Abstract: Disclosed is a polystyrene based polymer/layered compound nanocomposite for injection blow molding or injection stretch blow molding of articles. The nanocomposite can reduce shrinkage and warpage to the preform during the reheating process compared to neat polystyrene. The incorporation of layered compounds can increase the processability of PS preforms, help improve heating efficiency, and improve bottle mechanical properties. The layered compound can be treated with chemicals or compounds having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene, thus producing a treated layered compound having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene. The monomer and the layered compound can be combined prior to polymerization. The polymer and layered compound can be combined by solution mixing in a solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polystyrene based polymer/layered compound nanocomposite for injection blow molding or injection stretch blow molding of articles. The nanocomposite can reduce shrinkage and warpage to the preform during the reheating process compared to neat polystyrene. The incorporation of layered compounds can increase the processability of PS preforms, help improve heating efficiency, and improve bottle mechanical properties. The layered compound can be treated with chemicals or compounds having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene, thus producing a treated layered compound having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene. The monomer and the layered compound can be combined prior to polymerization. The polymer and layered compound can be combined by solution mixing in a solvent.

Abstract: Preforms for use in injection blow molding processes and such processes are described herein. The preforms can have both a body and a neck wherein the external body diameter of the preform is at most 95% of the external neck diameter. The body comprises internal and external diameters that together form a sidewall, the thickness of which can be greater than 2.0 mm. Also disclosed is a mold for the injection molding of the preform described above.

Abstract: A method comprising preparing a styrenic polymer composition, melting the styrenic polymer composition to form a molten polymer, injecting the molten polymer into a mold cavity to form a preform, heating the preform to produce a heated preform, and expanding the heated preform to form an article. A method comprising substituting a styrenic polymer composition comprising from 0 wt. % to 6.5 wt. % plasticizer and equal to or greater than 2.5 wt. % elastomer for polyethylene terephthalate in an injection stretch blow molding process, wherein the wt. % is based on the total weight of the polymeric composition. A method comprising preparing a preform from a styrenic polymer composition, subjecting the preform to one or more heating elements, and rapidly heating the preform to produce a heated preform.