Abstract: A composite article comprises an article presenting a surface and a thermally expandable composition disposed on the surface of the article. The thermally expandable composition comprises (a) from about 35 to about 65 percent by weight of a polyolefin resin; (b) from about 2 to about 15 percent by weight of a thermoplastic resin; (c) from about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of a curing agent suitable for cross-linking the polyolefin resin (a); (d) from about 15 to about 45 percent by weight of filler; and (e) from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of a chemical blowing agent which is activated at an activation temperature, each based on the total weight of the thermally expandable composition. Methods of preparing and using the composite article, and an assembly formed from the composite article, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adhesive composition (“composition”) comprises an epoxy resin, a binder, and a curing agent. Typically, the composition further comprises an aqueous solvent (e.g. water) such that the composition can be referred to as an aqueous adhesive composition. The epoxy resin is typically encapsulated to prevent premature cure of the composition. After rupture of the encapsulated epoxy resin, the composition cures to form an adhesive. The composition is useful for articles such as fasteners (e.g. nuts and bolts) such that it can be referred to as a fastener adhesive. Typically, the composition is disposed on a threaded surface of the fastener. The fastener can be used for an assembly in which the composition generally cures after installation of the fastener. To make the fastener, the adhesive composition can be applied on the threaded surface. After application, the composition can be dried in instances where the composition still includes the aqueous solvent.

Abstract: A fastener comprises a threaded surface and an adhesive composition at least partially disposed on the threaded surface. The adhesive composition includes an inorganic compound comprising at least one Group 1 metal and at least one Group 13 element and/or Group 14 element. The inorganic compound is present in an amount of at least about 20 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the adhesive composition. A method of making the (coated) fastener comprises the steps of providing a fastener, providing the adhesive composition, and applying the adhesive composition to at least a portion of the threaded surface of the fastener. A method of joining adjacent elements comprises the steps of providing the adjacent elements, providing the fastener, and disposing the fastener adjacent and/or through the adjacent elements. An adhesive, formed by curing the adhesive composition, has excellent physical properties, including adhesive strength and high temperature resistance.

Abstract: A method for microencapsulating a core material, such as a blowing agent, in a single shell which has demonstrated to be challenging to microencapsulate as an individual component with a single-shell wall deposition using conventional techniques. Single-shell microcapsules of the blowing agent can be formed, minimizing steps involved in the present microencapsulation technique. Also, microcapsules formed by this method provide increased performance in end-use products, including but not limited to characteristics such as product shelf-life, ease of use, and greater expansion properties. A method of making a coating formulation including the microcapsules is further provided, as well as a fastener including the coating.

Abstract: A coating composition adapted for application on a fastener, the coating composition composed of a binder component composed of a polymeric resin present in the composition at a concentration between 1.0% and 15.0% by total composition weight, wherein the binder component is composed of at least one of a solvent dispersible compound; a reactive cross-linking component present in the composition in an amount between 1.0% and 80.0%; at least one curing agent; optionally at least one expansion agent, wherein at least one of the curing agent or the reactive cross-linking component are physically and reactively isolated from other components of the composition.

Abstract: A multi-row magnetic dial assembly that conveys work pieces, such as fasteners, includes a work piece engaging surface disposed around an outer perimeter, adjacent a first dial surface and/or adjacent a second dial surface. Multiple magnets are disposed adjacent the work piece engaging surface to exert a magnetic force on work pieces to magnetically hold them against a dial. The magnets include a first magnet and a second magnet that exert magnetic forces so that the work piece engaging surface magnetically attracts and holds first and second rows (or more) of work pieces, the first row being distal from the second row by a row separation distance. The dial can be oriented in a horizontal plane or a non-horizontal plane. Related methods of operation are also provided.

Abstract: A liquid sealant composition that can be cured by photoinitiation, heat-activated free radical initiation or both that includes an effective amount of an elastomeric acrylic polyolefin; an effective amount of a low molecular weight acrylic functional monomer component, the acrylic functional monomer component containing one or more unreacted acrylic or methacrylic double bonds, the low molecular weight acrylic functional monomer component having greater than 75% monofunctional monomers, wherein the elastomeric acrylic polyolefin is soluble in the low molecular weight acrylic functional monomer; at least one plasticizer; and at least one curing agent, the curing agent including at least one photoinitiator, at least one heat-activated free radical initiator, or a combination of at least one photoinitiator and at least one heat-activated free radical initiator.

Abstract: An enhanced anaerobic adhesive composition containing microencapsulated metal ions is disclosed. Microencapsulated metal ions, such as iron oxide, copper naphthenate, cobalt naphthenate, ferrocene, and ferrocene derivatives, act as bonding sites in the composition, such that the composition achieves more complete polymerizations in a shorter curing time. The curing properties and the cure quality are significantly improved by the inclusion of microencapsulated metal ions. The composition can be used to bond metal and plastic substrates.

Abstract: A coating composition adapted for application on a fastener, the coating composition composed of a binder component composed of a polymeric resin present in the composition at a concentration between 1.0% and 15.0% by total composition weight, wherein the binder component is composed of at least one of a solvent dispersible compound; a reactive cross-linking component present in the composition in an amount between 1.0% and 80.0%; at least one curing agent; optionally at least one expansion agent, wherein at least one of the curing agent or the reactive cross-linking component are physically and reactively isolated from other components of the composition.

Abstract: A fibrous microencapsulated washer is provided for sealing and retaining a fastener. The fibrous microencapsulated washer includes a substrate and a coating of a microencapsulated material on the substrate. The fibrous microencapsulated washer includes an aperture extending therethrough to receive a fastener, whereby a radial installation of the fastener causes the microencapsulated material to react on the substrate to form a seal and to adhesively secure the fastener to a workpiece.

Abstract: An expandable sealant is provided for a fastener including a threaded defining surface. The fastener includes the expandable sealant as a coating adhered to at least a portion of the thread-defining surface to lock the fastener in place and to expand to fill space between the thread-defining surface of the fastener and an aperture through which the fastener is passed to seal the aperture to prevent fluid and gases from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A high temperature polyamide coating and a fastener coated with a composition that includes from about 60 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of an aliphatic polyamide having a repeating unit. The composition also includes from about 3 wt. % to about 9 wt. % of an epoxy based resin having a molecular weight in the range from about 525 to about 585, from about 4 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of a ceramic microsphere material and from about 2 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of a thermoplastic methacrylate binder, from about 4 wt. % to about 12 wt. % of crushed glass, from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. % of a polyamide with a secondary amino group as a curing agent, and the balance of an epoxy based curing agent.

Abstract: An expandable sealant is provided for a fastener including a threaded defining surface. The fastener includes the expandable sealant as a coating adhered to at least a portion of the thread-defining surface to lock the fastener in place and to expand to fill space between the thread-defining surface of the fastener and an aperture through which the fastener is passed to seal the aperture to prevent fluid and gases from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A lubricating composition includes about 50 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of a blend including an olefinic resin and a wax. The lubricating composition also includes about 15 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of a fatty acid amide. The lubricating composition further includes about 10 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of a zinc salt of a fatty acid having carboxylate groups each having 8 to 24 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming sealing and/or retaining elements on a wide variety of fastening devices is provided. The fasteners are conveyed on fastener nests each having a chamber, a fastener lock and a fastener release that are moveable relative to each other. The fasteners then have material applied to them which is cured while the fasteners are in the nests on the conveyor. The fasteners with the sealing and/or retaining element formed thereon are then removed therefrom. A novel fixture for holding fasteners to be processed and an element sealing device having a fastener with a resilient sealing element adhered to a portion thereof with a depression formed therein in close proximity to a portion of the fastener is also provided.

Abstract: An adhesive system and method of making same includes a package that defines a chamber, a resin component disposed within the chamber, and a hardener component disposed within the chamber. At least one of the resin component and the hardener component includes a photo-curable ingredient and is through cured to thereby prevent chemical reaction between the resin component and the hardener component within the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming sealing and/or retaining elements on a wide variety of fastening devices is provided. The fasteners are conveyed on fastener nests each having a chamber, a fastener lock and a fastener release that are moveable relative to each other. The fasteners then have material applied to them which is cured while the fasteners are in the nests on the conveyor. The fasteners with the sealing and/or retaining element formed thereon are then removed therefrom. A novel fixture for holding fasteners to be processed and an element sealing device having a fastener with a resilient sealing element adhered to a portion thereof with a depression formed therein in close proximity to a portion of the fastener is also provided.

Abstract: A fastening element and method that utilizes a fastener or stamping which is capable of forming a fastening assembly by engagement with a self-tapping fastener is disclosed. The fastening element includes one or more indentations formed within a portion of the circumference of an unthreaded bore located within the fastening element. Each indentation has an edge that can have the same helix angle or pitch as the self-tapping fastener that it is to engage to serve as a guide to properly align the fastener within the bore. The indentations also assist formation of mating threads within the element by significantly reducing the required end load to start the tapping process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying coatings to a portion of the internal bore or threads of a fastener or similar article having an opening on at least one end is provided. A 360° coating with material is provided using centrifugal force to assist in direction the material to a desired surface, which does not require use of a pressurized air stream in order to propell the coating material toward the walls of the article desired to be coated.

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus and method feeds fine powdered coating material such as thermoplastic type material to a succession of discrete articles passing by the apparatus which includes a vibratory feeder bowl and a spiral track for delivering a substantially constant supply of powder coating material to the articles. A sensor is also used to regulate an amount of powdered coating material supplied to an auger to the vibratory feeder. The invention also provides a powder feed system that deposits an excess of powdered coating material than that required to form the coating and provides for recirculation of the powder not ultimately used to form the coating back to the powder feeding apparatus.