Abstract: The present invention provides in a bulk polymerization reactor chain suitable for polymerizing a syrup of one or more monomers having dissolved therein one or more rubbers the improvement comprising a uniform shear field device. During polymerization at least a portion of the syrup polymerized to from 4 to 95% conversion passes through the uniform shear field device to produce at least a portion of a syrup having a rubber particle size more closely controlled than currently possible using a conventional reactor chain without a uniform shear field device.

Abstract: The volume average diameter of relatively large rubber-like composite particles dispersed through out a continuous resin phase may be reduced by subjecting the syrup to a shear field. The application of a uniform shear field generator to the relatively large rubber-like composite particle syrup is particularly desirable since it gives a high degree of control over the size and distribution of the dispersed rubber-like composite phase. As a result it is possible to optimize the particle size distribution in an impact modified thermoplastic and obtain better or a better balance of properties.

Abstract: A post inversion metastable syrup comprising a continuous or co-continuous rubber like composite phase and a discontinuous or co-continuous resin phase may be particulated by the application of a shear field to yield a stable syrup comprising a dispersed rubber-like composite phase and a continuous resin phase. The application of a uniform shear field to the post inversion metastable syrup is particularly desirable since it results in a high degree of control over the size and distribution of the dispersed rubber-like composite phase. As a result it is possible to optimize the particle size distribution in an impact modified thermoplastic and obtain better or a better balance of properties. The present invention also provides in cooperating arrangement reactors or devices to produce a post inversion metastable syrup, a device to subject the roetastable syrup to a shear field and a polymerization plant.

Abstract: A surface friction tester in the form of a friction sled which may be pulled over a surface to determine the coefficient of friction of that surface. The sled has a friction surface characterizing a vehicle tire tread attached to the bottom of a base plate. The base plate is a part of a sled frame which also has a tongue portion. A straight spring scale attached to the tongue is used to measure the force required to pull the sled over the surface. The friction sled is especially adapted for accident investigations in order to allow the investigator to determine the coefficient of friction of the surfaces upon which skid marks exist and, thus, calculate the vehicle velocity at the time of brake locking on the basis of the skid marks left by the sliding vehicle.