Abstract: Prepare an oriented polymer composition that is cavitated, has cross sectional dimensions all at least three millimeters and at least one de-oriented surface layer having a thickness of at least 80 microns and at least 50 microns less than half the thickness of the oriented polymer composition, the de-oriented surface layer having a lower degree of polymer orientation than a 100 micron thick portion of the oriented polymer composition adjacent to and below the de-oriented surface layer by sufficiently heat treating a surface of a cavitated oriented polymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to manufacture shaped foam article. Specifically, the present invention is a method of extruding a styrenic polymer with a blowing agent to form a foam polymer plank having a density gradient and shaping the surface of the foam plank having the lowest density by passing the foam plank through one or more sets of rolls. Preferably, the foam has a vertical compressive balance (Rv) equal to or greater than 0.4 and more preferably, the foam has a cell gas pressure less than 1 atmosphere and/or an open cell content of equal to or less than 20 percent.

Abstract: Prepare an oriented polymer composition that is cavitated, has cross sectional dimensions all at least three millimeters and at least one de-oriented surface layer having a thickness of at least 8C microns and at least 50 microns less than half the thickness of the oriented polymer composition, the de-oriented surface layer having a lower degree of polymer orientation than a 100 micron thick portion of the oriented polymer composition adjacent to and below the de-oriented surface layer by sufficiently heat treating a surface of a cavitated oriented polymer composition.

Abstract: Prepare an oriented polymer composition that is cavitated, has cross sectional dimensions all at least three millimeters and at least one de-oriented surface layer having a thickness of at least 80 microns and at least 50 microns less than half the thickness of the oriented polymer composition, the de-oriented surface layer having a lower degree of polymer orientation than a 100 micron thick portion of the oriented polymer composition adjacent to and below the de-oriented surface layer by sufficiently heat treating a surface of a cavitated oriented polymer composition.

Abstract: A solid state drawing die having a body with opposing entrance and exit ends, a shaping channel providing fluid communication entirely through the body from the entrance to exit end and having a converging profile, and at least one portion of the body that serves as a static protrusion extending into the but not all the way across the shaping channel is useful in a solid state drawing process for preparing oriented polymer compositions having indented or grooved profiles.

Abstract: Prepare an oriented polymer composition that is cavitated, has cross sectional dimensions all at least three millimeters and at least one de-oriented surface layer having a thickness of at least 80 microns and at least 50 microns less than half the thickness of the oriented polymer composition, the de-oriented surface layer having a lower degree of polymer orientation than a 100 micron thick portion of the oriented polymer composition adjacent to and below the de-oriented surface layer by sufficiently heat treating a surface of a cavitated oriented polymer composition.

Abstract: A water wettable corrosion resistant plastic clad metal laminate suitable for forming into heat transfer partitions for use in apparatus for simultaneous heat and mass transfer.