Abstract: A process for the production of a masterbatch (M) which includes at least one lactam and at least one fiber material is provided herein. Also described herein is the masterbatch (M) and a polymerizable two-component system (pS), as well as a process for the production of a polyamide (P), the use of the masterbatch (M) for the production of the polyamide (P), and the polyamide (P). A molding made of the polyamide (P) is also described.

Abstract: A conductive paste composition, including aluminum powder; an organic carrier including an organic solvent and resin or cellulose; and phenoxy alkyl alcohol accounting for 2˜10% of weight of the conductive paste composition. The conductive paste composition includes the phenoxy alkyl alcohol, and thus resultant conductive paste not only has enhanced surface tension, but also has an increased difference in surface tension between the resultant conductive paste and a cell to therefore alter wetting behavior between the paste and a silicon wafer, to reduce the broadening behavior of the wiring lines printed, increase the aspect ratio of printing wiring, increase the light-receiving area of the solar cells, and enhance the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the solar cells (especially local back surface field solar cells and PERC bifacial cells).

Abstract: A cavitation device and method for using the same is useful for cavitationally treating fluids by generation of hydrodynamic cavitation in the fluid followed by the subsequent collapse of cavitation bubbles. The passage of fluid through slot openings in a cylindrical insert mounted in a housing provides fluid jets in an annular cavity to induce hydrodynamic cavitation of the fluid. Fluid is discharged from the annular cavity into a downstream portion of the housing to collapse cavitation bubbles under static pressure.

Abstract: A preblend of one or more pigments and one or more polymers derived from ethylene monomers and ?-olefin monomers when added to polyethylene unexpectedly results in high improvements in impact strength with regard to rotationally molded products as compared to the same products not blended with any preblend. The result is a cost effective, high impact resistant polyethylene that is a physical, dry color blend.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for preparing a polymer latex resin powder in which an efficiency of mixing of steam, a latex, and a coagulant is increased by introducing a non-continuous screw into a reactor that performs coagulation and aging and thus a moisture content of a slurry is decreased and, accordingly, drying efficiency may be enhanced, and a polymer latex resin powder with excellent color and powder characteristics may be prepared using a decreased amount of coagulant and a method of preparing a polymer latex resin powder by using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous epoxy resin blend dispersion of a high mw epoxy resin and a liquid epoxy resin with a dispersant having an interfacial tension such that a drop of the mixture of the dispersant in a melt of the epoxy resin blend against water is less than 2 dynes/cm, preferably less than 1 dyne/cm, and a process for preparing this epoxy resin blend dispersion. Specifically, the process is a solvent free melt kneading or shearing dispersion process wherein the dispersion is processed at from 50 to 150° C., and the resulting dispersion is stable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing thermoplastic molding compounds, comprising: A) 40 to 99 wt % of at least one thermoplastic polymer, B) 1 to 60 wt % of a flame-proofing agent component containing an expandable graphite, and C) 0 to 60 wt % of further additives, by melt-mixing components A), B) and C) in a screw-type extruder, wherein the screw-type extruder, along the feed direction, comprises, in the following order, at least one dosing zone, a plastifying zone, a homogenizing zone, a second dosing zone, and a discharge zone, in that the dosing takes place into the screw-type extruder having the length L, wherein the length L is defined as the section starting with the first dosing unit for adding components A, B and/or C and ending, in the feed direction, at the discharge opening, a melt is generated after adding components A, B and C in the range of 0 liter to 0.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for preparing rubber compositions where those rubber compositions comprise at least one telechelic polymer and at least one filler. The methods make use of a mixer that includes a mixing chamber and at least one rotor with wings of specified configuration. Use of the disclosed methods yields a rubber composition with improved properties including an improved dispersion index after master batch mixing as compared to the same rubber composition mixed using standard 4 wing mixers.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process and apparatus for carrying out reactions with reaction mixtures comprising different physical phases. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for carrying out chemical reactions comprising a step wherein a reaction mixture comprising at least two different physical phases, wherein at least one of these phases being liquid, is subjected to the action of Dean vortices, which Dean vortices result from said liquid flowing through a channel having at least two curvatures, wherein the channel comprises for at least a fraction of its total length a smooth inner surface.

Abstract: Described is a continuous process for preparing nanodispersions including providing a composition comprising a liquid and a solute; heating the composition to dissolution of the solute to form a solution comprising the solute dissolved in the liquid; directing the heated solution through a continuous tube wherein the continuous tube has a first end for receiving the solution, a continuous flow-through passageway disposed in an ultrasonic heat exchanger, and a second end for discharging a product stream; treating the heated solution as the solution passes through the continuous flow-through passageway disposed in the ultrasonic heat exchanger to form the product stream comprising nanometer size particles in the liquid; optionally, collecting the product stream in a product receiving vessel; and optionally, filtering the product stream.

Abstract: Mass productivity and production stability of a polyphenylene ether composition are improved without deteriorating physical properties by means of a production process of polyphenylene ether composition comprising pre-melt compounding 20 to 98.5% by mass of a polyphenylene ether powder (I), 1 to 60% by mass of an inorganic filler powder (II) and 0.5 to 20% by mass of a thermoplastic elastomer having functional group (III), followed by melt compounding; wherein melt compounding is conducted using a twin-screw extruder having a total length of barrels of 800 mm or more, and a pre-melt compounding zone occupies 45 to 80 % of upstream of the twin-screw extruder based on the total length 100% of the twin-screw extruder when a drive side and a molten compound discharging side of the twin-screw extruder are regarded as upstream and downstream, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing aqueous dispersions of thermoplastic polymers which have a plurality of ester groups and/or carbonate groups in the main polymer chain and which have an acid number of less than 5 mg KOH/g, in particular at most 3 mg KOH/g, and which have a zero-shear viscosity ?0 (180° C.) of at least 60 Pa·s at 180° C. The invention also relates to the polymer dispersions obtainable by said process, and to the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing thermoplastic molding compounds, comprising: A) 40 to 99 wt % of at least one thermoplastic polymer, B) 1 to 60 wt % of a flame-proofing agent component containing an expandable graphite, and C) 0 to 60 wt % of further additives, by melt-mixing components A), B) and C) in a screw-type extruder, wherein the screw-type extruder, along the feed direction, comprises, in the following order, at least one dosing zone, a plastifying zone, a homogenizing zone, a second dosing zone, and a discharge zone, in that the dosing takes place into the screw-type extruder having the length L, wherein the length L is defined as the section starting with the first dosing unit for adding components A, B and/or C and ending, in the feed direction, at the discharge opening, a melt is generated after adding components A, B and C in the range of 0 liter to 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for the preparation of amphiphilic graft polymers, wherein a vinyl ester component (B) composed of vinyl acetate and/or vinyl propionate (B1) and, if desired, a further ethylenically unsaturated monomer (B2), is polymerized in the presence of a polyalkylene oxide (A), a free radical-forming initiator (C) and, if desired, an additive (D), at a mean polymerization temperature at which the initiator (C) has a decomposition half-time of from 1 to 500 min, in at least one tubular reactor segment with a feed side and an outlet side, through which the reaction mixture comprising at least a part of component (A) to (C), and if desired (D), streams, a tubular reactor segment and the use of the inventive amphiphilic graft polymer. The invention further relates to an inventive amphiphilic graft polymer and the use thereof.

Abstract: A process for purifying a composition comprising: i) an encapsulated pigment comprising a pigment and an encapsulant material comprising a cross-linked dispersant; ii) a liquid medium; and iii) free dispersant; said process comprising removal of at least some free dispersant from the composition using a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 3 to 30 times the weight average molecular weight of the dispersant prior to cross-linking, with the proviso that all of conditions a), b) and c) are met: a) the pigment is not silicon dioxide; b) the cross-linked dispersant is not cross-linked polyethyleneimine; and c) the cross-linked dispersant is not a dispersant which has been cross-linked with bis-ethene,1,1?-[methylene bis(sulfonyl)].

Abstract: Disclosed is a resin composition comprising (A) a polyester resin or a polycarbonate resin, (B) a polyethylene resin, (C) an aromatic compound other than the polyester resin and the polycarbonate resin, the aromatic compound having a residual carbon rate of not less than 20% by mass, and (D) a flame retardant, wherein the polyethylene resin is dispersed as crystal particles in the resin composition, and the content of the polyethylene resin crystal particles having a major axis diameter of 0.1 to 10 ?m and an aspect ratio of 1 to 10 is not less than 60% by number based on the total polyethylene resin crystal particle number.

Abstract: The present invention concerns shape memory composites, methods of preparing same and the use of these composites, for example, for products prepared by injection molding techniques or coating applications.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method of making a polyester. The method can include providing a monomer solution, the monomer solution including one or more cyclic esters in a concentration ranging from about 1 to about 100% and one or more solvents in a concentration ranging from about 99% to about 0%. The method of making a polyester can also include providing a packed-bed reactor including one or more immobilized enzymes, wherein the packed-bed reactor has an inlet and an outlet. The method can further include circulating the monomer solution through the packed-bed reactor to generate a solution enriched with polyester, such that the one or more immobilized enzymes convert the one or more cyclic esters to polyester in the packed-bed reactor during circulation and collecting the solution enriched with polyester exiting through the outlet.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a plurality of prepaints which are used in any combination to produce base paints and/or colored paints of varying end-use application characteristics. Additionally, a mobile paint factory for producing a plurality of lines of architectural coatings from a plurality of prepaints en route to and/or at various locations is disclosed. The mobile paint factory may include a vehicle having a paint production system and a paint mixer located thereon. Furthermore, a method of producing a plurality of lines of user-selected architectural coatings from a plurality of prepaints en route to and/or at various locations is disclosed. The method may include: providing a mobile paint factory; prompting a user to select through the paint production system an interior or exterior application environment, a paint sheen, and a paint quality; automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of appropriate prepaints; and agitating the dispensed prepaints.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material comprising components (A), (B) and (C): (A) a mixture of different masterbatches prepared by separately masterbatching two or more different metal ions (A1) or a masterbatch prepared by simultaneously masterbatching two or more different metal ions in itself (A2), (B) one or more polymer selected from the group consisting of diene polymers, thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers, and (C) one or more polymer having an acid content of from about 0.5 to about 30 wt % and selected from the group consisting of olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymers, olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester terpolymers, unsaturated carboxylic anhydride-containing polymers, unsaturated dicarboxylic acid-containing polymers and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid half ester-containing polymers. The invention also provides a method for preparing such a golf ball material, and a golf ball made of the material.

Abstract: A process for purifying a composition comprising: i) an encapsulated pigment comprising a pigment and an encapsulant material comprising a cross-linked dispersant; ii) a liquid medium; and iii) free dispersant; said process comprising removal of at least some free dispersant from the composition using a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 3 to 30 times the weight average molecular weight of the dispersant prior to cross-linking, with the proviso that all of conditions a), b) and c) are met: a) the pigment is not silicon dioxide; b) the cross-linked dispersant is not cross-linked polyethyleneimine; and c) the cross-linked dispersant is not a dispersant which has been cross-linked with bis-ethene,1,1?-[methylene bis(sulfonyl)].

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of an aqueous polyurethane dispersion based on at least one aliphatic and/or aromatic polyisocyanate is described, which is characterised by the following steps: a) production of an aqueous pre-emulsion by mixing a polyurethane prepolymer containing hydrophilic and/or potentially hydrophilic groups with water in a mixing nozzle, wherein the polyurethane prepolymer is injected into the water; b) formation of an emulsion by homogenization of the pre-emulsion from step a) in a multi-step homogenizing nozzle. Paint films containing the aqueous polyurethane dispersion produced by the process can be used to coat substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a polyurethane emulsion, capable of continuously producing a polyurethane emulsion which contains substantially no organic solvent and also has excellent storage stability over time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of aqueous two-component polyurethane lacquer emulsions, with variable throughput, and to the use thereof as high-quality lacquers and coatings.

Abstract: A polymeric material is produced by atomizing into droplets a composition containing addition-polymerizable material and reacting the addition polymerizable material in the droplets to produce the particulate product. The polymeric product may be, for example, a powder coating composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing soluble polymer granules which are suitable for use in washing and/or cleaning surfactants. According to said method, an aqueous preparation of the polymer which contains at least 30% by weight polymer, optionally in admixture with other washing and/or cleaning surfactant ingredients, is granulated and at the same time dried batchwise or continuously, preferably continuously, in a circular fluidized bed. In said fluidized bed, an eddy flow about the vertical axis of the apparatus is produced above the ground of the fluidized bed by means of an air inlet. The invention also relates to soluble, spherical polymer granules with a polymer content of 50 to 95% by weight and to washing or cleaning surfactants containing the inventive granules.

Abstract: A screw for a multiple screw extruder comprises at least two conveying sections for transporting a composition comprising a polymeric resin from the feed end to the discharge end of the extruder; and at least two mixing sections comprising screw elements having two flights, wherein the ratio of the length to diameter ratio of the sum of the mixing sections to the length to diameter ratio of the screw is about 0.17 to about 0.5 and wherein the conveying sections are separated by at least one mixing section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous mixing of at least one polyol component and at least one isocyanate component and optionally additives to form a polyurethane reaction mixture in a stirrer mixer with an axially conveying stirrer.

Abstract: A conductive thermoplastic composition is prepared by a method in which poly (arylene ether) and, optionally, a portion of polyamide are added to a first feed port, polyamide is added to a second feed port, and a concentrate of conductive carbon black in polyamide is added to the second feed port or a third feed port. Whereas preparation of conductive poly(arylene ether)/polyamide compositions has typically required an extruder having at a screw length to diameter ratio of at least 40, the present method allows the use of extruders having a screw length to diameter ratio less than 38 and as low as 20 or lower. The conductive thermoplastic composition prepared by the method exhibits high conductivity and high impact strength, and it is useful for molding articles such as electrostatically-paintable automotive exterior panels.

Abstract: A method for processing a solution of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer in a solvent other than water, which involves continuously substituting a part of the solvent in the solution with water to produce a high-concentration ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer solution without gelling, whereby an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer solution is fed into a column vessel selected from a plate column and a packed column, and a part of the solvent in the solution is substituted with water in the column vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polyorganosiloxane emulsions whose internal phase comprises the active polyorganosiloxane substance and whose external phase comprises, in solution or dispersion, an emulsifier or an emulsifier mixture and, if desired, an emulsion-stabilizing protective colloid, to the polysiloxane emulsions thus obtainable and, in particular, to the use of these macroemulsions, so prepared, as defoamers.

Abstract: A process for making in-situ carbide in the form of particulate, whiskers and fibres in an inorganic composite matrix, which comprises, dissolving 38 to 73.5 Wt % of phenolic resin in an organic solvent to obtain a phenolic resin solution, adding 4.2-11.0 Wt %—of a curing agent optionally adding 9.4-12 Wt % of silicon carbide powder to obtain a resin mix followed by impregnating 1.6-6.5 Wt % of natural fibre with the said resin mix dried at 60°-70° C. for a period in the range of 1-5 hrs. to obtain a dough in the form of a composite plate sheet, drying the said composite plate or sheet at a temperature in the range of 70°-90° C. for a time period in the range of 1-2 hrs., drying the composite plate or sheet, heat treating the dried composite plate or sheet at a temperature in the range of —150°-200° C. for a period in the range of 1-2.5 hrs., impregnating the resultant composite plate or sheet with 10.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for preparing high concentration polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous mixtures, wherein the PVA solid concentration is at least 14% in the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a contactor apparatus and method for removing solvent from a polymer cement. The resulting polymer is substantially free of solvent and exhibits improved oil absorption and lower fines. In one aspect, a contactor is provided comprising a cylindrical casing having a high pressure section, a convergence section, a high velocity section, a divergence section, and a discharge section. The polymer cement is introduced into the high pressure section to significantly and unexpectedly improve solvent removal. The convergence and divergence sections have cross-sectional areas that correspond to an effective angle from about 4° to about 65°, such as 6°. The polymer cement is mixed with high pressure steam. After converging, the polymer cement forms more uniform droplets due to high shear of steam. In the divergence and discharge sections, the polymer is substantially devolatized.

Abstract: A process for producing a superabsorbent polymer is described. The process that entails a continuous hydrolysis of an aqueous emulsion of crosslinked or uncrosslinked polyacrylonitrile in the form of fine particles is carried out in a cascade of stirred tanks. The reaction with alkali-hydroxide solution an aqueous-alcoholic medium at 60 to 100° C. yields polymers that are suitable for the preparation of hygiene products, water-storing materials in agriculture, and sheathing of electrical cables.

Abstract: A method of curing a fuser member suitable for use in an image forming system using a radiant energy source. The fuser member comprises a substrate, a silicone rubber coating and a cross-linkable fluoroelastomer outer coating. The radiant energy source emits infrared energy directed towards the fluoroelastomer outer coating of the fuser member. The flouroelastomer coating is cured using infrared energy directed at specific bonds within the fluoroelastomer layer, so as to form directly with the infrared heat a cross-linked fluoroelastomer coating.

Abstract: High levels of treated fumed silica, processing fluid and high molecular weight silicone polymer are continuously compounded into a homogeneous silica filled heat-vulcanizable silicone composition by forming a premix in a continuous annular layer mixer and continuously discharging the premix into a compounding apparatus for compounding to form the filled heat-vulcanizable silicone composition.

Abstract: A process for continuous preparation of filler-containing rubber powders including mixing a filler suspension and rubber latex in the liquid phase. The liquid mixture is passed through a tube, at least a coagulant is added to the tube and filler-containing rubber particles are precipitated. The liquid mixture is passed through at least one throttle position of variable throttle cross-section provided in the tube. The throttle cross-section is adjusted so that the drop in pressure in the liquid mixture achieved across the throttle position is greater than 0.5 bar.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymer feed system and a method of using the same wherein clogging of the polymer input line is avoided by the use of air to purge the system of any unwanted polymer or electrolyte. The purging avoids the contact of the water with the polymer and the build-up of unwanted activated polymer and clogging in the supply and in the subsequent conduits.

Abstract: At least one single-stage or multistage stirrer which produces not only a tangential flow component but also an axial flow field is used in a stirred-vessel reactor in connection with the preparation of polymers by liquid phase polymerization.

Abstract: A method is provided that can very rapidly produce a liquid silicone rubber base in which even microfine electrically conductive filler with specific surface of at least 0.5 m2/g will be homogeneously dispersed in liquid organopolysiloxane without small lump or clump formation. The method for the continuous preparation of liquid silicone rubber base, including the steps of continuously supplying to a continuous mixing apparatus (A) 100 weight parts polyorganosiloxane that has a viscosity at 25° C. of 100 to 500,000 mPa·s comprising at least 2 silicon-bonded alkenyl groups in each molecule, (B) 0 to 200 weight parts electrically nonconductive inorganic filler, and (C) 0.1 to 700 weight parts electrically conductive filler with a specific surface of at least 0.

Abstract: A method for producing a pressure sensitive adhesive composition includes at least one elastomer that produces a substantially homogeneous pressure sensitive adhesive composition. The method is particularly well suited for relatively high throughput continuous compounding rates, e.g., at a throughput rate of more than about 5.

Abstract: Elastomeric compositions are produced by novel continuous flow methods and apparatus in which fluid streams of particulate filler and elastomer latex are fed to the mixing zone of a coagulum reactor to form a mixture flowing continuously from the mixing zone through a coagulum zone to a discharge end of the reactor. The particulate filler fluid is fed under high pressure to the mixing zone, such as to form a jet stream to entrain elastomer latex fluid sufficiently energetically to substantially completely coagulate the elastomer with the particulate filler prior to the discharge end. Semi-confined flow of the mixture in the coagulum zone is achieved preferably with progressively increasing cross-sectional dimension of the coagulum zone from the mixing zone to the discharge end. Highly efficient and effective elastomer coagulation can be achieved without the need for a coagulation step involving exposure to acid or salt solution or the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymer feed system and a method of using the same wherein clogging of the polymer input line is avoided by the use of air to purge the system of any unwanted polymer or electrolyte. The purging avoids the contact of the water with the polymer and the build-up of unwanted activated polymer and clogging in the supply and in the subsequent conduits.

Abstract: The latex is treated by passage through a heat exchanger consisting of a closed chamber 1 divided into two distinct superposed parts, the unobstructed upper part 3 being placed under reduced pressure and communicating with a plant for recovery of the residual monomer or monomers, and the lower part 4 being equipped with a partitioning 9 bounding two separate extended and adjoining circuits 10 and 11, one of the circuits 10 being traversed by the latex to be treated and being maintained in communication, via its top and over its entire path, with the upper part 3 of the chamber, and the other circuit 11, isolated from the upper part 3 of the chamber, being traversed by a heat-transfer fluid maintained at a temperature of 40 to 100.degree. C.Preferably, the two circuits 10 and 11 are bounded by a partitioning 9 arranged in the form of a double spiral.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition which comprises dynamically cross-linking an olefine copolymer rubber and an olefine plastic using a twin-screw extruder, said process being characterized in that said twin-screw extruder comprises one or more kneading zones within a dynamically cross-linking area and the first kneading zone among said zones comprises a screw with forward kneading disks having a minimum thickness (T.sub.min) of less than 13 mm per disk. Said method enables production of a thermoplastic elastomer composition of good quality regardless of the scale of production.

Abstract: A method is described for the preparation of aqueous coating compositions based on resin binders containing isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms and polyisocyanates, by mixing the components with water, wherein the mixture is forced at a pressure of from 1 to 30 MPa through a nozzle of small size in at least one dimension.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing uniform highly dispersed emulsions by using a low drive power and without pressurization, making possible continuous mass production of uniform organopolysiloxane emulsions. An organopolysiloxane, water and a emulsifying agent, are continuously fed across a first-stage shearing and stirring mechanism and a second-stage shearing and stirring mechanism. The first-stage mechanism is a stator and turbine-type rotor whose blades are slanted obliquely from the radial direction when viewed from the axial direction. The second-stage mechanism is a stator and turbine-type rotor whose blades describe spiral curves with respect to the axial direction. The two mechanisms are arranged serially and separated from one another by a relaxation zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a contractor apparatus and method for removing solvent from a polymer cement. The resulting polymer is substantially free of solvent and exhibits improved oil absorption and lower fines. In one aspect, a contractor is provided including a cylindrical casing having a high pressure section, a convergence section, a high velocity section, a divergence section, and a discharge section. The polymer cement is introduced into the high pressure section to significantly and unexpectedly improve solvent removal. The convergence and divergence sections have cross-sectional areas that correspond to an effective angle from about 4° to about 65°, such as 6°. The polymer cement is mixed with high pressure steam. After converging, the polymer cement forms more uniform droplets due to high shear of steam. In the divergence and discharge sections, the polymer is substantially devolatized.

Abstract: A solvent-free hot melt process, for preparing a non-thermosettable, pressure-sensitive adhesive from a tackified non-thermoplastic hydrocarbon elastomer. The process employs a continuous compounding device that has a sequence of alternating conveying and processing zones. The processing zones masticate and mix materials in them. Non-thermoplastic elastomers having high molecular weight may be readily compounded into adhesives in the process.