Abstract: A method for abrasion testing of a material sample includes abrading a surface of the sample with a tribometer, then characterizing particles in a portion of the flowing air that is received in an airborne particle collector. The testing may be done in an enclosure or container, such as an enclosure in or simulating a clean room environment. The drawing of air into the enclosure may be done by a fan pushing in air through a filter, such as a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The enclosure may have vents (or louvers) through which some of the outflow of air may be directed, to help maintain an even flow, for example a laminar flow, of air through the container, and in particular past where the tribometer abrades the test material. The method may allow for real-time characterization of the particles produced by the testing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an IR tube sealing device and method of sealing a polymer tube with infrared energy. In particular embodiments, the IR tube sealing device can be a portable, hand-held device adapted to receive and compress a polymer tube, and produce and direct infrared energy toward the compressed polymer tube to quickly form a permanent aseptic seal.

Abstract: A flexible tubing material includes a radiation crosslinked blend of a first elastomeric polymer including a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer, an ethylene vinyl acetate elastomer, a polylefin elastomer with a second elastomeric polymer including a polyolefin elastomer, a diene elastomer, or combination thereof, with the proviso that the first elastomeric polymer and the second elastomeric polymer are different. In an embodiment, a method of making a material includes providing the first elastomeric polymer, providing the second elastomeric polymer, blending the first elastomeric polymer and the second elastomeric polymer, extruding or injection molding the blend, and crosslinking the blend with radiation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an IR tube sealing device and method of sealing a polymer tube with infrared energy. In particular embodiments, the IR tube sealing device can be a portable, hand-held device adapted to receive and compress a polymer tube, and produce and direct infrared energy toward the compressed polymer tube to quickly form a permanent aseptic seal.

Abstract: A flexible tubing material includes a radiation crosslinked blend of a first elastomeric polymer including a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer, an ethylene vinyl acetate elastomer, a polylefin elastomer with a second elastomeric polymer including a polyolefin elastomer, a diene elastomer, or combination thereof, with the proviso that the first elastomeric polymer and the second elastomeric polymer are different. In an embodiment, a method of making a material includes providing the first elastomeric polymer, providing the second elastomeric polymer, blending the first elastomeric polymer and the second elastomeric polymer, extruding or injection molding the blend, and crosslinking the blend with radiation.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having a flame retardant package comprising an organo-phosphinate component, an organo-phosphate component, and a polyhydric alcohol. The flame retardant components may be present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the phosphinate compound; from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the phosphate compound, and from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the polyhydric alcohol, based on the total weight of the TPU composition. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions employing the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions exhibit excellent flame retardant capabilities as measured by Limited Oxygen Index testing and/or UL 94 Vertical Burn tests.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having a flame retardant package comprising an organo-phosphinate component, an organo-phosphate component, and a polyhydric alcohol. The flame retardant components may be present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the phosphinate compound; from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the phosphate compound, and from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the polyhydric alcohol, based on the total weight of the TPU composition. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions employing the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions exhibit excellent flame retardant capabilities as measured by Limited Oxygen Index testing and/or UL 94 Vertical Burn tests.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having a flame retardant package comprising an organo-phosphinate component, an organo-phosphate component, and a polyhydric alcohol. The flame retardant components may be present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the phosphinate compound; from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the phosphate compound, and from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the polyhydric alcohol, based on the total weight of the TPU composition. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions employing the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions exhibit excellent flame retardant capabilities as measured by Limited Oxygen Index testing and/or UL 94 Vertical Burn tests.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having a flame retardant package comprising an organo-phosphinate component, an organo-phosphate component, and a polyhydric alcohol. The flame retardant components may be present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the phosphinate compound; from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the phosphate compound, and from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the polyhydric alcohol, based on the total weight of the TPU composition. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions employing the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions exhibit excellent flame retardant capabilities as measured by Limited Oxygen Index testing and/or UL 94 Vertical Burn tests.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having a flame retardant package comprising an organo-phosphinate component, an organo-phosphate component, and a polyhydric alcohol. The flame retardant components may be present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the phosphinate compound; from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the phosphate compound, and from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the polyhydric alcohol, based on the total weight of the TPU composition. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions employing the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions exhibit excellent flame retardant capabilities as measured by Limited Oxygen Index testing and/or UL 94 Vertical Burn tests.

Abstract: In-situ plasticized thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are made by a process which involves reacting a polyol, glycol chain extender and a polyisocyanate where the reaction is conducted in the presence of a plasticizer. The reactants together with the plasticizer are added to a reaction extruder and reacted to form the in-situ plasticized TPU.

Abstract: A flexible tubing material includes a radiation crosslinked blend of a first elastomeric polymer including a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer, an ethylene vinyl acetate elastomer, a polyolefin elastomer with a second elastomeric polymer including a polyolefin elastomer, a diene elastomer, or combination thereof, with the proviso that the first elastomeric polymer and the second elastomeric polymer are different. In an embodiment, a method of making a material includes providing the first elastomeric polymer, providing the second elastomeric polymer, blending the first elastomeric polymer and the second elastomeric polymer, extruding or injection molding the blend, and crosslinking the blend with radiation.

Abstract: A high molecular weight, thermoplastic polyurethane composition characteristically resistant to aliphatic hydrocarbon fuels, where the polyurethane composition is adapted for use as an aliphatic hydrocarbon fuel barrier in the construction of flexible fuel containers, and the polyurethane is the reaction product of a poly(diethylene adipate) glycol reacted with a non-hindered diisocyanate and an aliphatic chain extender.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) formulations are disclosed which comprise a halogenated flame retardant together with an antimony oxide and talc. The formulations exhibit a high LOI (at least 30) and are V-0 rated on the UL-94 test. The halogenated flame retardant can be a chlorinated or brominated compound. The antimony oxide compound is selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide and antimony pentaoxide. When brominated flame retardants are used, talc is not required, but is preferred to meet the high LOI and V-0 rating. The TPU formulations are useful for wire and cable jacketing applications and for jacketing for fiber optic cables.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having a flame retardant package comprising an organo-phosphinate component, an organo-phosphate component, and a polyhydric alcohol. The flame retardant components may be present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the phosphinate compound; from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the phosphate compound, and from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the polyhydric alcohol, based on the total weight of the TPU composition. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions employing the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions exhibit excellent flame retardant capabilities as measured by Limited Oxygen Index testing and/or UL 94 Vertical Burn tests.

Abstract: In-situ plasticized thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are made by a process which involves reacting a polyol, glycol chain extender and a polyisocyanate where the reaction is conducted in the presence of a plasticizer. The reactants together with the plasticizer are added to a reaction extruder and reacted to form the in-situ plasticized TPU.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable with a plurality of buffer tubes wherein the buffer tubes each encase a bundle of optical fibers. The buffer tubes are color-coded by means of mixing a buffer tube material with a colorant before or during the extrusion process. A polyolefin is used as the base resin for the color concentrate resulting in increased let down ratios. By using less colorant to deliver desired amount of pigment to the buffer tube, cost savings and enhanced processability are achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber optic buffer tube made of a polyamide/polyolefin blend, where the polyamide/polyolefin blend comprises a blend of Nylon-6 and polyethylene. The present invention can also be viewed as a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable is constructed of at least one buffer tube and at least one transmission medium positioned within the buffer tube. The buffer tube is made of a polyamide/polyolefin blend, wherein the polyamide/polyolefin blend comprises a blend of a Nylon-6 and polyethylene. The Nylon-6 and polyethylene blend is about 50-90% Nylon-6 and about 10-50% polyethylene.