Abstract: Multifunctional surfacing materials for use in composite structures are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the surfacing material includes (a) a stiffening layer, (b) a curable resin layer, (c) a conductive layer, and (d) a nonwoven layer, wherein the stiffening layer (a) and the nonwoven layer (d) are outermost layers, and the exposed surfaces of the outermost layers are substantially tack-free at room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.). The conductive layer may be interposed between the curable resin layer and the stiffening layer or embedded in the curable resin layer. According to another embodiment, the surfacing material includes a fluid barrier film between two curable resin layers. The surfacing materials may be in the form of a continuous or elongated tape that is suitable for automated placement.

Abstract: Resin masterbatch compositions are provided as closed end pellets having a core including at least one additive and an outer layer comprising a polymer encapsulating the core, in which the thickness of the outer layer if from 0.001 mm to 1 cm. A stabilized composition is prepared from an organic material to be stabilized and the resin masterbatch composition. A process for producing the resin masterbatch composition includes co-extruding in tubular form a core material encapsulated by an outer layer, wherein the core material comprises at least one additive, and the outer layer comprises a polymer, to form a filled tube; passing the filled tube into a sealing device that cuts the filled tube into multiple discrete segments seals and simultaneously seals each end of each discrete segment, thereby forming closed end pellets; and cooling the closed end pellets.

Abstract: Granular stabilizer compositions including concentrated blends of one or more polymer additive, and one or more co-active agent, which compositions are low-dusting and substantially free of a carrier polymer resin are disclosed herein, along with process for making the stabilizer compositions, and uses of such stabilizer compositions for providing enhanced protection of polymer resins against deleterious effects from air (oxygen), residual catalyst, mechanical stress, heat, and light.

Abstract: A surfacing material that is mold-releasable and electrically conductive. This surfacing material can be co-cured with a curable composite substrate and can be in contact with a mold surface such that when the cured composite part is removed from the mold, the surfacing material is releasable from the mold with ease. The mold-releasable surfacing material can effectively eliminate the need for mold release agents and mold surface preparation.

Abstract: Processes for inhibiting scale produced during wet process phosphoric acid production by adding a scale inhibiting amount of a reagent having at least one amine portion including at least one primary amine, and at least one hydrocarbyl portion having an insolubilizing group attached thereto to at least one stage of a wet process phosphoric acid production process are provided herein.

Abstract: A resin system containing: (i) a thermosetting resin precursor component comprising one or more multi-functional epoxy resin precursor(s) having a functionality of at least three, preferably wherein said precursor(s) are selected from a tri-functional epoxy resin precursor and/or a tetra-functional epoxy resin precursor; (ii) a thermoplastic polyamide particle component wherein the polyamide particles have a melting temperature TPA; and (iii) one or more curing agent(s), wherein the resin precursor component, the thermoplastic particle and the curing agent(s) are selected such that gelation of the epoxy matrix during the cure cycle of the resin system occurs at a gelation temperature TGEL which is at or below TPA.

Abstract: Processes for removing/recovering heavy metal ions in solutions containing phosphoric acid by adding reagents having at least one organothiophosphorus compound and at least one surfactant to the solution during the wet-process phosphoric acid production process to form heavy metal complexes, and separating the heavy metal complexes from the solution are provided herein.

Abstract: A manufacturing process, which includes: (i) preparing a preform; (ii) laying the preform within a mold; (iii) heating the mold to a predetermined temperature; and (iv) injecting a modified resin system, wherein the modified resin system is formulated to have a viscosity below a threshold viscosity at a specific temperature and a high level of toughness. In one embodiment, the modified resin system contains a combination of epoxies, a curing agent, core-shell rubber particles, a thermoplastic material in an amount of less than 7% by weight, wherein in a cured condition, the thermoplastic material is separated into aggregate domains from the base resin, each aggregate domain having an island-like morphology.

Abstract: Curable prepregs possessing enhanced ability for the removal of gases from within prepregs and between prepreg plies in a prepreg layup prior to and/or during consolidation and curing. Each curable prepreg is a resin-impregnated, woven fabric that has been subjected to a treatment to create an array of openings in at least one major surface. Furthermore, the location of the openings is specific to the weave pattern of the fabric.

Abstract: A resin system containing: (i) a thermosetting resin precursor component comprising one or more multi-functional epoxy resin precursor(s) having a functionality of at least three, preferably wherein said precursor(s) are selected from a tri-functional epoxy resin precursor and/or a tetra-functional epoxy resin precursor; (ii) a thermoplastic polyamide particle component wherein the polyamide particles have a melting temperature TPA; and (iii) one or more curing agent(s), wherein the resin precursor component, the thermoplastic particle and the curing agent(s) are selected such that gelation of the epoxy matrix during the cure cycle of the resin system occurs at a gelation temperature TGEL which is at or below TPA.

Abstract: Sulfosuccinate surfactant compounds blended in binary and ternary combinations to yield synergistic sulfosuccinate surfactant systems and use of the same in enhanced oil recovery and hydraulic fracturing applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to low or zero-tack composite materials such as pre-pregs and their use in automated manufacturing, particularly robotic pick and place. The present invention further relates to an automated process for preparing an article, particularly a molded article, from a fiber-reinforced composition material. The molded articles prepared by the process described herein are particularly suitable as components for transport applications, and particularly the automotive industry. The automotive components prepared by the present invention are particularly suitable as mid- or high-volume automotive parts, in which cost and speed of production are paramount. The present invention provides a process in which the cutting and handling of pre-preg materials is greatly simplified, providing advantages of efficiency and economy.

Abstract: A curable composition containing more than 80% by weight of a blend of benzoxazines, wherein the blend includes (A) one or more multifunctional benzoxazines and (B) a liquid, non-halogenated monofunctional benzoxazine. This composition has been found to be stable at high temperatures, e.g. 180° C.-250° C., and suitable for making composite materials using conventional techniques such as prepregging and liquid resin infusion.

Abstract: Peel ply for surface preparation and a method of surface preparation prior to adhesive bonding. A resin-rich peel ply is applied onto a curable, resin-based composite substrate, followed by co-curing. After co-curing, the composite substrate is fully cured but the matrix resin in the peel ply remains partially cured. When the peel ply is removed, a roughened, bondable surface with chemically-active functional groups is revealed. The composite substrate with the chemically-active, bondable surface may be bonded to another composite substrate to form a covalently-bonded structure.

Abstract: An automated method for producing a fibrous preform on a tool surface. Such fibrous preform is configured to receive liquid resin via resin infusion. A disposable layer containing a small amount of radiation absorbing material is placed onto the tool surface prior to the automated placement of the first ply of dry fibrous material. Particles of a polymeric or resinous binder are applied on an exposed surface of the disposable layer to enhance adhesion of the first ply. The dry fibrous material may be in the form of elongated, narrow-width fiber tapes or broader fabrics that can be deposited onto the tool surface by an automated placement method. The disposable layer may be in the form of a flexible polymeric film, a release film, a peel ply or a polymer-coated glass cloth.

Abstract: Compositions including blends of one or more acrylamide/allyl thiourea polymer as a first depressant, and one or more carboxyalkyl dithiocarbamate compound as a second depressant, and their use as depressants in the beneficiation of sulfide minerals from ores and/or concentrates are disclosed herein, along with methods for selectively separating value sulfide minerals from non-value sulfide minerals in a froth flotation process for the recovery of such value minerals.

Abstract: A hybrid, woven textile material that can be used in the manufacturing of fiber-reinforced composite materials. The hybrid textile material is a woven fabric composed of unidirectional fibers interlaced with strips of non-woven fibers in a weaving pattern. In an embodiment, the hybrid textile material is porous or permeable with respect to liquid resins used in Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) processes and a preform formed from this textile material can be infused with liquid resins during such RTM processes.

Abstract: A curable composition for liquid resin infusion (LRI) and a manufacturing process for producing a molded article. The curable composition includes: a) no more than 5.0 wt % of a thermoplastic polymer; b) no more than 5.0 wt % of nano-sized core-shell particles; c) no more than 5.0 wt % of nano-sized inorganic particles; d) an epoxy resin component; and e) one or more amine curing agent(s), wherein the initial viscosity of said curable composition is no more than 5 Poise at a temperature within the temperature range of from about 80° C. to about 130° C.

Abstract: A water-based bonding primer composition and a method of applying the same onto a metallic surface prior to adhesive bonding. The bonding primer composition is a water-based dispersion containing water, one or more epoxy resins, at least one curing agent, a silane compound, a low amount of a carbon-based material in particulate form, and optional additives. The carbon-based material is selected from graphene, graphene oxide (GO), graphite, carbon with various structures in micron-scale or nanoscale size, and combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to foam-forming surfactant compositions having at least two surfactants whereof at least one is a sulfosuccinamate, and at least one is a sulfosuccinate, and optionally including, a solvent. Methods of recovering oil or gas by generating a foam, feeding the foam into a subterranean oil- or gas-bearing geological formation, and collecting mineral oil or natural gas driven by the foam in a production well, wherein the foam is generated by intimate mixing of one or more foam-forming surfactant compositions described herein with a gas in a foam generator, or by introduction of at least one of water and gases, together or intermittently or in alternating sequence, slugs of a gas which may be in a supercritical or non-supercritical state, and of water, wherein the foam-forming surfactant composition(s) can be admixed to the water or to the gas if the gas is in a supercritical state or be introduced separately as solution into the geological formation, are also provided.