A multi-stage modified thermoplastic starch (TPS) masterbatch is obtained by four-stage modification treatment as follows: (i) 100 parts of starch with a moisture content of 15% to 30% are added to a high-speed mixer and stirred under room temperature; (ii) Heated to 50° C. to 70° C., polybutadiene (PB), plasticizer and a chemical modifier are added. The mixture is then stirred a second time; (iii) Heated to 75° C. to 95° C., tackifier, lubricant, filler and chain extender are added. The mixture is again stirred a third time. (iv) A biodegradable resin is added at this temperature, and the resulting mixture is stirred a fourth time. After the stirring is completed, the resulting mixture is incubated at this temperature for a predetermined time, and then added to a twin-screw extruder for melt extrusion. The present invention also discloses a preparation method and use.

Disclosed herein is a device for producing composite components including at least one wound fiber reinforced polymer layer, including: a support with a first holding device and a second holding device for mounting a liner in between, where the first and the second holding device are such that the liner can rotate around a central rotation axis which extends through the first holding device and the second holding device, and at least two movable arms for feeding a fiber structure, where the support is established such that the liner can be moved axially parallel to the central rotation axis and each movable arm for feeding the fiber structure can be moved perpendicular to the central rotation axis. Further disclosed herein is a process for producing composite components using the device.

The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a carbon-silicon composite material powder, comprising: providing a carbon-containing precursor, which is lignin; providing at least one silicon-containing active material; melt-mixing at least said carbon-containing precursor and said silicon-containing active material(s) to a melt-mixture; providing said melt-mixture in a non-fibrous form and cooling the melt- mixture to provide an isotropic intermediate composite material; subjecting said isotropic intermediate composite material to a thermal treatment, wherein said thermal treatment comprises a carbonization step to provide a carbon-silicon composite material, and subjecting said carbon-silicon composite material to pulverization to provide said carbon-silicon composite material powder. The present disclosure also relates to a carbon-silicon composite material powder obtainable by the method, a negative electrode for a non-aqueous secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, comprising the carbon-silicon composite material powder, and use of the carbon-silicon composite material powder in a negative electrode of a non-aqueous secondary battery.

A masterbatch manufacturing method in accordance with the present disclosure comprises an operation in which pre-coagulation rubber latex comprising filler is coagulated to obtain a coagulum; an operation in which the coagulum is dewatered; and an operation in which the dewatered coagulum is plasticized as it is dried by means of an extruder; wherein, during the operation in which the dewatered coagulum is plasticized as it is dried, the coagulum comprises a peptizing agent.

A composition comprises woody core fibers from hemp, kenaf, jute and/or flax that are optionally coated with one or more saccharides or polysaccharides and dispersed in a matrix of polyolefin.

Coreactive three-dimensional printing of parts using coreactive compositions is disclosed. Coreactive additive manufacturing can be used to fabricate parts having a wide range of properties.

Systems and methods are provided for making aggregate from comingled waste plastics. For example, there is provided a method of making a preconditioned absorptive resin aggregate, the method including: obtaining a supply of granulated mixed plastic waste treated with a preconditioning agent that comprises at least one of calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide; mixing the supply of granulated mixed plastic waste treated with the calcium oxide preconditioning agent with one or more additives to form a plastic waste mixture, the one or more additives comprising pozzolans; hot extruding the plastic waste mixture to form an extruded product comprising waste plastic material; cooling the extruded product; and processing the extruded product to form an aggregate. Products incorporating such aggregates, such as, for example, lightweight construction blocks, are also provided. Also provided are methods of forming a waste plastics feedstock.

In one aspect, the invention provides a substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material including starch and hydrophobically modified layered silicate clay. In another aspect, the invention provides packaging made from material including the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material described above. The nanocomposite material has improved mechanical and rheological properties and reduced sensitivity to moisture in that the rates of moisture update and/or loss are reduced. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material described above, including a step of mixing the starch in the form of an aqueous gel with the hydrophobic clay in a melt mixing device. In a further aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material, including the steps of mixing the starch with the hydrophobic clay to form a masterbatch (hereinafter “the masterbatch process”) and mixing the masterbatch with further starch.

A method of creating a processable water soluble polymer, the method comprising the steps of: extruding a water soluble polymer composition from an extruder barrel without use of a die, wherein the extruder barrel is not vented other than via its extruder outlet, to produce an irregularly shaped polymer extrudate; directing the irregularly shaped polymer extrudate onto a chilled conveyor to cool the irregularly shaped polymer extrudate to below 60° C.; and granulating the irregularly shaped polymer extrudate to form a granulate.

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.