Provided is a sliding member for a thrust bearing. The sliding member includes a back-metal layer and a sliding layer, and has a partially annular shape. The sliding layer includes a synthetic resin and has a sliding surface. In a center line region of the sliding layer, the sliding layer has a linear expansion coefficient KS in a direction parallel to a circumferential direction of the sliding member, a linear expansion coefficient KJ in a direction parallel to a radial direction of the sliding member, and a linear expansion coefficient KT in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface, and the linear expansion coefficients KS, KJ, and KT satisfy the following relations (1) and (2): Relation (1): 1.1≤KS/KJ≤2; and Relation (2): 1.3≤KT/{(KS+KJ)/2}≤2.5.

Provided is a sliding member for a thrust bearing. The sliding member includes a back-metal layer and a sliding layer, and has a partially annular shape. The sliding layer includes a synthetic resin and has a sliding surface. In a center line region of the sliding layer, the sliding layer has a linear expansion coefficient KS in a direction parallel to a circumferential direction of the sliding member, a linear expansion coefficient KJ in a direction parallel to a radial direction of the sliding member, and a linear expansion coefficient KT in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface, and the linear expansion coefficients KS, KJ, and KT satisfy the following relations (1) and (2): Relation (1): 1.1≤KS/KJ≤2; and Relation (2): 1.3≤KT/{(KS+KJ)/2}≤2.5.

The invention relates to heat treatment of polymorphic semicrystalline or crystallizable polymers to increase the content of the highest melting crystalline form. Such heat treatment results in a polymer powder that has a consistent, uniform melting range, improved flow and improved durability of the powder particle size for applications that require powder flow at elevated temperatures. In addition to improved powder properties, the articles produced from the powders also exhibit better physical properties in both appearance and in mechanical properties. Thus the invention also includes polymer powders and articles produced by the described processes.

The invention relates to heat treatment of polymorphic semicrystalline or crystallizable polymers to increase the content of the highest melting crystalline form. Such heat treatment results in a polymer powder that has a consistent, uniform melting range, improved flow and improved durability of the powder particle size for applications that require powder flow at elevated temperatures. In addition to improved powder properties, the articles produced from the powders also exhibit better physical properties in both appearance and in mechanical properties. Thus the invention also includes polymer powders and articles produced by the described processes.

The present invention employs a compound represented by the following formula (0): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.Y is a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms or an aryl group of 6 to 30 carbon atoms; R.sup.Z is an N-valent group of 1 to 60 carbon atoms or a single bond; each R.sup.T is independently an alkyl group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, an aryl group of 6 to 40 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, an alkenyl group of 2 to 30 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, an alkoxy group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, a halogen atom, a nitro group, an amino group, a cyano group, a thiol group, a hydroxy group, or a group in which a hydrogen atom of a hydroxy group is replaced with an acid dissociation group, wherein the alkyl group, the alkenyl group, and the aryl group each optionally contain an ether bond, a ketone bond, or an ester bond, wherein at least one R.sup.T is a hydroxy group or a group in which a hydrogen atom of a hydroxy group is replaced with an acid dissociation group; X is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or not a crosslink; each m is independently an integer of 0 to 9, wherein at least one m is an integer of 1 to 9; N is an integer of 1 to 4, wherein when N is an integer of 2 or larger, N structural formulas within the parentheses [ ] are the same or different; and each r is independently an integer of 0 to 2.

The present invention employs a compound represented by the following formula (0): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.Y is a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms or an aryl group of 6 to 30 carbon atoms; R.sup.Z is an N-valent group of 1 to 60 carbon atoms or a single bond; each R.sup.T is independently an alkyl group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, an aryl group of 6 to 40 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, an alkenyl group of 2 to 30 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, an alkoxy group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, a halogen atom, a nitro group, an amino group, a cyano group, a thiol group, a hydroxy group, or a group in which a hydrogen atom of a hydroxy group is replaced with an acid dissociation group, wherein the alkyl group, the alkenyl group, and the aryl group each optionally contain an ether bond, a ketone bond, or an ester bond, wherein at least one R.sup.T is a hydroxy group or a group in which a hydrogen atom of a hydroxy group is replaced with an acid dissociation group; X is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or not a crosslink; each m is independently an integer of 0 to 9, wherein at least one m is an integer of 1 to 9; N is an integer of 1 to 4, wherein when N is an integer of 2 or larger, N structural formulas within the parentheses [ ] are the same or different; and each r is independently an integer of 0 to 2.

The present disclosure relates to method of making three-dimensional (3D) objects using an additive manufacturing system wherein the part material comprises a polymeric component comprising at least one poly(ether ether ketone) polymer (PEEK) having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 75,000 to 100,000 g/mol (as determined by GPC), for example in the form of filaments or spherical particles, for use in additive manufacturing systems to print 3D objects.

The present disclosure relates to method of making three-dimensional (3D) objects using an additive manufacturing system wherein the part material comprises a polymeric component comprising at least one poly(ether ether ketone) polymer (PEEK) having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 75,000 to 100,000 g/mol (as determined by GPC), for example in the form of filaments or spherical particles, for use in additive manufacturing systems to print 3D objects.

A core/shell polymer material suitable for three-dimensional printing is provided. The core/shell polymer material may include at least one amorphous polymer as a core particle and at least one semicrystalline polymer as a shell material surrounding the core particle.

A core/shell polymer material suitable for three-dimensional printing is provided. The core/shell polymer material may include at least one amorphous polymer as a core particle and at least one semicrystalline polymer as a shell material surrounding the core particle.