Abstract: Cross-linked sol-gel like materials and cross-linked aerogels, as well as methods for making such cross-linked sol-gel like materials and cross-linked aerogels are described.

Abstract: A synthetic polymer foam is produced which incorporates fine particles of expandable graphite which surprisingly impart excellent fire resistant properties to the foam, particularly to foam made with a non-halogenated hydrocarbon as the primary blowing agent. For best results, the foam is produced through mixing the constituent materials, including the expandable graphite using a screw extruder. The foam can also be produced by creating a graphite/polyol or graphite/isocyanate dispersion in an extruder then mixing the remaining components in a conventional batch mixing or high pressure spraying process. Alternatively, conventional mixing can be used for the entire process, but use of a screw extruder in whole or in part is preferred.

Abstract: The invention is a hydrophobic polyurethane foam prepared from a conventional PO/EO polyether polyol, a graft polyol and a hydrophobicity inducing surfactant. The foam is sufficiently hydrophobic to pass a stringent water impermeability test.

Abstract: A polymer is prepared by polymerizing a polymerizable component from a mixture containing the polymerizable component and a surfactant, the surfactant and the polymerizable component being present in the mixture in a molar ratio of at least 0.2:1, having an average pore size greater than 4 nm and a density greater than 0.1 g/cc. The polymerizable component can comprise a resorcinol/formaldehyde system and the mixture can comprise an aqueous solution or the polymerizable component can comprise a divinylbenzene/styrene system and the mixture can comprise an organic solution. Alternatively, the polymerizable component can comprise vinylidene chloride or a vinylidene chloride/divinylbenzene system. The polymer may be monolithic, have a BET surface area of at least about 50 m2/g., include a quantity of at least one metal powder, or have an electrical conductivity greater than 10 Scm−1.

Abstract: A process for preparing porous olefin polymers comprising bringing into contact in a polymerization reactor, at a temperature T1, one or more olefins of the formula (I) CH2═CHR1, R1 being hydrogen, a C1-C20-alkyl or a C6-C12-aryl group, with a catalyst obtained by reacting a solid catalyst component in the form of spheroidal particles comprising a compound of Ti or V not containing metal-&pgr; bonds and a Mg halide, optionally containing one or more electron donor compounds, with an aluminum-alkyl (Al-alkyl) compound, then raising the temperature up to the polymerization temperature, said process being characterized in that: a) if the temperature T1 is lower than 40° C.

Abstract: Aromatic polyester polyols, and foams produced therefrom, having an acid number below 3.0 mg/KOH/g, wherein the aromatic polyester polyol is the reaction product of a reaction mixture comprising an acid component, a glycol component, and a urethane catalytic activity agent comprising at least one of a non-alkoxylated aminoalcohol and a metal esterification catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to syntactic foams comprising the reaction product of a liquid diphenylmethane diisocyanate component, with an isocyanate-reactive component, a filler having a density of less than 1 g/cm 3, and at least one organo-metallic catalyst. This invention also relates to the use of these syntactic foams for insulating pipes.

Abstract: A two-component on-site foam system for producing an intumescing fire protection foam is described with a density of less than 200 kg/m3 and an increased fire resistance endurance, with a polyol component (A), which contains at least one polyol, one catalyst for the reaction between the polyol and the polyisocyanate, water or a blowing agent based on a compressed or liquefied gas as foam-forming agent and at least one intumescing material based on an acid-forming agent, a carbon-supplying compound and a gas-forming agent, and a polyisocyanate component (B), which contains at least one polyisocyanate, wherein the polyol component (A) contains at least one polyester polyol, at least one aminopolyol, at least one halogen-containing polyol, at least one acid-forming agent, expanding graphite and at least one ash crust stabilizer, the quantitative ratios of the polyols to the polyisocyanate or polyisocyanates being matched so that, when the polyol component (A) is mixed with the polyisocyanate component (B) as spe

Abstract: The present invention relates to low impact resilience polyurethane form that has excellent deodorization property, hygroscopicity and contained carbon powder does not fall because the carbon powder of wide scope grading is dispersed and maintained in low impact resilience polyurethane form, and suitable producing of this low impact resilience polyurethane form; producing of low impact resilience polyurethane form that low impact resilience polyurethane form that carbon powder is dispersed and maintained, isocyanate ingredient and polyol ingredient that carbon powder which has over 1 &mgr;m particle diameter is dispersed previously are molded after blended, heated and foamed, and producing of low impact resilience polyurethane form that isocyanate ingredient, polyol ingredient and carbon powder which has 0.01˜1 &mgr;m particle diameter are molded after blended simultaneously, heated and foamed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a dielectric resin foam which has high and uniform dielectric properties and is preferable for use as various dielectric materials. A dielectric resin foam obtained by expanding a resin composition comprising a synthetic resin and a fibrous and/or plate-like dielectric inorganic filler is provided.

Abstract: A porous resin which can be carbonised to a mesoporous carbon can be made by cross-linking a phenolformaldehyde pre-polymer in the presence of a pore former;, preferably ethylene glycol in an amount of at least 120 parts by weigh of ethylene glycol per 100 parts resin and carbonising the resin formed. The resin can be formed in situ by condensing a phenol with/without modifying agents with cross-linking agent by pouring the partially cross-linked resin into hot oil mesoporous resin beads are obtained which can be carbonised to mesoporous carbon beads.

Abstract: The present invention provides radiation-curable coating compositions for producing abhesive coatings, comprising at least one radiation-curing organopolysiloxane having (meth)acrylate ester groups, an additive to compensate the inhibition caused by oxygen in the course of curing, and, if desired, photoinitiators and customary auxiliaries and adjuvants, wherein said additive used is at least one antioxidant from the group of the phosphorus(III) compounds and/or sulfur compounds.

Abstract: This relates variously to techniques for comminuting polymeric foams, to techniques for preparing polymeric foams containing that comminuted foam, and to the resulting comminuted foam powder and polymeric foams. The procedures may be used on foams containing production contaminants such as polyolefins, paper, and foam skins and on other foams containing consumer contaminants such as wood, metal, leather, etc. The comminuted foam powder, with or without contaminants, preferably is screened or sifted to obtain a foam powder having a particle size of about 2 mm or less.

Abstract: Hydrogels having improved elasticity and mechanical strength properties are obtained by subjecting a hydrogel formulation containing a strengthening agent to chemical or physical crosslinking conditions subsequent to initial gel formation. Superporous hydrogels having improved elasticity and mechanical strength properties are similarly obtained whenever the hydrogel formulation is provided with a foaming agent. Interpenetrating networks of polymer chains comprised of primary polymer(s) and strengthening polymer(s) are thereby formed. The primary polymer affords capillary-based water sorption properties while the strengthening polymer imparts significantly enhanced mechanical strength and elasticity to the hydrogel or superporous hydrogel. Suitable strengthening agents can be natural or synthetic polymers, polyelectrolytes, or neutral, hydrophilic polymers.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foam for purifying and filtrating air, particularly filtrating toxic compounds, such as for instance tar and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from tobacco smoke, and to a method to prepare this foam. The foam according to the invention is a foam comprising cavities and interstitial spaces situated outside of the cavities, the cavities being defined by walls, the walls of the cavities being composed of a crosslinked polymer and possible additives, the average largest dimension of the cavities being in the range of 30-350 &mgr;m, a considerable part of the cavities comprising two or more perforations in their walls, the perforations having an average diameter in the range of 5-300 &mgr;m, a considerable part of the perforations of adjacent cavities being positioned with respect to each other such that a continuous, non-linear path is formed, the foam having a porosity of at least 45 vol.

Abstract: A rigid polyurethane foam having lose density without an increased k-factor can be produced by adding small amounts of butyl alcohol to a polyurethane composition containing an isocyanate, at least one polyol, a catalyst and a gaseous blowing agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cyclic organic carbonates as additives in formulations for the production of polyurethane foams.

Abstract: Polyurethane article black colorants which comprise a novel blue polymeric anthraquinone colorant, rather than the previous standard polymeric triphenylmethane blue-type colorants are provided. Such a novel blend of colorants to produce black colorations within the target polyurethane foams exhibits very low color degradation within polyurethane foams, primarily due to the stability and resiliency of the novel anthraquinone-based polymeric colorant in the presence of high isocyanate levels, as well as large amounts of reactive tertiary amines (from catalyst residue, for example). A black colorant comprising such a novel blue polymeric colorant, as well as polyurethane foams comprising such a novel black coloring agent and methods of producing such foams are all contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: A polyol composition containing a polyester polyol, at least 5 weight % of a compatibilizing agent, based on the weight of the polyol and compatibilizing agent, and a hydrocarbon blowing agent. The compatibilizing agent is one or a combination of a benzoate glycol adduct, a substituted benzoate glycol adduct, a naphthenate glycol adduct, a substituted naphthenate glycol adduct, a toluate glycol adduct, or a substituted toluate glycol adduct. The hydrocarbon blowing agent is selected from cyclopentane, isopentane, n-pentane, 2-chloropropane; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a); 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa); and n-propylbromide, or mixtures thereof. The compatibilizing agent improves the miscibility of conventional polyester polyols with hydrocarbon blowing agents. The polyol composition can be reacted with a polyisocyanate to form a foam.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing an open-celled rigid polyurethane foam by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with a polyol in the presence of a blowing agent, a cell opening agent and exfoliating graphite, wherein the thermal conductivity of the foam is from 28 to 35 mw/mk. Such foams are applicable in the construction industry where it is desired to have a foam having flame retardation properties and a low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Flexible polyurethane foams are produced by reacting a polyol and a polyisocyanate in the presence of a catalysts and other auxiliary agents, the process characterized in that a tin-based catalyst is not used. One process includes reacting a polyether polyol containing at least 5% by weight of an oxyethylene group in the chain and having a terminal secondary OH group, a toluene diisocyanate and/or a derivative, and one or more specified imidazole compounds, the process conducted in the absence of a tin-based catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst for polyurethane production is provided which is non-corrosive and exhibits effective delay of catalyst action.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: Process for preparing rigid and flexible polyurethane foams by reacting a polyisocyanate, polyols and water in the presence of a catalyst and a fire retardant which is a combination of expandable graphite and phosphorous-containing compound.

Abstract: The polyisocyanate polyaddition products comprise hydrophobic compounds plus at least one further compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) organic, cyclic compounds having a molecular weight of from 200 to 3000 g/mol, (ii) salts of metals of transition groups I, II and/or VIII, (iii) organic and/or inorganic acid anhydrides, (iv) cyclic sulfonic esters and/or sulfones, (v) lactones, lactams and/or cyclic esters and/or (vi) &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acids, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketones and/or &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated aldehydes.

Abstract: A flexible polyurethane foam having a core impact resilience of at most 40%, of which the half-width of the resonance transmission peak in the resonance curve is at most 1 Hz.

Abstract: Method for the treatment of mineral fillers using organic phosphate treatment agents. Treated mineral fillers obtained by said method and suspension of these treated mineral fillers in polyols. Use of these suspensions in the manufacture of flexible, semirigid, or rigid polyurethane foams used for the manufacture of molded or nonmolded objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions of drying agents of superabsorbent polymers, molecular sieves and mixtures thereof and binders of polyurethane foam, polyisocyanurate foam and supports comprising cellulose and a method for separating, drying and/or filtering chemical mixtures. The composition and method of the invention have broad applicability. They may be used for example to remove water from chemical mixtures like refrigerants (e.g., in vehicular refrigeration systems), air (e.g., in vehicular braking systems), natural gas and cleaning solvents (e.g., used in semiconductor manufacture and pipeline cleaning).

Abstract: In a process for producing flexible polyurethane foams by the reaction known per se of polyisocyanates with compounds containing at least two hydrogen atoms which react with isocyanate, the reaction is carried out in the presence of cyclic or heterocyclic compounds containing at least one reactive hydrogen atom.

Abstract: A process for producing a two component polyurethane foam, which process comprises mixing (A) a polyol resin component; (B) an isocyanate component having a free monomeric diisocyanate content of not more than 2% by weight; and (C) a catalyst blend comprising at least two catalytic materials selected from (a) organometallic catalysts, (b) amines and (c) isocyanurate catalysts.

Abstract: Polyurethane article black colorants which comprise a novel blue polymeric anthraquinone colorant, rather than the previous standard polymeric triphenylmethane blue-type colorants are provided. Such a novel blend of colorants to produce black colorations within the target polyurethane foams exhibits very low color degradation within polyurethane foams, primarily due to the stability and resiliency of the novel anthraquinone-based polymeric colorant in the presence of high isocyanate levels, as well as large amounts of reactive tertiary amines (from catalyst residue, for example). A black colorant comprising such a novel blue polymeric colorant, as well as polyurethane foams comprising such a novel black coloring agent and methods of producing such foams are all contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: A method for molecular imprinting polymers with large biomolecules. The imprinted polymer composite is made by the interfacial polymerization of a monomer in the presence of the print molecule and host polymer. Since polymerization occurs at the interface between an organic solvent and an aqueous solution, the print molecule can be disposed in the phase that allows the print molecule to remain in its native configuration. The choice of the host polymer and the monomer to be polymerized can be varied to enhance the specificity of the composite toward the biomolecule that is selected to be imprinted.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: A method for producing a rigid, closed-cell polyurethane foam having a free-rise density of from about 1.3 lbs./ft.3 to about 4 lbs./ft.3 and exhibiting a shrinkage of less than 10%, comprises mixing together an isocyanate, a methyl formate blowing agent and at least one polyol having a hydroxyl number of from about 150 to about 800 and being selected from the group consisting of polyalkoxylated amines, polyalkoxylated ethers, and polyester polyols, to form a reaction mixture that is curable to produce such foam.

Abstract: A method for producing a flexible polyurethane foam in an open state, which comprises reacting a polyol with a polyisocyanate compound in the presence of a catalyst, a blowing agent and a foam stabilizer, wherein as the polyol, a polyol having a hydroxyl value of at most 15 mgKOH/g is used.

Abstract: Rigid polyurethane foams that can be produced at component volumes ratios of less than 4:1 are prepared from an isocyanate component that contains certain polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compounds. These isocyanate components are mixed with a polyol component to produce rigid foams. The foams are particularly suitable for foam-in-place applications, such as for reinforcing structural members of automobiles.

Abstract: A method for producing an open cell low-density semi-rigid polyurethane foam suitable for general use as a thermal insulating material and/or an acoustical applications is disclosed. The method comprises a method for producing a flame-retardant open-celled semi-rigid polyurethane foam having an overall density of 5 to 30 kg/m2 by reacting (a) a polyisocyanate and (b) a polyol having a molecular weight of 100 to 10,000, in the presence of (c) an effective amount of an exfoliating graphite, (d) blowing agent and (e) optional additional auxiliary substances to produce.

Abstract: The present invention provides tough, high modulus, low density thermoset polyurethane compositions which are useful in general as, for example, cast structural materials and in a preferred embodiment can be cured directly onto an aircraft engine fan blade, thereby providing a lighter blade, without concomitant loss in structural integrity or blade performance due to, for example, resistance to foreign object impacts and fuel efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is comprised of bis-amine compounds reacted with isocyanate-functional polyether polymers in the presence of hollow polymeric microspheres. The thermoset polymer compositions are formed by casting into a mold which is formed by a cavity within the metallic or composite fan blade or guide vane in the form of a pocket and a removable caul sheet. After the elastomeric polyurethane foam is injected through at least one injector port into the mold, the foam is cured.

Abstract: Polymer foams containing nanoclay are provided, the foams having improved properties such as thermal insulation values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an O/W type aqueous dispersion which comprises mixing a radical polymerization type thermosetting resin and water together to uniformly disperse particles of the resin in the aqueous phase; the aqueous dispersion is stable and thixotropic and has excellent workability; moreover, as with a normal radical polymerization type thermosetting resin, the aqueous dispersion can be cured at ambient temperature or with heating in the presence of a curing agent and if necessary an accelerator, and the cured material obtained is a porous cured material having fine particles bound together and fine interconnected pores between the bound particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming a polyurethane foam suitable for use as a wound-contacting layer, said method comprising: mixing 1 part by weight of an isocyanate-capped prepolymer having from 0.5 to 4.8 meq. NCO groups/g with from 0.4 to 1.0 parts by weight of water and an effective amount of a nonvolatile pharmaceutically acceptable acid to form a prepolymer mixture; allowing said prepolymer mixture to cure to form a foamed product; followed by drying the foamed product. The invention also provides acidified polyurethane foams obtainable by this method, and wound dressings comprising such foams.

Abstract: The polyisocyanate polyaddition products comprise hydrophobic compounds plus at least one further compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) organic, cyclic compounds having a molecular weight of from 200 to 3000 g/mol, (ii) salts of metals of transition groups I, II and/or VIII, (iii) organic and/or inorganic acid anhydrides, (iv) cyclic sulfonic esters and/or sulfones, (v) lactones, lactams and/or cyclic esters and/or (vi) &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acids, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketones and/or &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated aldehydes.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition having a co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology for controlled gas transmission rate. These co-continuous interconnecting channels are predominately occupied with a polymer and particles that control the percolation through the composition. The polymer composition may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous matrix-type drug delivery system is provided. It comprises the steps of: dispersing, stirring, and emulsifying an aqueous solution of a drug in an organic solvent having a polymer compound and a surface active agent solved therein; thereafter forming it into a desirable matrix shape; lyophilizing or drying it at a low temperature or room temperature until the matrix surface is hardened; and drying it again in order to remove the water and the organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spongy rubber body or, in particular, spongy silicone rubber body useful for forming the semiconductive rubber layer of a rubber roller in photocopying machines and the like as well as for use as a spongy rubber puff in cosmetic makeup. Characteristically, the inventive spongy rubber is compounded with, besides ordinary ingredients in spongy silicone rubbers, a specified amount of globular particles of, preferably, a silicone rubber having a specified average particle diameter. Compounding of globular particles in a spongy rubber has an effect to give a uniformized and decreased average cell diameter of the spongy rubber and also to greatly decrease the permanent compression set of the spongy rubber as required in the rubber layer of a spongy rubber roller. Cosmetic puffs can be imparted with improved touch feeling to the human skin and improved evenness in spreading of a cosmetic composition over the skin.

Abstract: A two part system for producing structural reinforcing adhesives is provided wherein one component containing epoxy resin is combined with a second component containing a specified curative system. An aliphatic polyamine, an amidoamine, an alcohol and an adduct of a polyamine and an epoxide are present in the curative system. When a thermally activated blowing agent is utilized, the resulting foam is remarkably uniform in cell structure and has improved strength and modulus. Hollow inorganic microspheres are employed to reduce the density of the thermoset produced from the two part system.

Abstract: The invention relates to expandable polystyrene beads which comprise graphite particles with an average particle size of more than 50 &mgr;m, and also to a process for their preparation by free-radical polymerization of styrene in aqueous suspension. The graphite particles, suspended in styrene, are added to the polymerization mixture at a conversion of from 10 to 100%.

Abstract: Waxes, particularly paraffin and microcrystalline waxes, can act as corrosion inhibitors when added at low levels to compositions based on thermosettable resins such as epoxy resins. When such wax-modified thermosettable compositions are used to coat a metallic surface, enhanced protection of the metallic surface against corrosion due to environmental exposure such as salt spray is obtained. The thermosettable compositions are particularly useful in expandable or foamable form for imparting structural reinforcement to hollow metal parts such as automotive components.