Abstract: A process for producing an elastomeric compound, includes: feeding at least one elastomeric polymer and at least one reinforcing filler to a mixing apparatus including at least one batch mixing device; mixing and dispersing, in the at least one mixing apparatus, the at least one reinforcing filler into the at least one elastomeric polymer, so as to obtain a first elastomeric compound; discharging the first elastomeric compound from the at least one mixing apparatus; feeding the first elastomeric compound to at least one continuous mixing device, said continuous mixing device including at least two rotating screws; mixing the first elastomeric compound in the at least one continuous mixing device, so as to obtain a second elastomeric compound; and discharging said second elastomeric compound from said at least one continuous mixing device.

Abstract: A utility pole includes a thermoplastic composite material including: (a) at least one olefin polymer; and (b) at least one reinforcing fiber material embedded in the at least one olefin polymer, the thermoplastic composite material having a specific tensile strength higher than or equal to 15 MPa/(gr/cm3), preferably 20 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 200 MPa/(gr/cm3), and more preferably 30 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 150 MPa/(gr/cm3) and a specific tensile modulus higher than or equal to 2000 MPa/(gr/cm3), preferably 2500 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 20000 MPa/(gr/cm3), and more preferably 3000 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 15000 MPa/(gr/cm3).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a water-resistant telecommunication cable. The cable has a solid and compact element having a water-soluble polymer material having vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymer having a hydrolysis degree of 60-95% and a polymerisation degree higher than 1,800 and at least one solid low-melting and one solid high melting plasticizers. The process produces continuously the water-soluble polymer material by separately feeding, in sequence, a multi-screw extruder, in the flow direction, with the copolymer and the high melting plasticizer melting and mixing them while transporting them through the extruder, and with the low melting plasticizer, melting and mixing them with the copolymer and the high melting plasticizer, subsequently homogenizing the copolymer and the plasticizers and finally discharging the melt, at a temperature lower than or equal to 205° C. A process for extruding the above PVA based water-soluble polymer material.

Abstract: A process for producing a rubber powder from a vulcanized rubber material by the steps of: a) feeding a grinding device with the vulcanized rubber material; b) contacting the vulcanized rubber material with at least one liquid coolant; c) introducing at least one grinding aid additive into the grinding device; d) operating the grinding device so as to grind the vulcanized rubber material to form a rubber powder, and e) discharging the rubber powder from the extruder.

Abstract: A utility pole includes a thermoplastic composite material including: (a) at least one olefin polymer; and (b) at least one reinforcing fiber material embedded in the at least one olefin polymer, the thermoplastic composite material having a specific tensile strength higher than or equal to 15 MPa/(gr/cm3), preferably 20 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 200 MPa/(gr/cm3), and more preferably 30 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 150 MPa/(gr/cm3) and a specific tensile modulus higher than or equal to 2000 MPa/(gr/cm3), preferably 2500 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 20000 MPa/(gr/cm3), and more preferably 3000 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 15000 MPa/(gr/cm3).

Abstract: Method for producing a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including: (a) at least one first elastomeric polymer; (b) at least one layered material having an individual layer thickness of 0.01 nm to 30 nm, preferably of 0.

Abstract: A method for extruding a polymeric material includes the steps of: a) feeding the polymeric material to an extrusion apparatus including an extrusion head, the extrusion head including: a male die; a female die coaxially arranged with respect to the male die; a conveying channel, at least one portion of which is defined between the male die and the female die; and b) adjusting a cross-sectional area of the at least one portion of the conveying channel by reciprocally displacing the female die with respect to the male die in response to an extrusion speed variation of the polymeric material. An extrusion apparatus and a process for manufacturing a tyre which uses the extrusion apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tyre includes at least one structural element obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including: (a) a crosslinkable elastomeric base comprising at least 10 phr, preferably from 30 phr to 100 phr, of (a1) at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer including less than 10 mol %, preferably from 0.1 mol % to 5 mol %, of epoxy groups relative to the total number of moles of monomers present in the elastomeric polymer; and (b) from 2 phr to 50 phr, preferably from 5 phr to 30 phr, of at least one layered material. Preferably, the at least one structural element is selected from bead filler, sidewall insert, tread underlayer, and tread base.

Abstract: A process for producing a composite material includes the following steps: (a) melting at least one polyester having an inherent viscosity higher than or equal to 0.5 dl/g, preferably 0.6 dl/g to 1.2 dg/l; (b) cooling said polyester so as to obtain a polyester having a crystallinity lower than 30%, preferably 1% to 20%; and (c) mixing at least one layered clay material with the polyester obtained in step (b) so as to obtain the composite material. The composite material is particularly useful for manufacturing food or beverage containers, in particular bottles.

Abstract: A process for producing an epoxidized elastomeric polymer by feeding at least one elastomeric polymer containing ethylenic unsaturation to a mixing device; feeding at least one hydrogen peroxide precursor to the mixing device; feeding at least one carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof to the mixing device; mixing and reacting, in the presence of water, the at least one elastomeric polymer containing ethylenic unsaturation with the at least one hydrogen peroxide precursor and the at least one carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, to obtain an epoxidized elastomeric polymer; and discharging the resulting epoxidized elastomeric polymer from the mixing device.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a water-resistant telecommunication cable. The cable has a solid and compact element having a water-soluble polymer material having vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymer having a hydrolysis degree of 60-95% and a polymerisation degree higher than 1,800 and at least one solid low-melting and one solid high melting plasticizers. The process produces continuously the water-soluble polymer material by separately feeding, in sequence, a multi-screw extruder, in the flow direction, with the copolymer and the high melting plasticizer melting and mixing them while transporting them through the extruder, and with the low melting plasticizer, melting and mixing them with the copolymer and the high melting plasticizer, subsequently homogenizing the copolymer and the plasticizers and finally discharging the melt, at a temperature lower than or equal to 205° C. A process for extruding the above PVA based water-soluble polymer material.

Abstract: A crosslinkable elastomeric composition includes at least one thermoplastic polymer selected from amorphous polymers having a glass transition temperature higher than 80° C. or crystalline polymers having a melting temperature higher than 190° C. and at least one diene elastomeric polymer. A method for preparing the composition includes pre-mixing, at a temperature not lower than Tg or (Tm?20° C.), the at least one thermoplastic polymer with a first portion of the at least one diene elastomeric polymer to obtain a masterbatch and mixing the masterbatch with a remaining portion of the at least one diene elastomeric polymer. The composition may include from 1% to 65% of the at least one thermoplastic polymer and from 35% to 99% of the at least one diene elastomeric polymer. The at least one thermoplastic polymer may be dispersed in a form of particles having an average diameter not greater than 20 ?m.

Abstract: A process for producing a rubber powder from a vulcanized rubber material by the steps of: a) feeding a grinding device with the vulcanized rubber material; b) contacting the vulcanized rubber material with at least one liquid coolant; c) introducing at least one grinding aid additive into the grinding device; d) operating the grinding device so as to grind the vulcanized rubber material to form a rubber powder, and e) discharging the rubber powder from the extruder.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes metering and feeding at least one elastomer and at least one filler into at least one extruder, mixing and dispersing the at least one filler into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder, and passing the composition that results through at least one static mixer. An apparatus for continuously producing the composition includes at least one twin-screw extruder, at least one metering device, and at least one static mixer. The at least one extruder includes a housing and two screws rotatably mounted in the housing. The housing includes at least one feed opening and a discharge opening. The at least one metering device meters and feeds at least one elastomer and at least one filler into the at least one extruder. The composition discharged from the discharge opening passes through the at least one static mixer.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes metering at least one elastomer, at least one filler, and at least one minor ingredient; feeding the at least one elastomer, the at least one filler, and the at least one minor ingredient into at least one extruder; mixing and dispersing the at least one filler and the at least one minor ingredient into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder; obtaining a subdivided product from a resulting elastomeric composition discharged from the at least one extruder; accumulating an amount of the subdivided product; and stirring the accumulated amount of the subdivided product. An apparatus for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes at least one extruder, at least one first metering device, at least one second metering device, at least one device for obtaining a subdivided product, and at least one accumulating and stirring device.