Arkema Inc.

Atofina Chemicals, Inc.

Arkema France

Saeid Zerafati

Gregory Scott O'Brien

Ramin Amin-Sanayei

James Theodore Goldbach

James J Henry

Sean Michael Stabler

Anthony Bonnet

Richard M Crooker

Mehdi Durali

Jiaxin Jason Ge

Michael Werth

Michael T Burchill

Jinhuang Wu

Samuel Devisme

Michael Timothy Burchill

Ronald H Partridge

Thomas Fine

Fabrice Chopinez

Barbara Ramfel

William J Hartzel

Nicholas J Rodak

Claude Granel

Ravi R Gupta

Lawrence H Judovits

Michael Tran

Gregory S O'brien

Pascal Sebire

Nicolas Gruat

Thomas Labour

Nafih Mekhilef

Barbara Wiegert

Florent Abgrall

Michael Q Tran

Jérôme Rondin

Sean M Stabler

Gregory Scott Obrien

Gregory S O'BRIEN

William Hartzel

Barbara Ramfel Wiegert

Michael Quoc Binh Tran

The invention relates to sized reinforcing fibers that comprise a reinforcing fiber sized with a fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer is functionalized and/or the reinforcing fiber is sized with a compatible functional non-fluorinated polymer that is compatible with the fluoropolymer. Functionalization of the fluoropolymer or the compatible non-fluorinated polymer provides enhanced properties, such as increased adhesion to the reinforcing fiber.

High strength polyvinylidene fluoride based sized reinforcing fibers

The invention relates to low density fluoropolymer foam, and preferably polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) foam, such as that made with KYNAR PVDF resins, and articles made of the foam. The foam is produced by adding microspheres containing blowing agents to the polymer and processing it through an extruder. The microspheres consist of a hard shell containing a physical blowing agent. The shell softens at elevated temperatures and allows the expansion of the blowing agent, and microsphere to create larger voids within the polymer matrix. By proper control of the polymer composition, viscosity, processing temperature, blowing agent selection, loading ratio, and finishing conditions, useful articles such as foamed PVDF pipe, tube, profiles, film, wire jacketing and other articles can be produced. The microspheres may be added to the fluoropolymer matrix by several means, including as part of a masterbatch with a compatible polymer carrier.

Low density fluoropolymer foam

The invention relates to fluoropolymer composites having a fluoropolymer matrix containing a functionalized fluoropolymer composition, and reinforced with fibers. The fibers can be chopped fibers, long fibers, or a mixture thereof, and the fluoropolymer matrix preferably is based on polyvinylidene fluoride. Any type of fibers, sized or unsized may be used with the functionalized fluoropolymer matrix composition to form the fluoropolymer composite.

High strength polyvinylidene fluoride composite

The present invention relates to the preparation of a thermoplastic fluoropolymer blend composition exhibiting improved mechanical properties upon fabrication. The fluoropolymer blend composite on is produced by blending an emulsion latex of fluoropolymer (A) with an emulsion latex of fluorinated copolymer (B). Copolymer (B) emulsion has a small particle size, super high MW, and a low degree of crystallinity. The blending of the latex emulsions results in a morphology with small particles of copolymer (B) uniformly distributed within a matrix of fluoropolymer (A) in a manner that could not be achieved by a mere melt blending of the tow components.

Fluoropolymer blend

The invention relates to the use of chopped fibers in thermoplastic composite compounds, and in particular to thermoplastic fluoropolymer compounds. The fluoropolymer matrix contains thermoplastic fluoropolymers that have been grafted with a carboxylic polar functionality, such as KYNAR ADX&#xae; polymer from Arkema. The chopped fiber&#x2014;grafted fluoropolymer composite has increased tensile and flexural strength compared to fluoropolymer compounds that contain no grafted carboxylic grafted fluoropolymer.

High strength polyvinylidene fluoride based reinforced compounds

The invention relates to blends containing polymers of vinylidene fluoride, having low ductile-brittle transition temperatures and having excellent low temperature impact properties while maintaining the positive aspects of unmodified vinylidene fluoride-containing polymers. The blends of this invention are produced by adding a core-shell impact modifier (CSIM) comprised of a polysiloxane core and a shell compatible with vinylidene fluoride-containing polymer. The blends are further characterized by the presence of a heterogeneous copolymer composition comprised of two or more distinct phases and/or at least one flame and smoke suppressant. The preparation of these new blends can be done by conventional thermoplastic compounding techniques such as twin screw compounding; alternatively, the CSIM can be introduced earlier, such as in the latex. The unique properties of the new blends make them useful in end-use applications where those properties provide performance advantages, such as in wires & cables and in oil and gas applications.

High impact blends of vinylidene fluoride-containing polymers

The invention relates to a photovoltaic module for capturing and using solar radiation having as a backsheet a composition containing polyvinylidene fluoride. The polyvinylidene fluoride backsheet layer is exposed to the environment and provides chemical resistance, low water vapor transmission, electrical insulation, and UV light protection.

Photovoltaic modules having a polyvinylidene fluoride backsheet

The invention relates to fluoropolymer articles that have been irradiated with at least 5 Kilo Gray of radiation, where the resulting articles have low levels of leachable or extractable fluoride ion. The low fluoride ion migration from the irradiated article is due to the presence of low levels of metallic salts or oxides in the fluoropolymer composition. The invention is especially useful for fluoropolymer articles in which the fluoropolymer layer contacts a biological or pharmaceutical fluid, and that are subjected to sterilization by irradiation.

Irradiated fluoropolymer articles having low leachable fluoride ions

The invention relates to fluoropolymer articles that have been irradiated with at least 5 Kilo Gray of radiation, where the resulting articles have low levels of leachable or extractable fluoride ion. The low fluoride ion migration from the irradiated article is due to the presence of low levels of metalic salts or oxides in the fluoropolymer composition. The invention is especially useful for fluoropolymer articles in which the fluorpolymer layer contacts a biological or pharmaceutical fluid, and that are subjected to sterilization by irradiation.

The invention relates to a multi-layer film having at least one fluoropolymer layer, useful for high-purity contact applications. Preferably the fluoropolymer layer(s) are polyvinylidene fluoride polymers and copolymers.

Multilayer fluoropolymer films

The invention relates to an article that has been obtained by the melt-process recycling of one or more multi-layer articles, where the multi-layer articles are composed of at least one melt-processible polyvinylidene fluoride layer. The composition of the invention is a compatible blend of the different layers from the multi-layer articles. The other layers of the multi-layer articles are also melt-processible, and include one or more layers chosen from: a) a melt-processible fluoropolymer of a different composition, b) a non-fluoropolymer, and c) a barrier layer. The composition is useful for forming an article in a melt-process operation. The composition may be used by itself, may be blended with other virgin or recycled materials, or may be used at low levels with melt-processible polymers as a process aid.

Melt processable composition from recycled multi-layer articles containing a fluoropolymer layer

The invention relates to foamed polyvinylidene tubular structures&#x2014;and particularly those for use as conduit. The tubular structures may be corrugated, and are especially useful for fiber-optic plenum conduit. The polyvinylidene foam may also be directly applied to fiber optic cable.

Foamed polyvinylidene fluoride tubular structures

The invention relates to compositions of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers that have been modified with an onium salt. The PVDF compositions exhibit an increased melting point, a reduced heat distortion and piezo properties. The improved properties can be further enhanced through annealing, and/or the addition of nanoclays. Additionally, the combination of PVDF, nanoclays and annealing can also produce a PVDF with an increased melting point and piezoelectric properties.

Polyvinylidene fluoride having an increased melting point

The present invention relates to the preparation of a fluoropolymer exhibiting improved whiteness upon fabrication. The fluoropolymer is a multiphase copolymer or blend of fluropolymers. Fluoropolymer compositions of this invention could have application in both melt processing and solvent casting operations for such products as pipes, tubes, sheets, rods, solvent-casted and melt-processed films.

Fluoropolymers having improved whiteness

An improved impact modifier for polymers, such as PBT and blends thereof; is disclosed. The impact modifier is a blend of (A) a core/shell additive having a core based on alkyl acrylate, on a polyorganosiloxane rubber or a blend thereof and a shell based on poly(alkyl methacrylate), or on a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer grafted onto the core; and (B) a linear copolymer which contains from 50 to 85 parts of units derived from ethylene, from 5 to 40 parts of units derived from (meth)acrylic esters, and from 2 to 10 parts of a copolymerizable monomer containing an epoxy group. The impact strength provided by the impact modifier blend is unexpectedly higher than the impact strength provided by each individual component of the blend.

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Villanova, PA, United States of America

Saeid Zerafati