Abstract: Articles, methods of making an article, and resin compositions are disclosed. An article is disclosed that includes a cured light-curable resin having dispersed therein a reflective material that reflects at least 85% of the visible light spectrum. A loading of reflective material may be at least 3 wt. % of the article and the reflective material may comprise over 50 vol. % of a total filler composition of the article. The reflective material may be a white or near-white material, such as cellulose fibers, talc powder, or soy flour. A method is disclosed that includes mixing a reflective material that reflects at least 85% of the visible light spectrum with a photopolymer resin at a loading of at least 3 wt. % to form a resin mixture and curing the resin mixture using a light source in an additive manufacturing process. The disclosed resins may reduce the curing time of additive manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A bio-based polyol-containing polymer foam material, which includes a bio-based polyol-containing polymer foam present in a bulk concentration of the bio-based polymer foam material of 99% by weight or greater; and a graphite material present in a bulk concentration of the bio-based polyol-containing polymer foam material of 1% by weight or less. The bio-based polyol-containing polymer foam material is especially suitable for automotive components having deadening and vibration management features.

Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle interior foam article, the method including applying a mold release agent onto an inner surface of a mold, delivering a solution having aldehyde scavenger(s) to the mold such that a reaction of the aldehyde scavenger(s) with the mold release agent is prevented, delivering a foam material into the mold, and casting the article.

Abstract: A method of reducing aldehyde concentration in a vehicle cabin air, the method includes applying a solution comprising aldehyde scavenger(s) onto an outer surface of a foam article located or to be located within a vehicle cabin to form a top layer of the article such that aldehyde species are trapped within the article and prevented from being released into the cabin air.

Abstract: A compostable interior panel for use in a vehicle includes an injection molded compostable polymer. A layer is disposed about the compostable polymer and comprises a composting-resistant polymer having a thickness ranging from 10 ?m to 175 ?m. The compostable polymer and the composting-resistant polymer are substantially insoluble in one another when liquid.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a composition includes a thermoplastic resin and a softened rubber. The rubber ranges from 5 wt. % to 75 wt. % of the resin. The softened synthetic rubber comprises a rubber, a paraffinic oil, and a fatty-acid-containing material. The paraffinic oil ranges from 15 wt. % to 40 wt. % of the rubber. The fatty-acid-containing material ranges from 5 wt. % to 16 wt. % of the weight of the rubber.

Abstract: A compostable interior panel for use in a vehicle includes an injection molded compostable polymer. A layer is disposed about the compostable polymer and comprises a composting-resistant polymer having a thickness ranging from 10 ?m to 175 ?m. The compostable polymer and the composting-resistant polymer are substantially insoluble in one another when liquid.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a composition includes a thermoplastic resin and a softened rubber. The rubber ranges from 5 wt. % to 75 wt. % of the resin. The softened synthetic rubber comprises a rubber, a paraffinic oil, and a fatty-acid-containing material. The paraffinic oil ranges from 15 wt. % to 40 wt. % of the rubber. The fatty-acid-containing material ranges from 5 wt. % to 16 wt. % of the weight of the rubber.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for dispersing and exfoliating fillers in a thermoplastic polymer by sonicating a mixture of the thermoplastic polymer and the filler. The method of the present invention is particularly useful in dispersing layered silicate clays in thermoplastic polymers. A reinforced composite comprising a filler dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer is also disclosed. In another variation, the method of the invention is incorporated into conventional plastic extruder and injection molding equipment.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of preparing a reinforced polymer providing improved mechanical properties. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes mixing the layered silicate with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture and contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles disperse within the polymer. The method further includes depressurizing the contacted mixture to exfoliate the layered silicate so that the layers are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for dispersing and exfoliating fillers in a thermoplastic polymer by sonicating a mixture of the thermoplastic polymer and the filler. The method of the present invention is particularly useful in dispersing layered silicate clays in thermoplastic polymers. A reinforced composite comprising a filler dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer is also disclosed. In another variation, the method of the invention is incorporated into conventional plastic extruder and injection molding equipment.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of delaminating a layered silicate to provide improved mechanical properties to select materials such as polymers. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes contacting the layered silicate particles with the supercritical fluid to define contacted layered silicate particles and catastrophically depressurizing the contacted layered silicate particles to exfoliate the layered particles so that the layered particles are substantially dispersed, defining treated silicate particles.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of preparing a reinforced polymer providing improved mechanical properties. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes mixing the layered silicate with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture and contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles disperse within the polymer. The method further includes depressurizing the contacted mixture to exfoliate the layered silicate so that the layers are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

Abstract: An injection molding process for a thermoplastic resin using a mold having disrupters in the location in which weld lines will be formed. Molten resin is injected into a mold cavity as at least two separate streams having a flow front and a flow core. The mold cavity is filled with resin from each of the streams whereby a weld line will be formed at an interfacial area where the flow fronts meet. The disrupters located perpendicular to the resin flow direction disrupt the flow fronts prior to the interfacial area. The flow fronts are thereby fragmented. This allows the flow front fragments, and the flow cores to be more homogeneously dispersed within the interfacial area thereby increasing the weld line strength and appearance.