Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the detoxification of polymeric film chip materials which have been contaminated with cyanide compounds during the process for the reclamation of their silver content. The present invention includes the steps of providing within a substantially impervious container a quantity of polymeric film chip materials containing a cyanide compound, and then submerging the cyanide containing polymeric film chip materials in a solution containing hypochlorite ion at a pH of approximately 9.5 to 10.5 until the cyanide in the polymeric film chip material is substantially converted into cyanate. In preferred alternative embodiments the treatment solution is replaced with a second treatment solution containing hypochlorite ion and having a pH of approximately 7.5 to 8 until the cyanate is substantially converted into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases. Mixing means in the form of influent and effluent means are provided in such apparatus.

Abstract: The total halide content of epoxy resins is reduced by heating a resin containing halide dissolved in a solvent mixture containing at least one ketone, at least one aromatic hydrocarbon and optionally at least one compound containing at least one aliphatic hydroxyl group in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide for a time sufficient to reduce the total halide content.

Abstract: A process for producing shaped articles having improved surfaces, characterized by subjecting a shaped article of a polymer derived from a monomeric material comprising an acrylate and/or methacrylate to at least one of a hot water treatment, an aqueous alkali solution treatment and an aqueous acid solution treatment. Shaped articles obtained by this process have an advantage that when the surfaces thereof are stained the removal of the stains is quite easy. Moreover, they are hydrophilic and have excellent wettability by water. Therefore, said shaped articles are extremely suitable for use as contact lens.

Abstract: Solid state compositions having improved storage stability are provided by reacting an aqueous solution or slurry of polymeric acetal carboxylate and alkali metal hydroxide with carbon dioxide to form alkali metal carbonate in intimate admixture with the polymer and recovering the admixture in solid form. The compositions are useful as builders in detergent formulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simplified, economic process for the production of polyamines by the alkaline hydrolysis of compounds containing terminal aromatic and/or aliphatic isocyanate groups (including modified isocyanates or NCO-prepolymers and semi-prepolymers with NCO-contents of from 0.5 to 40% by weight), with strong aqueous bases, direct isolation of the polyamines from the carbamate stage being possible by thermal carbamate decomposition and/or solvent extraction.The invention also relates to the use of the aromatic and/or aliphatic polyamines containing primary NH.sub.2 -groups obtainable by the process according to the invention for the production of polyurethanes, such as optionally cellular polyurethane plastics and polyurethane foams.

Abstract: Aromatic hydrocarbon resins are disclosed prepared from aromatic, unsaturated hydrocarbons and a melted aromatic carboxylic acid polymerized in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst. The resin may be used in printing inks, for paper sizing, for coatings and other applications where natural resins have been used.

Abstract: A process is provided for the coagulation of rubber polymers from aqueous emulsions thereof wherein the coagulation is undertaken in the presence of an additive selected from a polysaccharide material and from a vegetable derived proteinaceous material. The polymers so coagulated are readily dried and may be used for the manufacture of products well known for the specific polymers.

Abstract: Low hydrolyzable chlorine containing epoxy resins are obtained by conducting a second dehydrohalogenation of the resin in isopropanol or secondary butanol solvent using aqueous alkali metal hydroxide as the dehydrohalogenating agent. Low hydrolyzable chlorine containing epoxy resins when cured have excellent electrical resistance properties.

Abstract: Polyether-based urethane-group-containing polyamines containing polymers and/or copolymers of unsaturated monomers and, optionally, urea and/or biuret and/or allophanate groups are produced by (a) reacting an NCO-prepolymer in aqueous alkaline solution at 0.degree. to 40.degree. C. to form a carbamate; (b) converting this carbamate to an amine by adding an ion exchanger to the reaction mixture; and (c) separating the polyamine from the reaction mixture. The NCO-prepolymers used as starting materials are prepolymers of (i) polyalkylene ether polyols having a molecular weight of from 1,000 to 10,000 containing from 1 to 60 wt. % of graft (co)polymers of unsaturated monomers; and (ii) excess molar quantities of organic polyisocyanate; and optionally, (iii) a low molecular weight chain-extending agent. The product polyamines have a molecular weight of from 1,000 to 10,000 and contain from 0.65 to 59.3 wt. % graft (co)polymer and from 0.11 to 2.9 wt. % terminal NH.sub.

Abstract: Aromatic polyamines containing aromatic primary amino groups as well as urethane and polyester groups are made by hydrolyzing an isocyanate in the presence of a basic material and water to form a carbamate and then converting the carbamate groups to amino groups. The isocyanate starting material contains aromatic isocyanate groups (as well as urethane and polyester groups) and has an NCO content of from 0.5 to 11.5 wt %. The basic compound is selected from alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkali metal silicates, alkali metal sulfides, alkali metal cyanides, tetraalkylammonium hydroxides and mixtures thereof. Water is used in a quantity such that at least one mole of water is present for each equivalent of NCO groups. The carbamate groups may be converted to amino groups by treating the carbamate-containing mixture with a proton donor or with heat or with a solvent. The product polyamines are particularly useful in the production of polyurethanes.

Abstract: Making a fluoroelastomer by feeding to an aqueous polymerization medium in a reactor about 25-75% by weight of the total monomers, vinylidene fluoride, at least one other fluorine-containing ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing at least as many fluorine atoms as carbon atoms and copolymerizable with vinylidene fluoride, an inorganic free-radical initiator, a chain transfer agent added in an amount sufficient to maintain a concentration in the aqueous polymerization medium of from about 0.5.times.10.sup.-3 to 5.times.10.sup.-3 moles per 100 grams of total monomers, and from about 0.02-2% by weight, based on the weight of the aqueous medium, of a surfactant which is a compound having the formula:F--CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --OSO.sub.3 Mwhere n is an integer of from 2-8 or mixtures thereof and M is an alkali metal cation, hydrogen or ammonium, maintaining the pH of the aqueous polymerization medium within a range of from about 2.

Abstract: A process for producing a semipermeable membrane having a high flux, excellent in solute rejection and useful for reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and the like which comprises dipping a semipermeable membrane of acrylonitrile polymer containing 40-100% by mole of acrylonitrile in a solution of an amine and/or an alkali, or casting a solution of said polymer containing an amine and/or an alkali to prepare a semipermeable membrane, and optionally, treating the semipermeable membrane thus obtained with plasma.

Abstract: A process for producing a resin foam by using an aqueous medium, which comprises(a) treating a resin compound with said aqueous medium to cause the aqueous medium to adhere to and be held by the resin compound, said resin compound being composed of porous agglomerated particles resulting from partial melt-adhesion of thermoplastic resin particles coated with a fine hydrophilic solid powder which does not substantially melt at the melting temperature of the resin particles, said solid powder being embedded in the resin particles but partly exposed at their surfaces,(b) melt-kneading the resin compound treated with the aqueous medium under such an elevated pressure that evaporation of the aqueous medium is substantially inhibited, and(c) thereafter releasing the kneaded resin composition from the pressurized state to foam it; and a thermoplastic resin compound used for the aforesaid process.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the coagulation from the latex of a carboxylated styrenebutadiene polymer, the improvement being adjusting the pH of the latex to between about 6.5 and about 7.5 and adding an emulsifier mixture which contains, based on 100 parts by weight of polymer in the latex, from about 3 to about 6 parts by weight of the alkali metal salt of a fatty acid and from about 1.5 to about 3.5 parts by weight of the alkali metal salt of a rosin acid.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic resin capable of giving a molded article having a very good appearance, by coagulating a thermoplastic resin latex prepared by an emulsion polymerization method which comprises making the latex into a coagulated slurry by carrying out the coagulation procedure in a range of temperatures lower than the solidifying point of the thermoplastic resin, adding an alkaline substance to said coagulated slurry in a range of temperatures lower than the aforesaid solidifying point so that the pH of said coagulated slurry is adjusted to a pH 0.1 or more higher than its pH at the time of the coagulation and that the pH of the whole coagulated slurry after the addition of the alkaline substance is adjusted to 7.0 or lower, and then raising the temperature of said coagulated slurry to solidify the coagulated particles.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the modification of a chloromethylated latex wherein said latex contains a surfactant of a nonionic or ionic-type comprising contacting said latex with an aqueous alkali solution and an alkali ionizable molecule containing antidegradant properties at a reaction temperature below 100.degree. C. and in the presence of a nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: The hydrolyzable "chloride" contents of epoxides prepared from epihalohydrins and phenols, aromatic amines or >N-H group-containing heterocycles are considerably reduced by a second dehydrochlorination step which comprises dissolving the epoxide in a solvent having the characteristics of a 1:1 by weight blend of methylethylketone and toluene and treating it with amounts of base and water ensuring a final base concentration equivalent to that of about 4 wt. % aqueous NaOH.

Abstract: Modified resorcinol polymers are prepared by mixing acid or base with liquid phenol-resorcinol resin, permitting the mixture to stand for a period of at least about 48 hours followed by separation of an aqueous solution from the resin to recover the resorcinol polymer. The modified resorcinol has improved physical characteristics when employed in molding compositions, coating compositions and the like.

Abstract: A treatment procedure for aqueous colloidal polytetrafluoroethylene dispersions obtained by polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene in the presence of the lithium salt of a perfluoroalkanesulfonic acid as the emulsifier, characterized by the fact that a basic hydroxide or a soluble ammonium, alkali metal or alkaline-earth salt, with the exception of lithium hydroxide or a lithium salt, is added to the dispersion.

Abstract: A polyolefin composition consisting essentially of(a) 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin containing halogens derived from a polymerization catalyst and/or attributed to the after-halogenation of the polymer, and(b) about 0.001 to about 10 parts by weight of an aluminum-magnesium hydroxide represented by the following formulaMg.sub.1-x Al.sub.x (OH).sub.2+x.mH.sub.2 O (1)wherein x is a positive number represented by 0<x.ltoreq.0.5 and m is a positive number represented by 0.ltoreq.m<2, andhaving a BET specific surface area of no more than about 40 m.sup.2 /g; and a method for inactivating the halogen in a halogen-containing polyolefin.

Abstract: Arylene sulfide polymers containing ash-forming impurities or materials are purified by contacting an aqueous mixture of such polymer with molecular oxygen under conditions sufficient to reduce the ash-forming impurities and concurrently at least partially cure the polymer.

Abstract: A process for reducing polyacetylene oxidation and embrittlement comprises treating the polyacetylene with a solution of (a) a combination of anthraquinone or an anthraquinone salt, a base and a reducing agent; or (b) pyrogallol; or (c) a hydrosulfiprocess for isomerizing cis-polyacetylene at least partly to trans-polyacetylene comprises treating substantially cis-polyacetylene with a solution of a material which is either (a) a combination of anthraquinone or an anthraquinone salt, a base and a reducing agent; (b) pyrogallol; or (c) a hydrosulfite; and mixtures thereof and wherein the solution is at a temperature of from the freezing point to the boiling point of the solution during the treatment of the cis-polyacetylene and thereafter removing the polyacetylene which has been enriched in the trans form from contact with the solution.

Abstract: A process is provided for the coagulation of rubber polymers from aqueous emulsions thereof wherein the coagulation is undertaken in the presence of an additive selected from a polysaccharide material and from a vegetable derived proteinaceous material. The polymers so coagulated are readily dried and may be used for the manufacture of products well known for the specific polymers.

Abstract: A method for the production of a powdery, free-flowing phenol/formaldehyde resin is disclosed wherein a polyvalent cationic precipitant is added to the resin emulsion produced, the precipitate is filtered, washed with water and dried.

Abstract: Many reflector beads have been made from plastics more costly then polystyrene. By the present invention, water white, crystal clear polystyrene beads are prepared from styrene by polymerization in an aqueous solution having a concentration of from about 2.5 to about 6 molar inorganic solute, at conditions corresponding to production of uniformly sized polystyrene beads of the type ordinarily used as precursor for expandable polystyrene beads. The thus produced beads are rinsed with water and then dried to provide reflector beads.

Abstract: Several established methods produce precursor beads suitable for subsequent impregnation with a volatile agent for making expandable polystyrene beads. Different methods have led to production of reflector beads of crystal clear polystyrene for use as reflectors in movie screens, signs, and the like. Heretofore it has not been practical to use precursor beads as reflector beads. Many reflector beads have been made from plastics more costly than polystyrene. By the present invention, cloudy precursor beads are dispersed in an aqueous solution having a concentration of from about 1.5 to about 6 molar inorganic solute and heated to a temperature in the range from about 110.degree. to 130.degree. C. for a few minutes. The thus treated beads are rinsed with water and then dried to provide reflector beads.

Abstract: In an improved process for preparing discrete particles from solution polymers in which water and neutralizing agent are added to the polymer to form a suspension, the organic solvent is removed therefrom, and the particles are collected by filtration, washing and drying, the suspension is formed by co-feeding the flowable polymer and the aqueous phase containing neutralizing agent into a reactor vessel under specified conditions; stirring the reactants; and discharging the resultant suspension from the reactor vessel, with all steps being carried out in a continuous manner. In one embodiment of the process, additional neutralizing agent, which is preferably sodium hydroxide, is added to the suspension during removal of the solvent therefrom.

Abstract: Process for the polymerization of vinyl chloride in aqueous suspension in the presence of dialkyl peroxydicarbonates in which the polymer is treated with a monobasic hydroxide at the end of polymerization and before the unreacted vinyl chloride is removed. The alkaline treatment is advantageously applied to polymers that are subsequently subjected to steam stripping.The treatment improves the initial heat stability of vinyl chloride polymers.

Abstract: The alkali metal, ammonium and alkanol amine salts of polymeric acetal carboxylates are stable detergent builders and chelating agents. Now, in the improved process of the present invention for preparing an acetal carboxylate polymer wherein a glyoxylate ester and a polymerization initiator are brought together under polymerization conditions and a chemically stable end group is added to the termini of the resulting polymer to stabilize the polymer against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution, the improvement comprises contacting the resulting polymer in the presence of an acid catalyst with a sufficient amount of an acetal having 3 to 20 carbon atoms to stabilize the resulting polymer against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution, and an agent to remove liberated alcohol.

Abstract: The discoloration of polyvinyl chloride that usually occurs when a slurry containing this polymer is heated at a temperature above 70.degree. C. to reduce its monomer content to less than 10 ppm is minimized or prevented by carrying out the heating step in the presence of an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Curable, saturated polyester resins and cross-linking agents therefor, in association with an at least divalent metal oxide, are useful binders for the powder paints, e.g., those typically applied by electrostatic deposition or fluidized bed spraying.

Abstract: Powders of thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene homopolymer and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer are obtained by agitating molten resin in admixture with water in the presence of a dispersing system comprising a dispersing amount of a surface active agent selected from the group consisting of sulfates, sulfonates, sarcosinates, taurates, isethionates, fatty amido phosphates, fatty amide derivatives, amido amines, higher alkyl amines, substituted imidazolines, substituted betaines, ethoxylated alkylol amides, ethoxylated phenols and ethoxylated fatty ethers in combination with a dispersion promoting amount of strong base. Optionally, the dispersing system can also contain a water-soluble substantially neutral salt to further promote dispersion formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of aromatic, high-molecular weight, thermoplastic polycarbonates from polycarbonate scrap, it being possible for the polycarbonate scrap to be either in the pure form as transparent naturally-occurring material, or mixed together with organic and, especially, inorganic dyestuffs and/or other additives, or in the form of a blend with other thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: Polypropylene is neutralized and deashed by contacting a slurry of the particulate polymer with an alcohol solution of from 1 to 5 milliequivalents of an alkali base, preferably Na or K, excess beyond that needed to neutralize said polymer.

Abstract: Improved molding compositions and a dry blend process for preparing same, such compositions being especially adapted for fabrication into packaging materials and comprising an intimate blend of a styrene polymer and myrcene compound.

Abstract: Alkali metal salts of polymeric acetal carboxylate are stable detergent builders under laundry use conditions but depolymerize in acid media, making the polymer fragments more readily biodegradable in waste streams. According to the improved process of the present invention, an ester of a polymeric acetal carboxylate is brought together in a reaction zone with a sufficient amount of an alkali metal base having a normality of at least 5 normal, and preferably at least 10 normal, to saponify at least 50 percent of the ester groups. In the preferred embodiment, the ester is contacted with a solvent to remove color-producing impurities.

Abstract: To manufacture highly disperse solids of crosslinked urea-formaldehyde polycondensation products consisting of primary particles with an average diameter not greater than 1 micron, an aqueous solution consisting essentially of water and a precondensate of urea and formaldehyde is converted into a crosslinked gel by the addition of sulphamic acid or a water-soluble ammonium hydrogen sulphate, in the course of which the molar ratio of formaldehyde:urea should be greater than 1.2 and not greater than 2.0 not later than at the time of the formation of the gel. The resulting gel is comminuted, dried and disintegrated. The powders are suitable for use as pigments, carriers and absorbents.

Abstract: Spherical polyolefin (or modified polyolefin) powders having high bulk density, narrow particle size distribution and good powder flowability are prepared by cooling a polyolefin solution comprising a solvent and nonsolvent for the polyolefin and containing a small amount of an inorganic compound and, if desired, water. The polyolefin powders are suitable for powder coating. Suitable solvents are hydrocarbons, such as hexane, heptane, etc., and a mixture of hydrocarbon and nonsolvent for polyolefin such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, etc. The ratio of a hydrocarbon/nonsolvent is 95/5 - 30/70, preferably 90/10 - 50/50. Suitable inorganic compounds are phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, inorganic salts thereof, etc. and the most preferable inorganic compound is phosphoric acid.

Abstract: In reclaiming thermoplastic materials, process improvements wherein ground particles having molecular orientation are heated sufficiently to relieve orientation stresses and reduce surface area, thereby facilitating subsequent washing, separating and melt processing steps. When refabrication into other articles is intended, the materials can be exposed to a hot caustic solution to eliminate bacteria and mold growth.

Abstract: A process for purifying a halogenated alkenylphenol polymer by treating the polymer with an aqueous solution of a basic compound such as a hydroxide, carbonate, or hydrogen carbonate of an alkali metal, an alkylamine, or ammonium. By the treatment, low molecular weight halides, etc., contained in the halogenated polymer as impurities are effectively removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing residual mercaptan from latices of high nitrile polymers which contain some unreacted nitrile monomer, by adjusting the pH of the latex to preferably from about 9 to 10.5 with an aqueous solution of hydroxide ions.

Abstract: Disclosed is the preparation of water-dissipatable polyesters and polyesteramides wherein at least a part of one of the monomeric components from which it is derived is a polycarboxylic acid or polyhydric alcohol which contains a sulfonic acid salt moiety derived from a nitrogen-containing base having an ionization constant in water at 25.degree. C. of 10.sup.-3 to 10.sup.-10. Also disclosed is the use of such polymers as sizes for fibers of glass, ceramics, etc., where the size is removed by burning and little or no ash residue is important.