Abstract: A reinforcement structure (10) comprising: (i) one or more members (12, 12A, 12B), the one or more members having one or more projections (20) extending from a base (16) of the one or more members; and (ii) one or more sleeves (28) surrounding the one or more projections (20) and secured to the one or more members, wherein the one or more sleeves and the one or more members are configured to crumple to absorb a force being applied to the reinforcement structure.

Abstract: A forming process for composite parts comprising pultruding a resin and fiber material through a shortened pultrusion die, exposing the pultruded resin and fiber material to an induction heating coil aligned to be in-line with the pultrusion die to cure the resin and fiber material, wherein one or more of the resin and/or fiber material include a metallic component to facilitate cure via the induction heating coil.

Abstract: A support structure comprising a pultruded outer beam (12), a pultruded inner beam (14), a plurality of wear tabs (16) affixed to the inner beam, and a gear track (18) affixed to the inner beam. The outer beam is substantially hollow and adapted to receive the inner beam and the inner beam is shaped so that a portion of the inner beam extends nearly the entire height of the outer beam and a portion of the inner beam extends nearly the entire width of the outer beam, the plurality of wear tabs are located at one or more corners of the inner beam, and the gear track contacts a gear for facilitating movement of the inner beam.

Abstract: An article comprising: (a) one or more nonwoven material layers comprising a lofted fibrous material; and (b) one or more molded material layers having a fibrous matrix, wherein the article is configured to at least partially thermally insulate an item or compartment and the article absorbs external heat or cold to substantially prevent amplitude of temperature fluctuation of the item or within the compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforcement member comprising a heatcurable structural adhesive on a carrier member, wherein the carrier member comprises a fiber-reinforced polyester material. The invention further relates to a method to produce such a reinforcement member and its use.

Abstract: An adhesive/sealant material for induction heating including copolymer of ethylene and butyl acrylate and a metallic filler. The metallic filler may be present in an amount of at least about 30% by weight of the adhesive/sealant material.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly comprising: a crossmember (2) including a first beam (4) and a second beam (6), a center support assembly (8) with a first structural arm (30), a second structural arm (32), and a center support bracket (34); wherein the first beam (4) is hollow and has a larger diameter than the second beam (6), and the second beam (6) is adapted to slide into the first beam (4).

Abstract: The present teachings contemplate additive manufacturing of articles, such as articles made by layer-by-layer deposition of one or more reformable resin polymeric feed material. In particular the invention relates to a feed material system for preparing an article by additive manufacturing, comprising one or more preform elements of a feed material (i) formed of a reformable resin polymeric material including a polymer backbone having a plurality of repeat units each having ether linkages (e.g.

Abstract: A reinforcement structure (10) comprising an inner member (14) at least partially secured within a shell (12), wherein the inner member is secured within the shell so that one or more abutment portions (18) of the shell are positioned in receiving portions (20) of the inner member, to create at least a partial press-fit condition between the inner member and the shell.

Abstract: A member (10) for providing sealing, baffling, and/or reinforcement to a cavity member (30) comprising: (a) a carrier (12) with an insertion end (13) and a base end (11) having: (i) a base (16) at the base end (11) adapted for engaging with a wall (36) of the cavity member (30); (ii) a fastener (20) adapted for passing through an opening of the cavity member (32) and retaining the member (10) to the cavity member (30); (iii) a center portion (18) extending from the insertion end (13) to the base end (11); and (b) activatable material (26) disposed on the carrier (12).

Abstract: An adhesive formulation having an adduct of an epoxy resin and an elastomer, a phenoxy epoxy hybrid resin supplied as a solution formed by dissolving a phenoxy resin in a liquid epoxy resin to form a pre-formed dissolution product, a core/shell polymer, and one or more additional epoxy resins. The adhesive formulation may include a curing agent, blowing agent, filler, accelerator, or a combination.

Abstract: A baffle assembly for use in a transportation vehicle, comprising a carrier including an interior portion that includes a plurality of walls extending upward, a rim portion that extends to substantially surround the interior portion and a fastener that extends upward from the rim portion in the same direction as the plurality of walls. The baffle also includes a resinous sealant that includes a polymer that is adapted for thermal expansion upon activation by heat that is located on at least a portion of the interior portion wherein the rim portion is substantially free of any sealant.

Abstract: An improved approach toward the formation of an adhesive comprising a separated liquid component and solid component and application of the adhesive to a substrate immediately upon mixing the liquid and solid components.

Abstract: Light weight composites with high flexural strength comprise epoxy foam sandwiched between two layers of facing material have high strength and low weight and can be used to replace steel structures. The facing layer may be fibrous material especially glass or carbon fibres, the facing material is preferably embedded into the epoxy matrix. Alternatively they may be matching box structures or concentric metal tubes. The sandwich structures may be prepared by laying up the fibre; coating and/or impregnating the layer with epoxy resin, laying a layer of heat activatable foamable epoxy material, providing a further layer of the fibrous material optionally coated and/or impregnated with epoxy resin on the foamable material and healing to foam and cure the epoxy materials. Alternatively they may be formed by extrusion of the foamable material between the surface layers.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement device for insertion into a cavity of a structure and method for making the same including a first reinforcement section that has at least one projection of a first expandable polymeric material secured to it; and a separate second reinforcement section mated with the first reinforcement section, the second reinforcement section being configured to include at least one cavity, into which the at least one projection penetrates upon mating, and at least one aperture defined therein through which the expandable material flows during expansion and where it will remain upon curing of the material, thereby causing the first reinforcement section to be coupled with the second reinforcement section.

Abstract: An article including one or more moisture wicking layers and one or more fibrous layers. The fibrous layers may have generally vertically oriented fibers, which may be oriented generally perpendicularly to a surface having or producing moisture. The article may be adapted to remove moisture form the surface having or producing moisture. The article may be breathable. The article may be quick drying. The article may provide cushioning. The article may be a wearable item.

Abstract: A reinforcing, baffling, or sealing device for a vehicle structure, the device comprising a carrier, an expandable material applied to the carrier, and openings formed in the carrier. The expandable material is formed of a heat activated material having foamable characteristics. The openings are formed in a repetitive pattern and perpendicular to a horizontal axis of the device. The device is stretched along the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A fibrous structure having one or more vertically lapped layers having a first surface and a second surface and a facing layer secured to the first surface of the vertically lapped layer. The fibrous structure is adapted to be used in a flooring assembly. The fibrous structure may include a mesh and/or a backing layer on the second surface of a vertically lapped layer. The fibrous structure exhibits improved performance in below room testing and/or in-room testing as compared with traditional materials of the same thickness.

Abstract: Improvements in the extrusion of thermohardenable materials are achieved by cooling the material in the initial zone of the extruder and reducing residence time by use of a prescribed length to diameter ratio and screw speed, particularly useful for intermittent application during robotically controlled mass production.

Abstract: A polymeric material comprising from about 5% to about 60% of a Diels-Alder additive, wherein the additive crosslinks at a temperature below 100° C., an adhesive or sealant component, wherein the viscosity of the adhesive or sealant is reduced by at least about 5%, at least about 30%, at least about 80%, or even at least about 100% when combined with the Diels-Alder additive.