Abstract: A processing roll has a release layer that includes a porous rigid layer and polymer composite. The porous rigid layer may be a thermally sprayed metal that has discrete metal portions or a network of contiguous metal portions. Discrete metal from a flame sprayer may attached to each other on a contact surface to form the rigid layer. The polymer composite at least partially fills the spaces between the metal portions. The polymer composite may comprise a particulate filler, such as silica or glass beads. The release layer has good durability as the exposed surface contains both a portion that is the rigid material and a portion that is the polymer composite. This configuration enables very high release and long term durability even as the release layer wears.

Abstract: A continuous heat-shrink tubing process is described having an expansion element disposed with the tubing and a position maintenance feature to keep the expansion element in a desired location. The expansion element may be maintained in a position by pressurized fluid trapped within the tubing between the expansion element and pinch rollers. The pinch roller may be moved to reduce the volume within the section of tubing between the pinch roller nip and the expansion element, and thereby increase the pressure of the trapped fluid. In another embodiment, the expansion element may be held in place by an extruder connector. In yet another embodiment, the expansion element incorporates a magnetic component, or has at least one magnet, or magnetic metals and one or more magnets are configured to maintain an expansion element position through attractive or repulsive magnetic forces.

Abstract: A marine deck structure for rope contact having an impermeable cover for the purpose of preventing chaffing and wear of ropes is disclosed. Provided is a marine deck structure, such as a bullnose, or H-Bit covered with a durable impermeable cover that protects the structure from the harsh elements and provides a smooth low abrading surface. In another embodiment, rope chaffing surfaces on a marine vessel or dock are covered with an impermeable cover to reduce rope wear. The impermeable cover in one embodiment comprises ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). A number of ways of covering the marine deck structures are provided, such as positioning cover sheets around or on the support member and attaching the cover by, for example, welding, adhering, or thermally shrinking.

Abstract: The present relates to the heat shrinkable thermoplastic materials which are used as roll covers. The heat shrinkable materials used for the roll covers include only ultra high melt viscosity polymers, having a melt viscosity too high for conventional melt processing, such as TFM and UHMWPE, rather than the conventional FEP or PFA.