Abstract: A poly(arylene sulfide) having properties that a melt viscosity is 1 to 3,000 Pa·s as measured under conditions of a temperature of 310° C. and a shear rate of 1,216 sec?1, a pH is 7.0 to 12.0 as measured in a mixed solvent of water/acetone (volume ratio=2/1), a crystallization temperature is at most 220° C. as measured in the course of lowing the temperature of the polymer at a rate of 10° C./min from a molten state, and a whiteness degree is at least 70 as measured in the form of a melt molded or formed product, and a production process thereof.

Abstract: A semi-finished product obtained as a mixture of PTFE powder and water is put on conveyance trays (70) and is then input to a producing apparatus (10). In the producing apparatus (10), the conveyance trays (70) arranged vertically pass through a first drying zone (41), a second drying zone (42), and a heat treatment zone (43) in this order. In the first drying zone (41), the water contained in the semi-finished product is heated by a microwave to be evaporated. In the second drying zone (42), residual water in the semi-finished product is heated by hot wind to be evaporated. In the heat treatment zone (43), the temperature of dried PTFE powder is kept at approximately 160° C. The semi-finished product on each conveyance tray (70) passes through the three zones to be PTFE powder as a finished product.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing a plurality of crystallizable polymer pellets includes a step in which the pellets are contacted with a temperature adjusting fluid in a crystallizer. The fluid adjusts the temperature of the pellets by having a temperature sufficient to allow at least partial crystallization of the plurality of polymeric pellets while maintaining the average pellet temperature of the plurality of pellets below the melting temperature of the pellets. A crystallizer implementing the methods of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for modifying a polymer by carrying out a thermally-induced reaction in a mixing apparatus having a high shear environment and devolatilization capabilities. Also disclosed are the resulting materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for conserving loss of heat while forming and crystallizing polymer particles in a liquid. The cooling liquid quenches the polymer during particle molding to facilitate shaping. The cooling liquid cools the polymer particles not below a temperature that allows adequate crystallization to occur. Cooling liquid is quickly switched with a warming liquid, so the temperature of the polymer is in the crystallization range and the heat of crystallization self-heats the polymer to a higher temperature.

Abstract: A method for processing a thermoplastic material that comprises a microwave-sensitive polymeric region, wherein the method includes exposing the microwave-sensitive polymeric region to microwaves; wherein the exposing results in an increase in the temperature of the polymeric region; and processing the thermoplastic material is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating extremely small particles of plastic comprises providing a quantity of plastic particles having an average mean particle size ranging from about 0.0005 inch to about 0.05 inch in diameter, heating the plastic particles to a temperature sufficient to cause at least a portion of the plastic particles to adhere to one another, and forming the adhered plastic particles into pellets, said pellets having substantially the same average surface-to-volume ratio as the bulk, un-adhered plastic particles.

Abstract: A process for reducing the level of residual catalyst comprising one or more alkylhalide, alkoxyhalide, metal halide, metal oxyhalide, alkyl metal, alkoxy metal, boron compound and coordinated metal compound wherein the metal is a Group III, Group IV, Group V, Group VI and/or Group VIII metal, from a crude organic product (e.g., polyolefins, alkylated aromatic compounds, alkylated amines, etc.) comprising the residual catalyst is provided, the process comprising contacting the crude organic product with a solid adsorbent in an adsorbent system.

Abstract: A method for treating extremely small particles of recycled polyethylene terephthalate comprises providing a quantity of RPET particles having an average mean particle size ranging from about 0.0005 inch to about 0.05 inch in diameter, heating the RPET particles to a temperature sufficient to cause at least a portion of the RPET particles to adhere to one another, and forming the adhered RPET particles into pellets, said pellets having substantially the same average surface-to-volume ratio as the bulk, un-adhered RPET particles.

Abstract: Partially and fully fluorinated alkyl substituted thienothiophene monomers (and polymers thereof) wherein the monomers are represented by the formula: wherein R is a partially or fully fluorinated primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and X and X? are independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, MgCl, ?—COR?, —C?CH, and a polymerizable cyclic pi-conjugated carbon-ring structure optionally comprising S, N or O heteroatoms; wherein R? is a primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R? is H or a primary, or tertiary alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) in which a dihalo-aromatic compound and an alkali metal halide are polymerized by heating in an organic amide solvent, wherein the cooling time for the polymerization reaction system is significantly reduced. After the polymerization process, there is provided a cooling process for cooling the polymerization reaction system comprising a liquid phase containing the product poly (arylene sulfide) and the organic amide solvent and a vapor phase containing a gas component (A); and in the cooling process, the gas component (A) in the vapor phase is cooled while the content of a low boiling gas component (A1), which has a lower boiling point than water and exists in the gas component (A), is reduced in the vapor phase of the polymerization system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a specific polyepoxy compound having at least two olefin oxide groups and at least one tertiary ester group per molecule, a method for producing the compound, a thermosetting resin composition containing the compound, a cured product of the composition, and a method for removing the cured product.

Abstract: A polymerization method comprises, prior to polymerization of a monomer of the cyclic dimer of alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a first mixture of a polymerization catalyst by bypassing a part of the monomer of the cyclic dimer is prepared. Then, the first mixture is mixed with a dominant amount of the monomer introduced into a polymerization reactor. The monomer of the cyclic dimer in the polymerization reactor is conducted in the presence of a polymerization initiator.

Abstract: In the dehydration step, a mixture comprising an organic amide solvent and a sulfur source is heated, vapor volatilized is guided to a distillation column, a fraction comprising the organic amide solvent as a principal component is refluxed into a reaction vessel, a fraction comprising water and hydrogen sulfide is cooled to discharge hydrogen sulfide that is not condensed by the cooling and reflux a part of water condensed into the distillation column, the remaining water is discharged, a relational expression between the total amount of water of an amount of water refluxed and an amount of water discharged without being refluxed, and an amount of hydrogen sulfide discharged from the reaction vessel is determined in advance, and an amount of hydrogen sulfide discharged from the reaction vessel is calculated out from a measured value of the total amount of water on the basis of the relational expression to control a charged molar ratio of the sulfur source to a dihalo-aromatic compound.

Abstract: Polythiophenes of the formula wherein R is a side chain; m is the number of substituents; A is a divalent linkage; x, y and z represent, respectively, the numbers of R substituted thienylene, unsubstituted thienylene, and divalent linkages A in the monomer segment with z being either 0 or 1; and n represents the number of the repeating monomer segments in the polymer chain or the degree of polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for conserving loss of heat while forming and crystallizing polymer particles in a liquid. The cooling liquid quenches the polymer during particle molding to facilitate shaping. The cooling liquid cools the polymer particles not below a temperature that allows adequate crystallization to occur. Cooling liquid is quickly switched with a warming liquid, so the temperature of the polymer is in the crystallization range and the heat of crystallization self-heats the polymer to a higher temperature.

Abstract: A method of preparing a material for use in a manufactured seed is provided. The method includes providing the material having a melting temperature. The method also includes subjecting the material to a heat treatment at a temperature about 10% below the melting temperature for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A dehydration step is conducted by heating a mixture containing an organic amide solvent and a sulfur source including an alkali metal hydrosulfide, and a part of an overall charged amount of an alkali metal hydroxide as needed. The mixture remaining within the system after the dehydration step is mixed with a dihalo-aromatic compound, the resultant mixture is heated to conduct a polymerization reaction, and the alkali metal hydroxide is added to the mixture for polymerization reaction continuously or in portions to control the pH of the mixture for polymerization reaction within a range of from 7 to 12.5 from the beginning to the end of the polymerization reaction. The poly(arylene sulfide) according to the present invention has a nitrogen content of at most 800 ppm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxytetramethylene glycol copolymer, which is obtained by copolymerizing tetrahydrofuran and neopentyl glycol and which has a specific number average molecular weight Mn, a specific molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn, a specific neopentyl glycol copolymerization whole ratio Nw and a specific neopentyl glycol copolymerization partial ratio Nh, and a method for producing the same. Also disclosed is a method for purifying an oxytetramethylene glycol copolymer, which comprises adding a fresh tetrahydrofuran to a reaction mixture comprising an oxytetramethylene glycol copolymer and an unreacted diol, wherein the amount of added tetrahydrofuran is not less than the weight of the unreacted diol contained in the reaction mixture, and distilling off the unreacted diol together with the added tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: According to the invention, an amorphous CBDO polymer (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,575, issued Jan. 6, 1998, which U.S. patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) is imparted self healing and shape memory properties by heat treatment.

Abstract: A method for increasing at least one of the following two parameters of a polyamide: (I) its melting point and (ii) its enthalpy of melting ?Hm, in which: this polyamide is brought into contact in the solid state with water or with steam at a temperature close to its crystallization temperature Tc for a time long enough to effect this increase; then, the water (or steam) is separated from the polyamide and the polyamide is dried.

Abstract: A method of making polybenzobisoxazole containing polymer by use of a non-polybenzobisoxazole polymer, hydroxylating the polymer, forming a solidified polymer and heating the solidified polymer wherein ring closure occurs in the hydroxylated polymer.

Abstract: A method of making polybenzobisoxazole containing fiber by use of a non-polybenzobisoxazole polymer, hydroxylating the polymer, forming the polymer into a fiber and heating the fiber wherein ring closure occurs in the hydroxylated polymer.

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: Polyolefins, preferably polyethylene, having a density of about 0.86 to about 0.93 g/mL, having three or more or branches of the formula (CH2CH2)mH wherein m is an integer of one or more, provided that said branched polyolefin has one both of the following properties: said branched polyolefin contains less than 2 methyl groups per 1000 methyl-ene atoms and at least 30 total branches per 1000 methylene groups; said branched polyolefin contains less than 0.3 branches of the formula —(CH2)5H per 1000 methylene groups; and in said branched polyolefin the level hexyl+ branches is at least 80% of the level of ethyl branches, and said polyolefin contains less than 2 methyl branches per 1000 methylene groups or less than 0.3 branches of the formula —(CH2)4CH3 per 1000 me-thylene groups or both, thereby allowing good seals to be formed rapidly. This is advantageous when heat sealing these polyolefins, for example in the form of single or multilayer films.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether) produced by combining a poly(arylene ether) solution with an antisolvent at a shear rate of greater than 50,000 sec?1. The high shear mixing conditions produce a poly(arylene ether) dispersion in which the poly(arylene ether) solid contains reduced amounts of undesirably fine particles.

Abstract: A method for substantially eliminating a cross-linking element of a pressure sensitive adhesive by heating the pressure sensitive adhesive at a temperature of at least 180° C. for a period of time required to thermally decompose the cross-linking element of the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A technique is described for the preparation of polymers according to a process in which the starting compound of formula (I) is polymerized in the presence of a base in an organic solvent. No end chain controlling agents are required during the polymerisation to obtain soluble precursor polymers. The precursor polymer such obtained comprises structural units of the formula (II). In a next step, the precursor polymer (II) is subjected to a conversion reaction towards a soluble or insoluble conjugated polymer by thermal treatment. The arylene or heteroarylene polymer comprises structural units of the formula III. In this process the dithiocarbamate group acts as a leaving group and permits the formation of a precursor polymer of structural formula (II), which has an average molecular weight from 5000 to 1000000 Dalton and is soluble in common organic solvents. The precursor polymer with structural units of formula (II) is thermally converted to the conjugated polymer with structural formula (III).

Abstract: An amorphous polyester chip having superior processing ability is characterized by a moisture content of not more than 300 ppm and a fine particle content of not more than 500 ppm. A preferred embodiment is a copolymerized polyester chip comprising a main repeating unit consisting of ethylene terephthalate, and 1,4-dimethylene-cyclohexane terephthalate or neopentyl terephthalate, wherein the glycol component of the copolymerized polyester has a specific composition of 50 to 85 mol % of ethylene glycol, 12 to 45 mol % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol or neopentyl glycol and 1.5 to 7.0 mol % of diethylene glycol. Such amorphous polyester chip can be obtained by cooling an amorphous polyester obtained by melt polymerization, cutting the polyester to give a chip, feeding the chip in a treatment tank, drying the chip and removing fine particles.

Abstract: A method for producing polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) polymer, including polymerizing reactants in a reaction mixture in a vessel to form PPS polymer in the vessel, measuring values of operating variables of the vessel and/or PPS process, and determining the amount of quench fluid to add to the vessel based on the values of the operating variables. The technique may rely on the vapor liquid equilibrium (VLE) of the mixture to calculate the concentration of water existing in the reactor prior to quench, and accounts for the effectiveness of the upstream dehydration process and in the amount of water produced during the polymerization. The technique is a striking improvement over the trial-and-error estimation of the amount of quench water based on human operating experience, and avoids direct measurements of the existing water concentration in the reactor. The result is improved control of PPS particle size and other properties.

Abstract: Partially and fully fluorinated alkyl substituted thienothiophene monomers (and polymers thereof) wherein the monomers are represented by the formula: wherein R is a partially or fully fluorinated primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and X and X? are independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, MgCl, MgBr, Mgl, Sn(R?)3, CH?CHR?, —OR?, —COOR?, —S—COR?, —B(OR?)2, —COR?, —C?CH, and a polymerizable cyclic pi-conjugated carbon-ring structure optionally comprising S, N or O heteroatoms; wherein R? is a primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R? is H or a primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for producing a borohydride is described and which includes the steps of providing a source of borate; providing a material which chemically reduces the source of the borate to produce a borohydride; and reacting the source of borate and the material by supplying heat at a temperature which substantially effects the production of the borohydride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for hydrolyzing polyphosphoric acid in shaped articles.

Abstract: Resin compositions, methods of forming such resin compositions, methods of using such resin compositions and substrates treated with such resin compositions are disclosed. One of such resin compositions contains no formaldehyde and is useful as a binder. Such resin composition comprises the reaction product of: a—melamine, b—at least one aldehyde of formula (1) as defined in the specification, c—a cross linking agent, wherein the cross linking agent is glyoxylic acid, and d—at least one polyol having 2 or more than 2 hydroxyl groups. The resin composition of the present invention can provide performance characteristics to which they are applied.

Abstract: A component made from a crosslinked polymeric material, wherein the crosslinked polymeric material has a reduced crystallinity is described. An associated method for fabricating such a component is also described.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a resorcinol-aldehyde resin comprises heating a resorcinol-aldehyde resin in the substantial absence of an acid or base catalyst at a temperature from about 130° C. to about 180° C. for a sufficient amount of time to render the resin stable in an aqueous solution, wherein the resorcinol-aldehyde resin prior to heating is a novolak resin. The stabilized resins have many useful applications. For example, they can be used to make aerogels and xerogels. They also can be used to make dipping solutions to improve the adhesion between rubber and tire cords in a tire, belt, or hose.

Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein titanium nitride particles that provide one or more of the following advantages: improving the reheat properties of the compositions, improving the color of the compositions through reduced yellowness, and improving the UV-blocking properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The titanium nitride particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable, or decreased yellowness is desired, or increased resistance to the effects of ultraviolet light is desired, or any combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymer blends comprising a poly(arylene ether) and a nonlinear optical chromophore. Also featured are electro-optic devices incorporating these blends.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to polymeric alkoxyamines, which are prepared by atom transfer radical addition polymerization (ATRA). Further aspects of the invention are a process for their preparation and their use as light stabilizers, flame retardants and polymerization regulators/initiators in controlled radical polymerization processes. Yet another aspect of the invention are novel monomeric intermediate alkoxyamines, which are also useful as polymerization regulators/initiators.

Abstract: Substituted polyphenylenes and methods for producing such substituted polyphenylenes using supported transition metal catalysis are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer material having a carrier transport property. The polymer material has first and second states in which degrees of the carrier transport property are different from each other, microscopic structures in the first and second states are different from each other, and one of the first and second states can be changed into the other state.

Abstract: Provided an industrially excellent method of producing a phenol novolak resin having an ortho ratio of 30% or more by: (1) a method of reacting a phenol and an aldehyde using an oxalic acid catalyst at 110 to 160° C. under pressure; or (2) a method of reacting a phenol and an aldehyde under pressure while removing the heat of reaction by a condenser with controlling a pressure so that water or an organic solvent present in the reaction system is refluxed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to processes for making polymer in the presence of a hydrofluorocarbon, and for the recovery of polymer substantially free of dissolved hydrocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons. The processes provided enables polymerization processes to be practiced with minimal fouling in the reaction system, and with the recovery of the hydrofluorocarbon and monomers for reuse in the reactor. The process of the invention utilizes a reactor system, a recovery system and a flare system that minimize environmental emissions of hydrocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and associated decomposition products.

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: This invention presents polymers and copolymers comprising repeating units of thieno[3,4-b]thiophene. Water-borne dispersions of such polymers and copolymers can be cast by conventional methods to provide uniform, thin films which possess utility in numerous electroactive applications including electrochromic displays, optically transparent electrodes and antistatic coatings. The compositions of this invention can be doped with conventional p-dopants or n-dopants. The invention also presents an aqueous process for preparing such compositions of matter.

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: 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 method for treating extremely small particles of recycled polyethylene terephthalate comprises providing a quantity of RPET particles having an average mean particle size ranging from about 0.0005 inch to about 0.05 inch in diameter, heating the RPET particles to a temperature sufficient to cause at least a portion of the RPET particles to adhere to one another, and forming the adhered RPET particles into pellets, said pellets having substantially the same average surface-to-volume ratio as the bulk, un-adhered RPET particles.

Abstract: A polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is attached to a substrate (i.e. textile) and then treated with an anti-staining and anti-peeling agent by a processing method to obtain a final composite product having ventilative, moisture-releasable, water-repelling anti-staining, oil-repelling, anti-peeling and laundry-resistant efficiency.

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.