Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising 1) about 97.5 wt % to about 99.9 wt % of a first polyethylene having a density of about 0.91 g/cm3 to about 0.94 g/cm3, and a melt strength of about 10 mN or greater; and 2) about 0.1 wt % to about 2.5 wt % of a second polyethylene having an Mw of about 500,000 g/mol or more. In some embodiments, the composition is a film. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of making a composition comprising blending a first polyethylene of any embodiment described herein and a second polyethylene of any embodiment described herein.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising 1) about 97.5 wt % to about 99.9 wt % of a first polyethylene having a density of about 0.91 g/cm3 to about 0.94 g/cm3, and a melt strength of about 10 mN or greater; and 2) about 0.1 wt % to about 2.5 wt % of a second polyethylene having an Mw of about 500,000 g/mol or more. In some embodiments, the composition is a film. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of making a composition comprising blending a first polyethylene of any embodiment described herein and a second polyethylene of any embodiment described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for preparing materials from heavy feedstocks. In particular, the disclosure provides a chemical process to convert heavy feedstocks with predominant polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules or species, including the residues of petrochemical refining or extraction, into thermoset or thermoplastic materials that can be used alone or as a component in a composite material.

Abstract: Plastics composites and a method for forming the plastics composites are provided in this disclosure. An example plastic composite includes a suspension of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a solvent that is compounded with a plastic material. The techniques provide for the efficient incorporation of carbon nanotubes into the plastic composite.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for preparing materials from heavy feedstocks. In particular, the disclosure provides a chemical process to convert heavy feedstocks with predominant polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules or species, including the residues of petrochemical refining or extraction, into thermoset or thermoplastic materials that can be used alone or as a component in a composite material.

Abstract: The present systems and methods utilize a polyamic acid solution as a precursor to form a polyimide bead having desired properties. The polyamic acid solution may be formed into a polyamic acid droplet. The polyamic acid droplet is then processed to form a polyamic acid bead, such as by extraction of solvent to concentrate the polyamic acid or by partial chemical imidization of the polyamic acid. The polyamic acid bead is then better able to retain its shape during subsequent processing steps, such as drying and pressurizing, before final thermal imidization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyethylene compositions comprising one or more ethylene polymers and one or more dendritic hydrocarbon polymer modifiers, in particular, this invention further relates to polyethylene blends comprising one or more ethylene polymers and one or more dendritic hydrocarbon polymer modifiers, wherein the modifier has: 1) a g?vis value less than 0.75; 2) at least 0.6 ppm ester groups as determined by 1H NMR; 3) a Tm of 100° C. or more; 4) an Mw of 50,000 g/mol or more, as determined by GPC; 5) an average number of carbon atoms between branch points of 70 or more as determined by 1H NMR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyethylene compositions comprising one or more ethylene polymers and one or more dendritic hydrocarbon polymer modifiers, in particular, this invention further relates to polyethylene blends comprising one or more ethylene polymers and one or more dendritic hydrocarbon polymer modifiers, wherein the modifier has: 1) a g?vis value less than 0.75; 2) at least 0.6 ppm ester groups as determined by 1H NMR; 3) a Tm of 100° C. or more; 4) an Mw of 50,000 g/mol or more, as determined by GPC; 5) an average number of carbon atoms between branch points of 70 or more as determined by 1H NMR.

Abstract: The present systems and methods utilize a polyamic acid solution as a precursor to form a polyimide bead having desired properties. The polyamic acid solution may be formed into a polyamic acid droplet. The polyamic acid droplet is then processed to form a polyamic acid bead, such as by extraction of solvent to concentrate the polyamic acid or by partial chemical imidization of the polyamic acid. The polyamic acid bead is then better able to retain its shape during subsequent processing steps, such as drying and pressurizing, before final thermal imidization.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to synthetic organic fiber pellets, methods for making such pellets, and methods of using such pellets for making fiber reinforced polypropylene composite resins. The synthetic organic fiber pellets include at least 80 wt % of a synthetic organic fiber chosen from polyalkylene terephthalates, polyalkylene naphthalates, polyamides, polyolefins, polyacrylonitrile, and combinations thereof, and from 2 to 20 wt % of one or more waxes. The synthetic organic fiber pellets are produced using a pelleting press process.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polypropylene composite interior trim cover panel. The interior trim cover panel is molded from a composition comprising at least 30 wt % polypropylene based resin, from 10 to 60 wt % organic fiber, from 0 to 40 wt % inorganic filler, and optionally from 0 to 0.1 wt % lubricant, based on the total weight of the composition, the interior trim cover panel having an outer surface and an underside surface. A process for producing an interior trim cover panel for a vehicle is also provided. The process includes the step of injection molding a composition to form the interior trim cover panel for a vehicle, the interior trim cover panel having at least an outer surface and an underside surface, wherein the composition comprises at least 30 wt % polypropylene, from 10 to 60 wt % organic fiber, from 0 to 40 wt % inorganic filler, and optionally from 0 to 0.1 wt % lubricant, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyethylene (“PE”) compositions, articles comprising PE compositions, and methods of making blended PE compositions, wherein the blended composition comprises from about 80 to about 95 weight % of a first PE and from about 5 to about 20 weight % of a second PE. The first PE has a density greater than or equal to about 0.945 g/cc and a MWD greater than about 5. The second PE has a density less than about 0.945 g/cc, a melt index less than about 0.70 g/10 minutes and less than or equal to the melt index of the first PE, a MWD ranging from about 1 to about 5, a weight average molecular weight less than about 400,000, and a CDBI greater than about 50%. The PE composition has an ESCR greater than the ESCR of the first PE.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to synthetic organic fiber pellets, methods for making such pellets, and methods of using such pellets for making fiber reinforced polypropylene composite resins. The synthetic organic fiber pellets include at least 80 wt % of a synthetic organic fiber chosen from polyalkylene terephthalates, polyalkylene naphthalates, polyamides, polyolefins, polyacrylonitrile, and combinations thereof, and from 2 to 20 wt % of one or more waxes. The synthetic organic fiber pellets are produced using a pelleting press process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to fiber reinforced polypropylene compositions, and the beneficial mechanical properties imparted by such compositions. The fiber reinforced polypropylene compositions include at least 25 wt % polypropylene based polymer, from 5 to 60 wt % organic fiber, and from 0 to 60 wt % inorganic filler. Lubricant may also be optionally incorporated into the composition. Articles molded from these fiber reinforced polypropylene compositions have a flexural modulus of at least 300,000 psi, and exhibit ductility during instrumented impact testing. The fiber reinforced polypropylene compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for making molded articles including, but not limited to household appliances, automotive parts, and boat hulls.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to methods for making fiber reinforced polypropylene composite pellets using pre-cut fiber fed to a compounding extruder by improved fiber feeder systems. One form of the method includes feeding into a compounding extruder at least 25 wt % polypropylene based polymer, from 5 to 60 wt % pre-cut organic fiber, and from 0 to 60 wt % inorganic filler; and extruding, cooling and pelletizing the resultant mixture of components to form fiber reinforced polypropylene composite pellets; wherein the pre-cut organic fiber is fed from a feeder including a feeder hopper, one or more conditioning augers/agitators, one or more metering augers below the feeder hopper, and a means for controlling the speed of the conditioning augers/agitators and metering augers; and wherein an article molded from the pellets has a flexural modulus of at least 2.07 GPa and exhibits ductility during instrumented impact testing.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polypropylene composite front end module. The front end module includes a radiator mounting frame molded from a composition comprising at least 30 wt % polypropylene based resin, from 10 to 60 wt % organic fiber, from 0 to 40 wt % inorganic filler, and from 0 to 0.1 wt % lubricant, based on the total weight of the composition, the radiator mounting frame having at least a first side and a second side. A process for producing a front end module is also provided. The process includes the step of injection molding a composition to form the front end module, the front end module having a radiator mounting frame having at least a first side and a second side, wherein the composition comprises at least 30 wt % polypropylene, from 10 to 60 wt % organic fiber, from 0 to 40 wt % inorganic filler, and from 0 to 0.1 wt % lubricant, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Polyethylene blend compositions suitable for rotomolding, rotomolded articles, and processes for rotomolding articles are provided. The polyethylene compositions include a first polyethylene having a melt index of 0.4 to 3.0 g/10 min and a density of from 0.910 to 0.930 g/cm3; and a second polyethylene having a melt index of 10 to 30 g/10 min and a density of 0.945 to 0.975 g/cm3. The composition has a density of from 0.930 to 0.955 g/cm3 and a melt index of 1.5 to 12 g/10 min, and the first and second polyethylenes differ in density by from 0.030 to 0.048 g/cm3. These compositions exhibit improved physical properties, such as Environmental Stress Crack Resistance and Izod Impact Strength. Articles produced from the compositions may also exhibit improved impact resistance properties, enhanced ductile break properties, and improved deflection resistance, which represents a combination of creep and fatigue resistance.

Abstract: Polyethylene blend compositions suitable for injection molding, injection molded articles, and processes for injection molding articles are provided. The polyethylene compositions include a first polyethylene having a melt index of 0.1 to 3.0 g/10 min and a density of from 0.905 to 0.938 g/cm3; and a second polyethylene having a melt index of 10 to 500 g/10 min and a density of 0.945 to 0.975 g/cm3. The compositions have a density of from 0.920 to 0.973 g/cm3 and a melt index of 2 to 200 g/10 min, and the density of the second polyethylene is from 0.037 to 0.062 g/cm3 greater than the density of the first polyethylene. The compositions exhibit improved physical properties, such as Environmental Stress Crack Resistance, relative to conventional compositions of similar melt index and density. In certain embodiments, the compositions, and articles produced therefrom, also exhibit an improved balance of toughness properties and processability properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally processes for making fiber reinforced polystyrene compositions including from 5 to 50 wt % organic fiber, and from 0 to 60 wt % inorganic filler in a matrix of an atactic polystyrene based polymer. The process includes extrusion compounding the atactic polystyrene based polymer, the organic fiber, and the inorganic filler to form a fiber reinforced polystyrene resin, which is subsequently molded to form an article with a flexural modulus of at least 350,000 psi, and that exhibits ductility during instrumented impact testing. Extrusion compounding processes whereby the organic fiber is continuously fed to the extruder hopper by unwinding from one or more spools, and uniformly dispersing the fiber in the composites via twin screws having a combination of conveying and kneading elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to fiber reinforced polystyrene compositions, and the beneficial mechanical properties imparted by such compositions. The fiber reinforced polystyrene compositions include from 5 to 50 wt % organic fiber, and from 0 to 60 wt % inorganic filler in a matrix of an atactic polystyrene based polymer. Lubricant may also be optionally incorporated into the composition to assist with fiber pullout. Colored fiber may also be optionally incorporated into the composition to yield an article with a cloth-like appearance. Articles molded from these fiber reinforced polystyrene compositions have a flexural modulus of at least 350,000 psi, and exhibit ductility during instrumented impact testing. The fiber reinforced polystyrene compositions are suitable for making molded articles including, but not limited to, household appliances, automotive parts, and boat hulls.