Abstract: A multilayer film having coextruded layers comprising a znLLDPE-based core layer, and mLLDPE-based outer layers on each side of the core layer comprising, wherein the znLLDPE of the core layer has a density which is less than 0.005 g/cc different from a density of the mLLDPE of the outer layers, and wherein the znLLDPE of the core layer has a melting temperature which is less than 15° C. different from a melting temperature of the mLLDPE of the outer layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophobic, integrally asymmetrical hollow-fiber membrane made of a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer, wherein the wall of the membrane has a microporous supporting layer having a sponge-like, open-pored, essentially isotropic pore structure without finger pores, the supporting layer extending across at least 90% of the wall thickness and having pores with an average diameter of less than 0.5 ?m. The hollow-fiber membrane is characterized in that it has a separating layer adjacent to the supporting layer on its outer surface and that it has an outer surface with a homogeneous, uniform structure without pores, a porosity in the range from 40 to 80 vol. %, a wall thickness from 25 to 100 ?m, a diameter of the lumen of the hollow-fiber membrane from 100 to 500 ?m, a permeability for nitrogen of at least 25 ml/(cm2·min·bar), and an elongation at break of at least 250%. The invention further relates to a method for producing hollow-fiber membranes of this type.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable polylactic acid (PLA) film and a method of its manufacture are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the PLA films exhibit heat-induced growth in the cross direction with concomitant shrinkage in the machine direction. The films may comprise any grade of PLA polymer, optionally including additives, such as antiblock, slip, viscosity enhancers and combinations thereof. A method of manufacture is disclosed which includes a post-extrusion temperature conditioning step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising polyamide comprising nylon-6/12 or a polyamide comprising a first repeat unit of formula (I) and a second repeat unit of formula (II) —C(O)(CH2)nC(O)NH(CH2)6NH—??(II); wherein n is an integer selected from 8, 10, 12, or 14, and optionally nylon-6,66, nylon-66, nylon-610, nylon-612, nylon-11, nylon-12 and an ionomer comprising an ethylene carboxylic acid copolymer, wherein 30 to 90% of the total carboxylic acid functionalities are neutralized to salts with zinc cations or a mixture of zinc cations and cations of a second metal selected from Group 1 of the Periodic Table of the Elements wherein the salts comprise from 20 to 90% equivalents of zinc. Articles prepared from the composition have improved salt stress crack resistance when exposed to zinc chloride solutions.

Abstract: Coextruded films provide cross directional zoned multiple components side-by-side to one another. Systems and methods relate to coextruding such films. During coextrusion, a first polymer conjoins with a second polymer while a temperature differential is maintained between the first and second polymers. This temperature differential is selected to reduce a difference between the viscosities of the first and second polymers making the viscosity of the first polymer close enough to the viscosity of the second polymer to avoid separation upon coextrusion. Further, the films may form a layer in subsequent lamination to other material layers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a non stick medical tube is provided. The method includes providing a first plastic resin to a tubing extrusion device and providing a second plastic resin to a tubing extrusion device, the second plastic resin comprising a medical grade amide compound. The method further includes mixing the first plastic resin with the second plastic resin and extruding the resin mixture such that said medical grade amide compound is present on an inner surface of said medical tube after extrusion to promote release of contacting surfaces of said inner surface of the medical tubing after contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophobic, integrally asymmetrical hollow-fiber membrane made of a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer, wherein the wall of said membrane has a microporous supporting layer having a sponge-like, open-pored, essentially isotropic pore structure without finger pores, said supporting layer extending across at least 90% of the wall thickness and having pores with an average diameter of less than 0.5 ?m. The hollow-fiber membrane is characterized in that it has a separating layer adjacent to the supporting layer on its outer surface and that it has an outer surface with a homogeneous, uniform structure without pores, a porosity in the range from 40 to 80 vol. %, a wall thickness from 25 to 100 ?m, a diameter of the lumen of the hollow-fiber membrane from 100 to 500 ?m, a permeability for nitrogen of at least 25 ml/(cm2·min·bar), and an elongation at break of at least 250%. The invention further relates to a method for producing hollow-fiber membranes of this type.

Abstract: A melt cooler and valving system for an underwater pelletizer has a diverter valve that facilitates multiple modes of melt processing. The cooler has a cooler inlet line that conveys the melt to the cooler, and a cooler outlet line that conveys the cooled melt from the cooler. The diverter valve is configured to convey the melt to and from the cooler during a cooling mode of operation, to convey the melt around the cooler during a bypass mode of operation, and to drain the melt from the cooler and the diverter valve during a drain mode of operation. The diverter valve is compact and therefore contains a minimum of product inventory. The valve is streamlined and direct in its bypass mode, and includes a drain capability to allow for faster, easier cleaning of the process line, which in turn provides a fast changeover time with less lost product.

Abstract: A process for the extrusion of peroxide crosslinked polymer parts, mainly tubes, in which the crosslinkable polymer is heated in an extruder in a controlled manner to a value above the crystallite melting point of the polymer, but below the crosslinking temperature, and fed continuously to an extrusion die to create the part and in which at least a partial crosslinking of the polymer is achieved in the extrusion die by heating of the polymer above a crosslinking temperature provision.

Abstract: The apparatus is for forming a resin film from a resin for a middle portion to form a resin film main body of the resin film and a resin for edge portions to form both side edge portions in a crosswise direction of the resin film. The apparatus comprises: a feed block which includes a joining part where the resin for the middle portion in a molten state and the resin for the edge portions in a molten state are joined in such a manner as to enclose both side edges in the crosswise direction of the resin film main body with the resin for the edge portions; and an extruding die through which the joined resins are extruded to form the resin film. Thus, a method and apparatus for forming the resin film can avoid the inclusion of the resin for the middle portion in the trimmed-off selvages while preventing the film separation of the resins for the middle portion and for the edge portions, and therefore, increase the recyclability and the productivity of the resin film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of a molding system, the method comprising: determining whether a change in a thermal condition of an extruder is required based on a thermal condition of a zone of a melt passageway of the molding system, wherein setting of a threshold temperature of an extruder heater is adjusted based on a non-extruder sensor positioned away from the extruder but positioned proximate to the melt passageway, the melt passageway is also positioned external of the extruder, so that the non-extruder sensor is not negatively influenced by heat retained in the extruder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed relating to a multi-layer flexible pipe for conveying a target fluid. The pipe includes a core layer arranged to provide an inner bore along which a fluid can flow and at least one barrier layer having a tensile elongation at yield of greater than 5% at a temperature of 23° C.

Abstract: A tube for a peristaltic pump comprises an elastically deformable tubular body (2) made from a PVC composition containing: 100 phr of a PVC resin having a K value, measured according to standard ISO 1628-2, of not less than 85, from 40 to 100 phr of DEHA plasticizer, from 0.05 to 1.0 phr of lubricant, from 0.3 to 15.0 phr of stabilizer and co-stabilizer. The deformable tube, which is usefully employed for liquid transport in a dialysis apparatus, enables a high level of fluid transport efficiency to be maintained, even after many hours of peristaltic pump operation.

Abstract: A temperature control system for use in a fiber extrusion process includes a number of metering pump assemblies including inlets to receive at least two molten polymer streams from a supply source that is connectable to the system. A pump block disposed proximate the metering pump assemblies includes a plurality of flow paths extending within the pump block, where the flow paths are aligned to receive molten polymer flowing from outlets of the metering pump assemblies and to deliver the molten polymer to a spinneret. The flow paths are arranged in flow path sets within the pump block, and each flow path set includes at least one flow path and is spaced a selected distance from the other flow path sets within the pump block so as to facilitate independent control of the temperature of a molten polymer flowing through each flow path set.

Abstract: There is provided a pipe extrusion die that includes a first and second die assembly. The first and second die assembly each include an extrusion head, a nozzle carrying an outer die lip, a hollow mandrel, an inner mandrel carrying an inner die lip, and a layer-forming channel. The layer-forming channel is defined by the space between the nozzle and inner mandrel. The extrusion die includes a space between the nozzle of the second die assembly and the inner mandrel of the first die assembly such that the first and second die assembly do not share a common wall. The space between the inner and outer die lip (die gap) can be individually adjusted and the second die assembly is freely movable relative to the first die assembly. The extrusion die also includes a vacuum cooling mandrel with a single cooling channel and multiple vacuum ports that provide improved vacuum control over the final die product.

Abstract: Hollow extrusions are formed by initially extruding a plurality of separate strands adapted to form segments of the completed hollow extrusion in their positions corresponding to the locations of those segments in the finished extrusion. Webs between these strands are then formed by feeding an afterflow of the melt at press pressure into the shaping channel in the calibrator downstream from the die zone so that under the pressure of this melt and the melt heat, the webs fuse to the ends of ribs of the separate strands.

Abstract: Intravascular catheters having a curved portion subjected to heat at or above the melt temperature thereof to reduce residual stress and eliminate heat history.

Abstract: A method of drying saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers which includes melting and kneading a mixture including one or more saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer species and having a water content of 5 to 60% by weight until the mixture has a water content of less then 5% by weight.

Abstract: Continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of a polycaprolactam includes forming a reaction mixture by bringing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator into contact with one another, and then subjecting the reaction mixture to anionic polymerization reaction conditions to obtain a molten polycaprolactam. The molten polycaprolactam is the directly (i.e., without intermediate solidification) transferred to, and extruded through, a fiber-forming orifice of a spinneret to form a fiber thereof. One exemplary system to achieve such continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of polycaprolactam includes a mixer for receiving and mixing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator, and a reactor and melt-spinning apparatus downstream of the mixer.

Abstract: At least two techniques can be used separately or together to achieve higher clarity in multilayer blown coextruded films. In a first technique, the core layer is extruded at a higher temperature than the skin layer or layers. In the second technique, the core layer has a higher density than the skin layer or layers. Combinations of these techniques are also contemplated. Either one or both techniques may be used to a sufficient degree to improve clarity (generally lower haze).

Abstract: A melt cooler and valving system for an underwater pelletizer has a diverter valve that facilitates multiple modes of melt processing. The cooler has a cooler inlet line that conveys the melt to the cooler, and a cooler outlet line that conveys the cooled melt from the cooler. The diverter valve is configured to convey the melt to and from the cooler during a cooling mode of operation, to convey the melt around the cooler during a bypass mode of operation, and to drain the melt from the cooler and the diverter valve during a drain mode of operation. The diverter valve is compact and therefore contains a minimum of product inventory. The valve is streamlined and direct in its bypass mode, and includes a drain capability to allow for faster, easier cleaning of the process line, which in turn provides a fast changeover time with less lost product.