Abstract: Cavity walls include fasteners that provide a thermal break. A cavity wall assembly includes a support structure, insulation, and an outer wythe. The insulation is mounted on the support structure. The outer wythe is spaced apart from the insulation, such that a cavity is formed between the insulation and the outer wythe. A tie is attached to the outer wythe. A fastener extends through a portion of the tie, through the insulation, and into the support structure to attach the tie to the support structure. The fastener provides a thermal break between the support structure and the tie. At least a portion of the thermal break is disposed within a width of the insulation.

Abstract: Cavity walls include fasteners that provide a thermal break. A cavity wall assembly includes a support structure, insulation, and an outer wythe. The insulation is mounted on the support structure. The outer wythe is spaced apart from the insulation, such that a cavity is formed between the insulation and the outer wythe. A tie is attached to the outer wythe. A fastener extends through a portion of the tie, through the insulation, and into the support structure to attach the tie to the support structure. The fastener provides a thermal break between the support structure and the tie. At least a portion of the thermal break is disposed within a width of the insulation.

Abstract: Cavity walls include fasteners that provide a thermal break. A cavity wall assembly includes a support structure, insulation, and an outer wythe. The insulation is mounted on the support structure. The outer wythe is spaced apart from the insulation, such that a cavity is formed between the insulation and the outer wythe. A tie is attached to the outer wythe. A fastener extends through a portion of the tie, through the insulation, and into the support structure to attach the tie to the support structure. The fastener provides a thermal break between the support structure and the tie. At least a portion of the thermal break is disposed within a width of the insulation.

Abstract: A thin drywall board that includes a gel coat, at least one polymer/gypsum layer, and a wet glass fiber layer is provided. The gel coat is formed of a gel coat composition that includes a water dispersible polymer, gypsum, and optionally a crosslinking agent and/or a coupling agent. The polymer/gypsum layer is formed of a matrix composition that includes a water dispersible polymeric resin and gypsum. Components including melamine formaldehyde, a filler material, coupling agents, acetic acid, an accelerator, and/or a hardener may also be added to the matrix composition. The wet glass fiber layer is preferably a glass fiber mat. The combination of the water dispersible polymeric resin and the gypsum in the matrix composition have a synergistic effect that creates a thin drywall board that is water resistant, fire resistant, and has improved mechanical properties. A method of forming the inventive thin drywall boards is also provided.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed which relates to a process for producing a glass reinforced potable water pressure pipe having an ultra thin inner layer of thermoplastic resin that is made via a continuous mandrel concept and which is ideally suited for use with potable water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of curing unsaturated polyester resins or mixtures of such resins and a monomer copolymerizable therewith. More particularly, the invention relates to the curing of such resins and mixtures thereof with a composition comprising acetylacetone peroxide (AAP) in an amount of from about 30 to about 35 percent and a high temperature peroxide. Preferably, the high temperature peroxide is t-butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB) and is present in an amount of from about 5 to about 10 percent of the composition.

Abstract: A method for producing a foam-containing structure. In a first embodiment, a defoamer is applied to the inner surface of an impermeable carrier. A foamed resin is introduced inside the carrier and contacts the defoamer to form a liquid resin layer on the inner surface. The foamed resin and liquid resin layer are cured to produce a foamed resin inner core and a solid resin outer layer. In a second embodiment, a permeable carrier is covered with an impermeable release material. A defoamer is applied to the carrier. A foamed resin is introduced inside the carrier and contacts the defoamer to form a liquid resin layer impregnating the carrier. The foamed resin and liquid resin layer are cured to produce a foamed resin inner core, the carrier as a facer material, and a solid resin layer impregnating the carrier. In a third embodiment, a defoamer and a catalyst are applied to a permeable carrier.

Abstract: In a method of making a linear composite member, a hollow carrier is provided having a cavity and an inner surface. A curable liquid or gelled resin is applied to the inner surface. A curable foam is introduced into the cavity. The foam contacts the resin when the resin is not more than partially cured, and preferably when the resin has a viscosity not greater than 250,000 centipoise at 25.degree. C. The foam and resin, which are preferably both polyurethanes, are cured together to form a linear composite member having a foam core and a hard resin skin formed integrally. In a preferred embodiment, a reinforcement material, such as a glass fiber web, is embedded in the resin skin.

Abstract: This invention produces three-dimensional shapes such as window lineals by first lining a foam die with a continuously moving reinforcing veil. Once the veil is in the foam die, a foam is blown into the die. The foam expands in the die forcing the veil against the die wall. The veil is selected so that the foam never fully penetrates the veil, but adheres to it. The material exiting the foam die is now properly shaped to enter the curing die. Resin is then injected onto the foam core where it penetrates the veil, is cured in the heated curing die and exits as a finished product of a plastic skin adhered to a foam core with a veil sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: In an on-line annealing process for rigid laminated sheets of reinforced thermoplastic material wherein an annealing chamber is maintained at a desired temperature by introducing heated air to impinge on a deflection plate within the annealing chamber, annealing of the thermoplastic sheets is improved by introducing heated air through a pair of elongated perforated tubes within the annealing chamber so that heated air is diffused so as to flow evenly across both sides of the rigid thermoplastic sheet as the sheet passes through the annealing chamber.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided which are of the type which utilize a die set comprising at least one die which defines at least one mold cavity for receiving resin impregnated fibers therethrough. Any one die of the die set comprises first and second mold base sections which are positionable with respect to one another so as to form a mold base which defines a channel therethrough. A mold insert defines a mold cavity completely therethrough and is adapted to be removably mounted in the channel. The die set is removably clamped between first and second clamp members so as to enable easy and convenient addition or removal of dies to or from the die set if desired.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided which are of the type which utilize a die set comprising at least one die which defines at least one mold cavity for receiving resin impregnated fibers therethrough. Any one die of the die set comprises first and second mold base sections which are positionable with respect to one another so as to form a mold base which defines a channel therethrough. A mold insert defines a mold cavity completely therethrough and is adapted to be removably mounted in the channel. The die set is removably clamped between first and second clamp members so as to enable easy and convenient addition or removal of dies to or from the die set if desired.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided for molding hollow articles. Resin impregnated fibers are passed through a mold cavity as defined by a heated die and around a mandrel which extends through the mold cavity. The mandrel is stabilized by a mandrel stabilizer fixedly positioned downstream from the inlet end of the die. The mandrel stabilizer includes a plurality of elongated members spaced around the mandrel, wherein each elongated member has an end in contact with the outer surface of the mandrel.