Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of processing a polymer comprises: mixing polymer and solid carbon dioxide; introducing the polymer and solid carbon dioxide mixture to a hopper of a vented extruder; plasticizing the mixture to form a polymer melt with dissolved carbon dioxide; venting carbon dioxide as a gas before the die exit; and extruding the polymer melt through a die. In an embodiment, a method of making an article comprises: introducing a polymer powder to an extruder; introducing solid carbon dioxide powder to the extruder at the hopper; plasticizing and extruding the polymer and solid carbon dioxide mixture; venting the solid carbon dioxide before the die exit; extruding the polymer melt through a die to form pellets; and injection molding the polymer pellets without solid carbon dioxide to form molded articles.

Abstract: A polymeric composite comprises a polymeric resin; an electrically conductive filler; and a polycyclic aromatic compound, in an amount effect to increase the electrical conductivity of the polymeric composition relative to the same composition without the polycyclic aromatic compound. The addition of the polycyclic aromatic compound in addition to a conductive filler imparts improved electrical and mechanical properties to the compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrically conducting polymer composition and method of making a composition including an organic polymer; and a first filler including at least one ceramic filler, at least one metallic filler, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing fillers, wherein a trip temperature of the composition does not change by an amount of greater than or equal to ±10° C. when the composition is cycled 100 times between room temperature and the trip temperature. Disclosed herein as well is an electrically conducting polymer composition including a first filler including at least one ceramic filler, at least one metallic filler, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing fillers and a second filler. The compositions of the present invention have a trip temperature that is lower than the HDT temperature of the composition and can have tunable trip temperatures.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of processing a polymer comprises: mixing polymer and solid carbon dioxide; introducing the polymer and solid carbon dioxide mixture to a hopper of a vented extruder; plasticizing the mixture to form a polymer melt with dissolved carbon dioxide; venting carbon dioxide as a gas before the die exit; and extruding the polymer melt through a die. In an embodiment, a method of making an article comprises: introducing a polymer powder to an extruder; introducing solid carbon dioxide powder to the extruder at the hopper; plasticizing and extruding the polymer and solid carbon dioxide mixture; venting the solid carbon dioxide before the die exit; extruding the polymer melt through a die to form pellets; and injection molding the polymer pellets without solid carbon dioxide to form molded articles.

Abstract: A composition includes a filler dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The filler may be electrically conducting in a temperature range and may have a Curie temperature. The composition may have a trip temperature at which electrical resistance of the composition increases with increase in temperature, and the trip temperature of the composition may be determined by the Curie temperature of the filler. The filler may be present in the polymeric matrix in an amount determined by a property of one or both of the polymeric matrix or the filler. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrically conducting polymer composition and method of making a composition including an organic polymer; and a first filler including at least one ceramic filler, at least one metallic filler, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing fillers, wherein a trip temperature of the composition does not change by an amount of greater than or equal to ±10° C. when the composition is cycled 100 times between room temperature and the trip temperature. Disclosed herein as well is an electrically conducting polymer composition including a first filler including at least one ceramic filler, at least one metallic filler, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing fillers and a second filler. The compositions of the present invention have a trip temperature that is lower than the HDT temperature of the composition and can have tunable trip temperatures.

Abstract: A composition includes a filler dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The filler may be electrically conducting in a temperature range and may have a Curie temperature. The composition may have a trip temperature at which electrical resistance of the composition increases with increase in temperature, and the trip temperature of the composition may be determined by the Curie temperature of the filler. The filler may be present in the polymeric matrix in an amount determined by a property of one or both of the polymeric matrix or the filler. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: A composition includes a filler dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The filler may be electrically conducting in a temperature range and may have a Curie temperature. The composition may have a trip temperature at which electrical resistance of the composition increases with increase in temperature, and the trip temperature of the composition may be determined by the Curie temperature of the filler. The filler may be present in the polymeric matrix in an amount determined by a property of one or both of the polymeric matrix or the filler. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: An article includes a composition including a filler dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The filler is electrically conducting in a temperature range and the filler has a Curie temperature. The composition has a trip temperature at which electrical resistance of the composition increases with increase in temperature, and the trip temperature of the composition is determined by the Curie temperature of the filler. The filler is present in the polymeric matrix in an amount determined by a property of one or both of the polymeric matrix or the filler. An associated device is provided.

Abstract: An article includes a composition including a filler dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The filler is electrically conducting in a temperature range and the filler has a Curie temperature. The composition has a trip temperature at which electrical resistance of the composition increases with increase in temperature, and the trip temperature of the composition is determined by the Curie temperature of the filler. The filler is present in the polymeric matrix in an amount determined by a property of one or both of the polymeric matrix or the filler. An associated device is provided.

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites comprising an untreated phyllosilicate, a delaminating agent, a swelling agent, and a polyorganosiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer are disclosed. The polymer nanocomposites are valuable for producing articles having a combination of improved performance characteristics, such as tensile modulus, low temperature ductility, and melt volume rate.

Abstract: An apparatus with a self heating feature includes a conductive component of the apparatus having conductive composite. The conductive component is adapted to couple with a source of electricity, and the conductive component heats up on passage of electricity. According to another aspect, a domestic appliance that requires heating for its operation, includes at least one part comprising a conductive composite, which heats up on passage of electricity and the part is adapted to couple with a power supply. According to another aspect a method for providing heating in an apparatus includes heating at least one conductive component of the apparatus. The heating is done by passing an electric current through the conductive component, and the conductive component comprises a conductive composite.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a conductive composition comprising an organic polymer; graphite; and a nanosized conductive filler and/or carbon fibers having a diameter of greater than or equal to about 1000 nanometers. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a composition comprising blending an organic polymer; graphite; and a nanosized conductive filler, wherein the composition has an electrical volume resistivity less than or equal to about 10e8 ohm-cm.

Abstract: A polymeric composite comprises a polymeric resin; an electrically conductive filler; and a polycyclic aromatic compound, in an amount effect to increase the electrical conductivity of the polymeric composition relative to the same composition without the polycyclic aromatic compound. The addition of the polycyclic aromatic compound in addition to a conductive filler imparts improved electrical and mechanical properties to the compositions.