Abstract: A polymer composition having (i) 0.01 to 50% wt (e.g. 0.05 to 15% wt) of a propylene polymer with a polymeric nucleating agent is disclosed. Preferably, the agent contains vinyl compound units and (ii) a heterophasic propylene polymer which includes less (or no) polymeric nucleating agent than the propylene polymer in (i).

Abstract: The polypropylene-based thermoplastic fibers are uniform in cross-section, not having any degraded surface skin, and they are heat-weldable at a pressure at a temperature which is lower than the melting temperature, by virtue of internal heating due to the effect of said pressure. They are made of a first constituent with high crystallinity and at least one second constituent, compatible with the first constituent, and of crystallinity that is lower than that of the first constituent. They have a quantity of primary oxidation inhibitor lying in the range 350 ppm to 1000 ppm. Such fibers are made by spinning under conditions that avoid molecular degradation by thermal oxidation at the periphery of the fibers, in particular with cooling that is rapid immediately on leaving the extrusion head. The non-woven fabric obtained by heat-bonding such fibers is characterized by weld points that are in the form of a polymer laminate that is uniform and transparent.

Abstract: A radiation crosslinked (50 kGy), pressure-treated UHMWPE material has been developed by applying compressive force on a crosslinked polymer in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction. The deformed material is then cooled while held in a deformed state. The resulting material is anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The directionally engineered material is oxidatively stable even after four weeks of accelerated aging in a pressure vessel containing five atmospheres of oxygen (ASTM F2003). Because of its oxidative stability, the deformation processed material is a suitable candidate for air-permeable packaging and gas sterilization, which has thus far been reserved for remelted highly crosslinked UHMWPEs.

Abstract: A process for producing foam moldings from prefoamed foam particles which have a polymer coating in a mold under pressure, wherein the prefoamed foam particles comprise from 10 to 70% by weight, based on the foam particles, of a filler, and also foam moldings produced therefrom and their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of recovering hydrocarbons or low polarity organic chemicals from hard surfaces, water and water surfaces, in their vapor state and from porous substrates. The hydrocarbons or low-polarity organic chemicals may be included in a spill. More particularly, the invention relates to the absorption of certain hydrocarbons and low-polarity organic chemicals by applying thermoplastic elastomers of a triblock copolymer of the general configuration A-B-A. The preferred A-B-A copolymer of the invention is a low to medium molecular weight hydrogenated polystyrene-poly(isoprene+butadiene)-polystyrene or polystyrene-b-ethylene/ethylene-propylene-b-styrene block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymerizable composition and a resin formed object capable of providing a crosslinked cycloolefin resin formed object and a crosslinked cycloolefin resin composite excellent in heat resistance, more specifically, a polymerizable composition comprising a cycloolefin mixture containing 0.1 to 50 % by mole of a cycloolefin having, as a substituent group, a monovalent group including an aliphatic carbon-carbon unsaturated bond, a metathesis polymerization catalyst, and a radical generating agent; and formed objects produced by using a polymerizable composition described above which preferably further comprises a chain transfer agent and making the cycloolefin mixture undergo at least ring-opening polymenzation.

Abstract: Solid-state deformation processing of crosslinked high molecular weight polymers such as UHMWPE, for example by extrusion below the melt transition, produces materials with a combination of high tensile strength and high oxidative stability. The materials are especially suitable for use as bearing components in artificial hip and other implants. Treated bulk materials are anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The material is oxidatively stable even after four weeks of accelerated aging in a pressure vessel containing five atmospheres of oxygen (ASTM F2003). Because of its oxidative stability, the deformation processed material is a suitable candidate for air-permeable packaging and gas sterilization, which has thus far been reserved for remelted crosslinked UHMWPE.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymeric material, particularly a thermoplastic material, the includes thermoplastic polyolefin and an elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally crosslinked polymeric material and a medical implant made from such polymeric material having significant crosslinking and substantially no detectable free radial for improved wear and oxidation resistance. A method is disclosed for forming a crosslinked oxidation-resistant polymeric material by placing the polymer material in a heating environment at a temperature above the melting point of the polymeric material for a sufficient time to create free radicals and form crosslinks within the polymer micro-structure followed by a cooling step to eliminate residual free radicals and form crosslinks within the polymer micro-structure. A method of making a crosslinked oxidation-resistant UHMWPE medical implant from a solid form of UHMWPE is also disclosed. Another method of making a crosslinked oxidation-resistant UHMWPE near-finished or finished medical implant by compression molding using UHMWPE resin powder as the starting material is also disclosed.

Abstract: UHMWPE panels of large width may be ram extruded from a slit die in a stable process, by restraining a panel which exits the die below the crystalline melt temperature against movement away from the die by a back pressure device, so as to exert a back pressure between the back pressure device and the die, the back pressure device preferably constructed of a plurality of differentially adjustable elements so as to be able to compensate for changes in processing characteristics over time. Vertically restraining UHMWPE panels as they further cool also greatly improves product characteristics.

Abstract: UHMWPE panels of large width may be prepared by a continuous ram extrusion process by employing a slit die which preferably narrows from both sides in a direction transverse to the machine direction, and/or which employs a plurality of transversely positioned cooling zones located on the top and the bottom of the die, proximate the exit thereof. The panel exits the die at a temperature lower than the crystalline melt temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing non-blocking slats of normally tacky amorphous propylene copolymers. The process entails coextruding the normally tacky amorphous propylene copolymer with a low viscosity polyolefin such as a polyethylene wax forming a core of amorphous propylene copolymer covered with a sheath of polyethylene wax. The coextruded article is cooled, cut (while exposing less than 40 percent of the core) and then coated with a non-tacky powder; thereby, forming non-blocking slats. Disclosed is also a novel amorphous propylene copolymer composition containing no more than 90 weight percent propylene and up to 70 weight percent of an alpha olefin comonomer having a needle penetration greater than 70 to less than 100 dmm at 23° C. and a Brookfield Thermosel Viscosity below 1000 cP at 190° C.

Abstract: The object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a extruded ethylene copolymer that can provide a film having excellent melt tension and fluidity as well as excellent impact strength and appearance (haze and transmittance). This object is achieved by a method for producing a extruded ethylene copolymer, comprising extruding an ethylene copolymer of ethylene and an ?-olefin having 4 to 20 carbon atoms under specific conditions, and obtaining the extrudate.

Abstract: A method of forming an engineering component comprising the steps of: subjecting a workpiece or blank formed from polyolefin to gamma radiation at a total dose sufficient to cause a predetermined degree of crosslinking, wherein the total dose is applied at a dosage rate of less than 5 kGy/hour to cause crosslinking of the polymer and forming an engineering component from the crosslinked material.

Abstract: A compound permitting the economic production of packaging containers, which when activated produces concentrated amounts of CO2 gas for extended periods for preservation of perishable products therein, comprises a mixture including a CO2 generating portion incorporated within a polymer matrix. Preferably, the mixture includes citric acid; calcium carbonate, and polyethylene resin. More preferably, the mixture includes a mixture of a carboxylic acid (0.1–40%); a hydrogen carbonate (0.1–40%) and any polyolefin resin. Even more preferably, the mixture includes a mixture including (0.01–40%) Citric Acid; (0.01–40%); and 30–75% polyethylene resin. Most preferably, the mixture includes by weight 12% citric acid; 38% calcium carbonate; and 50% low density polyethylene resin with a melt index of 20 and a density of 0.924 g/cc. Alternatively, the carboxylic acid and hydrogen carbonate components are compounded into separate polymer matrixes, and later combined.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing and copolymerizing cyclic olefins, such as, norbornene is disclosed. The disclosed process uses a catalyst complex that exhibit a high activity for the polymerization and co-polymerization of cyclic olefins and improved stability toward heat, oxygen and moisture.

Abstract: A process for producing a fiber-reinforced molded article and the resulting article such as a cantilevered battery tray. In the process, thermoplastic material in its solid state having a melt flow index above 25 g/10 minutes is fed into a suitable processing machine simultaneous with the addition of reinforcing fibers having a length of at least 0.375 inch or greater and sized with a material such as polyurethane, polyurea, and isocyanate derivatives thereof. The introduced materials are subjected to orientational agitation such that the reinforcing fibers are filamentized in an essentially homogeneous dispersion throughout the solid polymeric material. Once filamentization and dispersion are achieved, the resulting admixture is subjected to knead melting operations for an interval sufficient to achieve melting of the polymeric material introduced into a suitable plasticizing apparatus where the introduced material can be subjected to suitable knead melting operations.

Abstract: In the production of a vulcanized rubber-resin composite material by providing a vulcanized rubber molding in a mold, followed by injecting a resin into the mold, a vulcanizable adhesive layer containing brominated poly(2,3-dichlorobutadiene-1,3) as the main component is formed on the surface to be bonded of the vulcanized rubber molding, and then injecting the resin while keeping the vulcanizable adhesive layer to stay as formed on the surface to be bonded, thereby effecting the bonding, where a strong adhesion is established between the vulcanized rubber molding and the resin layer without any heat treatment of the vulcanized rubber molding before provision of the vulcanized rubber molding in the mold or without any heat treatment of the composite material after the resin injection.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyethylene thin films is disclosed. The process comprises extruding a blend that comprises a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and a high molecular weight, high density polyethylene (HMW-HDPE) or high molecular weight, medium density polyethylene (HMW-MDPE). The blend has an LLDPE/HMW-HDPE or HMW-MDPE weight ratio at least 50/50. The blend is extruded through an annular die to form a molten material tube. The molten material tube is then pulled around a flexible internal orientation device (FIOD) to form the film. The FIOD makes it possible to prepare polyethylene thin films from LLDPE-rich LLDPE/HMW-HDPE or HMW-MDPE blends on a high stalk film line. The films have increased machine-direction (MD) tears.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing extrudable/melt spinnable concentrate pellets which contain phase change materials (PCMs), whether the PCMs are micro-encapsulated absorbed into carrier polymers, or non-micro-encapsulated within the concentrate pellets. The polymer matrix within the concentrate pellets can be any thermoplastic polymer or combination of thermoplastic polymers, and the concentrate pellets can then be blended into similar thermoplastic polymers to form mono-filament melt spun fibers, extruded films, injection molded products, etc., or the concentrate pellets can be blended with other thermoplastic polymers to form bi-component or multi-component melt spun fibers, extruded films, injection molded products, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of producing a molded article from a composition comprising a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, wherein the molded article has a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.05 per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer comprising molding a composition of a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer having a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.3 parts per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, at a temperature of from 265° C. to 305° C. to produce a molded article; and heat treating the molded article at a temperature of 210° C. to 230° C. for at least 2 minutes to thermally initiate free radical polymerization of the residual monomer.

Abstract: The biaxially oriented hollow bodies are obtained by employing random propylene terpolymers which comprise ethylene (0.5 to 5% by weight) and 1-butene (2 to 12% by weight), which have a melting temperature of 120 to 150° C., which are degraded by a free radical generator and which have a degradation factor A of from 1.5 to 10, the said factor being represented by MFIg/MFIi, in which MFIg is the melt flow index of the degraded terpolymer (of between 3 and 30 g/10 min) and MFIi is the melt flow index of the initial terpolymer (of between 2 and 15 g/10 min). The process for the manufacture of the biaxially oriented hollow bodies is by injection stretch blowmoulding. The biaxially oriented hollow bodies are used for packaging.

Abstract: New wood-synthetic resin composite products and methods of forming these products are provided. The products comprise a cellulosic or fibrous material and polypropylene (preferably reactor flake polypropylene). The products are formed by passing ingredients including the fibrous material and polypropylene through an extruder (preferably a twin screw extruder) at temperatures of from about 150-260° C. The extruded composite products have physical properties very similar to those of natural wood, including high tensile strengths, high compressive strengths, and high densities.

Abstract: A plastic window panel for an automotive vehicle comprises a plastic panel of a transparent noncrystalline organic high polymer. Silica particulate is dispersed in the plastic panel and has a particle size not larger than wavelengths of visible light. The plastic window panel is produced by one of a first method and a second method. The first method comprises (a) providing a first solvent in which the silica particulate having the particle size not larger than wavelengths of visible light is dispersed, and a second solvent in which the transparent noncrystalline organic high polymer is dissolved; (b) mixing the first solvent and the second solvent to obtain a resin composition; and (c) molding the resin composition under heating.

Abstract: A process of compression moulding an article from a polymer powder comprising; a) applying a polymer powder to a mould; b) compacting the polymer powder by the application of a pressure P; c) raising the temperature of the surface of the mould to a value above the melting temperature of the polymer powder; and d) maintaining a temperature TM at the surface of the mould for a period of time tM and then cooling to a temperature below the crystallisation temperature of the polymer; where TM and tM are controlled so as to provide a moulded article comprising a polymer of predetermined maximum reptated molecular weight. The compression moulded articles produced by this process are useful as orthopaedic prostheses, such as components of knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, finger or toe joint replacements.

Abstract: Film, molded articles and fibers prepared from ethylene/&agr;-olefin interpolymer compositions are disclosed. The interpolymer compositions are blends prepared by combining specified amounts of a narrow molecular weight distribution, narrow composition distribution breadth index interpolymer, and a broad molecular weight distribution, broad composition distribution breadth index interpolymer, with each blend component having a specified density, melt index and degree of branching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single- or multilayer films and one or more layers comprising at least one polyolefin molding composition containing at least one polyolefin derived from at least one olefin having at least 2 carbon atoms, of the formula Ra—CH═CH—Rb, in which Ra and Rb are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain or branched C1-C15-alkyl radical, or Ra and Rb, together with the atoms connecting them, form a ring or ring system, and the polyolefin has been prepared by means of metallocene catalysts. The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of films and layers in which a polyolefin molding composition having a particle size of from 20 &mgr;m to 5000 &mgr;m is used or prepared. The shaped polyolefin molding composition is melt-mixed with at least one additive and shaped. The melt-mixed and shaped material is melted at a temperature of from 150° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: A low compression, resilient golf ball having a center and a cover, wherein at least a portion of the ball is formed from the conversion reaction of an amount of polybutadiene, a free radical source, and a cis-to-trans catalyst including at least one inorganic sulfide at a sufficient temperature to form a polybutadiene reaction product which includes an amount of trans-polybutadiene greater than the amount of trans-polybutadiene present before the conversion reaction and a cis-to-trans catalyst including at least one inorganic sulfide. The reaction product preferably has a first dynamic stiffness measured at −50° C. that is less than about 130 percent of a second dynamic stiffness measured at 0° C. A multi-layer golf ball having a center, at least one intermediate layer disposed concentrically about the center, and a cover, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the center, intermediate layer, or both, are made from the reaction product.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for manufacturing an outsole for shoes without applying an external mold release agent or mold rubricant onto a mold, and a formulating composition used at manufacturing a rubber outsole. One composition of an internal mold rubricant for manufacturing an outsole for use in footwears is consisting of highly branched hydrocarbon having molecular weight of 400 to 2800, carboxylic acid, metal salts of carboxylic acids, and phospholipids containing heat stable lecithin. Another composition of an internal mold rubricant for manufacturing an outsole for use in footwears is consisting of branched hydrocarbon having molecular weight of 800 to 2000, carboxylic acid, long chain carboxylic acids having molecular weight of 200 to 800, metal complex of long chain carboxylic acids having molecular weight of 200 to 800, and ionomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a shaped article suitable for use as the load bearing component of a prosthetic device formed from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. polyethylene.

Abstract: Film, molded articles and fibers prepared from ethylene/&agr;-olefin interpolymer compositions are disclosed. The interpolymer compositions are blends prepared by combining specified amounts of a narrow molecular weight distribution, narrow composition distribution breadth index interpolymer, and a broad molecular weight distribution, broad composition distribution breadth index interpolymer, with each blend component having a specified density, melt index and degree of branching.

Abstract: LLDPE films with superior impact strength are obtained by blowing lightly crosslinked LLDPE resins under film extrusion conditions typically used for blowing HDPE film.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive CrO2 polymer composite blend comprising 90-95% by weight of the polymer preferably Low Density Poly Ethylene, 5-10% by weight of magnetic filler preferably CrO2 and 2-4% by weight of an additive, prepared by the process of mixing the said polymer, said CrO2 and said additive in a mortar pestle to obtain a homogenous mixture, the said mixture is heated at a temperature of 95-100° C. to obtain a blended melt, the said blended melt is then casted between two metal plates to obtain sheets by applying the pressure.

Abstract: A process for selecting and extruding a copolymer having improved extrusion processability comprising (a) selecting one or more copolymers of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, each of said copolymers having essentially no long chain branching and having (1) a melt index selected from the range of about 0.1 to about 20 grams per 10 minutes, and (2) a melt flow ratio having at least about a value determined by the following formula: 2.7183 to the power of {(1.477 minus [0.279 times the natural logarithm of the selected melt index]) divided by 0.29} and (b) extruding said copolymer around an electrical conductor.

Abstract: A bulk polymerized grafted and crosslinkable thermoplastic polyolefin powder composition having elasticity and flexibility properties, which is in the form of a powder intended for the production of flexible coatings by free flow over a hot mold, characterized in that it contains:

Abstract: A method of converting stripped roofing material into a useful product comprising feeding roofing material removed during repair or reroofing of a building roof into a shredder introducing particles of material from said shredder together with particles of thermoplastic material and a particulate filler material into a high intensity mixer to form a batch of material to be mixed, intensely mixing said batch of material to produce a heated mass of hot particles of roofing material and filler material coated with molten thermoplastic, then molding said heated mass under pressure into a desired end product. The invention also includes products produced utilizing said stripped roofing material.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method of making and implanting the article made of a polyolefin star or linear copolymer are disclosed in which the polyolefin copolymer is biostable and crack-resistant when implanted in vivo. The polyolefin copolymer is the reaction product of a rubbery component which when homopolymerized produces a polymer having a low level of hardness, and a hardening component which when homopolymerized produces a polymer having a high level of hardness. The polyolefin copolymer is elastomeric, has a hardness intermediate the low and high levels of hardness, and has a backbone in which the majority of polymer linkages along the copolymer chain are alternating quaternary and secondary carbon atoms.