Abstract: A method if provided for continuously hydrolyzing urethane foam in a vertically oriented hydrolysis reactor. In a preferred practice, a bed of foam particles is formed in the reactor. Superheated steam is flowed continuously upward through the bed at a temperature and rate such that only the foam particles then adjacent the bottom of the reactor are hydrolyzed and the bulk of the bed is not fluidized. Unreacted steam heats the unhydrolyzed foam. Liquid hydrolysis products are drained as they are formed to prevent hydrolysis-impeding liquid saturation of unhydrolyzed particles.

Abstract: Organic foams having a low density and very small cell size and method for producing same in either a metal-loaded or unloaded (nonmetal loaded) form are described. Metal-doped foams are produced by soaking a polymer gel in an aqueous solution of desired metal salt, soaking the gel successively in a solvent series of decreasing polarity to remove water from the gel and replace it with a solvent of lower polarity with each successive solvent in the series being miscible with the solvents on each side and being saturated with the desired metal salt, and removing the last of the solvents from the gel to produce the desired metal-doped foam having desired density cell size, and metal loading. The unloaded or metal-doped foams can be utilized in a variety of applications requiring low density, small cell size foam. For example, rubidium-doped foam made in accordance with the invention has utility in special applications, such as in x-ray lasers.

Abstract: Compositions of and a method for preparing polymeric formulations that gradually, continuously and uniformly release various compounds over a long period of time in ionic form that are well recognized as essential to the growth of agricultural commodities. The compounds, such as inorganic salts of varying water solubilities, are monolithically incorporated in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix usually of two thermoplastic polymers, for example, a copolymer of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) or a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. Release is generally conditioned upon the presence of moisture and is proportional to the moisture content of soil treated with the subject invention. Release rate is tailored to a given desirable condition by regulation of the free volume and/or porosity within the polymer matrix and through dispenser geometry.

Abstract: Porous polyurethane solids such as open cell polyurethane foams are rapidly heated and hydrolytically decomposed into separate polyol component and diamine component by contacting the porous solids with saturated steam in a heated vacuum chamber. Separation of high quality liquid polyol and diamine is achieved.

Abstract: Opacifying agents of improved structural integrity and light scattering ability are disclosed. These agents are composed of hollow, substantially spherical agglomerates having discontinuous walls composed of solid, spherical microparticles. The microparticles are produced by admixing an aqueous, partially condensed aldehyde condensation product with an oily non-solvent material and an emulsifying agent to produce a water-in-oil emulsion. Polymerization acid catalyst is then admixed with the emulsion to produce the discrete, substantially spherical and opaque, solid microparticles. After inverting the emulsion to oil-in-water form and adding oil-soluble resin adhesive, elevated temperature is used to cure the adhesive while evaporatively removing residual oily non-solvent. This yields improved agglomerate opacifying agents of high physical stability.

Abstract: A textile or textile-like polyester element having improved adhesion to rubber and being characterized by a high surface energy, a chemically unmodified surface and a coating which is a crystallizing agent for the polyester substrate.

Abstract: A semipermeable composite membrane comprising a thin semipermeable film of a polymeric material deposited on one side of the microporous substrate, said polymeric material being prepared by interfacial crosslinking of a polymer containing a recurring unit of the formula ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and W.sub.1 represents a direct bonding or a sulfonyl group (--SO.sub.2 --), with a polyfunctional compound containing at least two functional groups selected from acid halide, sulfonyl halide, isocyanate, N-haloformyl, haloformate and acid anhydride groups; and a process for producing the same. The semipermeable composite membrane of this invention is especially useful for desalination of saline or brackish water by reverse osmosis.

Abstract: A process for preparing a porous material having a fine pore size which comprises preparing a solution comprising resin comprising a vinylidene fluoride/tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, a vinylidene fluoride polymer or a mixture thereof and at least a solvent for the resin and a non-solvent for the resin, and removing the solvent and the non-solvent from the solution, wherein a part of the resin is dissolved or swollen during the removal of the solvent and non-solvent.

Abstract: A membrane made of a composition containing essentially two kinds of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers with different ethylene unit contents and the membrane has such a microstructure that there are at least one active layer and a porous layer thereunder, the porous layer comprises mono- or multi-layer of a plurality of cylindrical voids and a plurality of spherical voids therein and the membrane is of a porosity of 70 to 95%.

Abstract: Organic amides, solutions of polymers thereof, which polymers are subject to hydrolysis and degradation in the presence of amines, and polymers isolated therefrom are stabilized by the presence of aromatic sulfonic acid esters of aliphatic, arylaliphatic and alicyclic alcohols and polyols.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a process for producing microporous coatings comprising (1) mixing an NCO-prepolymer prepared from polyisocyanates with compounds containing at least two isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms with about 3 to 40% by weight, based on the NCO-prepolymer, of a substantially inert, non-migrating liquid organic compound miscible with said NCO-prepolymer as a plasticizer; (2) adding about 3 to 300 weight % of water, based on the NCO-prepolymer, into the NCO-prepolymer-plasticizer mixture to form a water-in-oil emulsion; (3) adding a polyamine in a quantity substantially equivalent to the isocyanate groups; (4) applying a coating of the water-in-oil emulsion to a substrate; and (5) hardening the coating by evaporating the chemically unbound water from said coating.

Abstract: An emulsion formed by mixing water with a mixture consisting essentially of an unsaturated polyester resin and an unsaturated monomer, wherein said emulsion is so stable that demulsification does not occur when a setting agent of a kind which sets by hydration thereof is added thereto.

Abstract: A method for forming a microporous sheet of fluorocarbon polymer (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene). An aqueous dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene which includes a dissolved water-soluble, crystallizable metallic organic salt, preferably sodium benzoate, is formed into a sheet. Water is evaporated from an exposed surface of the sheet to grow crystals of the organic salt dispersed throughout the sheet. Then, the sheet is sintered. After cooling, the salt crystals are leached from the sheet by dissolution in water to leave a porous structure suitable for such uses as a filtration membrane or as a separation barrier in batteries or electrolytic cells.

Abstract: A method for hydrolysis of polyurethane foam and recovery of diamines and polyethers (or polyesters) from the hydrolysate carried out near atmospheric pressure and temperatures above about 185.degree. C. in a reaction zone containing water vapor which comprises increasing the rate of diamine production by inclusion of a minor, but effective amount of ammonia in the reaction zone. Volitilized diamines separated from the foam are preferably removed from the reaction zone, e.g. in an overhead stream, while polyethers (or polyesters) separated from the foam are recovered as liquid bottoms from the reaction zone.

Abstract: A sheet material with improved dyeability comprises a polyurethane resin obtained by reacting an organic diisocyanate with a polymer polyol and if necessary together with a chain extender.

Abstract: Membranes which are useful in ultrafiltration processes are prepared by casting films from solutions of heteroaromatic polymers and subsequently quenching these films into solvents which cause gelation of the polymers. Examples of polymers employed in the preparation of microporous membranes are: poly-as-triazines, polyquinoxalines, poly (pyrazinoquinoxalines), polyquinolines and poly (anthrazolines). Membrane properties such as solvent flux, specific water content and pore size are readily controlled by proper choice of polymer concentration, solvents, and the addition of nonsolvents, salts and/or surfactants to the casting solutions.

Abstract: Concentrated aqueous solution of acrylamide or mixture of acrylamide and other vinyl monomer is polymerized in the presence of catalyst, and the polymerization solution is to be boiled by heat of polymerization in the course of polymerization.Obtained hydrous gels of acrylamide polymers are porous, water soluble and are easily dehydrated by conventional dehydration techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates to filter material consisting substantially of a microporous and/or macroporous sheet structure obtained by coagulation of a polymer solution in which at least one surface area of the sheet structure is abraded more or less, depending on the desired pore size and a process for producing said filter materials.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of a glycidyl compound containing a N-heterocyclic group and of an amine hardener is used for the modification, sealing or binding of substrates.

Abstract: An osseous cement for orthopedic or dental application, which comprises the admixture of 10 to 40% weight of organic or inorganic particles wherein said particles are soluble in the extracellular fluid of the body, and are essentially non-toxic, 20 to 40% weight of an acrylic monomer and 35 to 65% weight of an insoluble particulate filler having a particle size of less than 100.mu..

Abstract: Aqueous slurries of vesiculated cross-linked polyester resin granules which show a shrinkage of less than 5% on drying are prepared by a double-emulsion process in the presence of polyamine having a pKa value of 8.5-10.5 at a concentration of 0.3 to 1.4 amine groups per carboxyl group of the polyester, the acid value of which is limited to 10-45 mgm KOH per gm.The granules are of particular use as opacifying matting agents in latex paints and avoid the defect observed hitherto of cracking at high film builds.

Abstract: A non-swellable three-dimensional polymer having a component which is a residue of an optically active compound, which residue is chemically removable from said polymer to leave behind in the physical structure of said polymer a void corresponding to the size and shape of said residue of optically active compound, and a particular steric arrangement of functional groups within the void of said polymer corresponding to the chemical structure of said residue of optically active compound, the original polymer having recurring units of the formulas ##STR1## wherein A, C and D are residues bonded to B of compounds which residues are polymerizable or polycondensable and B is a residue of an optically active compound; a process for preparing such polymer and the form of such polymer containing such void and free of the residue of optically active compounds.

Abstract: Bioimplant three dimensional latice of hydrophilic polyurethane having a backbone of polyetherol or polyesterol, end-capped with aliphatic or aromatic diisocyanate, chain branched with polyol and bound into a latice by chain extension alkyl diols. The method of producing such a latice. An extension would be the use of the latice for other medical and veterinary purposes.

Abstract: Process for the production of polyurethanes dissolved in a solvent by mixing linear pre-adducts having terminal NCO groups dissolved in solvents with hydrazines and/or dihydrazine compounds and or diamines dissolved in solvents, for the purpose of forming partially cross-linked polyurethanes, whilst continuously measuring the viscosity until the viscosity shows a value which is located in the shaded zone of the section of curves shown in FIG. 1, the addition of the pre-adduct solution being carried out at such a speed that the final solution has solids content of between 25 and 35 per cent by weight, and coagulation of the obtained solution to fabricated shapes, especially to microporous sheet structures.

Abstract: A method of preparing cross-linked hydrogels in the form of shaped articles, insoluble in any solvent but swellable in water and in aqueous liquids, is provided. The method comprises polymerizing acrylonitrile alone or with a minor amount up to 15% by weight of monoethylenically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable with acrylonitrile under conditions of radical polymerization in concentrated, i.e. 50 to 72%, nitric acid in the absence of any added chain-transfer and cross-linking agents, said monomer or monomers being used in concentrations making possible cross-linking by chain transfer onto the monomer, i.e. in concentrations ranging from 15 to 50%, preferably from 25 to 40% by weight, at temperatures ranging from 0.degree. to 50.degree. C, preferably from 5.degree. to 20.degree. C. The polymerization is carried out in a mold.

Abstract: An emulsion formed by mixing water with a mixture consisting essentially of an unsaturated polyester resin and an unsaturated monomer, wherein said emulsion is so stable that demulsification does not occur when a setting agent of a kind which sets by hydration thereof is added thereto.

Abstract: A non-swellable three-dimensional polymer having a component which is a residue of an optically active compound, which residue is chemically removable from said polymer to leave behind in the physical structure of said polymer a void corresponding to the size and shape of said residue of optically active compound, and a particular steric arrangement of functional groups within the void of said polymer corresponding to the chemical structure of said residue of optically active compound, the original polymer having recurring units of the formulas ##STR1## wherein A, C and D are residues bonded to B of compounds which residues are polymerizable or polycondensable and B is a residue of an optically active compound; a process for preparing such polymer and the form of such polymer containing such void and free of the residue of optically active compounds.

Abstract: A gas permeable contact lens concave-convex in form made of a transparent, optically clear polymethylmethacrylate.

Abstract: Porous fibers which are much preferred for having various functionalities such as ion exchangeability, catalytic activity, etc. can be produced by impregnating a mixed monomer liquid of at least one monovinyl monomer and at least one polyvinyl monomer which contains a polymerization initiator in substrate fibers capable of being swollen by 30 - 500 volume % with the mixed monomer liquid, polymerizing the monomers in the state of being absorbed in the fibers and then removing said substrate fibers.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an ion exchange resin of higher porosity and purity is described. The porosity is achieved by inserting polar, preferably hydrolyzable linear polymer into the polymerizing phase. The insert is later extracted from the polymerized beads.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hard and porous polyvinylalcohol gels for aqueous gel permeation chromatography, comprises suspension-polymerizing vinyl acetate with diethylene glycol dimethacrylate or glycidyl methacrylate in the presence of a diluent which controls pore size of the product as a crosslinking agent, saponifying the resulting porous polyvinyl acetate gel with an alkali, and subjecting the resulting porous polyvinylalcohol gel to post-crosslinking with epichlorohydrin.