Abstract: Methods for treating a substrate are disclosed. The substrate is deoxidized and then immersed in an electrodepositable pretreatment composition comprising a lanthanide series element and/or a Group IIIB metal, an oxidizing agent, and a metal-complexing agent to deposit a coating from the electrodepositable pretreatment composition onto a surface of the substrate. Optionally, the electrodepositable pretreatment composition may comprise a surfactant. A coating from a spontaneously depositable pretreatment composition comprising a Group IIIB and/or Group IVB metal may be deposited on the substrate surface prior to electrodepositing a coating from the electrodepositable pretreatment composition. Following electrodeposition of the electrodepositable pretreatment composition, the substrate optionally may be contacted with a sealing composition comprising phosphate and a Group IIIB and/or IVB metal. Substrates treated according to the methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: Loading systems for adhesives and sealants are disclosed in which flexible sealant/adhesive-containing cartridges may be loaded through the front end of a retainer into a sleeve for dispensing, and then removed from the front end of the retainer when the cartridges are spent.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing poly(alkenyl) ethers can be incorporated into the backbone of polythioether prepolymers and can be used as curing agents in thiol-terminated polythioether prepolymer compositions. Cured sealants prepared using compositions containing sulfur-containing poly(alkenyl) ether-containing polythioether prepolymers and/or sulfur-containing poly(alkenyl) ether curing agents exhibit improved physical properties suitable for use in aerospace sealant applications.

Abstract: Luminescent tools for applying or removing sealants and adhesives are disclosed. The tools may be provided in the form of spatulas, scrapers, spreaders, smoothers and the like having surfaces that contact the sealant or adhesive material during application or removal. The tools or components thereof are made of load-bearing polymeric materials including a luminescent material. The luminescent tools may be seen and recovered when used in dark environments, such as during aircraft fabrication operations.

Abstract: Charge processes and systems are provided for charging a supercapacitor. The charging includes: charging a supercapacitor by applying a constant charge to the supercapacitor; and controlling termination of the constant charging of the supercapacitor. In one approach, the controlling termination includes dynamically determining, during the charging, a remaining charge time for the constant charging to substantially fully charge the supercapacitor; and allowing the charging to continue for the remaining charge time, and based on expiration of the remaining charge time, terminating the charging.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating a substrate. The surface is contacted with a sealing composition comprising a lithium cation; and optionally, with conversion composition comprising a cation of a lanthanide, a Group IIIB, and/or a Group IVB metal. The conversion composition is applied to provide a film on the substrate surface resulting in a level of the lanthanide, Group IIIB metal, and/or Group IV metal thereon of at least 100 counts greater than on a surface of a substrate that does not have the film thereon as measured by X-ray fluorescence (measured using X-Met 7500, Oxford Instruments; operating parameters 60 second timed assay, 15 Kv, 45 ?A, filter 3, T(p)=1.5 ?s for lanthanides, Group IIIB metals, and Group IVB metals except zirconium; operating parameters 60 second timed assay, 40 Kv, 10 ?A, filter 4, T(p)=1.5 ?s for zirconium). A substrate obtainable by the methods also is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for treating a substrate are disclosed. The substrate is deoxidized and then immersed in an electrodepositable pretreatment composition comprising a lanthanide series element and/or a Group IIIB metal, an oxidizing agent, and a metal-complexing agent to deposit a coating from the electrodepositable pretreatment composition onto a surface of the substrate. Optionally, the electrodepositable pretreatment composition may comprise a surfactant. A coating from a spontaneously depositable pretreatment composition comprising a Group IIIB and/or Group IVB metal may be deposited on the substrate surface prior to electrodepositing a coating from the electrodepositable pretreatment composition. Following electrodeposition of the electrodepositable pretreatment composition, the substrate optionally may be contacted with a sealing composition comprising phosphate and a Group IIIB and/or IVB metal. Substrates treated according to the methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for application to a metal substrate comprises a sol-gel or a silane and a corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibitor comprises a lithium ion and/or an azole compound. A coated substrate includes the composition for application to a metal substrate and a coating on the composition. A method of fabricating a coated substrate comprises applying the composition to a substrate, curing the composition to form a conversion coating, and applying a coating on the conversion coating.

Abstract: Urethane/urea-containing bis(alkenyl) ethers can be incorporated into the backbone of polythioether prepolymers and can be used as curing agents in thiol-terminated polythioether prepolymer compositions. Cured sealants prepared using compositions containing urethane/urea-containing bis(alkenyl) ether-containing polythioether prepolymers and/or urethane/urea-containing bis(alkenyl) ether curing agents exhibit improved physical properties suitable for use in aerospace sealant applications.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polymer material lid or cover for a utility vault made from an unsaturated polyester thermosetting resin matrix, glass fiber reinforcement, an inorganic filler and an ultraviolet inhibitor. The lid or cover has a flat textured upper surface having a plurality of bosses having different heights extending above the upper surface and a bottom surface having an outer perimeter rim with a recessed interior cavity having a number of continuous support ribs extending through the recessed interior cavity from opposite sides of the outer perimeter of the rim to transfer load placed on the lid or cover and minimize deflection under the load to the outer perimeter rim.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing polymeric particles having a high sulfur content can be prepared using emulsion polymerization. The sulfur-containing polymeric particles are useful in aerospace coatings and sealants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a treatment composition. A lithium cation and carbon dioxide are combined in an aqueous medium to form the treatment composition comprising lithium carbonate in situ. Also disclosed is a system and method for maintaining a treatment bath formed from a treatment composition comprising lithium carbonate. Carbon dioxide and/or a lithium salt are supplied to the bath in an amount sufficient to maintain the pH of the treatment bath at 9.5 to 12.5, lithium in an amount of 5 ppm to 5,500 ppm (calculated as lithium cation) and carbonate in an amount of 15 ppm to 25,000 ppm (calculated as carbonate) based on total weight of the treatment bath. Substrates treated with the composition, system and method also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conversion composition containing a trivalent chromium cation in an amount of 0.001 g/L to 20 g/L. Also disclosed is a system for treating a metal substrate that includes the conversion composition and a sealing composition comprising a lithium cation. Also disclosed is a method for treating a metal substrate that includes contacting at least a portion of a surface of the substrate with the conversion composition and then contacting at least a portion of the surface of the substrate with the sealing composition. Also disclosed is a substrate obtainable by treatment with the system and/or obtainable by the method of treating.

Abstract: Actinic radiation-curable compositions containing polythiols and urethane/urea-containing polyalkenyl prepolymers that can be used for aerospace coatings and sealants. The coatings can be applied to surfaces and rapidly cured.

Abstract: Low density aerospace compositions and sealants are disclosed. The low density compositions and sealants are characterized by a high volume percent loading of low density microcapsules.

Abstract: Thiol-terminated polythioether compositions and sealants exhibit an extended working time and rapidly cure at room temperature at the end of the working time are disclosed. The compositions comprise a combination of pyridine catalysts.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced composite material lid for an utility vault including mixing an unsaturated polyester thermosetting matrix in to a resin paste, compounding the resin paste into a fiber reinforced composite material, maturing the compounded fiber reinforced composite material, cutting the matured compound into a charge pattern, molding the charge pattern in a mold cavity of a heated mold under low pressure to form the lid and cooling and machining the lid. The mold includes a cavity die and a core die having a shear angle for interfacing the core die within the cavity die and a steam pot for heating the cavity die and the core die, wherein the lid is molded between the cavity die and the core die and removed from the mold by a lid ejection mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making a cured sealant. The methods include depositing an uncured sealant composition on a substrate and exposing the uncured sealant composition to actinic radiation to provide a cured sealant. The uncured sealant composition includes a thiol-terminated polythioether, a polyene comprising a polyvinyl ether and/or a polyallyl compound, and a hydroxy-functional vinyl ether. Related sealant compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions that are resistant to hydraulic fluid and aviation fuel contain sulfur-containing prepolymers and solvent-resistant organic fillers. The compositions are useful in aerospace sealant applications.

Abstract: Primer coating compositions include a thiol-terminated urethane-containing polyether prepolymer, a polyepoxide, calcium carbonate, and magnesium oxide. The coating compositions are useful as corrosion resistant primers in aerospace applications.