Abstract:
The process creates a radial temperature gradient in an extruded strand in a direction normal to the direction of motion thereof (that is, normal to the longitudinal direction thereof) so that upon exiting the first quench region the surface of the strand has solidified while at least the preponderant portion of the interior of the strand remains above the cold crystallization temperature, T cc Then, in the annealing region, heat from the warmer interior will be transferred to the cooler surface, causing the surface to heat up into the range of T cc , thereby inducing the surface to undergo crystallization. Once the surface has undergone crystallization, the strand is thoroughly quenched in a second quench region so that the strand will be ready for pelletization, accumulation or other handling steps.
Abstract:
A method is provided for cleaning the interior of polymer processing equipment having a resin composition retained therein, wherein a contaminant material is adhered to at least a portion of the interior surface of the polymer processing equipment. The method comprises the steps of: charging the polymer processing equipment having a residual polymer composition retained in the interior thereof with a purging composition comprising 45-94 weight % of starch; 0.05 to 20 weight % of water; and (3) 5 to 45 weight % of polyol plasticizer, wherein the weight percentages of starch, water and polyol plasticizer are based on the total weight of starch, water and polyol plasticizer; operating the polymer processing equipment to i) convey the purging composition through the polymer processing equipment, thereby removing and withdrawing substantially all of the residual polymer composition from the polymer processing equipment and causing a portion of the purging composition to be retained as a residual purging composition within the interior of the polymer processing equipment; and ii) remove at least a portion of the contaminant material that is adhered to an interior surface of the polymer processing equipment; and removing the portion of the purging composition retained as a residual purging composition from within the interior of the polymer processing equipment.
Abstract:
A method is provided for cleaning the interior of polymer processing equipment having a resin composition retained therein, wherein a contaminant material is adhered to at least a portion of the interior surface of the polymer processing equipment. The method comprises the steps of: charging the polymer processing equipment having a residual polymer composition retained in the interior thereof with a purging composition comprising 45-94 weight % of starch; 0.05 to 20 weight % of water; and (3) 5 to 45 weight % of polyol plasticizer, wherein the weight percentages of starch, water and polyol plasticizer are based on the total weight of starch, water and polyol plasticizer; operating the polymer processing equipment to i) convey the purging composition through the polymer processing equipment, thereby removing and withdrawing substantially all of the residual polymer composition from the polymer processing equipment and causing a portion of the purging composition to be retained as a residual purging composition within the interior of the polymer processing equipment; and ii) remove at least a portion of the contaminant material that is adhered to an interior surface of the polymer processing equipment; and removing the portion of the purging composition retained as a residual purging composition from within the interior of the polymer processing equipment.
Abstract:
Polyester nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties are prepared by melt-compounding a mixture of: fibrous clay, sodium salt, optionally at least one linear polyester oligomer, and at least one polyester polymer; and, optionally, subjecting the nanocomposite composition to solid state polymerization to increase polyester molecular weight. The polyester nanocomposites can also be prepared from a melt-compounded masterbatch, containing a greater concentration of fibrous clay than is desired in the final resin composition.
Abstract:
An apparatus is described having an extrusion means (34) for extruding a molten polymer strand (36); a pelletizer; and a trough (310) disposed to convey a polymer strand from the extrusion means to the pelletizer (315); the trough (310) has an interior bottom surface; a water dispensing means (39) disposed to provide a layer of water (38) on a first portion (37) of the interior bottom surface that is proximate to the extrusion means; a mesh (312) or perforated surface disposed in the trough (310) downstream (311) from the water dispensing means (39), disposed to permit the separation of water from a water-immersed strand incident upon it; and a second portion (313) of the interior bottom surface downstream from that mesh (312) or perforated surface, disposed to contain a layer of water.