Abstract: A method of producing a thermoplastic foam sheet comprising the step of (a) foaming, by extrusion, a mixture comprising polystyrene and a thermoplastic reclaim material obtained from a multi-layer sheet manufacturing process, wherein said thermoplastic reclaim material comprises polystyrene and a thermoplastic barrier resin selected from the group consisting of (i) copolymers of ethylene and vinyl alcohol, and (ii) polymers comprising a copolymer of acrylonitrile, to produce a foam sheet having an upper and lower surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for obtaining polyester articles, including foamed articles, containing low levels of extractable branching agent. The process comprises: (1) forming a molten mixture comprising (i) a major amount of a first resin composition comprising polyester and from 0 up to about 1 wt. % of a compound capable of branching the polyester, and (ii) a minor amount of a second polyester resin composition comprising at least about 50 wt. % polyester resin and greater than about 2 wt. % of a compound capable of branching the polyester, wherein the relative amounts of (i) and (ii) are such that said molten mixture comprises from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. % of said branching compound; (2) adding a blowing agent to the molten mixture; and (3) extruding the resultant mixture to obtain a foam. The invention is also directed to the second composition used in the above process, and foamed polyester articles obtained from the process.

Abstract: A food and beverage tray for holding food and drink which is designed to be grasped in one hand of a user, wherein the user's thumb is placed on a thumb placement region on the upper surface of the tray and the user's remaining fingers grasp the tray along the bottom surface, which comprises a tray having a bottom comprising a beverage container recess and a continuous sidewall having a height which is lower adjacent to a beverage container recess located next to the thumb placement region.

Abstract: An autoclavable container comprising a poly(aryl ether) resin capable of withstanding at least 1000 cycles of steam sterilization at a stress level of 500 psi without stress-crack failure, said steam sterilization cycle conducted for 30 min. at 270.degree. F. and 27 psi using aqueous morpholine at a concentration of 50 ppm.

Abstract: The invention includes a blowing agent composition useful in the production of insulating styrenic foams comprising ethylchloride, propane and a halogenated ethane selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-fluoroethane, 1-chloro-1,1-difluoro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (FC-142b) and mixtures thereof. The invention further includes a method to produce dimensionally stable insulating styrenic foams using the blowing agent composition by confining operating temperatures within a narrow range. The blowing agent composition has a significantly reduced ozone reactivity potential compared to previous commercial styrenic foam blowing agents.

Abstract: Polyolefin resin compositions and oriented microporous films prepared from same comprising an ethylene-propylene block copolymer having an ethylene content of about 10 to about 50 wt %, a propylene homopolymer or random propylene copolymer having up to about 10 wt % of a comonomer of ethylene or an .alpha.-olefin of 4 to 8 carbon atoms, a low molecular weight polypropylene, a beta-spherulite nucleating agent and an inorganic filler. The microporous films have improved breathability, strength, toughness and break elongation.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermoformable sheet comprising a resinous polymer of propylene and an effective amount of a beta-spherulite nucleating agent, a process for making the sheet and articles thermoformed from the sheet.

Abstract: This invention pertains to novel copolyesters consisting essentially of units (I), (II), (III), and (IV). ##STR1## and blends of these polymers and articles made from both. Units (I), (II), (III), and (IV) are present in specified proportions as defined in the "Description of the Invention."The instant copolyesters display orientation in the molten state, good fiber ratings and high strength; they have melting points in the range of from about 340.degree. to about 400.degree. C. and are melt-processible. Advantageously, these compositions filled with about 30 weight percent of glass fibers display heat distortion temperatures of over 240.degree. C. up to about 280.degree. C. and higher, when measured under a load of 264 psi. When blended, certain properties are improved, particularly they are easier to melt fabricate, have a decreased tendency to blister and increased strength.

Abstract: Neat and filled polyphthalamide resins are improved in processability when blended with polypropylene and a carboxylated polyolefin resin. Filled polyphthalamides, particularly glass-filled polyphthalamide formulations, are significantly benefited, and glass fiber-filled molding resin formulations of this invention comprising high levels of fiber are more readily moldable than polyphthalamide formulations without the polyolefin components comprising the same and even lower levels of glass-fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for obtaining polyester articles, including foamed articles, containing low levels of extractable branching agent. The process comprises: (1) forming a molten mixture comprising (i) a major amount of a first resin composition comprising polyester and from 0 up to about 1 wt. % of a compound capable of branching the polyester, and (ii) a minor amount of a second polyester resin composition comprising at least about 50 wt. % polyester resin and greater than about 2 wt. % of a compound capable of branching the polyester, wherein the relative amounts of (i) and (ii) are such that said molten mixture comprises from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. % of said branching compound; (2) adding a blowing agent to the molten mixture; and (3) extruding the resultant mixture to obtain a foam. The invention is also directed to the second composition used in the above process, and foamed polyester articles obtained from the process.

Abstract: Fiber- or particulate-filled polyphthalamide molding compositions, wherein the polyphthalamide comprises recurring units obtainable from terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, aliphatic diamine and, optionally, isophthalic acid, exhibit a desirable combination of thermal, mechanical and solvent resistance properties.

Abstract: Polyphthalamides having a useful combination of thermal and mechanical properties and excellent solvent resistance, particularly to alcohols, comprise recurring aliphatic terephthalamide and 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylamide units and, optionally, isophthalamide units.

Abstract: Polypropylene resins are improved in mechanical properties and in rigidity without loss in thermal processability when blended with polyphthalamide resins together with a minor amount of a carboxylated polyolefin compatibilizing aid. Filled compositions, including glass-filled polypropylenes are similarly benefited when blended with a polyphthalamide and a carboxylated polyolefin compatibilizing aid.

Abstract: Composites comprising structural fiber and matrix resin formulated from epoxys selected from the group consisting of polyglycidyl ethers of polycyclic bridged hydroxy-substituted polyaromatic compounds and N,N,N',N'-tetraglycidyl-bis(4-amino- 3-ethylphenyl)methane with from about 6 to about 150 pbw, per hundred parts by weight of the epoxy resin components, of a solid aromatic diamine hardener, toughened with porous rigid resin particles having a spheroidal spongy structure. The resulting composites exhibit surprising improvement in interlaminar strength characteristics as measured by G.sub.IC.

Abstract: High modulus, pitch-based, continuous carbon fiber having a density above about 2.18 g/cc and an electrical resistivity below about 1.6 micro-ohm-meter, and a method for making.

Abstract: Amorphous polyamide compositions are provided which are transparent and have improved glass transition and thermal decomposition temperatures. The polyamide compositions of the present invention can be prepared as the polymeric condensation product of a diamine component comprising neopentyldiamine, and a diacid component comprising an aromatic dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Matrix resin formulations comprising cyanate esters of phenol adducts of dicyclopentadiene, epoxy resins and particular thermoplastics, provide fiber reinforced composites with excellent toughness and hot/wet properties.

Abstract: A uniform basis weight self-bonded, fibrous nonwoven web having improved antistatic, softness and retention of water resistance in the presence of antistatic agents and composites comprising the nonwoven web useful for applications in the hygiene, healthcare, agriculture and other markets.

Abstract: Prepreg comprising structural fiber and matrix resin formulated from epoxys selected from the group consisting of polyglycidyl ethers of polycyclic bridged hydroxy-substituted polyaromatic compounds and N,N,N',N'-tetraglycidyl-bis(4-amino-3-ethylphenyl) methane with from about 6 to about 150 pbw, per hundred parts by weight of the epoxy resin components, of a solid aromatic diamine hardener insoluble in said composition in an amount effective to cure said epoxy resin exhibiting improved storage stability characteristics at room temperature.

Abstract: Novel crystalline polyamides having high heat deflection temperatures when filled are prepared from aliphatic diamines and either mixtures of terephthalic acid and adipic acid or mixtures of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and adipic acid. The mole ratio of aliphatic diamine to terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and adipic acid is in the range of about 100:65-95:25-0:35-5. The polyamides can be filled with about 10 to about 60 parts by weight of a filler. The mechanical properties of these polyamides are largely unaffected by absorbed water.