Abstract: A sizing composition includes a texturing agent, a film-forming agent, and organic particles dispersed therein. A glass fiber strand is formed from a plurality of individual glass fibers coated with the sizing composition. A thermoplastic composite material includes such glass fiber strands.

Abstract: A powder coated roving material for making structural parts is provided. The powder coated roving includes a bundle of fibers at least substantially coated with a powder coating material. The bundle is formed of a plurality of inner fibers and a plurality of outer fibers surrounding the inner fibers. The size composition maintains the fibers in a bundled orientation during processing and releases the fibers during molding. The size composition includes an epoxy resin emulsion containing at least one surfactant and a solid epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent weight from about 450 to about 950, at least one epoxy silane coupling agent, at least one non-ionic lubricant, at least one cationic lubricant, and at least one organic acid. In addition, the size composition may have an acetone solubility from about 30% to about 75%. A method of making a composite roving is also provided.

Abstract: A multilayer composite material is formed of an acoustic core layer and at least one outer strengthening layer. The acoustic composite material has desirable high strength and high flexural modulus properties.

Abstract: A microencapsulated curing agent for use in curing a thermosetting resin is provided. The microencapsulated curing agent includes an organic peroxide curing agent and a polyurethane resin encapsulating the organic peroxide curing agent. The microencapsulated curing agent, when heated to 100° C. for 30 minutes, exhibits a loss of weight of no greater than 10 wt. %. Additionally, when heated to 140° C. for 5 minutes, the microencapsulated curing agent exhibits a loss of weight of at least 4 wt. %.

Abstract: A device for chopping fiber strand includes a form, and a strand feeding mechanism that delivers the strand to the form and conveys the strand along the form. First and second grinding wheels may be included to cut the strand into individual segments of desired length as the strand is conveyed along the form. A method of chopping a fiber strand includes the steps of delivering a continuous strand onto a base end of a form, conveying the continuous strand along the form from the base end toward a discharge end and cutting the continuous strand into individual segments of desired length, for example using first and second grinding wheels.

Abstract: An automatic restart procedure for a system for manufacturing chopped strands. At least one strand coming from a bushing is grabbed by a gripping device. The gripping device is moved right to a drawing device, the drawing device configured to bring the strand to a drawing speed compatible with a chopping operation carried out as the strand passes between an anvil wheel and a chopper wheel of a chopping machine. The path of the strand between the bushing and the drawing device is modified using a transfer device, the transfer device configured to pass the strand between the anvil wheel and the chopper wheel using an engagement device, or to be moved away from the chopper wheel and the anvil wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing continuous glass filaments by spinning molten glass through nozzles of a bushing and cooling the thus-spun filaments with fins joined to one or more cooled manifolds and arranged in a proximity of the nozzles. Each manifold is provided at at least three locations thereof with at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port for coolant, respectively, with a proviso that the total number of the inlet and outlet ports is the same as the number of the locations of the manifold. Without using a complex construction, this invention makes it possible to provide the fins with improved durability and to produce the glass filaments with improved quality. In particular, the present invention can be applied to large bushings each of which is equipped with a number of nozzles.

Abstract: A curing agent for unsaturated polyester resins is made by microencapsulating an organic peroxide curing agent in a polyurethane protective coating or shell.

Abstract: A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers is disclosed herein. The process includes the step of enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber. The process also includes the step of surrounding the muffler preform with steam. The process also includes the step of causing steam to enter the muffler preform from multiple directions.

Abstract: A multilayer composite material is formed of an acoustic core layer and at least one outer strengthening layer. The acoustic composite material has desirable high strength and high flexural modulus properties.

Abstract: A fiberglass reinforced composite is provided with improved physical properties. The fiberglass reinforced composite incorporates core-shell rubber nanoparticles within the resinous binder of the composite and/or within a sizing composition coated directly onto the individual glass fibers.

Abstract: The automatic strand take-up installation comprises at least one gripping member (12) for taking hold of at least one strand coming from a bushing (2), the gripping member being guided by a single conveying loop (1) to the vicinity of a chopper (7). One system for maneuvering the gripping member allows the gripping member (12) to be opened and closed in such a way as to release said strand at the chopper (7).

Abstract: A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers is disclosed herein. The process includes the step of enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber. The process also includes the step of surrounding the muffler preform with steam. The process also includes the step of causing steam to enter the muffler preform from multiple directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for reinforcing strands, characterized in that it includes at least one additive capable of acting at the strands/matrix interface so as to improve the fire resistance of the strands/matrix composite, and it also relates to the strands and composites obtained.

Abstract: A glass composition including SiO2 in an amount from 74.5 to 80.0% by weight, AI2O3 in an amount from 5.0 to 9.5%>> by weight, MgO in an amount from 8.75 to 14.75% by weight, CaO in an amount from 0.0 to 3.0% by weight, Li2O in an amount from 2.0 to 3.25% by weight, Na2O in an amount from 0.0 to 2.0% by weight is provided. Glass fibers formed from the inventive composition may be used in applications that require high strength, high stiffness, and low weight. Such applications include woven fabrics for use in forming wind blades, armor plating, and aerospace structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemically resistant glass composition for the production of reinforcing strands which comprises the following constituents within the limits defined below, expressed in mol %: SiO2 67-72%; ZrO2 5-9.5%, preferably ?7.5%; R2O (R?Na, K and Li) 11-17%; Li2O 0-5.5%; K2O 0-5.5%; Na2O<10%; and CaO 3-9%, the composition furthermore containing less 1% of impurities (Al2O3, Fe2O3, Cr2O3, TiO2, MgO, SrO, BaO and P2O5) and being free of F. It also relates to the glass strands obtained from this composition and to the composites based on an organic or inorganic material containing such strands.

Abstract: A nozzle for delivering texturized fibrous material into a chamber of a muffler has a body including a texturized fibrous material passageway and a separate directional jet passageway. A method of filling a chamber of a muffler with texturized fibrous material includes the steps of extending a wand into the muffler so that a nozzle on the wand is received in the chamber, discharging a stream of texturized fibrous material into the chamber from a first passageway of the nozzle and discharging a directional jet into the stream of texturized fibrous material from a second passageway of a nozzle whereby the stream of texturized fibrous material is redirected into a desired filling direction to more efficiently fill the chamber.

Abstract: Glass batch compositions for the formation of high-modulus, and high-strength glass fibers as well as fibers suitable for use as textile and reinforcements are disclosed. Fibers formed of the composition are especially suitable for use in high-strength, low-weight applications such as windmill blades and high strength and modulus applications where strength and stiffness are required in the composite. The glass composition is up to about 70.5 weight % SiO2, about 24.5 weight % Al2O3, about 22 weight % alkaline earth oxides and may include small amounts of alkali metal oxides and ZrO2. Additionally, glass fibers formed from the inventive composition are non-corrosive or substantially non-corrosive in nature. Due to the non-corrosive nature of the glass fibers, glass fibers made with the inventive composition may be used in applications where the glass fibers or a composite formed from the glass fibers are in contact with a corrosive substance.

Abstract: Glass batch compositions for the formation of high-modulus, and high-strength glass fibers as well as fibers suitable for use as textile and reinforcements are disclosed. Fibers formed of the composition are especially suitable for use in high-strength, low-weight applications such as windmill blades and high strength and modulus applications where strength and stiffness are required in the composite. The glass composition is up to about 70.5 weight % SiO2, about 24.5 weight % Al2O3, about 22 weight % alkaline earth oxides and may include small amounts of alkali metal oxides and ZrO2. Fiberglass-reinforced composite articles such as windmill blades are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemically resistant glass composition for the production of reinforcing strands which comprises the following constituents within the limits defined below, expressed in mol %: SiO2 67-72%; ZrO2 5-9.5%, preferably ?7.5%; R2O (R=Na, K and Li) 11-17%; Li2O 0-5.5%; K2O 0-5.5%; Na2O<10%; and CaO 3-9%, the composition furthermore containing less 1% of impurities (Al2O3, Fe2O3, Cr2O3, TiO2, MgO, SrO, BaO and P2O5) and being free of F. It also relates to the glass strands obtained from this composition and to the composites based on an organic or inorganic material containing such strands.