Abstract: Certain secondary aliphatic diamines are excellent chain extenders in the formation of polyurethanes, polyurea-polyurethane hybrids, and polyurea polymers, both elastomers and coatings, from both monomeric polyisocyanates and isocyanate-terminated prepolymers using the high-pressure impingement mixing reaction technique. These diamines include 1,4-di(alkylamino)cyclohexanes, 1-methyl-2,4-di(alkylamino)-3,5-dialkylcyclohexanes, N,N′-dialkyl isophoronediamine, 1,3-di(1′methyl-1′-alkylaminoethyl)benzene, and 1,6-di(alkylamino)hexane. These chain extenders may be used alone or in combination with other polyamines and with polyols. A broad spectrum of polymeric materials can be formed with a range of diverse properties.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for the preparation of polyurea elastomers, comprising: (a) reacting an amine chain extender with dialkyl maleate to form an aspartic ester, wherein the chain extender has a molar amount of amine groups that is greater than the moles of dialkyl maleate; (b) blending the aspartic ester with one or more polyoxyalkyleneamines to prepare a resin blend; (c) contacting the resin blend with an isocyanate under conditions effective to form a polyurea elastomer. This invention concerns a method for the preparation of polyurethane elastomers, comprising: (a) reacting an diamine chain extender with dialkyl maleate or fumarate, wherein the mole ratio of primary amine functionality in the diamine chain extender to dialkyl maleate or fumarate is more than 1:1; (b) coating a substrate with effective film forming amounts of the product of step (a), an isocyanate, and a polyhydroxyl compound under conditions effective to form a the polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides energetic thermoplastic elastomers which may be used as binders in propellant, explosive and pyrotechnic applications. The elastomers of the present invention are all hydrolyzable, allowing recycling of the elastomer's constituents and/or facilitating other constituents of the propellant, explosive or pyrotechnic. The elastomers of the present invention contain a first polymer, a second polymer having a repeating unit different from that of the first polymer, and a bridging group. Methods of preparing elastomers of the present invention include reaction of the first and second polymers with a dioic acid, or with an organic diisocyanate and a diol containing a formal linkage.

Abstract: A polymeric composition may include an isocyanate component and an amine component, which includes: where R1 represents a hydrocarbon radical, X represents an organic group, and a is an integer. The polymeric composition may further include: where R2 represents a hydrocarbon radical; Y represents an organic group; and b is an integer. Methods of forming such polymeric and amine compositions and methods of applying such polymeric systems are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-soluble or water-dispersible polyurethanes of a water-dispersible polyurethane prepolymer having terminal isocyanate groups and a primary or secondary amine having at least one ionogenic or ionic group, and to the salts thereof. The novel polyurethanes can be used as auxiliaries in cosmetology and pharmacy and, in particular, as hair lacquers having enhanced ease of washoff.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aspartate-terminated urea/urethane prepolymers that are based on the reaction products of NCO prepolymers with compounds corresponding to the formula wherein X represents an organic group which has a valency of n and is inert towards isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less, R1 and R2 may be identical or different and represent organic groups which are inert towards isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less, R3 and R4 may be identical or different and represent hydrogen or organic groups which are inert towards isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less and n represents an integer with a value of at least 2, at an equivalent ratio of aspartate groups to isocyanate groups of 1.5:1 to 20:1. The present invention also relates to coating compositions containing the aspartate-terminated urea/urethane prepolymers and a polyisocyanate.

Abstract: A composition suitable for slush molding is disclosed. The composition comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (A) having a number average molecular weight of 10,000 to 50,000 and mainly comprised of a diol component including an aromatic ring-containing diol and a non-aromatic diisocyanate; a plasticizer (B); and optionally an additive. The composition provides a molded article excellent in durability such as thermal/light aging resistance and chemical resistance, soft touch at low temperature, and appearance.

Abstract: Microcapsules of a microcapsule formed of a polyurea shell wall and an encapsulated ingredient or ingredients enclosed within the wall, the wall comprising at least one oligomeric acetal having the moiety in which R is (a) a moiety containing a chain of from 5 to about 40 optionally substituted carbon atoms, (b) a moiety containing a chain of from 4 to about 40 carbon atoms and one or more internally linked oxygen or sulfur atoms or —NH-groups, or (c) an optionally substituted ethylene or propylene moiety Z is (a) an optionally substituted phenyl group, (b) an optionally substituted C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl or C5-C8 cycloalkenyl group, or (c) benzoyl, and n is 1 if R is (a) or (b), or is 2-20 if R is (c).

Abstract: The present invention relates to aspartate-terminated urea/urethane prepolymers that are based on the reaction products of NCO prepolymers with compounds corresponding to the formula 1

Abstract: Cationic polyurethanes and polyureas formed from (a) at least one diisocyanate or reaction product thereof with one or more compounds containing two or more active hydrogen atoms per molecule, and (b) at least one diol, primary or secondary amino alcohol, primary or secondary diamine or primary or secondary triamine each with one or more tertiary, quaternary or protonated tertiary amine nitrogen atoms and having a glass transition temperature of at least 25 ° C. and an amine number of from 50 to 200, based on the non-quaternized or -protonated compounds, or other salts of these polyurethanes and polyureas, are useful as ingredients of cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: A high heat-set efficiency, high unload power spandex, based on a polyurethaneurea prepared from a polyether glycol, mixtures of 2,4′-MDI and 4,4′-MDI, and chain extenders, is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyurethane thickeners having particular utility in paints and coatings comprising the reaction product of an isocyanate functional material, a polyether polyol, and a difunctional hydrophilic endcapping material that is reactive with isocyanates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, said cover comprising a polyurethane elastomer comprising the reaction product of: A) at least one diisocyanate monomer; B) at least one polyether polyol having a molecular weight greater than 1000 and selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of ethylene oxide, homopolymers of propylene oxide, and copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; and C) at least one hydroxy or amine functional chain extender; wherein the ratio of equivalents of chain extender plus polyol to equivalents of isocyanate is in the range of from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1, whereby said polyurethane elastomer possesses high shear resistance and good resilience.

Abstract: Low-monomer, NCO-containing prepolymers based on 1,4-diisocyanato-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexane, a process for their preparation, and their use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the continuous preparation of melt-processable polyurethanes, wherein an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is intensively mixed with chain extender at temperatures of <200° C., and the mixture obtained is converted to melt processable polyurethane in a twin screw extruder under quasi-adiabatic reaction conditions.

Abstract: A soft, transparent and processable thermoplastic polyurethane resin suitable in optical application is disclosed. The resin is the product of reacting a diisocyanate, a chain extender, and a mixture of polyether polyols. The mixture of polyether polyols comprise (A) a C4 polyether polyol and (B) a C2-C3 polyether polyol where the weight ratio A/B is in the range of about 85/15 to 15/85.

Abstract: A polyurethane coating is prepared on a substrate using a multi-component coating composition having a first component containing a polyisocyanate material, a second component containing a polymeric polyol, and a third component containing a compound having at least two hindered secondary amine groups by first determining the temperature at curing of the coating will take place and then combining the first and second components and, when the cure temperature is less than about 20° C., particularly less than about 10° C., also combining the third component to prepare a combined coating composition; then applying the combined coating composition to the substrate and curing the applied coating layer.

Abstract: A method of treating reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea and polyurea polymers comprising exposing a reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurethane/urea or polyurea polymer to an amount of infrared energy sufficient to increase the temperature of the polymer to at least 180° C., and then maintaining the temperature of the polymer at or above that temperature, for a time sufficient to increase the Gardner impact property, as measured using ASTMD-3029, when compared to the same polymer which has been heated to the same temperature and maintained thereat for the same time in a convection oven. The invention produces marked improvements in impact, heat sag and heat distortion temperature properties, and thus is particularly suited to rapid preparation of parts using a mass production conveyor and is particularly well-suited to preparation of parts which are to be subjected to later high temperature processes, such as the “E-coat” process.

Abstract: Polyurethane compositions including the reaction product of a polyurethane prepolymer component including (a) at least one isocyanate-terminated polyalkadiene prepared by capping hydroxy-terminated polyalkadiene having a molecular weight from about 1500 to about 5000 grams per mol (g/mol) with isocyanate; and (b) at least one additional isocyanate-terminated polyalkadiene prepared by capping hydroxy-terminated polyalkadiene having a molecular weight from about 500 to about 1500 g/mol with isocyanate with a curative component. The compositions exhibit numerous useful properties, such as low glass transition temperature (Tg) high temperature stability, low viscosity at room and elevated temperatures, flexibility and flat dynamic mechanical properties versus temperature.

Abstract: An extrudable urea-extended thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is formed from at least one aliphatic diisocyanate, at least one polyester glycol or polyether glycol, and at least one diamine curing agent. At least one second diamine curing agent and/or at least one extrusion processing aid may be included. The polyurethane has high-temperature-resistance and is thus extrudable at high temperatures. The polyurethane is also strong and durable. The polyurethane can be liquid-cast, transfer-molded, sprayed, and extruded without changing either the chemistry or stoichiometry of the polyurethane. The polyurethane may be used for making vehicle air bags or other any application for thermoplastic urethanes which requires increased thermal stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous shaped article such as a polyurethaneurea fiber and a polyurethaneurea film having a birefringence index (&Dgr;n) of from at least 1.0×10−4 to 8.0×10−4 in a nontensile state, a crosslinking density at an elongation of 100% (N100) of at least 5.0×1026/m3, a crosslinking point density at an elongation of 400% (N400) of from 4.0×1026 to 3.0×1027/m3, and a crosslinking point density at the time of breakage (Nt) of at least 1.6×1027/m3, wherein the ratio of the crosslinking density at an elongation of 400% to that at an elongation of 100% (N400/N100) is from 0.9 to 1.3, and a process for producing the same. The present invention has made the continuous shaped article show an initial stress, a strength at break and an elongation at break which are sufficiently high, and a small rise in the stress in the medium elongation range.

Abstract: Novel imine functional copolymers are provided containing a plurality of groups of the structure: where R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; R3 is an alkyl or aryl group having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, or R3 is bonded to R2 and forms part of a five- or six-membered ring; and Y is a divalent linking group having from about 3 to about 15 carbon atoms. The composition is useful in film-forming compositions curable at ambient temperature and above.

Abstract: A viscosity-stable solution of a polyurethaneurea, in the substantial absence of viscosity stabilizers, and spandex dry-spun therefrom, prepared from certain polyether glycols and aliphatic diisocyanates and ethylene diamine, are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a biodegradable polyurethane material having a backbone containing at least one amino acid group. The amino acid group is in a condition rendering it recognizable by a biological agent.

Abstract: An isocyanate-based one-part moisture curable composition having excellent storage stability and high curing rate, and use of this composition enables production of a cured product of high flexibility without using any plasticizer. The composition comprises (A) an isocyanate compound having a structure wherein all of the isocyanate (NCO) groups in the molecule have secondary or tertiary carbon bonded thereto, and (B) a ketimine having ketimine (C═N) bond derived from a ketone or an aldehyde and an amine having a structure wherein &agr;-position of at least one of the carbon or the nitrogen of the ketimine bond has a branched carbon atom or a ring member carbon atom bonded thereto. A urethane prepolymer having such structure is preferable for use as the isocyanate compound (A).

Abstract: The invention relates to thermoplastic polyurethanes obtainable by reacting a polyol composition (A) which consists essentially of a polyester-polyol (A-1) having a crystallization enthalpy of at most 70 J/g and a number-average molecular weight of from 1000 to 5000 and a polyether-polyol (A-2) having a number-average molecular weight of from 500 to 2500, and in which the average number, f, of the functional hydroxyl groups existing therein falls between 2.006 and 2.100, an organic diisocyanate (B), and a chain extender (C), at a ratio that satisfies the following formula: 1.00≦b/(a+c)≦1.10 wherein a indicates the number of moles of all polyols constituting the polyol composition (A), b indicates the number of moles of the organic diisocyanate (B), and c indicates the number of moles of the chain extender (C); to elastic fibers comprising them; and to a method for producing polyurethane elastic fibers by melt-spinning the thermoplastic polyurethane.

Abstract: In the present method of manufacturing modified particles, a saturated vapor of a monomer B is produced in a condensing chamber, and then particles containing a monomer A, which differs from the monomer B and is polymerizable therewith, are introduced, along with an inert gas, into the condensing chamber through a particle intake. Then, a super-saturated vapor of the monomer B is created by reducing pressure using a pressurizing/depressurizing opening, thereby condensing the monomer B on the surface of the particles, and causing a polymerization reaction between the monomer A and the monomer B. With this method, spherical modified particles of uniform diameter, which include a polymer of the monomers A and B, can be obtained in a short time, by means of simple operations.

Abstract: A conductive quasi-solution useful for making a homogeneously conductive single-phase polyurethane, comprising a transition metal salt, a carrier solution, and a dispersing agent, wherein said conductive quasi-solution has a transition metal salt concentration between 10 and 30% by weight, and methods of making thermoset and thermoplastic polyurethane polymers therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coating compositions containing a) 15 to 35% by weight, based on the weight of components a) and b), of aspartate-terminated urea/urethane prepolymers that are based on the reaction products of i) NCO prepolymers having a functionality of 1.8 to 2.2 and based on linear or branched aliphatic diisocyanates and ii) diaspartates prepared from linear or branched aliphatic diamines, b) 65 to 85% by weight, based on the weight of components a) and b), of diaspartate ii) and c) a polyisocyanate adduct prepared from aliphatic diisocyanates and having an average functionality of 2.8 to 3.1, wherein components a), b) and c) are present in amounts sufficient to provide an equivalent ratio of aspartate groups to isocyanate groups of 1.2:1 to 1.0:1.3. The present invention also relates to coatings prepared from these coating compositions.

Abstract: A polyurethane polymer and method of preparing it is described. The process requires the combination of a soluble polyol with a di- or polyisocyanate under densified fluid conditions. The process to prepare a waterborne polyurethane involves the utilization of a polyol containing ionic or latent ionic groups which must undergo preneutralization before combining with the di- or polyisocyanate under densified fluid conditions. The resulting polyurethane is substantially free of an organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition containing: A) 25 to 50 wt. % of a polyisocyanate component, B) 5 to 20% wt. % of one or more polyaspartic acid esters C) 10 to 30 wt. % of one or more polyaldimines having a number average molecular weight of 112 to 600 D) 0.1 to 5.0 wt. % of an acetal corresponding to formula IV: E) 0.1 to 5.0 wt. % of castor oil. F) 0.1 to 10.0 wt. % of an organic solvent, G) 15 to 35 wt. % of a pigment and H) 0 to 10 wt. % of a coating additive other than D, F or G, wherein the sum of the percentages of components A to H is 100. The present invention also relates to the use of this coating composition as an anti-corrosive top coat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing water-dispersible polyurethanes by forming an isocyanate-di-substituted prepolymer and reacting it with a chain extender. The prepolymer can be formed by reacting a diisocyanate with an ethylenically unsaturated precursor which is preferably formed by condensation polymerization of reactants including ethylenically unsaturated reactants and then sulfonating the ethylenic unsaturation of said polymeric precursor by reacting it with a sulfonating agent such as bisulfite, metabisulfite, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition being an aqueous dispersion of a polyurethane in water, said composition comprising water and the reaction product of (a) a water-dispersible isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer having an NCO content of between 2.1 and 10% by weight, (b) an organic polyisocyanate adduct mixture comprising a polyisocyanate dimer and a polyisocyanate trimer and having an average isocyanate functionality of between 2.1 and 4.0, and (c) an amine chain extender having a specified ratio of NH2 relative to the NCO index of the polyisocyanate adduct mixture. Also disclosed is a process for preparing this composition, and a method for coating a substrate with the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition being an aqueous dispersion of a polyurethane in water, said composition comprising water and the reaction product of (a) a water-dispersible isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer having an NCO content of between 2.1 and 10% by weight, (b) an organic polyisocyanate adduct mixture comprising a polyisocyanate dimer and a polyisocyanate trimer and having an average isocyanate functionality of between 2.1 and 4.0, and (c) an active hydrogen-containing chain extender. Also disclosed is a process for preparing this composition, and a method for coating a substrate with the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition being an aqueous dispersion of a polyurethane in water, said composition comprising water and the reaction product of (a) a water-dispersible isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer having an NCO content of between 2.1 and 10% by weight, (b) an organic polyisocyanate adduct mixture comprising a polyisocyanate dimer and a polyisocyanate trimer and having an average isocyanate functionality of between 2.1 and 4.0, and (c) an active hydrogen-containing chain extender. Also disclosed is a process for preparing this composition, and a method for coating a substrate with the composition.

Abstract: The present invention is a one-part adhesive composition comprising:A) an isocyanate functional polyurethane prepolymer;B) a catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of isocyanate moieties with an isocyanate reactive compound;C) particles comprising a curing agent for an isocyanate functional. polyurethane prepolymer encapsulated within a coating material;wherein the prepolymer has a free isocyanate content of from about 0.8 to about 2.2 percent. In another embodiment the invention is a process for bonding two substrates together which comprises rupturing the encapsulated curing agent particles so as to contact the curing agent with the prepolymer in the adhesive composition, contacting the adhesive composition of the invention with at least one of the substrates and contacting the substrates together along the portion of the substrate(s) to which the adhesive has been applied before the adhesive applied cures and allowing the adhesive to cure and bond the substrates together.

Abstract: The present invention is an optically clear, high hardness, impact resistant polyurethane which provides exceptionally high heat distortion temperatures and excellent chemical resistance. The invention is particularly useful for transparency applications that require excellent impact resistance coupled with high heat distortion temperatures, such as architectural glazings vehicles, glazings, riot shields, aircraft canopies, face masks, visors, opthalmic and sun lenses, protective eyewear, and transparent armor.

Abstract: A process for melt spinning spandex, utilizing a polyurethaneurea polymer prepared from a purified capped glycol, linear aliphatic diamines and a monoamine chain terminator, is provided.

Abstract: A conductive quasi-solution useful for making a homogeneously conductive single-phase polyurethane, comprising a transition metal salt, a carrier solution, and a dispersing agent, wherein said conductive quasi-solution has a transition metal salt concentration between 10 and 30% by weight, and methods of making thermoset and thermoplastic polyurethane polymers therewith.

Abstract: This invention is a liquid polyisocyanate prepolymer comprising the reaction product of an organic polyisocyanate blend and a polyoxyalkylene polyol, where polyisocyanate blend isA) a diphenylmethane diisocyanate comprising from 50 weight percent to 95 weight percent 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, from 5 weight percent to 50 weight percent 2,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and less than 10 weight percent 2,2'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, said weight percentages based on the total weight of the ingredients in A);B) a polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanate comprising from 30 weight percent to 70 weight percent diphenylmethane diisocyanate, the remainder comprising polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanates having functionalities greater than two, said weight percentages based on the total weight of the ingredients in B);C) and optionally a uretonimine-carbodiimide modified diisocyanate comprising from 10 weight percent to 35 weight percent uretonimine-carbodiimide species, the remainder comprising essentia

Abstract: The invention relates to novel water-soluble or water-dispersible polyurethane compounds and to compositions that contain the novel compounds and are useful, for instance, as low adhesion backsize for adhesive tapes. The invention also relates to processes for preparing the novel compounds, compositions and tapes.

Abstract: Polurethaneaureas prepared with 2,2-bis(4-isocyanatophenyl)propane or 1,4-bis(4-isocyanato-alpha,alpha-dimethylbenzyl)benzene, and spandex spun from such polyurethaneureas, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactive composition containingA) an organic polyisocyanate having a number average molecular weight (excluding the blocking agent) of 168 to 25,000, wherein the isocyanate groups are reversibly blocked with a hydrocarbon resin containing phenolic OH groups,B) at least one organic polyamine having at least two primary amino groups andC) optionally a compound containing oxirane groups.The present invention also relates to the use of these reactive systems for the preparation of coatings, adhesives, sealants, embedding compounds or molded articles.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for the preparation of polyurea elastomers, comprising: (a) reacting an amine chain extender with dialkyl maleate to form an aspartic ester, wherein the chain extender has a molar amount of amine groups that is less than the moles of dialkyl maleate; (b) blending the aspartic ester with one or more polyoxyalkyleneamines to prepare a resin blend; (c) contacting the resin blend with an isocyanate under conditions effective to form a polyurea elastomer. This invention also concerns a a polyurea elastomer, comprising the reaction product of (a) a resin blend containing one or more polyoxyalkyleneamine and an aspartic ester and (b) an isocyanate, wherein the aspartic ester in the resin blend comprises a reaction product of an amine chain extender and a dialkyl maleate, wherein the mole ratio of amine functionality in the amine chain extender to dialkyl maleate or fumarate is greater than 1:1.

Abstract: New secondary amines are described which are prepared from inexpensive, commercially available raw materials, are stable at room temperature, and are reactive toward electrophiles. The secondary amines are prepared by the addition of one or more primary amines with one or more male (amide/ester) and fumar (amide/ester) Michael receptors. The above amines can be used as coreactants with aliphatic polyisocyanates for polyurea coatings. The novel secondary amines are also described as particularly useful as part of a two-part liquid pavement marking composition for pavement markings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyurethane elastomer systems for industrial and paper mill rolls and more particularly to polyurethane covered rolls made from a new polyurethane composition of a polyurethane prepolymer cured with an aromatic diamine and a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene resin. Rolls made with this new polyurethane composition exhibit improved dynamics, hydrolytic stability, and reduced water vapor transmission over conventional polyurethane elastomer systems.

Abstract: A blocked polyisocyanate of the formulaR--Y.sub.mwhere R is an m valent aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic residue;each Y, which may be the same or different, is ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is, or, when n is more than 1, each R.sub.1, which may be the same or different, is an alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, N-substituted carbamyl, phenol, NO.sub.2, halogen or ##STR2## group where R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; andm is an integer greater than 1 is useful in paint compositions.

Abstract: Improved sealants and adhesives derived from polyisocyanates having aromatically linked -NCO groups are cured at ambient temperatures when combined with a curing agent comprising an imino- and enamino-functional compound. These two component resin systems may be employed in fabricating multi-substrate laminates, especially those comprising lignocellulosic and cellulosic materials, such as wood and paper.

Abstract: A polyurethaneurea polymer and spandex spun therefrom, based on polymeric ester or ether glycols and MDI at certain capping ratios, and 1,3-diaminopentane chain extender, are provided.

Abstract: A two component type polyurethane adhesive is provided for fiberglass reinforced plastics which requires no cleaning, preparation or treatment of the surface, and the like. The curative component is a nitrogen-free liquid polyether or polyester in an amount such that in association with a urethane prepolymer component containing free NCO groups, the ratio of the free NCO groups in the prepolymer component to the OH groups in said curative component is at least 1.2 and desirably at least 1.35. Such high NCO/OH ratios have unexpectedly been found to provide good adhesion and especially good humidity adhesion and peel strength adhesion to fiberglass reinforced plastics or metal surfaces which are free from any surface treatment.