Abstract: A polyetheretherketone pipe of length greater than 250 meters and a residual stress of less than 5 MPa may be made using a calibrator device 2 which includes a cone shaped opening 6 arranged to receive a molten extruded pipe shaped polymer. Attached to the front member 4 is a vacuum plate 14a and successive vacuum plates 14b-14h are attached to one another to define an array of vacuum plates, the vacuum plates being arranged to allow a vacuum to be applied to a pipe precursor passing through opening 16. The vacuum plates 14 also include temperature control means for heating or cooling the plates and therefore heating or cooling a pipe precursor passing through the openings.

Abstract: A polymeric material has a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph- I and a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph- II wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety; wherein the repeat units I and II are in the relative molar properties I:II of from 65:35 to 95:5; wherein log10 (X %)>1.50-0.26 MV; wherein X % refers to the % crystallinity measured as described in Example 31 and MV refers to the melt viscosity measured as described in Example 30. A process for making the polymeric material comprises polycondensing a mixture of at least one dihydroxybenzene compound and at least one dihydroxybiphenyl compound in the molar proportions 65:35 to 95:5 with at least one dihalobenzophenone in the presence of sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate wherein: (i) the mole % of said potassium carbonate is at least 2.

Abstract: A component comprises a first part and a second part, wherein said second part is in contact with said first part, wherein: (i) said first part comprises a polymer having a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph-??I and a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph??II wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety; and (ii) said second part comprises a metal.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an object, the process comprising steps: a) selecting a feedstock material comprising one or more polymeric material selected from i) a polymeric material (A) having a repeat unit of formula I and a repeat unit of formula II wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety; and/or ii) a polymeric material (B) having a repeat unit of formula III and a repeat unit of formula IV wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety; each X independently represents an oxygen or suphur atom; n represents an integer of 1 or 2; Y is selected from a phenylene moiety, a Ph-Ph moiety and a naphthalenyl moiety; W is a carbonyl group, an oxygen or sulphur atom, Z is selected from —X-Ph-S02-Ph- —X-Ph-S02-Y-S02-Ph- and —CO-Ph-; b) melting the feedstock material; and c) extruding the feedstock material to form a plurality of parts that define the object.

Abstract: A component comprising a first part and a second part, wherein a third part is positioned between the first and second parts, wherein: (iv) said first part comprises a polymeric material (A) which comprises a repeat unit of formula (XI) wherein t1, and w1 independently represent 0 or 1 and v1 represents 0, 1 or 2; (v) said second part comprises a polymeric material (B) which comprises a repeat unit of formula (XI) wherein t1, and w1 independently represent 0 or 1 and v1 represents 0, 1 or 2; and (vi) said third part comprises a polymeric material (C) which comprises a polymer having a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph-??I and a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph-??II wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety.

Abstract: This anti-backlash gear includes a gear wheel and gear teeth. Each gear tooth comprises first and second flanks, a top face and a bottom face, wherein for each gear tooth each flank extends from the top face to the bottom face, wherein the gear teeth comprise a polymeric material which comprises a repeat unit of form I wherein t1, and w1 independently represent 0 or 1 and v1 represents 0, 1 or 2. For each gear tooth, at least one of said flanks comprises two or more surfaces arranged to form a single protrusion extending along the at least one said flank such that a tooth thickness of each gear tooth varies between the top face and the bottom face of said gear tooth in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the gearwheel in operation. In use, the single protrusion is elastically deformable so as to absorb backlash.

Abstract: Polyaryletherketones are produced which are end-capped with a phenylethynyl-containing moiety.

Abstract: An assembly or apparatus for use in relation to an assembly, wherein said assembly is subjected to a temperature of less than ?50° C. in use, wherein said assembly or apparatus includes a component which comprises a polymeric material (A) having a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph- (I) wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety; and wherein said polymeric material (A) has a melt viscosity of at least 0.50 kNsm?2.

Abstract: A polymeric material has a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph-I and a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph-II wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety; wherein the repeat units I and II are in the relative molar properties I:II of from 65:35 to 95:5; wherein log10 (X %)>1.50-0.26 MV; wherein X % refers to the % crystallinity and MV refers to the melt viscosity. A process for making the polymeric material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite pipe comprises a polyetheretherketone innermost pipe around which a reinforcing overwrap is arranged. A protective sheath surrounds the overwrap. Such a composite pipe may be made by selecting a polyetheretherketone pipe having an outer region having a crystallinity of less than 25%; overlaying the selected pipe with overwrap; and subjecting the combination to heat, thereby causing the crystallinity of the outer region of the polyetheretherketone pipe to increase. The method reduces the risk of pipe failure.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (i) a polymeric material (A) having a repeat unit of formula —(O-Ph)n-O-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph-??I and a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph-??II wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety and n represents 0 or 1; and (ii) a polymeric additive comprising one or more of: (a) a polycarbonate; and/or (b) a polymeric material (B) which includes a repeat unit of general formula wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally-substituted (preferably un-substituted) alkyl group, and R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally-substituted alkyl group, an anhydride-containing moiety or an alkyloxycarbonyl-containing moiety.

Abstract: This anti-backlash gear includes a gear wheel and gear teeth. Each gear tooth comprises first and second flanks, a top face and a bottom face, wherein for each gear tooth each flank extends from the top face to the bottom face, wherein the gear teeth comprise a polymeric material which comprises a repeat unit of form I wherein t1, and w1 independently represent 0 or 1 and v1 represents 0, 1 or 2. For each gear tooth, at least one of said flanks comprises two or more surfaces arranged to form a single protrusion extending along the at least one said flank such that a tooth thickness of each gear tooth varies between the top face and the bottom face of said gear tooth in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the gearwheel in operation. In use, the single protrusion is elastically deformable so as to absorb backlash.

Abstract: An insulated conductor has an elongate conductor provided with an insulating layer which comprises a polymeric material. The polymeric material has a crystallinity of at least 25% and includes a repeat unit of general formula wherein t1 and w1 independently represent 0 or 1 and v1 represents 0, 1 or 2. The insulating layer has a thickness in the range 2 ?m-300 ?m.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an object by laser sintering comprises: (i) selecting a powder comprising a polymeric material having a repeat unit of formula —O—Ph—O—Ph—CO—Ph—??I and a repeat unit of formula —O—Ph—Ph—O—Ph—CO—Ph—??II wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety; and (ii) selectively sintering the powder to produce the object. It is found that the polymer used can be advantageously recycled and blended with virgin material to produce a blend which has very similar mechanical properties and crystallinity compared to the virgin material. Thus, the polymer may be cost-effectively used in laser sintering.

Abstract: A component comprises a first part and a second part, wherein said second part is in contact with said first part, wherein: (i) said first part comprises a first polymer which is semi-crystalline and includes phenylene moieties, carbonyl moieties and ether moieties; (ii) said second part comprises a second polymer which is semi-crystalline and includes phenylene moieties, carbonyl moieties and ether moieties; (iii) the melting temperature (Tm) of the second polymer is less than the melting temperature (Tm) of the first polymer. In a preferred embodiment, said first polymer is polyetheretherketone and said second polymer is a copolymer having a repeat unit of formula VIII and a repeat unit of formula IX.

Abstract: A polyetheretherketone pipe of length greater than 250 meters and a residual stress of less than 5 MPa may be made using a calibrator device (2) which includes a cone shaped opening (6) arranged to receive a molten extruded pipe shaped polymer. Attached to the front member (4) is a vacuum plate (14a) and successive vacuum plates (14b-14h) are attached to one another to define an array of vacuum plates, the vacuum plates being arranged to allow a vacuum to be applied to a pipe precursor passing through opening (16). The vacuum plates (14) also include (10) temperature control means for heating or cooling the plates and therefore heating or cooling a pipe precursor passing through the openings.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an object, the process comprising steps: a) selecting a feedstock material comprising one or more polymeric material selected from i) a polymeric material (A) having a repeat unit of formula I and a repeat unit of formula II wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety; and/or ii) a polymeric material (B) having a repeat unit of formula III and a repeat unit of formula IV wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety; each X independently represents an oxygen or suphur atom; n represents an integer of 1 or 2; Y is selected from a phenylene moiety, a Ph-Ph moiety and a naphthalenyl moiety; W is a carbonyl group, an oxygen or sulphur atom, Z is selected from —X-Ph-S02-Ph- —X-Ph-S02-Y-S02-Ph- and —CO-Ph-; b) melting the feedstock material; and c) extruding the feedstock material to form a plurality of parts that define the object.

Abstract: Polymers comprising polyetheretheretherketone and polyetherdiphenyletherketone and polymers comprising polyetheretheretherketone and polyetheretherethersulphone are described which have advantageous Tn and/or Tg properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulated conductor comprising an elongate conductor provided with an insulating layer which comprises a polymeric material. Said polymeric material has a crystallinity of at least 25% and includes a repeat unit of general formula wherein t1 and w1 independently represent 0 or 1 and v1 represents 0, 1 or 2. The insulating layer has a thickness in the range 2 ?m-300 ?m.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (i) a polymeric material (A) having a repeat unit of formula (O-Ph)n-O-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph- ??I and a repeat unit of formula —O-Ph-Ph-O-Ph-CO-Ph- ??II wherein Ph represents a phenylene moiety and n represents 0 or 1; and (ii) a polymeric additive comprising one or more of. (a) a polycarbonate; and/or (b) a polymeric material (B) which includes a repeat unit of general formula wherein R? and R?? independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally-substituted (preferably un-substituted) alkyl group, and R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally-substituted alkyl group, an anhydride-containing moiety or an alkyloxycarbonyl-containing moiety.