Abstract: Nonwoven web products containing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically nonwoven web products having sub-micron fibers formed by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them, and methods of producing these products.

Abstract: A rubber formulation with good wet traction properties includes one or more elastomers and at least two types of particulate filler materials including at least one of which has a relatively high free surface energy in water (i.e., a supplemental filler). The formulation containing the supplemental filler(s) can provide a vulcanizate that has a British pendulum (skid) number that is at least ˜5% greater than that of a vulcanizate made from an essentially identical formulation that does not contain the supplemental filler(s). Also provided is a method for providing such a formulation which involves identifying one or more supplemental fillers having relatively high free surface energies in water, replacing at least 15% (by wt.) of one or more of the conventional particulate fillers in the formulation with an approximately equivalent volume of supplemental filler particles, and providing the modified formulation.

Abstract: An amino alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane (AMS) comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of an amino AMS, an amino/mercaptan co-AMS, an amino/blocked mercaptan co-AMS, mixtures thereof, and a weak acid-neutralized solid or aqueous solution thereof, and a method of making the amino AMS, are presented. The compounds are useful in compounding, processing, cure and storage of silica-reinforced rubbers because they contain low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Abstract: The disclosure provides in one embodiment for an integral seal for a drill template tool for a structure having an outside mold line surface fabricated according to a precise definition using computer aided design (CAD). The integral seal comprises an inner surface in contact with an interior portion of a continuous groove portion formed in a bottom surface of a vacuum housing of the drill template tool. The integral seal further comprises an outer surface in contact with the structure. The integral seal is formed in the groove portion on the bottom surface of the vacuum housing, and the groove portion is formed using one of selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, or stereolithography, during fabrication of the drill template tool. The integral seal prevents leakage of fluids and debris generated by a drilling process of the structure.

Abstract: An amino alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane (AMS) comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of an amino AMS, an amino/mercaptan co-AMS, an amino/blocked mercaptan co-AMS, mixtures thereof, and a weak acid-neutralized solid or aqueous solution thereof, and a method of making the amino AMS, are presented. The compounds are useful in compounding, processing, cure and storage of silica-reinforced rubbers because they contain low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Abstract: Processes for producing nonwoven web products containing sub-micron fibers are provided, and more specifically processes for producing nonwoven web products having sub-micron fibers formed by fibrillation of polymer films are provided.

Abstract: Processes for producing nonwoven web products containing sub-micron fibers are provided, and more specifically processes for producing nonwoven web products having sub-micron fibers formed by fibrillation of polymer films are provided.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and a terminal functionality that includes at least one disilylamino group. The polymer can be the reaction product of a terminally active polymer chain and a compound that includes at least one disilylamino group and a group capable of reacting with terminally active polymers. Methods for making and using such polymers also are provided, as are compositions containing the polymer and one or more types of filler particles as well as vulcanizates provided from such compositions.

Abstract: A polymer includes at a terminus a cyclic amine radical bonded to the polymer through a ring nitrogen atom. The polymer can be provided by using a lithiated version of the cyclic amine to initiate polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The polymer can be used in the production in a variety of vulcanizates.

Abstract: A vulcanizable composition of matter comprising a rubber component, a filler, a curative for the rubber, where the rubber component includes a multi-modal polymer including at least two distinct peak molecular weights within a range defined by a lower limit of 80 kg/mole and an upper limit of 500 kg/mole.

Abstract: Nonwoven web products containing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically nonwoven web products having sub-micron fibers formed by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them, and methods of producing these products.

Abstract: A method of reducing foreign object debris (FOD) during drilling operations is provided. The method includes disposing a vacuum housing with a computer aided design (CAD) formed drill template in an operative position on a work piece, actuating a vacuum operatively connected to the vacuum housing, thereby creating negative pressure between the template and the work piece, the negative pressure acting on the debris resulting from the drilling operations, and enhancing the negative pressure without manipulating the vacuum.

Abstract: A Z-axis test coupon structure includes a plurality of circularly-arranged tensile specimens oriented along a Z-axis and at least one web connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of tensile specimens.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically an apparatus for effecting formation of sub-micron fibers by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them.

Abstract: A polymer includes at a terminus a cyclic amine radical bonded to the polymer through a ring nitrogen atom. The polymer can be provided by using a lithiated version of the cyclic amine to initiate polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The polymer can be used in the production in a variety of vulcanizates.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and a terminal functionality that includes at least one disilylamino group. The polymer can be the reaction product of a terminally active polymer chain and a compound that includes at least one disilylamino group and a group capable of reacting with terminally active polymers. Methods for making and using such polymers also are provided, as are compositions containing the polymer and one or more types of filler particles as well as vulcanizates provided from such compositions.

Abstract: A nickel-carbene polymerization catalyst system for preparing high cis polydienes is provided. The catalyst system comprises (a) a nickel N-heterocyclic carbene complex, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, and (d) optionally, an alcohol. Also provided is a process for producing a polydiene comprising reacting a conjugated diene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst comprising (a) a nickel N-heterocyclic carbene complex, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, and (d) optionally, an alcohol.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically an apparatus for effecting formation of sub-micron fibers by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically a process and apparatus for effecting formation of sub-micron fibers by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them.

Abstract: A nickel-carbene polymerization catalyst system for preparing high cis polydienes is provided. The catalyst system comprises (a) a nickel N-heterocyclic carbene complex, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, and (d) optionally, an alcohol. Also provided is a process for producing a polydiene comprising reacting a conjugated diene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst comprising (a) a nickel N-heterocyclic carbene complex, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, and (d) optionally, an alcohol.