Abstract: Provided is a polymer blend composition comprising high density polyethylene, a propylene polymer having rubber dispersed therein, and a propylene/ethylene copolymer. In one embodiment, there is provided a polymer blend composition comprising from 20 to 55 weight percent of the high density polyethylene, from 20 to 55 weight percent of a propylene polymer having from 10-60% crystallinity, and a propylene/ethylene copolymer comprising the remainder of the composition.

Abstract: Materials and methods for mitigating passive intermodulation. A membrane for reducing passive intermodulation includes a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a continuous metal layer encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. A self-adhesive radio frequency barrier tape includes a waterproof polymeric top layer, a metal-containing layer adhered by an adhesive layer to the polymeric top layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the metal-containing layer, and a release liner on a bottom surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A method of mitigating passive intermodulation includes passing a probe over an area of interest, the probe being sensitive to an intermodulation frequency of interest, and identifying a suspected source of passive intermodulation when the amplitude of the probe output exceeds a threshold at the frequency of interest.

Abstract: A curable formaldehyde-free binding composition for use with fiberglass is provided. Such curable composition comprises an addition product of an amine and a reactant to form an amino-amide intermediate. To the amino-amide is added an aldehyde or ketone to form the curable binder composition. The composition when applied to fiberglass is cured to form a water-insoluble binder which exhibits good adhesion to glass. In a preferred embodiment the composition when applied to fiberglass provides a sufficient blackness required in facer products.

Abstract: A system comprising a protective jacket for insulating pipe is provided. The protective jacket comprises a first metal shell comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface comprises a moisture protective coating, and the exterior surface comprises a film adhered to the exterior surface by an adhesive, and wherein the adhesive provides for a toolless removal of the film.

Abstract: Fiber-containing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepregs are described that include a first and second plurality of fibers. The second plurality of fibers is made from a different material than the first plurality of fibers. The PMMA prepregs also contain a polymerized resin that includes polymethyl methacrylate that has been formed from a reactive resin composition that includes methyl methacrylate. Methods of making fiber-containing PMMA prepregs are also described.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composite sheet may be composed of a polymer material matrix and a lightweight material that is disposed throughout the polymer material matrix. The polymer material matrix may extend continuously throughout a length, width, and thickness of the thermoplastic composite sheet. The polymer material matrix may be a fully polymerized thermoplastic material. The lightweight material may be fully saturated by the thermoplastic material of the polymer material matrix. The thermoplastic composite sheet may include between 50 and 99 weight percent of the thermoplastic material and between 1 and 50 weight percent of the lightweight material. The thermoplastic composite sheet may be free of reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A method for producing laminate composite materials, as well as the laminate composite materials produced by this method and their use are described. The laminate composite materials are sandwich-like in construction and based on halogenated polymers and comprise a first laminar structure formed from halogenated polymer and a second laminar structure formed from halogenated polymer as well as at least one textile mat structure based on inorganic fibres, which is disposed between the first and the second laminar structure. The textile mat structure based on inorganic fibres comprises regions with high air permeability and regions with low air permeability, through which the two laminar structures formed from halogenated polymer are monolithically bonded together.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an insulation packaging system. The insulation packaging system includes a plurality of insulation packages with first ends and second ends. The plurality of insulation packages defining an axis. A first film wraps around the axis to compress and couple the plurality of insulation packages together, while a second film wraps around the first and second ends of the plurality of insulation packages. The first and second films are different films.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyisocyanurate foam board includes providing a polyol and adding an isocyanate to the polyol to form a polyisocyanurate foam. A first inner surface of a first facer material is treated with a first flow of hydroxyl containing molecules. A second inner surface of a second facer material is treated with a second flow of hydroxyl containing molecules. The polyisocyanurate foam is coupled to the first treated inner surface and the second treated inner surface such that the polyisocyanurate is sandwiched between the first facer material and the second facer material, thereby exposing opposing outer surfaces of the polyisocyanurate foam to the hydroxyl containing molecules. A density of a medial portion of the polyisocyanurate foam is greater than a density of the polyisocyanurate at the opposing outer surfaces.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a plate or electrode for a lead-acid battery includes a grid of lead alloy material, a paste of active material applied to the grid of lead alloy material, and a nonwoven fiber mat disposed at least partially within the paste of active material. The nonwoven fiber mat includes a plurality of fibers, a binder material that couples the plurality of fibers together, and a conductive material disposed at least partially within the nonwoven fiber mat so as to contact the paste of active material. In some embodiments, the nonwoven fiber mat may have an electrical resistant of less than about 100,000 ohms per square to enable electron flow on a surface of the nonwoven fiber mat.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for enhancing electron flow within a battery, such as a lead-acid battery. In one embodiment, a battery separator may include a conductive surface or layer upon which electrons may flow. The battery separator may include a fiber mat that includes a plurality of electrically insulative fibers. The battery separator may be positioned between electrodes of the battery to electrically insulate the electrodes. The battery separator may also include a conductive material disposed on at least one surface of the fiber mat. The conductive material may contact an electrode of the battery and may have an electrical conductivity that enables electron flow on the surface of the fiber mat.

Abstract: Fiber-containing composites are described that include woven or non-woven fibers, and a binder that holds the fibers together. The binder may include the reaction product of a starch and a polycarboxylic acid. The starch has a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 1×107 Daltons. The fiber-containing composite has an unaged tensile strength of greater than 4.0 and an aged tensile strength greater than 3.0. Also described are methods of making the fiber-containing composites. The methods may include applying a binder composition to fibers to form coated fibers, measuring a moisture content of the coated fibers, and curing the coated fibers in a curing oven to form the fiber-containing composite. The binder composition may include a starch having a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 1×107 Daltons, and a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Formaldehyde-free binder compositions are described that include an aldehyde or ketone, a reaction product between a polyamine and an organic anhydride, and an acidic compound. The acidic compound may be an organic acid, an acidic catalyst, or both. The acidic compound is supplied in quantities that lower the pH of the binder composition to about 5 or less. The binder compositions may be used in methods of binding fiberglass and the resulting fiberglass products have an improved tensile strength due to the addition of the acidic compound.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonwoven fiber mat for reinforcing a plate or electrode of a lead-acid battery includes a plurality of glass fibers and an acid resistant binder that couples the plurality of glass fibers together. The nonwoven fiber mat also includes a wetting component that is applied to the glass fibers and/or nonwoven fiber mat to increase the wettability of the nonwoven fiber mat such that the nonwoven fiber mat exhibits an average water wick height of at least 0.5 cm after exposure to water for 10 minutes conducted according to method ISO8787. The wetting component may be dissolvable in an acid solution of the lead-acid battery such that a significant portion of the nonwoven fiber mat is lost due to dissolving of the wetting component.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of making a fiber-reinforced composite. Glass fibers may be provided. These glass fibers may be treated with a sizing composition that has a coupling-activator compound with the formula: S—X-(A)n, where S represents a silicon-containing coupling moiety capable of bonding to the surface of glass fibers, X represents a linking moiety, and (A)n, represents one or more polymerization activator moieties. The treated glass fibers may be combined with a resin to make a fiber-resin mixture. The resin may have a monomer, a catalyst, and an activator compound capable of initiating a polymerization of the monomer. The monomer may be a lactam or lactone having 3-12 carbon atoms in the main ring. The fiber-resin mixture may then be cured so that the monomer polymerizes to form a thermoplastic polymer matrix of the fiber-reinforced composite. The thermoplastic polymer matrix may be formed by in situ polymerization initiated from both the surface of the glass fibers and the resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new binder composition which is particularly suitable for the manufacture of composite materials utilizing such new binder composition in the required nonwoven materials. Composite materials using such new binder composition in their nonwoven part are suitable, in particular, for composites materials for interior construction, for linings, floor coverings, and for the manufacture of furniture and similar products.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery electrode including a tubular bag. The tubular bag includes a textile fabric, wherein the textile fabric includes a consolidated binder with thermoplastic properties and at least one electrically conductive additive.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of applying loose-fill insulation within a cavity is provided. The method includes blowing loose-fill insulation particles into a cavity of a structure to install the loose-fill insulation within the cavity and thereby insulate the structure. The method also includes applying water (e.g., water mist) to the loose-fill insulation particles so that a moisture content of the installed loose-fill insulation is between about 2% and 20%. The water aids in retaining the loose-fill insulation particles within the cavity without requiring the use of an enclosure member that encloses the cavity and the loose-fill insulation is substantially free of a water soluble adhesive material that adheres the loose-fill insulation particles together within the cavity.

Abstract: Combustion burner panels, submerged combustion melters including one or more of the panels, and methods of using the same are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the burner panel includes a panel body having a first major surface defined by a lower fluid-cooled portion of the panel body, and a second major surface defined by an upper non-fluid cooled portion of the panel body. The panel body has at least one through passage extending from the first to the second major surface, the through passages accommodating a set of substantially concentric inner and outer conduits. The inner conduit forms a primary passage for fuel or oxidant, and the outer conduit forms a secondary passage between the outer conduit and the inner conduit for fuel or oxidant. A protective member is associated with each set. The burner panels promote burner life and melter campaign length.

Abstract: A rooftop equipment attachment system includes a rooftop having a roof deck, an insulation layer positioned atop the roof deck, a plurality of metallic roof plates that secure the insulation layer to the roof deck, and a roofing membrane secured atop the insulation layer. The roofing membrane covers the plurality of metallic roof plates. The system includes a frame for supporting rooftop equipment. The frame includes a plurality of mounting supports that are positionable atop the rooftop at positions that are above at least a portion of the plurality of metallic roof plates. The plurality of mounting supports are configured to support the frame and any rooftop equipment mounted thereon. Each of the plurality of mounting supports includes a magnetic element that is configured to secure a particular one of the plurality of mounting supports with a particular one of the plurality of metallic roof plates.