Abstract: Copolymers are made by reacting glycolide with a mixture of p-dioxanone monomer and homopolymer. The copolymers are useful in making surgical devices such as surgical sutures.

Abstract: An unsaturated poly (alpha-hydroxy acid) copolymer is prepared by reacting a cyclic diester of an alpha-hydroxy acid having 2 to 5 carbon atoms with an ethylenically-unsaturated epoxide. The reaction is conducted at a temperature of 50.degree. to 250.degree. C. in the presence of an effective amount of a ring-opening catalyst and an effective amount of a free-radical polymerization inhibitor.

Abstract: Novel copolymers of .epsilon.-caprolactone and glycolide useful in making surgical articles and particularly surgical sutures having Young's modulus of less than 250,000 psi. New and improved polymerization methods for producing the novel .epsilon.-caprolactone and glycolide copolymers.

Abstract: Polycaprolactone is prepared by polymerization of .epsilon.-caprolactone by a process wherein a mixture of .epsilon.-caprolactone with a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol is passed, at from 50.degree. to 160.degree. C., over a fixed-bed catalyst comprising essentially anhydrous bleaching earth in the form of moldings.

Abstract: A polyurethane comprises (a) organic diisocyanate units and (b) polycaprolactone polyol units having a narrow molecular weight distribution in which a ratio of the weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight is in the range of from 1.1 to 2.0 and the average molecular weight is 500 to 5,000, the units (a) and (b) being connected linearly through urethane linkages.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to novel .epsilon.-caprolactone co-polyesters which when combined with diisocyanates are useful as binders in solid urethane-type propellant formulations. Said co-polyesters are prepared by the reaction, in the presence of a catalyst, of epsilon-caprolactone, a diol (as a co-catalyst for the reaction) and a dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to the process and the product by process of the polymers formed by the polymerization of polycyclic ring-opening monomers. More particularly, this invention relates to the novel process and product by process of polymers that are produced with near zero shrinkage or expansion during polymerization and are immediately useful for production of strain-free composites, high strength adhesives, precision castings, binders for propellants and as additives to other monomer mixtures to produce a mixture that controls the amount of shrinkage or expansion upon polymerization.

Abstract: A lactone polymer has a narrow molecular weight distribution where a ratio of the weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight is in the range of from 1.1 to 2.0 and the molecular weight is 500 to 5,000.

Abstract: Acrylate and methacrylate resins containing hydroxyl groups and modified by .epsilon.-caprolactone are produced by producing an adduct of a hydroxyalkylacrylate or methacrylate and .epsilon.-caprolactone in a first step and then in a second step radically copolymerizing this product with further acrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters and optionally vinyl aromatics in a suitable varnish solvent. The thus obtained copolymerizate solutions after addition of a polyvalent isocyanate are used to produce coatings on substrates and give a baked on lacquer coating with outstanding adhesion to the base.

Abstract: A process for producing resinous lactone high polymers by the catalytic polymerization of lactones having a water content of less than 0.1% in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of stannous chloride, stannous bromide, stannous iodide, titanium trichloride, titanium tetrachloride, ammonium molybdate, zirconium nitrate, zirconium oxychloride and zirconium carboxylates, as a catalyst.

Abstract: In a process for producing a lactone polyester which comprises ring-opening polymerization of a lactone in the presence of a metal containing organic compound as a catalyst, the improvement wherein said compound is an alcoholate, chelate or organic acid salt of vanadium or molybdenum.

Abstract: High solids, low energy curing compositions of (1) a carboxyl-modified polycaprolactone polyol which is the reaction product of a polycaprolactone polyol and an intramolecular carboxylic acid anhydride, (2) a monocarboxylic acid compound, (3) a stannous salt and (4) a polyepoxide. The compositions are useful as inks or coatings.

Abstract: Thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer is produced by reacting an active-hydrogen containing initiator with a lactone monomer, such as epsilon-caprolactone, and a polyfunctional acrylate, such as neopentyl glycol diacrylate. The copolymer can be crosslinked by exposure to ionizing or actinic radiation or by free-radical peroxide catalysts. The degree of crosslinking can be controlled to produce a material which is thermoplastically processable and displays modified rheological properties which make it more easily processable than the corresponding lactone homopolymer.

Abstract: Aromatic onium salts, such as diaryliodonium salts, have been found to be effective thermal initiators for the polymerization of a variety of cationically polymerizable materials including epoxides, cyclic ethers, phenol formaldehyde resins, etc., when used in combination with various cocatalysts such as organic acids and copper salts.