Abstract: Epoxy resin polyglycoside-based cured polymers and process for the preparation are described. A particular epoxy resin precursor is the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. A particular glucose based polymer is a glucose malic acid ester-vinyl copolymer. The polymers have a degree of biodegradability because of the polyglycoside as well as elevated temperature stability and are useful in transportation vehicle settings. Natural source fillers, such as cellulose fibers, which are treated or untreated, exfoliated clays or exfoliated graphite can be used.

Abstract: A method using irradiation of substrates (12) with ultra violet light to remove a surface contaminant is described. The light can be pulsed or continuous. The treated surfaces are more paintable and bondable.

Abstract: Polymeric materials and products, including sheet flooring materials prepared from the polymeric materials, and processes for preparing the polymeric materials, are disclosed. The polymeric materials include a polylactic acid-based polymer in combination with plasticizer and a compatibilizer, and optionally include a filler. The polymeric material can include between about 30 to about 50 percent by weight polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolide, ethylene vinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoates, or polyolefins modified with polar groups, for example, ionomers. The plasticizer is typically an epoxidized vegetable oil or esterified and epoxidized vegetable oil and is typically present in an amount of between about 10 and about 50% by weight. In some embodiments, the compatibilizer is a polyolefin modified with one or more polar functional groups, and is typically present in an amount of between about 5 and about 10% by weight.

Abstract: A process using ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 160 to 500 nanometers without higher wavelengths and a high intensity between about 1 and 40 watts/cm2 to surface treat a carbon containing fiber is described. The treated fiber contains an enhanced amount of oxygen on the surface which significantly improves the bondability of the fiber in composites.

Abstract: A process using ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 160 to 500 nanometers without higher wavelengths and a high intensity between about 1 and 40 watts/cm2 to surface treat a carbon containing fiber is described. The treated fiber contains an enhanced amount of oxygen on the surface which significantly improves the bondability of the fiber in composites.

Abstract: A method using irradiation with optical light in the presence of a chemical dissolved in a solvent which chemical reacts with the surface in the presence of the irradiation to modify the surface (12A, 104A, 202A, 304A, 402A, 502A) of a substrate (12, 104, 202, 304, 402, 502) is described. The light can be pulsed or continuous. The method is significantly enhanced by the presence of water (14, 124, 204, 306, 410, 508) as the solvent containing the dissolved chemical on the surface. The treated surfaces are more paintable and bondable.

Abstract: Epoxy resin polyglycoside-based cured polymers and process for the preparation are described. A particular epoxy resin precursor is the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. A particular glucose based polymer is a glucose malic acid ester-vinyl copolymer. The polymers have a degree of biodegradability because of the polyglycoside as well as elevated temperature stability and are useful in transportation vehicle settings. Natural source fillers, such as cellulose fibers, which are treated or untreated, exfoliated clays or exfoliated graphite can be used.

Abstract: A method using irradiation with optical light having a wavelength of 160 to 500 nanometers without higher wavelengths with cooling of the surface during the irradiation to modify the surface (12A, 104A, 202A, 304A, 402A, 502A) of a substrate (12, 104, 202, 304, 402, 502) is described. The light is filtered or the lamp (24, 106, 212, 306, 510) is restricted to the limited range to avoid the affects of the higher spectra. The light can be pulsed or continuous. The method is significantly enhanced by the presence of water (14, 124, 204, 306, 410, 508) on the surface, preferably also in the presence of ozone in the water. The treated surfaces are more paintable and bondable.

Abstract: A method using irradiation of surfaces 12A of substrates (12) with ultra violet light to remove a parting agent is described. The light can be pulsed or continuous. The treated surfaces are more paintable and bondable. The treated molds prevent the introduction of surface inhomogeneities caused by the parting agent.

Abstract: A process using ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 160 to 500 nanometers without higher wavelengths and a high intensity between about 1 and 40 watts/cm2 to surface treat a carbon containing fiber is described. The treated fiber contains an enhanced amount of oxygen on the surface which significantly improves the bondability of the fiber in composites.

Abstract: A method using irradiation of surfaces 12A of substrates (12) with ultra violet light to remove a parting agent is described. The light can be pulsed or continuous. The treated surfaces are more paintable and bondable. The treated molds prevent the introduction of surface inhomogeneities caused by the parting agent.

Abstract: A method using irradiation of substrates (12) with ultra violet light to remove a surface contaminant is described. The light can be pulsed or continuous. The treated surfaces are more paintable and bondable.

Abstract: A process using ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 160 to 500 nanometers without higher wavelengths and a high intensity between about 1 and 40 watts/cm2 to surface treat a carbon containing fiber is described. The treated fiber contains an enhanced amount of oxygen on the surface which significantly improves the bondability of the fiber in composites.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning discontinuous fibers (F 101, 212) is described. A feeder apparatus (20, 120, 220, 220A) is used to align the fibers in a horizontal plane for feeding to the aligning apparatus (40, 140, 240, 240A) providing an electrical (E) field to orient the fibers in one preselected direction. A support or conveyor (70, 170, 270) receives the aligned fibers. The method and apparatus provides composite products having improved physical properties because of the alignment. The fibers can be of different lengths and a mixture of different types to make composites with controlled microstructure and properties. The composite materials can be in the form of non-woven, discontinuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic stampable sheets with controlled fiber orientation distribution. The composites are useful for a variety of goods.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for determining and quantifying the resistance to scuff damage of a film (152) adhered to a substrate (150) of a panel (154), is described. The system includes a computer (102), pressure control valves (104) and a test module (10). The test module has an indentor support plate (12) with an indentor (24 or 224), a compression moving plate (14) and an end plate (16). The plates are connected together by rods (18). The indentor support plate and the end plate are mounted at opposite ends of the rods with the compression moving plate mounted therebetween. An actuator (36) having bellows (42) is mounted between the end plate and the compression moving plate. The panel is mounted on a sliding panel support plate (58) which is connected to a load cell (106). In use, the panel support plate and the panel are positioned between the compression moving plate and the indentor support plate so that the indentor is adjacent the film on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing continuous and discontinuous fiber metal matrix composites (CFMMC). The method uses aerosolization of finely divided metal powders in a controlled atmosphere which prevents explosions to coat the fibers and then the metal coated fibers are consolidated to form the CFMMC. The composites are useful as heat sinks for electrical components and in applications where a structural reinforced metal matrix composite is needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning discontinuous fibers (F 101, 212) is described. A feeder apparatus (20, 120, 220, 220A) is used to align the fibers in a horizontal plane for feeding to the aligning apparatus (40, 140, 240, 240A) providing an electrical (E) field to orient the fibers in one preselected direction. A support or conveyor (70, 170, 270) receives the aligned fibers. The method and apparatus provides composite products having improved physical properties because of the alignment. The fibers can be of different lengths and a mixture of different types to make composites with controlled microstructure and properties. The composite materials can be in the form of non-woven, discontinuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic stampable sheets with controlled fiber orientation distribution. The composites are useful for a variety of goods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning discontinuous fibers (F 101, 212) is described. A feeder apparatus (20, 120, 220, 220A) is used to align the fibers in a horizontal plane for feeding to the aligning apparatus (40, 140, 240, 240A) providing an electrical (E) field to orient the fibers in one reselected direction. A support or conveyor (70, 170, 70) receives the aligned fibers. The method and apparatus provides composite products having improved physical properties because of the alignment. The fibers can be of different lengths and a mixture of different types to make composites with controlled microstructure and properties. The composite materials can be in the form of non-woven, discontinuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic stampable sheets with controlled fiber orientation distribution. The composites are useful for a variety of goods.

Abstract: A method for producing continuous and discontinuous fiber metal matrix composites (CFMMC). The method uses aerosolization of finely divided metal powders in a controlled atmosphere which prevents explosions to coat the fibers and then the metal coated fibers are consolidated to form the CFMMC. The composites are useful as heat sinks for electrical components and in applications where a structural reinforced metal matrix composite is needed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly coating a fiber or tow of fibers (10) with a powder at relatively high speed to produce a prepreg. The apparatus uses an elongated chamber (401) in a container (400) for confining the fiber which is coated by an aerosol of powder dispensed from a powder dispensing apparatus (500) in counter-current mode. A fiber tensioning apparatus (300) for the fiber maintains the proper tensioning of the fibers spread by a speaker (201) below the fibers on roller bars (203) so that the uniformly spread fibers are fed to the chamber (401). A heater apparatus (600) fuses the powder to the fiber and then is taken up on a spool (700).