Abstract: One or more fly ash materials having a particle size distribution that may include cinders of selected sizes that is heuristically determined to be suitable to form a blend that is mixed with a resin to form a master batch pellet, powder or liquid; Or a fully compounded pellet, powder to liquid. The master batch pellet, powder or liquid; Or a fully compounded pellet, powder or liquid is later mixed with more resin which is manufactured by a process to produce a finished product. The process has parameters that may be measured and the finished product has physical properties that can be determined by testing which parameters and properties can be controlled by the heuristic selection of the one or more fly ash materials and optionally the heuristic selection of one or more other materials to be included in the formation of the blend.

Abstract: One or more fly ash materials or other optimized mineral fillers having a particle size distribution that may include cinders of selected sizes is mixed to form a filler. The filler is then mixed with an acid scavenger, an antioxidant, a compatibilizer and an impact modifier into a resin to form either a final composition or a masterbatch. A blowing agent may be added to both. Either the masterbatch or the final composition is mixed with a blend of a mineral oil and a styrenic block copolymer. Thereafter the masterbatch if prepared is mixed into or with a base resin to form the final composition. Fractional melt may be used in the masterbatch and in the final composition. The physical properties of the resulting products can be controlled by varying the ingredients. Some masterbatches are combined to produce products that have improved impact strength and/or that have enhanced toughness when compared to products made using naked or virgin resins.

Abstract: A fly ash material or other filler or combination of the two having a particle size distribution is mixed with a liquid coupling agent in a sealed mixer that is heated to gasify the coupling agent for association with the varied particles of the filler. An acid scavenger, an antioxidant, a compatibilizer and an impact modifier may be mixed with a base resin or target resin to form a master batch or the final composition. Either the master batch or the final composition is mixed with a blend of a mineral oil and a styrenic block copolymer in addition to low melt or fractional melt resins.

Abstract: A masterbatch for a thermoplastic compound is disclosed, comprising fly ash and/or cinders and a carrier thermoplastic resin, compatible with or the same as the thermoplastic resin used in the compound. The amount of fly ash and/or cinders comprises at least 50 percent by weight of the masterbatch. Presence of the fly ash and/or cinders can reduce cycle time for molding of the compound into a plastic article by from about 5 percent to about 30 percent merely because of the presence of the fly ash and/or cinders.

Abstract: A thermoplastic compound is formed using a blend that includes one of processed fly ash, cinders and processed fly ash and cinders with a fractional melt having a melt flow index of less than 1 or a low melt resin with a melt flow index between 1 and about 3 or both, and a resin compatible with the fractional melt or low melt resin and having a melt flow index that is different from the melt flow index of the fractional melt or the low melt resin. Presence of the processed fly ash and cinders is believed to reduce cycle time for forming the thermoplastic compound into a plastic product from about 5 percent to about 30 percent merely because of the presence of the processed fly ash and cinders. Presence of the processed fly ash and/or cinders also permits the increased use of more fractional melt than conventionally attempted and also allows for use of thermoplastic regrind from recycling sources.

Abstract: Strengthened thermoplastic materials use fly ash or cinders as extenders. The extended materials use fly ash or cinders that preferably contain no more than about 2% by weight of moisture. The thermoplastic materials are preferably foamed and extruded to form extruded closed cell foam articles, for example a window blind slat, shutter louver, shutter stile, or shutter frame. Thermoplastic materials formed with the fly ash or cinders can also be formed into non-foamed products or into pellets for use in later extruding to form products.

Abstract: A thermoplastic compound is formed using a blend that includes one of processed fly ash, cinders and processed fly ash and cinders with a fractional melt having a melt flow index of less than 1 or a low melt resin with a melt flow index between 1 and about 3 or both, and a resin compatible with the fractional melt or low melt resin and having a melt flow index that is different from the melt flow index of the fractional melt or the low melt resin. Presence of the processed fly ash and cinders is believed to reduce cycle time for forming the thermoplastic compound into a plastic product from about 5 percent to about 30 percent merely because of the presence of the processed fly ash and cinders. Presence of the processed fly ash and/or cinders also permits the increased use of more fractional melt than conventionally attempted and also allows for use of thermoplastic regrind from recycling sources.

Abstract: A masterbatch for a thermoplastic compound is disclosed, comprising fly ash and/or cinders and a carrier thermoplastic resin, compatible with or the same as the thermoplastic resin used in the compound. The amount of fly ash and/or cinders comprises at least 50 percent by weight of the masterbatch. Presence of the fly ash and/or cinders can reduce cycle time for molding of the compound into a plastic article by from about 5 percent to about 30 percent merely because of the presence of the fly ash and/or cinders.

Abstract: The particle size distribution of a first fly ash is compared to an ideal particle size distribution that was empirically developed to provide a resin melt with a lower viscosity as more fly ash is added. A second fly ash material is similarly compared to the ideal curve and then is blended or optimized to provide an optimum filler for use with a suitable resin or similar material. The blended optimum filler is combined with a resin, an acid scavenger and an anti-oxidant to form a master batch which is available for mixing with other resins to form a material that is processed into a final product. Additional additives may be added for, among other things, foaming and coloration.

Abstract: The particle size distribution of a first fly ash is compared to an ideal particle size distribution that was empirically developed to provide a resin melt with a lower viscosity as more fly ash is added. A second fly ash material is similarly compared to the ideal curve and then is blended or optimized to provide an optimum filler for use with a suitable resin or similar material. Additional fly ash materials may be similarly compared and blended. Additional additives may be added for, among other things, foaming and coloration.

Abstract: Strengthened thermoplastic materials use fly ash or cinders as extenders. The extended materials use fly ash or cinders that preferably contain no more than about 2% by weight of moisture. The thermoplastic materials are preferably foamed and extruded to form extruded closed cell foam articles, for example a window blind slat, shutter louver, shutter stile, or shutter frame. Thermoplastic materials formed with the fly ash or cinders can also be formed into non-foamed products or into pellets for use in later extruding to form products.

Abstract: The particle size distribution of a first fly ash is compared to an ideal particle size distribution that was empirically developed to provide a resin melt with a lower viscosity as more fly ash is added. A second fly ash material is similarly compared to the ideal curve and then is blended or optimized to provide an optimum filler for use with a suitable resin or similar material. The blended optimum filler is combined with a resin, an acid scavenger and an anti-oxidant to form a master batch which is available for mixing with other resins to form a material that is processed into a final product. Additional additives may be added for, among other things, foaming and coloration.

Abstract: The particle size distribution of a first fly ash is compared to an ideal particle size distribution that was empirically developed to provide a resin melt with a lower viscosity as more fly ash is added. A second fly ash material is similarly compared to the ideal curve and then is blended or optimized to provide an optimum filler for use with a suitable resin or similar material. Additional fly ash materials may be similarly compared and blended. Additional additives may be added for, among other things, foaming and coloration.

Abstract: Strengthened thermoplastic materials use fly ash or cinders as extenders. The extended materials use fly ash or cinders that preferably contain no more than about 2% by weight of moisture. The thermoplastic materials are preferably foamed and extruded to form extruded closed cell foam articles, for example a window blind slat, shutter louver, shutter stile, or shutter frame. Thermoplastic materials formed with the fly ash or cinders can also be formed into non-foamed products or into pellets for use in later extruding to form products.