Abstract: Soft, heat activated sealant compositions heat stabilized through the addition of a phenolic resin to provide a uniform volume expansion over a wide range of temperatures are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated upon the provision of systems and methods for reinforcement of a structural member. More particularly, the present invention is predicated upon unique carrier configurations and application of reinforcing material thereto. In one configuration, the application of reinforcing material is achieved without the use of fasteners, adhesives, or both, for placement, locating and restrictive movement of the reinforcing material onto the carrier.

Abstract: Flexible films of thermosetting adhesive materials which are non-tacky to the touch are storage stable at room temperature and can be cured at elevated temperature with a short cure time and can be cured to produce a tough flexible adhesive layer including bonding to oily surfaces, the materials are particularly useful in bonding together dissimilar substrates.

Abstract: Flexible films comprise an adhesive layer and a fibrous supporting layer and the thermosetting adhesive materials which are non-tacky to the touch are storage stable at room temperature and can be cured at elevated temperature with a short cure time and can be cured to produce a tough flexible adhesive layer including bonding to oily surfaces, the materials are particularly useful in bonding together dissimilar substrates where they can reduce the formation of galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: An adhesive comprising a solvent free powder of average particle size in the range 20 to 300 preferably 20 to 150 microns is heat activated at a temperature in the range 140° C. to 220° C., is flowable at a temperature below the heat activation temperature and is dry and non-tacky to the touch at ambient temperature, the use of a powdered adhesive is particularly useful for bonding of non-planar surfaces with complex contours.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier (10) that includes: (t) a mass of polymeric material (12) having an outer surface; and (ii) at least one fibrous composite Insert (14) or overlay (980) having an outer surface and including at least one elongated fiber arrangement (e.g., having a plurality of ordered fibers). The fibrous Insert (14) or overlay (980) is envisioned to adjoin the mass of the polymeric material in a predetermined location for carrying a predetermined load that Is subjected upon the predetermined location (thereby effectively providing localized reinforcement to that predetermined location). The fibrous insert (14) or overlay (980) and the mass of polymeric material (12) are of compatible materials, structures or both, for allowing the fibrous insert or overlay to be at feast partially joined to the mass of the polymeric material. Disposed upon at least a portion of the carrier (10) may be a mass of activatable material (126).

Abstract: Surfaces 1, 2 are bonded together by a heat activated adhesive 3 that is applied to a surface 2 to cover an area greater than the area that is to form the bond, the two surfaces 1, 2 are brought together and the adhesive 3 activated so that it creates the bond and also covers the exposed edges of the surfaces to provide an aesthetically pleasing and coatable corrosion and rust protective layer.

Abstract: The present teachings contemplate a method that includes a step of providing a first amount of esterified reaction product of an acid and an epoxy-based material. The esterified reaction product may be further reacted an epoxy resin to form a polymeric epoxy. The resulting material may have a generally linear backbone, foaming and curing capability and flame retardant properties.

Abstract: A composition that toughens and impact modifies epoxy resin based compositions comprising one or more co-polyamides and one or more block copolymers with polyamide and polyether blocks. The disclosure also relates to epoxy resin compositions containing the composition comprising one or more co-polyamides and one or more block copolymers with polyamide and polyether blocks and films, adhesives, foamable compositions and foamed compositions containing such a composition.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for the attachment of a bracket to a panel structure comprising providing an adhesive for attaching the bracket to the panel structure; placing the bracket in a desired location on the panel structure; heating the adhesive; and hardening the adhesive so the bracket is adhered to the panel structure.

Abstract: An article comprising: a carrier (12), activatable material (14) disposed on the carrier, one or more carrier extensions (16) extending from the carrier; wherein the article is adapted to provide sealing, baffling, or reinforcement within a structure's cavity.

Abstract: A flooring assembly comprising at least one first lofted lapped or airlaid bulk absorber layer 14 for acoustic absorption and compression resistance; at least one impedance layer 16 for one or more of acoustic impedance, compression resistance, and stiffness; at least one second lofted lapped airlaid bulk absorber layer 18 for acoustic absorption and compression resistance; and one or more optional densified fibrous air-flow resistive layers 12, 20.

Abstract: A foamable adhesive system is provided which can achieve necessary adhesion to an oily surface and which is not tacky to the touch once applied to the surface and has a melt viscosity in the bake phase high enough to retain its shape and adhesion to the substrate and in addition a melt viscosity sufficiently high to retain gas bubbles formed by the decomposition of the blowing agent and which also retains its shape and structure once formed by use of a polymer system containing a thixotropic filler and a two compartment (component) cross linking system.

Abstract: A method comprising: (i) forming a reinforcement device by the following steps: forming a first member (1) and a second member (2), applying an adhesive (3) to the first member (1) and the second member (2), attaching at least one connecting feature to the first member (1), the second member (2), or both, bringing the first member (1) and the second member (2) together to form a clam-like structure, locking the first member (1) and the second member (2) with the at least one connecting feature, forming a first encasing member and a second encasing member, attaching the first encasing member to the second encasing member to form an encasing around the clam-like structure, (ii) exposing the reinforcement device to electrocoating, wherein the adhesive expands during the electro coating and bonds the first member (1) to the second member (2) and bonds the clam-like structure to the encasing.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method for enclosing a panel edge comprising forming a panel structure having at least one edge, applying a reformable epoxy resin material onto the at least one edge, and contacting the reformable epoxy resin material within about 10 minutes, or even about 5 minutes of applying the reformable epoxy resin material such that the reformable epoxy resin material is below its glass transition temperature and dry to the touch upon contact.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement for insertion into a cavity of a vehicle structure including a base reinforcing portion, an expandable material and a localized reinforcement is disclosed. The localized reinforcement is placed within the structural reinforcement at a location of anticipated increased deformation during vehicle impact in an effort to reduce deformation and control the load distribution post-impact.

Abstract: A polymeric insert formed by extruding a material including polyamide and a plurality of long fibers to form a column structure having a first profile. A method for making such an insert comprising passing a polymeric material in a substantially flowable state through a die, and substantially simultaneously passing a fiber through the die, wherein during the passing step the polymeric material has a relative viscosity of less than about 60 according to ASTM D789.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier that includes: (i) a mass of polymeric material having an outer surface; and (ii) at least one consolidated fibrous insert (14) having an outer surface and including at least one elongated fiber arrangement having a plurality of ordered fibers arranged in a predetermined manner. The fibrous insert is envisioned to adjoin the mass of the polymeric material in a predetermined location for carrying a predetermined load that is subjected upon the predetermined location (thereby effectively providing localized reinforcement to that predetermined location). The fibrous insert and the mass of polymeric material are of compatible materials, structures or both, for allowing the fibrous insert to be at least partially joined to the mass of the polymeric material. Disposed upon at least a portion of the carrier may be a mass of activatable material.

Abstract: A method for locally reinforcing or baffling a structure having a hollow cavity is disclosed. The present invention provides an insert that includes a carrier, a thermally expandable material located on at least a portion of the carrier, and at least one integrally formed attachment that projects outwardly from the carrier. The inserts of the present invention are preferably placed within a hollow cavity in a transverse direction so that once the insert is sealed into place via the thermally expandable material, the hollow cavity is separated into two separate chambers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a member for sealing, baffling and/or reinforcing components of an automotive vehicle. The assembly generally includes a carrier, an expandable material and at least one fastener.