Abstract: A method of forming a nonwoven article comprising receiving fibrous material comprising thermoplastic fibers; processing the fibrous material to produce short fibers, wherein the processing step comprises granulation using at least one granulator with a screen; distributing the short fibers approximately evenly across an area to form a short fiber web, wherein the distributing step comprises a use of a recyclate spreader; heating the short fiber web to fuse the short fibers to form a nonwoven material; and forming a sheet of the nonwoven material.

Abstract: Spherical heat foamable pellets (2) are used for reinforcing honeycomb structures (4). The pellets are preferably of average diameter from 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm and preferably at least 80% of the pellets have a diameter in this range. The pellets can form a free flowing stream which can be poured into the cells (5) of the honeycomb where they can be foamed by heating to form a reinforcing foam which can also bond the honeycomb structure to facing sheets. It is preferred that the pellets are based on a thermosetting resin and contain a curing agent that can cure the foamed resin to produce an integral rigid reinforcing foam within the cells of the honeycomb.

Abstract: A rivetable adhesive for use in a joint between dissimilar materials, comprising a liquid epoxy resin, an expoxidized polysulfide, a flexibilizer, a solid epoxy CTBN adduct based upon bisphenol A, a phenoxy resin, an impact modifier including methacrylate-butadiene-styrene, a curing agent; and a blowing agent. The adhesive finds particular suitability for use in riveting aluminum panels to steel structures, such as for forming automotive vehicle roof structures.

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: A structural reinforcement comprising a base reinforcing structure including a plurality of ribs and having a first surface and a second surface, an expandable adhesive material located onto a first portion of the first surface, and a sealant material located around an edge of the second surface, the second surface being substantially free of any of the plurality of ribs.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle comprising: a) a carrier having a base wall from which a plurality of projections extend, the plurality of projections including at least one first projection and at least one second projection and the at least one first projection having a height greater than a height of the at least one second projection; b) an activatable material which is heat activatable and affixed to the carrier, configured to secure the carrier in a cavity of the vehicle; wherein in event of an impact, the at least one first projection and second projection are configured to deform toward the base wall and/or in a direction of an impact load in response to the impact load; and the at least one first projection is configured to receive the impact load and deform before the at least one second projection receives the impact load and deforms.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle comprising: a) a carrier having a base wall from which a plurality of projections extend, the plurality of projections including at least one first projection and at least one second projection and the at least one first projection having a height greater than a height of the at least one second projection; b) an activatable material which is heat activatable and affixed to the carrier, configured to secure the carrier in a cavity of the vehicle; wherein in event of an impact, the at least one first projection and second projection are configured to deform toward the base wall and/or in a direction of an impact load in response to the impact load; and the at least one first projection is configured to receive the impact load and deform before the at least one second projection receives the impact load and deforms.

Abstract: A device and method for the protection of a first member and second member from corrosion by utilizing a connector that bonds the members without allowing direct contact of the members.

Abstract: A composite article (30), comprising at least one fibrous layer (12), and at least one thermoplastic epoxy web layer (14) located in direct planar contact with the at least one fibrous layer (12), the at least one thermoplastic epoxy web layer (14) being adapted to substantially phase separate during a molding and/or curing process.

Abstract: An insert comprising: a first carrier portion, the first carrier portion including: at least one attachment portion; a non attachment portion; and a portion of a channel, the channel being surrounded by the attachment portion and the non-attachment portion, and extending along all or a portion of the longitudinal axis of the first carrier portion; a second carrier portion, the second carrier portion including: at least one attachment portion; a non-attachment portion; and a portion of a channel, the channel being surrounding by the attachment portion and the non-attachment portion, and extending along all or a portion of the longitudinal axis of the second carrier portion; wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are attached via the respective at least one attachment portions forming a channel between the first carrier portion and the second carrier portion so that components, devices, fluids, or a combination thereof may pass through all or a portion of the insert.

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: A flooring assembly (10) comprising at least one vertically lapped fibrous material layer (14), at least one pressure sensitive adhesive layer (12a) including a flexible substrate (12b), a mesh (12c) and an adhesive (12d) located along the flexible substrate, and at least one moisture impermeable membrane layer (16).

Abstract: A device and method for reinforcing, baffling or sealing a vehicle structure, comprising the steps of providing a flexible carrier and plurality of parallel strips located on opposing surfaces of the carrier.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement comprising a base reinforcing structure including a plurality of ribs and having a first surface and a second surface, an expandable adhesive material located onto a first portion of the first surface, and a sealant material located around an edge of the second surface, the second surface being substantially free of any of the plurality of ribs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive structure (6) comprising a substrate (1) and an adhesive coating (7) is applied to the substrate. The adhesive coating is applied to the substrate so that the thickness (z) of the coating varies in at least one direction (x, y).

Abstract: The present teachings relate generally to a one-part epoxy-based adhesive paste composition, comprising: at least about 20% by weight of a liquid epoxy resin component; an amount of a halogen-free flame retardant sufficient so that the resulting cured adhesive composition exhibits sufficient flame retardancy for a vertical burn length of less than 6 inches according to FAR 25,853; at least two curing agents; and a lightweight low-density filler.

Abstract: Light weight composites with high flexural strength comprise epoxy foam sandwiched between two layers of facing material have high strength and low weight and can be used to replace steel structures. The facing layer may be fibrous material especially glass or carbon fibers, the facing material is preferably embedded into the epoxy matrix. Alternatively they may be matching box structures or concentric metal tubes. The sandwich structures may be prepared by laying up the fiber; coating and/or impregnating the layer with epoxy resin, laying a layer of heat activatable foamable epoxy material, providing a further layer of the fibrous material optionally coated and/or impregnated with epoxy resin on the foamable material and heating to foam and cure the epoxy materials. Alternatively they may be formed by extrusion of the foamable material between the surface layers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for applying activatable melt flowable materials to substrates made from synthetic materials. The methods are concerned with formation of appropriate flowable materials, control over the manner in which the flowable materials are applied, treatment of the substrates prior to application of the flowable materials and the selection of the optimum combination of materials for the substrates and the flowable materials. The methods may be particularly suited for applying flowable materials to surfaces to produce components found in automotive, aerospace including trucks, busses and tractors and marine vehicles.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement device for insertion into a cavity of a structure and method for making the same including a first reinforcement section that has at least one projection of a first expandable polymeric material secured to it; and a separate second reinforcement section mated with the first reinforcement section, the second reinforcement section being configured to include at least one cavity, into which the at least one projection penetrates upon mating, and at least one aperture defined therein through which the expandable material flows during expansion and where it will remain upon curing of the material, thereby causing the first reinforcement section to be coupled with the second reinforcement section.

Abstract: An improved approach toward the formation of an adhesive comprising a separated liquid component and solid component and application of the adhesive to a substrate immediately upon mixing the liquid and solid components.