Abstract: A method of producing a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprises providing a supply of polymer-clay mixture, exfoliating the mixture through solid-state shear pulverization in the presence of cooling sufficient to maintain the extruded mixture in the solid state during the pulverization, and discharging the resulting exfoliated mixture. The invention is also directed to a method of producing a polymer hybrid nanocomposite, wherein a component is dispersed throughout a polymer matrix by solid-state shear pulverization of a polymer mixed with the second component.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprises providing a supply of polymer-clay mixture, exfoliating the mixture through solid-state shear pulverization in the presence of cooling sufficient to maintain the extruded mixture in the solid state during the pulverization, and discharging the resulting exfoliated mixture. The invention is also directed to a method of producing a polymer hybrid nanocomposite, wherein a component is dispersed throughout a polymer matrix by solid-state shear pulverization of a polymer mixed with the second component.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprises providing a supply of polymer-clay mixture, exfoliating the mixture through solid-state shear pulverization in the presence of cooling sufficient to maintain the extruded mixture in the solid state during the pulverization, and discharging the resulting exfoliated mixture. The invention is also directed to a method of producing a polymer hybrid nanocomposite, wherein a component is dispersed throughout a polymer matrix by solid-state shear pulverization of a polymer mixed with the second component.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprises providing a supply of polymer-clay mixture, exfoliating the mixture through solid-state shear pulverization in the presence of cooling sufficient to maintain the extruded mixture in the solid state during the pulverization, and discharging the resulting exfoliated mixture. The invention is also directed to a method of producing a polymer hybrid nanocomposite, wherein a component is dispersed throughout a polymer matrix by solid-state shear pulverization of a polymer mixed with the second component.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product.

Abstract: Solid state shear pulverization is utilized to form a compatibilized homogenous polymeric blend which has improved melt processing properties including a higher melt flow rate than the moldable base polymer without sacrificing, and often increasing the other physical properties including tensile strength, impact strength and elongation. The compatibilized, homogenous polymeric blend improves melt processing of the moldable polymer in injection molding, extrusion molding and blow molding, including the ability to down gauge blow molded films without sacrificing melt strength and the physical properties of the film.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product. The pulverized particulates also can be more intimately mixed than mixtures which are provided by only melt mixing, and can be melt processed without a significant delay in achieving phase inversion. The pulverized particulates also provide a stable microstructure.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product. The pulverized particulates also can be more intimately mixed than mixtures which are provided by only melt mixing, and can be melt processed without a significant delay in achieving phase inversion. The pulverized particulates also provide a stable microstructure.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material such as in the form of film waste is supplied to intermeshing pulverizer screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a pre-synthesized compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product. The polymeric film waste containing high proportions of LDPE yield molded articles of superior notched izod impact strength and elongation. Compatibilized polymeric particles can be formed even if the polymeric scrap material includes cellulose materials such as paper, cardboard and wood.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material such as in the form of film waste is supplied to intermeshing pulverizer screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a pre-synthesized compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product. The polymeric film waste containing high proportions of LDPE yield molded articles of superior notched izod impact strength and elongation. Compatibilized polymeric particles can be formed even if the polymeric scrap material includes cellulose materials such as paper, cardboard and wood.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product. The pulverized particulates also can be more intimately mixed than mixtures which are provided by only melt mixing, and can be melt processed without a significant delay in achieving phase inversion. The pulverized particulates also provide a stable microstructure.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product.

Abstract: Thermoplastic blend compositions comprise polyphenylene ethers blended with modified polyesters. The modified polyesters comprise linear polyesters, such as polyalkylene terephthalate, modified with hydroxy- or carboxy-terminated polystyrene. The blends have good solvent resistance, heat distortion temperature, and gloss.Methods for preparing blends of polyester and polyphenylene ether are also described. They involve modifying the polyester with hydroxy- or carboxy-terminated polystyrene, prior to blending with the polyphenylene ether.

Abstract: Thermoplastic blend compositions comprise polyphenylene ethers blended with modified polyesters. The modified polyesters comprise linear polyesters, such as polyalkylene terephthalate, modified with hydroxy- or carboxy-terminated polystyrene. The blends have good solvent resistance, heat distortion temperature, and gloss.