Abstract: Nylon molding powders are prepared by melt blending a nylon with a minor amount of a heat reactive polyimide resin. The mixture is cooled and ground and mixed with the desired filler. The heat reactive polyimide increases the melt viscosity of the nylon during subsequent melt forming of shapes so that the filler particles are not wet out or their interstices filled leaving them as discrete clusters of filler material held in pockets in the nylon/polyimide matrix. By these means, the filler material is more effective in contributing desired properties to a molded article.

Abstract: Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene molding powders with improved melt characteristics are disclosed that can be processed with conventional melt forming equipment such as screw extruders and injection molding machines. The molding powders are comprised of from 70 to 95 weight percent ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, from 5 to 30 weight percent of an intermediate molecular weight polyethylene and from 0.1 to 10 percent of a finely divided nucleating agent.