heat generation. In this process, the thermoplastic resin molding material is adhered so as to cover the whole surface of the individual pulverized resin to be processed and cooled and granulated to have 15 mm or less of particle diameter to thereby decrease volume by 0.

Abstract: Biodegradable foamed articles having density comprised from 5 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 obtained by agglomeration of foamed particles having composition comprising a thermoplastic starchy material or a thermoplastic natural polymer capable of absorbing water when converted into the thermoplastic state, a thermoplastic polymer, and water.

Abstract: A fluoroelastomer polymer foam having a compression set value in the range of from about 8.3% to about 43% and closed cell microvoids having diameters of from about 0.002 mm to about 0.048 mm or less, and a method for foaming a fluoroelastomer polymer comprising the steps of dispersing in a fluoroelastomer polymer to be foamed a phenol-based blowing agent to produce a foaming formulation and curing the formulation at a temperature of from about 250.degree. F. (121.degree. C.) to about 450.degree. F. (232.degree. C.) and a pressure of from about ambient to about 3.0 atm.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions which crosslink to give elastomers, have a viscosity of 1,000 to 100,000 mPa.multidot.s and are based on (A) hollow bodies of plastic and (B) crosslinkable organosilicon compounds.

Abstract: The application relates to polyethylene and/or polypropylene foam moldings for packaging which consist of more than 50% of recycled material, and to a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: A novel and environmentally friendly well cementing composition comprising hydraulic cement and ground-up recycled expanded polystyrene having a low density, good compressive strength, good thermal conductivity, and the ability to float, and methods for cementing well bores with said cementing composition.

Abstract: A separating agent which, when used as the packing material for reverse-phase liquid chromatography, has excellent baseline stability in the mobile phase and an increased number of steps of the detected peak in the measurement is provided. The agent comprises a polysaccharide derivative supported on a silica gel having surface silanol groups treated with a silylating agent having an aralkyl group.

Abstract: An aerogel composite material produced by compression molding of aerogel microspheres (powders) mixed together with a small percentage of polymer binder to form monolithic shapes in a cost-effective manner. The aerogel composites are formed by mixing aerogel microspheres with a polymer binder, placing the mixture in a mold and heating under pressure, which results in a composite with a density of 50-800 kg/m.sup.3 (0.05-0.80 g/cc). The thermal conductivity of the thus formed aerogel composite is below that of air, but higher than the thermal conductivity of monolithic aerogels. The resulting aerogel composites are attractive for applications such as thermal insulation since fabrication thereof does not require large and expensive processing equipment. In addition to thermal insulation, the aerogel composites may be utilized for filtration, ICF target, double layer capacitors, and capacitive deionization.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reaction injection molding process for preparing a molded product comprising reacting, at an isocyanate index of about 70 to about 130,(a) an organic polyisocyanate;(b) one or more isocyanate-reactive compounds containing at least two isocyanate-reactive groups;(c) about 0.5 to about 40% by weight, based on the weight of the molded product, of rigid microspheres, wherein at least 95% of said microspheres have a particle size range of about 10 .mu.m to about 400 .mu.m and a median diameter of at least 120 .mu.m,(d) optionally, an inert gas dissolved in at least one of components (a) or (b) in an amount sufficient to produce a molded product having a density that is at least 1% less than the density of a molded product prepared in the same manner without using an inert gas but which is at least 0.2 g/cm.sup.3 ;(e) 0 to 45% by weight, based upon the weight of the molded product, of a reinforcing filler other than rigid microspheres; and(f) optionally, a blowing agent.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the discovery that composite open-cell foam structures, such as carpet underlay cushions, having improved compression resistance and better wear characteristics can be manufactured by utilizing a carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber latex which is comprised of a styrene-butadiene rubber latex and a carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber latex.

Abstract: A foamed isocyanate-based polymer having a cellular structure and containing a superabsorbent material, the polymer being capable of: (i) absorbing at least about 20 times its weight of an aqueous fluid maintained at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to about 25.degree. C., and (ii) retaining at least about 20 times its weight of absorbed aqueous fluid which is bound to the superabsorbent material. A process for producing a foamed isocyanate-based polymer comprising the steps of: providing a substantially uniform mixture comprising an isocyanate, an active hydrogen-containing compound and a superabsorbent material, the superabsorbent material being capable of absorbing at least about 20 times its weight of an aqueous fluid maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 20.degree. to about 25.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reinforcing thin rigid plates. The method comprises applying, preferably by spray application, a curable composition onto one side of the rigid plate followed by curing the composition while only in contact with the rigid plate. The curable composition comprises: (i) a thermosetting resinous composition and (ii) expandable microspheres. The composition may optionally contain a particulate reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of milled glass fibers, milled carbon fibers, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In the present invention a blend of resin composition and blending technique is optimized to provide a desired balance of node size and fibril length with the additional property of thermal stability in the resulting stretched material.The stretched blend can be described as a polytetrafluoroethylene porous material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils in which the material comprises a blend of two different polytetrafluoroethylenes, one polytetrafluoroethylene being a homopolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and the other polytetrafluoroethylene being a modified polymer of tetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A material that is a mixture of polystyrene beads, type III cement, an acrylic latex bond and water. The mixed material is placed in a mold and compressed prior to curing to increase the density, to provide a uniform surface finish and to increase the strength of the end product. The insulating value of the end product is substantially the same as a product formed without compressing the material.

Abstract: Rubber particles, to be used as fillers or extenders for various composite polymer systems, are chlorinated by a gas-solid phase reaction with a chlorine-containing gas. A composite polymer containing the chlorinated rubber fillers or extenders exhibits a higher flexural modulus than if prepared using an unchlorinated rubber filler or extender. Chlorination of the rubber particles is carried out by contacting the finely divided rubber particles with a chlorine-containing gas comprising at least about 5 volume percent chlorine. Advantageously, the chlorine can be diluted with air, nitrogen or other essentially inert gases and may contain minor amounts of fluorine. Improved performance is obtained with nitrogen dilution of the chlorine gas over air dilution. Improved polymer composite systems having higher flexural modulus result from the use of the chlorinated rubber particles as fillers instead of unchlorinated rubber particles.

Abstract: A low-density, porous material is prepared by mixing together microballoons and an oligomeric precursor to a polyesterimide polymer. The oligomeric precursor has an initial viscosity sufficiently low that it can flow and wet the microballoons when first heated to a polymerization processing temperature, and thereafter polymerize. Fibers may be controllably incorporated into the material during processing to impart specific properties, and air may be controllably incorporated into the material during processing to further decrease its density.

Abstract: There is provided a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous material which has improved adhesion and improved buckling resistance on bending without a tearing problem along a tubular axial direction.The porous material is composed of a polytetrafluoroethylene and a heat-meltable resin of which melting point is lower than that of the polytetrafluoroethylene, has fibril portions and node portions and characterized in that the fibril portions are mainly of the polytetrafluoroethylene, and the heat-meltable resin mainly constitutes the node portions and hardly constitutes the fibril portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface-modified polymeric adsorbent material comprising a porous post-crosslinked polymer as a substrate and at least one surface-modifying polymer. The porous post-crosslinked polymer comprises a polymer of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein the polymer has been post-crosslinked in a swollen state in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst. A process for preparing the surface-modified polymeric adsorbent materials, and the use of these materials in the separation of organic compounds, enantioselective synthesis and resolution of racemic mixtures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive consisting of a polyurethane foam is used for adhering decorative parts to automobiles and other vehicles. The adhesive is characterized by high tensile strength and elongation, excellent peel strength and good thermal and mechanical stress tolerance.

Abstract: Shaped microcellular structures having substantially non-cellular skins are produced from reactive liquid polymer systems incorporating thermoplastic microspheres containing volatile materials such as low boiling point halogenated or non-halogenated organic materials. Use of thermoplastic microspheres encapsulating such volatile materials facilitates the removal of the shaped foamed structure from molds, eliminating the need for release agents. Various products based on this process, such as bathroom fixtures, bicycle and wheel chair tires, shoe soles, and automotive parts, are provided.

Abstract: A syntactic foam-core material and method for its production are disclosed wherein glass microspheres and chopped fiberglass are dispersed within a slurry comprised of a suitable resin such as an epoxy and a suitable solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone. Under carefully controlled vacuum and rate of addition conditions, the microspheres and chopped fiberglass are added to the slurry to form a light weight syntactic foam-core material. The material may either be stored under cold conditions for use at a later time or it may be shaped and/or molded to conform to a desired configuration which, for example, may correspond with a desired component part. After curing, the material may be machined to final dimensions.

Abstract: A flexible closed cell polymeric foam contains expandable graphite as fire retardant. The foam is prepared by mixing a polymer, a curing agent, at least one blowing agent and an expandable graphite at a temperature of at least 100.degree. C. but below a temperature causing activation of the blowing agent to foam a foamable mixture and thereafter heating the foamable mixture to activate the blowing agent and cause foaming. The method of preparation may additionally include a curing step in which the foamable mixture is heated under pressure to activate simultaneously each of a curing agent, which is preferably a free radical curing agent, and a foaming agent. The foams are capable of meeting the US Federal Aviation Authority Standards, especially the oil burner test of FAR 25 Appendix F, part II.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expanded foamed bead of a rubber-modified styrene polymer, comprising a plurality of closed cells defined by cell walls which constitute a matrix for the bead, wherein each of the cell walls comprises two surfaces separated by a distance equal to the thickness of the cell wall.

Abstract: A method of pore-size selective chemical modification of materials having pores of about 1 to 1,500 nm is disclosed. The resulting novel porous materials are particularly useful as separation media in chromatography, for selective isolation, adsorption and catalysis.

Abstract: A foamed isocyanate-based polymer having a cellular structure and comprising a non-surface cross-linked superabsorbent polymer, the foamed polymer being capable of: (i) absorbing at least about 10 times its weight of a 0.9 wt./wt. % aqueous NaCl solution maintained at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to about 25.degree. C., and (ii) retaining at least about 10 times its weight of absorbed aqueous NaCl solution which is bound to the superabsorbent polymer. A process for producing the foamed isocyanate-based polymer is also described. The process comprises the steps of: contacting an isocyanate, an active hydrogen-containing compound, an aqueous blowing agent, a catalyst and a non-surface cross-linked superabsorbent polymer, the superabsorbent polymer being capable of absorbing at least about 10 times its weight of a 0.9 wt./wt. % aqueous NaCl solution maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 20.degree. to about 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A stable and highly productive method for the preparation of silicone foam having uniform cells characterized by mixing the base and curing agent portions of an organosiloxane, along with a gas-containing hollow filler in a mixing device having a shear-stirring mechanism such that the organosiloxane begins to foam and cure when the shear-stirring mechanism is used to rupture the filler and mix the base and curing agent portions.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of re-bonded foam products is disclosed. The process comprises mixing a liquid comprising polyol with a liquid comprising polyisocyanate in the presence of small pieces of foam, consolidating the mixture, and causing the polyol and polyisocyanate to react and bond the coated pieces together.

Abstract: Biodegradable foamed articles having density comprised from 5 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 obtained by agglomeration of foamed particles having composition comprising a thermoplastic starchy material or a thermoplastic natural polymer capable of absorbing water when converted into the thermoplastic state, a thermoplastic polymer, and water.

Abstract: Microsphere beads are mixed with a surface barrier liquid or mixture of such a liquid with a solid effective to prevent agglomeration and surface bonding of the microspheres; by the control of the application of heat and balancing temperature and active mixing, removal of water from the microspheres is achieved.The surface barrier liquid or mixture of such a liquid with a solid in the present invention is any one of a wide diversity of materials which meet the requirements of the intended function, i.e., to prevent the agglomeration of the microspheres during the process. Suitable materials include, by way of example, plasticizers, diluents, extenders, monomers and oligomers, and the like.

Abstract: A low density RRIM/RIM article formed of rigid foamed polyurethane which has incorporated in it, hollow glass microspheres with a compressive strength greater than 4,000 psi and a maximum size of 120 microns. This low density RRIM/RIM fascia may have physical properties and continuous high gloss painted outer skin comparable to conventional RRIM/RIM products while having reduced density in comparison to such product.

Abstract: A water absorbing porous article comprising a sponge and a metal complex is disclosed The metal complex comprises a metal ion, at least one chelating polymer chelated to the metal ion and at least one potentiator chelated to the metal ion. The chelating polymer in a preferred embodiment is chitosan.

Abstract: A low density RRIM/RIM article formed of rigid foamed polyurethane which has incorporated in it, hollow glass microspheres with a compressive strength greater than 4,000 psi and a maximum size of 120 microns. This low density RRIM/RIM fascia may have physical properties and continuous high gloss painted outer skin comparable to conventional RRIM/RIM products while having reduced density in comparison to such product.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing a composition material which embodies both physical and chemical properties of a physically expanded polymer and specific structural and/or chemical properties of solid particles fully encapsulated within membranes in the expanded polymer.

Abstract: A low-density, porous material is prepared by mixing together microballoons and an oligomeric precursor to a polyetherimide polymer. The oligomeric precursor has an initial viscosity sufficiently low that it can flow and wet the microballoons when first heated to a polymerization processing temperature, and thereafter polymerize. Fibers may be controllably incorporated into the material during processing to impart specific properties, and air may be controllably incorporated into the material during processing to further decrease its density.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expanded foamed bead of a rubber-modified styrene polymer, comprising a plurality of closed cells defined by cell walls which constitute a matrix for the bead, wherein each of the cell walls comprises two surfaces separated by a distance equal to the thickness of the cell wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymer particles that are acid-free in the swellable polymer core and to hollow polymer particles derived therefrom, and to a process for the production of these particles. The acid-free core advantageously decreases the polymer particle's affinity to water. Applicants have discovered that non-carboxylated latexes having a variety of Tg's will swell at temperatures higher than the Tg of the polymer. These latex particles are useful as opacifying plastic pigments for various coatings and particularly as gloss-enhancing plastic pigments for paper and paperboard coatings. Preparation of the hollow polymer particle comprises the use of (meth)acrylate ester monomers, vinyl esters of carboxylic acids or a mixture thereof which are hydrolyzable and swellable at higher temperatures in alkaline environments. The particles may be encapsulated with a hard shell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface-modified polymeric adsorbent material comprising a porous post-crosslinked polymer as a substrate and at least one surface-modifying polymer. The porous post-crosslinked polymer comprises a polymer of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein the polymer has been post-crosslinked in a swollen state in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst. A process for preparing the surface-modified polymeric adsorbent materials, and the use of these materials in the separation of organic compounds, enantioselective synthesis and resolution of racemic mixtures are also disclosed.