The present invention relates to a novolac-type phenolic resin synthesis process in which there is the addition of lignin, to a novolac-type phenolic resin comprising lignin, and to the use of said phenolic resin.

A composition for use in powder bed fusion includes a thermoplastic powder that itself includes an induced crystalline polycarbonate or an induced crystalline polyetherimide. The thermoplastic powder is recycled powder, which means that it is recovered from a powder bed that had undergone a powder bed fusion process. Also described is a method of making an article, the method including: placing an induced crystalline polymeric (polycarbonate or polyetherimide) powder in a powder bed, fusing a portion of the induced crystalline polymeric powder in the powder bed, recovering a least a portion of the crystalline polymeric powder from the powder bed, wherein the recovered powder is not fused, placing the recovered induced crystalline polymeric powder in a second powder bed, and fusing at least a portion of the recovered induced crystalline polymeric powder in the second powder bed to form an amorphous polymer article.

Ways of preparing a partially crystalline polycarbonate powder are provided that include dissolving an amorphous polycarbonate in a polar aprotic solvent to form a first solution of solubilized polycarbonate at a first temperature. The first solution is then cooled to a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature, where a portion of the solubilized polycarbonate precipitates from the first solution to form a second solution including the partially crystalline polycarbonate powder. Certain partially crystalline polycarbonate powders resulting from such methods are particularly useful in additive manufacturing processes, including powder bed fusion processes.

The present invention provides a spherical powder having properties, such as an excellent strength, toughness, and deformation recovery, and provides a method for producing same. The present invention provides: a spherical powder containing a crosslinked body formed having (A) a polyrotaxane in which both ends of a pseudopolyrotaxane, which are formed by inclusion of the opening of a cyclic molecule by threading therethrough with a linear molecule, are provided with a capping group so that dethreading of the linear molecule is prevented, in particular, a spherical powder having an average particle diameter of 0.5 to 1,000 m, preferably 1 to 500 m, more preferably 1 to 300 m, and still more preferably 1 to 150 m; and a method for producing this spherical powder.

The invention relates to an additive manufacturing process (3D printing) using particles having a meltable polymer. The meltable polymer comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane polymer which has a flowing temperature (intersection of E and E in the DMA) of 80 C. to <180 C. and a Shore A hardness according to DIN ISO 7619-1 of 50 Shore A and <85 Shore A and which, at a temperature T, has a melt volume rate (melt volume rate (MVR)) according to ISO 1133 of 5 to <15 cm.sup.3/10 min. The invention also relates to an item which can be obtained by means of the method.

The invention relates to an additive manufacturing process (3D printing) using particles having a meltable polymer. The meltable polymer comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane polymer which has a flowing temperature (intersection of E and E in the DMA) of 80 C. to <180 C. and a Shore A hardness according to DIN ISO 7619-1 of 50 Shore A and <85 Shore A and which, at a temperature T, has a melt volume rate (melt volume rate (MVR)) according to ISO 1133 of 5 to <15 cm.sup.3/10 min. The invention also relates to an item which can be obtained by means of the method.

A composition for use in powder bed fusion includes a thermoplastic powder that itself includes an induced crystalline polycarbonate or an induced crystalline polyetherimide. The thermoplastic powder is recycled powder, which means that it is recovered from a powder bed that had undergone a powder bed fusion process. Also described is a method of making an article, the method including: placing an induced crystalline polymeric (polycarbonate or polyetherimide) powder in a powder bed, fusing a portion of the induced crystalline polymeric powder in the powder bed, recovering a least a portion of the crystalline polymeric powder from the powder bed, wherein the recovered powder is not fused, placing the recovered induced crystalline polymeric powder in a second powder bed, and fusing at least a portion of the recovered induced crystalline polymeric powder in the second powder bed to form an amorphous polymer article.

Methods for making compositions for making thermoplastic aliphatic urethane/urea elastomers, which are in turn used to make molding compositions used in forming molded articles, particularly, shells for automotive applications. The molding compositions comprise an aliphatic thermoplastic urethane/urea elastomer and a polyolefin-based modifier. These compositions may be used to form a powder, pellets, microspheres or minibeads which may then be cast to form air bag door and instrument panel cover skins which may meet automotive deployment and weathering requirements.

A polycarbodiimide compound represented by the following general formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 each represent a residue of an organic compound having one isocyanate-reactive functional group but excluding the isocyanate-reactive functional group, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 may be the same as or different from each other; R.sup.2 comprises a group represented by the following formula (i), which is a divalent residue of 2,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate having isocyanate groups removed therefrom, and a group represented by the following formula (ii), which is a divalent residue of 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate having isocyanate groups removed therefrom; the proportion of the groups represented by the formula (i) relative to all the R.sup.2 groups in the polycarbodiimide compound is 30 to 70 mol %, and the proportion of the groups represented by the formula (ii) relative to all the R.sup.2 groups in the polycarbodiimide compound is 30 to 70 mol %; X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 each represent a group formed by the reaction of the organic compound and isocyanate, and X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 may be the same as or different from each other; and n represents an integer of 2 to 50.

##STR00002##

Provided is a vinyl chloride resin composition that can provide a molded product having superior flexibility at low temperatures. The vinyl chloride resin composition includes (a) a vinyl chloride resin and (b) a dodecanedioic acid diester. Moreover, (a) the vinyl chloride resin includes (x) a base vinyl chloride resin in an amount of from 70 mass % to 100 mass % and (y) vinyl chloride resin fine particles in an amount of from 0 mass % to 30 mass %.