An object comprising: a blend of (i) a phenol-containing polymer and (ii) a nitrile butadiene rubber; wherein the phenol-containing polymer is present in an amount of at least 5 wt % and up to about 95 wt % by total weight of components (i) and (ii). The object may further contain an electrically conducting component dispersed within the blend or on a surface of the blend. Also described is a method of thermal-activated reversible mechanical deformation of the object by (i) deforming the object at a first temperature, which is at or above the glass transition temperature of the object, and applying a stress on the object; (ii) fixing the deformed state by cooling the object to a second temperature of no more than 0° C. while under stress, and removing the stress; and (iii) recovering the object to the original shape by raising the temperature of the object to the first temperature.

An object comprising: a blend of (i) a phenol-containing polymer and (ii) a nitrile butadiene rubber; wherein the phenol-containing polymer is present in an amount of at least 5 wt % and up to about 95 wt % by total weight of components (i) and (ii). The object may further contain an electrically conducting component dispersed within the blend or on a surface of the blend. Also described is a method of thermal-activated reversible mechanical deformation of the object by (i) deforming the object at a first temperature, which is at or above the glass transition temperature of the object, and applying a stress on the object; (ii) fixing the deformed state by cooling the object to a second temperature of no more than 0° C. while under stress, and removing the stress; and (iii) recovering the object to the original shape by raising the temperature of the object to the first temperature.

A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

The present invention relates to heat-shrinkable articles, including tubes, O-ring, sleeves, sealants possessing outstanding elastomeric properties, ability to elastic deformation beyond 200%, and ability to precisely and completely recover design dimensions, while possessing significantly improved mechanical properties, in particular higher tensile strength; to a method of making the same, and to a method of using the same including reverting to a shrunk state. The heat shrinkable article is made of a composition comprising at least one fluorinated thermoplastic elastomer comprising at least one elastomeric block and one thermoplastic block, iodine and/or bromine cure sites, at least one organic peroxid, and at least one polyunsaturated compound.

The invention provides a heat-shrinkable polyester-based film, where the heat-shrinkage ratio in the width direction is high and the irregularity of thickness is small. The heat-shrinkable polyester-based film of the present invention contains 90 mol % or more of ethylene terephthalate unit based on 100 mol % of whole ester unit, wherein, the heat-shrinkable polyester-based film satisfies the requirements: (1) heat-shrinkage ratio in a width direction measured by shrinking the film for 10 seconds in 90° C. hot water is 50%-75%, (2) heat-shrinkage ratio in a longitudinal direction measured by shrinking the film for 10 seconds in 90° C. hot water is −6% or more and 14% or less, (3) heat-shrinkage ratio in the longitudinal direction measured by shrinking the film for 10 seconds in 70° C. hot water is -6% or more and 6% or less, and (4) irregularity of thickness in the width direction is 1%-20%.

The invention provides a heat-shrinkable polyester-based film, where the heat-shrinkage ratio in the width direction is high and the irregularity of thickness is small. The heat-shrinkable polyester-based film of the present invention contains 90 mol % or more of ethylene terephthalate unit based on 100 mol % of whole ester unit, wherein, the heat-shrinkable polyester-based film satisfies the requirements: (1) heat-shrinkage ratio in a width direction measured by shrinking the film for 10 seconds in 90° C. hot water is 50%-75%, (2) heat-shrinkage ratio in a longitudinal direction measured by shrinking the film for 10 seconds in 90° C. hot water is −6% or more and 14% or less, (3) heat-shrinkage ratio in the longitudinal direction measured by shrinking the film for 10 seconds in 70° C. hot water is -6% or more and 6% or less, and (4) irregularity of thickness in the width direction is 1%-20%.

Embodiments relate to a heat shrinkable film and a process for regenerating a polyester container using the same. The heat shrinkable film comprises a copolymerized polyester resin comprising a diol component and a dicarboxylic acid component and has a heat shrinkage rate of 30% or more in the main shrinkage direction upon thermal treatment at a temperature of 80° C. for 10 seconds and a melting point of 190° C. or higher as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. It not only solves the environmental problems by improving the recyclability of the polyester container, but also is capable of enhancing the yield and productivity.

Embodiments relate to a heat shrinkable film and a process for regenerating a polyester container using the same. The heat shrinkable film comprises a copolymerized polyester resin comprising a diol component and a dicarboxylic acid component and has a heat shrinkage rate of 30% or more in the main shrinkage direction upon thermal treatment at a temperature of 80° C. for 10 seconds and a melting point of 190° C. or higher as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. It not only solves the environmental problems by improving the recyclability of the polyester container, but also is capable of enhancing the yield and productivity.

Embodiments relate to a process for regenerating a polyester container and regenerated polyester chips prepared therefrom. The process comprises preparing a polyester container provided with a heat shrinkable film; crushing the container provided with the heat shrinkable film to obtain flakes; and thermally treating the flakes to produce regenerated polyester chips, wherein when the flakes are thermally treated at a temperature of 200° C. to 220° C. for 60 minutes to 120 minutes, the clumping fraction is 5% or less, and the flakes comprise first flakes obtained by crushing the container and second flakes obtained by crushing the heat shrinkable film. It not only solves the environmental problems by improving the recyclability of the polyester container, but also is capable of enhancing the yield and productivity.

Embodiments relate to a process for regenerating a polyester container and regenerated polyester chips prepared therefrom. The process comprises preparing a polyester container provided with a heat shrinkable film; crushing the container provided with the heat shrinkable film to obtain flakes; and thermally treating the flakes to produce regenerated polyester chips, wherein when the flakes are thermally treated at a temperature of 200° C. to 220° C. for 60 minutes to 120 minutes, the clumping fraction is 5% or less, and the flakes comprise first flakes obtained by crushing the container and second flakes obtained by crushing the heat shrinkable film. It not only solves the environmental problems by improving the recyclability of the polyester container, but also is capable of enhancing the yield and productivity.