Abstract: Making foamed polyolefin tapes can include combining a polyolefin resin and a chemical blowing agent to form a mixture. This mixture can then be heated in an extruder to create a supersaturated solution of gas within the polyolefin resin. A cooling device can be positioned adjacent to a die at a set distance for receiving extruded resin and for allowing exposure of the extruded resin to ambient air between a die outlet and the cooling device. This predetermined distance or space between the cooling device and die outlet allows bubbles to grow in the extruded resin and to be shaped such that voids or empty spaces can be generated within the extruded polyolefin resin. The voids or empty spaces allow the formation of tapes which use less material but have adequate strength for various applications, such as for carpet backings, geotextiles, packaging, housewrap, bags, wire insulation, and reinforcement elements in concrete.

Abstract: A method comprising extrusion compounding a styrenic polymer and a layered compound to produce a composite, and orienting the composite to produce an oriented composite wherein the layered compound comprises natural clay, synthetic clay, natural colloid, synthetic colloid, natural sol, synthetic sol, natural gel, synthetic gel, natural fumes, synthetic fumes, or combinations thereof. A method of preparing an oriented film comprising extrusion compounding a styrenic polymer and a clay to produce a nanocomposite, casting the nanocomposite into a film, and orienting the film in at least one direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microporous membranes comprising polymer and having well-balanced permeability and heat shrinkage, especially heat shrinkage at elevated temperature. The invention also relates to methods for making such membranes, and the use of such membranes as battery separator film in, e.g., lithium ion secondary batteries.

Abstract: A microporous membrane made of polyolefins which comprises polyethylene (PEA) 8-60 wt. % of which is accounted for by components having a molecular weight of 10,000 or lower and in which the ratio of the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) to the number-average molecular weight (Mn), Mw/Mn, is 11-100 and the viscosity-average molecular weight (Mv) is 100,000-1,000,000 and polypropylene, and which has a content of components having a molecular weight of 10,000 or lower of 8-60 wt. %, a porosity of 20-95%, and a degree of thermal shrinkage at 100° C. of 10% or lower.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a monofilament, a yarn, a tape, or a staple fiber, each having 1 to 12,000 Denier per filament, a draw ratio of 2.5:1 to 25:1, and made of a polypropylene composition of a melt blended admixture of about 93% by weight of polypropylene, about 5% by weight of a polypropylene/ethylene copolymer, and about 2 wt. % of an additive. Also, a process for preparing the monofilament, yarn, tape, or staple fiber is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer gel-processing techniques and polymer articles of high modulus.

Abstract: Breathable and biodegradable polymeric film materials of the invention are highly suitable for use in personal care absorbent articles and other articles. The film includes a biodegradable polymer resin, a thermoplastic starch, a filler and optionally, a protein. The breathable film has a renewable natural polymer component.

Abstract: A method of making a porous membrane includes, in an exemplary embodiment, mixing together a first fine powder PTFE resin and a second fine powder PTFE resin to form a PTFE resin mixture. The first PTFE resin having a characteristic of forming more and longer fibrils than fibrils formed from the second PTFE resin. The second PTFE resin having a characteristic of forming thicker nodes than nodes formed from the first PTFE resin. The method also includes forming a preform from the PTFE resin mixture, extruding the preform into a tape, passing the tape through a plurality of opposing calender rolls to form a calendered tape having a thickness of about 380 ?m to about 1200 ?m, and stretching the calendered tape in the transverse direction to form a porous membrane having a plurality of nodes and fibrils and having a thickness of at least about 100 ?m.

Abstract: Compositions that are intimate blends of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and which are melt spinnable. The compositions include certain quasi-spherical particles. Also disclosed is a method of melt spinning from such compositions and the multi-filament fibers produced thereby. The fibers of the invention are useful in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a golf ball composed at least in part of a spherical elastomeric body. The method includes the steps of extruding a bar of an unvulcanized rubber compound for obtaining the elastomeric body, cutting the extruded bar into slugs of a given length, and coating the slug with a saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acid metal salt in powder form having a melting point at or below a vulcanizing temperature. This method prevents the slugs from clumping together and improves mold releasability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a high strength polyethylene fiber superior in stretchability and having a higher strength, a higher elastic modulus and high productivity, and a high strength polyethylene fiber produced by the method. The method includes (1) dispersing a chemically surface modified carbon nanofiber in a solvent for an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, (2) preparing a mixed dope comprising the polyethylene, the modified carbon nanofiber and the solvent by mixing the polyethylene with the suspension obtained in (1), wherein the concentration of the polyethylene is not less than 0.5 wt % and less than 50 wt %, and (3) extruding the dope obtained in step (2) through a spinneret, cooling the dope, and then stretching the dope into a filament yarn at a deformation rate of not less than 0.005 s?1 and not more than 0.5 s?1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a twin screw extruder for preparing a polymeric solution. The extruder includes an elongated housing having an inlet end, an outlet end, an extruder shaft length L and a pair of interconnecting bores disposed within the housing, a pair of elongated extruder shafts, each having an axis of rotation, the pair of elongated extruder shafts disposed within the pair of interconnecting bores and drivable in at least one direction of rotation, a plurality of extruder screw segments positioned along the pair of elongated extruder shafts in a fixed angular relationship therewith, the plurality of extruder screw segments selected to form multiple extruder stages. The invention also relates to a process for extruding a mixture of polymer and diluent.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for the plastic deformation of a polymer is provided, which is characterized in that the polymer is treated with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range from 0.8 to 100 ?m with simultaneous action of pressure and shearing and thermal energy. By means of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to plastically deform polymers which have to date not been accessible to plastic deformation, such as chitin and in particular cellulose.

Abstract: Polyethylene naphthalate fibers that are characterized in that the fibers have a crystal volume of from 550 to 1,200 nm3 obtained by wide angle X-ray diffraction of the fiber and a degree of crystallization of from 30 to 60%. It is preferred that the fibers have a maximum peak diffraction angle of wide angle X-ray diffraction of from 25.5 to 27.0° and a melting point of from 285 to 315° C. The production method thereof is characterized in that a particular phosphorus compound is added to the polymer in a molten state, the spinning draft ratio after discharging from the spinneret is from 100 to 5,000, and the molten polymer immediately after discharging from the spinneret is allowed to pass through a heat-retaining spinning chimney at a temperature within ±50° C. of a temperature of the molten polymer, and is drawn.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyester film incorporating at least one UV stabilizer of the formula I, in which R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, and R2 is a moiety which contains at least one ?-electron system, which contains a carbon atom and at least one further atom selected from carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, where the moiety R2 contains at least one atom different from carbon, where the film includes at least one further UV absorber which does not correspond to the formula I. The invention further relates to a process for producing the film, and also to articles formed from the film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal laminating film comprising: a base layer of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film and a thermal laminating layer disposed on the outer surface of the base layer, wherein the said thermal laminating layer comprises 100% by weight of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer containing from 10% to 30% by weight of vinyl acetate units and having melt flow index of 18 to 30 or polyethylene or EAA or a blend of all these.

Abstract: Strengthened filaments and fibers are realized by mixing and dissolving monomer and catalyst in a solvent into open-ended nanotubes to form a polymer precursor prior to polymerization in which the open nanotubes are filled with monomer and catalyst. The remaining steps for forming a stabilized filament may follow the conventional sequence. The result is that the nanotubes are “doubly-embedded” in the polymer matrix (bonds to the polymer inside and extending through the nanotube and bonds to other polymer chains outside the nanotube) in the filament. These additional bonds provide additional mechanical strength. The number of bonds may be further enhanced by pretreating the nanotubes to create defects in the nanotubes to form sites along the inner and outer walls for additional polymer-to-nanotube bonds.

Abstract: An object is to provide an optical film in which retardation variation is less even after a long period of duration of use, to provide an optical compensating film in which transparency and flatness are not deteriorated in a stretching process by using the foregoing film as a support, and to provide a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display exhibiting reduced visibility variation caused by heat generation of an optical LED backlight, and excellent color reproducibility. Disclosed is a manufacturing method of an optical film formed by melt-casting a composition containing a cellulose resin and a plasticizer, wherein the cellulose resin has a residual sulfuric acid content of 0.1-50 ppm, and the composition contains a polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 500-30000 prepared via polymerization of ethylenic unsaturated monomers, or an acrylic polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 500-30000.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube composite, comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a solution of a polymer precursor; (b) immersing carbon nanotubes in the solution and ultrasonically cleaning the solution; (c) polymerizing the polymer precursor in order to obtain a polymer matrix having carbon nanotubes uniformly dispersed therein; (d) forming the polymer matrix into a composite having carbon nanotubes distributed therein by way of extrusion; and (e) elongating the composite so as to cause the carbon nanotubes to be orderly distributed therein.

Abstract: The present invention can provide a distinctive method and process for making polymer fibers (62) and nonwoven fabric webs (60). The method can include providing a fiber material that exhibits a low crystallization rate. In a particular aspect, the fiber material can be subjected to an anneal-quench at an anneal-quench temperature that approximates a prime-temperature at which the polymer material most rapidly crystallizes. In another aspect, the fiber material can be subjected to a fiber-draw at a selected fiber-draw temperature, and in a further aspect, the fiber-draw temperature can be configured to approximate the prime-temperature of the polymer material. In still other aspects, the fiber material can be subjected to a relatively small amount of fiber-draw, and the fiber-draw can be provided at a relatively low fiber-draw speed.

Abstract: The catheter provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention includes an elongate tube having a proximal tube portion and a distal tube portion formed by stretching the distal portion of the elongate tube. The catheter is made throughout from an identical material. The distal tube portion has a reduced outer diameter and thus is of a higher flexibility and softness. Therefore, the danger of injuries to vessels or the dura is decreased. The catheter can be produced in an inexpensive and simple manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a molded article, which can be perform the continuous processes and effectively impregnate a modifying material such as metal complexes in the thermoplastic resin for short period of time. The above object is achieved by providing the method of producing the thermoplastic resin molded article which includes impregnating the high-pressure fluid having a modifying material dissolved therein, in thermoplastic resin, and continuously molding the thermoplastic resin in which the modifying material has been impregnated, into the form of a film.

Abstract: A biodegradable and renewable film that may be employed in a wide variety of applications is provided. The film is formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains at least one starch and at least one plant protein. Even at a high renewable material content, the present inventors have discovered that films may be readily formed from plant proteins and starches by selectively controlling the individual amount of the starch and plant proteins, the nature of the starch and plant proteins, and other components used in the film. Balancing the amount of starches and plant proteins within a certain range, for instance, can reduce the likelihood of plant protein aggregation and enhance the ability of the composition to be melt processed. The composition also contains at least one plasticizer that improves the thermoplastic nature of the protein and starch components. The selection of the plasticizer may also help reduce the tendency of the plant protein to aggregate during melt processing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing polyolefin-polyamide resin composition, which method has a large amount of discharge and is capable of long-time running and excellent in productivity. The method of manufacturing polyolefin-polyamide resin compositions comprises melting and kneading, extruding, and drafted drawing or rolling (a) a polyolefin, (b) a polyamide, (c) a silane coupling agent, (d) JO a first antioxidant with a melting point of 70-170° C., and (e) a second antioxidant with a melting point of 180-300° C. to disperse the polyamide (b) in the form of fiber with an average fiber diameter of 1 ?m or less in the polyolefin (a) to finish the composition in the form of pellets.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of compacted granular potassium chloride with improved handling qualities. A binding ingredient such as sodium hexametaphosphate is blended with the potassium chloride feed material in advance of compaction. The product of this apparatus and method has improved handling, storage, strength and other qualities over compacted granular potassium produced using prior art methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides to a method of producing fiber from tourmaline anion fiber; of which, polypropylene or polyethylene chip, TPE and submicrometer tourmaline particle are prepared and then rolled into submicrometer tourmaline agglomerate through granulation by double screw; then, take submicrometer tourmaline agglomerate and polypropylene or polyethylene chip, of which the content of tourmaline agglomerate accounts for 1˜10% of gross weight, and TPE for 1˜40% of gross weight; tourmaline agglomerate and polypropylene or polyethylene are melted into composite fiber or filter material via spinning, such that the fiber or filter material can yield anion and present outstanding gas permeability and mechanical property.

Abstract: The invention relates to biaxially oriented polyester films which contain 0.1-5.0% by weight (based on the weight of the film) of a hydrolysis stabilizer based on epoxidized fatty acid esters and 0.2-10% by weight (based on the weight of the film) of epoxidized fatty acid glycerides, the epoxidized fatty acid esters having a mean molecular weight of at least 425 g/mol. Such films find use in outdoor applications, as a ribbon cable, as a backside laminate of solar modules and in electrical insulation applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose fiber containing 500 to 2000 of filaments and having homogeneous physical properties and the multi-filaments according to the present invention is characterized in that the strength and the breaking elongation of the multi-filaments are 4 to 9 g/d and 4 to 15%, respectively. In particular, the present invention is characterized in that each mono-filament selected 100 strands from every three part divided from multi-filaments has properties as following: (a) 3 to 9 g/d in average strength, 7 to 15% in average breaking elongation and 0.035 to 0.055 in by birefringence, (b) the differences of the above three parts are below 1.0 g/d in average strength, 1.5% in breaking elongation and 0.7 denier in denier, (c) the CV (%) (coefficient of variation) of the above three parts are below 10%, and (d) the birefringence differences of the above three parts are below 0.004.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a beverage container lid comprising a polymeric material and a pro-degradant additive in an amount from about 0.5% to about 5.0% by weight of the lid.

Abstract: A process is described for production of a biaxially oriented film which comprises at one crystallizable thermoplastic as main constituent and comprises at least 500 ppm, based on the weight of thermoplastic, of a pigment. The production process uses at least 20% by weight, based on the weight of the film, of recycled material of the same type whose molecular weight has been increased by condensation processes.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the adaptability to producing the cellulose acylate film and the surface properties of the cellulose acylate film produced by means of the melt film-forming method can be remarkably improved. Accordingly, there is also improved the surface properties of a stretched cellulose acylate film produced by stretching such an unstretched cellulose acylate film.

Abstract: Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with improved handling properties have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available and have a decreased tendency to curl, in the preferred embodiment, due to the inclusion of relaxation and annealing steps following methods are characterized by the following physical properties: (i) elongation to break from about 17% to about 85% (ii) Young's modulus of less than 350,000 psi, (iii) knot to straight ratio (knot strength/tensile strength) of 55-80% or (iv) load at break from 1100 to 4200 grams.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing an inorganic yarn require a mixture of volcanic rock and an additive including potassium permanganate. This mixture is heated to form a melt. From the melt, a plurality of filaments are formed during a spinning process. After cooling and sizing the plurality of filaments to form fibers, the fibers are twisted to create the inorganic yarn.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered film comprising at least one upper layer a), a middle layer b) made of (meth)acrylate copolymer, and a supporting layer c) made of polycarbonate. Upper layer a) contains a light-stability agent and is made of a (meth)acrylate copolymer that, together with the polycarbonate of supporting layer c), can form partially compatible mixtures. A test piece, which is made from a mixture consisting of 20% by weight of (meth)acrylate copolymer and 80% by weight of polycarbonate, has a breaking elongation (ISO 527-2) of at least 75% at 23° C. The middle layer b) contains a colorant and, optionally, a light-stability agent and is made from an identical or different (meth)acrylate copolymer that, together with the polycarbonate of supporting layer c), can form partially compatible mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer gel-processing techniques and polymer articles of high modulus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a multilayer biaxially oriented film which comprises at least five layers having the arrangement A/B/C/B/A, the inner layer C being synthesized from an ethylene-vinyl-alcohol copolymer (EVOH layer) and an adhesion promoting layer B made of modified polyolefin being applied on both sides on each surface of the EVOH layer C and a layer A made of a partially crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin being applied to the surfaces of the particular adhesion promoting layers, characterized in that the melts corresponding to the individual layers of the film are coextruded through a sheet die, the multilayer film thus obtained is drawn off on one or more roll(s) for solidification, the film is subsequently stretched in the longitudinal direction and then in the transverse direction using a tenter frame, the EVOH layer C and the adhesion promoting layers B and the layer A are coextruded at the same width, and the tenter hooks of the frame engage all five layers jointly a

Abstract: Disclosed are a retardation film, a method for producing the retardation film, a polarizing plate comprising the retardation film, and a liquid crystal display comprising the polarizing plate. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a retardation film, which comprises an extrusion step for extruding a composition containing a thermoplastic resin and having a temperature of To [° C.] from a die; a cooling step for cooling a film extruded from the die and having a glass transition temperature of Tg [° C.] to a temperature Ta [° C.]; a heating step for heating the cooled film to a temperature Tb [° C.] at least once; and a stretching step for cooling the heated film to a temperature Tc [° C.] and then stretching the cooled film in the width direction.

Abstract: A process for cellulose acylate film production which is sufficiently effective in reducing viscosity and in reducing moisture permeability. The cellulose acylate film does not suffer bleeding, i.e., the phenomenon in which a component separates out or volatilizes from the cellulose acylate film, has high flatness, is inhibited from having streak unevenness, and has high evenness. Even through long-term storage, the film does not suffer film deformation failures such as ridge failures or protrusion failures. This process for cellulose acylate film production comprises forming a cellulose acylate film by the melt casting method, and is characterized in that the cellulose acylate film contains at least one compound represented by the following general formula (1) and that the cellulose acylate film extruded from a casting dye in the film formation by melt casting is pressed between a touch roll having an elastically deformable surface and a cooling roll to produce the target film.

Abstract: A light diffusion film includes a thermoplastic resin, a surface of the light diffusion film has a roughness (Ra) of about 0.5 to about 3 ?m and a height distribution index (HDI) of about 3 to about 8 ?m, and the light diffusion film has a retardation of not more than about 25 nm.

Abstract: A pultrusion machine for forming a laminated composite with a predetermined profile and the product obtained. The apparatus comprises at least two spools for supplying elongated reinforcements. A collator receives the elongated reinforcements and arranges the reinforcements in layered relationship to form a layered elongated bundle. A supply member wets the layered elongated bundle with plastisol to form a wetted elongated bundle. The wetted elongated bundle is transported through a pultrusion die wherein the wetted layered bundle is molded into the predetermined profile. A converting apparatus cures, or converts, the wetted layered bundle into the layered composite. A particularly preferred embodiment is an extrusion comprising a reinforcing material wherein said reinforcing material comprises a fiber reinforced plastisol.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a production process for twistable polymer film or similar, film thus obtained for packaging and others and applications is a practical and innovative laminate or polymer film with the addition of resin in the extrusion process, which gives the final product a twisting effect, maintaining it in this twisted state, and without returning to the initial position, allowing the packaging of different goods, such as foodstuff, hygiene and cleaning products, or animal nutrients, among others, to be opened or closed by a simple manual twisting, keeping the packaged product preserved with the same original properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for preparing nanotube composite materials and fibers that provide exceptional nanotube alignment and dispersion. The disclosed processes include contacting nanotube dispersions with polymer melts. Also disclosed are nanotube composite fibers having high nanotube concentrations, exceptional nanotube alignment, and high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a winding tape (10) of unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene wherein polytetrafluoroethylene powder is mixed with a lubricating or slip agent, the material is molded into a cylindrical blank (1) and the blank (1) is first extruded as a strand with small outer dimensions and subsequently calendered into the tape (10) in the forming gap (13) of a pair of rolls (8,9). The surface of at least one roll is deformed under compression during calendering of the round rope (6) into the tape.

Abstract: Nanostructures and methods of making nanostructures having self-assembled nanodot arrays wherein nanodots are self-assembled in a matrix material due to the free energies of the nanodot material and/or differences in the Gibb's free energy of the nanodot materials and matrix materials.

Abstract: A method for producing a plastic scintillator is disclosed. A plurality of nano-sized particles and one or more dopants can be combined with a plastic material for the formation of a plastic scintillator thereof. The nano-sized particles, the dopant and the plastic material can be combined within the dry inert atmosphere of an extruder to produce a reaction that results in the formation of a plastic scintillator thereof and the deposition of energy within the plastic scintillator, such that the plastic scintillator produces light signifying the detection of a radiative element. The nano-sized particles can be treated with an inert gas prior to processing the nano-sized particles, the dopant and the plastic material utilizing the extruder. The plastic scintillator can be a neutron-sensitive scintillator, x-ray sensitive scintillator and/or a scintillator for the detection of minimum ionizing particles.

Abstract: A bench-top molding process is disclosed in combination with an apparatus designed to heat a molding composition. In accordance with the present invention, the molding composition contains a thermoplastic elastomer and a plasticizer. The thermoplastic elastomer can be, for instance, a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer. The plasticizer, on the other hand, can be mineral oil. The block copolymer can be chosen in conjunction with the plasticizer so as to have a bubble rise rate when heated equal to at least one half of the bubble rise rate of glycerin at room temperature. By having a bubble raise rate in the above range, it has been found that no significant amounts of air will be trapped in the molding composition when formed into a casting.

Abstract: A nanotube/matrix composite mixture, and a method of producing it, which can be used to form a composite material such as a drawn fiber having an increased strength over a drawn fiber formed from the matrix material alone. Nanotubes are combined with a solvent material to form a nanotube/solvent mixture. The nanotube/solvent mixture is mixed, for example by sonication, such that the nanotubes are uniformly dispersed in the nanotube/solvent mixture. An amount of a matrix material (with or without a solvent) is then combined with the nanotube/solvent mixture to form a nanotube/solvent/matrix mixture. The nanotube/solvent/mixture and the matrix material are mixed such that the nanotubes are maintained in uniformly dispersed state in the nanotube/solvent/matrix mixture, for example by continued sonication after the nanotubes and matrix material are combined.

Abstract: Improvements in preventing heat- and moisture-shrink problems in specific polypropylene tape fibers are demonstrated herein. Such fibers are manufactured through the initial production of polypropylene films or tubes which are then slit into very thin, though flat tape fibers thereafter. Such fibers include rigidifying nucleating compounds that nucleate polymer crystals within the target polypropylene after exposure to sufficient heat to melt the initial pelletized polymer and upon allowing such a melt to cool. Specific methods of manufacture of such inventive tape fibers, as well as fabric articles made therefrom, are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: A method and a device for production of a web with good breathing properties, for example having a nonwoven web based on plastic filaments and/or plastic fibers and a plastic film, applied on one side of the nonwoven web and containing at least one mineral filler. For the production of the good breathing properties, the web is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the same, in two successive steps, and an embossing is carried out, at least in certain sectors of the surface, between the two steps which effect the stretching in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enhancing the fraction of ?-crystal modification in polypropylene by compounding nanocrystalline substances. A ?-fraction of 50–100% is achieved with said method. The compounds are characterized by improved mechanical properties. The nanocrystalline powders can be directly compounded and compatibilized with surface-active substances in the PP matrix for better dispersion.