Abstract: Materials which have substantial weatherability and impact resistance include a substantially uniform blend of an acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylic (ASA) polymeric material, a wood component in an amount effective as a filler, and a vinyl chloride polymeric material. Methods for making such compositions include combining a first population of pellets comprising an ASA polymeric material and a wood component, and a second population of different pellets comprising a vinyl chloride polymeric material.

Abstract: Foamable compositions are provided including a polymeric component, an encapsulated foaming component in an amount effective in foaming the foamable composition and a wood component in an amount effective as a filler in a foamed composition obtained from the foamable composition. Foamed compositions and methods of producing foamed positions are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions which have substantial weatherability and impact resistance include a substantially uniform blend of an acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylic polymeric material and a wood component in an amount effective as a filler in the composition. Methods for making such compositions include forming a substantially uniform physical mixture of such polymeric material and wood component.

Abstract: Compositions which have substantial weatherability and impact resistance include a substantially uniform blend of an acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylic polymeric material and a component selected from (A) polymeric materials including units derived from ethylene, carbon monoxide and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds, (B) graft polymer components including ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene terpolymers grafted with styrene and acrylonitrile monomers, and mixtures thereof. Methods for making such compositions include forming a substantially uniform physical mixture of such polymeric material and component.

Abstract: Compositions which have substantial weatherability and impact resistance include a substantially uniform blend of (1) a physical mixture of an uncross-linked acrylonitrile/styrene copolymer and a cross-linked alkyl acrylate/graft (meth)acrylate copolymer; and (2) a filler component, preferably wood, in an amount effective as a filler in the composition. Methods for making such compositions include forming a substantially uniform physical blend of such copolymers and filler component. The compositions preferably are substantially free of cross-linked acrylonitrile/styrene copolymer.

Abstract: Compositions which have substantial weatherability and impact resistance comprise a substantially uniform physical blend of an uncross-linked acrylonitrile/styrene copolymer and a cross-linked alkyl acrylate/graft (meth)acrylate copolymer. Methods for making such compositions include forming a substantially uniform physical blend of such copolymers. The compositions preferably are substantially free of cross-linked acrylonitrile/styrene copolymer.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a tubular article from a cellular plastic compound comprising a bushing defining a passage extending therethrough, an internal mandrel within the passage of the bushing and cooperating therewith to define a die passage, and an external mandrel downstream of the internal mandrel. The die passage has a tapered section and an outlet section with the overall width of the tapered section reducing as it extends toward the outlet. The outlet section terminates in an outlet. The gap dimension of the tapered section is greater than the gap dimension of the outlet section. The die passage has a transition section which is of progressively reducing thickness to smoothly blend the tapered section and the outlet section.