Abstract: Polyarylene sulfide compositions are described that exhibit high strength and flexibility. Methods for forming the polyarylene sulfide compositions 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 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: A polymer composition that contains a polyamide is provided. The composition exhibits a Charpy unnotched impact strength of about 5 kJ/m2 or more as measured at a temperature of 23° C. according to ISO Test No. 179-1:2010 and an in-plane thermal conductivity of about 15 W/m-K or more as determined in accordance with ASTM E 1461-13.

Abstract: A polymer composition that can exhibit excellent strength and flexibility under a variety of different conditions is provided. More particularly, the polymer composition contains a polyarylene sulfide, epoxy-functional polymeric impact modifier, and a crosslinking system that includes a metal carboxylate. In certain cases, the crosslinking system may also employ a crosslinking agent that is “multi-functional” to the extent that it contains at least two reactive, functional groups.

Abstract: A polymer composition that has an in-plane thermal conductivity of about 2.0 W/m-K or more is provided. The composition comprises 100 parts by weight of at least one aromatic polymer; from about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of an inorganic material having a hardness value of about 2.5 or more based on the Mohs hardness scale; and from about 20 to about 80 parts by weight of a thermally conductive particulate material having an average size of from about 1 to about 100 micrometers.

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: 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: An extruder (1) and a method for producing high-fiber volume reinforced thermoplastic resin structures (50), as well as a tape (156) having opposing resin rich portions (302) and a fiber rich portion (304) disposed therebetween and a method for impregnating at least one fiber roving (142) with a polymer resin to form a tape (156. The extruder (1) includes an impregnation die (3) having a channel (4) that applies pressurized molten thermoplastic resin to a plurality of rovings (142) drawn through the channel (4), and a die (3) faceplate (5) facing the downstream side (34) of said die (3). The faceplate (5) has a plurality of sizing holes (42) or a slot (75) arranged along a line that the resin-impregnated rovings (142) are simultaneously drawn through that remove excess resin and pultrude the resin-impregnated rovings (142) into rod-shaped or sheet-shaped structures.

Abstract: A polymer composition having a reduced tendency to create a static electric charge during a molding operation is provided. More particularly, the composition contains an ionic liquid that is distributed within a polymer matrix that contains an aromatic polymer. In addition to being electrically conductive, the ionic liquid can exist in liquid form during melt processing, which allows it to be more uniformly blended within the aromatic polymer matrix. This improves electrical connectivity and thereby enhances the ability of the composition to rapidly dissipate static electric charges from its surface.

Abstract: A compact camera module that contains a generally planar base on which is mounted a lens barrel is provided. The base, barrel, or both are molded from a polymer composition that includes a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and a plurality of mineral fibers (also known as “whisker”). The mineral fibers have a median width of from about 1 to about 35 micrometers and constitute from about 5 wt % to about 60 wt. % of the polymer composition.

Abstract: A boron-containing nucleating agent is provided for use with a polyarylene sulfide. The boron-containing nucleating agent can have low crystallinity, a small particle size, and a large specific surface area. By selectively controlling certain aspects of the nucleating agent, the crystallization properties of a thermoplastic composition including the nucleating agent and a polyarylene sulfide can be significantly improved. For instance, the recrystallization temperature can be increased, which can allow the “cooling time” during a molding cycle to be substantially reduced. Through use of the boron-containing nucleating agent the recrystallization temperature can be greater than about 231° C.

Abstract: Polymer compositions containing a polyoxymethylene base polymer that is compounded with a conductive filler, a polyalkylene glycol, and a metal oxide are disclosed that exhibit electrostatic dissipative (ESD) capabilities while also being resistant to degradation upon exposure to aggressive fuels. For instance, the polymer compositions can have a volume resistivity of from about 1 Ohm-cm to about 200 Ohm-cm and a surface resistivity of about 103 Ohms to about 104 Ohms. Further, the polymer compositions can have a strain at break of from about 15% to about 23%. The polymer compositions can be formed into a shaped or molded article such as a connector, filter housing, baffle, flange, reservoir, port, tube, or pipe, etc. for use in fuel systems where uniform increased conductivity and resistance to aggressive fuels are required.

Abstract: Orthopedic devices are described including polymer compositions used to make the devices. The polymer composition contains a polyoxymethylene polymer in combination with various additives that prevent against agglomerations and spotting even when the composition contains significant amounts of coloring agents and/or waxes. In addition, the polymer composition has reduced formaldehyde emissions and excellent thermal stability properties.

Abstract: Molded articles are disclosed having a complex three-dimensional shape. In one embodiment, the molded articles comprise tubular members formed through blow molding that have multiple linear sections separated by curved sections. The curved sections can include multiple angular displacements in multiple planes. The tubular members are molded from a polymer composition containing a high temperature polymer, such as a polymer having a melting point of greater than about 280° C., such as greater than about 290° C. In one embodiment, the tubular member includes at least three angular displacements of from about 60° to about 120°, such as from about 70° to about 110°.

Abstract: A polymer composition that is capable of exhibiting a unique combination of ductility (e.g., tensile elongation at break), impact strength (e.g., Charpy notched impact strength), and dimensional stability is provided. For example, the polymer composition may contain a liquid crystalline polymer in combination with an epoxy-functionalized olefin copolymer and an inorganic particulate material.

Abstract: A method for forming a polyarylene sulfide is described. The method can include a multi-step cooling and precipitation process in which the cooling rate of the solution that carries the polymer is decreased during a portion of the overall cooling. This slower cooling period can encompass at least a portion of the period during which the polymer precipitates from the solution. The precipitation process can form polyarylene sulfide particles with good particle integrity and a narrow particle size distribution, which can reduce fines and improve downstream processing and final product characteristics.

Abstract: A shaped part that is formed from a polymer composition that contains a liquid crystalline polymer and a black pigment is provided. By selectively controlling the type and relative concentration of these components, the polymer composition and shaped parts formed therefrom can have a dark black appearance, and yet still exhibit good thermal and mechanical properties at high temperatures.

Abstract: A die and method for impregnating at least one fiber roving with a polymer resin are disclosed. The die includes an impregnation section. The impregnation section includes an impregnation zone configured to impregnate the roving with the resin. The impregnation zone includes a plurality of contact surfaces. At least one of the plurality of contact surfaces is configured such that a normal force of the roving is less than or equal to a lift force of the resin at an impregnation location on the contact surface during impregnation of the roving with the resin by the contact surface.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline polymer composition having a reduced tendency to create a static electric charge during a molding operation is provided. More particularly, the composition contains an ionic liquid that is distributed within a liquid crystalline polymer matrix. In addition to being electrically conductive, the ionic liquid can exist in liquid form during melt processing, which allows it to be more uniformly blended within the liquid crystalline polymer matrix. This improves electrical connectivity and thereby enhances the ability of the composition to rapidly dissipate static electric charges from its surface.

Abstract: A method for forming a polyarylene sulfide is provided. The method comprises supplying a waste composition to a vessel, the waste composition containing arylene sulfide byproducts, such as an arylene sulfide oligomer, cyclic polyarylene sulfide, and/or fine polyarylene sulfide particles. The arylene sulfide byproducts are heated to a temperature of from about 260° C. to about 285° C. in the presence of a sulfur reactant, thereby forming a high molecular weight polyarylene sulfide having a number average molecular weight of about 2,000 Daltons or more.

Abstract: Polymer compositions containing a polyoxymethylene base polymer that is compounded with a conductive filler and pigment carbon black are disclosed that exhibit electrostatic dissipative (ESD) capabilities while also being laser weldable. The polymer composition can be formed into shaped or molded articles such as filters, flanges, connectors, etc. for use in fuel systems where conductivity, ductility, weldability, and resistance to aggressive fuels are required. The compositions can be compounded into a pellet product which can then be formed into a shaped article that complies with the ESD capabilities required by SAE J1645. At the same time, parts produced from the compositions can absorb laser energy sufficiently to form a high quality welded interface with parts produced from other compositions that are transparent to laser radiation and cannot absorb laser energy sufficiently.