Abstract: The present invention provides, e.g., methods to recycle and/or reduce plastic, non-plastic, or a combination thereof, from a waste stream. The methods of the present invention include contacting the plastic waste with infrared (IR) energy at one or more frequencies and at one or more intensities, over a period of time effective to heat plastic present in the plastic waste.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymers from a polyethylene terephthalate component. The invention relates to a three step process in which a diol component selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof reacts with a polyethylene terephthalate component under conditions sufficient to depolymerize the polyethylene terephthalate component into a first molten mixture; and where the first molten mixture is combined with 1,4-butanediol under conditions that create a second molten mixture that is subsequently placed under subatmospheric conditions that produce the modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymers. The invention also relates to compositions made from the process.

Abstract: A process for making a carbonous residue from scrap tires is disclosed. Tires are digested in an oil product. Steel and glass fibers are separated. A product enhancing additive comprising halogen based organic or inorganic compounds is added. The resulting carbonaceous material is then cured to create the final product. The produced carbonous residue is well suited for capture of mercury. The present invention has the benefits of providing a use for scrap tires that would otherwise require disposal in a landfill, and also produces a product useful for capturing a harmful element, thereby providing multiple environmental and economic benefits.

Abstract: A process for the separation of volatile material from particulate polymer discharged from a polymerisation reactor in the form of a polymer slurry and which has been substantially freed from unreacted monomer in an earlier separation step, comprising (a) feeding the particulate polymer to a purge vessel and causing it to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode, (b) heating the particulate polymer in the purge vessel to a temperature greater than 30° C.

Abstract: A process for the separation of volatile material from particulate polymer which has been substantially freed from unreacted monomer in an earlier separation step, comprising (a) feeding the particulate polymer to a purge vessel, optionally causing it to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode, (b) heating the particulate polymer in the purge vessel to a temperature grater than 30° C. but insufficiently high to cause the particles to become agglomerated, and/or maintaining the polymer at a temperature in this range in the purge vessel, (c) feeding gas to the purge vessel counter-current to the movement of the particulate polymer to remove volatile material therefrom, (d) removing the particulate polymer from the purge vessel, wherein substantially all of the heating of the particles which occurs in the purge vessel is accomplished by preheating the gas fed into the purge vessel.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a modified fluoropolymer powdered material is disclosed. A suspension of solid fluoropolymer particles together with PTFE particles in an aqueous carrier, is frozen and the frozen carrier is then removed by sublimation at sub-atmospheric pressure to produce a dry powder of modified fluoropolymer particles.

Abstract: Methods for preparing active carbonate esters of water-soluble polymers are provided. Also provided are other methods related to the active carbonate esters of water-soluble polymers, as well as corresponding compositions.

Abstract: A method of increasing the branching and polydispersity of a polycarbonate includes the steps of: (a) including in the polycarbonate at least one species of an alkyl substituted monomer, and (b) treating the polycarbonate at an elevated temperature and for a sufficient time to increase the branching and polydispersity relative to an otherwise equivalent polycarbonate without alkyl substituents.

Abstract: A process for continuously stripping a polymer dispersion comprising a heat exchanger with minimal internal obstructions for the stripper. The process is particularly adapted to dispersions that are heat and shear sensitive. The process is able to extract hydrophobic VOC's more efficiently than a single, jacketed tube design.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production process by which a water-absorbent resin of excellent quality can be obtained at a low cost by reasonable steps in aqueous solution polymerization. The process for producing a water-absorbent resin comprises the step of polymerizing an aqueous solution of water-absorbent resin-forming monomers including acrylic acid and/or its sodium salt as major components, wherein: (1) the aqueous solution has a monomer component concentration of not less than 45 weight %; (2) the polymerization is carried out while water is evaporated so that the ratio (concentration ratio) between a solid component concentration in a hydropolymer as formed by the polymerization and a solid component concentration in the aqueous monomer solution will not be less than 1.10; and (3) the solid component concentration in the hydropolymer as formed by the polymerization is not more than 80 weight %.

Abstract: A novel process produces a novel hydrogenated nitrile rubber (B) which features a very narrow molecular weight distribution and a correspondingly low value for the polydispersity index. The preparation process encompasses the treatment of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber (A) with ultrasound, whereupon the resultant hydrogenated nitrile rubber (B) has a lower weight-average molecular weight (Mw) than the hydrogenated nitrile rubber (A). The resultant hydrogenated nitrile rubber (B) has excellent suitability for the production of mouldings via processing by extrusion processes or by injection-moulding processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation of low volatile anhydride-containing aromatic vinyl polymers by polymerizing the half ester of the anhydride with a vinyl aromatic monomer followed by devolatilizing the half-ester and reforming the anhydride at elevated temperatures and reduced pressures.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing an organic-inorganic hybrid glassy material, including the sequential steps of (a) concentrating a starting sol of an organic-inorganic hybrid glassy material, thereby yielding a precursor material having meltability; (b) melting the precursor material; (c) subjecting a product of the step (b) to a heating treatment under reduced pressure; and (d) subjecting a product of the step (c) to a high-temperature heat treatment at 300° C. or higher.

Abstract: A process for thermally crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing pellets into a liquid medium having a temperature of at least 140° C. within a liquid medium zone and crystallizing the submerged pellets at or above the vapor pressure of the liquid medium without increasing the molecular weight of the pellets, and while the pressure on at least a portion of the pellets is equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium, separating at least a portion of said pellets and at least a portion of the liquid medium from each other. The crystallization is desirably conducted in the liquid medium zone without mechanically induced agitation. Optionally, the pellets are wormed by an underfluid pelletizer.

Abstract: An aliphatic polyester copolymer comprising an aliphatic carbonate unit (a) and an aliphatic polyester unit (b), and a molded body composed of said aliphatic polyester copolymer. The aliphatic polyester copolymer is excellent in heat resistance while having adequate mechanical properties and properties in the molten state.

Abstract: A method of recycling commingled plastics waste containing min. 30 wt. % of polyolefins to a tough thermoplastic material, based on the compatibilization of the polymer components of commingled plastics waste with an admixture of 2-15 wt. % of an ethylene--propylene copolymer or a styrene--butadiene block copolymer or a combination of an ethylene--propylene copolymer and a styrene--butadiene copolymer in any weight ratio, together with 0.1-2.5 wt. % of a secondary aromatic amine and by subsequent blend processing in the melt.

Abstract: A process to remove metal contaminants from a hydrocarbon solution of polyethylene is disclosed. The process comprises adding a primary alcohol and a ?-diketone to a solution of polyethylene at a temperature within the range of 120° C. to 300° C. and contacting the solution with basic alumina. The process removes metal contaminants and minimizes degradation and condensation products, which can have a detrimental effect on polyethylene properties. The process provides polyethylene with low metal residues and good properties.

Abstract: The invention provides composite graphite particles, comprising a core material consisting of graphite having a interlayer distance d(002) of 0.337 nm or less and a surface layer consisting of graphite in which the intensity ratio ID/IG (R value) between the peak intensities (ID) in a range of 1300 to 1400 cm?1 and ( IG) in a range of 1580 to 1620 cm?1 as measured by Raman scattering spectroscopy is 0.3 or higher, wherein the peak intensity ratio I110/I004 between the peak intensities (I110)of face (110) and (I004)of face (004) obtained by XRD measurement on the graphite crystal is 0.15 or higher when the graphite has been mixed with a binder and pressure-molded to a density of 1.55 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recycling a plastic thereby forming a narrow spectrum of hydrocarbons having from 4 to 14 carbon atoms that can be directly used as gasoline without additional processing or refining. The method includes the step of feeding the plastic, selected from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and combinations thereof, into a heated vessel for melting. The method also includes the step of decomposing the plastic at a temperature of from 400° C. to 500° C. in the presence of a metallocene catalyst and a zeolitic catalyst thereby forming the hydrocarbons having from 4 to 14 carbon atoms. The metallocene catalyst includes dichlorobis(2-methylindenyl)zirconium (IV). The zeolitic catalyst includes ammonium Y zeolite and has a pore size of from 1 to 4 Angstroms.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of a supercritical fluid to improve the homogeneity of heterogeneous bi- or multi-modal resins resulting from a physical or a chemical blend of two or more fractions of the same type of polymer resin, said fractions having different molecular weights or of two or more polymer resins having different chemical compositions, or both. It also discloses the use of a supercritical fluid to improve the dispersion of additives or fillers into a polymer resin. It further discloses the process for preparing the homogeneous resin.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a polyimide, which has high ionic conductivity and good structural stability, does not decompose even under low humidity, and is inexpensive, and a polymer electrolyte and a fuel cell using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various embodiments of a system and method for separating polymer from a solvent. In one embodiment a system for separating polymer from a solvent comprises an extrusion apparatus includes a hollow member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a feed port between the first end portion and the second end portion. The extrusion apparatus includes a back flash vent port disposed upstream of the feed port and a forward flash vent port disposed downstream of the feed port. The extrusion apparatus further includes a vent insert located at the forward flash vent port, a screw disposed inside the hollow member, and an internal superheating section disposed between the feed port and the downstream vent opening of the hollow member such that the length of the internal superheating section is greater than about four times the diameter, 4D, of the hollow member.

Abstract: A method for producing a (meth)acrylic polymer having crosslinkable silyl groups at the termini, comprising a step of adding a hydrosilane compound having a crosslinkable silyl group to an alkenyl-terminated (meth)acrylic polymer (A), which is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, in the presence of a platinum hydrosilylation catalyst. The amount of the platinum hydrosilylation catalyst is 0.1 to 10 mg on a platinum metal basis per kilogram of the alkenyl-terminated (meth)acrylic polymer (A). An object of the invention is to provide a method for producing a (meth)acrylic polymer having terminal crosslinkable silyl.

Abstract: A process for removing metal species from a composition comprising contacting: a. an oligomer mixture stream comprising the monomers of a partially aromatic polyester polymer and at least one metal species, or b. a molten polyester polymer stream comprising partially aromatic polyester polymers and at least one metal species, with a non-catalytic porous material in the presence of hydrogen to produce a treated stream containing a reduced amount of at least one metal species. There is also provided a composition comprising a partially aromatic polyester polymer having an It.V. of at least 0.50 produced in a direct esterification melt phase process, from greater than 0 to less than 50 ppm antimony, and less than 40 ppm cobalt. There is also provided a composition comprising partially aromatic polyester polymers having an It.V. of at least 0.50 produced in an ester exchange melt phase process, from greater than zero to less than 5 ppm titanium, and less than 10 ppm manganese.

Abstract: A surface crosslinking treatment method of a water-absorbing resin powder is disclosed that can overcome various problems in production encountered in the production of surface crosslinked water-absorbing resin powders on an industrial scale and can produce a water-absorbing resin powder having excellent physical properties without causing deterioration in physical properties of resin.

Abstract: A polymer treating method has the steps of: reacting a polymer compound with a reaction agent in a reaction vessel to generate a polymer treatment product; discharging the polymer treatment product containing the reaction agent from the reaction vessel; depressurizing the polymer treatment product; introducing the polymer treatment product into a degassing extruder; separating the reaction agent from the polymer treatment product through a vent box that is connected to upstream of the degassing extruder and that has a volume of equal to or more than that of the reaction vessel; and extruding the polymer treatment product from the degassing extruder.

Abstract: A melt phase process for making a polyester polymer melt phase product by adding an antimony containing catalyst to the melt phase, polycondensing the melt containing said catalyst in the melt phase until the It.V. of the melt reaches at least 0.75 dL/g. Polyester polymer melt phase pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.75 dL/g are obtained without solid state polymerization. The polyester polymer pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g obtained without increasing the molecular weight of the melt phase product by solid state polymerization are fed to an extruder, melted to produce a molten polyester polymer, and extruded through a die to form shaped articles. The melt phase products and articles made thereby have low b* color and/or high L* brightness, and the reaction time to make the melt phase products is short.

Abstract: One or more PTFE films are heated to greater than 150 degrees centigrade (C) and for a time greater than 20 hours, then the PTFE films are cooled. The PTFE films may be heated to temperatures greater than 200° C. and less than 250° C. and most preferably heated to a temperature of about 228° C. The PTFE films may be kept at a temperature for greater than 50 hours or most preferably kept at a temperature for around 100 hours. The PTFE films may be heat processable PTFE fluoropolymer films and may have a number of heat affected zones. The heat affected zones may be created before or after heat treating. The heat affected zones are generally caused by welding two or more PTFE films together, usually under-pressure. An “optimal” temperature and “optimal” time period are determined at which heat processed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fluoropolymers should be heat treated.

Abstract: Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition particles comprising 80% by weight or more of trimethylene terephthalate units based on the entire repeating units, having an intrinsic viscosity from 0.8 to 2 dl/g, and satisfying the following conditions (a) to (c): (a) the composition particles have a particle size of 3 mm or less and a weight of less than 1 mg/particle; (b) the composition particles have a terminal carboxyl group content of 25 meq/kg or less; and (c) the composition particles have a cyclic dimer content of 1.5% by weight or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally crosslinked polymeric material and a medical implant made from such polymeric material having significant crosslinking and substantially no detectable free radial for improved wear and oxidation resistance. A method is disclosed for forming a crosslinked oxidation-resistant polymeric material by placing the polymer material in a heating environment at a temperature above the melting point of the polymeric material for a sufficient time to create free radicals and form crosslinks within the polymer micro-structure followed by a cooling step to eliminate residual free radicals and form crosslinks within the polymer micro-structure. A method of making a crosslinked oxidation-resistant UHMWPE medical implant from a solid form of UHMWPE is also disclosed. Another method of making a crosslinked oxidation-resistant UHMWPE near-finished or finished medical implant by compression molding using UHMWPE resin powder as the starting material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for thermally crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing pellets into a liquid medium having a temperature of at least 140° C. within a liquid medium zone and crystallizing the submerged pellets at or above the vapor pressure of the liquid medium without increasing the molecular weight of the pellets, and while the pressure on at least a portion of the pellets is equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium, separating at least a portion of said pellets and at least a portion of the liquid medium from each other. The crystallization is desirably conducted in the liquid medium zone without mechanically induced agitation. Optionally, the pellets are formed by an underfluid pelletizer.

Abstract: A water-absorbing resin has a polymer molecular chain in which 50 mol % or more of repeating units in the chain are carboxy group-containing units, wherein the carboxy group neutralization ratio in the central part of the resin is 60 mol % or more and the carboxy group neutralization ratio on the external surface of the resin is 50 mol % or less. A method for producing the water-absorbing resin comprises polymerizing a monomer solution to form a polymer, drying the resulting polymer, and heat-treating the dried polymer, wherein the monomer solution contains a mixture comprising an alkali metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and an ammonium salt thereof, the percentage of the ammonium salt being more than 50 mol % of the mixture, and further contains a condensation crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A process for purifying a P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer to produce an improved high performance copolymer for pyroelectric conversion. Pellets of a P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer are dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. Subsequently, anhydrous ethanol is added to the solution to initiate copolymer gel precipitation, after which the solution is separated to obtain the gel precipitate, which is subsequently washed and dried. The resulting copolymer has fewer impurities and higher resistivity, thereby being suitable for use in applications such as pyroelectric converters. The purified copolymer also exhibits phase transition characteristics that allow for increased power output.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a process for preparing a vinyl polymer containing a halogen in an amount of 1,000 mg or less per kilogram, in which a vinyl polymer containing the halogen produced by atom transfer radical polymerization of a vinyl monomer is heated at a temperature in the range of 140 to 250° C. to dehalogenate the vinyl polymer; a vinyl polymer obtained by the process; and a hydrosilylation-reactive curable composition containing the vinyl polymer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to purify a polymeric material by filtering a melt comprising poly(arylene ether) and poly(alkenyl aromatic) through a melt filtration system. The method provides a filtered polymeric composition having reduced levels of particulate impurities. The filtered polymeric composition prepared is suitable for use in data storage media applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of extending the shelf-life of constructs, in particular bioabsorbable stents, comprising semi-crystalline polymers by increasing the crystallinity of the polymers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crystallizable plastic material is disclosed. The process includes the step of melting an amorphous plastic material, pelletizing the material, crystallizing it and then post condensing the plastic material with the proviso that the plastic material is not subjected to heating after the melting step but prior to the crystallization step and then subjecting the plastic material to sieving after the crystallization step.

Abstract: A fluororubber composition includes a polyol-crosslinkable fluororubber, a crosslinking accelerator, a polyol crosslinking agent and calcium hydroxide, with the crosslinking accelerator having a specific weight ratio relative to the polyol crosslinking agent, and is heat treated under specific conditions to give a low-friction fluororubber crosslinked product that is well balanced and excellent in properties such as low frictional properties, low tackiness and low resilience properties and that is favorably employed as rubber vibration insulators and impact-absorbing stoppers represented by HDD stoppers.

Abstract: A process for the separation of volatile material from particulate polymer which has been substantially freed from unreacted monomer in an earlier separation step, comprising (a) feeding the particulate polymer to a purge vessel, optionally causing it to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode, (b) heating the particulate polymer in the purge vessel to a temperature greater than 30° C. but insufficiently high to cause the particles to become agglomerated, and/or maintaining the polymer at a temperature in this range in the purge vessel, (c) feeding air to the purge vessel counter-current to the movement of the particulate polymer to remove volatile material therefrom, (d) removing the particulate polymer from the purge vessel. Preferably the particulate polymer fed to the purge vessel is caused to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode. The process is particularly suitable for polyethylene.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of viscosity index improver (V.I.I.) additives which includes treatment under high shear conditions of a composition comprising (i) one or more EP(D)M polymers and (ii) one or more polyvinylarene/hydrogenated conjugated diene/polyvinylarene block copolymers, the weight ratio (i)/(ii) ranging from 98:2 to 80:20, preferably from 97:3 to 90:10, the above process being carried out at a temperature ranging from 150° C. to 400° C., preferably from 180° C. to 320° C.

Abstract: After applying a film-forming composition containing a polysiloxane, a pore-forming agent, an onium salt, and a solvent onto a semiconductor substrate, the solvent is evaporated from the film-forming composition in a first heat treatment. Then, a second heat treatment is carried out in an inert-gas atmosphere to promote the polymerization of the polysiloxane and thus form a polysiloxane resin film. Thereafter, a third heat treatment is carried out in an oxidizing-gas ambient to form pores in the polysiloxane resin film.

Abstract: Method for continuously removing the unreacted butene-1, and optionally other volatile components, from a polymeric solution obtained by liquid phase (co)polymerization of butene-1, the method comprising the steps of: subjecting the polymeric solution to heating and mixing conditions such that a mixture is formed consisting substantially of: (1) a polybutene melt containing entrapped butene-1 and (2) supercritical gaseous butene-1; subjecting the above mixture to a sequence of devolatilization steps operating at decreasing pressures.

Abstract: A polymer treating method has the steps of: reacting a polymer compound with a reaction agent in a reaction vessel to generate a polymer treatment product; discharging the polymer treatment product containing the reaction agent from the reaction vessel; depressurizing the polymer treatment product; introducing the polymer treatment product into a degassing extruder; separating the reaction agent from the polymer treatment product through a vent box that is connected to upstream of the degassing extruder and that has a volume of equal to or more than that of the reaction vessel; and extruding the polymer treatment product from the degassing extruder.

Abstract: Method of purifying a polymeric material of a type which includes (A) phenyl moieties; (B) carbonyl and/or sulphone moieties; and; (C) ether and/or thioether moieties. The method includes contacting the polymeric material with a solvent formulation which is at a temperature of greater than 100° C. and a pressure above ambient pressure thereby to charge the solvent formulation with impurities derived from the polymeric material, and separating the charged solvent from the polymeric material.

Abstract: Rubber-free copolymers of unsaturated monomers selected from the group comprising styrenes and vinyl cyanides are disclosed. The copolymers that contain 65 to 80 wt. %, of styrene and 20 to 35 wt. % of acrylonitrile are characterized in their low content of residual monomers and improved physical properties. Also disclosed are a process and a device for the preparation of these copolymers.

Abstract: The invention provides: a water-absorbent resin granule-containing composition with resolution of various problems, as caused by water-absorbent resin fine powders, and with high granulation strength, and with no physical property deterioration due to granulation, and, if anything, with improvement of the absorption capacity under a load by granulation; and a process for producing the above granule. A water-absorbent resin primary particle and a water-absorbent resin granule are separately surface-crosslinked and then mixed, or mixed and then surface-crosslinked. The granulation is carried out by mixing a preheated aqueous liquid and a water-absorbent resin powder at a high speed or by supplying a water-absorbent resin powder downstream of an aqueous liquid with a continuous extrusion mixer.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer is modified by contacting it with a modifying composition preparable from components comprising a phase transfer catalyst and at least one of a sulfide or disulfide salt, and heating the modifying composition. The modified fluoropolymer is useful in the preparation of composite articles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards water-thinnable phosphorous-containing polymers precursors, their preparation and use. The precursors of the invention are useful in compositions for preparing coatings which impart and/or exhibit resistance to attack, for example which are useful as flame-retardant coatings.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products.