Abstract: A friction control article including a backing layer having a first surface with an array of at least 100 upstanding stems per square inch and a second surface. At least a portion of the upstanding stems is an elastomeric material and the stems have an aspect ratio of at least 1.25. The first surface has a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6 and a static coefficient of friction when wet within 20% of the static coefficient of friction when dry. The first surface has a peel strength and a tensile strength of substantially zero when engaged with another slip control article. The first surface has a relatively high shear strength when engaged with another slip control article. The high shear forces are due primarily to the frictional properties of the elastomeric materials, not a mechanical interlock of the stems, such as on a mechanical fastener.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer tape, comprising: a first adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive; a core layer having an outer surface, the first adhesive layer adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface; and fibrous reinforcing material dispersed within the core layer, the fibrous reinforcing material imparting stretch release properties to the tape. The tape may comprise a second adhesive layer wherein the outer surface comprises a first major surface and a second major surface, the first adhesive layer being adhered to the first major surface, and the second adhesive layer being adhered to the second major surface. A fire retardant may be disposed in any of the first adhesive layer, the second adhesive layer, and the core layer. The tape may be cleanly removable.

Abstract: A method of producing an adhesive article including the steps of applying release coating compound(s) to a second side of a liner backing; applying an adhesive onto a first side of said coated liner backing; crosslinking said adhesive with E-Beam radiation applied through the second side of said liner backing; and winding said article into a roll.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a foam thermal interface material comprising a foamed film, the film comprising a blend of polymeric hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive having a number average molecular weight of greater than 25,000 and at least 25 percent by weight of thermally conductive filler, said film having a void volume of at least 5 percent of the volume of said foamed film.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of making a thermal interface material comprising the steps of: (a) providing a polymeric hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive having a number average molecular weight of greater than 25,000; (b) melt-blending the polymer with at least 25 weight percent of a thermally conductive filler to form a mixture; and (c) forming the mixture of hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive and thermally conductive filler as a film. In another aspect, the invention may further comprise the steps of: providing a fire retardant and/or microfiber forming material; and/or irradiating the film with gamma or electron beam (E-beam) radiation or a combination of both to form a thermal interface material.

Abstract: A method of producing an adhesive article including the steps of applying release coating compound(s) to a second side of a liner backing; applying an adhesive onto a first side of said coated liner backing; crosslinking said adhesive with E-Beam radiation applied through the second side of said liner backing; and winding said article into a roll.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for making a polymeric article mold, a method for making a polymeric article with that mold, and improved surface topography features for a polymeric article. A prototype article is formed and then coated with a thin conductive layer. The coated prototype article is then electroformed until nickel plated to a sufficient depth to define a nickel plating tool. After the prototype article has been removed from the mold face of the nickel tool, the tool can be used as a mold for forming finished polymeric articles which replicate the original prototype article. The use of fine topography features such as a dense upstanding stem array on the surface of the prototype article facilitates accurate and complete electroforming by increased surface area presentation. The disclosure also presents improvements to microreplicated surface structures such as stem arrays.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for the control and removal of fluids, the assembly comprising: A fluid control layer having a top side and a bottom side, the top side constructed to facilitate the evaporation or the flow of a fluid disposed thereon; a fire retardant material having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface associated with the bottom side of the fluid control layer, the fire retardant material comprising a polymer; and an adhesive layer associated with the second major surface of the fire retardant material. A fluid management system for aircraft and a method for the use of the system in aircraft are also described.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for making a polymeric article mold, a method for making a polymeric article with that mold, and improved surface topography features for a polymeric article. A prototype article is formed and then coated with a thin conductive layer. The coated prototype article is then electroformed until nickel plated to a sufficient depth to define a nickel plating tool. After the prototype article has been removed from the mold face of the nickel tool, the tool can be used as a mold for forming finished polymeric articles which replicate the original prototype article. The use of fine topography features such as a dense upstanding stem array on the surface of the prototype article facilitates accurate and complete electroforming by increased surface area presentation. The disclosure also presents improvements to microreplicated surface structures such as stem arrays.

Abstract: An adhesive article including a liner having a first side and a second side; and an adhesive having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface of the adhesive contacts the first side of the liner, wherein the article has been exposed to E-Beam radiation through the second side of the liner, and wherein the article has been wound upon itself causing the second side of the liner to come into contact with the first surface of the adhesive, and wherein the second side of the liner to the first surface of the adhesive have a release value that is less than the release value of the first side of the liner to the second surface of the adhesive. A method of producing an adhesive article including the steps of applying release coating compound(s) to a second side of a liner backing; applying an adhesive onto a first side of said coated liner backing; crosslinking said adhesive with E-Beam radiation applied through the second side of said liner backing; and winding said article into a roll.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for the control and removal of fluids, the assembly comprising: A fluid control layer having a top side and a bottom side, the top side constructed to facilitate the evaporation or the flow of a fluid disposed thereon; a fire retardant material having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface associated with the bottom side of the fluid control layer, the fire retardant material comprising a polymer; and an adhesive layer associated with the second major surface of the fire retardant material. A fluid management system for aircraft and a method for the use of the system in aircraft are also described.

Abstract: A friction control article including a backing layer having a first surface with an array of at least 100 upstanding stems per square inch and a second surface. At least a portion of the upstanding stems is an elastomeric material and the stems have an aspect ratio of at least 1.25. The first surface has a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6 and a static coefficient of friction when wet within 20% of the static coefficient of friction when dry. The first surface has a peel strength and a tensile strength of substantially zero when engaged with another slip control article. The first surface has a relatively high shear strength when engaged with another slip control article. The high shear forces are due primarily to the frictional properties of the elastomeric materials, not a mechanical interlock of the stems, such as on a mechanical fastener.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer tape, comprising: a first adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive; a core layer having an outer surface, the first adhesive layer adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface; and fibrous reinforcing material dispersed within the core layer, the fibrous reinforcing material imparting stretch release properties to the tape. The tape may comprise a second adhesive layer wherein the outer surface comprises a first major surface and a second major surface, the first adhesive layer being adhered to the first major surface, and the second adhesive layer being adhered to the second major surface. A fire retardant may be disposed in any of the first adhesive layer, the second adhesive layer, and the core layer. The tape may be cleanly removable.

Abstract: A flame retardant article foamed substrate is described, the article comprising a polymeric foam material comprising a polymer, antimony-free fire retardant and a plurality of microspheres, the foam material having an outer surface; and an adhesive layer on the outer surface, the adhesive layer is preferably formulated without fire retardant. The polymeric foam material is selected from the group consisting of elastomers, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, rubber based and acrylic adhesives, polyolefin polymers, acrylate polymers and methacrylate polymers, acrylate and methacrylate copolymers, and combinations thereof. The adhesive layer may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive, a heat-activated adhesive, or the like. Viscoelastic or elastic microfibers may be incorporated into the foam material, into the adhesive layer, or both to impart stretch release properties to the finished article.

Abstract: A foam adhesive article is provided comprising a polymeric foam material having an outer surface, the outer surface of the polymeric foam material having adhesive properties; and fibrous reinforcing material, the fibrous reinforcing material dispersed within the polymeric foam material and imparting stretch release properties to the article. A method for preparing the foam adhesive article is also described comprising (a) melt mixing a foamable polymer composition, and a fiber forming resin to form an expandable extrudable composition; and (b) extruding the expandable extrudable composition through a die to provide the foam adhesive article.

Abstract: A friction control article including a backing layer having a first surface with an array of at least 100 upstanding stems per square inch and a second surface. At least a portion of the upstanding stems is an elastomeric material and the stems have an aspect ratio of at least 1.25. The first surface has a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6 and a static coefficient of friction when wet within 20% of the static coefficient of friction when dry. The first surface has a peel strength and a tensile strength of substantially zero when engaged with another slip control article. The first surface has a relatively high shear strength when engaged with another slip control article. The high shear forces are due primarily to the frictional properties of the elastomeric materials, not a mechanical interlock of the stems, such as on a mechanical fastener.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a mechanical fastener. A preferred embodiment of the method includes moving a substrate along a web path, where the substrate includes a first major surface and a plurality of stems extending from the first major surface of the substrate and each of the stems includes a stem end, radiantly heating the stem ends to form softened ends, and thereafter deforming the softened ends into convex heads with a deformable surface. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a web conveyor, where the web conveyor defines a web path, a heating source located adjacent the web conveyor and a deformable surface located down the web path from the heating source, where the deformable surface includes a durometer hardness of greater than 10 Shore OO and less than 70 Shore A.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for making a polymeric article mold, a method for making a polymeric article with that mold, and improved surface topography features for a polymeric article. A prototype article is formed and then coated with a thin conductive layer. The coated prototype article is then electroformed until nickel plated to a sufficient depth to define a nickel plating tool. After the prototype article has been removed from the mold face of the nickel tool, the tool can be used as a mold for forming finished polymeric articles which replicate the original prototype article. The use of fine topography features such as a dense upstanding stem array on the surface of the prototype article facilitates accurate and complete electroforming by increased surface area presentation. The disclosure also presents improvements to microreplicated surface structures such as stem arrays.

Abstract: An adhesive article including a liner having a first side and a second side; and an adhesive having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface of the adhesive contacts the first side of the liner, wherein the article has been exposed to E-Beam radiation through the second side of the liner, and wherein the article has been wound upon itself causing the second side of the liner to come into contact with the first surface of the adhesive, and wherein the second side of the liner to the first surface of the adhesive have a release value that is less than the release value of the first side of the liner to the second surface of the adhesive. A method of producing an adhesive article including the steps of applying release coating compound(s) to a second side of a liner backing; applying an adhesive onto a first side of said coated liner backing; crosslinking said adhesive with E-Beam radiation applied through the second side of said liner backing; and winding said article into a roll.

Abstract: A slip control article including a backing layer having a first surface with an array of at least 100 upstanding stems per square inch and a second surface. At least a portion of the upstanding stems is an elastomeric material and the stems have an aspect ratio of at least 1.25. The first surface has a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6 and a static coefficient of friction when wet within 20% of the static coefficient of friction when dry. The first surface has a peel strength and a tensile strength of substantially zero when engaged with another slip control article. The first surface has a relatively high shear strength when engaged with another slip control article. The high shear forces are due primarily to the frictional properties of the elastomeric materials, not a mechanical interlock of the stems, such as on a mechanical fastener.