Abstract:
Controlled geometry particles of thermoplastic polymers are prepared from compositions containing the thermoplastic polymer and two additives, in the molten state, by cooling the molten composition and disintegrating the resulting dispersion of thermoplastic polymer; powders obtained therefrom advantageously have mean particle diameters ranging from 0.1 to 800 μm and are useful additives in, e.g., paints and coatings.
Abstract:
A process for preparing graphite articles is presented. In particular, the process includes employing a particulate fraction comprising at least about 35 weight percent coke, coal or combinations thereof having a diameter such that a major fraction of it passes through a 0.25 mm to 25 mm mesh screen. The particulate fraction is mixed with a liquid or solid pitch binder, to form a stock blend; the stock blend is extruded to form a green stock; the green stock is baked to form a carbonized stock; and the carbonized stock is graphitized. The stock blend further includes carbon fibers added after mixing of the particulate fraction and pitch has begun.
Abstract:
A synthetic wood meal in which a thermoplastic resin material of 25 to 80 wt % is mixed with a cellulose crushed material of 20 to 75 wt % that lies in the moisture content of within 15 wt % and the mean particle diameter of 20 mesh or less, the mixed material is kneaded so as to be set to gel, and the kneaded material is cooled and pulverized and regulated to a size that lies in a particle diameter of 10 mm or less. Then, the synthetic wood meal as the cellulose crushed material is mixed in at the rate of 20 to 75 wt % to the resin material, the mixed material is kneaded by heating and squeezed by a screw or screws of an extruding die 78 in an extruder. When the extruding material 79 passes through the inner wall surface of the extruding die 78, which lines with a fluororesin sheet 24 thereon, the cellulose crushed material included in the extruding material is smoothly extruded without being subjected to large resisting force, so that a molded article 29 is molded for a product having an uniform and high density and a predetermined thickness, while applying resisting force against squeezing force given from the extruder to the molded article 29 by using a braking means, thus molding a synthetic wood board having more uniform and higher density.
Abstract:
An apparatus for plasticizing thermoplastic synthetic plastics material, in particular scrap material, comprises a plasticizing screw (18) bearingly supported within a housing (21), to which screw the synthetic plastics material to be plasticized is supplied through a feed opening (16). At this feed opening (16) a comminuting means in the form of two shafts (3, 4) disposed parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of the screw (18) is provided, each of the shafts (3, 4) being provided with a plurality of pinned-up disk-shaped comminuting tools (8). Between each two neighboring comminuting tools (8) a circular spacer disk (9) is disposed and stationary knives (11) engage into the gaps between adjoining comminuting tools (8), the flanks (15) of which knives extend tangentially with respect to the periphery (13) of the spacer disks (9). The two shafts (3, 4) are driven with different speeds and the knives constituted by the comminuting tools (8) comminute the synthetic plastics material and press it into the volutions of the screw (18). This results in a construction which is reliable in operation and comminutes the synthetic plastics material effectively.
Abstract:
A process for producing a high modulus article includes forcing a high molecular weight plastic material, such as polyethylene, through a passage of which the cross-sectional area diminishes in the forward direction of plastic flow, thus producing an extrudate. The plastic material is extruded while it is close to or at its melt temperature, and it is lubricated to obtain substantially plug flow through the passage. The speed at which the plastic material flows through the passage is adjusted so that the elongational velocity gradient at any longitudinal position within the passage does not exceed about 2.6 sec..sup.-1, thus minimizing the degree of molecular orientation in the extrudate. The extrudate can be deformed by drawing while it is maintained at or close to its melt temperature, thus producing an oriented, deformed extrudate. The oriented extrudate is then quickly cooled to preserve the orientation. A suitable plastic material is high molecular weight polyethylene with an average molecular weight lying between about 500,000 and about 1,500,000.
Abstract:
A mini-extruder apparatus for extruding small quantities of material. The apparatus is designed to overcome the problems of excessive heat transfer from the heated portion of the barrel to the feed portion of the extruder barrel and the premature failure of the long thin extruder screws employed in extruders. The mini-extruder includes an extruder barrel having a substantially circumferential, radially extending cavity formed in an isolator portion of the extruder barrel to thermally isolate the feed portion from the heated portion. The mini-extruder also includes a drive system constructed to drive the extruder screw at both ends. The mini-extruder can also be designed as a co-rotating or counter-rotating twin screw extruder where each end of each extruder screw is driven.
Abstract:
A process for the extrusion of melt processable liquid crystal polymer which provides improved processability characteristics is provided. The process comprises the steps of subjecting the liquid crystal polymer to an elevated temperature between the DSC transition temperature and the degradation temperature of the polymer; cooling the liquid crystal polymer to a processing temperature which is between the DSC transition temperature and the elevated temperature and at which the liquid crystal polymer is less subject to degradation than at the elevated temperature; and extruding the liquid crystal polymer into the form of a shaped article having mechanical properties which are improved over those of articles formed from liquid crystal polymer which has not been subjected to the elevated temperature. Preferably, the liquid crystal polymer exhibits at the elevated temperature a reduction by at least a factor of 5 in the melt viscosity of the liquid crystal polymer, as compared to the melt viscosity at the DSC transition temperature, without significant degradation of the liquid crystal polymer. The reduction in melt viscosity is substantially retained by the liquid crystal polymer at the processing temperature, and the liquid crystal polymer is extruded into the form of a shaped article while the reduction in melt viscosity is thus retained. By employing the process of the present invention, melt processable liquid crystal polymers can be conveniently processed at temperatures near the DSC transition temperature rather than at the higher temperatures commonly encountered in the prior art at which degradation is more likely to occur.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for intimately blending a mass such as a carbonaceous particle-pitch mass prior to compacting the mass and forming it into products wherein: the mass is forwarded while it is being intimately blended at an elevated temperature in a continuous mixer, a coolant is then supplied to cool the mix, and the mix is then further blended and mixed prior to discharge. In the form of the invention illustrated a vaporizable liquid coolant is added to the mass being blended and the mass is thereafter forwarded and mixed to blend the coolant with the mass, the mass then being introduced to a region of lower pressure wherein the liquid coolant vaporizes and further reduces the temperature of the mass uniformly, and while the mass is still being mixed.