Abstract: Stucco support structures and stucco wall systems incorporating the stucco support structures are provided. The stucco support structure includes a structural layer of composite material. The composite material includes a homogenous matrix of a gypsum material and a polymer resin material, and wet-use chopped strand fibers that are filamentized within the homogenous matrix. The stucco support structure also includes a stucco adhesion member interfaced with the structural layer that is configured to receive and bond a stucco material to the structural layer. The stucco support structure eliminates the need for sheathing and wire mesh lath conventionally used in stucco applications.

Abstract: The general inventive concepts relate generally to carbon enhanced reinforcement (CER) fibers, and more particularly, to the controlled dispersion of CER fibers within aqueous or non-aqueous media. The general inventive concepts particularly relate to the controlled dispersion of CER fibers within aqueous or non-aqueous media for forming a nonwoven chopped CER fiber mat. The general inventive concepts also relate to the controlled dispersion of CNSs harvested from CER fibers within aqueous or non-aqueous media for forming a nonwoven CNS mat. Methods for dispersing the CNSs or the CER fibers in aqueous or non-aqueous media are also provided.

Abstract: The general inventive concepts relate generally to carbon enhanced reinforcement (CER) fibers, and more particularly, to the controlled dispersion of CER fibers within aqueous or non-aqueous media. The general inventive concepts particularly relate to the controlled dispersion of CER fibers within aqueous or non-aqueous media for forming a nonwoven chopped CER fiber mat. The general inventive concepts also relate to the controlled dispersion of CNSs harvested from CER fibers within aqueous or non-aqueous media for forming a nonwoven CNS mat. Methods for dispersing the CNSs or the CER fibers in aqueous or non-aqueous media are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pellets comprising fibers impregnated with resin. The pellets incorporate a mixed lubricant sizing composition comprising at least one cationic lubricant and at least one non-ionic lubricant. These pellets may be consolidated to form fiber reinforced resin composites.

Abstract: A two-part sizing system for making colorless, densified fiber pellets of a reinforcing fiber material. The densified product may be advantageously produced by first applying a precursor size composition to reinforcing fiber strands, chopping the reinforcing fiber strands into chopped strand segments, applying a binder size, and densifying the chopped strand segments to form densified fiber pellets. The binder size is formulated using a copolymer of maleic anhydride which generates a product free from discoloration. In the process of making the pellets, the sized chopped strands are densified by tumbling in a rotating chamber for a period of time sufficient to increase their density but insufficient to degrade the fibers to a point where composite articles formed from such pellets have lower tensile or impact strengths than comparable composite articles formed from unpelletized strand segments.

Abstract: A nonaqueous sizing for glass fibers useful for reinforcement of polymers. The sizing composition comprises one or more film formers miscible with the polymer to be reinforced and one or more coupling agents. The sizing composition of the invention provides a glass fiber which may be wirecoated with the polymer to be reinforced, eliminating the need for extrusion or pultrusion processing to make glass/polymer composite fibers, compound or pellets.