Abstract: The invention relates to low density fluoropolymer foam, and preferably polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) foam, such as that made with KYNAR PVDF resins, and articles made of the foam. The foam is produced by adding microspheres containing blowing agents to the polymer and processing it through an extruder. The microspheres consist of a hard shell containing a physical blowing agent. The shell softens at elevated temperatures and allows the expansion of the blowing agent, and microsphere to create larger voids within the polymer matrix. By proper control of the polymer composition, viscosity, processing temperature, blowing agent selection, loading ratio, and finishing conditions, useful articles such as foamed PVDF pipe, tube, profiles, film, wire jacketing and other articles can be produced. The microspheres may be added to the fluoropolymer matrix by several means, including as part of a masterbatch with a compatible polymer carrier.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a non-linear, copolymer comprising recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) monomer, at least one functional comonomer and optionally at least one fluorinated ethylenic comonomer. The non-linear fluorinated copolymer comprises from 0.01 to 3.0% by moles of recurring units derived from functional comonomer. The non-linear fluorinated copolymer can be used as electrode binder in batteries.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymerizable composition comprising (A) a reaction product of: (a) diethyleneglycol bischloroformate, ethyleneglycol bischloroformate, or combinations thereof; (b) allyl alcohol; (c) optionally, a cyclic polyol selected from the group consisting of a cycloaliphatic polyol having at least one secondary hydroxyl group, a heterocyclic polyol having primary and/or secondary hydroxyl groups, and mixtures thereof; and (d) optionally, at least one linear or branched aliphatic polyol having two to six hydroxyl groups; and (B) an organic peroxide comprising at least three peroxide groups. A polymerizate and/or an optical article comprising the polymerizable compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) copolymer compositions that have improved crosslinking efficiency and performance. The PVDF copolymer contains a high level (>14 and preferably greater than 16 wt %) of a fluorinated comonomer, and has a high molecular weight as measured by the melt viscosity at 230° C. and 100 sec?1 of 18 to 40 kpoise. The composition can be effectively cross-linked with a low level radiation (high cross-linking efficiency). The cross-linked composition is useful in high-temperature applications, such as automotive wire and cable, and heat shrink tubing.

Abstract: Evaporation of water from an aqueous dispersion of a solid peroxide such as benzoyl peroxide is retarded by the incorporation of carboxylic acid salt. The carboxylic acid salt renders the aqueous dispersion less susceptible to explosive decomposition when exposed to external triggering events such as impact, heat, friction or contamination, yet does not interfere with the ability to achieve and maintain a stable, small particle size dispersion having desirable viscosity and flow properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a step in the purification process of hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerants that are made from processes wherein 1,1,3,3 tetrachloropropene (R1230za) or 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (R240fa) is reacted with HF in excess. The purification process employs a cold-temperature reaction with a base to remove the HF and any HCl. The process prevents an increase in unwanted organic side-products, particularly trifluoropropyne (TPS), and simultaneously does not reduce the amount of the desired hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant produced. The process also can have an optional step whereby hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant and other organics are removed from aqueous process stream or streams resulting from the reaction with the base. The organics removed can be recycled. This optional step advantageously can increase the yield of the desired refrigerant, while decreasing the environmental load of the plant, by purifying the resulting aqueous process streams.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluoropolymer composites having a fluoropolymer matrix containing a functionalized fluoropolymer composition, and reinforced with fibers. The fibers can be chopped fibers, long fibers, or a mixture thereof, and the fluoropolymer matrix preferably is based on polyvinylidene fluoride. Any type of fibers, sized or unsized may be used with the functionalized fluoropolymer matrix composition to form the fluoropolymer composite.

Abstract: The use of compatible, semi-miscible or miscible polymer compositions as support structures for the 3D printing of objects, including those made from polyether-block-amide copolymers such as PEBAX® block copolymers from Arkema, polyamides such as RILSAN® polyamides from Arkema, polyether ketone ketone such as KEPSTAN® PEKK from Arkema, and fluoropolymers, such a KYNAR® PVDF from Arkema, especially objects of polyvinylidene fluoride and its copolymers. One particularly useful miscible polymer is an acrylic polymer, which is miscible with the fluoropolymer in the melt. The support structure composition provides the needed adhesion to the build plate and to the printed object and support strength during the 3D printing process, yet it is removable after the fluoropolymer object has cooled. The support polymer composition is selected to be stiff and low warping, yet flexible enough to be formed into filaments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a thermoplastic fluoropolymer blend composition exhibiting improved mechanical properties upon fabrication. The fluoropolymer blend composite on is produced by blending an emulsion latex of fluoropolymer (A) with an emulsion latex of fluorinated copolymer (B). Copolymer (B) emulsion has a small particle size, super high MW, and a low degree of crystallinity. The blending of the latex emulsions results in a morphology with small particles of copolymer (B) uniformly distributed within a matrix of fluoropolymer (A) in a manner that could not be achieved by a mere melt blending of the tow components.

Abstract: Liquid resin compositions that can be used in the manufacture of composite materials are described. A method of making a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite material comprises wetting a fibrous material with a liquid prepolymer composition comprising at least one (meth)acrylic monomer, at least one base, and at least one peroxy ester; and polymerizing the liquid prepolymer composition to form a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a low Tg compatible resin as an adhesive layer for the welding of a thermoplastic composite structure to a thermoplastic or thermoset structure. The invention is especially good for the welding of large parts, such as wind turbine halves and spar caps. A useful thermoplastic composite is one formed by the infusion and curing of long fibers by a reactive acrylic liquid resin system, such as ELIUM® resin systems from Arkema.

Abstract: A composite polymer process aid is provided. The process aid includes one or more inorganic mineral fillers and one or functionalized polymers. The functionalized polymers include at least one base polymer functionalized with an epoxy, hydroxyl, ?-keto ester, ?-keto amide, or carboxylic acid reactive functional group. The composite polymer process aid is in the form of a plurality of individual particles. At least a portion of the individual particles include both inorganic mineral fillers and the functionalized polymers. The composite polymer modifier is formed by a process of: i) blending an aqueous solution, an aqueous dispersion, an aqueous suspension, an aqueous slurry, or a dry powder of the mineral fillers with an aqueous solution, an aqueous dispersion, an aqueous suspension or an aqueous emulsion of the functionalized polymers to form an aqueous blend, and ii) powderizing the aqueous blend to form the composite polymer process aid.

Abstract: Film laminates containing a layer of a lower melting polyaryletherketone and a layer of a higher melting polyaryletherketone adhered to each other are resistant to heat, wear, moisture, weathering and chemicals and are useful for producing articles such as laminated electronic circuits, flexible heaters, insulated wire and cable, radio frequency identification tags and labeled articles.

Abstract: A thermal insulating additive, product formed therefrom, and method of making the same, wherein the thermal insulating additive comprises a plurality of hollow polymeric particles having an average particle size up to about 0.3 micrometers. The hollow polymeric particles exhibit a mechanical strength in a compression test up to about 420 psi and a thermal conductivity that is less than 0.150 W/m-k. The hollow polymeric particles are individually formed as an alkaline swellable core that is at least partially encapsulated with two or more shell layers; the alkaline swellable core prior to swelling exhibits an average particle size that is less than about 50 nanometers.

Abstract: ABTRACT The present invention relates to a liquid, thermoplastic acrylic gel cap composition that can impart UV resistance, higher impact, and aesthetic effects to a composite material. Additionally, the post processing of the material when combined with a thermoplastic composite can allow for thermoformability, weldability and recyclability, unlike seen with traditional thermoset based gel coats.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semi-crystalline article from at least one pseudo-amorphous polymer including a poly aryl ether ketone, such as PEKK, including a softening step, wherein the at least one pseudo-amorphous polymer is heated to a temperature above its glass transition temperature to soften the polymer, and a crystallization step, wherein the at least one pseudo-amorphous polymer is heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and melting temperature, the pseudo-amorphous polymer being placed on a mold during either the softening step or the crystallization step before at least some crystallization takes place. The method results in articles demonstrating increased opacity, increased crystallinity, increased thermal resistance, improved chemical resistance, and improved mechanical properties over articles formed by traditional thermoforming processes.

Abstract: A process for forming voided latex particles is improved by combining swelling and polymerization of an outer shell into a single step. The process includes contacting multi-stage emulsion polymer particles comprising a core, at least one intermediate shell, with a swelling agent, and polymerizing an outer shell after said contacting with swelling agent wherein the core and the at least one intermediate shell are contacted with swelling agent in the presence of less than 0.5% monomer based on the weight of the multi-stage emulsion polymer particles, and substantially all of the swelling occurs during polymerization of the outer shell.

Abstract: A hose coupling guard including a fixture configured to connect to a hose coupling having a release mechanism, and a cover movably connected to the fixture to be movable between a first position and a second position. The cover includes a shield configured to enclose the release mechanism when the cover is in the first position, and to expose the release mechanism when the cover is in the second position. A display surface may be located on the shield and configured to be oriented to face a location from which an operator can operate the release mechanism.

Abstract: Coating compositions including a binder agent are disclosed. The binder agent is formed of a fluorocopolymer and a non-fluorinated film-forming polymer. Methods of coating cables with the coating compositions are also described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of purifying a stream of crude hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant produced by the reaction of 1,1,3,3 tetrachloropropene (R1230za) or 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (R240fa) with HF. The process includes a step of removing the cis-(Z) isomer by distillation of the crude refrigerant stream prior to a step of reacting the crude refrigerant stream with a base. The reaction with the base is a necessary step in production of the refrigerant and is done to remove HF and residual HCl from the crude refrigerant stream. Removal of the cis-(Z) isomer before the reaction with the base reduces the amount of toxic flammable trifluoropropyne (TFP) that is produced as a side-reaction during the reaction with the base. In addition, temperature control during the reaction with the base is less critical to minimizing the TFP production if the cis-(Z) isomer is first removed.