Abstract: A powder that contains microparticles formed from an aromatic polyester is provided. The mean size of the microparticles is generally from about 0.1 to about 40 micrometers. The microparticles may also have a shape that is generally spherical in nature. Regardless of the actual size and shape, however, the size distribution of the microparticles may be consistent throughout the powder. For example, at least about 50% by volume of the microparticles may have a mean size within a range of from about 0.1 to about 200 micrometers. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventor believes that a certain size and/or size distribution can improve the quality of coatings formed from the powder.

Abstract: A polymer composition is disclosed that contains a thermoplastic elastomer combined with an ?-olefin and vinyl acetate copolymer. In one embodiment, the composition contains a thermoplastic polyester elastomer combined with an ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer. Various synergistic effects may be realized by combining the two polymers together. In particular, a resulting polymer mixture can be produced that has many of the properties of the thermoplastic elastomer and also has controlled melt flow properties. In addition, the polymer composition may have improved and controllable mechanical and thermal properties and color stability. The polymer composition may be processed using injection molding, blow molding, or extrusion and may undergo secondary processing.

Abstract: A method for forming a high molecular weight thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer is provided. The method includes melt polymerizing two or more monomers in the presence of a unique aromatic amide oligomer to form a prepolymer, and then solid-state polymerizing the prepolymer to achieve a target molecular weight. The present inventors have discovered that a unique aromatic amide oligomer can be employed to help increase the “low shear” complex viscosity of the resulting solid-state polymerized composition. This allows for the attainment of higher than conventional “low shear” complex viscosity values and/or a substantial reduction in the solid-state polymerization time needed to achieve a target complex viscosity. In addition, the oligomeric flow aid can also accelerate the extent to which the “high shear” melt viscosity is increased during solid-state polymerization, which may also contribute to a substantial reduction in the solid-state polymerization time needed to achieve a certain molecular weight.

Abstract: A translucent polymer composition is described that contains a thermoplastic polymer combined with an impact modifier. The thermoplastic polymer may comprise a polyester copolymer that is substantially amorphous. The impact modifier may have a core and shell construction and may be configured so as to substantially match the refractive index of the polyester polymer. The polymer composition may also contain at least one stabilizer, an anti-scratch additive, a glitter-like additive, in addition to other components. In one embodiment, the polymer composition substantially blocks ultraviolet rays. In particular, the polymer composition can be formulated so that within the ultraviolet light wavelength range, the polymer composition displays 0% transmission or less.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that employs one or more fibers formed from a polymer composition that contains at least one liquid crystalline polymer is provided. In addition to being highly inert and biocompatible, the rigid rod-like structure of liquid crystalline polymers can allow them to be particularly well suited for implantable devices. Apart from the benefits from the polymer itself, the fibers are formed in such a manner so that they are generally flexible, but yet still possess a sufficient degree of strength so that they can be effectively employed in implantable medical devices.

Abstract: An overmolded composite structure that contains a metal component and a resinous component adhered to a surface thereof is provided. The resinous component is formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains at least one polyarylene sulfide and at least one mineral filler. The present inventors have discovered that the nature and relative concentration of the polyarylene sulfides, mineral fillers, and/or other materials in the thermoplastic composition can be selectively tailored so that the resulting resinous component has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion and/or color that is similar to the metal component.

Abstract: A process for the aeration of wastewater employs an aerator comprising a porous body having an average pore size from 5 to 250 ?m produced by sintering a composition comprising polyethylene particles having a molecular weight of at least 3×105 g/mol as determined by ASTM-D 4020 and a weight average particle size, D50, from 20 to 650 ?m. The porous aerator is provided in the wastewater and an oxygen-containing gas, such as air, is passed through the porous aerator into the wastewater to assist in purification of the wastewater.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is described that can be directly coated with a metal according to a metallization process with no intervening base coat formation process necessary. The thermoplastic composition includes a polyarylene sulfide and a filler having a selectively controlled average length and aspect ratio. Molded articles formed of the thermoplastic composition can have an ultra-smooth surface so as to directly accept a metallization coating.

Abstract: Porous craniomaxillofacial implants may include a plurality of polymeric particles sintered together at a plurality of contact points to form a porous network having pores; and an antioxidant disposed on a surface of at least some of the polymeric particles and/or in the pore of the porous network, so as to stabilize the implants from at least some oxidative damage during storage, transportation, and/or implementation (in vivo and/or ex vivo). Preferably, the polymeric particles include at least one of polyethylene, a polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer, a polyethylene-polybutylene copolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene, and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A molded polyethylene component that comprises polyethylene having a melt flow index of about 3.5 g/10 min or greater as measured by ASTM D1238 at 190° C./21.5 kg weight and having an ash content of about 500 ppm or less may be useful biomedical devices, including kits and methods relating thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer compositions comprising PCT (poly((cyclohexylene-dimethylene) terephthalate)) polymer and a fibrous glass filler having a non-circular cross-sectional aspect ratio of greater than at or about 4.

Abstract: The present description discloses a polymeric composition which is a melt-processed alloy comprised of (a) a polyarylene sulfide resin, (b) a polyaryl-ether-ketone resin, and a reactive compound which results in (c) a graft copolymer of the polyarylene sulfide resin and/or the polyaryl-ether-ketone resin in addition to the starting resins. Exemplary melt-processed polymeric compositions can be made by reacting an alkoxy silane with the polyarylene sulfide resin and/or the polyaryl-ether-ketone resin to produce a graft copolymer of a portion of one or both of the resins, sufficient to render the composition uniform and homogeneous. It is normally preferred for the exemplary organosilane compound, to be an amino silane. The subject invention further reveals an insulated wire comprising (1) an electrical conductor and (2) a layer of the melt-processed alloy composition; and fiber reinforced composites comprising fibers substantially fully impregnated with the alloy polymeric composition.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition for use in a compact camera module is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains a liquid crystalline polymer and a plurality of fibers. The volume average length of the fibers in the thermoplastic composition is selectively controlled according to the present invention so that it is within a certain range, such as from about 80 to about 250 micrometers. The fibers also have a narrow length distribution. That is, at least about 70% by volume of the fibers have a length within a certain range. Through the use of a liquid crystalline polymer and fibers of a certain weight average length and narrow length distribution, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting thermoplastic composition is able to achieve a desirable combination of strength and surface smoothness, which enables it to be uniquely suited for a compact camera module.

Abstract: An impregnation section (150) and a method for impregnating fiber rovings (142) with a polymer resin (214) are disclosed. The impregnation section (150) includes an impregnation zone (250) and a gate passage (270). The impregnation zone (250) is configured to impregnate the plurality of rovings (142) with the resin (214). The gate passage (270) is in fluid communication with the impregnation zone (250) for flowing the resin therethrough such that the resin impinges on a surface (216) of each of the plurality of rovings (142) facing the gate passage (270) and substantially uniformly coats the plurality of rovings. The method includes impinging a polymer resin (214) onto a surface of a plurality of fiber rovings (142), and substantially uniformly coating the plurality of rovings with the resin. The method further includes traversing the plurality of coated rovings through an impregnation zone (250).

Abstract: A liquid crystal polymer composition may comprise a liquid crystal polymer and an adhesion enhancement compound. Such a liquid crystal polymer may be utilized in layered articles, molded articles, and like and products like solar cells, optoelectronic structures, medical equipment, and tubing. Further, ethylene vinyl acetate adhesives may be utilized in some of the layered articles.

Abstract: An umbilical (600) for the transfer of fluids and/or electric current/signals, particularly between the sea surface and equipment deployed on the sea bed (e.g., in deep waters), is provided. The umbilical contains a plurality of elongated umbilical elements (e.g., two or more), such as a channel element (603), fluid pipe (604), electric conductor/wire (606) (e.g., optic fiber cable), armoring wire, etc., enclosed within an outer sheath (e.g., plastic sheath). The umbilical also contains at least one reinforcing rod (607) formed from a plurality of unidirectionally aligned fiber rovings embedded within a thermoplastic polymer matrix.

Abstract: A powder containing a polyoxymethylene polymer for coating metallic substrates is described. The polymeric particles are made from a polymeric composition containing a polyoxymethylene polymer having functional terminal groups. The polyoxymethylene polymer is blended with at least one functional additive. The functional additive can decrease the stiffness of the polyoxymethylene polymer, can decrease the shrinkage properties of the polyoxymethylene polymer and/or increase adhesion of the polymer to metal surfaces.

Abstract: Airbag inflators and methods for forming airbag inflators are disclosed. An airbag inflator includes a hollow body comprising a wall, the wall having an inner surface defining an interior and an outer surface. The airbag inflator further includes a reinforcement layer surrounding and bonded to the hollow body. The reinforcement layer has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the reinforcement layer in contact with the outer surface of the wall. The reinforcement layer is formed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic material comprising a plurality of fibers dispersed in a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A die and a method for impregnating fiber rovings (142) with a polymer resin (214) are disclosed. The die includes a manifold assembly (220), an impregnation zone, and a gate passage (270). The manifold assembly flows the resin (214) therethrough, and includes a plurality of branched runners (222). The impregnation zone is in fluid communication with the manifold assembly, and is configured to impregnate the roving with the resin. The gate passage (270) is between the manifold assembly and the impregnation zone (250), and flows the resin from the manifold assembly such that the resin coats the roving. The method includes flowing a polymer resin through a manifold assembly. The method further includes coating at least one fiber roving with the resin, and traversing the coated roving through an impregnation zone to impregnate the roving with the resin. The roving is under a tension of from about 5 Newtons to about Newtons within the impregnation zone.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer composition is disclosed that is wear resistant at a broad range of temperatures. The composition contains a thermoplastic elastomer, such as a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, that forms a polymer matrix in products made from the polymer composition. The polymer composition may also contain a fluoropolymer and/or unmodified or functionalized ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin particles, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles.