Patent ID: 8487034

Claim:
A thermoplastic composite for forming a rod-shaped article adapted to be used in hot-melt adhesive applicators or dispensers, the composite comprising: (a) a polymer phase comprising about 0.6 to 92 wt. % and 14 to 69 vol. % of the composite, the polymer characterized by melt flow properties such that the viscosity of the polymer at 265° C. is about 500-2000 cP; and (b) a particulate comprising about 3 to 99.4 wt. % and 31 to 86 vol. % of the composite, the particulate intermixed with the polymer phase, the particulate having about 0.005 to 3 wt. % of a coating of an interfacial modifier wherein the interfacial modifier at least partially coats the particulate, the particulate having a particle size where no more than 10 wt. % of the particles are under 10 microns; wherein the particulate and polymer phase comprise greater than 95 vol. % of the composite, the composite having a density of 0.2 to 16 gm- cm 3 and the composite has a viscosity of less than about 100,000 cP at about the melt temperature of the composite.