Abstract: The teachings herein relate to improved composite materials offering weight reduction which are capable of withstanding automotive paint bake ovens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials including a thermoplastic polymer and a metallic filler and to light weight composite materials, which comprise a metallic layer and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material. The filled polymeric material preferably is an extruded sheet. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures and/or welded to other metal materials using conventional welding techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles having an edge that is partially, or entirely sealed with one or more coatings including a polymeric material. The article may include a coating selected so that one surface (e.g., a face surface) has a desired property (e.g., an appearance, such as a chrome appearance), and a second surface (e.g., a different face surface, or an edge surface) is covered with a different material, where the different coatings provide protection to at least the edge surface. Also disclosed are coating materials including a tracer component. Also disclosed are methods for coating a substrate. Also disclosed are methods for confirming the presence of a coating, particularly on an edge surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials including a polymer and a filler distributed within the polymer, and to light weight composites which comprise at least a pair of metallic layers and a polymeric layer interposed between the pair of metallic layers, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials. The composite materials may be employed in an automotive part. Preferred composite materials include one or any combination of the following features: metallic fibers, ribbon fibers; or a polyolefin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials including a thermoplastic polymer and a metallic filler and to light weight composite materials, which comprise a metallic layer and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material. The filled polymeric material preferably is an extruded sheet. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures and/pr welded to other metal materials using conventional welding techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials including a polymer and a filler distributed within the polymer, and to light weight composites which comprise at least a pair of metallic layers and a polymeric layer interposed between the pair of metallic layers, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials. The composite materials may be employed in an automotive part. Preferred composite materials include one or any combination of the following features: metallic fibers, ribbon fibers; or a polyolefin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials 16 including a thermoplastic polymer 18 and a metallic fiber 20 and to light weight composite materials 10, 12 which comprise a metallic layer 14 and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material 16. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials using conventional welding techniques. The composites exhibit resistance to delamination.

Abstract: The invention is directed at composite materials, articles including the composite materials, and methods for producing and using them. The composite material include regions that differ in one or more properties. The composite material generally includes a first metallic sheet, a second metallic sheet; one or more metallic inserts interposed between the first and second metallic sheets; and a polymeric layer (e.g., a core layer) interposed between the first and second metallic sheets. The polymeric layer preferably includes a thermoplastic polymer. Preferably, the composite material includes a first region having an insert interposed between the metallic sheets so that the first region (relative to the second region) has a high tensile strength, a high thickness, a high density, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to light weight composite materials which comprise a metallic layer and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing a filled thermoplastic polymer which includes a thermoplastic polymer and a metallic fiber. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials using a resistance welding process such as resistance spot welding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials including a polymer and a mass of metallic fibers distributed within the polymer, and to light weight composites which comprise at least a pair of metallic layers and a polymeric layer interposed between the pair of metallic layers, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials using a resistance welding process such as resistance spot welding. Preferred composite materials include one or any combination of the following features: metallic fibers that are ribbon fibers; a polymer selected from a polyolefin, a polyamide, or a combination thereof; or a metallic layer (e.g., one or both of the pair of metallic layers) having a surface facing the filled polymeric material that is untreated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to light weight composite materials which comprise a metallic layer and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing a filled thermoplastic polymer which includes a thermoplastic polymer and a metallic fiber. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials using a resistance welding process such as resistance spot welding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials including a polymer and a mass of metallic fibers distributed within the polymer, and to light weight composites which comprise at least a pair of metallic layers and a polymeric layer interposed between the pair of metallic layers, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials using a resistance welding process such as resistance spot welding. Preferred composite materials include one or any combination of the following features: metallic fibers that are ribbon fibers; a polymer selected from a polyolefin, a polyamide, or a combination thereof; or a metallic layer (e.g., one or both of the pair of metallic layers) having a surface facing the filled polymeric material that is untreated.

Abstract: There are often difficulties in producing materials that are wide and long, such as from the availability of properly dimensioned feedstock materials, processing costs, engineering challenges, and the like. As such, new methods for joining materials are needed. The present invention relates to composite materials, such as a sandwich composite, articles prepared from a composite material, and methods for preparing articles, that employ an edge joint. The edge joint may be employed for attaching the composite material to another composite material, or for attaching it to a monolithic material.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method for welding a composite material and to welded structures thus prepared. The method includes a step of contacting a substrate material with a composite material, wherein the composite material includes a pair of spaced apart steel sheets and a core layer between the sheets; the volume of the core layer is about 25 volume % or more, based on the total volume of the composite material; the core layer includes a plurality of steel fibers arranged in one or more masses of fibers that extend the thickness of the core layer so that the core layer is in electrical communication with the steel sheets; and the steel fibers have a cross sectional area perpendicular to the length of the fibers from about 1×10?5 mm2 to about 2.5×10?2 mm2.

Abstract: The invention relates to multi-layered composite materials and methods for making multi-layered composite materials having good adhesion between the layers. The adhesion between a polymer layer and a metal layer of a multi-layered composite material may be improved by a process including a step of pre-treating a surface of the metal layer prior to contacting the metal surface with the polymer layer, and by including filler particles in the polymer layer. Using this approach, it is possible to increase the peel strength by about 10% or more, by about 20% or more, by about 40% or more, or by about 100% or more, compared with an otherwise identical composite material that does not include both of these features.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials 16 including a thermoplastic polymer 18 and a metallic fiber 20 and to light weight composite materials 10, 12 which comprise a metallic layer 14 and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material 16. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials using conventional welding techniques. The composites exhibit resistance to delamination.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method for welding a composite material and to welded structures thus prepared. The method includes a step of contacting a substrate material with a composite material, wherein the composite material includes a pair of spaced apart steel sheets and a core layer between the sheets; the volume of the core layer is about 25 volume % or more, based on the total volume of the composite material; the core layer includes a plurality of steel fibers arranged in one or more masses of fibers that extend the thickness of the core layer so that the core layer is in electrical communication with the steel sheets; and the steel fibers have a cross sectional area perpendicular to the length of the fibers from about 1×10?5 mm2 to about 2.5×10?2 mm2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to additives for use in lubricant compositions to processes for producing the additives, and to the use of the additives in lubricants and in systems that are lubricated. More specifically, the additive includes a capped particle comprising: (i) one or more inorganic core particles; and (ii) one or more multi-block copolymers attached to the inorganic particles. The multi-block copolymer includes at least one nonpolar polymer block interposed between two polar polymer blocks. One polar polymer block is attached to the core particle, and at least a portion of the another polar polymer block is not directly attached to the core particle. When used in a lubricant to lubricate a metallic surface of a workpiece, the capped particle preferably adheres to the metallic surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to light weight composite materials which comprise a metallic layer and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing a filled thermoplastic polymer which includes a thermoplastic polymer and a metallic fiber. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials using a resistance welding process such as resistance spot welding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials 16 including a thermoplastic polymer 18 and a metallic fiber 20 and to light weight composite materials 10, 12 which comprise a metallic layer 14 and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material 16. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials using conventional welding techniques. The composites exhibit resistance to delamination.