Disclosed embodiments provide an electrofusion pipe coupler with mechanical support. The electrofusion pipe coupler comprises a coupler housing. A wire is configured and disposed within the housing. Electrodes are affixed to the coupler housing and in electrical contact with the wire. A threaded pattern is formed in an outer surface of the coupler housing. Gripping wedges are affixed to the coupler housing. Each gripping wedge extends from the coupler housing. A nut is attached to the coupler housing, engaging with the threaded pattern, and compressing the wedges against the connecting pipes. This serves to provide axial load transfer from the connecting pipes to the coupler housing via the wedges, thereby providing improved mechanical stability for such pipe assemblies.

A polyethylene composition having increased environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) is comprised of a polymer blend of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) and a polycarbonate-siloxane copolymer. The polycarbonate-siloxane copolymer is present in the polymer blend in an amount of from 0.5 wt. % to 15 wt. % by total weight of the polymer blend. In a method of forming a polyethylene composition having increased ESCR, a HDPE is modified by combining the HDPE with a polycarbonate-siloxane copolymer in a polymer blend, the polycarbonate-siloxane copolymer being present in an amount of from 0.5 wt. % to 15 wt. % by total weight of the polymer blend. The polymer blend can be formed into an article of manufacture, such as a bottle cap.

Methods for processing LLDPE recyclates including, but not limited to, polyethylene and polypropylene and compositions therefrom are provided. LLDPE recyclate can be visbroken to improve processing characteristics and/or devolatilized to remove waste byproducts to produce processed LLDPE recyclates. Processed LLDPE recyclates are compounded with pre-consumer polyolefins to produce blend compositions having acceptable or even improved processing characteristics. Such pre-consumer polyolefins can also be visbroken to further tailor processing characteristics of such polymer blends. A combination of extruders and/or extruder zones can be used at the same or different locations for visbreaking and/or compounding of both LLDPE recyclate and/or pre-consumer polyolefins.

A process for forming a biofilm carrier suitable for use in a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) is presented. A blowing agent is mixed with a plastic material to form a blended material. The blended material is then heated to a temperature where the blowing agent liberates gas by decomposition. The heated blended material is extruded through a die to provide the extrudate with a profile of the biofilm carrier. Advantageously, biofilm carriers produced in this manner have increased effectiveness when compared to conventional biofilm carriers.

Disclosed are compositions and methods for multilayer films, which, in one embodiment may comprise a core layer comprising at least 50 wt. % of high-density polyethylene. Further, the multilayer film may include a first skin layer comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of low-density polyethylene, optionally linear, and at least about 80 wt. % of high-density polyethylene, as well as a second skin layer comprising either: (i) one or more low-density polyethylenes, any or all of them optionally being linear; or (ii) one or more polypropylene-based copolymers. The multilayer film may be oriented in at least one direction.

In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to thermoformable, multi-layer polymer films comprising a core layer that is comprised of a blend of high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene and, at least one outermost layer that is comprised of a blend of a cyclic olefin copolymer, polyethylene, a functionalized polymer, a dispersing agent and a mineral filler. The present disclosure includes thermoformed webs made from such films, the webs having one or more thermoformed cavities contained therein. Other aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods of forming such thermoformed webs, packaged products comprising such thermoformed webs, and methods of recycling such thermoformed webs.

Structures for use in forming products having a wood grain appearance include, for example, a plurality of extruded layers having different colors/shades spirally wound about a longitudinal axis to an outer surface to define the structure. The plurality of extruded layers include varying thicknesses along a spiral length of the plurality of layers and/or portions of the plurality of extruded layers encircling the longitudinal axis include portions disposed at different distances from the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the spirally winding includes forming a cylindrical structure, and pressing the cylindrical structure into a cuboid structure having a square or rectangular cross-section across the longitudinal axis and at least a portion of the plurality of extruded layers defining a square or rectangle pattern across the longitudinal axis. Longitudinal portions may be cut from the structures to form the products having a wood grain appearance.

A method of welding/joining corrugated pipe segments, an apparatus configured to weld/join corrugated pipe segments, and a method of circulating water are disclosed. The method of welding/joining corrugated pipe segments includes holding or securing an end of each of the corrugated pipe segments with a jig, and welding the ends of the corrugated pipe segments together. The jig includes at least two rings, each configured to receive one of the ends of the corrugated pipe segments, and a brace or connector connected to each of the two rings. The apparatus includes the jig, a welding ring configured to receive the ends of the corrugated pipe segments, a resistive heating coil for heating the welding ring, and a control circuit configured to control a temperature of the resistive heating coil and maintain the temperature of the resistive heating coil once a target temperature is reached.

A method of welding/joining corrugated pipe segments, an apparatus configured to weld/join corrugated pipe segments, and a method of circulating water are disclosed. The method of welding/joining corrugated pipe segments includes holding or securing an end of each of the corrugated pipe segments with a jig, and welding the ends of the corrugated pipe segments together. The jig includes at least two rings, each configured to receive one of the ends of the corrugated pipe segments, and a brace or connector connected to each of the two rings. The apparatus includes the jig, a welding ring configured to receive the ends of the corrugated pipe segments, a resistive heating coil for heating the welding ring, and a control circuit configured to control a temperature of the resistive heating coil and maintain the temperature of the resistive heating coil once a target temperature is reached.

A protective guard for a hand, finger or thumb includes a first thermoplastic layer heat welded to second thermoplastic layer. The second thermoplastic layer has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the first thermoplastic layer.