Abstract: A panel including a starch foam core which is composed of starch, which is one of resilient foam or hardened foam; and which has a form selected from the group consisting of a plurality of strands which are straight and in essentially parallel alignment with one another, and a plurality of strands which are bent and arranged in an undulating path; and at least one outer layer composed of sheet material and provided directly on a surface of the starch foam core in engaging contact therewith; wherein the panel is prepared in a continuous process.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive stencil including a thermoplastic resin film, and a porous resin layer formed thereon. The porous resin layer contains fibers having an average length in the range of 30 .mu.m to 10 mm. The stencil is produced by applying a coating liquid over a surface of a thermoplastic resin film to form a coated layer, and drying the coated layer. The coating liquid has a viscosity of 80-250 cp at 25.degree. C. and contains a resin and fibers having an average length in the range of 30 .mu.m to 10 mm.

Abstract: Pavement marking material comprising a top layer, an optional base sheet, and a layer of adhesive, wherein the adhesive comprises a rubber and a high loading of tackifier. Such adhesives have been found to exhibit exceptional impact shear resistance.

Abstract: By employing a unique manufacturing process, unique manufacturing equipment, or a unique combination of materials, a fully integrated, multilayer foamed thermoplastic or elastomeric member or profile having a core member peripherally surrounded by an outer protective layer is attained which is virtually incapable of being removed from said core member. By effectively melting the adjacent surfaces of the foamed layers being interengaged, a core member having any desired cross-sectional shape is produced and is peripherally surrounded with an outer layer integrally bonded thereto. In one aspect of the present invention, metallocene catalyzed plastic material is employed in forming the core member to impart desirable physical attributes thereto.

Abstract: A process for preparing GMT/foam composites in an integral process without the prior preparation of a separate consolidated GMT part produces lightweight load-bearing structures suitable for use as vehicle components such as load floors, seatbacks, and the like. The structures have fully GMT-encapsulated foam cores abutting at least partially consolidated GMT layers and at least one fully densified GMT portion. The structures may be economically and rapidly molded without resort to necessary adhesives for assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded part made of completely biodegradable starch foamed material to be used for protecting transported articles and to a method for its preparation, wherein the starch foamed material is expanded to form starch foam profiled sections which are self-adhesive when moisture is applied and can be processed individually or so as to form single or multi-layer foam panels. The advantages reside in improved operating properties and minimized expenditure on packaging.

Abstract: Single and double density biopolymer foams, composite biopolymer foams including both single and double density foams, and methods of preparing these foams and composite foams are described. Also described are biocompatible constructs which include single or double density biopolymer foams and extracellular matrix particulates and methods of preparing these constructs. The foams, composite foams, and biocompatible constructs of the invention can be used in tissue repair and reconstruction.

Abstract: A syntactic structural foam product in flat sheet form or curved three-dimensional form adaptable to such uses as a light weight structural core for composite laminates, is made of a mixture of hollow ceramic microspheres and dry resin powder, of either thermosetting or a high-temperature thermoplastic resin, distributed in the interstices of the mass of microspheres for integration of the mixture into desired form upon heating and cooling. The dry resin powder in an other embodiment of the invention includes unexpanded expandable powder which will expand into microballoons in the confined spaces in which they reside and effect a bonding relation with surrounding particles upon supply of heat to the mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to an open cell, porous, selectively conductive member containing an elastomer that is reusable in use and preparation. The scaffold for the elastomer has conductive areas through conductive, z-axis pathways are provided which are electrically isolated from adjacent z-axis conductive pathways. The elastomer is non-adhesive and/or non tacky and allows for temporary connection of electronic components.

Abstract: An EMI shielding member and method of making the member. The member includes a non-metallic substrate having an electrically non-conductive coating of a dielectric polymer matrix material loaded with an EMI shieldingly effective amount of electrically conductive fibers. The member can be formed by spraying the fiber loaded, dielectric polymer matrix onto a flexible fabric or tape.

Abstract: A wave absorber comprising a foamed resin and a dielectric loss material dispersed therein, wherein the foamed resin is a foamed melamine resin obtained by foaming a resin composition comprising, as the main components, a melamine-formaldehyde condensate and a foaming agent. The wave absorber alleviates the problems of the prior art, and is lightweight and superior in self-extinguishing property, and shows an excellent wave-absorbing property owing to a uniformly dispersed dielectric loss material.

Abstract: Nonwoven articles having high durability and absorbent-characteristics, and their methods of manufacture, are presented. One preferred article is characterized by(a) a nonwoven web comprised of organic fibers comprised of polymers having a plurality of pendant hydroxyl groups; and(b) a binder comprising an at least partially crosslinked and at least partially hydrolyzed polymeric resin having a plurality of pendant resin hydroxyl groups, the resin crosslinked by a crosslinking agent, the crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of organic titanates and amorphous metal oxides, the polymeric resin derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of monomers within the general formula ##STR1## wherein: X is selected from the group consisting of Si(OR.sup.4 OR.sup.5 OR.sup.6) and O(CO)R.sup.7 ; andR.sup.1 -R.sup.7 inclusive are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic radicals having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An automobile paint film-protective sheet comprising a substrate having formed on one side thereof a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive having a dynamic modulus of from 2.times.10.sup.5 to 7.times.10.sup.6 dyne/cm.sup.2 at 60.degree. C.

Abstract: A separable foamed thermoplastic resin laminate sheet comprising a foamed thermoplastic resin sheet and a thermoplastic resin film, wherein the foamed thermoplastic resin sheet has a cellular surface having a plurality of cells which have an average cell size of from 0.005 to 0.5 mm and having a surface smoothness R.sub.max of from 5 to 200 .mu.m, and the peel strength between the foamed thermoplastic resin sheet and the thermoplastic resin film is from 5 to 400 g/25 mm width. The resin film is easily strippable from the foamed resin sheet with a reduced scatter in peeling strength, making the formings reusable.

Abstract: A mineral wool article including a mineral wool layer, at least a region of which extends from at least one surface of the mineral wool layer into the mineral wool layer to an impregnation depth t. The region of the mineral wool layer includes individual fibers and is impregnated with an impregnating substance which adheres to the fibers and encloses the fibers without sealing gaps defined between the fibers so as to permit the surface of the mineral wool layer to retain an open surface structure. The gaps between the fibers in the region include bridge formations of the impregnating substance, which bridge formations are configured to permit air to penetrate through the mineral wool layer without essentially being impeded and to trap solid particles and thereby prevent emergence of the particles from the surface of the mineral wool layer. The impregnating substance provides the article with a soft and warm touch.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a composite panel comprising a foamed thermoplastic core layer which is joined on both sides without adhesive to thermoplastic outer layers reinforced by fiberglass mats. The composite panel is used to make molded parts for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A two-layer material suitable for use as a barrier layer for a cushion sock in a foam-in-place process is formed by bonding a discontinuous adhesive layer to a pinhole-free, lubricant-free barrier layer. The discontinuous adhesive layer has a melting temperature higher than 180 degrees Fahrenheit. A foam cushion is molded adjacent the cushion sock by first attaching a barrier layer to the cushion sock, and vacuum drawing the cushion sock attached to the barrier layer over a mold. The cushion sock and the barrier layer are then heated to a temperature no higher than 400 degrees Fahrenheit to bond the cushion sock and the barrier layer together.

Abstract: Improved pin-reinforced sandwich structure ties the face sheets (typically on opposite sides of a foam core) together with a plurality of Z-pins that extend into each face sheet (through the core). The pins are arranged in a tetrahedral or hat section configuration in 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional arrangements to provide enhanced reinforcement, particularly in shear. We are able to improve the pulloff strength additionally by dimpling the core surrounding the pins to produce adhesive fillets along the pins.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularlycontainers and packaging materials, having a particle packed, highly inorganically filled, cellular matrix are disclosed. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together a starch-based binder, a solvent, inorganic aggregates, and optimal admixtures, e.g., fibers, mold-releasing agents, rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, coating materials, and dispersants, in the correct proportions to form an article which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures have a predetermined viscosity and are heated between molds at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce form-stable articles having a desired shape and a selectively controlled cellular, structural matrix. The molded articles may be placed in a high humidity chamber to obtain the necessary flexibility for their intended use.

Abstract: A hinge for use in inorganically filled composite materials is provided. The hinge has an inorganically filled structural matrix comprising a water-dispersable organic polymer binder, an aggregate material, and a fibrous material. The hinge allows inorganically filled materials to be bent along a line without breakage of the material. The hinge is preferably formed by scoring a formed sheet of inorganically filled material. The hinge is particularly useful in containers that require bending of various container parts, such as in food containers and boxes made from inorganically filled materials.