Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an internally plasticized polyvinyl chloride resin and a process for preparation thereof. The internally plasticized polyvinyl chloride resin comprises a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin covalently bonded to at least one plasticizer. The process is simple and economical and provides internally plasticized PVC with enhanced flexibility, and improved characteristics than conventional PVC resin.

Abstract: Gas separation membranes are provided and more particularly, a series of addition-type and ROMP type polynorbornenes with substituents derived from Mizoroki-Heck reactions are provided and have particular utility as gas separation membranes for natural gas upgrading.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful as a replacement for cellulose ether in cement, plaster or mortar compositions comprising i) nonionic or substantially nonionic vinyl or acrylic brush polymers having pendant or side chain polyether groups, and having a relative weight average molecular weight of from 140,000 to 50,000,000 g/mole, and ii) aromatic cofactors containing one or more phenolic groups, such as catechol tannins, phenolic resins, polyphenolics, and napthhols or, in combination, one or more aromatic groups with at least one sulfur acid group, such as naphthalene sulfonate aldehyde condensate polymers, poly(styrene-co-styrene sulfonate) copolymers, and lignin sulfonates, preferably branched cofactors, including phenolic resins, aldehyde condensate polymers and lignin sulfonates. The compositions may comprise a dry powder blend of i) and ii), one dry powder of both i) and ii), or an aqueous mixture.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for inhibiting the formation and deposition of silica and silicate compounds in a water system. In particular, the method includes adding to the water system a relatively low molecular weight organic, anionic polymer. The polymer preferrably has an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid functionality and is preferrably selected from one or more of homopolymers of acrylic acid, a methacrylic acid/polyethylene glycol allyl ether copolymer, a homopolymer of methacrylic acid, an acrylic acid/polyethylene glycol allyl ether copolymer, and an acrylic acid/1-allyloxy-2-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid copolymer, homopolymers of maleic anhydride, copolymers of maleic anhydride and polyethylene glycol allyl ether, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized copolymers of isoolefins and olefinic monomers, particularly to azidated copolymers. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing such azidated copolymers. The functionalized copolymers are used in various technology areas such as surface modification, adhesion, drug delivery, compatibilization of polymer blends or motor oil and fuel additives, and in providing clean cured products without contaminant leaching and/or side products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing degradable model networks from any monomer functionality with any degradation methodology. It is based on the use of Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization and CLICK chemistry to form the desired product.

Abstract: An improved polymerization and work-up process makes it possible to produce specific nitrile rubbers which have a particular ion index which is responsible for an excellent vulcanization rate and leads to vulcanizates having an advantageous property profile.

Abstract: Process for reducing thermally induced discoloration of fluoropolymer resin produced by polymerizing fluoromonomer in an aqueous dispersion medium to form aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion and isolating said fluoropolymer from said aqueous medium to obtain said fluoropolymer resin. The process comprises: exposing the aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion to oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of hypochlorite salts and nitrite salts.

Abstract: An improved polymerization and work-up process makes it possible to produce specific nitrile rubbers which have a particular ion index which is responsible for an excellent vulcanization rate and leads to vulcanizates having an advantageous property profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing degradable model networks from any monomer functionality with any degradation methodology. It is based on the use of Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization and CLICK chemistry to form the desired product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles, wherein an aqueous monomer solution is polymerized and the monomer solution is prepared using steam condensate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing water-absorbing polymer, which comprises a base polymer A being mixed with a first aqueous solution B of at least one surface postcrosslinker and a second aqueous solution C of at least one polyvalent cation and thermally treated, wherein said base polymer A is based on at least 50% neutralized acid-functional monomer and said solutions B and C are metered wholly or partly concurrently through separate nozzles whereby a water-absorbing polymer having a high saline flow conductivity value is obtained.

Abstract: Process for modifying a polyolefin grafted with acid or anhydride groups, by at least partial neutralization of these groups with at least one neutralizing agent comprising an organic salt (1) that releases an organic acid (I) during the neutralization, according to which the organic acid (I) derived from the neutralization of the grafted polyolefin is reacted with at least one inorganic salt (2). Modified polyolefin (that can be) obtained by the process described above. Polymeric composition containing (A) at least one polymer, and (B) at least one modified polyolefin (that can be) obtained by the process above. Article comprising the modified polyolefin or the composition described above.

Abstract: A novel vulcanizable polymer composition is provided which is characterized by a specific combination of a polyamine crosslinking agent, a particular crosslinking accelerator and an alkali metal salt. Further on polymer vulcanizates on the basis of such polymer compositions as well as a method for preparing such polymer vulcanizates is provided, in particular in the form of mouldings or shaped parts.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material composed of an ionomeric resin composition obtained by melt-blending under applied heat one or more compounds selected from among UV/EB-curable materials with, in the presence of a peroxide, a non-ionomeric thermoplastic resin and an ionomeric resin; or of an ionomeric resin composition obtained by using, instead of the ionomeric resin, an acid-containing polymer base of the ionomeric resin and subjecting the acid-containing polymer composition similarly prepared by melt-blending under applied heat to an acid-neutralizing reaction with a metal ionic species. Methods for preparing such a material, and golf balls which include as a component therein a molding made of the golf ball material are also provided. The golf ball material has a good thermal stability, flow and processability, and can thus be used to obtain high-performance golf balls endowed with an excellent abrasion resistance, scuff resistance, durability and flexibility without a loss of rebound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel ?-nucleating agent and a process for preparing same. Preferably, the ?-nu-cleating agent is a water-free admixture of calcium carbonate and a calcium salt of a dibasic organic acid.

Abstract: A reactive extrusion process for producing an ionomer is disclosed. The process comprising adding a polymer containing a carboxyl functionality to an extruder, then homogenously melting the polymer in a melting zone of the extruder. A first melt seal zone of the extruder is formed to separate the melting zone from an injection zone where an aqueous solution of metallic ions are added to the molten polymer. The first melt seal zone is formed by increasing the pressure in the melt seal zone to a pressure which is higher than the vapor pressure of the water at any point in the injection zone and the reaction zone. The aqueous solution of metallic ions is then mixed with the polymer containing the carboxyl functionality in a reaction zone of the extruder under conditions such that the metallic ions are substantially reacted with the carboxyl functionality.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a film which comprises a poly(carboxylic acid) polymer and a polyvalent metal compound, which is endowed with excellent gas barrier property against, for example oxygen, which has such resistance that the appearance, shape, and gas-barrier properties are not impaired by neutral water, high-temperature water vapor, or hot water; a laminate produced by use of the film; and a process for producing the film or laminate industrially conveniently at low cost. The film or laminate of the present invention is suitable for use as a package, packaging container, or vacuum insulation material for articles which are apt to be deteriorated by oxygen, etc., such as foods, beverages, chemicals, medicines, and metallic precision parts; e.g., electronic parts.

Abstract: An anhydrous, liquid phase process for preparing hydroxyl containing polymers of enhanced purity comprising the steps of polymerization, purification, transesterification, purification, catalyst removal, and solvent exchange. The resultant polymer in solution can be used directly, without further processing steps, to prepare a photoresist composition.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for purification of a vinyl polymer which comprises the atom transfer radical polymerization of a vinyl monomer using a transition metal complex as the polymerization catalyst, said vinyl polymer being brought into contact with an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent.

Abstract: To a fluorine-containing polymer, 0.1 to 10% of a compound having an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal in terms of the number of atoms of the alkali metal or the alkaline earth metal based on the total number of the above terminal groups, 0.1 to 10% of ammonia in terms of the number of ammonia molecules based on the total number of the above terminal groups, or 0.1 to 10% of a compound having an ammonium group in terms of the number of the ammonium groups based on the total number of the above terminal groups is added, and heated at a temperature of at least 200° C. in an atmosphere containing moisture. By this process, unstable terminal groups such as terminal carboxylic acid groups and coloration caused by such terminal groups are effectively removed from the fluorine-containing polymer, and furthermore unstable bonds in the backbones can be removed. The obtained fluorine-containing polymer contains 1.

Abstract: A molding material consisting of a fluorine-containing copolymer, which has a metal elution index ? of at most 10 as the total amount in ng of metals of Na, Mg, Cu, Cr, Ni, K, Ca and Fe per 1 g of the molding material, as obtained by elution analysis of the molding material with nitric acid.

Abstract: A method to electrolytically polymerize aromatic hydrocarbons and oxidize cyclopentane structures within the hydrocarbons into cyclopentanone structures is disclosed including a method to electrolyze fluorene in the presence of an ester to produce poly(9-fluorenone). A method to electrolytically oxidize polymers having cyclopentane structures to polymers having cyclopentanone structures is also disclosed including a method to electrolyze poly(fluorene) to produce poly(9-fluorenone). In addition, a method to chemically oxidize polymers containing cyclopentane structures into polymers containing cyclopentanone structures is disclosed, including a method to oxidize poly(fluorene), with a chemically prepared oxidizing agent, to produce poly(9-fluroenone).

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymers having reduced levels of residual monomer are produced using a peroxodisulfate salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high melt swell partially neutralized alpha olefin acid copolymers. It also relates to a process for making such high melt swell polymers as well as for covalently crosslinking other polar copolymers including non-neutralized acid copolymers and non-polar alpha olefin polymers by using a minor amount of metal acrylate, particularly sodium or zinc acrylate.

Abstract: An anhydrous, liquid phase process for preparing hydroxyl containing polymers of enhanced purity comprising the steps of polymerization, purification, transesterification, purification, catalyst removal, and solvent exchange. The resultant polymer in solution can be used directly, without further processing steps, to prepare a photoresist composition.

Abstract: To a fluorine-containing polymer, 0.1 to 10% of a compound having an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal in terms of the number of atoms of the alkali metal or the alkaline earth metal based on the total number of the above terminal groups, 0.1 to 10% of ammonia in terms of the number of ammonia molecules based on the total number of the above terminal groups, or 0.1 to 10% of a compound having an ammonium group in terms of the number of the ammonium groups based on the total number of the above terminal groups is added, and heated at a temperature of at least 200° C. in an atmosphere containing moisture. By this process, unstable terminal groups such as terminal carboxylic acid groups and coloration caused by such terminal groups are effectively removed from the fluorine-containing polymer, and furthermore unstable bonds in the backbones can be removed. The obtained fluorine-containing polymer contains 1.

Abstract: To a fluorine-containing polymer, 0.1 to 10% of a compound comprising an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal in terms of the number of atoms of the alkali metal or the alkaline earth metal based on the total number of the above terminal groups, 0.1 to 10% of ammonia in terms of the number of ammonia molecules based on the total number of the above terminal groups, or 0.1 to 10% of a compound having an ammonium group in terms of the number of the ammonium groups based on the total number of the above terminal groups is added, and heated at a temperature of at least 2000C in an atmosphere containing moisture. By this process, unstable terminal groups such as terminal carboxylic acid groups and coloration caused by such terminal groups are effectively removed from the fluorine-containing polymer, and furthermore unstable bonds in the backbones can be removed. The obtained fluorine-containing polymer contains 1.

Abstract: The invention provides a production method capable of reducing the amount of the chemical liquid (hydrazine and sodium carbonate, etc.) for applying a crosslinking treatment and a hydrolytic treatment, capable of shortening the treatment time, and capable of obtaining crosslinked acrylic moisture absorbing fibers having a sufficient moisture absorbing-moisture releasing performance and provides crosslinked acrylic moisture absorbing fibers. In the case of producing the crosslinked acrylic moisture absorbing fibers by applying a crosslinking treatment and a hydrolytic treatment to acrylic fibers, acrylic fibers made of a copolymer containing from 1 to 5% by weight a comonomer having an acidic group as a comonomer component are used as the raw material fibers to be treated.

Abstract: A concrete retarder comprises a polymer (A) having the concrete set retarding ability. The polymer (A) has, as a structural unit, a low glass transition temperature (Tg) component with a Tg of not higher than −5° C., and a surface tension of 45 mN/m or lower. The proportion of the low Tg component having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of not higher than −5° C. is 10% by weight or more relative to the whole polymer (A). The polymer (A) has a functional group which can form a salt with a metal ion (particularly, a free acid group or a group capable of forming an acid group by hydrolysis). The polymer (A) is a vinyl-series polymer, a polyester (saturated or unsaturated polyester), or a crosslinked or graft polymerized unsaturated polyester. A sheet and a decorative pack may be formed with the concrete retarder.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having at least one component comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition, wherein the vulcanizable rubber composition comprises, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), from about 30 to 100 phr of high trans random SIBR, and from about zero to about 70 phr of at least one additional elastomer, wherein the high trans random SIBR comprises from about 3 to about 30 percent by weight of styrene.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neutralized copolymer resins having at least two different metals with one of the metals being zinc. These mixed metal resins are transformed into particulate or powder form for application to metal objects. The powder composition has a good balance of properties including all the advantages associated with neutralized ethylene acid copolymers while also having good powder coating behavior for coatings applied to metal objects. The invention also relates to coated metal objects containing the powder composition and metal.

Abstract: An olefin thermoplastic elastomer containing an olefin random copolymer formed by copolymerizing ethylene, an &agr;-olefin having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monomer having a functional group, and optionally a non-conjugated diene, and metal ions crosslinking the olefin random copolymer, has the same or similar rubber elasticity, flexibility and molding and processability as the conventional olefin thermoplastic elastomers, and has good mechanical properties, wear resistance, in particular scratch resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with cross-linked sulfonated polymers, eventually perfluorinated, and their preparation process. When molded in the form of membranes, the polymers are useful in electrochemical cells, in a chlorine-sodium electrolysis process, as separator in an electrochemical preparation or organic and inorganic compounds, as separators between an aqueous phase and an organic phase, or as catalyst for Diels-Alder additions, Friedel-Craft reactions, aldol concentrations, cationic polymerisation, esterification, and acetal formation.

Abstract: This invention concerns ionomers comprising monomer units of vinylidene fluoride and monomer units of perfluorovinyl ethers having pendant groups containing fluoroalkyl sulfonyl methide or fluoroalkyl sulfonyl imide derivatives and univalent metal salts thereof, and with the uses of said ionomers in eledrochemical applications, electrochemical capacitors and modified electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with cross-linked sulfonated polymers, eventually perfluorinated, and their preparation process. When molded in the form of membranes, the polymers are useful in electrochemical cells, in a chlorine-sodium electrolysis process, as separator in an electrochemical preparation or organic and inorganic compounds, as separators between an aqueous phase and an organic phase, or as catalyst for Diels-Alder additions, Friedel-Craft reactions, aldol concentrations, cationic polymerization, esterification, and acetal formation.

Abstract: The polymerizable cyclodextrin derivatives (“PCDs”) of this invention relate to cyclodextrin derivatives wherein substantially each molecule of which contains one or more covalently attached polymerizable group or groups, may also contain one or more other types of functional groups covalently attached, may also have other types of molecules that are complexed or more particularly within the otherwise empty spaces within the cyclodextrin derivatives, and combinations and permutations of these characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a powdered water-soluble polymer comprising hydrolyzing a copolymer comprising an N-vinylamide unit and a vinyl acetate unit while dispersed in water under a basic condition and then washing the resulting powdered water-soluble polymer with at least one washing liquid selected from an alcohol, water at 20° C. or lower, and salt water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neutralized copolymer resins having at least two different metals with one of the metals being zinc. These mixed metal resins are transformed into particulate or powder form for application to metal objects. The powder composition has a good balance of properties including all the advantages associated with neutralized ethylene acid copolymers while also having good powder coating behavior for coatings applied to metal objects. The invention also relates to coated metal objects containing the powder composition and metal.

Abstract: An optical nanocomposite material has a nanoparticulate filler dispersed in a host plastic material. According to the method of making the nanocomposite material, a predetermined temperature sensitive optical vector, such as refractive index, of the plastic host material and nanoparticulate filler are directionally opposed resulting in a nanocomposite material having significantly improved stability of the refractive index with respect to temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a moisture-absorbing and desorbing polymer, characterized in that, the said polymer is an organic high-molecular substance containing 1.0-8.0 meq/g of carboxyl group of a potassium type and having a cross-linking structure.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for preparing a tri block copolymer of the formula: comprising: (a) contacting a cycloalkene with a chain transfer agent of the formula: Z—Y═Y—Z  in the presence of a metal carbene metathesis catalyst to form a telechelic polymer; and (d) contacting the telechelic polymer with an alkene of the formula  in the presence of an ATRP organometallic catalyst wherein n and m are integers; Z is an ATRP initiator and —Y═Y— is an alkenyl group; and, R′ is selected from the group consisting of aryl, nitrile and C1-C20 carboxylate, wherein R′ is substituted or unsubstituted. The invention also discloses a method for preparing a diblock copolymer. In addition, the invention encompasses a triblock copolymer having no 1,2-PBD structure in the PBD portion of the copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a copolymer resin for a photoresist used in far ultraviolet ray such as KrF or ArF, process for preparation thereof, and photoresist comprising the same resin. The copolymer resin according to the present invention is easily prepared by conventional radical polymerization due to the introduction of mono-methyl cis-5-norbonen-endo-2,3-dicarboxylate unit to a structure of norbornene-maleic anhydride copolymer for photoresist. The resin has high transparency at 193 nm wavelength, provides increased etching resistance and settles the problem of offensive odor occurred in the course of copolymer resin synthesis. Further, as the resin composition can be easily controlled due to the molecular structure, the resin can be manufactured in a large scale.

Abstract: Adhesives comprising as binder an aqueous dispersion of a polymer formed from free-radically polymerizable compounds (monomers), wherein from 0.1 to 20% by weight of the monomers, based on the overall amount of the monomers, are ethylenically unsaturated acids at least 20 mol % of whose acid groups are present as a salt of at least divalent metals.

Abstract: Regeneration of weakly basic anion exchange resins with a combination of an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali metal bicarbonate is disclosed. Preferably, the alkali metal is sodium. The combination can be naturally available sodium sesquicarbonate.

Abstract: Conjugated diolefin-based copolymer rubber of a conjugated diolefin and an aromatic vinyl compound, wherein (1) the content of amino groups bound to the rubber (nitrogen content value) is 0.0025 to 0.20 mmol/g of copolymer rubber, (2) the content of the polymerization units of the aromatic vinyl compound is 5 wt % or more and less than 30 wt % based on the copolymer rubber, and the content of vinyl bonds in the polymerization unit of the conjugated diolefin (the total content of a 1,2-bond and a 3,4-bond) is 55 mol % or more based on the polymerization unit of the conjugated diolefin, or the content of the polymerization units of the aromatic vinyl compound is 30 to 50 wt % based on the copolymer rubber and the content of vinyl bonds in the polymerization unit of the conjugated diolefin is 25 to 55 mol % on the polymerization unit of the conjugated diolefin and (3) the molecular weight distribution is polymodal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermally stable brominated polystyrene composition which contains alkali metal base (e.g., NaOH) in an amount less than about 1 wt % such that if the flame retardant is dissolved in bromochloromethane and the resultant solution is extracted with water, the resultant water extract exhibits a pH of at least about 9.0. A preferred composition of this type even when heated to 315.degree. C. for one hour did not undergo darkening--the color remained tan. Comparative samples not containing the base turned black under these same conditions. Especially useful compositions additionally have less than 500 ppm, and better still, less than 100 ppm total Cl, and at least about 67 wt % bromine. Processes for producing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: A method for improving surface adhesion characteristics of a polymeric substrate and/or virgin polymeric material in which the portion of the surface of the polymeric substrate and/or virgin polymeric material to be treated is contacted with a composition containing at least one oxidizing agent. The oxidizing agent in the composition is present in a kinetically degrading state capable of producing at least one chemical intermediate which is reactive with the polymeric substrate/virgin polymeric material. Contact between the composition containing the oxidizing agent and the polymeric substrate/virgin polymeric material is maintained for an interval sufficient to produce or modify functional groups in the polymeric substrate/virgin polymeric material. The oxidizing agent of choice is a halogenated bivalent oxygen compound. The oxidizing agent is activated by an activator agent containing at least one carboxylic acid group or derivative thereof.

Abstract: A polymer comprising an anionic group (e.g. an acid anhydride group, a carboxyl group) and a hydro-philic segment (e.g. a polyoxyalkylene ether unit) is used as a cement retarder. The polymer is obtainable by copolymerization of a monomer including maleic anhydride with a monomer including a vinylalkyl ether-series monomer in which an alkylene oxide is added to allyl alcohol. The polymer may be a copolymer copolymerized with other monomers such as styrene. Use of this cement retarder can provide patterns or washing-finished face on the surface of a concrete product. The cement retarder is suitable for application for a cement retardative sheet.