Processes to make these composite materials or blends, and their shaped articles such as fibers, films and 3-D parts include mixing an acid intercalated SWNT-Rs with an acid soluble polymer and subjecting the resultant mixture to shear stresses. Composites and blends include loose single-walled carbon nanotube ropes (SWNT-Rs) and other acid-intercalatable carbon nanotube ropes with polymers such as aliphatic polyamides (nylon), aromatic polyamides (such as poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide, PPTA), or heterocyclic aromatic polymers (such as poly-p-phenylenebisbenzoxazole, PBO), or other materials which are soluble in common acidic media. Products such as fibers, films, and 3-dimensional articles are made from these materials.