The present invention relates to relates to a method of producing an improved asphalt. This method includes providing an asphalt binder and providing a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
as described herein. The asphalt binder is mixed with the compound of formula (I) under conditions effective to produce an improved asphalt. Also disclosed are an asphalt product and a method of making asphalt material.

A masterbatch composition suitable for use as a flame retardant in extruded polymer foams, and process for manufacturing the same, and extruded foams containing same; the composition comprising: (a) 20 to 40 parts by weight base resin comprising styrene homopolymer or copolymer; (b) 1 to 16 parts by weight acid scavenger comprising an epoxy-based compound; (c) 2 to 6 parts by weight antioxidant comprising an alkyl or aryl phosphite; and (d) 45 to 60 parts by weight flame retardant comprising a non-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) brominated polymer or copolymer, wherein the amounts of (a), (b), (c), and (d) total 100 parts by weight; and (e) 0.6 to 10 parts by weight of pH moderator, based on 100 parts of (a) base resin plus (e) water soluble pH moderator.

A composition kit for preparing a polyurethane foam and a preparation method and applications thereof are provided. The composition kit for preparing a polyurethane foam includes a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component are disposed in different containers respectively. The first component includes an organic isocyanate and a low boiling point foaming agent. The second component includes a polyol composition, a high boiling point foaming agent, a composite catalyst, water, and a silicone oil.

A rheology control agent for a curable composition includes: a diamide compound (A) and/or a hydrogenated castor oil (A′), the diamide compound (A) being obtained by condensation reaction between a diamine component (A1) and a monocarboxylic acid component (A2); and a polyamide compound (B) obtained by polycondensation of an amine component (B1) and a carboxylic acid component (B2). The amine component (B1) contains at least one amine selected from the group consisting of a diamine and a triamine having 2 to 54 carbon atoms. The carboxylic acid component (B2) contains at least one carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of a dicarboxylic acid and a tricarboxylic acid having 4 to 54 carbon atoms. The polyamide compound (B) is obtained by polycondensation of at least one of the amine component (B1) and the carboxylic acid component (B2) containing polymerized fatty acids.

A masterbatch for foam molding which contains a base resin and heat-expandable microspheres. The base resin contains EPDM and the masterbatch contains the heat-expandable microspheres in an amount ranging from higher than 300 parts by weight to 750 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the base resin and has a Moony viscosity ML 1+4 (100° C.) ranging from 15 to 90. Also disclosed is a method for producing a masterbatch for foam molding, a resin composition containing the masterbatch for foam molding, and a foam-molded product manufactured by molding the resin composition.

A crosslinked polyolefin separator which has gels with a longer side length of 50 μm or more in a number ranging from 0 to 3 per 1 m.sup.2 of the separator, and shows a standard deviation of absorbance ratio between the center of the separator and the side thereof ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 is provided. A method for manufacturing the crosslinked polyolefin separator is also provided. The method includes (S1) preparing a polyolefin porous membranes, and (S2) applying a coating solution containing an initiator and alkoxy group-containing vinylsilane onto at least one surface of the porous membrane. The coating solution can permeate even to the inside of exposed pores. Thus, it is possible to provide a crosslinked polyolefin separator in which silane crosslinking occurs uniformly even inside of the pores.

Provided is a method for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition that can form a molded article having both good appearance and high stiffness. The method for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprises the following first step and second step, wherein the produced thermoplastic elastomer composition contains 5 mass % or less of a mineral oil (C): first step: a step of melt-kneading polypropylene (A-1) and an ethylene-based copolymer rubber (B) in the presence of an organic peroxide, the polypropylene (A-1) being polypropylene of which 20° C. xylene insoluble fraction has an intrinsic viscosity [η.sub.cxis] of 0.1 dl/g or more and less than 1.5 dl/g; and second step: a step of further adding polypropylene (A-2) of which 20° C. xylene insoluble fraction has an intrinsic viscosity [η.sub.cxis] of 1.5 dl/g or more and 7 dl/g or less, and melt-kneading the resulting mixture.

An organic resistor is provided. The organic resistor includes a rubber substrate and a conducting film disposed over the rubber substrate. The conducting film includes a composite of carbon nanotubes and a nickel phthalocyanine complex dispersed in one or more edible oil(s). The present disclosure also relates to a method of making the organic resistor using rubbing-in technology. The organic resistor of the present invention is environmentally friendly and ecologically clean.

An extrusion process of a manufacturing system for plastic which also serves as a depolymerization reactor through the use of melting point's temperature as activation energy and liquid solvents. The melting point activation energy and liquid solvents are used to generate a certain level of depolymerization at the manufacturing process of any given plastic product. The process includes several variables that are used in determining a final additive that is introduced at the beginning of the extrusion process. The final additive includes a mixture of a liquid solvents, a molecular filler, chemical carriers, and stabilizers.

A method of bonding together surfaces of two or more elements. The method includes the steps of providing two or more elements, applying an adhesive to one or more of the surfaces to be bonded together before, during or after contacting the surfaces to be bonded together with each other, and curing the adhesive, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one hydrocolloid.