Abstract: A method for making a carbon carbon, carbon ceramic matrix, or carbon silica composite, comprising melt processing a resin comprising a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and at least one reinforcing additive to make a precursor part, pyrolyzing the precursor part to make a pyrolyzed part, infusing a liquid second resin into the pyrolyzed part to make an infused part, and pyrolyzing the infused part. Other methods comprise processing aligned reinforcing additives and a resin comprising a PAEK to make an aligned reinforcing additives PAEK, aligned 1-2 dimensional flake material, or aligned 1-2 dimensional platelet material, to create a fabric, prepreg or tape comprising the aligned reinforcing additives and impregnated PAEK. Other methods comprise impregnating continuous fiber tape or fabric with a resin comprising PAEK and at least one reinforcing additive or co-weaving a continuous fiber or fabric with a PAEK fiber comprising PAEK and at least one reinforcing additive.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a low Tg compatible resin as an adhesive layer for the welding of a thermoplastic composite structure to a thermoplastic or thermoset structure. The invention is especially good for the welding of large parts, such as wind turbine halves and spar caps. A useful thermoplastic composite is one formed by the infusion and curing of long fibers by a reactive acrylic liquid resin system, such as ELIUM® resin systems from Arkema.

Abstract: ABTRACT The present invention relates to a liquid, thermoplastic acrylic gel cap composition that can impart UV resistance, higher impact, and aesthetic effects to a composite material. Additionally, the post processing of the material when combined with a thermoplastic composite can allow for thermoformability, weldability and recyclability, unlike seen with traditional thermoset based gel coats.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic copolymer composition useful for 3-D printing, that can be formed into a uniform filament and 3-D printed using material extrusion additive manufacturing, into an article having low warpage, low shrinkage, good internal optical properties, and good mechanical properties. The acrylic copolymer has a low Tg, providing the proper stiffness for good 3-D printing. The invention also relates to the printing and processing of the acrylic composition where internally transparent 3-D printed thermoplastic parts can be produced at a reasonable rate (>0.05 mm per layer) with good/great layer adhesion, and near isotropic properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to the composition of core-shell impact modifiers, in particular those with a high Tg core, a low Tg inner shell and a high Tg outer shell, synthesized in such a way to have a unique concentric morphology and/or a combination of high rubber loading and low particle size and/or require only a low surfactant level. The incorporation of these impact modifiers into polymeric compositions allows for a novel combination of high impact while retaining high gloss or a combination of high impact while retaining low haze in the presence of water at elevated temperatures. These impact modifiers also allow excellent efficiency in their use- allowing for excellent impact to be achieved at low loadings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material obtained by in situ polymerization of a thermoplastic resin with additives with a fibrous material. More particularly the present invention relates to a polymeric composite material obtained by in-situ polymerization of a thermoplastic (meth)acrylic resin and a fibrous material utilizing additive technologies to improve properties such as surface properties, and its use, and processes for making such a composite material and manufactured mechanical or structured part or article comprising this polymeric composite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic composition used for forming articles having both high gloss and excellent resistance to mar, scratch and/or abrasion. The composition contains very high levels of nano-sized inorganic additives, such as alumina, silica and titanium dioxide. Acrylic polymer compositions, such as Arkema's PLEXIGLAS® resins, with 5 to 25 weight percent of sized fumed silica are a preferred embodiment of the invention, especially when combined with a dye or pigment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered pultruded structure having a weatherable cap layer over a pultruded substrate, adhered with an appropriate tie layer. The structure provides improved weatherability and surface quality for pultruded structures. The invention is especially useful to provide a weatherable pultruded polyurethane, with an acrylic or styrenic cap layer. The weatherable polyurethane (PU) pultrusion of the invention provides an increased modulus over polyester pultrusions, making the weatherable PU pultrusion useful in commercial applications, and applications requiring a higher transverse modulus.

Abstract: A multilayer composite structure is disclosed. The multilayer composite structure has at least one polymer-based cap layer containing, for example, an acrylic, styrenic or acrylonitrile polymer and at least one polyester-based inner or substrate layer. Also disclosed are methods of forming the multilayer composite structure to improve and control the level of adhesion between the layers. Optional tie layers can be used to improve and control the level of adhesion between the layers. An optional exterior layer over the cap layer can contain polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymers. The multilayer composite structure combines the attributes of both polymers—the high UV stability, scratch resistance, and excellent appearance of the polymer-based outer cap layer and the strength and impact resistance of the polyester-based interior layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer structure having at least one inner layer containing an alloy of a biopolymer and an acrylic polymer and at least one outer layer containing a thermoplastic or thermoset polar polymer matrix. The combination of outer polar layer and an inner biopolymer/acrylic layer provides improved properties, such as improved adhesion, and improved mechanical properties. The multi-layer structure may be in the form of a sheet, a film, a tube or pipe, or a profile, and could be used by itself or as a cap-layer over a substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to impact-modified, thermoplastic compositions, where the measured refractive index difference between the impact modifier particles and the matrix composition is greater than 0.008 units, yet a blend of the impact modifier particles in the matrix produces a transparent composition. The impact modifier particles are preferably impact modifier composite particles, being intimately blended with one or more polymeric process aids or dispersing aids. The polymeric process aids are physically or chemically attached to the impact modifier particles, forming composite particles that allow for facile powder isolation. The impact modifier composite particles provide improved physical, chemical, and/or rheological properties to the thermoplastic composition. Preferably the impact modifier particles of the invention are core-shell impact modifiers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer structure in which one or more layers contain an acrylic polymer, and one or more layers contain biopolymers. The acrylic polymer and biopolymer could be in different layers of the structure, or in the same layer of the structure. The combination of acrylic polymer and biopolymer in the same multi-layer structure provides improved properties, such as improved adhesion, improved mechanical properties, and improvements in the ease of manufacturing. An inner layer containing a biopolymer gains significantly improved UV resistance, abrasion resistance, and surface appearance, when covered with an outer acrylic layer. The multi-layer structure may be in the form of a sheet, a film, a tube or pipe, or a profile, and could used by itself or as a cap-layer over another substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered pultruded structure having a weatherable cap layer over a pultruded substrate, adhered with an appropriate tie layer. The structure provides improved weatherability and surface quality for pultruded structures. The invention is especially useful to provide a weatherable pultruded polyurethane, with an acrylic or styrenic cap layer. The weatherable polyurethane (PU) pultrusion of the invention provides an increased modulus over polyester pultrusions, making the weatherable PU pultrusion useful in commercial applications, and applications requiring a higher transverse modulus.

Abstract: The invention relates to impact-modified, thermoplastic compositions, where the measured refractive index difference between the impact modifier particles and the matrix composition is greater than 0.008 units, yet a blend of the impact modifier particles in the matrix produces a transparent composition. The impact modifier particles are preferably impact modifier composite particles, being intimately blended with one or more polymeric process aids or dispersing aids. The polymeric process aids are physically or chemically attached to the impact modifier particles, forming composite particles that allow for facile powder isolation. The impact modifier composite particles provide improved physical, chemical, and/or rheological properties to the thermoplastic composition. Preferably the impact modifier particles of the invention are core-shell impact modifiers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer structure having at least one inner layer containing an alloy of a biopolymer and an acrylic polymer and at least one outer layer containing a thermoplastic or thermoset polar polymer matrix. The combination of outer polar layer and an inner biopolymer/acrylic layer provides improved properties, such as improved adhesion, and improved mechanical properties. The multi-layer structure may be in the form of a sheet, a film, a tube or pipe, or a profile, and could be used by itself or as a cap-layer over a substrate.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for detecting blood in urine or feces includes a photodetector configured to detect a transient light emitted in a toilet bowl by luminol and an oxidizer catalyzed by iron in the blood. The apparatus may include dispensers for the luminol, the oxidizer and a base. The apparatus may include a microprocessor and a network connection and may perform statistical analyzes, store data and alert the patient or a healthcare provider if blood is detected. The photodetector may be configured to detect light emitted in the toilet bowl by a fluorophore present in the water and excited by the transient light from the luminol and oxidizer.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for detecting blood in urine or feces includes a photodetector configured to detect a transient light emitted in a toilet bowl by luminol and an oxidizer catalyzed by iron in the blood. The apparatus may include dispensers for the luminol, the oxidizer and a base. The apparatus may include a microprocessor and a network connection and may perform statistical analyses, store data and alert the patient or a healthcare provider if blood is detected. The photodetector may be configured to detect light emitted in the toilet bowl by a fluorophore present in the water and excited by the transient light from the luminol and oxidizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid rubber acrylic block copolymer, and its use in modifying a thermoset composition. The liquid rubber acrylic block copolymer adds toughness and flexibility to a thermoset composition. The acrylic block copolymers are especially useful for modifying epoxy compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer structure in which one or more layers contain an acrylic polymer, and one or more layers contain biopolymers. The acrylic polymer and biopolymer could be in different layers of the structure, or in the same layer ofteh structure. The combination of acrylic polymer and biopolymer in the same multi-layer structure provides improved properties, such as improved adhesion, improved mechanical properties, and improvements in the ease of manufacturing. An inner layer containing a biopolymer gains significantly improved UV resistance, abrasion resistance, and surface appearance, when covered with an outer acrylic layer. The multi-layer structure may be in the form of a sheet, a film, a tube or pipe, or a profile, and could used by itself or as a cap-layer over another substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid rubber acrylic block copolymer, and its use in modifying a thermoset composition. The liquid rubber acrylic block copolymer adds toughness and flexibility to a thermoset composition. The acrylic block copolymers are especially useful for modifying epoxy compositions.