Abstract: Methods for making composite products and methods for their use and manufacture are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, alpha-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers and a plastic can be combined to produce a composite product.

Abstract: Anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers are prepared by combining alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water to form a slurry, autoclaving the slurry to form alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers in water, dewatering the alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers, and heating the alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers to form anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers. A composite includes alpha-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers and a base material and is prepared by combining alpha-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers with a base material to form a composite.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a polymer blend having a high degree of paintability is disclosed having a base polymer component which may be propylene homopolymers or propylene copolymers, a polyolefin elastomer component present in any amount between about 5% and 20% by weight based upon the weight of the base polymer, wherein the polyolefin elastomer is made using a metallocene catalyst, and wherein the melt flow rate of the polyolefin elastomer is at least twice the value of the melt flow rate of the base polymer; and a hydroxy polyolefin component comprising a hydroxyl/terminated polyolefin having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 5,000 and a hydroxyl value of any value in the range of between about 20 to 100 KOH mg/g.

Abstract: Provided herein are propylene polymers which are capable of being used as thermoplastic polyolefins just as they emerge from the reactor system described, without further compounding of components which substantially modify the physical properties of the polymers, as such compounding is required of polymers of the prior art. Polymers according to the invention unexpectedly possess both low temperature ductility and high flexural modulus, which properties were related in inverse proportion to one another in the polymers of the prior art.