Abstract: Surface structure modification is achieved for an acrylate block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer by the addition of an organo-functional polydimethyl siloxane but also without loss of clarity.

Abstract: Post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PCR-PET) flake is treated with chelant to reduce discoloration and generation of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) upon melt-processing for use in making thermoplastic articles from the PCR-PET flake.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compounds in the form of a pellet include thermoplastic resin and conductive fibers. The conductive fibers are enveloped by the thermoplastic resin and distributed within the pellet such that each of at least a portion of the conductive fibers is substantially surrounded by the thermoplastic resin and thereby substantially separated from physical contact with any other of the conductive fibers. Additionally, at least a portion of the conductive fibers includes long fibers. The thermoplastic compound, when molded at a thickness of about 3.2 mm, has an electromagnetic shielding effectiveness across a range of frequencies from about 0.5 GHz to about 2.0 GHz of at least about 60 dB according to ASTM D4935, which makes the thermoplastic compound useful for molding thermoplastic articles for shielding against electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polymer blends comprising thermoplastic elastomer and 4 wt % to 50 wt % of cross-linked silane grafted polyolefin. The thermoplastic elastomer comprises a Shore A hardness from 0 to 80 as measured in accordance with ASTM D2240 and a compression set greater than or equal to 80% as measured in accordance with ASTM D395 at 125 C. The cross-linked silane grafted polyolefin comprises a compression set less than or equal to 70% as measured in accordance with ASTM D395 at 125 C.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polymer blends comprising greater than or equal to 55 wt % and less than or equal to 90 wt % of an aliphatic polyketone; and greater than or equal to 10 wt % and less than or equal to 40 wt % of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), wherein the aliphatic polyketone has a melt flow rate greater than or equal to 1 g/10 min and less than or equal to 90 g/10 min as measured in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 240° C. and a weight of 2.16 kg.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polymer blends comprising greater than or equal to 45 wt % and less than or equal to 90 wt % of an aliphatic polyketone; greater than or equal to 7.5 wt % and less than or equal to 40 wt % of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS); and greater than 0 wt % and less than or equal to 25 wt % of a flame retardant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polymer blends comprising greater than or equal to 30 wt % and less than or equal to 88.5 wt % of a polyamide; greater than or equal to 4 wt % and less than or equal to 50 wt % of an aliphatic polyketone; and greater than or equal to 7.5 wt % and less than or equal to 20 wt % of a rubber impact modifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to thermoplastic elastomer blends comprising at least one non-hydrogenated styrene isoprene block copolymer (SIS) having a Weight Average Molecular Weight (Mw) greater than or equal to 50,000 g/mol and a Tan Delta Peak Temperature greater than or equal to 15° C. and less than or equal to 25° C. at least one of: at least one hydrogenated SIS having an Mw greater than or equal to 75,000 g/mol and a Tan Delta Peak Temperature less than or equal to 20° C.; and a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) having a Mw greater than or equal to 75,000 g/mol and a Tan Delta Peak Temperature less than or equal to 20° C.; and a tackifier having a softening point greater than or equal to 80° C.

Abstract: A swimming pool wall, and method for forming same, including a plurality of layers of reinforced composite material. Each layer includes a thermoplastic resin and a plurality of elongate glass strands of reinforcing material. A first set of the plurality of layers has the strands running in a first direction, and a second set of the plurality of layers has the strands running in a second direction. The first direction is offset in angle from the second direction, and the first and second set of layers are fused together to form a unitary composite wall. The pool wall permits the use of a composite material which provides sufficient strength and resists degradation. The wall structure may be a plurality of interconnected panels both arcuate and arcuate and planar in shape to determine the overall shape of the composite wall enclosing an area where water or ice is retained.

Abstract: Thermoplastic articles are molded from thermoplastic polyurethane compounds including blends of aromatic polycaprolactone thermoplastic polyurethane and aliphatic polycaprolactone thermoplastic polyurethane. The thermoplastic articles can have enhanced stability against exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light relative to thermoplastic articles molded from thermoplastic polyurethane compounds including only aromatic polycaprolactone thermoplastic polyurethane as the thermoplastic polyurethane component. Additionally, the thermoplastic articles can have good stain resistance, good clarity (i.e., low haze), and other desirable properties.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer compound includes acrylic block copolymer and functionalized polysiloxane. Polymeric articles formed from the thermoplastic elastomer compound can have improved stain resistance, while also achieving other desirable properties such as low tackiness (i.e., low coefficient of friction) and good clarity (i.e., low haze).

Abstract: A swimming pool wall, and method for forming same, including a plurality of layers of reinforced composite material. Each layer includes a thermoplastic resin and a plurality of elongate glass strands of reinforcing material. A first set of the plurality of layers has the strands miming in a first direction, and a second set of the plurality of layers has the strands miming in a second direction. The first direction is offset in angle from the second direction, and the first and second set of layers are fused together to form a unitary composite wall. The principles of hoop strength applicable to the swimming pool wall also apply to other cylindrical structures needing hoop strength arising from pressures inside or outside the cylindrical structure. The wall structure may be a plurality of interconnected panels both arcuate and arcuate and planar in shape to determine the overall shape of the composite wall enclosing an area where water or ice is retained.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer compound includes polyester-type thermoplastic polyurethane and no greater than about 30 weight percent of styrene-isobutylene-styrene block copolymer. The compound has good clarity, as exhibited by a haze of no greater than about 60%, or 50%, or 30%, according to ASTM D 1003. Additionally, the compound has good damping properties, as exhibited by a resilience or vertical rebound of less than about 25% according to ASTM D2632.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer compound includes polyolefin elastomer, high softening point tackifier, and, optionally, styrenic block copolymer. When styrenic block copolymer is present, the weight ratio of polyolefin elastomer to styrenic block copolymer is no less than about 1:1. The polyolefin elastomer has a POE Tan Delta Peak Temperature, the styrenic block copolymer has a SBC Tan Delta Peak Temperature, and the thermoplastic elastomer compound has a Compound Tan Delta Peak Temperature. The Compound Tan Delta Peak Temperature is greater than the POE Tan Delta Peak Temperature. When styrenic block copolymer is present, Compound Tan Delta Peak Temperature is also greater than the SBC Tan Delta Peak Temperature. The thermoplastic elastomer compound exhibits useful damping properties at or above room temperature and can be formed into plastic articles, including foamed plastic articles and/or crosslinked plastic articles, which can be useful for a variety of damping applications.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compounds include elastomer, modified polyolefin polymer including a polar functional group, and unmodified polyolefin polymer. The melt flow rate of the modified polyolefin polymer is greater than the melt flow rate of the unmodified polyolefin polymer. The thermoplastic compounds exhibit excellent bonding when overmolded onto rigid substrates such as metals, while also providing desirable aesthetic properties and good processability.

Abstract: An overmolded thermoplastic article includes a substrate portion molded from a thermoplastic resin compound and an overmold portion molded from a thermoplastic elastomer compound. The thermoplastic resin compound includes thermoplastic polymer resin. The thermoplastic elastomer compound includes thermoplastic elastomer and polysiloxane as a mold release agent, and is free of wax. The overmold portion is bonded onto the substrate portion with a peel strength at least comparable to that of an overmolded thermoplastic elastomer compound containing wax as a mold release agent instead of the polysiloxane. Undesirable effects observed with the use of wax as a mold release agent in overmolded thermoplastic elastomer compounds such as blooming and ease of scratching/marring can be reduced, while desirable properties such as silky feel of the surface of the overmold portion and good bonding of the overmold portion onto the substrate portion can be at least maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for creating an elastic film or sheet by calendaring a composition, including a polymer and a fabric. The composition may include a polymer, a cotton, or a combination of both. The calendared composition can form tough, flexible films and sheets. The film and sheet can have optical and physical properties that make them suitable as a replacement for some PVC films. Also disclosed is a composition for calendaring including a fabric and a polymer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer compound includes a polyolefin elastomer blend of at least two different polyolefin elastomers, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer, and plasticizer. The compound has a Melt Flow Rate (230° C., 2.16 kg) of no less than about 5 g/10 min and a Melt Flow Rate (190° C., 2.16 kg) of no less than about 1 g/10 min. Elastomeric films formed from the compound can be used in place of elastomeric films based on styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymers to make components of disposable hygiene articles.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compound is disclosed which has very low hardness by virtue of the use of a combination of high styrene content styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene copolymer, a conventional styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene copolymer, and a plasticizer. Super-soft extruded or molded plastic articles may be formed from pellets of the compound, with a resulting Shore OO Hardness of between about 35 to about 52. Molded articles may be prepared using injection molding techniques.

Abstract: A tackifier to modify the Tan Delta of midblock segments of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer in a thermoplastic elastomer compounds aids in rendering the HSBC TPE more effective as an overmolding compound having a low percentage compression set value when measured at the high temperature compression set standard. The HSBC TPE can overmold effectively upon polar polymeric substrates depending on the bonding agent chosen.