Abstract: A composition is disclosed having: a first component of one or more of: (a) an ethylene octene rubber; (b) an ethylene butene rubber; and/or (c) a hydrogenated styrenic thermoplastic elastomer; and a second component of: (d) a surface modified nanoclay. Related articles, compositions and methods are also described.

Abstract: A polypropylene composite that includes 50 to 75 weight percent of polypropylene resin based on the weight of the polypropylene composite. The polypropylene resin has a melt flow rate of from 20 to 300 at 230° centigrade under a 2.16 kilogram load. The polypropylene composite also includes from 5 to 15 weight percent based on the weight of the polypropylene composite of ethylene-alpha-olefin diene copolymer rubber. The ethylene-alpha-olefin diene copolymer rubber has a melt flow rate of less than 0.4 at 230° centigrade under a 2.16 kilogram load. Also included is from 5 to 15 weight percent of an ethylene-alpha-octene copolymer rubber having a melt flow rate of from 0.5 to 20 at 230° centigrade under a 2.16 kilogram load Also a ratio of ethylene-alpha-olefin diene copolymer rubber divided by a total content of ethylene-alpha-olefin diene copolymer rubber and ethylene-alpha-octene copolymer rubber is 0.35-0.45.

Abstract: A compound is described including one or more polymer (A) selected from propylene-ethylene block copolymers (A1), propylene homopolymers (A2) and a combination of copolymers (A1) and/or homopolymers (A2), at 30% to 90% by weight; one or more copolymer (B) selected from ethylene-alpha-olefin random copolymers (B1), hydrogenated styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers (B2), ethylene-alpha-olefin block copolymers (B3), and a combination of two or more of copolymers (B1), copolymers (B2), and/or optional copolymers (B3), at 0% to 50% by weight; one or more mineral filler (C) at 0% to 30% by weight; one or more surface modifier (D) at 0% to 5% by weight; one or more additive (E) at 0% to 5% by weight; and one or more colorant (F) at 0% to 10% by weight. Associated articles and methods are also described.

Abstract: A compound is described including one or more polymer (A) selected from propylene-ethylene block copolymers (A1), propylene homopolymers (A2) and a combination of copolymers (A1) and/or homopolymers (A2), at 30% to 90% by weight; one or more copolymer (B) selected from ethylene-alpha-olefin random copolymers (B1), hydrogenated styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers (B2) and a combination of two or more of copolymers (B1) and/or copolymers (B2), at 0% to 50% by weight; one or more mineral filler (C) at 0% to 30% by weight; one or more surface modifier (D) at 0% to 5% by weight; one or more additive (E) at 0% to 5% by weight; and one or more colorant (F) at 0% to 10% by weight. Associated articles and methods are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypropylene compositions, methods of preparing the polypropylene compositions, and methods of producing molded or extruded articles of the polypropylene composition. In one embodiment, the polypropylene composition contains: (a) about 60 to about 65 wt. % of a polypropylene resin; (b) about 10 to about 15 wt. % of an ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer rubber; (c) about 20 to about 25 wt. % talc; (d) about 0.5 to about 3.0 wt. % of a grafted polypropylene resin; (e) about 0.2 to about 0.5 wt. % of an unsaturated fatty acid amide; and (f) about 0.2 to about 0.5 wt. % scratch-resistant agent, all based on the weight of the polypropylene composition. The scratch-resistant agent contains about 30 to about 50 wt. % of an ethylene vinyl acetate, and about 50 to about 70 wt. % of an aliphatic petroleum resin, based on the weight of the scratch-resistant agent. In another aspect, the invention relates to a process for preparing the polypropylene composition described above.

Abstract: The invention provides for oxidatively resistant surface coated carbon/carbon composites and other graphite-like material, a method for the preparation of these materials, and their use in high temperature applications, preferably in brake for airplanes. The surface coated carbon/carbon composite or graphite-like material, which is resistant to oxidation at high temperatures comprises a fiber-reinforced carbon/carbon composite or graphite having a First Coating (A) of silicon and/or silicon carbide, and a Second Coating (B) comprising a material containing phosphorus chemically bound to oxygen which is chemically bound to silicon.

Abstract: A net shape filament winding manufacturing process and resulting products are disclosed. The manufacture of bicycle frame and their components from filament wound components which have been cut from a section of filament wound stock is disclosed. Also disclosed is a bicycle frame and its manufacturing process and a composite bicycle fork and components thereof.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing elongate articles such as baseball bats, paddles, oars, hockey sticks, generic tubing and other articles and articles including molded material molded about a preform. The preferred method includes manufacturing a filament wound preform and reaction injection molding material about the preform to result in a finished article. The preferred baseball bat includes an elongate filament wound preform about which a quantity of urethane foam is molded.

Abstract: A high production net shape filament winding manufacturing process and resulting products are disclosed. The manufacture of bicycle frame and their components from filament wound components which have been cut from a section of filament wound stock is disclosed. Also disclosed is a bicycle frame and its manufacturing process and a composite bicycle fork and components thereof.

Abstract: A bicycle seat post clamp assembly including a seat post tube, a saddle, a top clamp, a bottom clamp and a fastener. The seat post clamp assembly may be offset or centered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat post tube. The seat post assembly permit forward and rearward sliding adjustment of a seat, and angular adjustment of a seat with respect to the seat post tube. The seat post assembly accommodates assembly, disassembly and adjustment with or without the use of tools.

Abstract: A fork for use on a vehicle, such as a bicycle. The fork includes a steer tube, a crown and two fork legs. The steer tube includes a cylindrical main body portion, an upper insert portion intended for attachment to a handlebar-holding mechanism, and an inner reinforcing sleeve that adds strength to the steer tube. The main body of the steer tube and the fork legs are manufactured from resin and filament in order to yield a very high strength, lightweight and shock-absorbing fork.

Abstract: A universal pin ring for use in securing filament in a stationary position with respect to a mandrel during a filament winding process is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the universal pin ring has two rows of pins along its length. The pins of the first row are adapted to serve as anchor pins to secure filament in a stationary position with respect to a mandrel. The pins of the second row are adapted to serve as guide pins to cause filament to quickly conform to the contour of a mandrel after turning of the filament during filament winding, thereby minimizing the size of the turnaround area. In some applications, both rows of pins would serve to anchor filament. In other applications the guide pins serve both to guide filament and to anchor filament that has slipped from an anchor pin. Reinforcing ribs and flex grooves on the universal pin ring are also disclosed.