Abstract: A protective barrier having antimicrobial and antiviral properties. A filtration media structure is constructed from an inner media layer and an outer media layer. The inner and outer layers are spunbond and may be nonwoven or woven. An antimicrobial additive of silver and copper is compounded into a polypropylene base to form each of the layers. A middle layer of melt blown nonwoven filtration media layer may be encapsulated between the inner and outer media layers. The middle layer may also be constructed with the antimicrobial additive of silver and copper for enhanced antimicrobial protection. A channeling layer may also be sandwiched between the inner and outer media layers. The channeling layer comprises a plurality of filaments having a non-round or round cross-section. The filaments are arranged in a three-dimensional (3D) structure configured to disturb laminar flow through the protective barrier and increase contact with the antimicrobial additive.

Abstract: A process for producing a stable fabric comprising: 1) providing a first fabric formed from reinforcing fibers, 2) providing an elastic nonwoven web produced from elastic fibers, having softening temperature lower than said reinforcing fibers, on at least lone side of said first fabric to form a structure, 3) heating said structure to a temperature between the softening temperature and melting temperature of said nonwoven web, and 4) cooling said structure to thereby provide a stable two-dimensional fabric. In the preferred embodiment, the structure of step 2) is put into a mold prior to heating step 3), heating said structure in the mold according to step 3), cooling said structure in the mold according to step 4) and thereby providing a three-dimensional shaped article. A product is also provided produced by these processes.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a stable fabric comprising: 1) providing a first fabric formed from reinforcing fibers, 2) providing a nonwoven web produced from fibers, having softening temperature lower than said reinforcing fibers, on at least 1? one side of said first fabric to form a structure, 3) heating said structure to a temperature between the softening temperature and melting temperature of said nonwoven web, and 4) cooling said structure to thereby provide a stable two-dimensional fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the structure of step 2) is put into a mold prior to heating step 3), heating said structure in the mold according to step 3), cooling said structure in the mold according to step 4) and thereby providing a three-dimensional shaped article. A product is also provided produced by these processes.

Abstract: A laminate comprising at least one non-fibrous adhesive layer positioned between a plurality of substrates, the non-fibrous adhesive layer comprising a stereo reticulated, continuous, non-fibrous matrix formed from a polymeric material. A process for producing such a stereo reticulated non-fibrous adhesive matrix comprising: a) blending an adhesive polymer with a blowing agent, b) melting the adhesive polymer/blowing agent blend while passing the molten polymer/blowing agent blend through an extruder to a shaping die and thereby producing a non-fibrous extrudate, c) cooling, drawing and orienting the non-fibrous extrudate, and thereby producing a continuous, stereo reticulated non-fibrous adhesive matrix.

Abstract: A process is provided for stabilizing a uniaxial fibrous structure comprising: a) positioning a reinforcing fibrous mesh across the uniaxial fibrous structure on the surface of the fibrous structure; b) activating the adhesive of the fibrous mesh from step a); c) and thereby producing a stabilized uniaxial fibrous structure. A process is also provided that comprises producing a composite, multi-layer, high strength laminate from such a stabilized uniaxial fibrous structure or from a fibrous tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric adhesive matrix and to a process for producing such a polymeric adhesive matrix, wherein the matrix comprises either: 1) a substantially uniform thickness nonwoven web comprising Nylon 12 or Nylon 11 polymer, or blends thereof, with up to 40 weight percent of another compatible thermoplastic polymeric material; or 2) a substantially uniform thickness fibrous or non-fibrous matrix comprising an amine-terminated low moisture absorbing polyamide, preferably an amine-terminated Nylon 12 or amine-terminated Nylon 11 polymer, or blends thereof, with up to 40 weight percent of another compatible thermoplastic polymeric material. The subject invention also relates to a multi-layer composite laminate comprising at least one layer of the polymeric adhesive matrix of the present invention positioned between a plurality of reinforcing fibrous layers impregnated with a binder resin and to a process for producing such a multi-layer composite laminate.

Abstract: A laminate comprising at least one non-fibrous adhesive layer positioned between a plurality of substrates, the non-fibrous adhesive layer comprising a stereo reticulated, continuous, non-fibrous matrix formed from a polymeric material. A process for producing such a stereo reticulated non-fibrous adhesive matrix comprising: a) blending an adhesive polymer with a blowing agent, b) melting the adhesive polymer/blowing agent blend while passing the molten polymer/blowing agent blend through an extruder to a shaping die and thereby producing a non-fibrous extrudate, c) cooling, drawing and orienting the non-fibrous extrudate, and thereby producing a continuous, stereo reticulated non-fibrous adhesive matrix.

Abstract: A friction welding apparatus for preparing weldments by fictional contact of the weld members which includes sensors for measuring torque, axial forces, and other variables important to the control of the welding process, and for facilitating the obtainment of process information useful in correlating process conditions with weld quality. The apparatus includes means for the substantially frictionless coupling of the component providing the axial normal force on the aligned shafts upon which the weld pieces are mounted. The coupling, which contributes to accurate torque measurements, comprises a substantially frictionless, single-contact-point coupling provided by the point of contact between two adjacent spherical surfaces.