Abstract: An asymmetric tape and a system and method for impregnating at least one fiber roving with a polymer resin to form an asymmetric tape are provided. The asymmetric tape includes a polymer resin, and a plurality of fibers embedded in the polymer resin to form a fiber reinforced polymer material. The fiber reinforced polymer material includes a first surface and an opposing second surface. The fibers are disposed in the fiber reinforced polymer material to form a resin rich portion and a fiber rich portion. The resin rich portion includes the first surface and the fiber rich portion includes the second surface.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that comprises a thermotropic, liquid crystalline polymer and a combination of certain types of flow modifiers is provided. More particularly, one type of flow modifier that is employed in the composition is a functional compound (e.g., hydroxy-functional, carboxy-functional, etc.) that can react with the backbone of the polymer. In certain cases, for instance, the functional compound can initiate chain scission of the polymer, which reduces the molecular weight, and in turn, the melt viscosity of the polymer under shear. An additional non-functional compound is also employed to help reduce the melt viscosity to the desired “ultralow” levels without having a significant impact on the mechanical properties. The non-functional compound is, more specifically, an aromatic amide oligomer that can alter intermolecular polymer chain interactions without inducing chain scission to any appreciable extent, thereby further lowering the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix under shear.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for forming a liquid crystalline polymer is provided. More particularly, the process includes acetylating one or more precursor monomers and melt-polymerizing the acetylated monomers to form a prepolymer in the form of a solid particulate material. Thereafter, the prepolymer is solid-state polymerized in a fluidized bed reactor that contains a porous surface (e.g., bed, plate, grate, etc.) on which the prepolymer is supported. While supported by this porous surface, the prepolymer can become “fluidized” with a heated stream of a gas (e.g., nitrogen). In this manner, a sufficient degree of turbulence is created to distribute heat evenly around the prepolymer and cause it to rapidly reach the target reaction temperature.

Abstract: VOC or compressed gas containment devices, such as polymer fuel tanks, are made from a polyoxymethylene polymer composition. The polymer composition contains a polyoxymethylene polymer that is directly or indirectly chemically attached to an impact modifier. In one embodiment, for instance, a coupling agent bonds the impact modifier to the polyoxymethylene polymer. In order to preserve the permeability of the polymer material when combined with the impact modifier, a polyoxymethylene polymer is used that contains a low level of low molecular weight constituents.

Abstract: Low VOC emission polyoxymethylene and compositions and products that incorporate the polyoxymethylene are described. The polyoxymethylene is end capped with compound that can prevent degradation of the polymer and subsequent emission of VOC degradation products such as formaldehyde. The end-capped polyoxymethylene can include an inorganic linkage within the polymer backbone that is the reaction product of a terminal hydroxyl group of the polyoxymethylene and a hydrolyzable group of the compound. Also disclosed are products as may be formed from the low VOC emission polyoxymethylene.

Abstract: Blow molded articles are made from a polymeric composition containing a mixture of polyphenylene sulfide resins. For instance, the polymeric composition may contain a linear polyphenylene sulfide resin combined with a branched polyphenylene sulfide resin. The composition can further contain a reinforcing agent, such as glass fibers, a polytetrafluoroethylene polymer, a polyphenylene oxide polymer, a silane coupling agent, and/or an impact modifier. Compositions made according to the present disclosure can have relatively high near zero shear rate melt strengths while also having high shear rate melt viscosities and high engineering stresses at a high percent elongations, making the compositions amenable to extrusion and molding processes. Compositions made according to the present disclosure are particularly well suited to molding articles with a complex shape.

Abstract: An adsorbent medium for removing gaseous contaminants from air comprises a porous self-supporting filter element produced by sintering particles of polyethylene having a molecular weight greater than 400,000 g/mol as determined by ASTM-D 4020 and an adsorbent. In one embodiment, the filter element comprises a body perforated by a plurality of holes extending in the direction of fluid flow in use and having a diameter of less than 10 mm. In another embodiment, the filter element comprises a panel wherein at least the surface of the panel presented, in use, to the incoming air comprises a plurality of projections. In a further embodiment, the filter element comprises a fibrous web having particles of the adsorbent secured to the web by the sintered polyethylene.

Abstract: A sorbent medium for a cyclic adsorption process comprises at least one self-supporting porous body produced by sintering a mixture of a powdered adsorbent and polyethylene particles having a molecular weight of at least 4×105 g/mol as determined by ASTM-D 4020.

Abstract: In a process for the desalination of water, an impure, salt-containing water feed is passed through one or more filter media to remove from the feed impurities having a particle size greater than 50 ?m and produce a first filtered water stream. The first filtered water stream is then passed through at least one further filter having an average pore size of 1 ?m to 60 ?m produced from sintered polyethylene particles having a molecular weight of at least 4×105 g/mol as determined by ASTM-D 4020 to remove at least a portion of the impurities having a particle size less than or equal to 50 ?m from the first filtered water stream and produce a second filtered water stream. The second filtered water stream is passed directly to a reverse osmosis membrane to produce a purified water stream.

Abstract: Structural members and methods for forming structural members are provided. A structural member includes a body portion and a locally reinforced portion. The body portion is formed from a long fiber thermoplastic material, the long fiber thermoplastic material including a plurality of long fibers dispersed in a thermoplastic resin. The locally reinforced portion is formed from a continuous fiber thermoplastic material overmolded by the long fiber thermoplastic material, the continuous fiber thermoplastic material including a plurality of continuous fibers dispersed in a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Ski boots and other cold weather articles are described made from polymer compositions that are exceptionally stable at low temperatures. The polymer composition, for instance, may contain a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, an impact modifier and a wear resistant additive. In one embodiment, various polymer components are selected such that they do not undergo a second order transition within a temperature range of from about 50° C. to about ?40° C., and particularly from about 23° C. to about ?40° C. In one embodiment, the polymer compositions are used to mold the outer shell of a snow ski boot.

Abstract: A drive system for moving a support assembly is disclosed. The drive system includes a lead screw configured for connection to the support assembly and defining a longitudinal axis. The drive system further includes an epicyclic gear assembly. The epicyclic gear assembly includes a carrier and a plurality of rotatable gears. The epicyclic gear assembly is rotationally coupled to the lead screw. Operation of the epicyclic gear assembly causes translation of the support assembly along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Polyarylene sulfide fibers and products that incorporate the polyarylene sulfide fibers are described as are methods of forming the fibers and products. The polyarylene sulfide fibers can incorporate a reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide that can provide improved compatibility between the polyarylene sulfide and other materials, including both additives to the polyarylene sulfide composition that is used to form the fibers and external materials that may be located adjacent to the fibers in a composite.

Abstract: Pipe sections and methods for forming pipe sections are disclosed. A pipe section includes a hollow body formed from a metal material, the hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an interior. The pipe section further includes a barrier layer surrounding and bonded to the hollow body, the barrier layer having an inner surface and an outer surface. The barrier layer is formed from a continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic material. Such pipe sections may be lightweight and flexible while exhibiting improved strength characteristics.

Abstract: A continuous fiber composite is described and methods for forming the continuous fiber composite. The continuous fiber composite includes a plurality of unidirectionally aligned continuous fibers embedded within a polyarylene sulfide polymer. The continuous fiber composite includes a very high loading of continuous fibers, for instance greater than about 40% by weight of the continuous fiber composite. The continuous fiber composite is formed by reacting a starting polyarylene sulfide with a reactively functionalized disulfide compound in a melt processing unit. Reaction between the starting polyarylene sulfide and the reactively functionalized disulfide compound leads to formation of a reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide. Upon embedding of the continuous fibers into the reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide, the reactivity of the polyarylene sulfide can enhance adhesion between the polyarylene sulfide polymer and the fibers.

Abstract: A fuel line comprising a thermoplastic composition is described. The thermoplastic compositions exhibit high strength and flexibility and can be used to form one or more layers of single layer or multi-layer fuel lines. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout a polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures.

Abstract: Components formed of blow molded thermoplastic compositions are described. The blow molded thermoplastic compositions exhibit high strength and flexibility. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout a polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures and can be used to form, e.g., tubular member such as pipes and hoses and fibers.

Abstract: Flowlines for use in oil and gas applications are described. The flowlines include a barrier layer that includes polyarylene sulfide composition that exhibits high strength and flexibility characteristics. Methods for forming the flowlines are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a polyarylene sulfide composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier throughout the composition. The flowlines can include production fluid flowlines, supporting fluid flowlines, bundled flowlines, etc. and can be utilized as risers, pipelines, jumpers, and the like.

Abstract: Components for heavy duty trucks are described that exhibit high strength and flexibility. The components are formed from a polyarylene sulfide that exhibits high strength and flexibility characteristics. Methods for forming the components are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a polyarylene sulfide composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier throughout the composition. The heavy duty truck components can include tubular member such as pipes and hoses that can be utilized in exhaust systems, charge air systems, urea tanks, fuel systems, and so forth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a UV stabilized polyarylene sulfide composition, methods of forming the composition, and UV stabilized products that can be formed of the composition. The UV stabilized polyarylene sulfide composition can include a reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide polymer in conjunction with a UV stabilizer. The reactivity of the polyarylene sulfide polymer is formed during melt processing via reaction of a reactively functionalized disulfide compound with a starting polyarylene sulfide. The reactivity of the polyarylene sulfide can encourage interaction between the polyarylene sulfide polymer and the UV stabilizer, which can improve dispersion of the UV stabilizer throughout the composition and improve miscibility between the polyarylene sulfide polymer and the UV stabilizer. Products can incorporate high concentrations of UV stabilizer and/or can be formed to very small cross sectional dimensions without phase separation between the UV stabilizer and the polyarylene sulfide.