Abstract: A method of covering a joint between pipelines comprises installing a heat recoverable polymer sheet coated on its inner surface with a hot-melt adhesive comprising a mixture of 25 to 40 parts by weight of a polyethylene alkyl acrylate terpolymer containing maleic anhydride and having a melt flow index as determined according to ASTM D1238-70 of at least 40, and 25 to 70 parts by weight of a polyethylene alkyl acrylate copolymer having a melt flow index as determined according to ASTM D1238-70 of at least 40.

Abstract: An adhesive composition particularly useful for bonding a heat-recoverable polymeric sleeve around a cable splice to form a cable splice case comprises a polyamide and a copolymer of ethylene and an ester of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, said copolymer having a melt flow index of at least 40 as measured according to ASTM D12380-70; the amount of copolymer being at least 38% based on the weight of the polyamide.

Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive composition which comprises a mixture of:(a) 25-40 parts by weight of a polyethylene alkyl acrylate terpolymer containing maleic anhydride and having a melt flow index as determined according to ASTM D1238-70 of at least 40; and(b) 25-70 parts by weight of a polyethylene alkyl acrylate copolymer having a melt flow index as determined according to ASTM D1238-70 of at least 40.

Abstract: A sleeve suitable for making a cable splice case comprises a matrix material and a recoverable fabric by virtue of which the sleeve is recoverable. The sleeve comprises recoverable weft fibres in bundles of 2-6 running circumferentially, and longitudinal heat-stable warp fibres.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article suitable for enclosing a telecommunications cable splice comprises a recoverable fabric cover and a strengthening layer laminated to a surface of the fabric cover.

Abstract: A wrap-around recoverable article suitable for enclosing a splice in a telecommunications cable splice comprises a fabric cover portion and closure elements at its edge regions which can be held together to maintain the sleeve in a wrapped-around configuration around the cable splice. The closure elements comprise a bundle of heat-stable filaments, preferably glass, enclosed by a loop or folded-over portion of the fabric.

Abstract: A branch-off between telecommunications cables (5) may be sealed by means of an electrically heat-recoverable sleeve (1) and a branch-off clip (2) which holds together circumferentially spaced portions of the sleeve (1) between the branching cables (5). The clip (2) has an inner leg of heat-activatable sealing material which in use is positioned in the sleeve (1) between the cables (5). The sealing material is activated by the heat generated in the sleeve (1) during recovery.

Abstract: A seal between an object such as a cable, cable splice or branch-off, and a surface such as a recoverable sleeve by means of a flexible envelope containing a void-filling composition. The void-filling composition undergoes a change from a low viscosity on installation, which allows the flexible envelope to conform to the object, to a high viscosity after installation, which gives mechanical strength to the seal. Deformation of the flexible envelope on installation may be brought about by installation of the recoverable sleeve or other surrounding surface.

Abstract: A branch-off seal between a recoverable sleeve and two or more substrates is effected using a clip the outer legs of which are positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form an appropriate number of conduits. The clip is provided with an inner leg comprising a heat-activatable sealing material and a heat-conductive member or region. The dimensional integrity of the member or region weakens on activation of the sealing material. Thus the amount of heat or mechanical rigidity between the substrate is limited.

Abstract: A dimensionally heat recoverable article carrying a thermoplastic polymeric material and a heat-softenable adhesive of smaller thickness and lower softening or melting point than the polymeric material is used to encapsulate objects such as joints in cables. The heat-softenable adhesive allows low installation temperature while the polymeric material allows excellent cycling performance to be maintained. The article may be in the form of a wrap-around sleeve.

Abstract: An adhesive composition is produced by reacting a thermoplastic polyamide having reactive amine groups attached to the polyamide molecule with a vinyl terminated rubber, preferably a vinyl terminated polybutadiene rubber.The adhesive composition exhibits good peel strengths at high temperatures together with good low temperature flexibility.