In one aspect, the invention relates to recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions, fibers and articles produced therefrom, and methods for producing same. In a further aspect, the invention relates to homogenized post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to extruded polymer compositions, polymer mixtures, fibers, and/or Bulked Continuous Filament fibers comprising post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to processes for preparing recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

A method includes mixing a solvent with a dry cathode mixture to form a slurry. The dry cathode mixture includes a cathode active material, a conductive diluent, and a polymeric binder. The method further includes removing the solvent from the slurry to form a composition and calendering, in a first calendering step, the composition to form a sheet. The calendering the composition includes passing the composition between calender rollers.

The invention relates to compositions comprising composite materials comprised of discontinuous fibers and one or more polymers and/or oligomers. The invention relates to methods of making the same. The composite materials can be in the form of compositions, composite sheets, laminates, pellets, and/or shaped composite products.

A method for producing a tire sidewall rubber member according to an embodiment comprises: a first kneading step of preparing a first kneaded product by kneading a diene rubber, carbon black, a compound represented by formula (I) (wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group, and M.sup.+ is Na.sup.+, K.sup.+ or Li.sup.+), and zinc oxide; and a second kneading step of adding wax and/or stearic acid to the first kneaded product, followed by kneading. Thus, low heat generation properties are improved while suppressing the deterioration of tear resistance. ##STR00001##

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to the field of electrospun epoxy fibers, a solution for producing the fibers and a system for electrospinning the fibers. This invention further relates to processes of producing the solution and the fibers. By dissolving epoxy in a dielectric solvent, suitable electrospinning conditions are achieved by controlling the degree of epoxy crosslinking in the solution. The fibers are captured on a net screen, with the positive electrode placed behind it. The resulting electrospun fibers exhibit superior mechanical properties in comparison with other epoxy fibers. This improvement in mechanical properties is, in part, due to anisotropic molecular rearrangement resulting from the strong stretching forces induced by electrospinning.

The process includes: A) feeding the propylene-based polymer to the first inlet and discharging the first melt composition from the first outlet, wherein the first screw is operated at a first screw speed and B) feeding the first melt composition to the second inlet and feeding the further component to the side inlet and discharging the second melt composition from the second outlet, wherein the second screw is operated at a second screw speed smaller than the first screw speed.

The disclosure relates to a method for producing an extruded sheet, which includes: a) providing calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3) powder; b) providing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) powder; c) providing additives as stabilisers; e) heating the mixture until the PVC softens to form a kneadable mass and the CaCO.sub.3 at least partially bonds to the PVC; f) cooling the mass; g) conveying the mass to an extruder; h) melting and extruding the mass by means of an extruder and moulding into a sheet by means of a slotted nozzle; i) pressing the still-warm sheet to a desired final thickness by means of at least two calendar rolls; and j) at least one layer of a pigmented lacquer is applied to the upper side; and k) an additional lacquer is applied to the pigmented lacquer to increase the scratch resistance.

The disclosed invention describes a novel approach to the utilization of the fine mineral matter derived from coal and/or coal refuse (a by-product of coal refining) to convert a non-biodegradable plastic into a biodegradable plastic. The fine mineral matter could also be based on volcanic basalt, glacial rock dust deposits, iron potassium silicate and other sea shore mined deposits. The conversion of the non-biodegradable plastic into biodegradable plastic in soil further increases nutrients availability in soil with the transition metals released as a result of biodegradation of the biodegradable plastic.

The invention relates to a method for producing a polycondensate melt from a primary material and a secondary material from materials of substantially the same type. A first partial melt stream (I) of the primary material and a second partial melt stream (II) of the secondary material are provided, and a measured value of the intrinsic viscosity of both partial melt streams (I, II) is determined, and a difference value is calculated from said measured values. Based on said difference value, the intrinsic viscosity of the second partial melt stream (II) is increased, reduced or maintained unchangedly by means of a first melt treatment device (8). Subsequently, the two partial melt streams (I, II) are combined into a common melt stream.

The invention relates to a method for producing a moulded part (50) by structural foam moulding, in which a polymer melt (18) is provided by melting a thermoplastic material, in which the polymer melt (18) is charged with a foaming agent (22) and in which the polymer melt (18) charged with the foaming agent (22) is injected under pressure into a cavity (26) of a mould (28), and so the polymer melt (18) fills the cavity (26) behind a melt front (34) running through the cavity (26), wherein the rate of injection at which the polymer melt (18) is injected into the cavity (26) of the mould (28) is set such that the internal pressure of the polymer melt (18) in the cavity (26), in a region (40) that follows a portion of the melt front (34) with a time delay of at most 0.15 seconds, is greater than the critical pressure of the foaming agent (22), at least at one point in time during the injection-moulding operation. The invention also relates to a moulded part (50) of an expanded thermoplastic material, wherein the moulded part (50) has a surface region with visual structuring formed by the expanded thermoplastic material of which the average ratio of the degrees of gloss measured in the direction of flow in relation to the degrees of gloss measured transversely to the direction of flow is below 1.9, preferably below 1.5, in particular below 1.2. The invention also relates to uses of such a moulded part.