Abstract: A method comprises mixing a nano-filler and a polymer composition to form a nanocomposite; extruding the nanocomposite as a melt through a spiral mandrel die to form a molten tube; expanding the tube biaxially by means of mechanical force and air pressure to form a bubble; and collapsing the bubble to form at least one sheet of a biaxially oriented nanocomposite film, wherein the biaxially oriented nanocomposite film has a breakdown strength of at least 300 V/micrometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating a polymer from a solvent comprising introducing a superheated polymer-solvent mixture into an extruder, and isolating a polymer product, said extruder being equipped with at least one vent operated at subatmospheric pressure and at least one vent operated at about atmospheric pressure, said extruder having a screw diameter D, said extruder being operated at a feed rate FR and at a screw speed RPM such that a devolatilization performance ratio (DPR) given by Equation (I) DPR=FR/RPM??Equation (I) is selected from a predetermined set of devolatilization performance ratios which correlate with a target characteristic of the polymer product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing polycarbonate comprising the steps of: (i) introducing to an extruder through a feed port a plurality of reaction components comprising a polycarbonate oligomer, an activated carbonate residue, and a transesterification catalyst, wherein the extruder comprises the feed port, a first back vent port, and a polycarbonate exit port, wherein the feed port is located between the first back vent port and the polycarbonate exit port, and wherein the resistance to flow of the reaction components from the feed port to the first back vent port is less than or equal to the resistance to flow of the reaction components from the feed port to the polycarbonate exit port; and (ii) extruding the reaction components at one or more temperatures in a range between 100° C. and 400° C., wherein during the extrusion of the reaction components, activated carbonate residue is removed through the first back vent port, thereby preparing a polycarbonate.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing polycarbonate comprising the steps of: (i) introducing to an extruder through a feed port a plurality of reaction components comprising a polycarbonate oligomer, an activated carbonate residue, and a transesterification catalyst, wherein the extruder comprises the feed port, a first back vent port, and a polycarbonate exit port, wherein the feed port is located between the first back vent port and the polycarbonate exit port, and wherein the resistance to flow of the reaction components from the feed port to the first back vent port is less than or equal to the resistance to flow of the reaction components from the feed port to the polycarbonate exit port; and (ii) extruding the reaction components at one or more temperatures in a range between 100° C. and 400° C., wherein during the extrusion of the reaction components, activated carbonate residue is removed through the first back vent port, thereby preparing a polycarbonate.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polyimide includes introducing a mixture of an oligomer and a solvent to an extruder, removing solvent via at least one extruder vent, and melt kneading the oligomer to form a polyimide. The polyimide has a low residual solvent content. The method is faster than solution polymerization of polyimides, and it avoids the stoichiometric inaccuracies associated with reactive extrusion processes that use monomers as starting materials.

Abstract: Methods to prepare a poly(arylene ether) and poly(alkenyl aromatic) polymeric material having reduced levels of particulate impurities are described. The polymeric material prepared is suitable for use in data storage media applications.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to prepare a polymeric material by filtering solutions of poly(arylene ether) and/or poly(alkenyl aromatic) through one or more filtration systems to provide a material having reduced levels of particulate impurities. The polymeric material prepared is suitable for use in data storage media applications.

Abstract: Conductive polyphenylene ether-polyamide compositions having excellent ductility are prepared by melt blending polyphenylene ether, an unsaturated impact modifying polymer and a functionalizing compound in an initial step, optionally in combination with a portion of the polyamide, and subsequently melt blending with the remainder of the polyamide and conductive carbon black having a low volatiles content. A mixture of polyamides, illustrated by mixtures of polyamide-6 and polyamide-66, is employed.

Abstract: Conductive polyphenylene ether-polyamide compositions having excellent ductility are prepared by melt blending polyphenylene ether, an unsaturated impact modifying polymer and a functionalizing compound in an initial step, optionally in combination with a portion of the polyamide, and subsequently melt blending with the remainder of the polyamide and conductive carbon black having a low volatiles content. A mixture of polyamides, illustrated by mixtures of polyamide-6 and polyamide-66, is employed.

Abstract: Conductive polyphenylene ether-polyamide compositions having excellent ductility are prepared by melt blending polyphenylene ether, an unsaturated impact modifying polymer and a functionalizing compound in an initial step, optionally in combination with a portion of the polyamide, and subsequently melt blending with the remainder of the polyamide and conductive carbon black having a low volatiles content. A mixture of polyamides, illustrated by mixtures of polyamide-6 and polyamide-66, is employed.

Abstract: The present invention involves blends of polycarbonate resin with rubber grafted terpolymer resin, one or more styrenic rigid coplymers wherein a small amount of an aliphatic C.sub.4 to C.sub.16 polyalpha olefin homopolymer or copolymer or its functionalized derivatives is included in the blend.