Compounding
Nanoscale Additive Blends Both Compatibilize and Toughen
A new family of acrylic block copolymers is said to be easily mixed into nanoscale dispersions with various thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers—and to be miscible with those matrix polymers.
Read MoreHeadlines for the Next 50 Years
Ever wonder what it would be like to get tomorrow’s newspaper today? After reviewing the most important technical developments of the past 50 years in our October issue, we asked industry experts to help us imagine the biggest headlines in plastics from now to 2055. What we got was a mixture of predictions of what will happen and a wish list of what should happen.
Read More50 Ideas That Changed Plastics
Very few readers of this issue can remember, or even imagine, what it was like when an injection molding machine did not have a screw, but only a smooth-bore plunger.
Read MoreWood-Plastic Composites: Weathering Quality Issues
Exterior wood-fiber composites like decks and rails haven't lived up to some of the early claims of long, maintenance-free life.
Read MoreAdditives for Polyolefins: Newest Advances Add Ruggedness, Good Looks & Easier Processing
At a recent conference, suppliers revealed novel coupling agents for wood composites and nanocomposites, unusual nucleator masterbatches for OPP and thermoformed containers, and enhanced heat and light stabilizers, flame retardants, and processing aids.
Read MoreNow It's Here: An Objective Test of Masterbatch Dispersion
There's a new grading system for color concentrates and additive masterbatches.
Read MoreNovel Processing Aids Ease Flow Of a Wide Range of Plastics
A new family of processing-aid masterbatches is said to enhance the processability of a wider range of plastics than is possible with other additives.
Read MoreUsed Car Windshields Are Reborn As Carpet Backing
Two years ago, the Kaiser Permanente hospital chain challenged its two institutional carpet suppliers to come up with a carpet containing no PVC.
Read MoreTake Good Care of Your Extrusion Pressure Transducers
Eight tips on installing and maintaining melt-pressure sensors in your extruder will help them last longer and give you fewer problems.
Read MoreLatest Enterprise Software Features Enhanced Scheduling and Web Access
Until recently, plastics processors looking for fully featured enterprise business software may have been aware of only two choices that were tailored specifically for their needs.
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