Ferro Corporation

Anna Catherine Andrews

Robert J Opalko

Paul J DeFranco

Haleh Ayrom-Keuchel

Ann M Panek

Deenadayalu Chundury

Brenda Hollo

Gerald W Drabeck, Jr

Juan Bravo

Michael DiPierro

James M McKinney

The present invention provides polyolefin compositions that exhibit both stiffness and toughness. Polyolefin compositions according to the invention include a polyolefin homopolymer resin such as polypropylene and an impact modifying fluid that includes a nonionic surfactant and optionally a diluent such as mineral oil. The nonionic surfactant can be an ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid ester such as ethoxylated sorbitan trioleate. Unfilled impact modified polypropylene homopolymer formed in accordance with the invention preferably exhibits a Gardner impact strength of at least 100 in-lbs, a flexural modulus of at least 40 kpsi and a tensile modulus of at least 60 kpsi.

Impact modified polyolefin compositions

The present invention provides impact modified thermoplastic olefin ('TPO') compositions that exhibit both stiffness and toughness. TPO compositions according to the invention include a polyolefin homopolymer resin such as polypropylene, from about 17% by weight to about 30% by weight of a rubbery copolymer comprising at least one alpha olefin, and from about 1.0% to about 8.0% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, which acts as an impact modifying fluid. The preferred nonionic surfactant for use in the invention is an ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid ester such as ethoxylated sorbitan trioleate ('ESTO').

Impact modified thermoplastic olefin compositions

The present invention provides a method of forming a polymer-wood composite structure and additive systems for use therein. The method of the invention includes extruding a heated mixture that includes from about 20% to about 80% by weight of a thermoplastic polymer, from about 20% to about 80% by weight of a cellulosic filler material, and from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an additive system. The additive system according the invention includes a blend of from about 10% to about 90% by weight of a nonionic compatibilizer having an HLB value of from about 9 to about 19 and from about 10% to about 90% by weight of a lubricant. Use of the method and additive system according to the invention facilitates the production of highly filled polymer-wood composite structures at a very high output rate while maintaining commercially acceptable surface appearance. Moreover, the method and additive system according to the invention facilitate the reprocessing of scrap material generated during the production of polymer-wood composite structures without degrading the surface appearance of the polymer-wood composite structures.

Polymer-wood composites and additive systems therefor

The present invention provides a method of forming a lenticular sheet for use in forming a substantially ghost-free lenticular image. In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention includes providing a means for forming a lenticular sheet and forming the lenticular sheet out of a polymeric material using the means such that the lenticular sheet has an actual thickness (d ) that is within about &plusmn;15% of an optimal thickness (d ) as determined according to the formula: d &equals;(ns&minus;1)r/s(n&minus;1), wherein n is the refractive index of the polymeric material, s is the number of interlaced scenes in the lenticular image, and r is the radius of the lenticles formed using the means. In another embodiment, the method according to the invention includes providing a means for forming a lenticular sheet and forming the lenticular sheet out of a polymeric material using the means such that the lenticles have an actual radius (r ) that is within about &plusmn;15% of the optimal radius (r ) determined according to the formula: r &equals;(n&minus;1)sd /(ns&minus;1), wherein n is the refractive index of a polymeric material from which the lenticular sheet is to be formed, s is the number of interlaced scenes in the lenticular image, and d is the predetermined actual thickness of the lenticular sheet. In yet another embodiment, the method according to the invention includes providing a means for forming a lenticular sheet and forming the lenticular sheet from a polymeric material using the means, wherein the polymeric material has an actual refractive index (n ) that is within &plusmn;3% of an optimal refractive index (n ) as determined according to the formula: n &equals;(r &minus;sd )/s(r &minus;d ), wherein r is the actual radius of each lenticle in the lenticular sheet, s is the number of interlaced scenes in the lenticular image, and d is the predetermined actual thickness of the lenticular sheet.

Method of forming lenticular sheets

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Medina, OH, United States of America

Anna Catherine Andrews