Abstract: The method for manufacturing electrically conductive macromolecules of the present invention is provided by reacting at least a monomer and an oxidizing agent to obtain electrically conductive macromolecules by a chemical polymerization method, the method including reacting the monomer and the oxidizing agent at least in a polymerizing vessel that contains a steam atmosphere. With this method, it is possible to obtain flat, electrically conductive macromolecules (10). Thus, it is possible to provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing electrically conductive macromolecules in which it is possible to combine both low ESR and high capacity in a solid state electrolytic capacitor, realize low losses, and have low current leakage.

Abstract: An analytical technique for the accurate and precise measurement of trace water in chemical reagents, comprising the steps of combining a chemical reagent comprising ?5 ppm water, with hexafluoroacetone (HFA), to form a sample mixture comprising at least the chemical reagent and a water derivative of hexafluoroacetone; and measuring the concentration of the water derivative of hexafluoroacetone by gas chromatography.

Abstract: A process for producing higher molecular weight polyester includes heating a polyester to form a melt, and applying and maintaining a vacuum of between about 5 mm and about 85 mm of mercury to the melt while passing bubbles of gas through the melt until molecular weight has increased. The process may involve esterification of a diacid component and a diol component at elevated temperature. Typically, an excess of diol was employed. After the acid functional groups have essentially reacted, a vacuum of about 5 mm of mercury or less was applied and excess diol stripped off during transesterification, thereby increasing molecular weight.

Abstract: A method for the extraction, separation, fractionation and purification of biopolymers from plant materials using supercritical and/or subcritical solvent extractions is disclosed. Specifically, the process can be used for the separation of resins and rubber from guayule shrub (Parthenium argentatum), and other rubber and/or resin containing plant materials, using supercritical solvent extraction, for example supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Additionally, polar and/or non-polar co-solvents can be used with supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance the selective extraction of resins and rubbers from the shrub.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a thermostable electroconductive polymer layer comprising an iodine-doped polymer layer based on 1-amino-9,10-anthraquinone having an electrical conductivity in the range of about 10?2 Sm/cm to about 102 Sm/cm. Additionally, the present invention is related to methods for preparing the thermostable electroconductive polymer layer. The method comprises polymerizing 1-amino-9,10-anthraquinone vapors at a reduced pressure in a direct current discharge on a cathode at a temperature in the range of about 150° C. to about 300° C., providing the necessary vapor pressure for a time period in the range of about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes and doping the prepared layer with iodine vapors.

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 the fractional distillation of crude oil, which comprises the steps of: feeding a continuous current of crude oil at 310–400° C. into a turbomixer comprising a tubular cylindrical body (1) provided with a rotor (9) formed with helically oriented paddles (10) and rotatably supported inside the body, along with a continuous current of steam; subjecting both currents to the mechanical action of the paddled rotor (9), so as to create a thin tubular dynamic turbulent layer, which is discharged and fed continuously into a fractioning column, at a predetermined height level in the column, to produce an upward-flowing vapor current and a downward-flowing liquid current therein; and optionally discharging the downward-flowing liquid current continuously from the column bottom, and feeding it continuously into the turbomixer in the same direction as the crude oil current.

Abstract: Multilayer coextruded thermoformable structures for packaging film applications. The multilayer structures having at least a first layer comprising polyethylene terephthalate, a second layer of a first adhesive comprising a blend of at least an acrylate-based resin and either a modified polyolefin or a modified acrylate-based resin; a third layer of a thermoplastic oxygen barrier. The thermoplastic oxygen barrier may comprise ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyvinylidene chloride, or polyamide, preferably, a polyamide blend containing between 1–29% amorphous polyamide. The present invention may further comprise at least 5–7 thermoplastic layers.

Abstract: A method of preparing a orthopaedic implant which includes removing low-molecular-weight compounds from a mass of polymeric material from which the implant is made.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying a vinyl polymer to be used as a component of a composition capable of undergoing hydrosilylation. The present invention provides a vinyl polymers obtainable by atom transfer radical polymerization can be purified economically and efficiently by adsorption treatment using an acidic adsorbent and a basic adsorbent combinedly, with the result that the reactivity in hydrosilylation thereof is improved. Thus, the polymers can be used as components in hydrosilylation reaction-susceptible compositions.

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: This invention relates to solvents which may be used to extract polymers that are made of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers.

Abstract: Low-k organosilicate dielectric material can be exposed to a series of reagents, including a halogenation reagent, an alkylation reagent, and a termination reagent, in order to reverse degradation of dielectric properties caused by previous processing steps.

Abstract: Novel carbonated vegetable oils (such as carbonated soybean oil) are made by reacting carbon dioxide with an epoxidized vegetable oil. The carbonated vegetable oils advantageously may be used for producing nonisocyanate polyurethane materials.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process of fractionating ferroelectric, preferably vinylidene fluoride polymers using a solvent having at least one polarizable functional group, and a precipitant. The composition of the fractionated ferroelectric polymers is selected so as to adjust the properties of a ferroelectric film made from the polymers. Films formed using the fractionated vinylidene fluoride polymers have improved properties, particularly with respect to roughness and crystal domain size, and suitability for use in data processing devices.

Abstract: Process and installation for extracting a monomer from an aqueous broth of a polymer, in which, after the broth has been heated, the broth is subjected to a depressurization in a depressurization chamber and is then introduced into a vertical column, divided into several chambers, on which are superimposed perforated plates, where the broth is flushed with an ascending stream of inert gas.

Abstract: Process for pelletizing polyethylene resin are disclosed, the processes providing pelletized resin having reduced occurrence of defects such as black specks. Polyethylene resin is conveyed in a downstream direction through a mixer having a feed zone, a melt-mixing zone downstream of the feed zone, and a melt-conveying zone downstream of the melt-mixing zone; contacted with nitrogen gas in the melt-conveying zone; and conveyed through a mixer discharge to form pellets. Also disclosed are processes of forming films from such resins, the films having reduced occurrence of gels, and articles such as blow molded or injection molded articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of polyamide 6 by the hydrolytic polymerization of ?-caprolactam, in which, in the first step, caprolactam ring opening occurs under the action of water and, in the following steps, polycondensation is performed at low temperatures under anhydrous conditions.

Abstract: In a process of producing polyethylene terephthalate by esterification of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol and polycondensation, the vapors formed are rectified, the liquid phase is recirculated to the process, and the lower-boiling components are condensed. To obtain an almost completely stripped condensate, condensate is circulated and stripped the same with air, and the exhaust air is subjected to a catalytic oxidation.

Abstract: A process for forming a planarization film on a substrate that does not smoke or fume on heating includes applying a polymeric solution including a novolac resin having a weight average molecular weight between about 1000 and 3000 amu, which has been fractionated to remove molecules with molecular weight below about 350 amu, a surfactant selected from a group consisting of a non-fluorinated hydrocarbon, a fluorinated hydrocarbon and combinations thereof, and an optional organic solvent to a substrate, followed by heating the substrate.

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

Abstract: This invention relates to solvents which may be used to extract polymers that are made of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for hydrotreating hydrocarbon resins, which process comprises contacting a feedstock comprising a hydrocarbon resin or rosin, under suitable hydrotreating conditions, with a bulk multimetallic catalyst comprised of at least one Group VIII non-noble metal and at least two Group VIB metals and wherein the ratio of Group VIB metal to Group VIII non-noble metal is from about 10:1 to about 1:10. The process according to the invention can achieve increased hydrocarbon resin productivity through increase in throughput volumes and effective catalyst lifetimes. The process of the invention is desirably practiced with a bulk catalyst consisting of only the combination of the metal species with the active metal components. The absence of carrier substrates largely removes the possibility of halogen accumulation on substrate surfaces that, in turn, can acidify metal catalysts such that additional, progressive cracking of the hydrocarbon resin molecules occurs.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of preparing a reinforced polymer providing improved mechanical properties. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes mixing the layered silicate with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture and contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles disperse within the polymer. The method further includes depressurizing the contacted mixture to exfoliate the layered silicate so that the layers are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating plastic material, especially polyethylene terephthalate, wherein the relatively low temperature material is initially crystallized by heating before subjecting said material to heating or condensation in the solid phase. The material is then exposed to a hot treatment gas for at least 10 minutes in at least two chambers (2) of an apparatus and crystallized at a temperature above 135° C., e.g. 140-180° C. The is subsequently heated in a preheating chamber (3) having at least one to eight stages at a temperature of at least 185° C., preferably at least 200° C. and more preferably around 220° C.

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: A method of treating contact lenses made from polymerizable materials by providing supercritical fluids to the lenses.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for hydrotreating hydrocarbon resins, which process comprises contacting a feedstock comprising a hydrocarbon resin or rosin, under suitable hydrotreating conditions, with a bulk multimetallic catalyst comprised of at least one Group VIII non-noble metal and at least two Group VIB metals and wherein the ratio of Group VIB metal to Group VIII non-noble metal is from about 10:1 to about 1:10. The process accord invention can achieve increased hydrocarbon resin productivity through increase in throughput volumes and effective catalyst lifetimes. The process of the invention is desirably practiced with a bulk catalyst consisting of only the combination of the metal species with the active metal components. The absence of carrier substrates largely removes the possibility of halogen accumulation on substrate surfaces that, in turn, can acidify metal catalysts such that additional, progressive cracking of the hydrocarbon resin molecules occurs.

Abstract: A process for production of polyimide molded bodies which comprises a step in which a polyimide resin powder obtained by polymerization and imidation of p-phenylenediamine with 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid, its ester or its dianhydride and 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid, its ester or its dianhydride is molded at a pressure of approximately 3,000-5,000 kgf/cm2, and a step in which it is calcined at about 460-550° C. under low pressure. The polyimide molded bodies obtained thereby have a density in the range of 1.28-1.34 g/cm3.

Abstract: A polyimide film of 20 to 125 &mgr;m thick composed of aromatic polyimide prepared from an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid component (composed mainly of 3,4,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid or its derivative) and an aromatic diamine component (composed mainly of p-phenyl-enediamine) and containing a micro-granular filler of metal atom-containing inorganic material, can be so denatured on its surfaces that an amount of the metal atom and a ratio of oxygen/carbon would increase by 0.03 to 1.0 atomic % and 0.01 to 0.20, respectively, on the processed surfaces, upon running in a gaseous mixture of argon and hydrogen between a plurality of activated plasma discharge electrodes arranged in a double line under such condition that the running polyimide film is free from contact with the electrodes.

Abstract: Process for preparation powder coating formulations by pressure release of a composition comprising a low molecular mass inert compound, with release of the low molecular mass inert compound, in which process one or more base resins and one or more hardeners for the base resins, or one or more self-curing base resins, and, if desired, further customary coatings components, are converted together or separately into a flowable form by heating, the low molecular mass inert compound is dissolved under pressure at least in one of the base resin or hardener components employed, either before these components are combined with the other components or in the already prepared mixture, the overall mixture is homogenized, and then the mixture of all components is released from pressure, with cooling.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyphenylene ether by oxidative polymerization of a phenol compound using a catalyst and an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst comprises a copper compound, a bromine compound, a diamine compound represented by the following formula (1): (wherein, R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represents hydrogen or a C1-6 linear or branched alkyl group with the proviso that all of them do not represent hydrogen simultaneously, and R5 represents a linear or methyl-branched C2-5 alkylene group), a tertiary monoamine compound and a secondary monoamine compound, wherein the process comprises the steps of: controlling an absolute pressure at a gaseous phase of a reaction vessel to a range of from 0.098 MPa to less than 0.392 MPa; and feeding the oxygen-containing gas to the reaction vessel, the oxygen-containing gas having an oxygen partial pressure, in terms of an absolute pressure, of from 0.0147 MPa to 0.0883 MPa.

Abstract: An invented method for the surface modification of a molded plastic treats a molded plastic with an oxygen-atom-containing gas such as oxygen, carbon monoxide, a nitrogen oxide, or a sulfur oxide in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide or another imide compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are each, identical to or different from each other, a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, or an acyl group, or R1 and R2 may be combined to form a double bond or an aromatic or non-aromatic ring; X is an oxygen atom or a hydroxyl group. An invented method for modifying a polymer treats a polymer with an oxygen-atom-containing gas such as oxygen, carbon monoxide, a nitrogen oxide, or a sulfur oxide in the presence of the imide compound represented by the formula (1).

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of delaminating a layered silicate to provide improved mechanical properties to select materials such as polymers. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes contacting the layered silicate particles with the supercritical fluid to define contacted layered silicate particles and catastrophically depressurizing the contacted layered silicate particles to exfoliate the layered particles so that the layered particles are substantially dispersed, defining treated silicate particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used to modify the surface chemistry of an article. The article to be surface treated has at least a surface region that includes at least one polymer. The method comprises the steps of placing one or more articles into a closed reaction chamber which is evacuated to a negative pressure. After evacuation, a treatment gas is rapidly injected into the reaction chamber, the treatment gas having an essentially predetermined composition comprising one or more components which are reactive with the articles within the reaction chamber. The treatment gas is allowed to react with the articles within the closed reaction chamber for a predetermined period of time. The treatment gas is then removed from within the reaction chamber and replaced with an inert gas at about atmospheric pressure. Finally, the treated articles are removed from the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A process for increasing the rate of polymerization of low molecular weight polyester particles under solid state processing conditions whereby the progress of polymerization is preferred over the progress of crystallization for a given mass of particles.

Abstract: A method of preparing a poly(arylene ether) includes oxidatively coupling a monohydric phenol in a reaction solution at a reaction temperature that exceeds the cloud point temperature of the reaction solution. The oxidative coupling occurs in the presence of a metal complex catalyst, and when the catalyst includes an amine ligand, the method facilitates incorporation of the amine ligand into the poly(arylene ether) resin. The amine-incorporated poly(arylene ether) resins prepared by the method are useful in the preparation of higher molecular weight poly(arylene ether) resins and compatibilized blends of poly(arylene ether) resins with other thermoplastics.

Abstract: A process is provided for curing poly(arylene sulfide) polymers by achieving and maintaining curing conditions in a cure vessel, then intermittently adding uncured polymer to said cure vessel and intermittently removing polymer from the cure vessel wherein the removal of polymer from the cure vessel is performed at intervals such that the presence of uncured polymer is minimized or avoided.

Abstract: For efficiently recycling a flame retardant resin composition constituted of a flame retardant and a resin, the present invention provides a method for treating a flame retardant resin composition comprising a step of bringing at least part of a flame retardant resin composition containing a resin and a flame retardant into contact with a pressurized fluid constituted of a solvent to reduce the flame retardancy.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing an essentially linear copolymer of ethylene and a minor amount of a 1-olefin containing more than 2 carbon atoms comprising contacting said ethylene and 1-olefin with a Ziegler catalyst in a polymerization reaction zone at elevated temperature and pressure, contacting the polymerization reaction mixture containing polymer and unreacted monomers with a fresh supply of ethylene in a high pressure separation zone (HPS) operating at a lower pressure than the reaction zone such that the contents of the separation zone separates into a dense phase containing a major proportion of polymer, and a light phase containing a major proportion of unreacted monomers, and separately withdrawing the two phases from the separation zone.

Abstract: Polyurethane moulding compositions which can be melt processed in the form of sintering powders suitable for the preparation of grained sintered films and which are prepared exclusively from linear aliphatic components are described. The polyol component is composed of 30 to 80 parts by weight of an aliphatic polycarbonate diol with an average molecular weight {overscore (M)}n of 1000 to 2200 and 70 to 20 parts by weight of a polybutane diol adipate and/or a polycaprolactone diol with an average molecular weight {overscore (M)}n of 1000 to 2400. Moreover, the mixture contains 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate in an equivalence ratio of 2.3:1.0 to 6.2:1.0, based on the polyol mixture and butane-1,4-diol as chain extender, the equivalence ratio of the butane-1,4-diol based on the poly mixture being 1.3:1.0 to 5.2:1.0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating plastic polymers to reduce or remove organic contaminants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of treating, by continuous means, a flowable polymer mass with a solvating fluid in an environment at which the solvating fluid is in a supercritical state and is subject to conditions sufficient to preferentially solvate and extract organic, and especially non-volatile, contaminants from the polymer mass.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing unreacted monomers and other volatile matters from a polymer solution composition produced from a mixture containing an aromatic vinyl monomer, utilizes two or more flash devolatilizing vessels, and effects the removal by adjusting the solid content of the polymer solution composition at the outlet of the devolitilizer before the last-stage devolitilizer to a level in excess of 97%, adding 0.5-4 parts by weight of a foaming agent to the total polymer solution composition, passing the polymer solution composition through the last-stage devolitilizer while maintaining the pressure of the polymer solution at 10 kg/cm2 or more by means of a pressure controller and the temperature in the range 190-260° C., introducing the polymer solution composition to a vapor-liquid separation vessel maintained at a vacuum of 20 Torr or less, and allowing the composition to foam.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for crystallizing polyester granules having a bi-component structure consisting of a thin crystalline skin and an essentially amorphous interior. The crystalline skin prevents the granules from sticking together in hot post-crystallization processes such as solid state polymerization or melt extrusion. The amorphous interior of the polyester granules facilitates a melt extrusion process by allowing lower melt temperatures and extruded products of improved uniformity.

Abstract: Provided are processes by which an ethylenimine polymer and an aqueous solution thereof can advantageously be produced at low costs in an industrial scale. The ethylenimine polymer can be produced by polymerizing crude ethylenimine obtained by a simple distilling operation from an ethylenimine-containing reaction mixture produced by subjecting ethanolamine to intermolecular dehydration reaction, preferably crude ethylenimine having impurity contents which are controlled in the specific ranges. When the above crude ethylenimine is polymerized in an aqueous medium, capable of being obtained is an aqueous solution of an ethylenimine polymer having a higher molecular weight than that produced by non-solvent polymerization. The ethylenimine polymer can be purified by, for example, adding water thereto, mixing them and then vaporizing and removing water under heating. The aqueous solution of an ethylenimine polymer can be purified by heating and condensing it.

Abstract: The end group content of polyamide in the solid state may be reduced by treating the polyamide with gas-phase acid, anhydride, or amine. Stain- or dye-resistant polyamide fibers can be made by reducing the number of amino end groups. Reduction in the number of carboxylic end groups reduces the rate of regeneration of starting monomers during extrusion.

Abstract: A gaseous mixture of steam and air, a gaseous mixture of steam and nitrogen, or pure steam are passed around polyolefin granules in a deodorizing apparatus. The result is that the polyolefin granules have markedly improved properties with respect to odor and taste, and these are retained in moldings produced from the granules.

Abstract: There is provided a post-reactor process for a polymer, especially an elastomeric polymer, prepared by a gas phase polymerization in the presence of an inert particulate material comprising: introducing the polymer containing inert particulate material into a polishing vessel in the presence of a fluidizing gas under polishing conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the removal of lactide from polylactide and recovery of lactide from a lactide-containing gas by cooling the hot lactide-containing gas, wherein a polymer melt traveling through a nozzle forms thin threads the surface area of which is so large that in a normal-pressure or vacuum evaporator the lactide evaporates from the polymer rapidly into a hot carrier-gas flow and the polymer settles under gravity onto a collecting device. A hot lactide-containing gas is cooled rapidly to a temperature below 100° C., whereupon the lactide crystallizes from gas, forming lactide crystals, which are separated from the gas.

Abstract: Wear resistance and oxidation resistance of polymer material or a polymer component for bioimplantation are improved by packaging a polymer object in a sealed gas impermeable package substantially free of oxygen, irradiating the package with penetrating radiation to an extent sufficient to effect a desired substantial level of cross-linking within the polymer, and warming the packaged object while maintaining an elevated hydrostatic pressure to cause gases released during irradiation to recombine, stabilizing the material against subsequent oxidative change. The pressure stabilization terminates active sites, substantially eliminating free radicals. When applied to finished parts, the process simultaneously hardens and sterilizes the parts without degrading mechanical properties or dimensions. When applied to bulk material or unfinished parts, the part may be subsequent machined or otherwise finished, and sterilized by any conventional means.