Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an electrodepositable composition and a method of electrodeposition using the composition are provided. The electrodepositable composition comprises (a) an active hydrogen-containing, cationic salt group-containing resin electrodepositable on a cathode; (b) a capped polyisocyanate curing agent; and optionally, (c) a metal-containing catalyst. The capped polyisocyanate curing agent comprises a polyisocyanate at least partially capped with a material having the structure: ##STR1## wherein n is a number of 1 to 10; m is a number of 1 to 10 and R is hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl group or substituted alkyl or aryl group having from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Ethylenically unsaturated compounds are provided having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.2 is a divalent linking group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms such as alkylene groups, and R.sub.3 is hydrogen or lower alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and when R.sub.3 is hydrogen and R.sub.2 has two carbon atoms R.sub.2 is methyl methylene.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber cable assembly including an optical fiber and a reinforcement strand including a plurality of sized glass fibers positioned about the optical fiber, the strand having thereon a dried residue of a secondary aqueous coating composition which is essentially free of a urethane-containing material and includes a first polymer prepared by vinyl addition polymerization of a first monomer component including a first vinyl aromatic monomer and an acrylic monomer and a second polymer different from the first polymer, the second polymer being prepared by vinyl addition polymerization of a second monomer component including a curable polymer of a second vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the surface of the strand wicks water at a rate of less than about 25.4 millimeters (one inch) in about six hours at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. A method of reducing the wicking of water along the surface of a glass fiber strand is also provided.

Abstract: A liquid coating composition has: from about 5 to 45 percent by weight of resin solids of substantially saturated polyhydroxylated polydiene polymer having terminal hydroxyl groups; from about 10 to 50 percent by weight of resin solids of crosslinking material; from about 5 to 85 percent by weight of resin solids of polymeric film forming resin; and solvent. The solvent has at least 5 percent by weight of the solvent composition consisting of water; and/or at least one organic solvent having Hansen Solubility Parameters Sp.sub.o from about 8.0 to 10.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2, SP.sub.h from about 0.5 to 5.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2, and Sp.sub.p from about 0.2 to 3.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 ; and/or mixtures thereof. The liquid coating composition can be solvent-based or aqueous-based and can additionally contain at least one pigment.

Abstract: A method of cleaning interior surfaces of fluid delivery systems including (a) passing through the system an abrasive cleaner composition including at least one liquid carrier containing solubilizable abrasive particles, at least some of which are in non-solubilized form, effective to abrade the material to be removed from the interior surfaces, and (b) rinsing the system with at least one fluid effective to (i) displace the carrier and (ii) remove the abrasive particles, at least partially by such chemical means as dissolution or decomposition or neutralization. Optionally, the method can include a first step of contacting the inside surfaces of the fluid delivery system with a pretreatment fluid capable of softening or loosening the material that is to be cleaned from the internal surfaces of the delivery system for a time sufficient to soften or loosen unwanted material. A cleaning kit including the abrasive cleaner and rinsing fluid is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing catenary during winding of a fiber bundle which includes a plurality of fiber strands into a wound package. The method includes: applying substantially equal tension to each of a plurality of fiber strands; gathering the strands to form a bundle; advancing the bundle at a predetermined speed and tension toward a winding device; measuring the tension of the bundle; adjusting the tension of the bundle by adjusting the speed at which the bundle is advanced, such that (1) the speed of advancement of the bundle is increased when the measured tension of the bundle exceeds a predetermined value and (2) the speed of advancement of the bundle is decreased when the measured tension of the bundle is less than a second predetermined value; and winding the bundle to form a wound package.

Abstract: A composite coating of a water-borne basecoat and an epoxy-acid clearcoat has improved performance characteristics of reduced yellowing or reduced tendency to chip through the formulation of the composite coating and the process for its application. The process comprises applying to the substrate a film-forming composition to form a basecoat and applying to the basecoat an epoxy-acid clear film-forming composition to form a transparent topcoat over the basecoat. The basecoat is a coating composition comprising a polymeric film-forming resin, aminoplast crosslinking agent and a pigment wherein the crosslinking agent is a partially or fully alkylated aminoplast and has a lower or higher imino content. The lower imino content promotes reduced yellowing of the clearcoat and the higher imino content promotes improved chip resistance when the pigment of the water-borne basecoat reduces yellowing effects.

Abstract: A bushing including a tip plate having an orifice region including orifices to permit flow of a molten fiberizable material therethrough; a reservoir for supplying molten fiberizable material to the orifices; and a substantially planar perforated plate positioned within the reservoir generally parallel to and substantially coextensive with the orifice region of the tip plate, the perforated plate including a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region, each of the central region and the peripheral region of the perforated plate having a plurality of openings to permit flow of molten fiberizable material therethrough, wherein average head loss of molten material flowing through the central region of the perforated plate is greater than average head loss of molten material flowing through the peripheral region of the perforated plate.

Abstract: An electrodepositable composition that has: (A) an active hydrogen-containing cationic resin, electrodepositable on a cathode, having: (1) a polyepoxide; (2) an oxygen-substituted diamine compound having the following formula: ##STR1## where n is an integer from 2 to 4; and where R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 are the same or different and either one or both contain at least one oxygen and are alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, or substituted cycloalkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkanol groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and the N atom form a cyclic group which is substituted or unsubstituted such as morpholine and 1-(3-aminopropyl) imidazole; and (B) at least partially blocked isocyanate or polyisocyanate curing agent. The diamine compound of Formula I can be used alone or in conjunction with one or more secondary amines, nonhydroxy group containing amines and/or amines with ring structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secondary aqueous coating composition for coating sized glass fibers of a glass fiber strand, including a first water soluble, emulsifiable or dispersible curable acrylic polymer and a second water soluble, emulsifiable or dispersible curable acrylic polymer different from the first acrylic polymer, the secondary aqueous coating composition being essentially free of a urethane-containing polymer. Other aspects of the present invention include a strand of sized glass fibers having thereon the aforementioned coating composition and an optical fiber cable assembly including an optical fiber and a reinforcement strand of the sized and secondarily coated glass fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a needled mat adapted to reinforce a thermosetting matrix material to form a composite, composites formed therefrom, and methods related thereto. The needled mat includes a primary layer of a plurality of unidirectional continuous glass fiber strands coated with a composition which is compatible with the thermosetting matrix material and a secondary layer positioned thereon of a plurality of randomly oriented, generally continuous and/or chopped glass fiber strands coated with a composition which is compatible with the thermosetting matrix material. The mat has a total surface weight ranging from about 1300 to about 11,500 grams per square meter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mat adapted to reinforce a thermosetting matrix material to form a composite, composites formed therefrom, and methods related thereto. The mat includes a primary, supporting layer having a plurality of randomly oriented essentially continuous glass fiber strands. The primary layer has about 1 to about 10 weight percent of the mat on a total solids basis. The mat also includes a secondary layer positioned upon and supported by a surface of the primary layer, the secondary layer including a plurality of glass fiber strands. The mean average length of the glass fiber strands of the secondary layer ranges from about 20 to about 125 millimeters. The strands of the primary layer are entangled with the strands of the secondary layer by needling the primary layer and the secondary layer together.

Abstract: A needled mat adapted to reinforce a thermoplastic matrix material to form a composite, the mat including: (a) a plurality of discontinuous glass monofilaments present in an amount ranging from at least about 30 weight percent to about 99 weight percent of the mat on a total solids basis and having a filament coating composition thereon which is compatible with a thermoplastic matrix material; and (b) a plurality of discontinuous glass fiber strands and having a strand coating composition thereon which is compatible with the thermoplastic matrix material, wherein the glass monofilaments and glass fiber strands are essentially uniformly distributed throughout the mat.

Abstract: A vacuum molding-compatible mat including about 10 weight percent to about 99 weight percent glass monofilaments having a mean average length ranging from about 5 to about 150 millimeters and coated with a filament coating composition which is compatible with a thermosetting matrix material for forming a vacuum molded composite; and glass fiber strands having a mean average length ranging from about 5 to about 150 millimeters and coated with a strand coating composition which is compatible with the thermosetting matrix material for forming the vacuum molded composite; wherein the mat has a mat surface weight greater than about 200 grams per square meter, the glass monofilaments and glass fiber strands are essentially uniformly distributed throughout the mat and at least a portion of the glass monofilaments are entangled with at least a portion of the glass fiber strands.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for forming fibers from a supply of molten fiberizable material has: (a) a bushing block having an insulating body with a bore extending therethrough and (b) an electrically conductive bushing positioned adjacent to the bushing block to receive molten fiberizable material from the bore. The bushing includes a flange having bonded to an upper surface thereof a primary layer of an electrically insulating material with a bulk density of greater than 2.0 grams per cubic centimeter. The electrically insulating material is positioned adjacent to the liner on the lower surface of the body of the bushing block and is in contact with the molten fiberizable material.

Abstract: A needled mat adapted to reinforce a thermoplastic matrix material includes (a) a primary layer having a plurality of thermoplastic fibers in an amount greater than about 20 weight percent of the primary layer on a total solids basis, the primary layer being less than about 20 weight percent of the mat on a total solids basis; and (b) a secondary layer having a plurality of discontinuous glass fiber strands and having thereon a strand coating composition which is compatible with the thermoplastic matrix material, the secondary layer being essentially free of individual glass monofilaments.

Abstract: Aqueous coating compositions are described which comprise(A) at least one cyclic hydroxy compound selected from the group consisting of cyclic polyhydroxy compounds and substituted phenols;(B) phosphate ions;(C) at least one oxidizer-accelerator; and(D) water.The coating compositions also may contain fluoride ions and/or iron. A method of improving the corrosion resistance of iron, steel, and zinc-coated surfaces also is described, and the method comprises contacting the surfaces with an aqueous acidic coating composition as described above. The coated metal surfaces may be subsequently provided with an organic or inorganic top-coat or seal-coat resulting in improved corrosion resistance, adhesion and detergent resistance properties.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a plurality of bushing plates from a metallic plate having a plurality of sections, each corresponding to a bushing plate, and a plurality of predetermined regions in which nozzles are to be formed. The second side of the metallic plate is essentially free of protrusions in the predetermined regions. A periphery of each of the predetermined regions is supported by a support having a cavity shaped to generally correspond to an exterior surface of the nozzle. A first punch having a conical tip is used to displace a portion of the predetermined region into the cavity to form an indentation in the first side of the metallic plate while maintaining the periphery essentially free of any externally applied holding pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secondary aqueous coating composition for coating sized glass fibers of a glass fiber strand, including a first water soluble, emulsifiable or dispersible curable acrylic polymer and a second water soluble, emulsifiable or dispersible curable acrylic polymer different from the first acrylic polymer, the secondary aqueous coating composition being essentially free of a urethane-containing polymer. Other aspects of the present invention include a strand of sized glass fibers having thereon the aforementioned coating composition and an optical fiber cable assembly including an optical fiber and a reinforcement strand of the sized and secondarily coated glass fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for transporting a generally cylindrical package include: (a) a frame including a support device having at least one compressible support member and a pivot device for pivoting the support device about a generally vertical axis, the support device being movable along the generally vertical axis between (1) a first predetermined position spaced apart from and below an outer surface of a generally cylindrical package which is removably telescoped upon a generally horizontal member of a support at a first predetermined location and (2) a second predetermined position in which the compressible support member contacts and supports at least a portion of the outer surface of the generally cylindrical package; and (b) a carriage assembly connected to and supporting the frame, the carriage assembly including a carriage for moving the frame between (1) a first predetermined position proximate the support and (2) a second predetermined position horizontally spaced apart from the first predetermined