Abstract: A process for creating readily or highly dispersible nanoparticles on which chemically reactive functional groups or ligands have been placed. An ultra-high shear fluidic processor is used to change the size distribution of nanoparticle agglomerations and facilitate the formation of stable dispersions of such nanoparticles, as well as the placement of various chemically reactive functional groups or ligands on exposed surface areas of such nanoparticles. Such functionalized nanoparticle agglomerations have a broader size distribution (with a substantial increase in the proportion of smaller agglomerations), can exhibit enhanced dispersion characteristics and, when dispersed in various bulk materials, can impart to such bulk materials the desirable physical or chemical properties associated with the selected chemically active functional groups that have been attached to the surface areas of such agglomerations.

Abstract: A detectable pull tape comprising at least one elongated conductive wire extending longitudinally in the tape, wherein each elongated conductive wire has a coating of insulation, a woven outer cover formed from nonconductive warp and nonconductive weft yarns, the warp yarns extending longitudinally in the tape and the weft yarns extending transversely in the tape and weaving over and under the warp yarns, and a set of binder yarns extending longitudinally in the tape, the binder yarns weaving with the weft yarns on at least one side of the conductive wires to lock the warp yarns and the conductive wires in position relative to each other. A method of detecting the location of conduit using a detectable pull tape is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are specific coating compositions, which are used as a monolithic coating layer for airbags. Preferably, these coating compositions are comprised of urethanes, which are blended together, where at least one of the urethane components is inherently flame retardant and the other of which is a urethane with gas-retaining properties. The gas-retaining urethane may be characterized as having high tensile strength at break, high elongation at break, and a 100% modulus less than 2,000 p.s.i. The inherently flame retardant urethane is the result of a manufacturing process in which a halogenated diol is reacted with an isocyanate, resulting in the incorporation of halogens into the polyurethane backbone. The resulting coating compositions (that is, the blends of gas-retaining urethane and flame retardant urethane), when applied as a single layer to an airbag fabric, result in an airbag with good gas retention, flame retardance, anti-blocking properties, and aging stability.

Abstract: Coating compositions, which are used as a monolithic coating layer for airbags. The coating compositions include a combination of urethanes which are blended together. At least one of the urethane components provides gas-retaining properties and the other provides the aging stability. The gas-retaining urethane may be characterized as having high tensile strength at break, high elongation at break, and a 100% modulus less than 1,200 psi. The aging stability urethane has a polycarbonate backbone as result of a manufacturing process in which a polycarbonate diol is reacted with an isocyanate. The resulting coating compositions, when applied as a single layer to an airbag fabric, result in an airbag with good gas retention and aging stability.

Abstract: Coating compositions, which are used as a monolithic coating layer for airbags. The coating compositions include a combination of urethanes which are blended together. At least one of the urethane components provides gas-retaining properties and the other provides the aging stability. The gas-retaining urethane may be characterized as having high tensile strength at break, high elongation at break, and a 100% modulus less than 1,200 psi. The aging stability urethane has a polycarbonate backbone as result of a manufacturing process in which a polycarbonate diol is reacted with an isocyanate. The resulting coating compositions, when applied as a single layer to an airbag fabric, result in an airbag with good gas retention and aging stability.

Abstract: Provided herein are specific coating compositions, which are used as a monolithic coating layer for airbags. Preferably, these coating compositions are comprised of urethanes, which are blended together, where at least one of the urethane components is inherently flame retardant and the other of which is a urethane with gas-retaining properties. The gas-retaining urethane may be characterized as having high tensile strength at break, high elongation at break, and a 100% modulus less than 2,000 p.s.i. The inherently flame retardant urethane is the result of a manufacturing process in which a halogenated diol is reacted with an isocyanate, resulting in the incorporation of halogens into the polyurethane backbone. The resulting coating compositions (that is, the blends of gas-retaining urethane and flame retardant urethane), when applied as a single layer to an airbag fabric, result in an airbag with good gas retention, flame retardance, anti-blocking properties, and aging stability.

Abstract: The flexible electroluminescent capacitive sensor system contains an electroluminescent capacitive sensor, a capacitance meter, and an electroluminescence electronic drive. The capacitive sensor contains in order a first barrier layer, a first transparent electrode layer, a phosphor layer, a second electrode layer, a flexible, resilient dielectric layer, and an electrically conductive reference layer. The capacitance meter is electrically connected to the electrically conductive reference layer and either the second electrode layer or the first electrode layer. The electroluminescence electronic drive is electrically connected to the first transparent electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first electrode layer has a first voltage, the second electrode layer has a second voltage, and the conductive reference layer has a third voltage. The first or second electrodes may be patterned to allow for multiple sensor regions integrated into a single sensor structure.

Abstract: A process for imparting flame resistance and the flame resistant fabrics produced by such process are provided. The process for imparting flame resistant properties involves treating a target fabric with one or more flame retardant chemicals (and, preferably, a softening agent) and then curing the treated fabric to durably affix the flame retardant to the fabric. In many cases, it may be desirable to subject the treated fabric to mechanical face finishing to increase softness. Optionally, stain release agents, soil repellent agents, permanent press resins, and the like may be added to the bath of flame retardant chemicals, eliminating the need for one or more additional manufacturing processes. Alternately, soil repellent agents may be applied to only one side of the treated fabric after the application of the flame retardant chemicals. The present fabrics exhibit improved performance and tear strength, even after repeated launderings, as compared to conventionally treated fabrics.

Abstract: Provided herein are various flexible sheet-like substrates that are lightweight, rupture or burst resistant, and suitable for use in constructing a variety of structures used in fluid-containment, especially gas containment, and other applications, and the processes by which such composites can be fabricated. In the most general case, the composites of this disclosure are comprised of a woven textile fabric to which has been laminated a flexible film. Two principal embodiments are disclosed: a first embodiment without a reinforcing layer, and a second embodiment with a structurally robust, bias-oriented reinforcing layer, preferably interposed between the fabric and the film.

Abstract: A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and optionally second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material. The non-woven material has a woven, knitted, or non-woven layer added on either one or both sides of the non-woven material.

Abstract: A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to abrasion resistant and/or puncture resistant fabrics, coated, layered and/or laminated inflatable fabrics, and methods. More particularly, it concerns airbag cushions to which films, fabrics, layers, and/or coatings have been applied and which exhibit enhanced abrasion resistance and/or puncture resistance. The inventive inflatable fabrics are especially suited for use in automotive restraint cushions that require abrasion resistance and/or puncture resistance (such as side curtain airbags).

Abstract: The invention relates to a soil release agent comprising a multi-branched soil release/wetting agent having an oxygen-containing polyfunctional base compound and at least two surfactant branches attached thereto, wherein each surfactant branch includes at least one hydrophilic and at least one hydrophobic constituent and a polyester release agent in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A unitary, fiber-containing composite comprises (a) a first region comprising a plurality of first binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers, (b) a second region disposed above the first region, the second region comprising a plurality of second binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers, and (c) a transitional region disposed between the first region and the second region. The transitional region comprises concentrations of the first binder fiber, the second binder fiber, and the bast fiber. The concentration of the first binder fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the first region and least proximate to the second region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber and the bast fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the first region. A method for producing a unitary, fiber-containing composite is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a static dissipative textile having an electrically conductive surface achieved by coating the textile with an electrically conductive coating in a variety of patterns. The electrically conductive coating is comprised of a conducting agent and a binding agent, and optionally a dispersing agent and/or a thickening agent. The static dissipative textile generally comprises a fabric which may be screen printed or otherwise coated with a conductive coating on the backside of the fabric so that the conductive coating does not interfere with the appearance of the face of the fabric. The economically produced fabric exhibits relatively permanent static dissipation properties and conducts electric charge at virtually any humidity, while the conductive coating does not detrimentally affect the overall appearance or tactile properties of the fabric.

Abstract: This disclosure generally pertains to a method for manufacturing a distributed optical fiber scrim comprising a functional optical fiber, the functional optical fiber scrim thus manufactured, and composites in which an optical fiber scrim is incorporated. The present disclosure describes a variety of textile scrims, particularly adhesively bonded nonwoven scrim materials, each comprising at least one optical fiber with a continuous path across at least the length or width of the fabric. Such optical fiber scrims may be useful as sensor components (for example, as a detector of breakage, strain, pressure, or torque), as illumination components (for example, in a variety of light-providing applications), or as data-distribution components, either alone or in combination with other materials, such as fabrics, films, foams, and the like.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread, a carcass with belt plies disposed below the tread, and a cap ply layer between the tread and the belt plies of the carcass. The cap ply is a weft inserted warp knit fabric tape comprising an in-lay warp yarn set, a weft inserted yarn set, and a stitching yarn set, wherein the stitching yarn set forms a repeating stitch pattern on each warp yarn comprising a sequence of at least 2 stitches around the warp yarn from one stitching yarn and at least 2 stitches around the warp yarn from the adjacent stitching yarn. The tape is wound in a flat helically wound around the belt plies and covered with a tread of the tire.

Abstract: A unitary, fiber-containing composite comprises (a) a first region comprising a plurality of first binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers, (b) a second region disposed above the first region, the second region comprising a plurality of second binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers, and (c) a transitional region disposed between the first region and the second region. The transitional region comprises concentrations of the first binder fiber, the second binder fiber, and the bast fiber. The concentration of the first binder fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the first region and least proximate to the second region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber and the bast fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the first region. A method for producing a unitary, fiber-containing composite is also described.

Abstract: A photocatalytic substrate comprises a textile support and a finish on the surface thereof. The finish on the surface of the textile support comprises a particulate photocatalytic material and a binder. A process for producing a photocatalytic substrate comprises the steps of providing a textile support having at least one surface, providing a coating composition, applying the coating composition to at least a portion of the surface of the textile support, and drying the surface of the textile support to which the coating composition was applied to produce a photocatalytic substrate.

Abstract: A nonionic hydrophilic macromolecule without added lubricating oil provides lubrication to textured at least partially oriented yarns to protect the yarns during subsequent processing, such as weaving to improve weaving efficiency. Softer yarns and fabrics are obtained than with conventional textured yarns while also providing improved adhesion and dyeability.