Abstract: A flame retardant composition comprising: 34-94 wt % of a homopolycarbonate, acopolycarbonate, or a combination thereof; 5-85 wt % poly(carbonate-siloxane), in an amount effective to provide 2-6 wt % dimethyl siloxane; 0.05-0.6 w t%, preferably 0.2-0.4 wt%, of a C1-16 alkyl sulfonate salt flame retardant; 1-15 wt % of a mineral-filled silicone flame retardant synergist; 0.05-0.5 wt % of an anti-drip agent; wherein each amount is based on the total weight of the flame retardant composition, which sums to 100 wt %; and wherein a molded sample of the flame retardant composition has a Vicat softening temperature of greater than or equal to 140° C. as measured according to the ISO-306 standard at a load of 10 N and a heating rate of 50° C. per hour, and a flame test rating of V0 as measured according to UL-94 at a thickness of 1.0 millimeter, or at a thickness of 0.8 millimeter.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composition includes a polypropylene polymer component including a low flow grade polypropylene and a high flow grade polypropylene, and a fiber reinforcement component. The fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composition is capable of being vacuum formed. In another aspect a thermoplastic composition includes a homopolymer component including polypropylene, a co-polymer component, an impact modifier, and one or more of a flame retardant component and a fiber reinforcement component. The thermoplastic composition is capable of being vacuum formed. The fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composition may be formed into an article such as an enclosure for an electrical component, and it may be chemically resistant to a medical grade cleaner.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composition includes a polypropylene polymer component including a low flow grade polypropylene and a high flow grade polypropylene, and a fiber reinforcement component. The fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composition is capable of being vacuum formed. In another aspect a thermoplastic composition includes a homopolymer component including polypropylene, a co-polymer component, an impact modifier, and one or more of a flame retardant component and a fiber reinforcement component. The thermoplastic composition is capable of being vacuum formed. The fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composition may be formed into an article such as an enclosure for an electrical component, and it may be chemically resistant to a medical grade cleaner.

Abstract: A method of making an article includes: heating a plaque formed from a thermoplastic composition; and vacuum forming the heated plaque to form the article. The thermoplastic composition includes a polypropylene polymer component and a fiber reinforcement component. The heating is implemented using one or more heaters having a maximum temperature output of between 1500-3000° C. and maximum intensity between 0.80 ?m and 2 ?m. The article may include a surgical tray having a bottom surface having side walls disposed around a periphery thereof and extending from the bottom surface.

Abstract: Fire-retardant composites, methods of making fire-retardant composites, and use thereof are described. A fire-retardant composite can include at least two fire-retardant laminates, and a porous thermoplastic core material disposed between the at least two fire-retardant laminates. Each laminate can have one or more ply, each of the plies can include a plurality of fibers in a thermoplastic polymer matrix that includes a fire-retardant composition. The fire-retardant composite meets European fire-retardant standards for rail transportation.

Abstract: A surgical article formed from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composition includes a polypropylene polymer component and a fiber reinforcement component. The surgical article is formed using a vacuum forming process. The surgical article may include a surgical tray including a bottom surface having side walls disposed around a periphery thereof and extending from the bottom surface. The vacuum forming may include a heater profile configured to heat a surface area at a perimeter of a plaque such that a plaque thinning at the bottom surface is minimized and radius stretch through the side walls is minimized, thereby retaining maximum wall thickness.

Abstract: Fire-retardant composites, methods of making fire-retardant composites, and use thereof are described. A fire-retardant composite can include at least two fire-retardant laminates, and a porous thermoplastic core material disposed between the at least two fire-retardant laminates. Each laminate can have one or more ply, each of the plies can include a plurality of fibers in a thermoplastic polymer matrix that includes a fire-retardant composition. The fire-retardant composite meets European fire-retardant standards for rail transportation.

Abstract: A thermoplastic sheet includes a thermoplastic substrate; and a masking film applied to a surface of the thermoplastic substrate; wherein the masking film comprises a polyamide, a polyester, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; wherein after thermoforming the thermoplastic sheet, the thermoplastic sheet and the masking film are free from discolorations. A method of thermoforming an article includes extruding a thermoplastic sheet; applying a masking film to a surface of the thermoplastic sheet, wherein the masking film comprises a polyamide, a polyester, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; shaping the thermoplastic sheet to form the article, wherein the masking film remains in contact with the surface of the thermoplastic sheet during shaping; and after cooling the article, removing the masking film from a surface of the article.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for making a thermoplastic composition, comprising: melt polymerizing a polycarbonate, extruding and melt filtering the polycarbonate to form a melt filtered polycarbonate; forming the thermoplastic composition comprising the melt filtered polycarbonate, 0.03 to 0.05 wt % of a triacylglyceride release agent; and 0.10 to 0.14 wt % of a UV stabilizer; wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the composition; and extruding the thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for making a thermoplastic composition, comprising: melt polymerizing a polycarbonate, extruding and melt filtering the polycarbonate to form a melt filtered polycarbonate; forming the thermoplastic composition comprising the melt filtered polycarbonate, 0.03 to 0.05 wt % of a triacylglyceride release agent; and 0.10 to 0.14 wt % of a UV stabilizer; wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the composition; and extruding the thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed, comprising a polycarbonate resin, an inorganic infrared shielding additive, and carbon black, wherein an article prepared from the composition has the inorganic infrared shielding additive present at about 0.01 to about 1.0 grams per square meter, and carbon black present at about 0.001 to about 2.0 grams per square meter. The article prepared from the composition meets at least one scale requirement for European Norm EN 169 and/or EN 171, and is useful for preparing infrared shielding protective eyewear with low haze.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thermoplastic compositions, methods of making thermoplastic compositions, and articles made from thermoplastic compositions. The disclosed compositions comprise a polycarbonate polymer and a triacylglyceride release agent. In an embodiment, a thermoplastic composition comprising: a melt polycarbonate polymer; and 0.01 to 0.05 weight percent of a release agent based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the release agent comprises triacylglyceride, and wherein the composition is free of stearyl stearate, glycerol monostearate, and pentaerythrityl tetrastearate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is multilayered sheet comprising a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive; wherein the IR absorbing additive is a metal oxide; and a first cap layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an electromagnetic radiation absorbing additive; wherein a surface of the first cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a multilayered sheet comprising melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive to produce a core layer; melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an ultraviolet radiation absorber to produce a first cap layer; combining the core layer with the first cap layer in such a manner that the cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayered sheet comprising a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive; a first cap layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an electromagnetic radiation absorbing additive; wherein a surface of the first cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a multilayered sheet comprising melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an IR absorbing additive to produce a core layer; melt blending a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an ultraviolet radiation absorber to produce a first cap layer; combining the core layer with the first cap layer in such a manner that the cap layer is disposed upon and in intimate contact with a surface of the core layer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is described, based on a copolycarbonate which includes at least two structural units. Structure I is usually a conventional carbonate based on bisphenol A, while structure II is a bisphenol carbonate which includes branched or linear groups extending from a bridging carbon atom or carbon group which connects two aromatic rings. The compositions exhibit very good melt flow, along with enhanced shear-thinning behavior. These characteristics are important for optical disc applications. Thus, related articles are described, along with processes for preparing such articles.

Abstract: A polycarbonate copolymer comprising structural units derived from a cyclohexylidene bis(alkylphenol) of the formula: wherein A1 is a trisubstituted aromatic radical having the formula C6H3R2, wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl radicals, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing radicals; a long chain alkyl-substituted bisphenol of the formula wherein A2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic radical; and R1 is selected from the group consisting of C13-C22 alkyl radicals; a carbonic acid diester; and optionally at least one aromatic dihydroxy compound of the formula: HO—A3—OH, wherein A3 is selected from divalent substituted and unsubstituted aromatic radicals.

Abstract: Polyestercarbonates are disclosed which comprise structural units derived from at least one bisphenol derived from terpene precursors, at least one aromatic dihydroxy compound comonomer, at least one diester derived from a C1-C40 linear or branched divalent hydrocarbyl radical, and at least one carbonic acid diester. Also disclosed are methods to make the polyestercarbonates and articles derived therefrom.

Abstract: Polyestercarbonates are disclosed which comprise structural units derived from at least one bisphenol derived from terpene precursors, at least one aromatic dihydroxy compound comonomer, at least one diester derived from a C1-C40 linear or branched divalent hydrocarbyl radical, and at least one carbonic acid diester. Also disclosed are methods to make the polyestercarbonates and articles derived therefrom.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is described, based on a copolycarbonate which includes at least two structural units. Structure I is usually a conventional carbonate based on bisphenol A, while structure II is a bisphenol carbonate which includes branched or linear groups extending from a bridging carbon atom or carbon group which connects two aromatic rings. The compositions exhibit very good melt flow, along with enhanced shear-thinning behavior. These characteristics are important for optical disc applications. Thus, related articles are described along with processes for preparing such articles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles using polycarbonates produced by a melt transesterification polymerization method using bis(hydroxyaryl)cyclohexanes. Such polycarbonates have suitable glass transition temperatures and outstanding dimensional stabilities, thus making them particularly useful for making articles possessing high temperature stability, particularly for use in optical articles such as high density optical data storage and recordable media.