Structurally enhanced plastics with filler reinforcements

Abstract

A composition comprising a fluid, and a material dispersed in the fluid, the material made up of particles having a complex three dimensional surface area such as a sharp blade-like surface, the particles having an aspect ratio larger than 0.7 for promoting kinetic boundary layer mixing in a non-linear-viscosity zone. The composition may further include an additive dispersed in the fluid. The fluid may be a thermopolymer material. A method of extruding the fluid includes feeding the fluid into an extruder, feeding additives into the extruder, feeding a material into the extruder, passing the material through a mixing zone in the extruder to disperse the material within the fluid wherein the material migrates to a boundary layer of the fluid to promote kinetic mixing of the additives within the fluid, the kinetic mixing taking place in a non-linear viscosity zone.

1 - 62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . A composition comprising
 a fluid having a boundary layer;   particles in said boundary layer of said fluid, said particles having a sharp conchoidal surface and a complex three-dimensional surface area, said particles having a 2.5 Mohs scale hardness or greater and having a size from nano to micron;   wherein said particles comprise from 0.5 wt % to 8 wt % of the composition.   
     
     
         64 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said complex three-dimensional surface area comprises a smooth, sharp surface. 
     
     
         65 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said complex three-dimensional surface area comprises a smooth, sharp, blade-like surface. 
     
     
         66 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said complex three-dimensional surface area comprises a smooth, curved surface. 
     
     
         67 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles comprise a jet milled material. 
     
     
         68 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles comprise an impact jet milled material. 
     
     
         69 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles comprise a ball milled material. 
     
     
         70 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles comprise a roller milled material. 
     
     
         71 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles have a hardness sufficient to deform said fluid as it flows around said particles, thereby promoting kinetic mixing through the tumbling or rolling effect of the particles. 
     
     
         72 . The composition of  claim 63  wherein said particles promote boundary layer renewal of said flowing fluid by kinetic mixing. 
     
     
         73 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles are selected from a group consisting of porous materials, manmade materials, and naturally occurring minerals. 
     
     
         74 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles have a diameter that results in particle interaction in a boundary layer of said flowing fluid to achieve one of an increase in additive dispersion in said fluid, or to increase surface quality of said fluid exiting said equipment. 
     
     
         75 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles are incorporated into said fluid by providing pellets which have said particles contained therein, and forming the fluid from said pellets, said fluid of which has the particles dispersed therein. 
     
     
         76 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles are incorporated into oil. 
     
     
         77 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles are incorporated into a paint. 
     
     
         78 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles are incorporated into a fire retardant. 
     
     
         79 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles are incorporated into a heat transfer fluid. 
     
     
         80 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles are incorporated into a pigment. 
     
     
         81 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said particles have an aspect ratio greater than 0.7. 
     
     
         82 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said fluid is a plastic. 
     
     
         83 . The composition according to  claim 63  wherein said fluid is a polymer.