Abstract: A plastic article formed from a thermoplastic composition including a polycarbonate having repeating structural carbonate units according to the formula: in which at least 60 percent of the total number of R1 groups contain aromatic moieties and the balance thereof are aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic. The composition also includes an epoxy additive having at least two epoxy groups per molecule and a phenolic diphosphite derived from pentaerythritol. The thermoplastic composition exhibits a dE (2000hrs.) value of less than 1.5 after 2000 hours of heat aging at 130° C., measured according ISO 11664-4:2008(E)/CIE S 014-4/E:2007 using CIE illuminant D65 and a 2.5 mm thick molded plaque of the thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: A poly(aryl ether sulfone) comprises units of formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar2 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar3 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, and n is greater than 1; and a terminal group of formula (II) derived from a monofunctional phenoxide wherein is X is a hydrogen atom or an organic substituent having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the poly(aryl ether sulfone) has a hydroxyl group content greater than 0 and less than 50 parts per million (ppm), based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight, a glass transition temperature of 180 to 290° C., a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, a halogen content of greater than 0 and less than 3000 ppm based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) can have a thermal stability factor greater than or equal to 90%.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light emitting device, comprising: a lighting element located in a housing, wherein the housing is formed from a plastic composition comprising: a conversion material, and a polycarbonate composition comprising: a flame retardant comprising a sulfonate salt and three polycarbonates. The first polycarbonate has a branching level of greater than or equal to 2%, a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 g/mole to 55,000 g/mole and a peak melt viscosity of greater than or equal to 25,000 poise. The second polycarbonate has a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 170° C. The third polycarbonate has a branching level of 0 to less than 2% and a molecular weight of 17,000 to 40,000 g/mol.

Abstract: A filled polymeric composition of high flowability suitable for thin wall (<1 mm thickness) molding, the composition including (a) from 10 to 50 wt % of a reinforcing filler; (b) from 1 to 10 wt % of a polyamide or from 5 to 20 wt % of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) as a flow promoter; and the balance being a polyetherimide (PEI) resin. Composites including an injection molded substrate having a thickness of 0.4-0.8 mm, formed of the composition, and at least one coating thereon. The coating can be a metal or an acrylate coating.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyester composition comprises polyalkylene terephthalate, a block copolymer comprising a semi-crystalline polyolefin block and at least one of a vinyl aromatic polymer block and an elastomeric polyolefin block, and reinforcing filler. The composition is capable of providing insert-molded articles, comprising a metal part, with high durability and resistance to cracking when subjected to a rigorous thermal cycle.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for impact energy absorption can comprise: an elongated plastic member having a major axis, a first side and a second side, comprising a central portion disposed between a first end portion and a second end portion, the second side defines a channel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion; and an elongated insert having a front, edges, tips, and a rear, wherein the insert is configured to flex upon impact, and is removably friction fit within the channel such that the plastic member surrounds the front, and greater than or equal to 50% of the edges and tips. The energy absorbing assembly can be configured to attach to a vehicle to absorb energy absorption impact. A vehicle can comprise: a vehicle rail and the energy absorbing assembly attached to the vehicle rail.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polymer compositions. The disclosed compositions comprise a thermoplastic polymer, a laser direct structuring additive, and a reinforcing filler. Also disclosed are methods for making the disclosed polymer composition and articles of manufacture comprising the disclosed polymer composition.

Abstract: A flame element can comprise: a flame housing, fuel, and a medium for a flame. The flame housing is formed from a composition comprising: (a) a first polycarbonate having a LOI of greater than or equal to 25% and a glass transition temperature of greater than 170° C. as measured using a differential scanning calorimetry method, wherein the first polycarbonate is derived from a monomer having the structure wherein each of A1 and A2 comprise a monocyclic divalent arylene group, and Y1 is a bridging group having one or more atoms, and wherein the structure is free of halogen atoms; 10 and (b) a second polycarbonate different than the first polycarbonate.

Abstract: A composition comprises a poly(arylene ether); a block copolymer comprising a first block and a second block wherein the first block comprises repeating aryl alkylene units and the second block comprises repeating alkylene units; and an ethylene-vinyl aliphatic acid copolymer wherein the poly(arylene ether) and the block copolymer form a dual phase co-continuous morphology.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an energy management system can comprise: a vehicle energy management system comprises: a support structure selected from a bumper beam, a body in white, a body in black, a front-end module, a radiator support beam, a bumper support bracket, a component projecting from the body in white, a component projecting from the body in black, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; a covering; and a coil energy absorber made of plastic. The coil energy absorber has an initial height and is located between the support structure and the covering. The coil energy absorber absorbs energy upon impact such that, after the impact, the coil energy absorber has a final height that is less than or equal to 90% of the initial height.

Abstract: Various mold apparatuses and methods for forming a polymer with induction heat energy are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mold apparatus for forming polymer includes a mold having a top mold portion and a top mold surface that is magnetic. The bottom mold portion of the mold includes an induction heating unit that is at least partially embedded in the bottom mold portion that provides induction heat energy to the mold. The mold apparatus is constructed and arranged to dissipate greater than about 50% of the induction heat energy in the top mold portion. The induction heating unit of the bottom portion of the mold provides rapid heating to the top mold surface to provide high surface quality polymer parts and a shorter molding cycle time while utilizing less energy.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to thermoplastic compositions comprising a polycarbonate copolymer, the polycarbonate copolymer comprising first repeating carbonate units and second repeating units selected from carbonate units that are different from the first carbonate units, polysiloxane units, and a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing unit; and an organophosphorus flame retardant in an amount effective to provide 0.1 to 1.0 wt % phosphorus based on the total weight of the composition, wherein an article molded from the composition has a smoke density after 4 minutes (Ds-4) of less than or equal to 600 determined according to ISO 5659-2 on a 3 mm thick plaque, and a material heat release of less than or equal to 160 kW/m2 determined according to ISO 5660-1 on a 3 mm thick plaque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flame retardant composition comprising a polycarbonate; 5 to 10 weight percent of a polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer; where the polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer comprises an amount of greater than 10 weigh percent of the polysiloxane and where the molecular weight of the polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer is greater than or equal to 25,000 grams per mole; 5 to 20 weight percent of a branched polycarbonate; 5 to 60 weight percent of a reinforcing filler; and 1 to 15 weight percent of a flame retarding compound.

Abstract: Processes for increasing the chemical resistance of a surface of a formed product are disclosed. The formed product is produced from a polymeric composition comprising a photoactive additive containing photoactive groups derived from a dihydroxybenzophenone. The surface of the formed product is then exposed to ultraviolet light to cause crosslinking of the photoactive additive and produce a crosslinked surface. The crosslinking enhances the chemical resistance of the surface. Various means for controlling the depth of the crosslinking are also discussed.

Abstract: Photoactive additives are disclosed. The additive is formed from the reaction of a dihydroxybenzophenone, one or more linker moieties having functional groups that react with the phenolic groups, a diol chain extender, and an end-capping agent. If desired, a secondary linker moiety can be used. When added to a base polymeric resin, the photoactive additive permits crosslinking when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing a functionally graded polymer material. The methods comprise preparing a melted polymer mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a magnetic filler dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer, molding the melted polymer mixture and applying a magnetic field to a portion of the melted polymer mixture to form a functionally graded polymer material. The resulting functionally graded polymer material has a magnetic filler gradient formed through a thickness of the material.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an assembly comprises: a glazing layer; a light absorbing layer; and a thermo-responsive layer between the glazing layer and the light absorbing layer, wherein the thermo-responsive layer comprises a matrix polymer having a glass transition temperature and an inorganic filler having a particle size, wherein refractive indices of the matrix polymer and the inorganic filler differ by less than or equal to 0.05 at 25° C. In an embodiment, a method of making the assembly comprises: forming the glazing layer; forming the light absorbing layer; and forming the thermo-responsive layer between the glazing layer and the light absorbing layer, wherein the thermo-responsive layer comprises a matrix polymer having a glass transition temperature and an inorganic filler having a particle size, wherein refractive indices of the matrix polymer and the inorganic filler differ by less than or equal to 0.05 at 25° C.

Abstract: Photoactive additives, such as cross-linkable polycarbonate resins, are disclosed. The additive is formed from the reaction of a monohydroxybenzophenone, a dihydroxybenzophenone, a diol chain extender, and one or more linker moieties having functional groups that react with the phenolic groups on the other ingredients. If desired, a secondary linker moiety and/or an end-capping agent can be used. When added to a base polymeric resin, the photoactive additive permits crosslinking when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Photoactive additives are disclosed. Such additives are polymers or oligomers that contain UV-active groups (such as ketone groups) and contain polysiloxane blocks as well. When added to a base polymeric resin and used in molding, this structure promotes migration of the additive to the surface. Crosslinking occurs upon exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A process for making ultra-fine particles of a high performance polymer in a yield greater than 90%, which includes dissolving the high performance polymer in an organic solvent capable of dissolving the polymer to form a solution; emulsifying the solution by combining the solution with water and a surfactant to form an emulsion; transferring the emulsion into a receiving water containing a surfactant to remove the organic solvent and form a slurry; and recovering particles of less than 75 microns in diameter in a yield greater than 90%.