A process for the production of expanded material based on sulfone polymers includes an extrusion step in an extruder of virgin sulfone polymer with the injection of at least one expanding agent and in the presence of at least one nucleating agent, and a recycling step of part of the expanded material, which provides a recycled product used as raw material fed to the extruder in combination with the virgin sulfone polymer.

A fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin includes a continuous fiber base material made from continuous reinforcing fibers, and a thermoplastic resin applied to the surface thereof. The thermoplastic resin coats the entire surface of the continuous fiber base material in a solidified state, and impregnates the continuous fiber base material while leaving voids therein, with these voids being formed intermittently in the direction in which the fibers are arranged. A laminate uses the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin base material.

A method of removing metal ions is provided, which includes contacting a metal removal composition with a solution containing metal ions for removing the metal ions from the solution, wherein the metal removal composition includes a polymer with a chemical structure of:

##STR00001##

wherein Q is a quinoline-based group, n=90˜450, o=10˜50, and p=0˜20. The metal removal composition has a type of fiber or film. In addition, the metal removal composition has a porosity of 60% to 90%.

A bio-based poly(arylether sulfone) copolymer (“copolymer b-PAES”) comprises at least two sulfone recurring units derived from two distinct dihydroxy/diol monomers: a bio-compatible and bio-based diol momoner and a bisphenol monomer distinct from Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol A (BPA). The dihydroxy bisphenol monomer comprises a substituted-phenol bisphenolic compound distinct from BPS and BPA, preferably comprises a bisphenol F derivative with both alkyl substituted-phenol groups. The bio-based diol monomer comprises at least one diol selected from isosorbide, isomannide and/or isoidide. The copolymer b-PAES is preferably free of BPA and BPS. A process for manufacturing such copolymer b-PAES, its use for manufacturing an article, an article made therefrom such as membranes, and a polymer solution for manufacture of membrane comprising such copolymer b-PAES.

A fluorinated copolymer composition includes a thermoplastic resin A and a fluorinated elastomer B dispersed within thermoplastic resin A. Thermoplastic resin A has a shear stress (τ.sub.A) of greater than 0.11 MPa when measured with a capillary rheometer at a shear rate of 243 sec.sup.−1 and at 360° C. in accordance with ASTM D3835. Fluorinated elastomer B dispersed within thermoplastic resin A has an average dispersed particle size of less than 50 μm.

The invention relates to membranes, monomers and polymers. The monomers can form polymers, which can be used for membranes. The membranes can be used in alkaline fuel cells, for water purification, for electrolysis, for flow batteries, and for anti-bacterial membranes and materials, as well as membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells. In addition to the membranes, polymers and monomers and methods of using the membranes, the present invention also relates to methods of making the membranes, monomers and polymers.

The invention relates to a composite material consisting of at least three constituents, a substrate material, a first fibrous reinforcing material and a second reinforcing material, wherein the first fibrous reinforcing material has a lower thermal expansion coefficient than the second reinforcing material and wherein the second reinforcing material has a lower electrical conductivity than the first reinforcing material, wherein the composite material is provided for use in building components of force and motion transmission, in particular those building components of force and motion transmission which come into contact with ultrapure water.

A process for aligning discontinuous fibers, and composite products and mats comprised of highly aligned discontinuous fibers, including products of the process. Aligned discontinuous fiber composite products include a matrix of fibers, each fiber having a longitudinal fiber axis, the composite comprising a free, uncut edge extending along an edge axis. The longitudinal fiber axis of a majority of the fibers in the composite product are aligned within a predetermined alignment tolerance of an alignment axis non-parallel to the edge axis. Aligned discontinuous fiber mats may have a first areal density of fibers in a first region of the composite located inward relative to the free, uncut edge, and a second area density at or adjacent to the free, uncut edge.

Polymer foams based on polyethersulfone (PESU) fulfil the legal specifications demanded by the aviation industry for aircraft interiors. Specifically the demands on fire characteristics, stability to media and mechanical properties constitute a great challenge here. According to the related art, suitable polymer foams are produced as semifinished products. Reprocessing to give shaped articles is uneconomic in terms of time and material exploitation, for example by virtue of large amounts of cutting waste. The problem is solved by the material which is suitable in principle can be processed to give particle foam mouldings. These mouldings can be produced without reprocessing in short cycle times and hence economically. Furthermore, this gives rise to new means of functional integration, for example by direct incorporation of inserts etc. in the foam, and with regard to freedom in terms of design.

Provided herein are methods of fabricating membranes using polymers with functionalized groups such as sulfone (e.g., PSf and PES), ether (e.g., PES), acrylonitrile (e.g., PAN), fluoride (e.g., pvdf and other fluoropolymers), and imide (e.g., extem) and ionic liquids. Also provided are membranes made by the provided methods.