Patent ID: 9517583
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: B29C,Y02P

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising: (a) introducing a polymer into a first zone of an extruder; (b) melting the polymer in the first zone to form a molten polymer flowing downstream into a second zone of the extruder; (c) introducing a supercritical fluid into the second zone to lower the temperature of the molten polymer flowing downstream into a third zone of the extruder; (d) introducing a natural fiber into the third zone to form a natural fiber polymer mixture at a temperature lower than the melting point of the polymer; and (e) extruding the natural fiber polymer mixture through an exit of the extruder to form a polymer fiber composite having a first color change rating using steps (a), (b) and (d) but not (c) and a second color change rating using steps (a), (b), (c) and (d), the first color change rating represents a stronger visible color shift than the second color change rating.