The invention concerns a composition for use as drier in auto-oxidizable coatings or as accelerator in unsaturated polyester resins, comprising a manganese-bearing polymer having a manganese dicarboxylate repeating unit and at least one nitrogen-containing donor ligand. Such compositions offer excellent drying performances. They ensure a strongly reduced leachability of manganese compared to that of known manganese-bearing driers.

The invention concerns a composition for use as drier in auto-oxidizable coatings or as accelerator in unsaturated polyester resins, comprising a manganese-bearing polymer having a manganese dicarboxylate repeating unit and at least one nitrogen-containing donor ligand. Such compositions offer excellent drying performances. They ensure a strongly reduced leachability of manganese compared to that of known manganese-bearing driers.

The present invention provides an amide acid oligomer which has specific composition and which is capable of providing a cured product having excellent physical properties, in particular, an excellent glass transition temperature, etc.

An example of a three-dimensional (3D) printing composition includes a build material composition and a fusing agent to be applied to at least a portion of the build material composition during 3D printing. The build material composition includes one of: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer having a flow parameter characterized by a consolidation resistance value ranging from about 8 to about 30, and a tap density characterized by an n1/2 value ranging from 5 taps to 30 taps; or (ii) a polyamide-like material having a flow parameter characterized by a consolidation resistance value ranging from about 75 to about 120, and a tap density characterized by an n1/2 value ranging from 5 taps to 30 taps. The fusing agent includes an energy absorber to absorb electromagnetic radiation to coalesce the thermoplastic elastomer or the polyamide-like material in the at least the portion.

An example of a three-dimensional (3D) printing composition includes a build material composition and a fusing agent to be applied to at least a portion of the build material composition during 3D printing. The build material composition includes one of: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer having a flow parameter characterized by a consolidation resistance value ranging from about 8 to about 30, and a tap density characterized by an n1/2 value ranging from 5 taps to 30 taps; or (ii) a polyamide-like material having a flow parameter characterized by a consolidation resistance value ranging from about 75 to about 120, and a tap density characterized by an n1/2 value ranging from 5 taps to 30 taps. The fusing agent includes an energy absorber to absorb electromagnetic radiation to coalesce the thermoplastic elastomer or the polyamide-like material in the at least the portion.

Water dispersible polyamides having carboxylic acid groups are disclosed. These are made by reacting polycarboxyl is acids or anhydrides thereof with amine containing monomer or an amide terminated polyamide under reaction conditions such that a few of the carboxylic acid groups are residual and can promote dispersion in water. These polyamides after dispersion can be chain extended to higher molecular weight polymers or can be terminally functionalized with reactive groups such as isocyanate, epoxy, vinyl, acetoacetonate, or silanol groups. Composites and hybrids of these polyamides with vinyl polymers are also disclosed and claimed.

Water dispersible polyamides having carboxylic acid groups are disclosed. These are made by reacting polycarboxyl is acids or anhydrides thereof with amine containing monomer or an amide terminated polyamide under reaction conditions such that a few of the carboxylic acid groups are residual and can promote dispersion in water. These polyamides after dispersion can be chain extended to higher molecular weight polymers or can be terminally functionalized with reactive groups such as isocyanate, epoxy, vinyl, acetoacetonate, or silanol groups. Composites and hybrids of these polyamides with vinyl polymers are also disclosed and claimed.

Self-healing polymers used to fabricate electrical devices or to coat electrical devices that have a metal or polymer substrate. The self-healing polymers can be made from modified polymers including polyurethanes, polyureas, polyamides and polyesters and, optionally, cross-linking agents and one or more catalysts. The self-healing polymers can be used to make cable ties, tape, conduit fittings and explosion-proof sealant materials.

A method of forming a CMP pad includes providing a solution of a block copolymer (BCP), where the BCP includes a first segment and a second segment connected to the first segment, the second segment being different from the first segment in composition. The method further includes processing the BCP to form a polymer network having a first phase and a second phase embedded in the first phase, where the first phase includes the first segment and the second phase includes the second segment, and subsequently removing the second phase from the polymer network, thereby forming a polymer film that includes a network of pores embedded in the first phase. Thereafter, the method proceeds to combining the CMP top pad and a CMP sub-pad to form a CMP pad, where the CMP top pad is configured to engage with a workpiece during a CMP process.

Diphthalonitrile compounds of formula I:

##STR00001##

in free or salt or solvate form, wherein: Ar.sup.1 is a C.sub.6-C.sub.10-aryl group; Ar.sup.2 is a C.sub.6-C.sub.10-aryl group; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently C.sub.3-C.sub.10-alkyl; T is a C.sub.6-C.sub.10-aryl group; and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, or a mixture thereof; Cured diphthalonitrile thermosets are provided by curing resin blends of such compounds.