Abstract: The invention provides a process for the purification of polymer polyols that ensures a reduction of acrylonitrile, styrene as well as the residual amounts of optionally used chain regulator, and of occurring recombination products of the initiator when azo initiators are used, to levels of <25 ppm of acrylonitrile, <50 ppm styrene, <50 ppm chain regulator and <280 ppm of recombination products by stripping using packed columns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing an electret material, to a new class of electret materials and to a device comprising such electret materials.

Abstract: A flower-like nano-particle composition including a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a poly(conjugated diene) or a poly(alkylene) surface layer is provided. The nano-particles have a mean average diameter less than about 100 nm and are substantially free of chain ends. The nano-particles can be modified via, for example, hydrogenation. The nano-particles can advantageously be incorporated into rubbers, elastomers, and thermoplastics.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that certain polyester compounds bearing free-radical curable moieties are useful as b-stageable adhesives for the microelectronic packaging industry.

Abstract: The method for producing a sulfonic acid group-containing carbonaceous material of the present invention comprises the step of carbonizing and sulfonating a polymer having a structural unit derived from resorcinol by heating in an inert gas atmosphere to obtain a sulfonic acid group-containing carbonaceous material. A catalyst comprising the resulting sulfonic acid group-containing carbonaceous material is useful for producing a target substance with high efficiency in various reactions in hydrophobic media such as alkylation reaction and polymerization reaction of olefins.

Abstract: An intraocular lens comprising a polymer that is prepared from a monomer mixture comprising a monomer of formula G-D-Ar??(I) wherein Ar is a C6-C24 aromatic group having a hydrophilic substituent, D is a divalent linking group, and G is a reactive functional group selected from the group consisting of acryloyl, acryloyloxy, methacryloyl, methacryloyloxy and mercapto. The polymer has an equilibrium water content of greater than 4.5 percent by weight.

Abstract: A styrene resin excellent in heat resistance, weatherability, melt stability, and suitability for recycling. It is a styrene copolymer obtained by living polymerization (Mw/Mn=1.6-4.0) which comprises isopropenylaromatic units (A) contained in an amount of 5 to 95 wt. % and vinylaromatic units, and has a glass transition temperature (Tg) which satisfies a specific relationship defined by the content of isopropenylaromatic units (A) in the copolymer.

Abstract: The bead duvet represents a unique blanket, comforter or duvet formed from soft fabric material including heat expanded polystyrene beads as the insulation contained within. The characteristics of this insulation create a unique feeling of comfort and support not available in traditional blankets, comforters or duvets. The sewing pattern will create the structure and contour of the invention, a duvet with an equal distribution of insulation through out.

Abstract: A heterogeneous rubbery polymer is provided that includes a polymer chain derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein from greater than 20 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of units in the rubbery polymer are derived from the vinyl aromatic monomer and from about 60 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of units in the rubbery polymer are derived from the conjugated diolefin monomer. The polymer chain is further characterized by having greater than zero and less than about 30 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 1 vinyl aromatic unit, from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 5 to 8 vinyl aromatic units, and greater than zero and less than about 5 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 9 or more vinyl aromatic units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugated copolymers comprising blocks which are linked by random or partly random sections. The materials of the invention display an improved efficiency, a reduced operating voltage and a longer life.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polymerization initiator capable of introducing an active amino proton into a polymerization starting terminal without losing polymerization activity, and a novel modified conjugated diene polymer being excellent in the interaction with a filler and capable of improving a low heat buildup of a rubber composition, and more particularly to a polymerization initiator being a diamine compound in which one amino group is protected with a silylating agent and an active proton of the other amino group is replaced with an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, and a modified conjugated diene polymer which can be produced by using such a polymerization initiator and is a homopolymer of a conjugated diene compound or a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and an aromatic vinyl compound and has a residue derived from a diamine compound at its polymerization starting terminal.

Abstract: Radically coupled PTFE polymer compounds useful, for example, as tribo materials, and a method for the production thereof. Radically coupled PTFE polymer compounds are provided which exhibit improved wear resistances with comparable gliding properties, and furthermore there is provided a simple and efficient method for the production of such compounds. Radically coupled PTFE polymer compounds are provided comprising radiation-chemically and/or plasma-chemically modified PTFE powders, on the particle surface of which olefinically unsaturated polymers are chemically radically coupled by a reactive conversion into a melt. There is also provided a method for producing radically coupled PTFE polymer compounds, in which PTFE powders are reactively converted with reactive perfluoroalkyl-(peroxy) radical centers after a radiation-chemical and/or plasma-chemical modification into a melt with the addition of olefinically unsaturated polymers.

Abstract: Method for recovering a polymer from a liquid medium (1) substantially containing the polymer and a solvent for the latter, wherein: (a) this liquid medium (1) is injected into a reactor (2) containing a stirred substantially monophase liquid mixture comprising a major fraction by weight of a non-solvent and a minor fraction by weight of a solvent, the mixture having a composition and temperature such that the polymer precipitates therefrom progressively; (b) the polymer is recovered in the form of particles in suspension (5) in a liquid rich in non-solvent; (c) the polymer particles (9) are separated from the liquid.

Abstract: A process for modifying the surface of an inorganic or organic substrate with strongly adherent nanoparticles is described, providing to the surface modified substrate durable effects like hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, electrical conductivity, magnetic properties, flame retardance, color, adhesion, roughness, scratch resistance, UV-absorbance, antimicrobial properties, antifouling properties, antiprotein properties, antistatic properties, antifog properties, release properties. In this process, an optional first step a) a low-temperature plasma, ozonization, high energy irradiation, corona discharge or a flame is caused to act on the inorganic or organic substrate, and in a second step b) one or more defined nanoparticles or mixtures of defined nanoparticles with monomers, containing at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, or solutions, suspensions or emulsions of the afore-mentioned substances, are applied, preferably at normal pressure, to the inorganic or organic substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adhesive composition which is mainly composed of a polymer obtained by copolymerizing a monomer composition containing styrene, (meth)acrylic acid ester having a cyclic structure and alkyl (meth)acrylate having a chain structure. The monomer composition may additionally contain a bifunctional monomer, thereby improving heat resistance, adhesive strength under high temperature conditions, and alkali resistance, and easiness in stripping of an adhesive composition that has been processed at a high temperature. Consequently, there can be obtained an adhesive composition which has high heat resistance, adhesion strength under high temperature conditions, and alkali resistance, and which can be easily stripped off after the adhesive composition is processed at a high temperature.

Abstract: A method for the separation of hydrocarbon compounds utilizing a dividing wall distillation column is described. The dividing wall distillation column enables one or more side draw stream to be removed from the dividing wall distillation column in addition to an overhead stream and a bottoms stream.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles comprising the following steps: (i) preparing a dispersion having a continuous aqueous phase, a dispersed organic phase comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and an amphiphilic RAFT agent as a stabilizer for said organic phase, and (ii) polymerizing said one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers under the control of said amphiphilic RAFT agent to form said aqueous dispersion of polymer particles, novel amphiphilic RAFT agents for use in this method, novel RAFT agents useful in making these amphiphilic RAFT agents and methods for their manufacture.

Abstract: Thermoforming of plastic sheets over a model includes varying the thickness in the area that is stretched over the model so that when it thins it becomes more uniform in thickness. The plastic sheet is fabricated in a substantially uniform thickness but with a preformed a complex profile or 3D area that partially builds in part of the area that would be stretched so that it thins much less than a flat sheet. Combinations of these elements may also be made.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a ready-to-press agglomerated powder mixture by wet milling a powder mixture containing binder and spray drying said slurry to an agglomerated powder useful for making cutting tools for metal machining, tools for rock drilling and wear parts. If the binder is a baroplastic polymer having a pressure induced transformation from hard to soft well developed agglomerates with good flow properties and good plasticity are obtained. The hard property of the binder is used at normal pressures, during handling of the spray-dried powder and in the green body, whereas the softer properties are used at higher pressures during the pressing of the material when the pressure exceeds from about 10 to about 50 MPa.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a crosslinked organic polymer; wherein the composition has a coefficient of friction that is in a range of ±30% of a coefficient of friction for a composition comprising the same organic polymer that is not crosslinked; and wherein the composition has a lower K factor than a K factor of the composition comprising the same organic polymer that is not crosslinked; the coefficient of friction and the K factor being measured in a thrust washer apparatus as per ASTM D-3702, where the counter stationary surface in the thrust washer apparatus comprises carbon steel having a Rockwell C hardness of 18 to 22 and a 12 to 16 micro-inch surface finish.

Abstract: The present invention discloses household cleaning materials comprising at least one insoluble proton sink or source (PSS) and to method for utilizing the PSS as a biocidic agent. The household cleaning materials are provided useful for killing living target cells (LTCs) or otherwise inhibiting LTCs growth, disrupting vital intracellular processes and/or intercellular interactions of the LTC upon contact. The household cleaning materials consisting of at least one PSS, comprises, inter alia, (i) proton source or sink providing a buffering capacity; and (ii) means providing proton conductivity and/or electrical potential. The PSS is effectively disrupting the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within the confined volume of said LTC and/or disrupting vital intercellular interactions of said LTCs while efficiently preserving the pH of said LTCs' environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing statistical microgels. The inventive method comprises a step involving the radical polymerisation of a composition containing: at least one monoethylenically-unsaturated monomer, at least one multiethylenically-unsaturated monomer, a free radical source and a control agent. The invention also relates to first generation microgels thus prepared and all the compounds resulting from said microgels (next-generation microgels).

Abstract: The invention relates to copolymers which are suitable for producing additives for solvent deparaffination of paraffin-containing mineral oil distillates and which consist of radically polymerized monomers of formulas A and B, wherein the radicals have the meaning cited in the description. The invention also relates to the use of said copolymers for the production of dewaxing additives.

Abstract: An eraser composition for de-flakes is disclosed. The composition comprises (i) a SEBS copolymer (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) and SBS copolymer (styrene-butadiene-styrene) and TPE styrene, and the weight percentage being 10 to 35%; (ii) organic fillers of sodium carbonate, and pearl powder, and the weight percentage being about 30 to 60%; (iii) paraffin oil, and of a weight percentage of about 35 to 55%; (iv) palm oil, jojoba oil, linolein oil, moisturizer, deep cleanser, and olive oil, and a weight percentage of 5 to 15%; and (v) edible food pigments, or edible colorants, and the weight percentage of 0.1 to 0.5%.

Abstract: Accelerator composition for a rubber latex derived from a conjugated diene and optionally a vinyl aromatic comonomer comprising: (i) a diethyl dithiocarbamate (like e.g. ZDEC), and (ii) diphenylguanidine (DPG), and substantially free of any thiazole derivative, a curable aqueous synthetic rubber latex composition comprising said accelerator composition, and a process for the water-based solvent-free manufacture of synthetic shaped synthetic elastomeric articles, prepared by using said accelerator composition.

Abstract: The inventive heat-shrinkable polystyrene film is high in shrinkability in the longitudinal direction that is its main shrinkage direction, is excellent in perforated line openability, and has high toughness. The heat-shrinkable polystyrene film is characterized by particular values with respect to hot-water heat shrinkage ratio in the longitudinal and width directions, right angle tear strength in the width direction, and breaking energies in the longitudinal and width directions.

Abstract: Compounds are attached to carbon nanotubes (CNT) by a process which comprises: subjecting surface treated CNTs which have been treated to induce negatively charged surface groups thereon, to nucleophilic substitution reaction with a compound carrying a functional group capable of reacting with the negatively charged groups on the CNT surface, whereby the compound chemically bonds to the CNT. The surface CNT treatment may be reduction. The compounds which are bonded to the CNT may be epoxy resins, bonded directly or through a spacer group. Bi-functional CNTs, grafted to both epoxy resins and other polymers such as polystyrene, are also made by this process.

Abstract: Preparing brominated styrenic polymer by maintaining a mixture formed from (i) brominating agent, (ii) a solvent solution of styrenic polymer, and (iii) aluminum halide catalyst, at ?20 to +20° C., and terminating bromination in 20 minutes or less. New brominated anionic styrenic polymers have better melt flow and/or lower initial ?E values than the best previously-known brominated anionic styrenic polymers. Other features of such new polymers include high thermal stabilities at 320° C. and/or very low initial color values. Brominated styrenic polymers, especially brominated anionic styrenic polymers, are useful as flame retardants for thermoplastic polymers.

Abstract: Provided herein are polyfarnesenes such as farnesene homopolymers derived from a farnesene and farnesene interpolymers derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer; and the processes of making and using the polyfarnesenes. The farnesene homopolymer can be prepared by polymerizing the farnesene in the presence of a catalyst. In some embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism.

Abstract: A description is given of an adhesive composition comprising, in a solvent, at least one first organic polymer and at least one different, particulate, second organic polymer. The first polymer is an adhesive polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than or equal to 0° C. which forms a film on a substrate. The second polymer is present in the composition in the form of dispersed solid nanoparticles, has an average particle size of less than or equal to 50 nm and a glass transition temperature of at least 50° C., and does not form a film on a substrate. The composition can be used to produce redetachable self-adhesive articles, more particularly paper labels, film labels or adhesive sheets.

Abstract: The C—H bond of pendant aromatic groups such as commercial polystyrenes with three types of tacticities (syndiotactic, isotactic, atactic) undergo catalyzed functionalization with boron reagents. A boronic ester group formed on the polymer in the polystyrene was further converted to hydroxy and arene via oxidation and coupling reactions, respectively. These functionalizations proceeded without significantly affecting the molecular weight of starting polymer and the functional concentrations could be easily controlled by changing the ratio of boron reagent to monomer unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a thermally curable resin copolymer (A), composed mainly of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer (a-1), which produces an acid via decomposition at 150° C. or more, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer (a-2) containing an epoxy group copolymerizable with the ethylenically unsaturated monomer (a-1), and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer (a-3) having a reactive silyl group; a thermally curable resin composition including the thermally curable resin copolymer; a cured film formed from the composition; and a liquid crystal display including the cured film. The thermally curable resin composition has extended storage stability and can be formed into the cured film having good adhesion to a substrate.

Abstract: An antistatic agent for a thermoplastic resin is provided and includes a sulfonate group introduced into a surface layer part of an aromatic ring-containing thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to semi-batch type copolymerization processes. More specifically, the processes of the present invention are directed to the production of compositionally uniform copolymers, including the production of such copolymers from dissimilar monomers, e.g., from monomers with significantly different reactivity ratios.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of copolymers with a composition gradient as sole stabilizer in emulsion free-radical polymerization. The copolymers of the invention are prepared via controlled free-radical polymerization and comprise at least one hydrophilic monomer such as acrylic acid and at least one hydrophobic monomer such as styrene.

Abstract: A method for limiting the transmission of light through a material is disclosed. In the method, a layer composed of a hyperbranched polymer formed via a copolycyclotrimerization reaction is interposed between a light source and the material. Also provided is a method for emitting light comprising exciting the hyperbranched polymer. In addition, methods for limiting the transmission of light and for emitting light using hyperbranched polymers formed by homopolycyclotrimerization reactions are disclosed. A new class of hyperbranched polymers produced by copolycyclotrimerization is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the solution polymerization of olefins with improved on-stream time is provided. The solution polymerization process of the current invention comprises a method for the on-line removal of foulant material from one or more heat exchangers downstream of a polymerization reactor. Removal of foulant material is accomplished by deliberately applying a positive pressure differential across a heat exchanger. In the process of the current invention, reactor shut down is not required for the purpose of cleaning foulant material from a heat exchanger.

Abstract: Novel (co)polymeric structures having functional groups making possible, under conditions that are safe for human use, the formation of chemical bonds with human keratin, and in particular with the keratin present in hair, eyelashes and eyebrows, skin, nails, lips, the oral mucosa and tissues of the external genital organs are disclosed; the invention also relates to the synthesis of such (co)polymeric structures and the use thereof in the fields of cosmetics and medicine.

Abstract: This invention provides a process which comprises heating a lithium-containing mixture to one or more temperatures of at least about 90° C. and at one or more pressures sufficient to maintain substantially the entire mixture in the liquid phase. The lithium-containing mixture which comprises water, lithium ions, at least one liquid saturated hydrocarbon, and at least one styrenic polymer formed by anionic polymerization. The amount of water is at least about 10 wt % relative to the weight of the styrenic polymer, and the styrenic polymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least about 1000.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a expanded polystyrene foam having at least one organic compound operably bound to the expanded polystyrene and substantially coating the outer surface of the individual expanded polystyrene beads. Organic compounds hereof may be operably bound to the expanded polystyrene through an electrostatic interaction and may be selected from pesticides, insecticides, termiticides, fungicides, moldicides, bactericides, mildewicides, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An adhesive composition is disclosed which includes a polymer prepared by copolymerizing a monomer containing a polymerizable group, the polymer including a low-molecular-weight component having a molecular weight equivalent to 1% or less of the weight-average molecular weight of the polymer, the low-molecular-weight component is contained in a range of not less than 0 weight % to less than 0.3 weight % of the total weight of the polymer. This allows provision of an adhesive composition having great adhesive strength in a high-temperature environment, especially at temperatures from 140° C. to 200° C., as well as high heat resistance and favorable crack resistance.

Abstract: A non-sticky water-based coating material in the form of a film applied to the face of a circuit board that is loaded with electronic parts; which comes into contact with the outside environment. The coating material can be formed into the film at room temperature without using a coalescence, does not contain a solvent and forms a membrane having flexibility, low Young's modulus, favorable adhesive properties, moisture resistance and insulating properties. Specifically, the non-sticky water-based conformal coating material includes a resin wherein a flexible acrylic resin having glass transition temperature of at most 0° C. is the main chain and a vinyl polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least 20° C. is grafted to the flexible acrylic resin; the content of the vinyl polymer being 10 to 70% by weight based on the flexible acrylic resin.

Abstract: Concurrently fed into a reaction zone held at about 10° C. or less are brominating agent, aluminum halide catalyst, and a solution of anionic styrenic polymer having a GPC Mn about 2000-30,000. The components are in at least two separate feed streams. The feeds are proportioned to maintain (a) the amount of aluminum halide being fed at about 0.8 mole percent or less based on the amount of aromatic monomeric units in the polymer being fed, and (b) amounts of brominating agent and unbrominated polymer in the reaction zone that produce a final washed and dried polymer product containing about 60-71 wt % bromine. The catalyst is deactivated, bromide ions and catalyst residues are washed away from the reaction mixture, and the brominated anionic styrenic polymer is recovered and dried. The dried polymer has a volatile bromobenzene content of about 600 ppm (wt/wt) or less as well as other beneficial properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a method of synthesizing polymers using verdazyl agents selected for their property of being moderately unstable free radicals. In one embodiment of the invention a method of synthesizing free standing polymers from suitably selected polymerizable subunits, such as monomers, is provided. In another embodiment of the invention a combination for the synthesis of free standing polymers from suitably selected polymerizable subunits using moderately unstable verdazyls is provided. Using moderately unstable verdazyls permits lower reaction temperatures and faster reaction times, while yielding polymers with low polydispersity.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovered that crosslinked core-shell particles can be used as a filler in low cost emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) with excellent results being attained. In fact, such core-shell particle filled ESBR exhibits performance similar to silica filled solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) in terms of dynamic response, Payne effect, rebound and tan ? at 0° C. and 100° C. The utilization of such crosslinked core-shell particles in rubber compounds offers the additional advantage of weight reduction since the core-shell particles are significantly less dense than carbon black or silica fillers. The use of the crosslinked core-shell polymers of this invention in rubber formulations in place of silica also offers the advantage of not needing any expensive silane coupling agents to attain required levels of polymer/filler interaction. Accordingly, no silane coupling agent is used in the rubber compounds of this invention which leads to reduced cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for radical emulsion, miniemulsion or microemulsion polymerization employing at least one water-soluble alkoxyamine. This process makes it possible to prepare multiblock (co)polymers, in particular diblock and triblock (co)polymers.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrogenated block copolymer for preparing a foam excellent in tear strength, compression set resistance, low impact resilience, and abrasion resistance. More specifically, provided is a hydrogenated block copolymer comprising a vinyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, wherein: (a) the vinyl aromatic unit content is greater than 35 wt. % and not greater than 90 wt. %, (b) the vinyl aromatic polymer block content is not greater than 40 wt. %, (c) the weight average molecular weight is from 5×104 to 100×104, and (d) the hydrogenation ratio of double bonds derived from the conjugated diene is less than 70%.

Abstract: Preparing brominated styrenic polymer by maintaining a mixture formed from (i) brominating agent, (ii) a solvent solution of styrenic polymer, and (iii) aluminum halide catalyst, at ?20 to +20° C., and terminating bromination in 20 minutes or less. New brominated anionic styrenic polymers have better melt flow and/or lower initial ?E values than the best previously-known brominated anionic styrenic polymers. Other features of such new polymers include high thermal stabilities at 320° C. and/or very low initial color values. Brominated styrenic polymers, especially brominated anionic styrenic polymers, are useful as flame retardants for thermoplastic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a forming die having a mold releasing layer formed on a die surface of the forming die, the mold releasing layer containing a fluororesin and having a film thickness of 10 to 500 nm; a production process of a microlens including forming a resin by using the forming die; and a microlens produced by the production process. The forming die is capable of transferring a precise shape of a die surface of the forming die to optical parts as designed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molding compound comprising UV absorbers, to a method for producing the same and to uses thereof.