Abstract: Unsintered poly(tetrafluoroethylene) resin feeds are treated with ionizing radiation in an absorbed dose of no more than 1,000 Gy at room temperature in air so that only the melting temperature of the resin feeds is shifted toward the lower end without changing the quantities of heat of fusion and crystallization.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for fabricating devices from polymer precursors, along with devices so fabricated. The methods of the invention include the steps of plasma treating a polymer based resin, paste, preform billet, or extrudate, and employing the treated polymer in the fabricated device. According to one embodiment, the fabricated device can include implantable prosthetics such as heart valves, sutures, vascular access devices, vascular grafts, shunts, catheters, single layered membranes, double layered membranes, and the like. Devices fabricated according to one embodiment of the invention include regions having selected porosity, permeability and/or chemistry characteristics.

Abstract: Unsintered poly(tetrafluoroethylene) resin feeds are treated with ionizing radiation in an absorbed dose of no more than 1,000 Gy at room temperature in air so that only the melting temperature of the resin feeds is shifted toward the lower end without changing the quantities of heat of fusion and crystallization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are radiation-curable polymers, a method of preparing radiation-curable polymers and compositions containing radiation-curable polymers. Radiation-curable polymers and compositions containing radiation-curable polymers are useful as coatings and adhesives.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a production method by which a polymer of a functional group-terminated vinyl monomer can be easily and practically produced. Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide a functional group-terminated vinyl polymer which is useful as a material for the production of various functional products. The first aspect of the present invention is concerned with a production method of a functional group-terminated vinyl polymer comprising a step of synthesizing a halogen atom-terminated vinyl polymer by the radical polymerization reaction of a vinyl monomer in the presence of a halogen compound and a step of introducing a functional group to a terminus by substituting a functional group-containing group for the terminal halogen atom of said vinyl polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to a humid environment. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.

Abstract: The invention provides an organic/inorganic hybrid material with low optical loss at telecommunications wavelengths. Energy curable compositions of the present invention include condensed silica nanoparticles, a fluorinated silane coupling agent, an energy curable silane coupling agent, and a halogenated monomer or oligomer. Polymeric materials of the present invention include condensed silica nanoparticles having a mixture of organosilane coupling agents covalently bound to the exterior surface of the nanoparticles and a halogenated solid polymer matrix, wherein the mixture of organosilane coupling agents includes an at least partially fluorinated coupling agent, and a coupling agent covalently bound to the polymer matrix. The materials of the present invention are useful in making low-loss optical devices for telecommunications applications.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for fabricating devices from polymer precursors, along with devices so fabricated. The methods of the invention include the steps of plasma treating a polymer based resin, paste, preform billet, or extrudate, and employing the treated polymer in the fabricated device. According to one embodiment, the fabricated device can include implantable prosthetics such as heart valves, sutures, vascular access devices, vascular grafts, shunts, catheters, single layered membranes, double layered membranes, and the like. Devices fabricated according to one embodiment of the invention include regions having selected porosity, permeability and/or chemistry characteristics.

Abstract: A fluororesin heated at a temperature at or above the melting point of the resin is exposed in an inert gas atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of not more than 10 Torr to an ionizing radiation at a radiation dose of 0.1 kGy to 10 MGy to prepare a crosslinked fluororesin. The crosslinked fluororesin is exposed to an ionizing radiation at a radiation dose of 10 kGy to 5 MGy, and is then brought into contact with a functional group-containing organic compound to cause a graft reaction. By virtue of this constitution, a modified fluororesin is provided which has satisfactory mechanical strength and, at the same time, has, imparted thereto, for example, ion-exchange capacity, hydrophilicity, adhesive property, or abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A compound and a method of forming a photopolymerizable acrylated glycidyl acrylic terpolymer resin compound is disclosed. The polymeric resin may be formed in a two-step process. A photopolymerizable acrylic hybrid polymer is suitable for forming films having glass transition temperatures from about −55 degrees C. to about 110 degrees C. A non-aromatic photopolymerizable acrylate polymer may be formed by combining, in a first step, a reactive source of epoxide ion groups. In a second step, the glycidyl acrylic terpolymer formed in the first step is reacted with a catalyst and a source of unsaturated acid or anhydride to form an acrylate polymer. A ring opening reaction is employed such that an acid or an anhydride containing a conjugated double bond forms an acrylated acrylic, an acrylated fluorinated acrylic, an acrylated silonted acrylic, or an acrylated halogenated grafted acrylic. The cure process is initiated with specific UV or visible light promotors and/or with a UV or visible light source.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of making a polymerizable printing ink which comprises mixing a powdered polymer with a liquid composition comprising at least one polymerizable monomer or oligomer, said oligomer or monomer being polymerizable and the powdered polymer being soluble in said liquid composition at elevated temperature.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides an energy efficient polymerization method comprising irradiating a polymerizable composition and a photoinitiator with a source of essentially monochromatic radiation where the photoinitiator and the wavelength of the radiation source are selected such that the extinction coefficient of the photoinitiator at the peak wavelength of the source is greater than about 1000 M−1 cm−1 and such that the photoinitiator absorbs at least two percent of the actinic radiation incident on the coating. In another aspect the invention provides energy efficient methods of polymerizing polymerizable compositions and crosslinking crosslinkable compositions by irradiating the respective compositions with a low power source of essentially monochromatic radiation. The low power energy sources have an input power of less than about 10 W/cm.

Abstract: A fluoroplastic-based product having reduced friction and improved abrasion resistance having excellent abrasion resistance as well as good characteristics being inherent to fluoroplastics comprises a fluoroplastic molded material containing a modified fluoroplastic prepared by applying ionizing radiation to a fluoroplastic (I) heated at the melting point or a higher temperature under an inert gas atmosphere having 10 torr or less oxygen concentration within a range of irradiation doses of from 1 KGy to 10 MGy; and an unmodified fluoroplastic (II).

Abstract: A process using acrylate monomers and ultraviolet light permits modification of porous polymeric materials without the use of a free radical initiator is described as is the material so modified. The modified polymeric material exhibits new properties such as wetability and advantageous flow characteristics that are useful in filtration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fully vulcanized powdery rubber having a particle size of from 20 to 2000 nm, its preparation and use. The vulcanized powdery rubber is obtained by irradiating a rubber latex having a particle size of from 20 to 2000 nm with a high-energy irradiation. The vulcanized powdery rubber is very easily to be dispersed into various plastics, and thus can be mixed with various plastics to prepare toughened plastics and fully valcanized thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A water dispersed primer composition comprising a solution of a halogenated hydrocarbon polymer in organic solvent; and a dispersing agent added to the solution to form a fluid primer to be dispersed in water to provide the water dispersed primer composition. Optionally, fluid primers may include photoreactive components to provide photoreactive water dispersed primer compositions. The invention further includes water based priming adhesive compositions comprising an adhesive dispersion of an adhesive polymer dispersed in water, and a primer mixed with the adhesive dispersion to form the priming adhesive.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sterile article is disclosed. A polymer having a halogen-containing repeating unit is prepared that contains about 0.

Abstract: A source of radiation (10,12), particularly a pulsed accelerated electron beam, directs a beam of radiation through an irradiation chamber (14, 50). The irradiation chamber is depleted of oxygen and oxygen containing gases, such as being drawn to a vacuum of 10−1 or greater Torr by a vacuum pump (20, 52). Particulate fluoropolymer material is entrained (36) in substantially oxygen free gas and conveyed through the irradiation chamber. The accelerated electrons break chemical bonds in the fluoropolymer particles and electrostatically charge the particles. Magnetic fields (42, 60) of different polarity rotate the charged particles such that they are irradiated from different sides. The irradiated fluoropolymer particles are cooled (24) and separated (26) from the entraining gas. The entraining gas is recirculated through pneumatic line (34) for a continuous cycle. In an alternate batch processing embodiment, the fluoropolymer material is placed in the shallow container (50) which is sealed and evacuated.

Abstract: Production of a dielectric coating on a substrate whereby a poly(arylene ethers) or fluorinated poly(arylene ethers) layer is cured by exposure to electron beam radiation. A wide area electron beam is used which causes chemical reactions to occur in the polymer structure which are thought to cause crosslinks between polymer chains. The crosslinks lead to higher mechanical strength and higher glass transition temperature, lower thermal expansion coefficient, greater thermal-chemical stability and greater resistance to aggressive organic solvents. The polymer layer may also be optionally heated, thermally annealed, and/or exposed to UV actinic light.

Abstract: Disclosed are fluorinated materials for use in dental uses and non-dental uses, e.g., adhesives or coatings. Multifunctional monomers and prepolymers with pendant (meth)acrylate groups were prepared from epoxide ring-opening reactions. Resins based on the fluorinated monomers and prepolymers with diluent comonomers, were photocured as composites with particulate fillers. Fluorine contents of the prepolymers ranged from 15 to 65%. Composites with high transverse strength (up to 120 MPa), low water sorption (as low as 0.11 mass %) and extremely low polymerization shrinkage (as low as 3.4% by volume) were obtained. The fluorinated resins may be employed to produce hydrophobic dental composite materials with high strength and low polymerization shrinkage.

Abstract: In vivo polymerizable intraocular lens compositions which comprise substituted fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl monomers having anionic, cationic, and/or nonionic surface active functionality in the unsaturated fluorophobic ends. The compositions are preferably cured by UV photoinitiation and are useful in repairing torn or detached retinal tissue or forming intraocular lenses in situ.

Abstract: A process for decomposing a polymer which is capable of undergoing thermal depolymerization to its monomer or monomers, such as for example poly(methylmethacrylate), and for the recovery of at least one of the monomers, includes the steps of subjecting the polymer in solid, gel, partially molten or molten form to microwave heating for a time and at a temperature sufficient to decompose the polymer to produce the monomer or monomers in gaseous, liquid or solid form, without substantial decomposition of the monomer or monomers, and recovering at least one of the monomer or monomers. The monomer or monomers may then be reused for plymerisation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer of the formula ##STR1## wherein A is ##STR2## or a mixture of ##STR3## wherein R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or mixtures thereof, B is one of specified groups, such as ##STR4## or mixtures thereof, and n is an integer representing the number of repeating monomer units.

Abstract: A method is provided for making crosslinked acidic polymers useful as ion conductive membranes, such as crosslinked sulfonated polyether ketones, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polystyrenes, and other acidic polymers, by crosslinking with a species which generates an acidic functionality. The crosslinker preferably binds to acid functions by conversion of acid groups to imide functionality, which, due to the acidity of the N-H bonds therein, compensate for the acidity lost by the occupation of the acid groups and thus preserve membrane conductivity while contributing to membrane strength and resistance to swelling.

Abstract: Chemical reaction is effected utilizing light of an appropriate frequency supplied preferably via optical fibers to one or more light extractors having light-emissive surfaces in contact with reactants. The light can be concentrated before being delivered. Wave guides and a plurality of such extractors can be provided within the vessel.

Abstract: A solid-polymer-electrolyte membrane for a polymer-electrolyte fuel cell is formed of a synthetic resin. The synthetic resin includes a main chain, and a hydrocarbon-based side chain. The main chain is formed as a film, and formed of a copolymer made from a fluorocarbon-based vinyl monomer and a hydrocarbon-based vinyl monomer. The hydrocarbon-based side chain involves a sulfonic group. The solid-polymer-electrolyte membrane exhibits a high strength and flexibility, but a low electric resistance, and can be produced at a reduced manufacturing cost. Thus, the solid-polymer-electrolyte membrane can be effectively applied to construct polymer-electrolyte fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for irradiating and modifying high molecular weight organic polymers with high energy radiation so that the radiation impinges only in a distinct pattern which is less than the width of the polymer so as to cause controlled chain scission and continuity in molecular weight distribution. The method improves the flow rate and millability of the polymers.

Abstract: The improved nonwoven fabric in an electret state is composed of monofilaments with an average fiber diameter of 0.5-100 .mu.m that are formed of a polymer composition containing no more than 1 mol % of polar groups; the fabric has a weight of 5-100 g/m.sup.2, a bulk density of 0.05-0.40 g/cm.sup.3 and an average surface charge density of at least 0.1.times.10.sup.-9 C/cm.sup.2. This nonwoven fabric is capable of efficient dust collection and its trapping ability is retained for a prolonged time even in a hot and humid condition. Also disclosed are a process for producing this nonwoven fabric, as well as a filtering and an air masking material which are composed of that nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A lubricious polymeric composition which is stable toward sterilizing radiation includes a semicrystalline polyolefin of narrow molecular weight distribution having incorporated therein a liquid mobilizing additive, a radiation stabilizing amount of a hindered amine, a lubricating amount of an erucic acid derivative and a clarifying amount of a sorbitol derivative. The invention includes a sterilized article fabricated from the composition and a method to radiation sterilize the article.

Abstract: A hydrophilic porous membrane has graft chains of a hydrophilic monomer formed on the surface of a hydrophobic porous membrane so as to impart to the surface perfect hydrophilicity such that the produced membrane, when wetted, exhibits a swelling ratio of not more than 1% and a bubble point in the range of 0.5 to 8 kg/cm.sup.2. The hydrophilic porous membrane is produced by irradiating the hydrophobic porous membrane with plasma, feeding the hydrophilic monomer in a gaseous state, and allowing the hydrophilic monomer to be graft polymerized on the surface of the porous membrane. A plasma separator is obtained by using the aforementioned hydrophilic porous membrane as a plasma separation membrane.

Abstract: A novel class of copolymeric negative photoresists is provided whose sensitivity is based upon the presence of .alpha.-chloro ketone moieties. The general structure for the monomers from which the copolymers can be formed is: ##STR1## where R is a substituent selected from 1 to 6 carbon alkyl and halogen substitutes alkyl, phenyl, and halogen substituted phenyl and napthyl and the comonomers are comonomers selected from the group consisting of 1-4 carbon alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, styrene vinyl toluene and vinyl acetate and may include additionally other comonomers that are compatible and have the polymerizable >C.dbd.C< group. The copolymers form crosslinked networks and provide useful negative photoresists which are sensitive in the ultraviolet wavelength range of between about 200 nm to 300 nm.

Abstract: t-Butylvinylaryl ethers are provided which can be used to make t-butyl substituted polyaryl ethers and photoresist compositions. The photoresist compositions can be made by combining the t-butylpolyaryl ethers with aromatic onium salts.