Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Poly-wood, LLC

Richard W Renfree

Thomas J Nosker

James Kerstein

Jennifer K Lynch

Richard L Lehman

Louis Simon

James D Idol

Maryann Renfree, Legal Representative

Kenneth Van Ness

Jose R Fernandes

Maryann Renfree

Kenneth E VanNess

Darrell R Morrow

Raymond G Saba

Kenneth E Van Ness

Modular plastic structural composites formed from a mixture of (A) high density polyolefin and one or both of: (B) a thermoplastic-coated fiber material, or (C) polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), or a combination thereof. Composites molded in the form of I-Beams and bridges constructed therefrom are also disclosed.

Use of recycled plastics for structural building forms

Disclosed are immiscible polymer blends, plastic articles containing the blends, and methods for making the plastic articles. One type of article is plastic lumber, which can be in the form of a railroad tie or a marine piling.

Compositions and methods of making plastic articles

Modular plastic structural composites having a web section disposed along a horizontal axis and at least one flange section disposed along a horizontal axis parallel thereto and integrally molded to engage the top or bottom surface of the web section, wherein said composite is formed from a mixture of (A) high density polyolefin and (B) a thermoplastic-coated fiber material, poly-styrene, or a combination thereof. Composites molded in the form of I-Beams and bridges constructed therefrom are also disclosed.

An immiscible polymer blend that includes an amount of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) and an amount of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA). A method for preparing an immiscible polymer blend by (a) identifying a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component as immiscible when blended; (b) combining the first polymeric component and the second polymeric component; and (c) mixing the first polymeric component and the second polymeric component to produce an immiscible polymer blend that includes structures in the blend having a maximum size of less than about 1,000 &#x3bc;m is also presented. An article that includes an immiscible polymer blend of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) and poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and an article formed from an immiscible polymer blend prepared by the method of the present invention are also presented.

Methods of increasing toughness of immiscible polymer blends

Modular plastic structural composites having a web section disposed along a horizontal axis and at least one flange section disposed along a horizontal axis parallel thereto and integrally molded to engage the top or bottom surface of the web section, wherein said composite is formed from a mixture of (A) high density polyolefin and (B) a thermoplastic-coated fiber material, polystyrene, or a combination thereof. Composites molded in the form of I-Beams and bridges constructed therefrom are also disclosed.

To increase the resistance of plastic and/or plastic composite railroad ties tosliding within the ballast of the railroad bed, for example, sliding lengthwise (in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tie) and sideways (in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis), ties with a textured surface which aids in anchoring the ties within the ballast of the railroad beds. In particular, the ties are provided with a pattern of indentations within a surface that contacts the ballast which increases the ties resistance to sliding. The pattern is molded into the ties so as to mechanically interact with the ballast (rocks) and provide as much resistance to sliding as possible, especially along the longitudinal axis of the tie but also in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Engineered railroad ties

A method of maintaining proper distance between railroad rails is disclosed. The method utilizes railroad ties manufactured from a composite of polystyrene and polyolefin components, preferably obtained from recycled plastics. The composite exhibits a dual phase morphology wherein the two phases, polystyrene and polyolefin, intertwine and remain continuous throughout the material.

Use of recycled plastics for preparing high performance composite railroad ties

A method of recycling mixed post-consumer plastics waste includes the steps of providing mixed post-consumer plastics waste including polyolef in and non-polyolefin components, and melt-compounding the waste so as to form a continuous phase including a blend of the polyolefin components with the non-polyolefin components microdispersed therein. Preferably, the waste also includes one or more intrinsic compatibilizers, and the method includes the intrinsic compatibilizers at least partially compatibilizing the microdispersed components in the continuous phase.

Method of recycling post-consumer plastic waste

A composite building material is disclosed produced from recycled materials. The composite building material is composed of an extruded mixture of high density polyethylene and a thermoplastic coated fiber material such as fiberglass. The resulting material has increased strength and is useful in high stress applications such as railroad ties.

Composite building materials from recyclable waste

Polystyrene having a high storage modulus is blended with a polyolefin, and the blend is converted to a mixed melt which is caused to flow and then a cooled and solidified to form a substantially solid two phase composite. The high storage modulus polystyrene provides particularly good results. Especially good properties are achieved at about 35% polystyrene by weight. Either or both components may be recycled materials and may incorporate minor amounts of other plastics as contaminants.

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Scotch Plains, NJ, United States of America

Richard W Renfree