Abstract: Molded articles are disclosed having a complex three-dimensional shape. In one embodiment, the molded articles comprise tubular members formed through blow molding that have multiple linear sections separated by curved sections. The curved sections can include multiple angular displacements in multiple planes. The tubular members are molded from a polymer composition containing a high temperature polymer, such as a polymer having a melting point of greater than about 280° C., such as greater than about 290° C. In one embodiment, the tubular member includes at least three angular displacements of from about 60° to about 120°, such as from about 70° to about 110°.

Abstract: Low VOC emission polyoxymethylene and compositions and products that incorporate the polyoxymethylene are described. The polyoxymethylene is end capped with compound that can prevent degradation of the polymer and subsequent emission of VOC degradation products such as formaldehyde. The end-capped polyoxymethylene can include an inorganic linkage within the polymer backbone that is the reaction product of a terminal hydroxyl group of the polyoxymethylene and a hydrolyzable group of the compound. Also disclosed are products as may be formed from the low VOC emission polyoxymethylene.

Abstract: Blow molded articles are made from a polymeric composition containing a mixture of polyphenylene sulfide resins. For instance, the polymeric composition may contain a linear polyphenylene sulfide resin combined with a branched polyphenylene sulfide resin. The composition can further contain a reinforcing agent, such as glass fibers, a polytetrafluoroethylene polymer, a polyphenylene oxide polymer, a silane coupling agent, and/or an impact modifier. Compositions made according to the present disclosure can have relatively high near zero shear rate melt strengths while also having high shear rate melt viscosities and high engineering stresses at a high percent elongations, making the compositions amenable to extrusion and molding processes. Compositions made according to the present disclosure are particularly well suited to molding articles with a complex shape.

Abstract: Pipe sections and methods for forming pipe sections are disclosed. A pipe section includes a hollow body, the hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an interior. The pipe section further includes a barrier layer surrounding the hollow body, the barrier layer having an inner surface and an outer surface. The barrier layer is formed from a polyarylene sulfide composition. The polyarylene sulfide composition includes a polyarylene sulfide and a crosslinked impact modifier. Such pipe sections exhibit high strength characteristics and flexibility as well as resistance to degradation, even in extreme temperature environments, while maintaining desirable processing characteristics.

Abstract: Components formed of blow molded thermoplastic compositions are described. The blow molded thermoplastic compositions exhibit high strength and flexibility. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout a polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures and can be used to form, e.g., tubular member such as pipes and hoses and fibers.

Abstract: Polyarylene sulfide compositions are described as are methods of forming the polyarylene sulfide compositions. The polyarylene sulfide compositions are formed by melt processing polyarylene sulfide, a reactively functionalized siloxane polymer and a non-aromatic impact modifier. The non-aromatic impact modifier is, e.g., an ethylene-based copolymer or terpolymer or a silicone elastomer. The compositions exhibit good strength and heat resistance characteristics and can be utilized in forming a variety of products such as automotive components and electrical components.

Abstract: Pipe sections and methods for forming pipe sections are disclosed. A pipe section includes a hollow body formed from a metal material, the hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an interior. The pipe section further includes a barrier layer surrounding and bonded to the hollow body, the barrier layer having an inner surface and an outer surface. The barrier layer is formed from a continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic material. Such pipe sections may be lightweight and flexible while exhibiting improved strength characteristics.

Abstract: Flowlines for use in oil and gas applications are described. The flowlines include a barrier layer that includes polyarylene sulfide composition that exhibits high strength and flexibility characteristics. Methods for forming the flowlines are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a polyarylene sulfide composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier throughout the composition. The flowlines can include production fluid flowlines, supporting fluid flowlines, bundled flowlines, etc. and can be utilized as risers, pipelines, jumpers, and the like.

Abstract: Polyarylene sulfide compositions are described that exhibit high strength and flexibility. Methods for forming the polyarylene sulfide compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a polyarylene sulfide composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier throughout the composition. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures and can be used to form, e.g., tubular member such as pipes and hoses and fibers.

Abstract: Polyarylene sulfide compositions are described as are methods of forming the polyarylene sulfide compositions. The polyarylene sulfide compositions are formed by melt processing polyarylene sulfide, a silane coupling agent and a silicone elastomer. The silane coupling agent is, e.g., an amino silane coupling agent and the silicone elastomer can be a poly(dimethyl siloxane). The compositions exhibit good strength and heat resistance characteristics and can be utilized in forming a variety of products such as pipes and houses, automotive components and electrical components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a UV stabilized polyarylene sulfide composition, methods of forming the composition, and UV stabilized products that can be formed of the composition. The UV stabilized polyarylene sulfide composition can include a reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide polymer in conjunction with a UV stabilizer. The reactivity of the polyarylene sulfide polymer is formed during melt processing via reaction of a reactively functionalized disulfide compound with a starting polyarylene sulfide. The reactivity of the polyarylene sulfide can encourage interaction between the polyarylene sulfide polymer and the UV stabilizer, which can improve dispersion of the UV stabilizer throughout the composition and improve miscibility between the polyarylene sulfide polymer and the UV stabilizer. Products can incorporate high concentrations of UV stabilizer and/or can be formed to very small cross sectional dimensions without phase separation between the UV stabilizer and the polyarylene sulfide.

Abstract: A continuous fiber composite is described and methods for forming the continuous fiber composite. The continuous fiber composite includes a plurality of unidirectionally aligned continuous fibers embedded within a polyarylene sulfide polymer. The continuous fiber composite includes a very high loading of continuous fibers, for instance greater than about 40% by weight of the continuous fiber composite. The continuous fiber composite is formed by reacting a starting polyarylene sulfide with a reactively functionalized disulfide compound in a melt processing unit. Reaction between the starting polyarylene sulfide and the reactively functionalized disulfide compound leads to formation of a reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide. Upon embedding of the continuous fibers into the reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide, the reactivity of the polyarylene sulfide can enhance adhesion between the polyarylene sulfide polymer and the fibers.

Abstract: Polyarylene sulfide fibers and products that incorporate the polyarylene sulfide fibers are described as are methods of forming the fibers and products. The polyarylene sulfide fibers can incorporate a reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide that can provide improved compatibility between the polyarylene sulfide and other materials, including both additives to the polyarylene sulfide composition that is used to form the fibers and external materials that may be located adjacent to the fibers in a composite.

Abstract: Components for heavy duty trucks are described that exhibit high strength and flexibility. The components are formed from a polyarylene sulfide that exhibits high strength and flexibility characteristics. Methods for forming the components are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a polyarylene sulfide composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier throughout the composition. The heavy duty truck components can include tubular member such as pipes and hoses that can be utilized in exhaust systems, charge air systems, urea tanks, fuel systems, and so forth.

Abstract: A fuel line comprising a thermoplastic composition is described. The thermoplastic compositions exhibit high strength and flexibility and can be used to form one or more layers of single layer or multi-layer fuel lines. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout a polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures.

Abstract: An injection molded housing for a portable electronic device is provided. The housing contains a thermoplastic composition that includes a polyarylene sulfide melt processed in the presence of a disulfide compound and a filler. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the disulfide can undergo a chain scission reaction with the starting polyarylene sulfide to lower its melt viscosity, which can lead to decreased attrition of the filler and thus improved mechanical properties. Due to this ability to reduce viscosity during melt processing, the present inventors have discovered that relatively high molecular weight polyarylene sulfides can be fed to the extruder with little difficulty.

Abstract: A fabric that contains a blend of textile and polyarylene sulfide fibers is provided. At least a portion of the textile fibers, polyarylene sulfide fibers, or a combination thereof are coated with an emulsion copolymer that is crosslinked. The copolymer composition is cured after it is applied to the fibers to initiate the formation of crosslink bonds between the emulsion copolymer and create a three-dimensional network that is capable of coating and encapsulating the fibers. It is believed that this three-dimensional network is able to physically entrap disperse additives when applied to the fibers. Still further, the present inventors have discovered that the emulsion copolymer can uniformly coat the fibers and thus readily receive the additive, which eliminates the need for high temperatures and/or pressures during a dyeing process, for example, and can also result in a relatively uniform coating of the additive on the fibers.

Abstract: A fibrous material that contains polyarylene sulfide fibers coated with an emulsion copolymer is provided. The emulsion copolymer that is coated onto the polyarylene sulfide fibers is crosslinked. For example, the copolymer may contain a reactive co-monomer that acts as a crosslinking agent. Alternatively, a separate crosslinking agent may be combined with the emulsion copolymer. In either case, the resulting copolymer composition is cured after it is applied to the fibers to initiate the formation of crosslink bonds between the emulsion copolymer and create a three-dimensional network that is capable of coating and encapsulating the fibers. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that this three-dimensional network is able to physically entrap disperse dyes when applied to the fibers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a resin composition containing a mixture of high temperature polymers and at least one stabilizer. The stabilizer serves to prevent the polymers from adversely interfering with each other during melt processing. In one embodiment, the high temperature polymers present in the composition may comprise a mixture of an aromatic polyester polymer and a polyarylene sulfide polymer. The stabilizer comprises a phosphite stabilizer. The composition produces molded articles having better thermal stability and reduced mold deposits.

Abstract: A conduit that contains an elongate member that defines a hollow passageway is provided. The conduit may be used to convey electricity (e.g., jacket of a communication cable, raceway for protecting a communication cable, etc.), fluids (e.g., pipes), etc. In one embodiment, for example, the conduit may be a raceway for use in a plenum of a building structure. Regardless of the type of conduit, at least a portion of the elongate member is formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a polyarylene sulfide and fire-resisting system. Due in part to the specific nature and concentration of these components, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting thermoplastic composition may have a relatively high melting temperature.