Abstract: A fabric-based item may include fabric formed from intertwined strands of material. The fabric may include first and second fabric layers that at least partially surround a pocket. Initially, the pocket may be completely enclosed by the first and second layers of fabric. A shim may be placed in the pocket before the pocket is closed. An opening may be formed in the first layer of fabric to expose a conductive strand in the pocket. The shim may prevent the cutting tool from cutting all the way through to the second layer of fabric. After cutting the hole in the first layer of fabric, the shim may be removed and an electrical component may be soldered to the conductive strand in the pocket. A polymer material may be injected into the pocket to encapsulate the electrical component. The polymer material may interlock with the surrounding pocket walls.

Abstract: Processes for making high-performance polyethylene multi-filament yarn are disclosed which include the steps of a) making a solution of ultra-high molar mass polyethylene in a solvent; b) spinning of the solution through a spinplate containing at least 5 spinholes into an air-gap to form fluid filaments, while applying a draw ratio DRfluid; c) cooling the fluid filaments to form solvent-containing gel filaments; d) removing at least partly the solvent from the filaments; and e) drawing the filaments in at least one step before, during and/or after said solvent removing, while applying a draw ratio DRsolid of at least 4, wherein in step b) each spinhole comprises a contraction zone of specific dimension and a downstream zone of diameter Dn and length Dn with Ln/Dn of from 0 to at most 25, to result in a draw ratio DRfluid=DRsp*DRag of at least 150, wherein DRsp is the draw ratio in the spinholes and DRag is the draw ratio in the air-gap, with DRsp being greater than 1 and DRag at least 1.

Abstract: Floor panel, wherein this floor panel comprises at least a substrate and a decor provided thereon, wherein said substrate substantially consists of thermoplastic material and/or filler materials, wherein the substrate encloses one or more glass fiber cloths, wherein the total weight of glass fiber cloths is more than 85 grams per square meter. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing floor panels which enclose a glass fiber cloth.

Abstract: Described herein are acoustical panels, comprising: a substrate; a non-woven veil having an airflow resistance of greater than 45 mks rayls, comprising: from about 20 wt. % to about 60 wt. % glass fibers; from about 40 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of a filler; and from about 110 dry g/m2 to about 135 dry g/m2 of a coating. Methods of making and using the panels are also described.

Abstract: A spun-blown non-woven web is disclosed which is formed from a plurality of fibers formed from a single polymer having an average fiber diameter ranging from between about 0.5 microns to about 50 microns; a basis weight of at least about 0.5 gsm; a tensile strength, measured in a machine direction, ranging from between about 20 g to about 4,200 g; a ratio of tensile strength, measured in the machine direction, to basis weight of at least about 20:1; and a ratio of percent elongation, measured in the machine direction, to fiber diameter of at least about 15.

Abstract: Woven UHMWPE fabric stretches in the bias direction to such an extent that it is unsuitable for many potential applications and is porous, allowing air and water transmission. A composite UHMWPE material includes a single ply of high tenacity woven UHMWPE fabric having warp fibers in a first direction and weft fibers in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The UHMWPE fabric has first face and a second face. A stretch resisting axially oriented fusion layer is fused to at least one of the first face or the second face of the UHMWPE fabric with an axis aligned parallel to at least one of the UHMWPE fabric warp and weft axes, such that the stretch resisting fusion layer increases fabric tensile strength and inhibits bias stretch of the UHMWPE fabric, and renders the UHMWPE woven fabric air and water impermeable.

Abstract: An electrical circuit assembly comprising: a circuit component, a fabric-based component, and a fastener is disclosed along with methods for fabricating the electrical circuit assembly and for using the electrical circuit assembly. The circuit component may comprise: a substrate layer comprising an integrated circuit disposed on the substrate layer; and a first conductive linkage electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. The fabric-based component may comprise: a fabric layer comprising a first at least one conductive thread; and a second conductive linkage electrically coupled to the first at least one conductive thread. The fastener may be configured to couple the circuit component and the fabric-based component at the first conductive linkage and the second conductive linkage.

Abstract: A composite structure of a cargo body and a method of making the same are disclosed. The composite structure includes at least one electrical grid embedded within fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) layers. The embedded electrical grid includes a plurality of conductive fibers and a plurality of insulating fibers integrated into a polymer matrix of the FRP layers. The embedded electrical grid may be used for power distribution, structural strengthening and stiffness, and/or puncture detection.

Abstract: An electromagnetic protection sheath made of textile (10) is formed by conductive filaments extending in a first direction (X) and non-conductive filaments interlaced with the conductive filaments. Use in particular for shielding cables in aeronautical applications.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fiber structure by multilayer three-dimensional weaving between a plurality of weft yarns and of warp yarns, the fiber structure having at least first and second portions that are adjacent in the warp direction, the first portion presenting, in a direction perpendicular to the warp and weft directions, a thickness greater than the thickness of the second portion, includes making the first portion using a step of three-dimensionally weaving warp and weft layers in which a fiber fabric is formed in the form of a Mock-Leno weave grid in a core of the first portion together with skins at a surface of the first portion, a weave of the skins being modified locally so as to deflect certain warp yarns from said skins and weave them with the fiber fabric in the form of the Mock-Leno weave grid.

Abstract: A belt includes at least one fabric having a first face and a second face parallel to a longitudinal plane of the belt, wherein the fabric includes: a first weft layer formed by a plurality of multifilament weft yarns essentially parallel to each other; a second weft layer formed by a plurality of monofilament weft yarns essentially parallel to each other, wherein the multifilament weft yarns of the first weft layer are overlapped with respective monofilament weft yarns of the second weft layer; and a plurality of multifilament warp yarns wherein the fabric has a weft dominance satin weave on both sides.

Abstract: Processes for making high-performance polyethylene multi-filament yarn are disclosed which include the steps of a) making a solution of ultra-high molar mass polyethylene in a solvent; b) spinning of the solution through a spinplate containing at least 5 spinholes into an air-gap to form fluid filaments, while applying a draw ratio DRfluid; c) cooling the fluid filaments to form solvent-containing gel filaments; d) removing at least partly the solvent from the filaments; and e) drawing the filaments in at least one step before, during and/or after said solvent removing, while applying a draw ratio DRsolid of at least 4, wherein in step b) each spinhole comprises a contraction zone of specific dimension and a downstream zone of diameter Dn and length Dn with Ln/Dn of from 0 to at most 25, to result in a draw ratio DRfluid=DRsp*DRag of at least 150, wherein DRsp is the draw ratio in the spinholes and DRag is the draw ratio in the air-gap, with DRsp being greater than 1 and DRag at least 1.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present disclosure are a self-fused graphene fiber and a method of preparing the same. Dried graphene oxide fibers are soaked in a solvent to swell and then the fibers are pulled out and coalesced. After being dried, the graphene oxide fibers are fused together, and then are further reduced to obtain a self-fused graphene fiber. The entire self-fusion process can be quickly finished within one minute without adding any additional binder. The operation is simple and time-saving. The process is environmentally friendly; the bond strength is high, and the excellent properties such as outstanding mechanical strength and electrical conductivity of the graphene fibers themselves can be maintained. The present disclosure has great research and application value for further preparation of two-dimensional graphene fabrics or three-dimensional network bulks with excellent performance.

Abstract: A temperature regulating nylon fiber includes a fiber body and a phase change composition. The phase change composition is doped in the fiber body and includes 450 parts by weight to 550 parts by weight of a polytetrahydrofuran derivative and 5 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight of a succinic anhydride derivative. Based on 100 parts by weight of the temperature regulating nylon fiber, a content of the phase change composition is between 6 parts by weight and 12 parts by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to strand-shaped elements and polymer compositions used for preparing the strand-shaped elements. The strand-shaped elements comprise an inner structure and a halogen-free polymer composition surrounding the inner structure. The polymer composition includes a linear very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) composition and one or more polyolefin-elastomers. In addition, the polymer composition includes a flame retardant filler.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics having a plurality of fibers that are bonded to each other to form a coherent web, wherein the fibers comprise a blend of a polylactic acid (PLA) and at least one secondary alkane sulfonate are provided. The nonwoven fabrics exhibit increased tensile strengths, elongation and toughness.

Abstract: Fibrous structures containing a mixture of three or more different fibrous elements (filaments and/or fibers) are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are laminates that include a layer containing a metal-coated fabric. The laminate may also include a layer or layers of an organic polymeric matrix composite. In accordance with certain embodiments, the matrix composite includes a thermosetting or thermoplastic resin matrix with parallel-oriented reinforcing fibers embedded therein, interposed between the metal-coated fabric layers.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the present disclosure are directed to components having an optical element that imparts structural color to the component or article. The present disclosure is also directed to articles of manufacture including the component having an optical element, and methods for making components and articles having an optical element that imparts structural color.

Abstract: A method for fabricating polymeric sheets containing microwires includes encapsulating at least a portion of individual lengths of a plurality of microwires in a non-conductive polymeric sheet while the microwires are attached to the substrate. The microwires are then detached from the substrate without removing the microwires from the polymeric sheet. The detaching step forms a separated polymeric sheet containing the detached microwires. Individual detached microwires of the plurality are approximately perpendicular to the separated polymeric sheet. A microwire array device includes a non-conductive polymeric sheet and a plurality of microwires. Individual microwires of the plurality have an independent length at least partially encapsulated by the polymeric sheet, are approximately perpendicular to the polymeric sheet, and contain magnetic ferrite.