A process is presented and described for the production of moldings, comprising the steps of (a) providing a polymer composition comprising from 1 to 99% by weight of polyhydroxyalkanoate and from 1 to 99% by weight of starch-containing polymer; (b) homogenizing the polymer composition with use of thermal and/or mechanical energy; (c) introducing the polymer composition into a mold; (d) molding the molding in the mold; and (e) removing the molding from the mold. The process described is in particular suitable for the production of hard capsules.

The disclosure provides a water soluble film suitable for thermoforming deep-drawn profiles, the film including a mixture of a water soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) resin and a plasticizer, and the film being characterized by a storage modulus at 90° C. less than 1.5×10.sup.8. The disclosure further provides a thermoformed article comprising the water soluble film according to the disclosure.

A thermoplastic seatback for a passenger seat includes a thermoplastic peripheral structural frame for attachment to a seat assembly and a thermoplastic diaphragm overmolded onto a forward face of the frame. An aircraft passenger seat and a method of constructing a passenger seatback is also disclosed.

A thermoplastic seatback for a passenger seat includes a thermoplastic peripheral structural frame for attachment to a seat assembly and a thermoplastic diaphragm overmolded onto a forward face of the frame. An aircraft passenger seat and a method of constructing a passenger seatback is also disclosed.

A multilayer thermoformable film to protect the surface of a workpiece includes an underlayer having first and second faces. The underlayer is made from an adhesive material configured to adhere to the surface of the workpiece by the first face. At least one layer of polymer material is attached to the second face of the adhesive underlayer. The layer of polymer material is resistant to erosion by solid particles and to erosion by liquid particles. It is formed from a polymer material chosen from a polyurethane, a polyether ether ketone and a polyethylene having a very high molecular weight, with a Shore D hardness of between 50 and 65 D. A method of surface protection of the workpiece includes thermoforming the film in a shape adapted to match the shape of at least a portion of the workpiece and applying the film thermoformed onto the surface of the workpiece.

Bone tissue biomimetic materials, biomimetic constructs that can be formed with the materials, and methods for forming the materials and constructs are described. The bone tissue biomimetic materials include electrospun nanofibers formed of polymers that are conjugated with peptides that include acidic amino acid residues. The materials can incorporate high levels of mineralization so as to provide mechanical strength and promote osteogenesis and/or osteoconductivity on/in the bone tissue biomimetic materials. The materials and constructs can be utilized in forming tissue engineered structures for in vitro and in vivo use. Macroscopic bone tissue biomimetic scaffolds formed from the materials can be seeded with osteogenic cells and utilized to develop bone graft materials that can exhibit strength and osteoconductivity similar to the native bone and that exhibit uniform distribution of nutrients in the scaffolds.

A composite material 10 for forming custom fitted orthopedic and other products. The composite material is easily formable when heated to temperatures of about two hundred degrees Fahrenheit for a time of at least six to eight minutes and then is rigid at temperatures of about one hundred thirty degrees. The composite material can be sewn and formed in complex shapes when initially heated to about two hundred degrees. Closure attachments 60 can be secured to the composite material as needed on site rather than at the manufacturing facility. The composite material can be custom fitted to a patient in situ.

A composite material 10 for forming custom fitted orthopedic and other products. The composite material is easily formable when heated to temperatures of about two hundred degrees Fahrenheit for a time of at least six to eight minutes and then is rigid at temperatures of about one hundred thirty degrees. The composite material can be sewn and formed in complex shapes when initially heated to about two hundred degrees. Closure attachments 60 can be secured to the composite material as needed on site rather than at the manufacturing facility. The composite material can be custom fitted to a patient in situ.

Thermoplastic compositions are described that exhibit resistance to hydrocarbon absorption. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include combining a polyarylene sulfide with a first impact modifier and a second impact modifier such that the impact modifiers are dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent can be combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the additives throughout the composition to dynamically crosslink at least one of the first and second impact modifiers.

Thermoplastic compositions are described that exhibit resistance to hydrocarbon absorption. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include combining a polyarylene sulfide with a first impact modifier and a second impact modifier such that the impact modifiers are dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent can be combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the additives throughout the composition to dynamically crosslink at least one of the first and second impact modifiers.