Abstract: A coating composition and a method of making a coating composition is provided. The coating composition includes: a) a binder system comprising a mixture of a caramelized carbohydrate component, an inorganic colloidal binder, and an adjuvant; and b) a protective agent. The coating composition is useful for protecting articles from corrosion and/or erosion caused by contact with molten metal.

Abstract: A method of making a refractory article is provided. The method includes: a) mixing a binder system, a refractory charge, and a second colloidal binder to form an aqueous slurry; b) casting the aqueous slurry into a mold; c) subjecting the mold containing the aqueous slurry to a temperature that is lower than a slurry casting temperature for a time sufficient to form a green strength article; and d) firing the green strength article at a temperature of at least 450° C. for a time sufficient to achieve thermal homogeneity, thereby forming a refractory article. Refractory articles made in accordance with the method have a unique combination of pore structure and mechanical properties.

Abstract: Polymeric coated optical elements are described herein, which exhibit good optical properties, e.g., low attenuation. Some such coated optical elements comprise an optical element (e.g., an optical fiber) having an outer surface and a thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical element, wherein the polymer-coated optical element exhibits a first attenuation at room temperature of plus or minus about 50% the attenuation of a comparable optical element with no thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating thereon, and a second attenuation at room temperature after thermal cycling to a temperature of at least 170° C. that is about 2 times the first attenuation or less.

Abstract: Methods for preparing oriented polymer tubes, such as biodegradable polymer tubes suitable for in vivo use, are provided herein. The disclosed methods provide alternatives to the typical extrusion/expansion methods by which oriented polymeric tubes for such uses are commonly produced. Advantageously, the disclosed methods can provide more homogeneous molecular orientation of crystallizable polymers within the tube walls, which can endow such polymeric tubes with enhanced strength (e.g., resistance to compression) and toughness.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides insulated electrical conductors, e.g., wires, and methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors to combat partial discharge by enhancing bond strength between the electrical conductor and a base insulating thermoplastic layer (e.g., including a PAEK). Such insulated electrical conductors can include: an electrical conductor; an insulating coating on at least a portion of a surface of the electrical conductor; and an oxide layer between the electrical conductor and the insulating coating. Methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors can involve extrusion of an insulating polymer onto the electrical conductor under ambient atmosphere and a subsequent heat treatment step, which can also be conducted under ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A Gatling gun with a magazine feed mechanism for use with a spring-loaded magazine. The magazine feed mechanism is configured to transfer spring-loaded rounds from the magazine into successive chambers of the plurality of chambers in the Gatling gun. The magazine feed mechanism chambers rounds from the spring-loaded magazine as the gun's bolt carrier rotates during firing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides catheters comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tubes with advantageous combinations of strength, flexibility, and size. Such tubes can exhibit features including an average wall thickness of 0.001? or less, a tensile stress at break of greater than 5000 psi, and a storage modulus of less than 100,000 psi at 37° C. These tubes can be also be provided independently (i.e., not within a catheter) and can be employed in various applications.

Abstract: A method for preparing blends of at least two polymer components is described herein. The disclosed method generally involves controlling relative molecular weights and ratios of the two or more polymer components by selecting a first initiator, a second initiator, and a monomer, and subjecting the reactants to conditions suitable to polymerize the monomer based at least in part on the first and second initiators in connection with obtaining the polymeric blend. The second initiator is advantageously selected based on one or more characteristics associated therewith, based on a characteristic of the first initiator. A polymeric blend produced according to such a method is also provided herein.

Abstract: A heat shrink tubing, which can be readily peeled in the longitudinal direction after use (e.g., to remove the heat shrink tubing from an underlying material) is provided herein. The heat shrink tubing can be of various compositions, and generally is produced from at least one fluorinated, copolyrneric resin. The tubing can exhibit desirable physical properties such as good optical clarity (e.g., translucency or transparency) and/or peelability, exhibiting one or more of complete, straight, and even peeling along a given length of tubing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides composite prosthetic devices including two or more layers of electrospun polymers and methods of preparation thereof. In some embodiments, the two or more layers can be porous and in other embodiments, one or more components is nonporous. The composite prosthetic devices can include various materials and the properties of the prosthetic devices can be tailored for use in a range of different applications.

Abstract: A control pin for controlling the flow of molten metal through a down spout in a casting process is provided. The control pin comprises a body having an elongated shape, a lower portion insertable in the down spout, and a terminal end, opposite the lower portion. The body includes a central core, preferably a hollow tube or a rod of alumina or mullite; a heating element disposed around the central core, and an intermediate layer surrounding the central core and encasing the heating element, the intermediate layer being made of a solidified ceramic putty. Finally, an outer shell, preferably made of woven fiber reinforcing fabric in a matrix of ceramic, surrounds the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A heat shrink tubing, which can be readily peeled in the longitudinal direction after use (e.g., to remove the heat shrink tubing from an underlying material) is provided herein. The heat shrink tubing can be of various compositions, and generally is produced from at least one fluorinated, copolymeric resin. The tubing can exhibit desirable physical properties such as good optical clarity (e.g., translucency or transparency) and/or peelability, exhibiting one or more of complete, straight, and even peeling along a given length of tubing.

Abstract: An improved process for forming a PTFE mat is described. The process includes providing a dispersion with PTFE, a fiberizing polymer and a solvent wherein said dispersion has a viscosity of at least 50,000 cP. An apparatus is provided which comprises a charge source and a target a distance from the charge source. A voltage source is provided which creates a first charge at the charge source and an opposing charge at the target. The dispersion is electrostatically charged by contact with the charge source. The electrostatically charged dispersion is collected on the target to form a mat precursor which is heated to remove the solvent and the fiberizing polymer thereby forming the PTFE mat.

Abstract: A fastener system is provided. The fastener system includes a pair of nuts having a beveled end and opposed flats, a nut housing having a cavity, the cavity including an end wall with an aperture and a tapered interior portion to engage the beveled end, and opposing internal flats to engage the nut flats, a resilient member to urge the beveled ends against the tapered portion; and retaining element. The nuts may include tapered thread edges to accommodate damaged male threads, or cutting thread edges to repair damaged male threads.

Abstract: A thread repair assembly is provided. The thread repair assembly comprises a cutting-nut housing including a first axial end, a second axial end and an internal cutting-nut interface, the first and second axial ends each having an opening. The thread repair assembly further includes a cutting nut at least partially enclosed by the cutting-nut housing and including a plurality of cutting threads configured to engage a threaded element when the assembly is urged in a first axial direction and disengage the threaded element when the thread repair assembly is urged in a second axial direction opposing the first axial direction.

Abstract: A heat shrink tubing, which can be readily peeled in the longitudinal direction after use (e.g., to remove the heat shrink tubing from an underlying material) is provided herein. The heat shrink tubing can be of various compositions, and generally is produced from at least one fluorinated, copolymeric resin. The tubing can exhibit desirable physical properties such as good optical clarity (e.g., translucency or transparency) and/or peelability, exhibiting one or more of complete, straight, and even peeling along a given length of tubing.

Abstract: A drum truck for handling a drum has a base. A wheel assembly is removably attached to the base. A post is removably attached to the base. The post has a handle. A breakover member is removably and operatively coupled to the base. The breakover member is configured to allow application of a foot pressure to break over the drum truck from a standing vertical position to an angled position. At least one pair of toes is removably attached to the base and configured to support the drum. A drum restraint is removably attached to the post and configured to releasably secure the drum to the post.

Abstract: An adjustable lift truck having a frame with a first end and an opposing second end. The frame defines a longitudinal axis that extends from the first end to the second end. A pair of transport wheels are rotatably mounted to the frame proximate the first end. A pair of laterally spaced-apart outriggers extend generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the frame. Each outrigger is located proximate the first end of the frame, and includes a first end pivotally attached to the frame and an opposing free second end.

Abstract: A drum truck for handling a drum has a base. A wheel assembly is removably attached to the base. A post is removably attached to the base. The post has a handle. A breakover member is removably and operatively coupled to the base. The breakover member is configured to allow application of a foot pressure to break over the drum truck from a standing vertical position to an angled position. At least one pair of toes is removably attached to the base and configured to support the drum. A drum restraint is removably attached to the post and configured to releasably secure the drum to the post.