Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) and an impact modifier having repeat units derived from an alkyl acrylate and optionally a comonomer. Also disclosed is a process for producing the composition and an article comprising the composition.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a thermoplastic polyurethane which is comprised of the reaction product of (1) a hydroxyl terminated intermediate, (2) a polyisocyanate, and (3) a glycol chain extender selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol; wherein the hydroxyl terminated intermediate is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl terminated polyether intermediates and hydroxyl terminated polyester intermediates; wherein the hydroxyl terminated intermediate is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a branched glycol or is comprised of at least 2 different repeating units; wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane has a weight average molecular weight of at least 100,000 Daltons; wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane includes hard segments that are the reaction product of the polyisocyanate and the glycol chain extender; and wherein the hard segments represent from 10 to 40 weight percent of the total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane.

Abstract: An article includes a reaction product of a filler having binding sites, a coupling agent composition including an aromatic amine and a first cycloolefin substituted with at least one epoxy group, a polymer precursor including a second cycloolefin, and a metathesis catalyst capable of catalyzing a ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction when contacted to the first cycloolefin or the second cycloolefin. The coupling agent composition is capable of bonding to the filler and the coupling agent composition is compatible with a metathesis catalyst. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a resin-coated carbon nanomaterial whereby an ultrasonic stirring method can be applied even for polycarbonate. A poly-carbonate resin is dissolved in a first organic solvent primarily composed of tetrahydrofuran, and an additive and a carbon nanomaterial are added to the solution, whereby a carbon nanomaterial coated by the polycarbonate resin is obtained. The polycarbonate resin alone cannot withstand ultrasonic stirring, but accompanying the polycarbonate resin with the carbon nanomaterial enables ultrasonic stirring to be applied.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition of matter comprising a blend of discontinuous thermoplastic starch domains in a synthetic polymer, said composition of matter being characterized by an average diameter of thermoplastic starch domains of about 0.2 to about 1.5 microns. Also disclosed are compositions of matter comprising a blend of discontinuous thermoplastic starch domains in a synthetic polymer and being characterized by finished articles having key mechanical properties which are essentially maintained or in some cases improved over pure synthetic polymers. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for making the material of the present invention. In a related aspect, the present invention provides the novel materials issued from the method of making the material. In other aspects, the present invention provides novel finished article compositions in the form of films or molded articles.

Abstract: A heat-curable molding material pellet comprising a heat-curable epoxy-containing material, a thermoplastic component and a curing agent for the epoxy-containing material, wherein the pellet has a multilayer structure comprising a core containing a first heat-curable component and a sheath containing a second heat-curable component, disposed in the periphery of the core.

Abstract: Improvements in the aesthetic appearance and performance properties of heterophasic polymers is obtained through the breaking up and dispersion of large gels. According to the current invention, a novel process is provided for filtration of heterophasic polymers using a fiber metal felt (FMF) media. Molded articles made from impact copolymers prepared according to the present invention have improved appearance and fracture mechanics relative to impact copolymers produced according to prior art methods.

Abstract: Solution blending of masterbatch of cationically functionalized polyvinyl acetate copolymer/silicate nanocomposite where the silicate is substantially exfoliated, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), produces product of increased tensile strength and Young's Modulus compared to neat EVA and reduced flammability compared to neat EVA. The product can be injection molded or compression molded or extruded without loss of these advantages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastics molding composition based on polyarylene sulfide and/or on liquid-crystalline plastic, where the molding composition comprises carbon black and graphite and/or metal powder, the carbon black has a specific surface area of from 500 to 1500 m2/g, and a dibutyl phthalate value of from 100 to 700 ml/100 g, and the graphite has a specific surface area of from 1 to 35 m2/g. The molding compositions of the invention have good conductivities, and better flowabilities and mechanical properties.

Abstract: Surface-modified discontinuous glass fibers are provided for incorporation in a thermoplastic matrix to form a fiber-reinforced composite article by injection or compression molding which displays enhanced mechanical properties, including improved tensile strength. Good binding between the discontinuous glass fibers and the thermoplastic matrix is achieved through the presence of finely roughened surfaces on the fibers of nanoparticles of an inorganic material. Such nanoparticles are provided from an alkaline aqueous size composition containing the nanoparticles dispersed therein (as described). The glass fibers are initially provided in continuous form followed by cutting into discontinuous lengths and drying with the retention of the nanoparticles on the surfaces of the fibers. Improved color in the resulting injection or compression molded thermoplastic discontinuous glass fiber-reinforced composite articles is made possible in combination with enhanced mechanical properties.

Abstract: A plastic mold injection apparatus (300) is provided. The apparatus includes a runner system (110) that delivers a plastic melt through a flow tube (111), a cavity (120) that receives the plastic melt, and a hydraulic drive mechanism (130) that drives a pin in and out of a flow tube of the runner system. The runner system, the cavity, and the hydraulic drive mechanism are internal to, and operate within, the apparatus, to mix the plastic melt in the cavity. The hydraulic drive mechanism moves a first pin (141) out-of-phase with a second pin (142) to mix the plastic melt in the cavity. A first hydraulic pipe (151) removes hydraulic fluid to pull plastic melt into a first flow tube (111) from the cavity. A second hydraulic pipe (152) delivers hydraulic fluid to push out plastic melt from a second flow tube (112) to the cavity.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball core comprising the steps of providing a first polybutadiene pre-impregnated with at least about 50 weight percent of a first filler; providing a second polybutadiene substantially free of the first filler; providing a free radical initiator and a crosslinking agent; mixing the second polybutadiene, the free radical initiator, and the crosslinking agent with the first polybutadiene to form a polybutadiene blend; and molding the polybutadiene blend into the golf ball core.

Abstract: A preform for a multi-layered hollow vessel has excellent moldability and productivity and is free from the deterioration of the characteristic properties of the vessel even when a recycled material is filled in large quantities. A molded product is produced by filling a first material and a second material into the cavity of an injection mold in a single molding step including (i) the substep of injecting the first material, (ii) the substep of injecting the first material and the second material at the same time and (iii) the substep of injecting the first material which are carried out continuously in this order.

Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a method of a compounding molding system, (ii) a compounding extruder of a compounding molding system, (iii) a compounding molding system, (iv) a controller of a compounding molding system, (v) an article of manufacture of a controller of a compounding molding system, (vi) a network-transmittable signal of a controller of a compounding molding system, (vii) a compounded molded article compounded by a compounding molding system, (viii) a molten molding material compounded by a compounding molding system, (ix) a component of a compounding molding system and (x) a mold of a compounding molding system.

Abstract: A resin composition includes: an aliphatic polyester compound; and a lignophenol compound.

Abstract: The manufacture of foamed polymer trim parts making use of physical blowing agents requires the diffusion and sorption of the blowing agent in the polymer melt. Said diffusion and sorption are achieved by intensive mixing. Therefore a statical mixing device is enclosed in a pressure chamber, which comprises a hollow porous cylinder, which has a surface suitable for contacting the melt with the blowing agent. The protrusions extending at least partially into the melt flow cause a multiple reorganisation of the polymer melt, which leads to thorough mixing and shortens the diffusion path. The statical mixing device, which may be of modular construction, increases mass transport and mixing by a small modification of a conventional injection molding machine.

Abstract: In a reciprocating (RS) injection unit environment, as shown in FIG. 1, a controller of the injection unit is arranged to continuously rotate the screw during both conventional plasticizing operation and shot injection. In this way the RS unit is more efficient, utilizing less energy and producing greater resin output. The injection unit includes a non-return valve adjacent a nozzle, which non-return valve is either configured to rotate with the screw to reduce wear or presented as a ball check style noon-return valve. In an injection molding environment, the rotating screw includes flights that allow granules of resin to melt and mix in spaces between adjacent flights, but the flights are arranged substantially to inhibit excessive displacement of resin around the flights.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. Polymeric materials may be utilized to fabricate any of these devices, including stents. The stents may be balloon expandable or self-expanding. The polymeric materials may include additives such as drugs or other bioactive agents as well as radiopaque agents. By preferential mechanical deformation of the polymer, the polymer chains may be oriented to achieve certain desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: There is provided a composition comprising a unique polymeric compound that provides a soft, flexible product. There is also provided a unique polymeric tampon applicator that is soft and flexible. When used as a tampon applicator barrel, the barrel is more comfortable and has improved ease of insertion. The polymeric compound primarily comprises a thermoplastic resin and a block copolymer that exhibit unique load, energy and modulus of elasticity properties. The polymeric compound should also include a plasticizer and a compatibilizer/flow modifier, and may include a slip/mold release agent, an antioxidant, and even a pigment. There is also provided a method for making the polymeric compound that will be formed into a product, such as an applicator or applicator barrel in which all of the above ingredients, except for the thermoplastic resin, are combined and formed into soft pellets. The soft resin pellets are then dry blended with pellets of the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A dust core consists essentially of ferromagnetic powder; and an insulating binder, in which the ferromagnetic powder is dispersed; wherein the insulating binder is a silicone resin comprising a trifunctional alkyl-phenyl silicone resin and optionally containing an inorganic insulator such as an inorganic oxide, carbide or nitride. Preferably the alkyl-phenyl silicone resin is a methyl-phenyl silicone resin and comprises about 20 to 70 mol % of trifunctional groups. The dust core can be produced by pressure-molding a ferromagnetic powder, a lubricant and a trifunctional alkyl-phenyl silicone resin binder and heat treating the molded core at a temperature in the range of about 300 to about 800° C. for a time period in the range of about 20 minutes to about 2 hours in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The dust core has high magnetic permeability representing the direct current superimposition characteristics, has reduced core loss and has increased mechanical strength.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for recycling plastics which is improved with respect to operation efficiency, operation environment, lowering degradation of plastics, recycling cost and environment load including saving energy. The recycling is made as follows: coarse-crushing used-up plastic products, separating plastic materials from other foreign matters by air blow separation, fine-crushing the separated plastics, washing the fine-crushed plastics by the process using a circulation flow including a spiral flow in which interaction between crushed plastics helps themselves clean without washing agents, dewatering the washed plastics, drying them, removing metallic matters by using metal detector, then feeding them directly without pelletizing to an injection molding machine of which nozzle part is equipped with filter and flow-switching mechanism for cleaning the filter by backwash reverse filtration.

Abstract: A molded article includes thermoplastic resin, and an organic material different from the thermoplastic resin inside said molded article, the organic material being located on and near a surface of said molded article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a layered structure comprising a plastic substrate, at least one intermediate metallic layer on top of this plastic substrate and a metal or metal alloy layer on top of this intermediate metallic layer. The metal or metal alloy layer is applied from the melt of a metal or metal alloy. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a layered structure.

Abstract: Polyamides based on reaction products of C4-C18 dicarboxylic acids and diamines are suitable as molding compositions for the production of moldings in the low pressure injection molding process, and for adhesive sealing or filling in the production of electrical or electronic devices, in particular of plugs, cables, switches, sensors, transponders, modules, printed circuit boards or smart cards. In comparison with conventional molding compositions based in known hot melt adhesives, said polyamides exhibit higher strength values, higher abrasion resistance and higher chemical resistance.

Abstract: A molded article includes thermoplastic resin, and an organic material different from the thermoplastic resin inside said molded article, the organic material being located on and near a surface of said molded article.

Abstract: The invention provides an injection molding method comprising supplying a gas into a molten resin in a plasticizing cylinder and injecting the molten resin having the gas dissolved therein, wherein when the resin is being plasticized, a gas space with a predetermined gas pressure is formed within the plasticizing cylinder in a gas supply section and the pressure at the front end of the screw is adjusted to be at least equal to the gas pressure in the gas space and within a range where the gas space can be maintained within the plasticizing cylinder in the gas supply section. According to the invention, the necessary amount of gas can be dissolved in the molten resin with good reproducibility in a quantitative manner.

Abstract: Process for the continuous preparation of thermoplastically processable polyurethane elastomers with improved softening properties is disclosed. The process is carried out in a tubular reactor at a ratio of the circumferential speed of the stirrer (in m/sec) in the tubular reactor and the throughput (in g/sec) of >0.03 m/g.

Abstract: The invention is to ensure that in injection molding a molten resin having carbon dioxide dissolved therein as a plasticizer, a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide to achieve satisfactory improvement in flowability is dissolved in the molten resin so that the flowability of the molten resin is significantly improved while enabling the production of a non-foamed molded article. Specifically, in the invention, a molten resin having dissolved therein a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide to improve its flowability is filled into a mold cavity while allowing to foam at the flow front of the molten resin, and the resin in the mold cavity is then pressurized to at least a pressure at which it does not foam.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a disc drive load/unload ramp incorporates a disc drive compatible lubricant as the mold releasing agent. A mold having a load/unload ramp cavity is sprayed with a predetermined amount of disc drive compatible lubricant so that the finished load/unload ramp exhibits a predetermined thickness of lubricant. Alternatively, a known amount of disc drive compatible lubricant is combined with the load/unload ramp polymer during the melting stage of the molding process to yield a load/unload ramp exhibiting a predetermined thickness of lubricant. In either case, the lubrication of the load/unload ramp is integrated into the fabrication process in order to obtain a one step finished pre-lubricated product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection machine comprising: a heating barrel which heats a powder material, a binder, and a resin material into a molten resin; a screw mounted in the heating barrel to mix the resin material; and a motor which drives the screw in rotation.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for recycling plastics which is improved with respect to operation efficiency, operation environment, lowering degradation of plastics, recycling cost and environment load including saving energy. The recycling is made as follows: coarse-crushing used-up plastic products, separating plastic materials from other foreign matters by air blow separation, fine-crushing the separated plastics, washing the fine-crushed plastics by the process using a circulation flow including a spiral flow in which interaction between crushed plastics helps themselves clean without washing agents, dewatering the washed plastics, drying them, removing metallic matters by using metal detector, then feeding them directly without pelletizing to an injection molding machine of which nozzle part is equipped with filter and flow-switching mechanism for cleaning the filter by backwash reverse filtration.

Abstract: A flexible flying disk is described in which a body having a circular perimeter is formed about a central axis. The body includes a weighted annular margin at the perimeter, with an axial margin dimension. A central web spans the perimeter at one axial end of the margin and includes an axial web thickness less than the axial margin dimension. The web and annular margin are integral and are formed of a thermosetting molded and heat cured catalyzed silicone.

Abstract: A stack injection molding apparatus includes a melt homogenizing element provided between a first transfer nozzle, which is coupled to a melt source, and a second transfer nozzle, which is coupled to a manifold. The melt homogenizing element is used for redistributing a melt stream in order to provide a homogenized melt stream having a generally uniform temperature and viscosity profile or sectional distribution.

Abstract: An additive system for polyester polymers comprising an effective amount of (i) a fatty acid amide selected from the group consisting of oleyl palmitamide, ethylene bis stearamide, ethylene bis oleomide, and stearyl erucamide; (ii) a partially or fully calcined porous poly(methylsilsequioxane); and (iii) a stabilizer comprising a primary and a secondary antioxidant.

Abstract: Solid state shear pulverization is utilized to form a compatibilized homogenous polymeric blend which has improved melt processing properties including a higher melt flow rate than the moldable base polymer without sacrificing, and often increasing the other physical properties including tensile strength, impact strength and elongation. The compatibilized, homogenous polymeric blend improves melt processing of the moldable polymer in injection molding, extrusion molding and blow molding, including the ability to down gauge blow molded films without sacrificing melt strength and the physical properties of the film.

Abstract: The invention is to ensure that in injection molding a molten resin having carbon dioxide dissolved therein as a plasticizer, a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide to achieve satisfactory improvement in flowability is dissolved in the molten resin so that the flowability of the molten resin is significantly improved while enabling the production of a non-foamed molded article.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes conductive separator plates comprising molded plates of a composition comprising a binder, conductive carbon particles whose average particle diameter is not less than 50 &mgr;m and not more than ⅓ of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the conductive separator plate, and at least one of conductive carbon fine particles and micro-diameter carbon fibers. The separator plates do not require conventional cutting processes for gas flow channels, etc., and can be easily mass produced by injection molding and achieve a reduction in the cost.

Abstract: A microplate is described that has a surface with an enhanced lubricious property which makes it easier to remove the microplate from a thermocycler. Basically, the microplate has a frame which includes an array of wells formed therein that are made from a thermoplastic material (e.g. polypropylene) mixed with a non-toxic surface active material (e.g., surfactant, stearyl alcohol). The non-toxic surface active material functions to enhance the lubricity of the surface of the microplate which makes it easier to remove the microplate from the thermocycler. In addition, the non-toxic surface active material within the microplate also makes it easier to remove a newly molded microplate from a mold cavity in an injection molding machine. Also described herein are details about methods for making and using such microplates.

Abstract: An injection molding method that ensures, in the molding of optical disks and the like, accurate transferability, optical characteristics and mechanical characteristics for accurately transferring a super fine structure that could not be transferred satisfactorily by the conventional molding method, mass production of replicas, and so on, thus improving the production efficiency. It comprises the steps of using a cavity forming mold composed of at least two members, charging molten resin into the mold, obtaining a molding, wherein one of the members constituting the mold passes through a stage that is separated into at least three steps, a charging step, a press step and a molding take-out step, and molten resin is charged into the unclosed cavity of the one member in the charging step and then a molding is formed in the press step.

Abstract: Granulated papermaking sludge is combined with plastic to form composite materials that may be shaped into structural and non-structural articles.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing fibre-reinforced plastic components whereby, a reactive starting mixture is prepared from a starting material and injected into a cavity in a mould containing a fibre-type mass, whereby the reactive molten mass along with the fibre-type mass is transformed by means of a polymeric reaction into a fibre-reinforced plastic component. A heated plasticising unit with screw feed system, prepares the starting material as a low viscosity, reactive molten mass, and the reactive molten mass is conveyed by the screw feed system from the plasticising unit and injected either directly or indirectly into the cavity of the mould.

Abstract: Syndiotactic polypropylene blends having a unique set of mechanical properties may be prepared by blending syndiotactic polypropylene with a high molecular weight mineral oil, an ultra low density polyethylene, or both. The syndiotactic polypropylene blends of the present invention have been found to have reduced flexural modulus, reduced haze, improved impact strength and shorter injection molding cycle times. It has been determined that the addition of about 5 to about 10 percent high molecular weight mineral oil to a syndiotactic polypropylene can decrease flexural modulus values by about 25 to about 30 percent. Moreover, the addition of up to about 10 percent mineral oil to the syndiotactic polypropylene material does not show signs of bleeding or impair clarity, in fact, percent haze values are slightly improved with the addition of mineral oil.

Abstract: A method for controlling the hang time of a tubular parison formed from a thermoplastic resin is provided with a second higher melting thermoplastic resin as an additive, and blow molding the resulting resin at a temperature below the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the higher melting component. In the case where the lower melting base resin is PBT and the higher melting additive resin is PET, the temperature of molding is below the Tg of the PET additive.

Abstract: A molded article includes thermoplastic resin, and an organic material different from the thermoplastic resin inside said molded article, the organic material being located on and near a surface of said molded article.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a molded resinous part with a metal distributed in a surface thereof comprising: kneading a low-melting metal and a resin having a curing temperature lower than a solidification point of the low-melting metal in a molten state; and injection-molding the resulting kneaded mixture into a mold whose temperature is set to a temperature equal to or lower than the solidification point of the low-melting metal and higher than the curing temperature of the resin, thereby obtaining a molded resinous part comprising the resin as a core and the low-melting metal in a surface thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding two compatible polymeric materials, in which two substantially coaxial extrusion screws are used to plasticize the two materials into a common accumulation space. The charge comprising multiple layers of material is then injected into a closed mold by means of forward axial motion of the outer screw with respect to its enclosing barrel. Once inside the mold, the first material forms a skin layer totally or partially surrounding the other material. In this way a part having a plurality of material properties may be produced in a single operation.

Abstract: A back-flow prevention apparatus includes a screw body; a screw head attached to the screw body; a first resin passage formed on a first ring; a second resin passage formed on a second ring located adjacent to and rotatable relative to the first ring; a drive unit for rotating a screw; and a controller. A rotation restriction mechanism is disposed between the first and second rings such that communication is established between the first and second resin passages or sealing is effected upon rotation of the screw. The controller includes a resin-pressure reduction unit for reducing the pressure of resin in the space located forward of the screw head after completion of a metering step but before initiation of sealing. Since the pressure of resin in the space located forward of the screw head has been reduced when sealing is effected upon rotation of the screw, the resin in the space located forward of the screw head is prevented from flowing in the opposite rotational direction upon rotation of the screw.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer and p-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI)/polycaprolactone-based composition therefor having a unique chain extender combination for improved injection moldability. The elastomer is formed as the reaction product of: (A) from about 60 to 80% by weight of a hydroxyl-terminated poly(caprolactone) diol; (B) from about 17 to 22% by weight of a p-phenylene diisocyanate; (C) from about 3 to 10% by weight of a first hydroxyl-functional chain extender; and (D) less than about 2% by weight of a second hydroxyl-functional chain extender different from the first chain extender, the second chain extender being selected as effective to modify the crystallinity of the elastomer.

Abstract: A phenol resin composition for forming pulleys used in motor vehicles is disclosed. The composition comprises 35 to 45 wt % of resol, 35 to 45 wt % of glass fiber, 5 to 15 wt % of one or more inorganic powders selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, clay, and wallastonite, and 1 to 3 wt % of polyvinyl butyral. The phenol resin pulley for motor vehicles is almost free from swelling or shell cracking on the surface at a high temperature of 250° C. or more and exhibits high mechanical strength and superior thermal shock resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding two compatible polymeric materials, in which two or more plasticizing zones on a screw are used to simultaneously or sequentially plasticize the two materials into a common accumulation space through separate pathways. The charge comprising multiple layers of material is then injected into a closed mold by means of forward axial motion of the screw with respect to its enclosing barrel. Once inside the mold, the first material forms a skin layer, totally or partially surrounding the other material. In this way a part having a plurality of material properties may be produced in a single operation.