Abstract: High impact polystyrenes and related monovinyl aromatic polymers generally have either a high modulus or good resistance to environmental stress cracking. The present invention is directed at polymeric materials having both a high modulus and good resistance to environmental stress cracking thus enabling the down gauging of parts, and or the use of the materials in new applications. The invention is predicated on the use of one or more, or even all of the following features: a high molecular weight matrix polymer, reduced concentration of elastomeric polymer, or methods that result in large rubber particle size.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polyolefin compositions containing high concentrations of reinforcing fibers. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparing such compositions from water based polyolefin dispersions. The present disclosure also relates to the preparation of compositions containing a desired level of reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: High impact polystyrenes and related monovinyl aromatic polymers generally have either a high modulus or good resistance to environmental stress cracking. The present invention is directed at polymeric materials having both a high modulus and good resistance to environmental stress cracking thus enabling the down gauging of parts, and or the use of the materials in new applications. The invention is predicated on the use of one or more, or even all of the following features: a high molecular weight matrix polymer, reduced concentration of elastomeric polymer, or methods that result in large rubber particle size.

Abstract: High impact polystyrenes and related monovinyl aromatic polymers generally have either a high modulus or good resistance to environmental stress cracking. The present invention is directed at polymeric materials having both a high modulus and good resistance to environmental stress cracking thus enabling the down gauging of parts, and or the use of the materials in new applications. The invention is predicated on the use of one or more, or even all of the following features: a high molecular weight matrix polymer, reduced concentration of elastomeric polymer, or methods that result in large rubber particle size.

Abstract: A method for processing a thermoplastic material that comprises a microwave-sensitive polymeric region, wherein the method includes exposing the microwave-sensitive polymeric region to microwaves; wherein the exposing results in an increase in the temperature of the polymeric region; and processing the thermoplastic material is disclosed.

Abstract: High impact polystyrenes and related monovinyl aromatic polymers generally have either a high modulus or good resistance to environmental stress cracking. The present invention is directed at polymeric materials having both a high modulus and good resistance to environmental stress cracking thus enabling the down gauging of parts, and or the use of the materials in new applications. The invention is predicated on the use of one or more, or even all of the following features: a high molecular weight matrix polymer, reduced concentration of elastomeric polymer, or methods that result in large rubber particle size.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mass polymerized rubber-modified monovinylidene aromatic copolymer composition compositions with an improved balance of aesthetic, physical and mechanical properties, in particular, a combination of low gloss and good impact resistance in (co)extruded sheet and thermoformed/vacuum formed articles therefrom. A method for preparing such compositions and articles is disclosed. The improved gloss performance is achieved by maintaining the following relationship between the average rubber particle size (RPS) and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the matrix polymer: Mw?155?10?6*RPS6.

Abstract: A method for processing a thermoplastic material (46), the method including: passing a thermoplastic material through a microwave heating apparatus (40) a a selected feed rate; wherein the microwave heating apparatus comprises: a microwave emitter for supplying microwave energy to a resonant cavity (43); the resonant cavity comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the inlets and outlets collectively forming a passageway (49) for passing the thermoplastic material through the resonant cavity; and a movable piston (48) configured to adjust a length of the resonant cavity; exposing the thermoplastic material to microwaves in the resonant cavity, wherein the exposing causes an increase in temperature of at least a portion of the thermoplastic material; measuring an e-field generated by the microwave emitter; and adjusting a position of the movable piston in response to the measured e-field; and, processing the thermoplastic material.