Abstract: A process for producing a resin molded article having a diminished residual stress, which includes heating an injection-molded article of a thermoplastic resin by means of a combination of far infrared radiation with far infrared ray having a frequency of from 10.sup.11 to 10.sup.14 Hz and hot-air flow, thereby to diminish a residual stress in the molded article in a short period of time.

Abstract: A process for forming a container of acrylonitrile polymers by biaxial-orientation blow-molding a preform. A preform of thermoplastic resin, mainly acrylonitrile polymers, is irradiated with an electron beam or a gamma-ray. Immediately after the irradiation, the preform is heated at 40.degree. C. or higher to reduce residual acrylonitrile monomer in the preform to 0.1 ppm or less. Then, the preform is biaxial-orientation blow molded to form a container.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of stacked or wound type capacitors, made by the stacking and cutting out into unit blocks or by the winding of metallized polyethylene naphthalene films, at least after the stacking phase for the stacked type capacitors or the winding phase for the wound type capacitors, the capacitors are subjected to at least one annealing operation at a temperature of 240.degree. C. to 295.degree. C. for a period of at least one hour. The method can be applied notably to the making of chip capacitors for SMC mounting.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method comprises tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate resin bottle-shaped container made by thermally crystallizing a neck portion of a preform, heating the preform, blow-molding the preform to form a primary intermediate molded bottle-shaped piece, raising the temperature of the primary intermediate molded bottle-shaped piece to a temperature greater than the temperature during blow-molding the preform to thermally contract the primary intermediate molded bottle-shaped piece to form a secondary intermediate molded bottle-shaped piece, and blow-molding the secondary intermediate molded bottle-shaped piece to form a bottle-shaped container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for improving the unload power of a precursor elastic film comprising orienting the film to a draw ratio in the range of about 2:1 to about 20:1 followed by annealing. Further disclosed is an elastic film oriented to a draw ratio in the range of about 2:1 to about 20:1 and comprising a copolymer of ethylene polymerized with at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 alpha-olefins and C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 polyenes, wherein the copolymer has a density in the range of about 0.855 g/cm.sup.3 to about 0.9 g/cm.sup.3, a melt index in the range of about 0.5 to about 50, with a composition distribution index at least about 45 percent.

Abstract: A process for producing a high modulus article includes forcing a high molecular weight plastic material, such as polyethylene, through a passage of which the cross-sectional area diminishes in the forward direction of plastic flow, thus producing an extrudate. The plastic material is extruded while it is close to or at its melt temperature, and it is lubricated to obtain substantially plug flow through the passage. The speed at which the plastic material flows through the passage is adjusted so that the elongational velocity gradient at any longitudinal position within the passage does not exceed about 2.6 sec..sup.-1, thus minimizing the degree of molecular orientation in the extrudate. The extrudate can be deformed by drawing while it is maintained at or close to its melt temperature, thus producing an oriented, deformed extrudate. The oriented extrudate is then quickly cooled to preserve the orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermically processing a material, such as a plastic material made of PET, in contact with a very thin heating layer that is provided on a body, such as a blow-mold. The intensity of current supplied to the heating layer is controlled as a function of the medium temperature in the heating layer to allow the heating layer to very rapidly heat up the plastic material contacting the heating layer. After switching off the heating current the plastic material is rapidly cooled down to the temperature of the body carrying the heating layer. This process may be applied to the heat setting process of blow-molded hollow articles made of PET.

Abstract: Process for the production of an electrical insulant (5) placed in an intense electrical field, particularly between two electrodes (1, 2) of an electron tube. The insulant (5) is a crystalline material, whose free surfaces (7) in vacuo (6) have been treated so as to reduce or eliminate crystallization defects. The treatment is checked by measurements of a particular optical or mechanical property of the free surfaces. The breakdown voltage can be multiplied by three or four compared with conventional insulants and can approach the breakdown voltage of the vacuum.

Abstract: Silicon carbide fibers which are derived from oligomeric and/or polymeric ecursors are modified and strengthened by annealing the silicon carbide fiber at temperatures in excess of 800.degree. C. under a nitrogen atmosphere in the presence of carbon particles. The modified fibers can be used to make ceramic, metal, and plastic composites.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container capable of withstanding, without appreciable deformation, relatively severe thermal conditions encountered during processing by filling with a hot liquid or pasteurization of the contents of the container. The process inlcudes the following steps, on an amorphous PET preform which includes a body and a neck section which already possesses the final shape and dimensions of the PET container to be formed, heating only the body, exclusive of the neck section, of the PET preform to a temperature at least equal to the PET-softening temperature; in a mold, blow molding the heated preform body to form an intermediate container whose body has dimensions greater, by about 20% with respect to height and by 0 to about 30% transversely, than the dimensions of the PET container to be formed, while cooling the mold walls holding the intermediate container to a temperature of about 5.degree. to about 40.degree. C.

Abstract: A transparent polyester container is produced by melt-molding a copolyester resin containing 75 to 98 molar % of repeating units of an ester of terephthalic acid with 1,4-butanediol with the balance mainly containing repeating units of an ester of terephthalic acid with an alkylene oxide adduct of a bisphenol compound, rapidly cooling the molding to prepare a sheet having a low crystallinity, maturing the sheet at a temperature selected so as to meet a requirement represented by the following formula (1) to prepare a sheet satisfying a requirement represented by the following formula (2) and subjecting the sheet to thermoforming through the use of a cavity mold at a temperature falling within a range represented by the following formula (3):______________________________________ Ta .ltoreq. Tcc (.degree.C.) (1) (.DELTA.Hcc).sub.a .gtoreq. 5 (J/g) (2) Tcc + 2 .ltoreq. Tb .ltoreq. Tm - 2 (.degree.C.) (3) ______________________________________whereinTa is the maturing temperature (.degree.C.

Abstract: A method of reducing residual stresses in a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite laminate having at least one free edge includes the step of heating a region adjacent the free edge using a platen for a time period sufficient to form a localized melt zone of the thermoplastic in the region. The heating step is however done under a sufficient pressure to prevent delamination of the laminate. After this is done, the region is cooled for a time period and under a pressure sufficient using a platen to solidify the region and to prevent the lamination thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing a polypropylene resin sheet or film by introducing a polypropylene resin in a film form, which has been extruded from a T-die in a molten state, into a slit through which cooling water is flowing, passing the polypropylene resin film between nip rolls, and pressing the obtained sheet or film from both sides thereof under a pressure of at least 5 kg/cm.sup.2, while heating at a temperature of 155.degree. to 160.degree. C., by the use of a metal belt having a surface roughness of not more than 0.1 .mu.m. The process produces a sheet or film of a polypropylene resin which is unstretched and is excellent in transparency, surface gloss and heat moldability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a microporous membrane from an unsulfonated poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer by forming a mixture of an unsulfonated poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer, an amorphous polymer, and a plasticizer, heating the resulting mixture, extruding or casting the mixture into a membrane, quenching or coagulating the membrane, and leaching the membrane, while optionally drawing the membrane before, during, and/or after leaching.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the formation of biaxially oriented thermoplastic articles having flat surfaces or sharp contours, along with the articles themselves. Such apparatus and method relate to the heat-shrinking of biaxially oriented intermediates onto male forms to produce articles of exacting dimensions and flat surfaces or sharply defined contours. Such thermoplastic articles include autoclaveable, hot fillable, heat stable, transparent PET containers.

Abstract: An optical compensator plate is prepared by applying heat and pressure to an ionomer resin in an autoclave to form a resin film having a birefringence, annealing the resin film at a temperature range not less than the softening temperature and not higher than the melting point of the resin, e.g. 60.degree.-100.degree. C. for at least about 30 minutes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing polymer composites comprising a polymeric matrix (Host) in which crystallites of organic and/or inorganic compounds (Guest) are grown in situ. The growth of crystals is achieved by a temperature gradient zone melting technique. The resultant crystals have high crystalline alignment, good transparency and high second harmonic generation activity.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a used mandrel made of a fluororesin, includes the steps of heating the mandrel under substantially unloaded conditions to a temperature above the temperature at which the fluororesin is crystallized and gradually cooling the mandrel to a temperature below the temperature at which the fluororesin is crystallized.

Abstract: A method for supporting a piece which is to undergo a treatment process including embedding the piece in a particulate support medium, enclosing the support medium in a container, and pressurizing the support medium by applying pressure to the outside of the container or by applying a vacuum to the interior of the container. Various treatment processes may be employed, such as annealing.

Abstract: A method for supporting a piece which is to undergo a treatment process including embedding the piece in a particulate support medium, enclosing the support medium in a container, and pressurizing the support medium by applying pressure to the outside of the container or by applying a vacuum to the interior of the container. Various treatment processes may be employed, such as annealing.

Abstract: Method of tempering workpieces of duroplastic plastic, in particular a piston for a motor vheicle brake, provides that the workpiece is heated after the pressing or molding according to a predetermined time-dependent temperature rise for several hours and after an initial heating phase a difference from the respective glass transition temperature of 5.degree. to 40.degree. C. is observed.

Abstract: An elevated temperature induced reduction of insulation resistance of a metal-polyethylene terephthalate film capacitor is eliminated by controlled cooling through a glass transition temperature of the polyethylene terephthalate film or by elevated temperature storing below the glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A method for radiation hardening by means of a suitable thermal treatment of the membrane material, which in the preferred embodiment is silicon carbide (SiC). The method includes steps of thermally treating a freestanding SiC film (drumlike membrane with a silicon frame) or an unetched film (attached to the silicon wafer throughout its entire area), in an inert atmosphere or vacuum. The temperature for the treatment may range from a couple hundred degrees Celsius to one above the growth temperature. The treatment time, depending on the anneal temperature, can be as short as few minutes or as long as a couple of hours. Optimal anneal times and temperatures will depend on the material and the degree of radiation hardening required. Significant hardening may be achieved even at the lowest temperature.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method includes tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus includes a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: Biaxially oriented film is post-treated by an annealing process in a limited temperature range of 45.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. for various time periods based on the temperature for annealing in order to produce a film having less than a 0.2% shrinkage in the machine direction as measured at 51.7.degree. C. for 24 hours. This film has a wide range of uses, such as overwrapping film.

Abstract: Water-dispersible polyester fiber whose water-dispersibility is improved, and precursor filament tow are prepared by an improved process involving treatment of undrawn polyester filaments with a very small amount of caustic, when freshly-extruded, in a spin-finish.

Abstract: A process which includes providing a preform including a polymeric material formed to permit the introduction of a fluid under pressure into the preform, heating the preform to a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of the polymeric material and below the melting temperature of the polymeric material, placing the heated preform into a substantially cylinderical mold with a polished seamless inside surface, introducing a fluid under pressure into the heated preform while maintaining the preform axially centered in the mold, thereby causing the preform to expand without contacting the mold surface, subsequently causing the preform to expand until it contacts the mold surface, heating the expanded preform to an appropriate heat setting temperature above the stretching temperature and below the melting temperature of the polymeric material while maintaining fluid pressure, and subsequently cooling the set preform, resulting in formation of a biaxially oriented seamless belt.

Abstract: A crystalline orthodontic bracket which has been subjected to a machining operation having improved fracture toughness and a heat treatment method for obtaining such improved fracture toughness. The method includes the steps of placing the machined orthodontic bracket in an oven and heating the bracket at an elevated temperature above normal annealing temperatures and slightly below the melting point of the brackets which is capable of healing surface microcracks. The bracket is maintained at this temperature for a predetermined period of time so as to heal microcracks on the surface. The bracket is then removed and allowed to cool to room temperature.

Abstract: Heat setting by the conventional tentering method provides polyamide film which is anisotropic in heat shrinkage. Therefore, only the central part of the film can be used for applications which need a low degree of anisotropy.The present invention provides an improved method of heat-setting biaxially oriented polyamide film in flat form. Said method is characterized in that biaxially oriented polyamide film, with the edges thereof gripped, is heated to an adequate temperature after preheating the polyamide film when it is desired, which is 10.degree.-40.degree. C. lower than the melting point of the film, by bringing it into close contact with the surface of a heating body, and immediately thereafter the film is cooled to a temperature at which the film does not deform easily.The present invention also provides biaxially oriented polyamide film which has a uniform heat shrinkage across the entire width of the film. The shrinkage by hot water at 100.degree. C. is smaller than 5.

Abstract: An adhesive-coated thermoplastic film is stretched and bonded to a three-dimensional substrate by vacuum thermoforming at a lower than normal temperature, at which the film has an elastic modulus of at least 10.sup.9 dynes/cm.sup.2, followed by moderate heat treatment of the resulting laminated article. The procedure is especially useful in avoiding air entrapment and peel-back in the thermoforming of a paint-coated film on exterior body panels for automobiles.

Abstract: A blow molded container formed of a polyester resin for use in hot fill applications. The container includes upright side walls, an integral base and a preselected outwardly thermoelastically deformable portion. Upon being filled with a liquid at an elevated temperature, the deformable portion of the container deforms outwardly to partially increase the volumetric size of the container. The remaining portions of the container generally shrink in response to being hot filled.

Abstract: A process for providing a resilient mat having a plurality of adjacent interconnected liquid-filled compartments with walls made of an elastomeric material and which is stable over a long time period, wherein the mat is heated to a temperature above 50.degree. C. until the liquid in the compartments has a pressure below 50% of it's initial pressure.

Abstract: Polyolefin/polyester composite fibers having a low apparent Young's modulus and a filter element using the composite fibers are produced by subjecting a polyolefin as sheath component and a polyester as core component to composite spinning, stretching the resulting unstretched filaments to twice or more the original length at a temperature higher than the secondary transition point of the polyester by 20.degree. C. or higher and lower than the melting point of the polyolefin and annealing the stretched filaments at the above-mentioned temperature for 30 seconds or more, and having an apparent Young's modulus of 210 Kg/cm.sup.2 or less, and by winding up the above composite fibers on a core while heating the composite fibers to the melt-adhesion temperature of the sheath component, adjusting the void content to a desired one, followed by cooling and taking out the core.

Abstract: Improved fibers of a copolymer of ethylene terephthalate/hexahydroterephthalate containing a high proportion of hexahydroterephthalate are obtained by a 2-stage drawing process, involving annealing, and crimping, with the annealing being performed within a temperature range of about 140.degree. to about 175.degree. C.

Abstract: Solid polyester fiber in spun yarns, and fabrics and garments and precursor staple fiber and filamentary tow, are prepared by an improved process involving treatment of freshly-extruded undrawn polyester filaments with caustic in the spin-finish, so as to improve moisture-wicking properties.

Abstract: A method of preparing a microporous membrane from unsulfonated poly(etheretherketone)-type polymers.

Abstract: A process for biaxially orienting amorphous polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate. The process includes steps of biaxially orienting a feedstock material in a deformation zone; reducing temperature of the material in a cooling zone; and annealing the material in an annealing zone. The process and apparatus produce a biaxially oriented material having enhanced optical quality and impact strength.

Abstract: A shape memory polymer foam which takes on a deformed shape and an as-molded shaped, said deformed shape being produced when the polymer foam is compressed at a temperature higher than the glass transition point (Tg) of the polymer and then kept compressed at a temperature lower than the Tg until compression sets, said as-molded shape being produced when the compressed polymer foam is heated again to a temperature higher than the Tg until it recovers its original shape.

Abstract: A thermoplastic ceramic molding composition comprised of about 40 to 70 volume percent of a binder, consisting essentially of an organic acid containing from 12 to 26 carbon atoms per molecule and a polyisobutylene polymer having a molecular weight between about 8,700 and 135,000, and about 30 to 60 volume percent of a ceramic powder is disclosed. The molding composition can be thermoplastically extruded into elongate ceramic bodies that can be uniformly elongated many times the original length of the ceramic body to form, for example, very fine diameter fibers or filaments suitable for sintering into a polycrystalline ceramic fiber or filament having a very fine diameter.

Abstract: A process for making a preform of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material, debulking the preform, subjecting the preform to heat and pressure to form a molded article, then subjecting the article to a predetermined quenching cycle that centralizes void location in the molded article.

Abstract: Processes for the production of mono- and multifilaments and also staple fibers of multifilaments based on polyarylene sulfides by melt spinning, multistage stretching and setting. As a result of the treatment by blowing of air onto the stabilized spun filaments in the first stretching stages at temperatures .ltoreq.100.degree. C., the chain molecules are oriented; the orientation and crystallinity required for high strengths is achieved by afterstretching at elevated temperature. The residence times in the first stage required for effective stretching can only be varied within relatively narrow limits in order subsequently to achieve the calculated orientations and effects. Overly long residence times at temperatures above 100.degree. C. result in elongation of the material with no additional orientation and hence with an inadequate increase in strength.

Abstract: Melt-spun polyester fibers are taken up in the absence of heat at a speed of 5,000 to 6,000 m/min under conditions that satisfy the following relations (IX) and (X), subsequently heat-treating the fibers for a period of from 0.01 to 0.05 seconds with a heating roller while the length of the melt-spun fibers is held constant with no drawing step being provided between the taking up and heat treatment steps, and finally winding up the heated fibers0.04.ltoreq.L/(SSxd).ltoreq.0.08 (IX)1.0.ltoreq.To.ltoreq.1.5 (X)where L is the distance (cm) between the spinneret and the convergence point, SS is the speed (m/min) of a take up roller, To is the spinning tension (g/d) at a point immediately after the convergence point and D is the filament fineness (d) of the fiber wound up and is within the range of from 1 to 3 d.

Abstract: Nylon staple fiber (and precursor continuous filaments in the form of a tow) of high load-bearing capacity is prepared by an improved process of first drawing the tow between multiple feed and draw rolls, followed by both heating and cooling the draw filaments to anneal them under a controlled tension.

Abstract: A poly(arylene sulfide) sheet excellent in planarity and smoothness is formed of a composition composed at least principally of a substantially linear, high molecular poly(arylene sulfide) having a melt viscosity of at least 1,000 poises. It has an elongation at break of at least 10% at 23.degree. C. and a Young's modulus of at least 5 kg/mm.sup.2 at 200.degree. C., and per area of 1 cm.times.2 cm on at least one of its surfaces, contains not more than 1 convexity or concavity whose angle of elevation or depression is at least 2.degree. and whose height or depth is at least 10 .mu.m. The sheet is produced by melting the composition, extruding the melt through a slit die, cooling and solidifying the extrudate into a sheet, preheating the sheet for 3-100 seconds in a temperature range of from a temperature 20.degree. C. lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer to a temperature 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A tissue fastening device comprising (a) a fastener member having a pair of legs extending from the same side of a connecting cross piece, said fastener member adapted to be placed on one side of the tissue to be joined with the legs penetrating the tissue, said fastener member being an oriented crystalline polymeric material, whereby the fastener member has sufficient inherent strength and stiffness so said legs can penetrate the tissue to be fastened, and (b) a receiver member to secure said fastener member in place. The fastener member is formed by forming an oriented polymeric filament into the configuration of the fastener member, and annealing the filament while in such configuration while it is being restrained so as to prevent shrinkage.

Abstract: A yarn comprising polyester fibers having an improved balance of properties (tenacity and boiling water shrinkage) is produced within predetermined limits. The polyester yarn is prepared by cold drawing a partially oriented feeder yarn, partially annealing the drawn yarn, and subsequently annealing the partially annealed cold drawn yarn at controlled tensions.

Abstract: Crystallizable mainly amorphous thermoplastic material is crystallized at a temperature exceeding the glass transition temperature of the material (13) by subjecting the material at the elevated temperature to compressive forces. The material thickness as a rule is reduced by at least 20%, preferably by at least 40%. To achieve this a plunger (20) and a mould (30) are moved to a minimum distance at which the thermoplastic material (13) located between the plunger and the mould part is subjected to compressive forces. The plunger and/or the mould part are provided with elements (29, 39) for the setting and maintaining of a temperature specified in advance of the surfaces (23, 33) by which the plunger and the mould part respectively abut against the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The process for making a plastic container by blow molding of a tubular parison made of a thermoplastic material, includes guiding a tube into a divided open blow mold, closing the blow mold and feeding pressurized air in the tubular parison squeezed off in the blow mold. However in the open blow mold which has a suitable receptacle at least one single-piece hoop ring made of thermoplastic material which could be made with usable tolerances by injection molding is mounted on the section and bonded with the tubular parison. An unsorted container ring which has an outer collar is used in the process and is fed to a preheat station in which the container ring is made stress-free and simultaneously is oriented in a plane.

Abstract: Very thin plates of ceramic material with low binding strength are difficult to manufacture, since the stability of the moldings is very low, so that they can hardly be fed to a subsequent treatment stage after shaping. Therefore, after the ceramic material is molded into plate-shaped moldings, these moldings are pushed onto a flat carrier in the plane of their plate surface and are heated on it for a few minutes, so that iron sulfates form, which impart dimensional stability to the moldings.