Abstract: Compositions of the invention are produced by blending hydroxy-functional polyesters with proteins at elevated temperatures. These compositions can be shaped into articles by known processes such as extrusion, compression molding, and injection molding. Among articles that can be made from such compositions are those with sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene.

Abstract: Fibers of syndiotactic vinylaromatic polymers are prepared in an improved process comprising:A) heating the polymer to a temperature above its crystalline melting point;B) extruding the molten polymer through a multiplicity of orifices in a spinnerette to form fibers;C) drawing the fibers at a spin/draw ratio from 120:1 to 5000:1; andD) cooling the fibers to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A foam pulse rheometer measures the total integrated stress response of a foaming polymer to a short duration strain pulse applied to the polymer, from which can be calculated the equilibrium modulus and the zero shear viscosity of the foaming polymer during the foaming reaction. A shear plate mounted to a load cell above a jacket extends downwardly into a foaming polymer within the jacket. Under the application of a vertical square wave strain pulse to the jacket, the load cell senses the shear force exerted upon the shear plate by the foaming polymer. Simultaneously, a video camera and recorder monitors the surface area of the plate acted upon by the jacket. For each pulse, simultaneously occurring discrete sensed force values and discrete monitored surface area values can be used to compute the total integrated stress response, from which can be calculated the equilibrium modulus and the zero shear viscosity.