Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid self-reinforced composites, combining an oriented brittle fibre and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric ductile fibre (as reinforcement phase) in the same thermoplastic polymeric matrix phase. The hybrid self-reinforced composites are strong and stiff, but in case of impact or crash they have high strain to failure and absorb a lot of energy. The present invention also relates to methods to produce said hybrid self-reinforced composites by a hot compaction technique.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid self-reinforced composites, combining an oriented brittle fibre and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric ductile fibre (as reinforcement phase) in the same thermoplastic polymeric matrix phase. The hybrid self-reinforced composites are strong and stiff, but in case of impact or crash they have high strain to failure and absorb a lot of energy. The present invention also relates to methods to produce said hybrid self-reinforced composites by a hot compaction technique.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a polymer composition, having 30 wt % or more and 95 wt % or less inert inorganic filler, that is oriented by the steps of conditioning the polymer composition to a drawing temperature of at least 15° C. and approximately 40° C. below a softening temperature of the polymer composition; and drawing the polymer composition though a drawing die at a drawing rate of at least 0.25 m/min and with a nominal draw ratio of 1.25 or more and 8 or less to produce the article of manufacture made of the oriented polymer composition.

Abstract: An oriented polymer composition containing thirty to 95 weight-percent inert inorganic filler and a continuous phase of at least one orientable polymer contains void spaces due to cavitation and has a density of less than 0.8 grams per cubic centimeter, a flexural modulus of 1.4 gigapascals or more, cross section dimensions all greater than 1.5 millimeters, a delamination force value of 44.5 Newtons (ten pounds force) or more and little or no blowing agent.

Abstract: An oriented polymer composition containing thirty to 95 weight-percent inert inorganic filler and a continuous phase of at least one orientable polymer contains void spaces due to cavitation and has a density of less than 0.8 grams per cubic centimeter, a flexural modulus of 1.4 gigapascals or more, cross section dimensions all greater than 1.5 millimeters, a delamination force value of 44.5 Newtons (ten pounds force) or more and little or no blowing agent.

Abstract: A process of production of a monolithic article from a web of fibres of oriented polypropylene polymer, comprising the steps of subjecting the web to elevated temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the polymer and compact it, and then cooling the compacted web, wherein an accelerated rate of cooling is employed down to 100° C. The process is of particular benefit when the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the fibers is 250,000 or below. The resultant articles have good stiffness and strength, yet with reasonable ductility. Similar articles cooled slowly are brittle.

Abstract: An oriented polymer composition containing thirty to 95 weight-percent inert inorganic filler and a continuous phase of at least one orientable polymer contains void spaces due to cavitation and has a density of less than 0.8 grams per cubic centimeter, a flexural modulus of 1.4 gigapascals or more, cross section dimensions all greater than 1.5 millimeters, a delamination force value of 44.5 Newtons (ten pounds force) or more and little or no blowing agent.

Abstract: A process for production of a monolithic article from a web of fibres of oriented polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer having a weight average molecular weight (MW) of at least 250,000 includes the steps of subjecting the web to elevated temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the polymer and compact it, and thereby yielding an oriented phase and a matrix phase, and effecting a heat treatment selected from (i) subjecting the compacted web to a retarded rate of cooling down to a lower temperature at or below the temperature a which the recrystallisation of the matrix is complete; and (ii) annealing the compacted web at an annealing temperature within 15° C. of the temperature at which the matrix phase is completely melted. The resultant articles have good stiffness and strength, and acceptable ductility, yet corresponding articles made with polypropylene of lower Mw are brittle.

Abstract: An inventive solid state drawing die has shaping walls that define a shaping channel and that, in the course of solid state drawing, direct polymer composition along a drawing path. Each cross section of the drawing path (and, hence, polymer composition in the drawing path) is non-circular, substantially proportional to one another, contains a centroid that lies on a substantially straight line parallel to the drawing direction and all cross sectional dimensions are 1.5 millimeters or more.

Abstract: An oriented polymer composition containing thirty to 95 weight-percent inert inorganic filler and a continuous phase of at least one orientable polymer contains void spaces due to cavitation and has a density of less than 0.8 grams per cubic centimeter, a flexural modulus of 1.4 gigapascals or more, cross section dimensions all greater than 1.5 millimeters, a delamination force value of 44.5 Newtons (ten pounds force) or more and little or no blowing agent.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for producing multilayer laminates of polymeric electrolyte material incorporating one of more electrode layers. The apparatus (40) comprises an extrusion apparatus (42) for extruding a polymeric material (76) and a pair of heated rollers (46, 48) between which the material (76) and electrodes (60, 68, 72) are pressed in order to produce a continuous extrudate (80). The method may also include producing a gellable mixture comprising a crystallisable polymer and an aprotic organic liquid, forming the mixture as an elongate tape and contacting the tape with an electrode material. A compression and heating step may be present.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for producing multilayer laminates of polymeric electrolyte material incorporating one of more electrode layers. The apparatus (40) comprises an extrusion apparatus (42) for extruding a polymeric material (76) and a pair of heated rollers (46, 48) between which the material (76) and electrodes (60, 68, 72) are pressed in order to produce a continuous extrudate (80). The method may also include producing a gellable mixture comprising a crystallisable polymer and an aprotic organic liquid, forming the mixture as an elongate tape and contacting the tape with an electrode material. A compression and heating step may be present.

Abstract: Method of producing an article comprising providing a raw material in the form of a plurality of polymer elements, the polymer elements comprising an amorphous polymer; heating the materials to a temperature above a first predetermined temperature; and compacting the material whilst above the first predetermined temperature. The first predetermined temperature is the Tg of the polymer elements, the pressure is between 100 and 200 psi; and the temperature and pressure of compaction are sufficient to soften the outer portion of the polymer elements and to cause the polymer elements to bonds to each other without melting or softening of the inner portion of polymer elements. A product is produced having a structure which comprises cores of amorphous polymer that have not been softened or melted in the method, surrounded by a mass of softened and re-hardened material which bonds the cores together.

Abstract: A process for production of a monolithic article from a web of fibres of oriented polypropylene polymer, comprising the steps of subjecting the web to elevated temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the polymer and compact it, and then cooling the compacted web, wherein an accelerated rate of cooling is employed down to 100° C. The process is of particular benefit when the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the fibres is 250,000 or below. The resultant articles have good stiffness and strength, yet with reasonable ductility. Similar articles cooled slowly are brittle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amorphous polymer article produced by hot compaction and a method of producing the same. The article is heated to a temperature and maintained at a pressure sufficient to cause softening of the polymer strands to sufficient a degree to allow bonding to adjacent fibres to take place without actually transforming the polymer into a liquid state.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for producing multilayer laminates of polymeric electrolyte material incorporating one of more electrode layers. The apparatus (40) comprises an extrusion apparatus (42) for extruding a polymeric material (76) and a pair of heated rollers (46, 48) between which the material (76) and electrodes (60, 68, 72) are pressed in order to produce a continuous extrudate (80). The method may also include producing a gellable mixture comprising a crystallisable polymer and an aprotic organic liquid, forming the mixture as an elongate tape and contacting the tape with an electrode material. A compression and heating step may be present.

Abstract: A process for preparing a modified polyalkylene, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, polymer product is described. The process involves treating the polymer in an impregnation step with UV radiation in the presence of a carbonyl bearing photoinitiator species and a crosslinking species. The radiation may take place in a gaseous or liquid environment which is substantially free of oxygen gas but which comprises at least one of the species.

Abstract: Process for the production of a homogenous polymeric monolith wherein an assembly of oriented thermoplastic polymer fibres is maintained under a contact pressure sufficient to ensure intimate contact at an elevated temperature high enough to melt a proportion of the polymer. The assembly is subsequently compressed at a compaction pressure higher than the contact pressure while still being maintained at the elevated temperature. The resulting polymeric products are useful, for example as orthodontic brackets, bone prostheses and in body armor.

Abstract: A bulk ionically conductive polymer gel is prepared by dissolving a salt such as lithium trifluoromethanesulphonate (which would provide lithium ion conductors) in an organic compound such as N-formylpiperidine. The organic compound dissolves the salt at 20.degree. C. but is not a solvent at 20.degree. C. (though it is at 215.degree. C.) for polyethylene terephthalate. The last-named is a crystallizable polymer which is added in a minor amount at a high temperature to the other components and provides the required mechanical rigidity for the product at lower temperatures.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an oriented homo- or co-polyalkene material of improved strain rate sensitivity, which process comprises subjecting the oriented homo- or co-polyalkene material having a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w).ltoreq.350,000, a number average molecular weight (M.sub.n).gtoreq.5,000, and a 2% secant modulus of at least 10 GPa at a strain rate of 2.times.10.sup.-5 sec.sup.-1 to a high energy irradiation of a dosage of at least 1 Mrad and not more than 60 Mrads at an elevated temperature in vacuo or in an inert or sensitizing atmosphere.