Abstract: An apparatus enables forming extruded plastic material into a strip that may be formed into an irrigation pipe. The apparatus includes a pair of juxtaposed rollers which when rotated, the linear velocity of a contact surface of one of the rollers of the pair is different from the linear velocity of a contact surface of the other roller of the pair. Thus, extruded material that passes between the rollers is concurrently stretched and flattened.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bulked continuous carpet filament which, in various embodiments, comprises: (A) grinding recycled PET bottles into a group of flakes; (B) washing the flakes; (C) identifying and removing impurities, including impure flakes, from the group of flakes; (D) passing the flakes through a PET crystallizer; (E) passing the group of flakes through an MRS extruder while maintaining the pressure within the MRS portion of the MRS extruder below about 18 millibars; (F) passing the resulting polymer melt through at least one filter having a micron rating of less than about 50 microns; and (G) forming the recycled polymer into bulked continuous carpet filament that consists essentially of recycled PET.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method to produce plastic pipe where a pipe of two or more layers is extruded and where at least one layer has additive that by heat treatment releases free radicals. Immediately after the extrusion, the pipe is heat treated by leading it either through a hot salt bath or an infra-red radiation so that the mentioned additive decomposes. Now, the layer(s) having additive get cross-linked and additionally the crosslinked layer(s) fix with chemical bonds to at least one other layer. With this method it is possible to produce a plastic pipe where there is no need to use a separate adhesion plastic layer to fix to each other layers that reject each other.

Abstract: Silicone tube structures are formed having a particular dimensional accuracy. In one embodiment, a silicone tube structure can include an extruded hollow body having an inner bore. The extruded hollow body can have an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a length of at least approximately 20 m. The extruded hollow body can also have a dimensional accuracy that is measured by the standard deviation of the inner diameter being no greater than approximately 0.8% of an average inner diameter of the extruded hollow body over the length. In an embodiment, the silicone tube structure can be cut to form a number of silicone tubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously polishing the inner and outer surfaces of an unpolished polymeric stent using a heat process. The unpolished stent can be mounted, for example, on a “spiral-mandrel,” a tubular helical structure with gaps in between a series of coils of the structure. Heat from a heat source can then applied to the spiral-mandrel at a range between the glass transition temperature and melting temperature of the polymer of the stent.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyester film includes: an unstretched film formation step of forming an unstretched polyester film having a thickness of from 2.5 mm to 5.0 mm by melt-extruding a polyester resin using an extruder, and cooling the polyester resin; and a stretching step of stretching the formed unstretched polyester film in at least one direction after heating the formed unstretched polyester film so as to have a mean temperature T1 (° C.), a surface temperature, and a central temperature. The mean temperature T1 (° C.) satisfies a relationship represented by formula (1): Tg?20° C.<T1<Tg+25° C., wherein Tg represents a glass transition temperature (° C.) of the unstretched polyester film. The surface temperature is higher than the central temperature by from 0.3° C. to less than 15° C.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for the plastic deformation of a polymer is provided, which is characterized in that the polymer is treated with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range from 0.8 to 100 ?m with simultaneous action of pressure and shearing and thermal energy. By means of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to plastically deform polymers which have to date not been accessible to plastic deformation, such as chitin and in particular cellulose.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a polymer layer of a flexible unbonded offshore pipe. The process comprises the steps of shaping a polymer material by extrusion into or onto a supporting unit in an extrusion station and cross-linking said extruded polymer material, said polymer material comprising a polyethylene and a peroxide for providing a cross-linking of the polymer material. The peroxide has an activation temperature substantially above the temperature of the polymer material during the extrusion thereof. The cross-linking of the extruded polymer material is carried out by exposing the extruded polymer material to electromagnetic waves, selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation and microwave. The invention also relates to a flexible unbonded offshore pipe comprising such polymer layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a molded circuit board is provided. The method includes the steps of forming a circuit having a first section and a second section on a conductive substrate, the first section and the second section being coplanar; then deforming the conductive substrate by mold-pressing, so that the first section and the second section become non-coplanar; providing a plastic material to cover the circuit and the conductive substrate; curing the plastic material by injection-molding; and removing the conductive substrate to expose the circuit. The molded circuit board made by this method is also provided.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices fabricated at least in part of a polymer-bioceramic composite having bioceramic particles with radiopaque functional groups grafted to a surface of the bioceramic particles are disclosed. Implantable medical devices fabricated at least in part of a radiopaque material having bioceramic particles with polymer chains grafted onto a surface of the bioceramic particles, the radiopaque functional groups being chemically bonded to the grafted polymer chains, are disclosed.

Abstract: Plastics pipes comprise polyolefins which can be prepared by means of a fluorine-modified chromium catalyst and are used for transporting gases and liquids.

Abstract: A method of embossing a sheet material includes: heating at least a portion of the sheet directly or indirectly with radiant energy from a radiant energy source; pressing a tool against the heated portion of the sheet, thereby patterning a surface of the sheet; and separating the sheet and the tool. The radiant energy may travel through a solid material that is relatively transparent to radiation, on its way to being absorbed by a relatively-absorptive material. The relatively-transparent material may be an unheated portion of the sheet, and the relatively-absorptive material may be either the tool or the heated portion of the sheet. Alternatively, the relatively-transparent material may be the tool, and the relatively-absorptive material may be all or part of the sheet. The method may be performed as one or more roll-to-roll operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in distinct zones or segments across the cross-section of the fiber wherein at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoplastic polymer and at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoset polymer. The invention also provides fabrics and fabric laminates containing the multicomponent fibers, and articles containing the fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the multicomponent fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in connection with processing polymer or elastomer material, wherein additive is added to the polymer or elastomer material, and the additive is subjected to the desired chemical reaction. To minimize energy consumption, infrared radiation is led to the polymer or elastomer material, the wavelength of the radiation being so chosen that the radiation penetrates optimally the polymer or elastomer material, but absorbs in the additive, producing the desired reaction in the additive.

Abstract: Methods for making ceramic aggregate particles comprising forming a plurality of ceramic aggregate precursor particles from a composition by forcing the composition through at least one orifice in a substrate, at least partially curing the ceramic aggregate precursor particles, and heating the ceramic aggregate precursor particles to provide ceramic aggregate particles wherein solid particulates are bonded together by ceramic binder.

Abstract: We have determined that strength characteristics of elastic strand improve when the strand is heated. Thus, the present invention is directed to improving strength characteristics of an elastic strand by heating the strand. The strand may be heated by thermal conduction and/or convection, by irradiative methods using, for example, infrared or microwave radiation, or some combination of these. If the elastic strand is made at a location different from the location where the strand is used as a raw material, the strand may be heated at either location, or both locations. Furthermore, the strand may be heated in-line, i.e. as part of the process that makes the strand or the process that uses the strand as a raw material, or off-line, i.e. in a step separate from either of the aforementioned processes. Finally, in addition to heat treating the strand, the strand's exposure to water or water vapor may be regulated to reduce or eliminate strength degradation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for extruding mouldings from cross-linkable polymer material. The apparatus includes a first part to which the polymer material is delivered from a material container, and a second part which forms a moulding tool for moulding and cross-linking said article. The first part of the apparatus includes a feed zone (2) that has an inlet (8), a generally tubular outlet (7) and a rotatable feed screw (10) that functions to compress and feed the polymer material in a unmelted or solid state from said inlet (8) to said outlet (7), wherein the length of the feed screw (10) does not exceed the length of the feed zone (2).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the melt extrusion of a molten thermoplastic polymer, e.g., as fibers and nonwoven webs, which apparatus and method utilize ultrasonic energy to assist in the melt-extrusion process. The apparatus includes a die housing which defines a chamber adapted to receive the molten thermoplastic polymer and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the molten thermoplastic polymer. The die housing includes a chamber adapted to receive the molten thermoplastic polymer, an inlet orifice adapted to supply the chamber with the molten thermoplastic polymer, and an extrusion orifice adapted to receive the molten thermoplastic polymer from the chamber and extrude the polymer. The means for applying ultrasonic energy is located within the chamber. The method involves supplying a molten thermoplastic polymer and extruding the molten thermoplastic polymer through an extrusion orifice in the foregoing apparatus to form a threadline.

Abstract: A process for forming fibers, films and fibrous webs from thermoset polymers is disclosed. The process includes first forming an energy activatable prepolymer composition. The prepolymer composition is extruded through a die in order to form polymeric articles. Once extruded through the die, the prepolymer composition is then contacted with an energy source which causes the prepolymer composition to irreversibly undergo a chemical transformation to form a thermoset polymer. The cured polymeric articles can then be collected onto a surface and used as desired. The energy source used to activate the prepolymer composition can be, for instance, a heated gas stream, ultra sonic sound waves, or a radiation source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for heating polymer material, including irradiation of said polymer material with infrared radiation. In accordance with the process according to the invention the infrared radiation has wave lengths which substantially are not equal to the absorption peaks of the polymer material in respect of infrared radiation.

Abstract: A process for rapidly improving the flowability, in pellet form, of a molding composition is disclosed. Accordingly, the crystalline content of an amorphous or a semi-amorphous version of a crystallizable thermoplastic resin is increased by subjecting the resin to infra-red radiation to an extent which induces the formation of crystals in the irradiated amorphous resin or the increase of the level of crystals in the semi-amorphous irradiated resins. The resin modified by the inventive process is rendered more suitable for processing: in dried, pellet-form, the modified resin is characterized by its improved flowability. An article molded from the thus modified resin exhibits better properties than does a corresponding article made from a unmodified resins which has been subjected to similar drying conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing highly-oriented polyester sheet comprises a two-stage drawing process. The first drawing stage is performed within a zero-gap milling and stretching roller assembly comprising a pair of opposed rollers defining a nip therebetween and wherein the rollers are rotated in opposite directions at different lineal surface velocities such that a predetermined draw ratio is defined therebetween. Amorphous polyester sheet is conducted through the nip of the opposed rollers, and as a result of the simultaneous milling and stretching of the polyester sheet, the amorphous polyester is transformed into crystalline polyester as a result of orientation-induced crystallization. The crystalline polyester sheet is heated above the glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) immediately downstream of the nip defined between the pair of opposed rollers, and an exit bridle assembly is disposed downstream of the pair of opposed rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an oriented plastic strap having a predetermined desired thickness and flatness characteristics for use in connection with the strapping of packages or the like, is disclosed. A sheet workpiece is conducted into a nip defined between a pair of opposed milling and stretching rollers wherein one of the rollers is rotated at a lineal surface velocity which is greater than the lineal surface velocity of the other roller, and the rollers are rotated in opposite directions. One of the rollers effectively brakes or retards one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece while the other one of the rollers effectively accelerates the other one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece as the workpiece passes through the nip defined between the rollers whereby the workpiece is simultaneously milled and stretched.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a composite tubular article consisting of a vulcanized elastomer containing carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid anhydride functional groups, which is used in combination with a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks. The composite tubular article is prepared such that it consists of an inner layer of thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks sheathed by extrusion at an appropriate temperature with an elastomeric composition comprising a synthetic or natural elastomer containing carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid anhydride functional groups, a crosslinking system and optionally various adjuvants and fillers. Optionally, an innermost layer consisting of a thermoplastic with good liquid-barrier properties is present. The composite tubular article obtained is vulcanized, preferably at a temperature of between -5.degree. C. and +30.degree. C. in relation to the Vicat point of the said thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks.

Abstract: A process for preparing thermal bondable fibers including exposing molten fiber grade polymer to electromagnetic radiation at the one or more orifices of the spinneret and the upper portion of the spin line, and the fibers prepared therefrom.