Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions include from about 15 wt % to about 99 wt % of a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) component; and from 0.01 wt % to about 85 wt % of at least one additional component, wherein: the PBT component comprises PBT derived from a post-consumer or post-industrial recycled (PCR) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) depolymerized to a high purity purified terephthalic acid (PTA) monomer and the thermoplastic composition exhibits an L* color value of at least about 74.

Abstract: A method includes depolymerizing post-consumer or post-industrial recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) to form bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), and reacting at least a portion of the BHET with a catalyst to form an alcohol. The alcohol includes cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) or 1,4-phenylenedimethanol (PDM). Further steps of the method include polymerizing the alcohol in the presence of additional BHET to form a polyester. The polyester may include poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCT), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) copolyester, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate glycol (PCTG) copolyester, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate acid (PCTA), or a monomer having repeating units with the structure (I), wherein n is an integer having a value of at least 20.

Abstract: A polycarbonate composition includes particular amounts of a virgin polycarbonate and a purified recycled polycarbonate. The polycarbonate composition can exhibit improved color. The polycarbonate composition can be useful for forming molded articles. A method of purifying a post-consumer or post-industrial recycle polycarbonate composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions include from about 15 wt % to about 98 wt % of a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) component, from about 2 wt % to about 10 wt % of at least one brightening agent and from 0 wt % to about 83 wt % of at least one additional component. The PBT component includes PBT derived from post-consumer or post-industrial recycled (PCR) polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In particular, the PBT may be derived from the PCR PET by first depolymerizing the PCR PET to form a high purity bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) monomer (e.g., greater than 95% purity), and then polymerizing the high purity BHET monomer with butane diol (BDO) to form the PBT. The thermoplastic compositions have an L* color value of at least about 94.

Abstract: A composite material includes: a substrate layer; a first layer including a thermoplastic material applied to the substrate layer, the first layer having a refractive index greater than 1.2 resulting from application of at least one secondary process to the first layer; and a surface coating including a transparent polymer applied to the first layer. The surface coating has a refractive index of from 1 to 2. Methods for making the composite material and articles including the composite material are also described.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions having improved flame retardance properties are disclosed. The compositions comprise a cross-linkable polycarbonate resin having a photoactive group derived from a dihydroxybenzophenone, and also include a colorant. Certain colorant packages lead to an unexpected increase in crosslinking.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions having improved flame retardance properties are disclosed. The compositions comprise a cross-linkable polycarbonate resin having a photoactive group derived from a dihydroxybenzophenone, and also include a colorant. Certain colorant packages lead to an unexpected increase in crosslinking.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile substrate formed from microfibers with a polyurethane matrix fully and/or partially impregnated therein, a nonazo disperse dye within microfibers, including the surface, and the matrix. The dyed fibers having an L value of about 35 or less, an ?E light fastness of about 6 or less when subjected to about 225 kilo-joules, and a long term crock of at least about 1.5.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile substrate formed from microfibers with a polyurethane matrix fully and/or partially impregnated therein, a non-azo disperse dye within microfibers, including the surface, and the matrix. The dyed fibers having an L value of about 35 or less, an ?E light fastness of about 6 or less when subjected to about 225 kilo-joules, and a long term crock of at least about 1.5.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile substrate formed from microfibers with a polyurethane matrix fully and/or partially impregnated therein, a nonazo disperse dye within microfibers, including the surface, and the matrix. The dyed fibers having an L value of about 35 or less, an ?E light fastness of about 6 or less when subjected to about 225 kilo-joules, and a long term crock of at least about 1.5.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile substrate formed from microfibers with a polyurethane matrix fully and/or partially impregnated therein, a nonazo disperse dye within microfibers, including the surface, and the matrix. The dyed fibers having an L value of about 35 or less, an ? E light fastness of about 6 or less when subjected to about 225 kilo-joules, and a long term crock of at least about 1.5.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile substrate formed from microfibers with a polyuerthane matrix fully and/or partially impregnated therein, a nonazo disperse dye within microfibers, including the surface, and the matrix. The dyed fibers having an L value of about 35 or less, an ?E light fastness of about 6 or less when subjected to about 225 kilo-joules, and a long term crock of at least about 1.5.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric comprised of conjugate yarns to an acidic treatment, which degrades a portion of one component of the conjugate yarns and to dyeing. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component results in a fabric has enhanced dyed appearance, especially when dyed a dark shade. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric may also be treated with a basic solution to improve its moisture transport properties.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric comprised of conjugate yarns to an acidic treatment, which degrades a portion of one component of the conjugate yarns and to dyeing. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component results in a fabric has enhanced dyed appearance, especially when dyed a dark shade. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric may also be treated with a basic solution to improve its moisture transport properties.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric comprised of conjugate yarns to an acidic treatment, which degrades a portion of one component of the conjugate yarns and to dyeing. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component results in a fabric has enhanced dyed appearance, especially when dyed a dark shade. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric may also be treated with a basic solution to improve its moisture transport properties.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric comprised of conjugate yarns to an acidic treatment, which degrades a portion of one component of the conjugate yarns and to dyeing. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component results in a fabric has enhanced dyed appearance, especially when dyed a dark shade. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric may also be treated with a basic solution to improve its moisture transport properties.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile substrate formed from microfibers with a polyuerthane matrix fully and/or partially impregnated therein, a nonazo disperse dye within microfibers, including the surface, and the matrix. The dyed fibers having an L value of about 35 or less, an &Dgr;E light fastness of about 6 or less when subjected to about 225 kilo-joules, and a long term crock of at least about 1.5.