Abstract: An impact resistant rigid composite has a plurality of fibrous layers, each of which comprise a network of filaments. The fibrous layers are disposed in a matrix, with elastomeric layer(s) therebetween. Prior to curing of the matrix, successive fibrous layers exhibit therebetween a peel resistance of at least about 3 g/cm. The composite has high rigidity combined with superior ballistic properties. When bonded at one or both surfaces to a hard plate selected from the group consisting of metals and ceramics, the composite affords increased protection against armor piercing projectiles.

Abstract: A process for making load limiting yarn comprising making block copolymer and then spinning the block copolymer into yarn. The process employs a twin screw extruder and comprises (A) forwarding aromatic polyester melt to an injection position in a twin screw extruder, (B) injecting lactone monomer into the molten aromatic polyester, (C) dispersing the monomer into the aromatic polyester melt so that a uniform mixture forms in less than about thirty seconds, and (D) reacting the uniform mixture resulting from step (C) at a temperature from about 250° C. to from a block copolymer. Steps (A) through (D) occur in less than about four minutes residence time in the twin screw extruder. The process is advantageous because high IV starting aromatic polyester can be used and the short reaction time at high temperature results in block copolymer with minimum transesterification, a high melting point, and a high melt viscosity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid cabled cord comprising: at least two yarns having different properties, and an unbalanced configuration wherein the hybrid cabled cord has improved tensile strength retention. In a preferred embodiment, one of the two yarns comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second of at least two yarns comprises polyethylene naphthalate and the coring level is between about 3% to about 15%. The present invention is also directed to a process for making a hybrid cabled cord comprising the steps of: supplying at least two yarns having different properties to a direct cabler, and cabling the at least two yarns using the direct cabler to achieve a hybrid cabled cord having a coring level which is not zero. The present hybrid cabled cord may be used in tire cord for rubber reinforcement in passenger car tires, van tires, light truck tires, or motorcycle tires.

Abstract: This invention provides improved methods and compositions for achieving material coloration using particle scattering. These coloration effects can be designed to be either highly stable or dependent upon the switching effects of either temperature, integrated thermal exposure, moisture absorption, or exposure to actinic radiation. Articles employing materials with these coloration effects are described. Composition comprise a solid, light-transmitting matrix component having a non-liquid particle scattering colorant dispersed. Articles are produced wherein another solid second matrix component has an electronic transition colorant dispersed therein and the first and second compositions are disposed on one another and optionally interpenetrate each other. Colored articles are produced in the form of fibers, films and molded articles.

Abstract: A process for making a polyamide substrate characterized by enhanced breaking strength and fade resistance is disclosed. The process features the steps of treating a polyamide substrate, preferably a nylon 6 substrate having a hindered amine light stabilizer chemically bound thereto, with an effective amount of an ultraviolet inhibitor, an antioxidant and optionally, a dye, in the presence of a swelling agent for the polyamide that is also a solvent for the ultraviolet inhibitor and the antioxidant to impart high breaking strength to the substrate. A life preserver or other type of buoyancy device may be made from the process. A polyamide fabric comprising a dye, an ultraviolet inhibitor and an antioxidant also is disclosed. When a polyamide fiber of the present invention is exposed to sunlight, the useful life of the fiber is greatly increased compared to untreated polyamide fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides load leveling and impact energy absorption webbing comprising warp yarn. If the webbing is used in seat belts, the webbing provides load leveling behavior from about 450 pounds (about 2,000 Newtons) to about 1,800 pounds (about 8,000 Newtons) in vehicle collision. The yarn has a force-displacement profile such that: (a) when the yarn is subjected to an initial barrier stress of from about 0.2 gram/denier to less than or equal to about 1.4 grams/denier, the yarn elongates to less than 3 percent and the initial modulus ranges from about 20 grams/denier to about 150 grams/denier; (b) upon subjecting the yarn to greater than the initial barrier stress and less than or equal to 1.8 grams/denier, the yarn elongates further to at least about 10 percent and the energy absorbed from 0 to the elongation at 1.8 grams/denier is at least about 0.0008 Joule/denier·meter; and (c) upon subjecting the yarn to greater than 1.

Abstract: Polyethylene solutions are extruded through a multi-orifice spinneret into a cross-flow gas stream to form a fluid product. The fluid product is stretched at a temperature at which a gel will form at a stretch ratio of at least 5:1 over a length of less than about 25 mm with the cross-flow gas stream velocity at less than about 3 m/min. The fluid product is quenched in a quench bath consisting of an immiscible liquid to form a gel. The gel is stretched. The solvent is removed from the gel to form a xerogel and the xerogel product is stretched in at least two stages to produce a polyethylene yarn characterized by a tenacity of at least 35 g/d, a modulus of at least 1600 g/d and a work to break of at least 65 J/g. The yarn is further characterized by having greater than about 60% of a high strain orthorhombic crystalline component and, optionally, a monoclinic crystalline component greater than about 2% of the crystalline content. Composite panels made with these yarns exhibit excellent ballistic resistance, e.

Abstract: This invention provides improved methods and compositions for achieving material coloration using particle scattering. These coloration effects can be designed to be either highly stable or dependent upon the switching effects of either temperature, integrated thermal exposure, moisture absorption, or exposure to actinic radiation. Articles employing materials with these coloration effects are described Composition comprise a solid, light-transmitting matrix component having a non-liquid particle scattering colorant dispersed. Articles are produced wherein another solid second matrix component has an electronic transition colorant dispersed therein and the first and second compositions are disposed on one another and optionally interpenetrate each other. Colored articles are produced in the form of fibers, films and molded articles.

Abstract: An agglomeration process by which granules are formed by the steps of: (a) injecting polymer having sufficient viscoelasticity; and (b) impacting particles on the polymer at the injection point. The present invention is advantageous because it overcomes the problems of previous granulation process and subsequent art processes by having a very low recycle rate and allowing for control of granule size. It is particularly useful for fertilizer granule formation using a ureaform polymer and particles comprised of ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: Yarns having a spin finish composition thereon comprising at least about 10 percent by weight based on the spin finish composition of components (a) and (b) having the formula R1(CO)x—O—(CH(R2)—CH2—O)y—(CO)zR3, wherein each of R1 and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an allyl group having from one to 22 carbon atoms or an alkylene hydroxy group having from one to 22 carbon atoms, x is zero or one, R2 may vary within component (a) or component (b) and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl group having from one to four carbon atoms, y is zero, or fiom one to 25, and z is zero or one, in component (a), x and z are equal to zero and the average molecular weight of component (a) is less than or equal to 1,900 and if R2 varies, component (a) is a random copolymer; and in component (b), at least x or z is equal to one or component (b) is a complex polyoxyethylene glyceride-containing compound having greater than 10 polyoxyethylene units; (c)

Abstract: A composition comprising a binder and a residue wherein the residue comprises a blend of polypropylene, styrene butadiene rubber and calcium carbonate. The residue is a novel material derived as a coproduct from the medium-pressure depolymerization of nylon 6 carpet. The compositions are useful as road asphalt, asphalt roof membranes, molding compounds, and plastic lumber such as palisades and spacers.

Abstract: A yarn having good entanglement and good quality, preferably a multifilament polyamide yarn, a method for making the yarn, and a woven fabric made from the yarn wherein the yarn comprises the following properties: the yarn length per defect is greater than or equal to about 3000 meters per defect; the maximum skip length is less than or equal to about 120 millimeters; the ratio between yarn length per defect to maximum skip length is greater than or equal to about 50; the entanglements per meter times the average entanglement strength is greater than or equal to about 120; and the yarn can be woven sizeless. The yarn of the invention is useful in the sizeless weaving of fabric used in air bags.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorphous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) anamorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: The present spin finish composition comprises at least about 10 percent by weight based on the spin finish composition of components (a) and (b) having the formula R1—(CO)x—O—(CH(R2)—CH2—O)y—(CO)z—R3 wherein each of R1 and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl group having from one to 22 carbon atoms or an alkylene hydroxy group having from one to 22 carbon atoms, x is zero or one, R2 may vary within component (a) or component (b) and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl group having from one to four carbon atoms, y is zero, or from one to 25, and z is zero or one, in component (a), x and z are equal to zero and the average molecular weight of component (a) is less than or equal to 1,900 and if R2 varies, component (a) is a random copolymer; and in component (b), at least x or z is equal to one or component (b) is a complex polyoxyethylene glyceride-containing compound having greater than 10 polyoxyethylene u

Abstract: I have developed an agglomeration process by which granules are formed by the steps of: (a) injecting polymer having sufficient viscoelasticity, and (b) impacting particles on the polymer at the injection point. The present invention is advantageous because it overcomes the problems of previous granulation process and subsequent art processes by having a very low recycle rate and allowing for control of granule size. It is particularly useful for fertilizer granule formation using a ureaform polymer and particles comprised of ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: Blast resistant and blast directing container assemblies for receiving explosive articles and preventing or minimizing damage in the event of an explosion. The container assembly includes an opening covered by a band of blast resistant material with at least one slit therethrough in the hoop direction of the band, and optionally, a blast mitigating material located within the container. The container can be collapsible for storage when empty. The container assemblies have utility in aircraft where weight is an important consideration, more particularly as cargo holders or containment devices in the passenger cabin. They are also particularly useful to bomb squad personnel as transport devices for hazardous materials such as gunpowder, high explosives and combinations of high explosives with shrapnel, e.g., grenades and pipe bombs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a yarn having a force-displacement profile such that: (a) when the yarn is subjected to an initial stress barrier of from about 0.8 gram/denier to less than or equal to about 1.2 grams/denier, the yarn elongates to less than 5 percent and has an initial modulus in the range from about 30 grams/denier to about 80 grams/denier; (b) upon subjecting the yarn to greater than the initial stress barrier and to less than or equal to about 1.5 grams/denier, the yarn elongates further to at least about 8 percent; and (c) upon subjecting the yarn to greater than 1.5 grams/denier, the modulus increases sharply and the yarn elongates further until the yarn breaks at a tensile strength of at least about 6 grams/denier, wherein the yarn comprises a multiplicity of fibers, all of the fibers have substantially the same force-displacement profile, and are made from polymers having a glass transition temperature in the range from about −40° C. to about +70° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides load leveling and impact energy absorption webbing comprising warp yarn. If the webbing is used in seat belts, the webbing provides load leveling behavior from about 450 pounds (about 2,000 Newtons) to about 1,800 pounds (about 8,000 Newtons) in vehicle collision. The yarn has a force-displacement profile such that: (a) when the yarn is subjected to an initial barrier stress of from about 0.2 gram/denier to less than or equal to about 1.4 grams/denier, the yarn elongates to less than 3 percent and the initial modulus ranges from about 20 grams/denier to about 150 grams/denier; (b) upon subjecting the yarn to greater than the initial barrier stress and less than or equal to 1.8 grams/denier, the yarn elongates further to at least about 10 percent and the energy absorbed from 0 to the elongation at 1.8 grams/denier is at least about 0.0008 Joule/denier·meter; and (c) upon subjecting the yarn to greater than 1.

Abstract: This invention provides improved methods and compositions for achieving material coloration using particle scattering. These coloration effects can be designed to be either highly stable or dependent upon the switching effects of either temperature, integrated thermal exposure, moisture absorption, or exposure to actinic radiation. Articles employing materials with these coloration effects are described. Composition comprise a solid, light-transmitting matrix component having a non-liquid particle scattering colorant dispersed. Articles are produced wherein another solid second matrix component has an electronic transition colorant dispersed therein and the first and second compositions are disposed on one another and optionally interpenetrate each other. Colored articles are produced in the form of fibers, films and molded articles.