Abstract: The invention relates to foamed acrylic materials using both traditional chemical blowing agents as well as foamable microspheres. The acrylic foams have improved density reduction, optical properties, and insulation properties. The acrylic foams of the invention can be formed by traditional melt processing methods (extrusion, blow molding, etc.) as well as innovative foaming methods, such as foaming during or after polymerization. One novel method of the invention involves the use of expandable microspheres blended with monomers, the monomers then polymerized through bulk polymerization in cell cast, infusion, or compression molding processes. This method can be effectively used to produce composite foam structures, such as in combination with ELIUM® liquid resins from Arkema.

Abstract: The invention relates a resin composition containing a polymer matting agent, that improves the aesthetic appearance of an article formed by Material Extrusion 3D printing. The composition contains 30-99.9 wt % thermoplastic resin and 0.1-50 wt % of one or more spherical or near-spherical polymeric matting agents (PMAs) such as Altuglas Acryperl® beads from Arkema. Objects 3D printed from the composition have hidden layer lines (a.k.a. “build lines”) and is more uniform in appearance, compared to an object printed from the same thermoplastic resin without PMAs.

Abstract: Foamed acrylic materials using both traditional chemical blowing agents as well as foamable microspheres. The acrylic foams have improved density reduction, optical properties, and insulation properties. The acrylic foams can be formed by traditional melt processing methods (extrusion, blow molding, etc.) as well as innovative foaming methods, such as foaming during or after polymerization. One method involves the use of expandable microspheres blended with monomers, the monomers then polymerized through bulk polymerization in cell cast, infusion, or compression molding processes. This method can be effectively used to produce composite foam structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to high efficiency diffusion lighting coverings useful in LED lighting applications. The diffusing lighting coverings are made of organic diffusing particles homogeneously dispersed in a transparent polymer matrix. The primary organic diffusing particles are refractive index mis-matched to the matrix polymer. The refractive index contrast between the polymer matrix and diffusion particles, and particle size are selected to provide a high efficiency (minimized particle loading). The high efficiency diffusion coverings provides excellent light diffusion, high hiding properties and high light transmission. The secondary diffusion particles may optionally be added to further improve selected target properties of the covering. Nano-sized ZnO inorganic particles may also function as diffusion particles and optical brighteners as well UV stabilizers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic light diffusing material providing spectral uniformity over the visible light range (400 to 800 nm). The light diffusing material provides a uniform light transmission for light engines containing two or more light sources with different spectral emission peaks. Due to its high hiding performance, the light diffusing material of the invention is especially useful with LED point sources. The diffusing material contains a transparent polymer matrix, such as acrylic polymers from Arkema, and one or more types of diffusing materials, providing an optimal balance of spectral uniformity, light transmission, diffusion, and hiding performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic composition used for forming articles having both high gloss and excellent resistance to mar, scratch and/or abrasion. The composition contains very high levels of nano-sized inorganic additives, such as alumina, silica and titanium dioxide. Acrylic polymer compositions, such as Arkema's PLEXIGLAS® resins, with 5 to 25 weight percent of sized fumed silica are a preferred embodiment of the invention, especially when combined with a dye or pigment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic article having a continuous polymeric phase and a discontinuous discrete phase distributed within the continuous phase. The discontinuous phase may be inorganic materials or an organic phase. The volume fraction of the discrete phase at the surface of the article is plus or minus 15% of the concentration of the additive as compared to the concentration of the additive in the bulk of the material (>20 micrometers). The invention also relates an article where the discrete additive forms domains in the surface region—potentially beneficial for gloss reduction or electrical conductivity. The invention finally relates to a process for forming a thermoplastic article with surface additive enhancement, with inclusion of inductive heating of one or more surfaces of the mold to induce the unique distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to foamed acrylic materials using both traditional chemical blowing agents as well as foamable microspheres. The acrylic foams have improved density reduction, optical properties, and insulation properties. The acrylic foams of the invention can be formed by traditional melt processing methods (extrusion, blow molding, etc.) as well as innovative foaming methods, such as foaming during or after polymerization. One novel method of the invention involves the use of expandable microspheres blended with monomers, the monomers then polymerized through bulk polymerization in cell cast, infusion, or compression molding processes. This method can be effectively used to produce composite foam structures, such as in combination with ELIUM® liquid resins from Arkema.

Abstract: The invention relates to high efficiency diffusion lighting coverings useful in LED lighting applications. The diffusing lighting coverings are made of organic diffusing particles homogeneously dispersed in a transparent polymer matrix. The primary organic diffusing particles are refractive index mis-matched to the matrix polymer. The refractive index contrast between the polymer matrix and diffusion particles, and particle size are selected to provide a high efficiency (minimized particle loading). The high efficiency diffusion coverings provides excellent light diffusion, high hiding properties and high light transmission. The secondary diffusion particles may optionally be added to further improve selected target properties of the covering. Nano-sized ZnO inorganic particles may also function as diffusion particles and optical brighteners as well UV stabilizers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic article having a continuous polymeric phase and a discontinuous discrete phase distributed within the continuous phase. The discontinuous phase may be inorganic materials or an organic phase. The volume fraction of the discrete phase at the surface of the article is plus or minus 15% of the concentration of the additive as compared to the concentration of the additive in the bulk of the material (>20 micrometers). The invention also relates an article where the discrete additive forms domains in the surface region—potentially beneficial for gloss reduction or electrical conductivity. The invention finally relates to a process for forming a thermoplastic article with surface additive enhancement, with inclusion of inductive heating of one or more surfaces of the mold to induce the unique distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising masticating a molten polymer; where the polymer is semicrystalline polymer prior to melting; where the masticating polymer is conducted at an elevated temperature of Tm?15K to Tm+90K; where Tm is the crystalline melting point of the polymer; masticating the molten polymer while it is cooled from the elevated temperature to a temperature of Ta; where Ta is a temperature that is greater than Tc?10K, where Tc is the crystallization temperature of the polymer; and masticating the polymer at the temperature of Ta for a time period of 0.1 to 50 minutes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising masticating a molten polymer; where the polymer is semicrystalline polymer prior to melting; where the masticating polymer is conducted at an elevated temperature of Tm?15K to Tm+90K; where Tm is the crystalline melting point of the polymer; masticating the molten polymer while it is cooled from the elevated temperature to a temperature of Ta; where Ta is a temperature that is greater than Tc?10K, where Tc is the crystallization temperature of the polymer; and masticating the polymer at the temperature of Ta for a time period of 0.1 to 50 minutes.