Abstract: A fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite material exhibiting increased matrix cracking strength and fracture toughness is produced by sequentially depositing a plurality of 5-500 nanometer-thick layers of a primary ceramic matrix material phase periodically separated by 1-100 nanometer-thick intermediate layers of a secondary matrix material phase onto the reinforcing fibers upon their consolidation. The resultant nanolayered matrix enhances the resistance to the onset of matrix cracking, thus increasing the useful design strength of the ceramic matrix composite material. The nanolayered microstructure of the matrix constituent also provides a unique resistance to matrix crack propagation. Through extensive inter-layer matrix fracture, debonding and slip, internal matrix microcracks are effectively diverted and/or blunted prior to their approach towards the reinforcing fiber, thus increasing the apparent toughness of the matrix constituent.

Abstract: A ceramic tile includes a ceramic core material and an oxide ceramic matrix composite (CMC), where the ceramic core material has at least one surface covered by the oxide CMC. The oxide CMC includes a ceramic fiber, with a cured metal oxide ceramic material impregnating the ceramic fiber. An exemplary embodiment of the ceramic tile provided as part of the invention further includes a tough low temperature cure coating (TLTC) which infiltrates the ceramic core surface before it is covered by the oxide CMC. The TLTC includes a cured ceramic powder together with a binder. The metal oxide ceramic material impregnating the ceramic fiber, and the TLTC are co-cured, meaning that neither is cured when the CMC is wrapped around a surface of the TLTC-infiltrated ceramic core, and a curing step is performed on both uncured ceramic materials at the same time.

Abstract: A process for preparing poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fibers including (a) providing a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition comprising about 0.05 to about 10 weight % ionomer and (b) spinning the polymer composition to form fibers. In addition, a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fiber including poly(trimethylene terephthalate) with about 0.1 to about 10 weight % ionomer dispersed throughout the poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and use thereof in yarns, fabrics, and carpets, as well as the yarns, fibers and fabrics.

Abstract: This invention relates to rigid porous carbon structures and to methods of making same. The rigid porous structures have a high surface area which are substantially free of micropores. Methods for improving the rigidity of the carbon structures include causing the nanofibers to form bonds or become glued with other nanofibers at the fiber intersections. The bonding can be induced by chemical modification of the surface of the nanofibers to promote bonding, by adding “gluing” agents and/or by pyrolyzing the nanofibers to cause fusion or bonding at the interconnect points.

Abstract: The present invention provides an at least partially coated fiber strand comprising a plurality of glass fibers having a coating composition on at least a portion of at least one of the glass fibers, the coating composition comprising at least one coating comprising greater than 20 weight percent on a total solids basis of a plurality of particles selected from inorganic particles, organic hollow particles, composite particles, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the plurality of particles have a Mohs' hardness value which does not exceed the Mohs' hardness value of the glass fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate provided with super-absorbent material to be manufactured by allowing suitable monomers to polymerize in the presence of a catalyst in order to obtain a polymer solution, adding a cross-linking agent to the polymer solution to obtain a pasty composition, subsequently applying the composition on or in a substrate and allowing the applied composition to dry and cross-link in order to obtain the substrate with the super-absorbent material. The pasty composition further contains other additives. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a substrate. The substrates can be used as sheathing material in cables, in hygiene products such as baby napkins, sanitary towels and incontinence products, in or as packagings and packaging materials and in agricultural substrates. The invention also relates to such products.

Abstract: The invention provides dyed yarn characterized by comprising dyed polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber, having an elastic recovery of 60% or greater under 10% elongation, and having a boiling water shrinkage of no greater than 4%. The dyed yarn of the invention has excellent stretchability and dimensional stability as well as a soft feel, and is therefore suitable for use in fabrics.

Abstract: A process for producing glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin pellets, which comprises a step of drawing out glass fiber strands from the inside of glass fiber rolls and introducing them into a resin impregnation die, a step of supplying a molten thermoplastic resin into the resin impregnation die and impregnating the glass fiber strands with the thermoplastic resin, a step of drawing out the glass fiber strands impregnated with the thermoplastic resin from the resin impregnation die and cooling and solidifying the thermoplastic resin to obtain a linear molded product, and a step of cutting the molded product into a predetermined length, wherein as the glass fibers, glass fiber strands drawn out from rolls, each roll obtained by bundling monofilaments having a diameter of from 6 to 25 ?m and winding them so that the inner diameter will be from 18 to 50 cm, are used.

Abstract: A transmission belt comprising a belt body and a cord. The belt body is made of a rubber composition. The cord is comprised of poly-p-phenylene benzobisoxazole fiber. The cord is embedded in the belt body. The belt body and the cord are formed into an integral whole by vulcanizing the rubber composition. The surface of the cord is subjected to a primary treatment involving coating a mixture of an epoxy compound and latex and heat treating, and a secondary treatment involving coating a resorcinol-formalin-latex adhesive and heat treating.

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: Fluorochemical urethane compositions comprising one or more fluorochemical urethane compounds, and one or more auxiliary compounds for treatment of a fibrous substrate are described. The fluorochemical compositions are capable of improving one or more of the oil- and/or water repellency, stain- and/or soil repellency and stain and/or soil release properties, with improved durability, of the fibrous substrate treated with the fluorochemical composition.

Abstract: A sizing composition for glass fibers comprises at least one film-former, at least one silane comprising an alkenyl group comprising a straight chain segment of at least five carbon atoms, wherein at least one carbon-carbon double bond is terminal and wherein the carbon atoms on the terminal double bond are unsubstituted, and at least one lubricant. The sizing composition can be used to coat glass fibers for use as reinforcement for cycloolefins that cure by the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (“ROMP”) reaction.

Abstract: In general, this invention relates to a ceramic composite exhibiting enhanced toughness and decreased brittleness, and to a process of preparing the ceramic composite. The ceramic composite comprises a first matrix that includes a first ceramic material, preferably selected from the group including alumina (Al2O3), mullite (3Al2O3.2SiO2), yttrium aluminate garnet (YAG), yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), celsian (BaAl2Si2O8) and nickel aluminate (NiAl2O4). The ceramic composite also includes a porous interphase region that includes a substantially non-sinterable material. The non-sinterable material can be selected to include, for example, alumina platelets. The platelets lie in random 3-D orientation and provide a debonding mechanism, which is independent of temperature in chemically compatible matrices. The non-sinterable material induces constrained sintering of a ceramic powder resulting in permanent porosity in the interphase region.

Abstract: A fast-curing, low viscosity composition for coating an optical waveguide, more specifically, an optical fiber, and optical fibers coated therewith are disclosed. The coating composition is a radiation curable composition containing: a radiation curable oligomer, a free radical photoinitiator, and a mixture of reactive diluents including a low molecular weight (meth)acrylate having tri-, tetra-, penta- or higher functionality.

Abstract: A reinforcement fiber bundle and method for joining reinforcement fibers to reinforcement fiber bundles for reinforcement wherein a curable material is provided in which reinforcement fibers are bundled in a substantially parallel position and at least at the ends are joined, in which at least the ends of the reinforcement fibers are joined by means of an adhering substance that is substantially inert in relation to the non-cured curable material and that, when the reinforcement fiber bundles are mixed with at least the curable material, loses its cohesion.

Abstract: Compositions with antimicrobial properties contain a fatty acid ester salt mixed with a bioabsorbable copolymer. These compositions are useful in forming coatings for surgical articles, including multifilament sutures.

Abstract: A glove formed by a formulation of nitrile butadiene rubber latex material added therein with a thickening agent of carboxymethyl cellulose in latex material for making a NBR glove having a tensile strength of 18˜30 Mpa (2,611˜4,351 psi) as measured according to ASTM D-412 on a sample of nitrile butadiene rubber having a thickness ranging from 0.12˜0.15 mm (4.72˜5.91 mils) and having a relaxation property of less than 50% of an initial stress at six minutes, thereby providing a NBR glove having improved abrasion resistance and good donning property.

Abstract: Compositions for use in optical fiber coatings and optical fibers and optical fiber arrays using these coatings are disclosed, as are methods for making the same. The compositions comprise a combination of two different radiation curable urethane oligomers, and can further comprise one or more reactive monomers. One of the oligomers has at least three functional groups that can undergo radiation cure.

Abstract: The invention includes an optical fiber coating that exhibits the characteristics of a pressure sensitive adhesive. A viscoelastic window for the coating will include at least one set of coordinates that is within Quadrants 2, 3, or 4 or the Transition Flow Region of the Chang viscoelastic of the rheological master curves or will not include at least one set of coordinates that is not within Quadrant 1 of the Chang viscoelastic of the rheological master curves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pigmented cable jacket comprising a polymer composition which comprises a multimodal polyolefin, preferably polyethylene, and pigment composition comprising a color pigment wherein a blend of said pigment composition and said polymer composition is showing an average diameter of spherulites as determined according to the dissolution-recrystallization method which is at most 50% lower, more preferred at most 30% lower and still more preferred at most 10% lower than the average diameter of spherulites in the non-blended polymer composition as determined according to the dissolution-recrystallization method.

Abstract: An olefin-based resin composition contains (a) 39-94 parts by weight of a propylene homopolymer or propylene-ethylene copolymer of at least 50 wt. % propylene content, having a melt-flow rate of 0.1-5 g/10 min, (b) 1-20 parts by weight of a polypropylene modified with 0.1-10% by weight of an acid anhydride, (c) 5-60 parts by weight of a styrene-based polymeric elastomer modified with 0.1-10% by weight of an acid anhydride, the total of components (a), (b) and (c) being 100 parts by weight, and (d) 30-200 parts by weight of a metal hydroxide. This halogen-free resin composition has a good balance of properties such as wear resistance, flame resistance, tensile properties and flexibility, which are required for the covering material of an electrical wire for an automobile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wrapped cord, to a method of making said wrapped cord, to a method of treating said wrapped cord with an adhesive treatment composition, to the treated wrapped cord obtainable by said method as well as to a reinforced rubber article comprising said treated cord, such as automotive tires.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder comprises a fibrous substrate with chemical treatment, applied thereto, comprising a polyester resin, a curing agent, a film former, and a thickener. Additionally, the string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous pre-form material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder comprises a fibrous carrier substrate covered with a solidified coating comprising a binder resin material having an acid value of less than about 30 mg KOH/g of resin. Additionally, the fibrous carrier substrate may be coated with at least one layer of a pre-coating or post-coating comprising a catalyst composition. The string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous reinforcing material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: A sizing composition which is useful for coating glass strands contains a solution having a solvent content of less than 5% by weight. The solution contains at least 45% by weight of components capable of curing. At least 40% of the components capable of curing have a molecular mass of between 750 and 5000. The components capable of curing contain at least one mixture containing a) one or more components having at least one acrylic reactive functional group and/or methacrylic reactive functional group, and b) one or more components having at least one primary amine reactive functional group and/or secondary amine reactive functional group.

Abstract: A long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet comprises short strands, each of which has a width of from 0.2 to 5 mm and a length of from 10 to 150 mm and is made of a unidirectionally long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin. The short strands are oriented at random and are fixed together at intersections thereof. The long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet has a basis weight of from 30 to 500 g/m2 and is provided with openings therein. The long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet can be produced by evenly spreading and piling up short strands of substantially circular or elliptical sections, and subjecting the short strands to pressureless hot-melt adhesion or to hot-melt compression bonding under pressure such that the sheet has a basis weight of from 30 to 500 g/m2 and is provided with openings therein. The short strands of the substantially circular or elliptical sections have an average diameter of from 0.1 to 1.

Abstract: An antibacterial fiber and twisted yarn having an antibacterial imparting glass composition complexed therewith. The glass composition comprises 0.1-5.0 % by weight of Ag2O in a composition containing 45-67 mol % of P2O5, 5-20 mol % of A12O3, 1-22 mol % of one or more selected from MgO, CaO and ZnO, and 1-20 mol % of B2O3. An antibacterial fiber contains the antibacterial imparting glass composition in a ratio of 0.1-2.5%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for light curing of composite materials in which the radiation required to initiate the curing is delivered via one or more lossy fiber optics. The fiber optics are made lossy by methods such as bending the fiber, weaving the fiber into a mat to create periodic micro-bends, tailoring the thickness of the fiber cladding to allow evanescent wave transmission, or simply removing the cladding at intervals along the fiber. Distribution of the light through out the composite material results in dramatic power and time reductions over traditional light curing methods. Unlike thermal curing of composite materials, there is no need for an auto-clave and hence no limit on the size of the part that may be created. Additional benefits include the possibility of curing at operational temperature and so avoiding thermal stresses.

Abstract: The invention provides a rubber reinforcing cord that can be suitably used as a material for reinforcing rubber materials such as tires, belts and hoses and is excellent in fatigue resistance. This invention is also a rubber reinforcing cord in which a carbon fiber bundle is impregnated with a resin composition comprising a rubber, wherein the elastic modulus of dried film of the rubber latex at 25° C. (G′) is 0.4 MPa or less, and the carbon fiber bundle has a knot-breaking strength of 500 MPa or more.

Abstract: The modification of strings for sports equipment and musical instruments and other stringed devices by coating with fluoropolymer coatings to reduce the coefficient of friction of the string surfaces and to reduce the internal friction of the string components among themselves.

Abstract: A composition suitable for sizing of glass fibers is disclosed. The composition contains water dispersible, water-soluble or water emulsifiable resin selected from the group consisting of polyepoxide, polyester, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylate and polyurethane, water, an organofunctional silane, and a nucleating agent. Optional components include emulsifiers, lubricants, wetting and anti-static agents. Glass fibers sized with the composition are suitable for preparing composites having improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A 2-cyanoacrylate composition useful as an adhesive contains a Lewis acid metal salt comprising a metal such as aluminum, gallium, indium or thalium, and the conjugate base of an acid such as a monohalo-, dihalo- or trihalo-acetate (e.g. aluminum trifluoroacetate salt). A clathrate such as a crown ether is also present.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder comprises a fibrous substrate with a chemical treatment, applied thereto, comprising an epoxy film former, a curing agent, a thickener, and water. Additionally, the string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous pre-form material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: Processes for coating sewing thread using a radiation curable composition and the resultant coated sewing thread. Sewing thread is coated with a radiation curable composition, which exhibits a self sustaining cure after exposure to radiation. The composition is applied using contact coating techniques to coat and impregnate the thread with resin. The coated thread is then exposed to radiation to cure the coating. Because the cure is self sustaining, the composition more fully and completely reacts to form a coating with increased durability and reduced susceptibility to stripping or flaking during use in demanding industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new backing layers and/or new substrates for making (1) new multilayer structures formed from one or more ionomers and one or more tie-layers, and optionally a new backing layer to form laminates, (2) new composite articles made from these laminates in combination with optional new substrate materials, and (3) new methods of making composite articles from these laminates by shaping and subsequently contacting them with a substrate material.

Abstract: A fiber product offering health-enhancing effects is obtained by causing a fibrous substrate to contain or be bonded with finely divided titanium powder through the process of impregnation with a water solution containing finely divided titanium powder, which is obtained by dissolving metallic titanium via the combustion gas produced by combusting a gaseous oxygen/hydrogen mixture in high-pressure water in a pressure-resistant tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation curable colored coating composition for coloring a coated optical fiber wherein the coating, when disposed and cured to surround an optical fiber coated with an internal coating, and when said colored fiber is coated with a matrix material and assembled into an optical fiber ribbon, said colored coating has a degree of adhesion to the internal coating which is higher than the degree of adhesion to the matrix material and said optical fiber assembled into said optical fiber ribbon shows, upon aging for at least two weeks in water at 60° C., an increase in the attenuation of the transmitted signal at 1550 nm of less than 0.05 db/km with respect to the attenuation of the assembled optical fiber measured before aging. The invention also relates to said colored coating composition when used in an optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: Chopped strands having a sizing agent impregnated on glass fiber strands, to be used for a molded product of unsaturated polyester resin BMC, wherein the sizing agent comprises a urethane resin, a vinyl acetate resin and a silane coupling agent, and wherein the mass ratio of the urethane resin to the vinyl acetate resin is from 30:70 to 70:30.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyurethane-polyurea dispersions, also called PU dispersion, which contain aralkylamine-blocked isocyanate groups, and to their preparation and use. This blocking agent ahs a significantly lower deblocking temperature as compared with the prior art. Coatings produced from this dispersion have high hydrolysis resistances. The arylamine-blocked isocyanate groups are composed of polyisocyanates, polymeric polyols having average molar weights of 400 to 6000, at least one blocking agent, and either or both of nonionically hydrophilicizing compounds or compounds having at least one ionic or potentially ionic group.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder, in one embodiment, comprises a fibrous carrier substrate material covered with a solidified coating comprising a binder resin material having an acid value of less than about 30 mg KOH/g of resin. Additionally, the coating may include a catalyst applied as a separate layer or in combination with the binder resin material. The string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous reinforcing material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: An antimicrobial, cut-resistant composite yarn which has a core member including at least one cut-resistant strand, a cover member including at least one strand wrapped around and enclosing the core member, wherein at least one strand in either the core member or the cover member is treated with and incorporates an antimicrobial compound. The yarn can be used to fabricate cut-resistant garments, such as gloves, worn by meat cutters and others who work with knives, saws and other sharp implements. The antimicrobial effect reduces bacteria, mold and fungi growth on the garments between washings.

Abstract: A treated poly(trimethylene terephthalate) carpet prepared by applying a polyfluoroacrylate emulsion to a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) carpet and curing the polyfluoroacrylate.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for manufacturing a methyl methacrylate polymer comprising the steps of feeding a monomer containing at least 80 wt % of methyl methacrylate and a radical polymerization initiator represented formula (III) to a reactor; polymerizing the material at a polymerization temperature of 110 to 160° C. under the conditions satisfying particular equations between an initiator concentration and a polymerization temperature; feeding a reaction mixture taken out from the reactor to a devolatilization step (feeding step); and separating and removing volatiles from the reaction mixture (devolatilization step). A methyl methacrylate polymer having adequately good optical properties and a plastic optical fiber having improved transmission performance can be prepared according to this invention.

Abstract: Fibers, and fabrics produced from the fibers, are made water repellent, fire-retardant and/or thermally insulating by filling void spaces in the fibers and/or fabrics with a powdered material. When the powder is sufficiently finely divided, it clings tenaciously to the fabric's fibers and to itself, resisting the tendency to be removed from the fabric.

Abstract: High strength polyethylene yarns useful in ballistic-resistant, cut-resistant and other applications, fabrics produced from these yarns and the methods by which the yarns,and fabrics are made. An untwisted yarn of the invention comprises a plurality of filaments in essentially parallel array and from about 0.5 to 5 weight percent of a water-dispersible binder material covering less than half the surfaces of the filaments. The yarn has a tenacity greater than about 17 g/d, a tensile modulus greater than about 300 g/d, fewer than 20 entanglements/meter in a scoured state and a width less than given by the formula W≦0.055{square root over (d)} where W is the yarn width in millimeters under a tensile load of 0.01 g/d measured on a flat surface and d is the yarn denier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of lubricant to fluoropolymer yarn which enables the yarn to be drawn at a high draw ratio and is removable by scouring, the lubricant being thermally stable at a temperature of at least 120° C., and being removable from the yarn by scouring and comprising oil and surfactant and/or wetting agent to enable the lubricant to spread over the surface of the yarn upon application to the yarn, the lubricant comprising oil such as a C6-C20 aliphatic acid ester of a polyol and a surfactant and/or wetting agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides composites prepared from melt blending compositions that generally include cellulosic pulp fibers having an alpha-cellulose purity of greater than 80% by weight, at least one water soluble binder, at least one lubricant, at least one compatibilizer, and at least one matrix polymer. The present invention further provides advantageous temperature profiles and feeding arrangements to be used in conjunction with the melt blending of such composites. The composites of the present invention exhibit reduced discoloration and improved fiber dispersion.

Abstract: Activated carbon particles or fabrics are coated with a deformable or water-insoluble coating material including a binding agent and a masking agent that can be colored. The coating material can provide sufficient diffusivity to permit excellent efficiency in adsorption of materials in spite of the presence of a coating layer on the activated carbon. The use of a deformable binding agent yields coated particles that make relatively less noise when the particles flow or are moved in use, and that have improved tactile properties in use. High performance colored activated carbon materials can be produced and placed in absorbent articles, overcoming common objections about the black color of activated carbon.

Abstract: Coating for an optical fiber and method of manufacturing thereof, the coating comprising at least one partly crosslinked polymer having a level of crosslinking which increases according to a radial distance as one moves from the internal surface (3) of the coating (4) which interfaces with a cladding section (2) to the external surface of the coating (4). The coating comprises a single resin which is composed of a volatile, multifunctional and moderately reactive monomer dissolved in a fast curable oligomer, having a low modulus when polymerized.

Abstract: A flat hernia implant with a flexible fabric formed from at least two textile fabric structures constructed substantially independently of one another and firmly interconnected over the entire surface area of the hernia implant so as to form a composite structure, is made available for use in surgery.