Abstract: This disclosure describes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) composite, methods of making the composite, and methods of using the composite. In some aspects, the ePTFE composite includes a first layer of ePTFE, a nonwoven layer, and a second layer of ePTFE, wherein a major surface of the first layer of ePTFE is in contact with a first major surface of the nonwoven layer, and wherein a first major surface of the second layer of ePTFE is in contact with a second major surface of the nonwoven layer.

Abstract: A method of installing a roof system, the method comprising (i) providing a first membrane composite including a polymeric planar body having first and second planar surfaces, a UV-cured pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the second planar surface, a release member removably secured to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer opposite the planar body; and a primer layer disposed along a lap area on the first planar surface; (ii) adhesively securing the first membrane composite to a roof surface through the UV-cured pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; (iii) providing a second membrane composite including a polymeric planar body having first and second planar surfaces, a UV-cured pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the second planar surface, a release member removably secured to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer opposite the planar body; and optionally including a primer layer disposed along a lap area on the first planar surface; (iv) adhesively securing the second membrane composite to th

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which also has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Also provided is a method of preparing an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Further provided is a method of improving the hydrophobicity, the liquid water uptake, the heat of combustion, or the onset of thermal decomposition temperature of an aerogel composition.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a needling machine includes at least one needle plate having an array of needles and drive systems. The control system can include a drive tie-rod that can be coupled to one or more of the needles, the at least one needle plate, and a part rigidly connected to the at least one needle plate. The control system can include a cam shaft and a rod, the cam shaft driving the rod in rotation in an axis of rotation, and the rod being connected to the drive tie-rod by a part forming an intermediate lever. The lever can be a single part or a plurality of parts and is able to pivot in relation to a pivot pin.

Abstract: A needling device to consolidate a fleece. The device including at least one needle plate with an array of needles; at least one column with its longitudinal axis rigidly connected to the at least one needle plate; drive systems; a sealed housing; and at least one guide pot. The drive systems are configured to impart to the at least one column a to and fro motion so that the needles follow an elliptical path to pass through, in one direction then the other, the fleece that passes in front of it in the machine drive direction to consolidate it. The sealed housing containing part of the column and drive systems and wherein the at least one guide pot is fitted in an opening in the sealed housing and oscillates in relation to an axis of oscillation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the machine drive direction.

Abstract: A needling machine to consolidate a fleece. The machine includes one or more needle plates having an array of needles; one or more columns coupled to the needle plates; and driving means configured to impart an elliptical to and fro motion to each needle plate so that the needles pass first in one direction, then the other, over the fleece passing before it in the machine. The machine further comprising a sealed housing enclosing part of each column and driving means; and one or more guide pots within the sealed housing. Each driving means including a longitudinal driving means imparting to each column a straight to and fro motion. Each needle plate oscillates in relation to each respective column. The driving means further comprise transverse driving means imparting to a point on each needle plate a to and fro motion essentially parallel to the machine direction.

Abstract: A needlepunching machine for needlepunching a flat textile material comprises a needle bar arranged in a needling zone, on which needle bar a needle board is arranged. A plurality of needles projects from the needle board. A drive device for the needle bar is configured to move the needle bar at least in an up-and-down stroking movement. Upper and lower support and guide for the flat textile material extend at least over the needling zone and guide the flat textile material between them. Both the upper and the lower support and guide are each formed by a plurality of parallel, tensioned wires, between which through-openings for the needles are arranged. The wires of the upper and lower support and guide are immovable in the conveying direction of the needlepunching machine.

Abstract: A method of forming an annular textile preform by needling a helical fiber sheet includes in succession: unwinding a helical fiber sheet from a horizontal sheet-forming turntable driven at a constant and predefined speed of rotation NFS onto a horizontal intermediate unwinder driven at a speed of rotation NDI and positioned on a horizontal intermediate turntable driven at a speed of rotation NFI, unwinding the helical fiber sheet from the intermediate unwinder onto a final horizontal unwinder driven at a speed of rotation NDF, and unwinding the fiber sheet from the final unwinder onto a horizontal preform-forming turntable driven at a variable and predefined speed of rotation NFP so as to be subjected to needling thereon. The speeds NDI, NFI, and NDF are controlled in such a manner that NDF is proportional to NFP, NFI=(NFS?NDF)/2, and NDI=(NFS+NDF)/2.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing of a part made of composite material including pre-compacting to a predetermined shape of a mixture of a first thermosetting resin with discontinuous long fibers so as to form a first preform, pre-curing the first preform until an intermediate conversion stage corresponding to a solidification of said first resin, contacting the first preform with a second preform including a fiber structure of continuous fibers impregnated with a second thermosetting resin, polymerizing the first and second preforms so as to form a part made of composite material including a body made of composite material including reinforcement made of continuous fibers consolidated by an organic matrix provided with a portion made of composite material including reinforcement made of discontinuous long fibers consolidated by an organic matrix.

Abstract: A production of thermoplastic composite preforms intended to be thermoformed. The unit including: a movable support and a plurality of storage areas for storing a plurality of structural elements made from thermoplastic composite material; and transfer and connection devices for transferring the structural elements to the movable support and connecting the structural elements to one another. The movable support is driven sequentially in translation in a direction of travel, while the storage areas are arranged laterally in relation to the movable support. The transfer and connection devices transfer the structural elements to the movable support along a transfer direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a bioreactor, a floating bioremediation platform system, and a process for reducing sulfates, in surface water.

Abstract: A carbon fiber preform that includes a plurality of fibrous layers stacked together and a plurality of sacrificial fibers that bind the plurality of fibrous layers together, where at least one fibrous layer of the plurality of fibrous layers includes a plurality of carbon fibers or carbon fiber precursor fibers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for forming a composite structure comprising rotating a base layer of an apparatus for forming the composite structure about an axis of rotation, transferring carbon short fibers from a first vibratory feed ramp onto the base layer in order to form a plurality of fibrous layers in the composite structure, and vibrating the first vibratory feed ramp during the transferring the carbon short fibers. The base layer may comprise an annular shape.

Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects through felting. The system may include a composition head configured to deposit a manufacturing material comprising a strand of interlocked fibers onto a composition bed along a composition path. The composition path may define a path along which the composition head deposits the manufacturing material to form a predetermined three-dimensional object. The composition head may include a reciprocating felting needle configured to draw the manufacturing material from a material source and deposit the manufacturing material on the composition bed, and a feed lock configured to control the feed of the manufacturing material from the material source to the composition head. The system may include a controller for the composition head comprising one or more processors configured by computer-readable instructions to control the composition head to deposit the manufacturing material on the composition bed through felting.

Abstract: The needle board for use in a needling machine for needling a flat textile material comprises first needle rows and second needle rows, wherein the first needle rows and the second needle rows are arranged inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the needle board, which longitudinal direction corresponds to a direction in which the flat textile material to be needled is conveyed in the needling machine. The first needle rows are arranged at a first angle to the longitudinal direction, and the second needle rows are arranged at a second angle to the longitudinal direction. An absolute value of the second angle is different from an absolute value of the first angle.

Abstract: A composite sheet includes a graphite layer, a heat insulation layer including a fiber and a heat insulation material and a fiber layer located between the graphite layer and the heat insulation layer, wherein the fiber layer comprises the fiber. An electronic apparatus includes an electronic component that involves heat generation, a housing and the composite sheet, wherein the composite sheet is placed between the electronic component and the housing.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a method for needling a spiral textile to create a needled preform, the method comprising receiving the spiral textile on a bed plate of a circular needle loom, engaging a positional structure of the spiral textile, rotating the spiral textile around the circular needle loom, depositing a predetermined number of layers of the spiral textile on the bed plate, and needling the spiral textile to create the needled preform. Moreover, the present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, a method for creating a circular needled preform from a spiral textile, comprising attaching sacrificial fibers to at least one of the weft tow and the plurality of warp tows proximate at least one of the inside diameter and the outside diameter, and engaging the sacrificial fibers with an engagement mechanism on a circular needle loom.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a conductive fabric is undertaken via a fixing device which has a plurality of working sections. According to an arrangement of the conductive yarn disposed between a first flexible base and a second flexible base, the working sections of the fixing device are extended to form a plurality of fixing points and the other working sections are retracted without forming the fixing points, thereby fixing the conductive yarn between the first and second flexible bases with a dot-like spaced pattern to obtain conductive fabric products having different conductive yarn arrangements without replacing the fixing device.

Abstract: Methods are described for activating a glass fiber or flake to participate in polymerizing a resin. The methods may include sizing the glass fiber or flake with a sizing composition that includes a solution containing a polymerization initiator, and activating the polymerization initiator by forming a free radical moiety on the polymerization initiator that can initiate the polymerization of the resin. Additional methods of making a glass reinforced composite are described. The methods may include sizing glass fibers or flakes with a sizing composition that includes a solution containing a polymerization initiator, forming a free radical moiety on the polymerization initiator to make activated glass fibers or flakes, and contacting the activated glass fibers or flakes with a polymer resin. The activated glass fibers or flakes initiate the polymerization of the resin around the glass fibers or flakes to form the glass reinforced composite.

Abstract: A drive device for driving a helical fiber sheet for needling, the device including a needling table having a stationary top surface for receiving a helical fiber sheet for needling, a circular turntable positioned under the top surface of the needling table and having a plurality of drive needles vertically mounted thereon, the drive needles passing through the needling table and projecting relative to its top surface, the drive needles being positioned on at least one diameter of the turntable, and a drive system constructed and arranged to drive the turntable in rotation relative to the top surface of the needling table about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A method for actuating a needle bar in a needling machine includes the actuation of a first oscillating drive at a first frequency, the first oscillating drive having a main conrod connected directly or indirectly to the needle bar, and simultaneously the actuation of a second oscillating drive at a second frequency, the second oscillating drive having a secondary conrod connected directly or indirectly to the needle bar, the movements of the needle bar produced by the first and second oscillating drives being superimposed on each other and the second frequency being higher than the first frequency.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a felting device for felting fiber materials including a needle receiving means for receiving and holding a felting needle for performing the felting operation, a drive motor for moving the needle receiving means for moving the inserted felting needle and a housing for movably holding and guiding the felting device with a hand.

Abstract: A hand held felting device includes a body with one or more felting needles and a handle attached thereto for manually felting materials. A motor is provided in the body and is configured to selectively move a shaft reciprocally along the vertical axis upon receipt of power from a power source. The felting needle(s) are mounted to the shaft in the body and thus are configured to move continuously in a reciprocal motion when activated by the motor to felt two or more materials together as a user manually moves the device relative to two or more materials. A safety switch is included with the device in order to selectively activate the motor to move the needle(s). A guard may be operatively associated with the switch to prevent access to the needle(s) and reduce user injury. The needle(s) can be replaced as needed.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric (1) that is modified with activated carbon is needled on an elastic or inelastic textile sheet material (2), preferably a woven fabric or a knitted fabric. With this method, it is achieved that the strength of the textile sheet material (2) can be imparted to a non-woven fabric (1) that is otherwise not tear-resistant, whereby the adsorption properties of the activated carbon that are necessary in protective textiles are completely retained. During needling, the elastic or inelastic textile sheet material (2) is stretched or kept stretched, and stress is relieved after needling. The effect that is thus achieved is that the non-woven fabric (1) does not tear when the textile good or the molded part is stretched again, since the non-woven fabric then is stretched out from a compressed initial state.

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional fiber preform for fabricating an annular part out of carbon-carbon composite material, the method including stacking layers of a fiber sheet made up of carbon yarns or tows, needling the layers one by one as they are superposed so as to bond them together, and locally modifying the electromagnetic properties of the fiber preform by increasing the fiber density of the layers of the fiber sheet that are situated at half-thickness of the fiber preform.

Abstract: A circular needling table for needling a textile structure made from an annular fiber preform, includes: a horizontal top on which an annular fiber preform is to be placed; a driver system constructed and arranged to drive the fiber preform in rotation about a vertical axis of rotation; and a needling device for needling the fiber preform, the device including a needling head extending over a predetermined angular sector of the table top and to be driven with vertical reciprocating motion relative to the table top, and a mover system constructed and arranged to move the needling head in a direction that is radial relative to the axis of rotation of the fiber preform.

Abstract: A process for the production of a core (10) with integrated bridging fibers (12) for the manufacturing of composite panels, includes producing the following stages: using a cake that is made of light material of the rigid foam type, forming the core (10); depositing excess bridging fibers (12) on at least one surface (18, 20) of the core; making a portion of these bridging fibers (12) penetrate into the core; and removing excess bridging fibers (12) that are not used. The panel that is obtained as well as the associated device are also described.

Abstract: A drive device for driving a helical fiber sheet for needling, the device including a needling table having a stationary top surface for receiving a helical fiber sheet for needling, a circular turntable positioned under the top surface of the needling table and having a plurality of drive needles vertically mounted thereon, the drive needles passing through the needling table and projecting relative to its top surface, the drive needles being positioned on at least one diameter of the turntable, and a drive system constructed and arranged to drive the turntable in rotation relative to the top surface of the needling table about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A needle puncher includes a needle and a grip member. The needle has a tip and a head spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the needle. The needle also has a held portion disposed between the tip and the head The grip member is configured to hold the needle in a manner such that the tip of the needle is exposed from the grip member. The grip member includes a holding portion and a grip portion. The holding portion holds the held portion of the needle, and the grip portion is gripped by a user of the needle puncher. The holding portion and the grip portion include front ends, respectively. The front end of the holding portion is closer to the head of the needle than the front end of the grip portion is.

Abstract: A mat member includes inorganic fibers, a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface has a plurality of needle penetration marks and/or a plurality of needle protrusion marks. The second surface has a plurality of needle protrusion marks and/or a plurality of needle penetration marks. A plurality of needle marks are formed in the mat member by needle punching and extend from the needle penetration mark to the needle protrusion mark. An inorganic fiber bundle which includes a plurality of the inorganic fibers oriented in a closed loop configuration is formed at the needle protrusion mark.

Abstract: A fire blocking non-woven textile containing a first carded web of char-forming fibers containing aramid or melamine/formaldehyde fiber and a second carded web of oxygen-depleting fibers comprising a blend of polyacrylonitrile copolymer with a halogen comonomer and a polyester polymer. The webs may be needled-punched or thermally bonded and remain as separate layers separating the action of the char forming and oxygen depleting layers to optimize char strength, provide a light weight product, which may satisfy 16 CFR 1633 at thicknesses of up to 3.0 mm.

Abstract: A device for needling a fibrous web includes a needle bar. The needle bar carries a needle board having a plurality of needles and is guided by a bar carrier that is driven in an oscillating manner with superimposed horizontal and vertical motion via a crank drive. A phase-adjusting device adjusts a phase position of a crankshaft of the crank drive. The motion of the bar carrier is guided by a guiding device. To absorb inertial forces in the horizontal direction on the needle bar at large phase angles and to guarantee the mobility of the needle bar, the guiding device is formed by one or more guiding rods, which are connected to the bar carrier via a swivel joint. The driven needle bar is guided by the guide rods at the phase angle set by the phase-adjusting device in the angle range of 0 to 30 DEG.

Abstract: There is provided a porous, carbon-containing preform, including a body (CL) of unidirectional carbon fiber fabrics (C1), and a friction layer (FL) of randomly-arranged-carbon-fiber fabrics (F1), combined with the body (CL) by a needle-punching operation. According to the present invention, it is by the needle-punching operation that the friction layer (FL) of the randomly-arranged-carbon fiber fabric (F1) is formed on the body (CL) of the unidirectional carbon fiber fabric (C1) and the friction layer (FL) of the randomly-arranged-carbon-fiber (F1) is cross-linked to the body (CL) of the unidirectional carbon fiber fabric (C1) in producing the porous, carbon-containing preform.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a method for needling a spiral textile to create a needled preform, the method comprising receiving the spiral textile on a bed plate of a circular needle loom, engaging a positional structure of the spiral textile, rotating the spiral textile around the circular needle loom, depositing a predetermined number of layers of the spiral textile on the bed plate, and needling the spiral textile to create the needled preform. Moreover, the present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, a method for creating a circular needled preform from a spiral textile, comprising attaching sacrificial fibers to at least one of the weft tow and the plurality of warp tows proximate at least one of the inside diameter and the outside diameter, and engaging the sacrificial fibers with an engagement mechanism on a circular needle loom.

Abstract: A non-woven textile based filter media is produced from polyester fiber generated using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles, and that non-woven textile based filter media is used to make an air filter. By controlling the diameters and lengths of the PET derived polyester fibers, a non-woven textile based filter media that exhibits a natural Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of about 8 (without requiring electrostatic treatment) and a pressure drop of 2.9 PSI or less can be achieved. A related exemplary embodiment is an air filter fabricated entirely from recycled materials, including a recycled cardboard frame, the non-woven textile based filter media made from recycled PET derived polyester fibers, and a support structure made of recycled plastic or metal wire.

Abstract: A two layer bandage includes a padding layer; and an elastic layer, wherein the padding layer which includes a nonwoven material, and wherein fixing of filaments in the nonwoven material is implemented solely via needling and the padding layer is fixed to the elastic layer solely by needling.

Abstract: An absorbent material including a fibrous material having a plurality of individual fibers forming a fiber matrix, a plurality of absorbent fibers, wherein the plurality of absorbent fibers are impregnated within the fiber matrix by means of a needlepunch process.

Abstract: Disclosed are a surgical towel and a method for producing the same. The production method includes the following steps: blowing: removing impurities from a pure-cotton raw material; carding: loosening and combing the blown pure-cotton raw material; lapping: spreading cotton-webs, which are formed after the carding, back and forth in the direction of cotton fiber in a staggered overlapping manner; water jetting: water-jet entangling the lapped cotton-webs by using a high-pressure water flow; degreasing: removing wax or grease from cotton fibers of an all-cotton non-woven fabric; bleaching: bleaching the degreased all-cotton non-woven fabric; softening and finishing: softening and finishing the all-cotton non-woven fabric to enhance its softness; and cutting and folding: cutting and folding the softened and finished all-cotton non-woven fabric according to a required specification and packaging the same into a finished product.

Abstract: An impact resistant membrane and methods of preparing and utilizing the membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises a loft layer, a first polymeric layer bonded to a first surface of the loft layer, and a second polymeric layer bonded to a second surface of the loft layer. The membrane can be fabricated by providing a loft layer and applying a polymeric layer on a first surface and on a second surface of the loft layer. The membrane has a higher resistance to failure due to impact and thus protects the underlying structure membrane for a longer time. A method of facilitating protecting a structure comprises providing a single ply membrane having a loft layer and a polymeric layer disposed on at least two surfaces of the loft layer.

Abstract: Nonwoven textile fabrics in accordance with the present invention are formed primarily of individualized bast fibers substantially free of pectin. The nonwoven fabric can include staple fibers to a lesser extent than the individualized bast fibers. Individualized bast fibers include fibers derived from the flax and hemp plants. The nonwoven textile fabric is formed into a web while in a dry state and subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A needle puncher includes a needle and a grip member. The needle has a tip and a head spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the needle. The needle also has a held portion disposed between the tip and the head The grip member is configured to hold the needle in a manner such that the tip of the needle is exposed from the grip member. The grip member includes a holding portion and a grip portion. The holding portion holds the held portion of the needle, and the grip portion is gripped by a user of the needle puncher. The holding portion and the grip portion include front ends, respectively. The front end of the holding portion is closer to the head of the needle than the front end of the grip portion is.

Abstract: Thermoplastically deformable composite materials have a core layer with a glass fiber woven ply connected on both sides thereof to a fiber nonwoven ply of polypropylene fibers and glass fibers. The core layer is connected with at least one cover layer which comprises polypropylene fibers and polyethylene terephthalate fibers. The composite materials are produced by needling the individual layers and heating to melt the polypropylene fibers. The composite materials are useful for preparing automotive parts.

Abstract: There is described a process for preparing a “double layer” non-woven fabric having a non-woven fabric surface covered with microfiber including needle-punching of a mat formed by at least one carded web of macrofibers and at least one carded web of microfibers and subsequent treatment of the mat with high pressure water jets to split the microfibers into filaments.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a method for needling a spiral textile to create a needled preform, the method comprising receiving the spiral textile on a bed plate of a circular needle loom, engaging a positional structure of the spiral textile, rotating the spiral textile around the circular needle loom, depositing a predetermined number of layers of the spiral textile on the bed plate, and needling the spiral textile to create the needled preform. Moreover, the present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, a method for creating a circular needled preform from a spiral textile, comprising attaching sacrificial fibers to at least one of the weft tow and the plurality of warp tows proximate at least one of the inside diameter and the outside diameter, and engaging the sacrificial fibers with an engagement mechanism on a circular needle loom.

Abstract: A bed pad and a method for constructing a bed pad are disclosed. The bed pad comprises a first mat and a second mat, wherein the first mat is constructed of randomly aligned synthetic fibers which are opened and blended, randomly aligned into a web by airflow, joined by water based phenolic or latex binding agents and heat cured to produce an air-permeable varying mesh, the first mat being of unitary sheet construction and having a first stiffness and the second mat, cooperative with the first mat, is constructed of randomly aligned synthetic fibers which are opened and blended, randomly aligned into a web by airflow, joined by water based phenolic or latex binding agents and heat cured to produce an air-permeable varying mesh, the second mat being of unitary sheet construction and having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness.

Abstract: One or more fastener tabs using particular spunlace materials are described. The fastener tabs find wide application as closure systems and can be used in products such as in disposable diapers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite core material for a vacuum insulation panel which exhibits excellent initial insulation and long-term durability, a method of manufacturing the same, and a vacuum insulation panel using the same. The vacuum insulation panel includes a composite core material formed of glass fiber wool and a glass fiber board, and an outer skin material having a layered structure comprising a surface protective layer, a metal barrier layer, and a bonding layer from the outside to vacuum-package the core material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aramid nonwoven fabric showing more improved tenacity and superior heat-insulating property, and a method of preparing the same. The aramid nonwoven fabric is what includes 10 to 100 wt % of para-aramid staple fibers and 0 to 90 wt % of meta-aramid staple fibers, and has an air permeability of 40 to 200 cm3/cm2/sec and an average pore size of 20 to 50 ?m. Such aramid nonwoven fabric can be prepared by carding aramid fibers including the para-aramid staple fibers and the meta-aramid staple fibers so as to form a web, needle-punching the same, and water-punching the same with a prescribed water pressure.

Abstract: A circular needling table for needling a textile structure made from an annular fiber preform, the table including: a horizontal annular platen for having the annular fiber preform placed thereon; drive means for driving the fiber preform in rotation about the axis of the platen; a needling device having a needling head extending over an angular sector of the platen and driven in vertical motion relative to the platen; and guide means for guiding the fiber preform under the needling head.

Abstract: A system may include a plurality of tow band processing lines and a master air jet in communication with the tow band processing lines to receive a plurality of processed tow bands from the tow band processing lines to form a bulked web. The system may be used to form a bulked web that itself is a nonwoven material or that may be further processed into a nonwoven material.