Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a polymer alloy, a polymer alloy as well as a molded article, a transparent molded article and an optical film, which is obtainable by using the polymer alloy. The invention is a method for producing a polymer alloy, which comprises at least: a step 1 of mixing two or more resins incompatible with each other at ambient temperature and pressure with a solvent being in a liquid or gas state at ambient temperature and pressure; a step 2 of heating and applying pressure to said solvent into a high-temperature and high-pressure fluid or a supercritical fluid and mixing the solvent in this state; and, a step 3 of cooling the mixture obtained in said step 2 rapidly to the glass transition temperature or less without releasing the pressure of the mixture.

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: 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: The present invention treats crushed pieces of a nonmetallic honeycomb panel together with a process water under high-temperature and high-pressure for a predetermined time so as to separate components. Water or alkali-added water is used as process water. The method comprises a first process for treating the crushed pieces for a predetermined time with the water heated and pressurized to a subcritical range to hydrolyze aromatic polyamide, and a second process for treating the same with the water heated and pressurized to a supercritical range, wherein the aromatic polyamide is hydrolyzed and separated in the first process, and dehalogenation is carried out in the second process.

Abstract: A process comprising contacting a liquid polyester stream with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a metal supported on the surface of silicon carbide at a metal dispersion of at least 0.5% or graphite at a metal dispersion of at least 10% to produce a treated liquid polyester stream. The treated stream may be polycondensed in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst to produce a polyester polymer having an It.V. of at least 0.55 dL/g. The liquid polyester stream desirably has a composition comprising: a) terephthalic acid residues, isophthalic acid residues, and/or naphthalenedicarboxylic acid residues and b) an average degree of polymerization of 0.5 to 20 and c) an acid number ranging from 5 to 600.

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: The present invention relates to thermally conductive, elastomeric pads and methods for manufacturing such pads. The methods involve injection-molding a thermally conductive composition comprising about 30 to 60% by volume of an elastomer polymer matrix and about 25 to 60% by volume of a thermally conductive filler material. The resultant pads have heat transfer properties and can be used as a thermal interface to protect heat-generating electronic devices.

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: 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: The invention relates to a method for deactivating and recovering boron trifluoride when producing polyisobutenes by means of cationic polymerization of isobutene or hydrocarbon streams containing isobutene in the liquid phase in the presence of boron trifluoride or in the form of a boron trifluoride catalyst complex. The catalyst complex is separated, essentially in the liquid phase, from the reactor discharge. The method comprises the following steps: a) removing from the polymerization reactor at ?60 to 020 C., methanol, ethanol or a mixture of methanol and ethanol in such a quantity that an alcohol phase rich in boron trifluoride is formed; b) separating the alcohol phase according to (a) and, (c) optionally recycling the boron trifluoride of the alcohol phase obtained from (b) to the method in a suitable manner.

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 as 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: The present invention provides a magnetic core whose outer surface has been coated without handling brittle ribbon to thereby impart insulating properties and shape retention properties to the magnetic core after annealing heat treatment, and further provides an adhesive resin composition for a magnetic core, which is useful for efficiently producing the above-mentioned magnetic core without using any organic solvent and which per se is stable to heat and elapse of time. By forming a coating film having a certain thickness or more on an outer surface using a composition containing a resin of specific properties, there can be obtained a magnetic core whose outer surface has been coated without handling brittle ribbon to thereby impart insulating properties and shape retention properties to the magnetic core after annealing heat treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) pellet comprising 80 wt % or more of trimethylene terephthalate repeating units copolymerized with bis(3-hydroxypropyl) ether at a ratio in a range from 0.01 to 2 wt %, wherein an amount of terminal carboxyl groups is 25 milli-equivalent/kg or less and an intrinsic viscosity is in a range from 0.8 to 2 dl/g, which pellet has an L* value of 75 or more, a b* value in a range from ?2 to 5, and a weight in a range from 1 to 50 mg/piece.

Abstract: A non-dye containing flexographic ink containing a polymer or copolymer of a 3,4-dialkoxythiophene in which the two alkoxy groups may be the same or different or together represent an optionally substituted oxy-alkylene-oxy bridge, a polyanion and a latex binder in a solvent or aqueous medium, characterized in that the polymer or copolymer of a 3,4-dialkoxythiophene is present in a concentration of at least 0.1% by weight in the ink and that the ink is capable of producing a colorimetrically additive transparent print; a method of preparing the flexographic ink; and a flexographic printing process therewith.

Abstract: A process that can be used for direct esterification of a dicarboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid with a glycol such as 1,3-propanediol. The process comprises (1) contacting, at an elevated temperature, optionally in the presence of a preformed oligomer, the acid with the glycol to produce a product mixture comprising (i) a water-glycol vapor mixture, which or a portion of which exits the product mixture at the temperature to form a water-glycol vapor mixture and (ii) a liquid product mixture comprising an oligomer having a degree of polymerization of from about 1.9 to about 3.5 and comprising repeat units derived from the acid; (2) separating the glycol from the water-glycol mixture to produce a recovered glycol; and (3) returning the recovered glycol to the product mixture such that the liquid product mixture comprises an excess free glycol.

Abstract: An ester-forming monomer obtained by depolymerization of polytrimethylene terephthalate and having an acrolein content of no greater than 0.5 wt %. Polymers obtained using the monomer and fibers, films and molded articles comprising the polymers. The ester-forming monomer is obtained by reacting polytrimethylene terephthalate with at least one compound selected from among monoalcohols, 1,3-propanediol and water in the presence of a basic substance. When the recovered ester-forming monomer is used as the starting material for production of a polymer, it is possible to produce a molding polymer for fibers, films and the like with quality equivalent to or higher than that obtained using virgin monomer.

Abstract: Optics used in a high vacuum environment are mounted by bonding by use of addition polymerizing material which used in that environment. The suitability for use in the high vacuum environment is achieved by precise control of outgassing of trapped and dissolved gases, including low molecular weight hydrocarbons and amines, and unreacted material from component parts of said addition polymerizing material. A plurality of application quantities of the polymer are prepared in a large batch for use as pre-mixed frozen (PMF) material. The use of the large batch enables more precise control of mixture so that near-stoichiometric proportions of the polymer components are easily achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved polymer additive which may be used to increase the high temperature viscosity of an asphalt, without deleteriously affecting the low-temperature viscosity of the asphalt. The polymer additive may also be used to improve the stiffness of certain asphalts. The polymer additive is produced from readily available polymer blends by a thermal process. The invention additionally provides an improved polymer modified asphalt. In its preferred embodiments, the invention also provides an environmentally acceptable method for recycle of post consumer carpet and bottles.

Abstract: A method for processing a polycondensate to give a granulate formed as pellets is disclosed, whereby the polycondensate is fused in the course of the method and then later resolidified. In an exemplary method, a total time during which the temperature of the polycondensate is above the melting point thereof is less than about 60 seconds. This method can be carried out by a multi-shaft extruder, whereby the degrassing and/or drying of the polycondensate in the solid state occurs at a pressure below atmospheric pressure and/or with addition of an inert gas. The time period, during which the polycondensate remains in the extruder, after being melted therein, amounts to, for example, less than about 15 seconds.

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: Methods for significantly improving the working lifetime of photorefractive materials and photorefractive articles involve annealing the photorefractive materials at a temperature higher than the temperature range in which degradation occurs. The methods are particularly applicable to amorphous photorefractive materials and devices in which phase separation results in performance degradation or device failure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of producing a molded article from a composition comprising a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, wherein the molded article has a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.05 per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer comprising molding a composition of a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer having a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.3 parts per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, at a temperature of from 265° C. to 305° C. to produce a molded article; and heat treating the molded article at a temperature of 210° C. to 230° C. for at least 2 minutes to thermally initiate free radical polymerization of the residual monomer.

Abstract: A continuous process for mixing polymer melts with additives, in particular polycarbonate melts with additives in liquid form, in solution or in dispersion is described. The additives are added to a main stream of polymer melt and are then mixed, preferably directly, with the main stream in a static mixer.

Abstract: A method of removing and reclaiming a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst from a polyol is disclosed. A polymeric acid that is soluble in the polyol is introduced into the polyol during or after the polymerization reaction. The polymeric acid reacts with the double metal cyanide catalyst thereby causing the double metal cyanide catalyst and the polymeric acid to form an agglomeration in the polyol. The agglomeration is easily separated from the polyol via filtration, for example. The recovered agglomerated DMC catalyst can then be reconstituted using an acid solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing hydrogenation catalyst residue from hydrogenated polymers comprising: (I) treating a polymer cement comprising an unsaturated polymer in an inert water-immiscible liquid with a hydrogen source in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst; (II) contacting the polymer cement of step (I) with one or more aqueous solution(s) of a weak acid having a pKa greater than 1.5 (determined in water at 25° C.); (III) contacting the polymer cement of step (II) with one or more aqueous solution(s) of a weak base having a pKa smaller than 10.5; and (IV) separating the hydrogenated polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of synthesising a metal alkoxide polymer involving the following general steps: 1. acidolysis; 2. condensation; and 3. subsequent processing. The acidolysis step is preferably performed without addition of water, in the presence of a mutual solvent. The acidolysis step involves acidolysis of a metal alkoxide compound with an acid to produce an intermediate acidolysed solution. The condensation step involves condensation of the intermediate solution in the presence of a metal alkoxide compound to produce the metal alkoxide polymer.

Abstract: A melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer is melt kneaded with a kneader which has a residence time of at least 10 minutes, a usable volume ratio (usable space in a container/space in a container) of larger than 0.3, and a power factor K of less than 8000, the power factor K being represented by the formula: K=Pv/&mgr;/n2 in which Pv is a power requirement per unit volume (W/m3), &mgr; is a melt viscosity (Pa.s), and n is a rotation speed (rps), to effectively remove terminal groups and bonds in the backbones, which are unstable during melt kneading, from the melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer, and obtain a colorless fluorine-containing polymer.

Abstract: A process for obtaining non thermoprocessable fine powders of homopolymer or modified PTFE, comprising the following steps: A) obtaining of the polymer latex under the gel form; B) washing of the polymer gel with acid aqueous solutions or neutral aqueous solutions; C) granulation of the gel washed by mechanical stirring, at a specific power in the range 1.5-10 kW/m3, until flotation of the PTFE fine powder, and separation of the floated fine powder; D) drying in an aerated oven of the floated fine powder at a drying temperature in the range 90° C.-160° C.

Abstract: Organo-titanate catalysts are prepared that are useful to catalyze depolymerization of a polyester to produce macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from macrocyclic co-oligoesters.

Abstract: The invention comprises a networked polymer comprising the formula: wherein n≧1; wherein n is an average value obtained by averaging all repeating units of the networked polymer; wherein m≧1; wherein Y is a divalent group containing one or more acetylenic groups, one or more crosslinks, or both; wherein z is the average number of crosslinks per Y group; wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected aromatic groups; and wherein each R is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, haloaryl, and combinations thereof. The invention also includes prepolymers and precursors needed to make the networked polymer and processes for making all of the above. The invention also includes a ceramic composition made by pyrolysis of the networked polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coating composition for use in producing an insulating thin film, comprising: (A) at least one silica precursor comprised of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an alkoxysilane and a hydrolysis product thereof; (B) at least one organic polymer; (C) water; (D) at least one alcohol; and optionally (E) an organic solvent for a mixture of the components (A), (B), (C) and (D); wherein the weight ratio (WR) of the water (C) to the at least one silica precursor (A) satisfies the formula 0.01<WR<10, and the weight of the water (C) is larger than that of the at least one alcohol (D), with the proviso that when the at least one organic polymer (B) is insoluble in a mixture of the water (C) and the alcohol (D), the coating composition comprises all of the components (A) to (E).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of producing a molded article from a composition comprising a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, wherein the molded article has a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.05 per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer comprising molding a composition of a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer having a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.3 parts per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, at a temperature of from 265° C. to 305° C. to produce a molded article; and heat treating the molded article at a temperature of 210° C. to 230° C. for at least 2 minutes to thermally initiate free radical polymerization of the residual monomer.

Abstract: A continuous coagulation process of PTFE or modified PTFE fine powders, comprising: a1) dilution in a lift of a PTFE latex up to a concentration from 5 to 25% w/w of PTFE, and optional filtration of the obtained diluted latex, b1) latex pressurization in the lift by an inert gas, preferably air, until a relative pressure, related to the atmospheric pressure, in the range 3-40 kg/cm2 (0.3-4 MPa), c1) addition of an acid electrolyte solution, d1) latex flowing from the mixer through a capillary tube under turbulent flow conditions, e1) granulation (coagulation) of the gel obtained in step d1) by mechanical stirring with a specific power from 1.5 to 10 kW/m3, maintaining the stirring until fine powder flotation, f1) separation of the underlying water from the fine powder.

Abstract: A plastic lens, an optical molded article, a film or a sheet formed of a copolycarbonate resin comprising a structural unit (I) of the following general formula (I), and a structural unit (II) of the following formula (II), the structural unit (I) having a molar amount percentage of 15 to 85% on the basis of the total amount of the structural units (I) and (II). According to the present invention, there are provided a plastic lens, an optical molded article, and the like, which are excellent in physical properties such as transparency, thermal stability and impact resistance and are excellent in optical properties such as a balance between a refractive index and an Abbe's number and a photoelasticity constant.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing polymer particles capable of increasing the easiness of handling of powder when the powder is collected and preventing the powder from adhering to the wall surface of a dryer and the outlet of the dryer from being clogged with the powder by suppressing the occurrence of ruptured particles to reduce the produced amount of the fine powder when polymer particles are produced by spraying and drying polymer latex, characterized in that, when the polymer latex having a minimum film forming temperature of 50° C. or higher is sprayed and dried with heating gas for drying in the dryer, the temperature of the heating gas for drying at the dryer outlet is less than the temperature obtained by adding 15° C. to the minimum film forming temperature of the polymer latex, the wet-bulb temperature thereof at the dryer outlet is higher than the temperature obtained by deducing 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 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 process for using low-molecular weight compounds that are water-extracted from (co)polyamides in the production of polyamide is disclosed. The process entails reacting these compounds with 10 to 15 wt. % water for a period of 3.5 to 6 hours at a temperature of 220° C. to 270° C., and polymerizing the resulting product along with caprolactam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating a dissolved polymer from solids, wherein the solid is separated off by sedimentation and the sedimented solid is washed in countercurrent with a solvent. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing polymers in a solvent, wherein a) a polymer having a low molecular weight is prepared in solution, b) the solid which is undissolved in the reaction mixture is separated off by sedimentation and c) the mixture which has been freed of the solid is polymerized further until a particular molecular weight has been reached.

Abstract: A surface-modified water-absorbent resin powder is produced continuously with high productivity in a state where the particle diameter distribution is narrow and where the properties are high by a process comprising a polymerizing step, a drying step, a pulverizing step, a classifying step, and a surface-modifying step, and further, conveying steps of connecting them, wherein the conveying steps include at least two hoppers for storing the water-absorbent resin powder. A powder surface detector used favorably for this process includes a float hung down by a hanging line.

Abstract: Polypropylene heterophasic copolymers with good flow and impact properties are made by visbreaking a starting polypropylene heterophasic copolymer of which the amorphous rubber has an intrinsic viscosity of 2 dl/g or more and the ethylene content in the amorphous rubber, determined as C2 of AM, is from 20 wt-% to 45 wt-%.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a polyester comprising an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or a lower alkyl ester thereof and an alkylene glycol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms as the main glycol component by recycling part or all of a distillate comprising an alkylene glycol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms recovered from a polycondensation reaction step as the main component as a raw material for the polyester. Low-boiling substances contained in the distillate are separated by flush distillation and the distillate is supplied to an ester exchange reaction step or esterification reaction step.

Abstract: Heat stable poly(ethynylene phenylene ethynylene silylene) polymers with a determined molecular weight bearing at the chain end, groups derived from a chain limiter. Methods for preparing these polymers, hardened products obtained by heat treatment of these polymers, and matrices for composites comprising these polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for grinding a plastic material to produce superfine particles and compositions, such as suspensions and dry powders, resulting from such process. Common ice is the abrasive for grinding.

Abstract: A process for removing low molecular weight constituents from polyamide 6 or from copolyamides based on caprolactam (herein (co)polyamide) is disclosed. The process comprise subjecting the (co)polyamide to liquid-extraction at a temperature which is above the boiling point of the liquid at atmospheric pressure said liquid containing water in an amount of at least 80 percent relative to its weight.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a resin film according to the present invention includes depositing the resin material by heating a resin material at a heating temperature higher than a melting point of the resin material in a reduced pressure atmosphere. The resin material may have a viscosity-average molecular weight ranging from 500 to 1000000. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an electronic component according to the present invention uses this method for manufacturing the resin film. In accordance with the present invention, a thin resin film can be manufactured with excellent controllability, so that an electronic component including such a resin film can be obtained.

Abstract: A crystalline biodegradable resin composition obtained by annealing a composition comprising an aliphatic polyester and a modified elastomer.

Abstract: A process for separating a solvent and low molecular weight material from an acrylic resin by adding a hindered amine light stabilizer having at least one aminoether group to a mixture of the organic solvent, low molecular weight material and the acrylic resin and subjecting the resulting mixture to an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to remove the solvent and low molecular weight material from the acrylic resin by devolatilization. A composition can be provided which is capable of being formed into a powder coating composition which essentially contains an acrylic resin, a hindered amine light stabilizer having at least one aminoether group or residue thereof and less than 4% by weight of low molecular weight material having a molecular weight less than 600.

Abstract: Disclosed are a curable resin composition, which is liquid and therefore has good workability before curing and which can be softened or liquefied at a temperature lower than the thermal decomposition temperature in a short time after curing and a curable compound used in the composition as well as a method of easily disassembling a cured material. The curable compound has at least one thermally dissociable group (a) that does not participate in crosslinking reaction and at least two groups (b) participating in crosslinking reaction selected from the group consisting of an isocyanate group, a blocked isocyanate group, an alkoxysilyl group, an epoxy group, an acid anhydride group, an amino group, a latent amino group, a mercapto group and a carboxyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of polybutylene terephthalate from terephthal acid and 1,4-butane diole, comprising the following stages: a) direct esterification of terephthal acid with 1,4-butane diole in a reactor cascade of at least two reactors b) pre-condensation of the esterification product obtained in stage a), c) polycondensation of the pre-condensate obtained in stage b), whereby the temperature of the reactor cascade in stage a) is progressively decreased during its operation.

Abstract: A melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer is melt kneaded with a kneader which has a residence time of at least 10 minutes, a usable volume ratio (usable space in a container/space in a container) of larger than 0.3, and a power factor K of less than 8000, the power factor K being represented by the formula: K=Pv/&mgr;/n2 in which Pv is a power requirement per unit volume (W/m3), &mgr; is a melt viscosity (Pa.s), and n is a rotation speed (rps), to effectively remove terminal groups and bonds in the backbones, which are unstable during melt kneading, from the melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer, and obtain a colorless fluorine-containing polymer.