POLYMERIC ARTICLES, AND METHODS OF TREATING, FORMING AND RECYCLING POLYMERIC ARTICLES

摘要

The invention encompasses a method of treating a polymeric article. The article is exposed to radiation to increase an amount of polymerization within the article by at least about 10%. The invention also encompasses a method of forming a polymeric article. A flowable polymeric mixture is provided and molded into an article. The molded mixture is cured, and the cured mixture retains a shape of the article to form the article. After the curing, the article is exposed to radiation to increase an amount of polymerization within the article by at least about 10%. Additionally, the invention encompasses a method of recycling a polymeric material. A polymeric material is degraded to sub-units. The sub-units are predominantly polymeric sub-units rather than monomeric sub-units. The sub-units are in a mixture comprising components other than the sub-units. The sub-units are separated from at least some of the other components. After the sub-units are separated from the other components, the sub-units are exposed to at least one of radio frequency radiation and microwave frequency radiation to increase an amount polymerization within the sub-units. The invention further encompasses an article consisting essentially of nylon and having a formic acid viscosity (FAV) value of at least 100.