Abstract: A structural reinforcement comprising a rigid polymeric structure (12) including a central portion (20) and two side portions (22,24) adjacent the central portion, each of the central portion and side portions including a top surface and bottom surface and an expandable adhesive material (14) located onto at least one surface of each of the central portions and two side portions, wherein the expandable adhesive material is located along the bottom surface of the central portion and the top surface of each of the side portions.

Abstract: An article comprising: (a) a carrier; (b) one or more carrier extensions extending from the carrier at one or more joints; (c) activatable material disposed on the carrier, at least one of the one or more carrier extensions, or a combination thereof; wherein the one or more carrier extensions are flexible relative to the carrier at the one or more hinges.

Abstract: The present teachings relate generally to a one part room temperature curable composition. e.g., a one-part epoxy-based adhesive precursor composition. The composition may include an epoxy resin, and a filler. The composition may include a flame retardant sufficient so that when the adhesive precursor composition is cored, it meets applicable requirements for flame retardancy of 14 C.F.R. § 25.853 for aircraft inferior cabins. An amount of a curing agent may be included. The selection of the epoxy resin, curing agent, or both, may afford curing with or without the need for an application of heat. The epoxy resin, the filler, any flame retardant and the curing agent are admixed to define a substantially homogenous admixture, thereby defining a mass of adhesive precursor.

Abstract: A method comprising providing a polymeric substrate having a melting point of from about 130° C. to about 190° C., and locating a material layer onto the substrate, wherein the material layer comprises one or more polymeric materials that liquefy upon exposure to temperatures of at least about 100° C., to blend with a softened portion of the polymeric substrate. Upon exposure of one or more of the substrate and the material layer to a stimulus, the temperature is increased in a predetermined temperature zone of one or more of the substrate and material layer to cause blending of the one or more polymeric materials of the material layer with the softened portion of the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle comprising: a) a carrier having a base wall from which a plurality of projections extend, the plurality of projections including at least one first projection and at least one second projection and the at least one first projection having a height greater than a height of the at least one second projection; b) an activatable material which is heat activatable and affixed to the carrier, configured to secure the carrier in a cavity of the vehicle; wherein in event of an impact, the at least one first projection and second projection are configured to deform toward the base wall and/or in a direction of an impact load in response to the impact load; and the at least one first projection is configured to receive the impact load and deform before the at least one second projection receives the impact load and deforms.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement comprising a base reinforcing structure including a plurality of ribs and having a first surface and a second surface, an expandable adhesive material located onto a first portion of the first surface, and a sealant material located around an edge of the second surface, the second surface being substantially free of any of the plurality of ribs.

Abstract: A device (10) comprising a carrier material (14) and a matrix material (12) deposited onto the carrier material in a pattern that leaves a predetermined amount of space (18) between each deposition of matrix material.

Abstract: An acoustic material comprising one or more acoustic composite layers; and a facing layer, wherein the one or more acoustic composite layers are formed of a nonwoven sound absorption material; wherein the facing layer is permeable; and wherein the facing layer is attached to a top surface of the one or more acoustic composite layers. The facing layer may optionally include metallic components or a metallized outer surface. The acoustic material may optionally include a pressure sensitive adhesive material on an opposing side of the one or more acoustic composite Sayers to enable installation of the acoustic material. The facing layer may include a permeable scrim, a perforated film, or a perforated foil. The facing layer may be metalized on its top exposed surface to provide infrared heat reflection, and a corrosion resistant coating may be applied on top of the metalized layer if required to stabilize the metal coating.

Abstract: A method for making an activatable material having a handling film layer thereon, comprising the steps of providing a continuous mass of a polymeric material having a longitudinal axis and being capable of adhering to a metal surface; applying a handling layer (e.g., film) over at least one side of the mass; forming stress relief indentations in the mass, with the handling layer at least partially extending into the indentations, wherein the stress relief indentations allow a resulting part to be applied in conforming geometry with a surface to which it is applied. The teachings also contemplate parts made by the above method and use thereof to bond to surfaces having a non-planar portion.

Abstract: An insert (510) comprising a core (532) and one or more extensions (530) extending from the core. The insert is adapted to be inserted into a cavity of a hollow tube-shaped member (512). The hollow member can be a motorcycle handlebar or footrest. The insert can be made of metal or a polymer and can be an extrusion product.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier that includes: (i) a mass of polymeric material having an outer surface; and (is) at least one consolidated fibrous insert having an outer surface and including at least one elongated fiber arrangement having a plurality of ordered fibers arranged in a predetermined manner. The fibrous insert is envisioned to adjoin the mass of the polymeric material in a predetermined location for carrying a predetermined load that is subjected upon the predetermined location (thereby effectively providing localized reinforcement to that predetermined location). The fibrous insert and the mass of polymeric material are of compatible materials, structures or both, for allowing the fibrous insert to be at least partially joined to the mass of the polymeric material. Disposed upon at least a portion of the carrier will be a mass of activatable material.

Abstract: A drain valve (10), such as for a vehicle body structure, having: at least one frame (12); and at least one flap (14) secured to the at least one frame (12); at least one drain opening (13); wherein the at least one drain valve (10) is located within the at least one drain opening (13); wherein the at least one drain valve (10) has at least two positions: a sealed position, in which the at least one flap (14) prevents airflow; and an open position, in which the at least one flap (14) allows liquid to flow through the at least one drain valve (10).

Abstract: A device and method for reinforcing, baffling or sealing a vehicle structure, comprising the steps of providing a flexible carrier and plurality of parallel strips located on opposing surfaces of the carrier.

Abstract: An article comprising: a carrier (12), activatable material (14) disposed on the carrier, one or more carrier extensions (16) extending from the carrier; wherein the article is adapted to provide sealing, baffling, or reinforcement within a structure's cavity.

Abstract: An article comprising: (a) a carrier having a predetermined shape to guide one or more expansion directions of an injection molded expandable material; (b) the injection molded expandable material on the carrier; wherein the expandable material is formed on the carrier at one or more angles perpendicular to the one or more expansion directions; and wherein the expandable material is capable of being activated to expand under an activation condition to come into contact with, and adhere to one or more walls defining a cavity in order to at least partially fill the cavity.

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 heating to foam and cure the epoxy materials. Alternatively they may be formed by extrusion of the foamable material between the surface layers.

Abstract: A panel structure and a method of forming the panel structure are disclosed. The panel structure typically includes at least one panel associated with a material. The panel structure has been found particularly advantageous for use as an interior panel of an airplane.

Abstract: Soft, heat activated sealant compositions heat stabilized through the addition of a phenolic resin to provide a uniform volume expansion over a wide range of temperatures are disclosed.