An additive layer manufacturing method, preferably using selective laser sintering, for manufacturing a solid article, the method including applying a layer of a powder, the powder including at least one powdered (co)polymer, onto a solid substrate in a processing chamber; fusing the powder layer onto the solid substrate; subsequently depositing successive layers of the powder, wherein each successive layer is selectively fused prior to deposition of the subsequent layer of powder so as to form the article. In some embodiments, the powder further includes abrasive particles having a hardness greater than or equal to that of aluminum oxide.

A conductive polymeric composition includes, based on a total weight of the conductive polymeric composition, 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of carbon nanotubes, 0.2 wt % to 4 wt % of a first component, 0.1 wt % to 4 wt % of a second component made by esterification of a C.sub.16-C.sub.30 fatty acid with a polyol compound, and the balance being a polymeric component. When the first component is a first polymer obtained from polycondensation of an aromatic diacid compound and an aliphatic glycol compound, the polymeric component is a polyester. When the first component is a second polymer obtained from polycondensation of a lactam compound, a diamine compound and a dicarboxylic acid compound, the polymeric component is a polyamide.

A method of preparing functionalised graphene is disclosed. The method includes the step of functionalising graphene with a chemical linker when the graphene is in a substantially dry condition.

An inner liner for an elastomeric articles is provided. The inner liner contains platy mineral particles having a mean aspect ratio of less than three, where at least about 30% or more of the platy mineral particles have an aspect ratio of 2 or greater. Furthermore, an inflatable article, such as a tire, that includes an inner liner containing the platy mineral particles, is also provided.

An inner liner for an elastomeric articles is provided. The inner liner contains platy mineral particles having a mean aspect ratio of less than three, where at least about 30% or more of the platy mineral particles have an aspect ratio of 2 or greater. Furthermore, an inflatable article, such as a tire, that includes an inner liner containing the platy mineral particles, is also provided.

The invention relates to carbon fiber-containing polycarbonate compositions, the flowability of which is significantly improved by adding epoxidized triacylglycerols, for example as a constituent of epoxidized soy bean oil. In addition to the very high flowability, the compositions according to the invention have a high rigidity.

The invention relates to carbon fiber-containing polycarbonate compositions, the flowability of which is significantly improved by adding epoxidized triacylglycerols, for example as a constituent of epoxidized soy bean oil. In addition to the very high flowability, the compositions according to the invention have a high rigidity.

An elastomeric composition is disclosed. The elastomeric composition includes, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr): 0 to about 50 phr of a polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 linkage content of at least 95%; about 50 to 100 phr of natural rubber or polyisoprene; a curative agent; an antioxidant; about 10 to about 80 phr carbon black; optionally about 30 to about 70 phr silica; about 1 to about 20 phr hydrocarbon resin; and about 5 to about 30 phr of a polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, butyl rubber, poly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene) and poly(isobutylene-co-para-methyl-styrene-co-isoprene) terpolymer. The polymer based on ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, butyl rubber, oly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene) and poly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene-co-isoprene) terpolymer may be functionalized.

An elastomeric composition is disclosed. The elastomeric composition includes, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr): 0 to about 50 phr of a polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 linkage content of at least 95%; about 50 to 100 phr of natural rubber or polyisoprene; a curative agent; an antioxidant; about 10 to about 80 phr carbon black; optionally about 30 to about 70 phr silica; about 1 to about 20 phr hydrocarbon resin; and about 5 to about 30 phr of a polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, butyl rubber, poly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene) and poly(isobutylene-co-para-methyl-styrene-co-isoprene) terpolymer. The polymer based on ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, butyl rubber, oly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene) and poly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene-co-isoprene) terpolymer may be functionalized.

An elastomeric composition is disclosed. The elastomeric composition includes, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr): about 5 to about 40 phr of styrene/butadiene copolymer; about 60 to about 100 phr of natural mbber or polyisoprene; a curative agent; an antioxidant; about 1 to about 20 phr carbon black; about 5 to about 40 phr plasticizing agent; about 40 to about 80 phr silica; about 1 to about 20 phr silane coupling agent and about 5 to about 30 phr of a polymer selected from the group consisting of ethyl-ene-propylene-diene terpolymer, butyl mbber, poly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene) and poly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene-co-isoprene) terpolymer. The polymer based on ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, butyl mbber, poly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene) and poly(isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene-co-isoprene) terpolymer may be functionalized.