Abstract: The invention relates to a sizing composition composed of a solution comprising at least 5% by weight of solvent and comprising a thermally curable base system, said system comprising at least 60% by weight of components with a molecular mass of less than 750 and at least 60% by weight of components of a mixture exhibiting at least one epoxy reactive functional group, at least one amine, preferably primary or secondary amine, reactive functional group, and at least one hydroxyl reactive functional group. Another subject matter of the invention relates to the glass strands coated with the abovementioned sizing composition. The glass strands obtained are capable of being used to reinforce organic or inorganic materials.

Abstract: Novel electrically conductive polymer composite structures having a horizontal plane that contain effective amounts of two different types of conductive graphitic nanofibers. The first type of graphitic nanofiber is aligned substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the polymer structure and are comprised of graphite platelets that are aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nanofiber. The second type of conductive graphite nanofiber are aligned at an angle to the horizontal plane of the polymer structure and are comprised of graphite platelets aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the nanofiber. The conductive polymer composite structures are further comprised of one or more polymer layers.

Abstract: A method of forming an adhesive force includes removing a seta from a living specimen, attaching the seta to a substrate, and applying the seta to a surface so as to establish an adhesive force between the substrate and the surface. The seta is applied to the surface with a force perpendicular to the surface. The seta is then pulled with a force parallel to the surface so as to preload the adhesive force of the seta.

Abstract: This invention relates to polysaccharide fibres having water absorption properties characterised by the incorporation within the fibres of at least one substance having anti-microbial properties, and to wound dressings formed from said fibres. The polysaccharide fibres are preferably formed from alginate or alginate containing additional polysaccharide materials to give additional absorbency (such as, for example, sodium carboymethyl cellulose). The fibres preferably contain a silver compound as an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: Moldable capsules of a conductive loaded resin-based material are created. The moldable capsules include a conductive element core radially surrounded by a resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material includes micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The conductive element core includes between about 20% and about 50% of the total weight of the moldable capsule in one embodiment, between about 20% and about 40% in another embodiment, between about 25% and about 35% in another embodiment, and about 30% in another embodiment. The micron conductive powders are formed from non-metals, that may also be metallic plated, or from metals, that may also be metallic plated, or from a combination of non-metal, plated, or in combination with, metal powders. The micron conductor fibers preferably are of nickel plated carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber, copper fiber, silver fiber, or the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aluminum conductor composite core reinforced cable (ACCC) and method of manufacture. An ACCC cable has a composite core surrounded by at least one layer of aluminum conductor. The composite core comprises a plurality of fibers from at least one fiber type in one or more matrix materials. The composite core can have a maximum operating temperature capability above 100° C. or within the range of about 45° C. to about 230° C., at least 50% fiber to resin volume fraction, a tensile strength in the range of about 160 Ksi to about 370 Ksi, a modulus of elasticity in the range of about 7 Msi to about 37 Msi and a coefficient of thermal expansion in the range of about ?0.7×10?6 m/m/° C. to about 6×10?6 m/m/° C. According to the invention, a B-stage forming process may be used to form the composite core at improved speeds over pultrusion processes wherein the speeds ranges from about 9 ft/min to about 60 ft/min.

Abstract: An optical member (for example, optical fiber) is dipped in a coating solution having a film forming material dissolved therein to form an antireflection film on the end surface of the optical member. When the optical member is pulled up from the coating solution, the angle formed by the level of the coating solution and the end surface of the optical member, or the pulling speed is varied to adjust the film thickness or reflectance of the antireflection film to be formed on the end surface of the optical member. The film forming material is a fluorine-containing compound. The antireflection film is formed by dipping. The film thickness of the antireflection film is uneven.

Abstract: The invented insulation is a ceramic fiber insulation wherein the ceramic fibers are treated with a coating which contains transition metal oxides. The invented process for coating the insulation is a process of applying the transition metal oxide coating to the fibers of the insulation after the fibers have been formed into a tile or other porous body. The coating of transition metal oxide lowers the transmittance of radiation through the insulation thereby lowering the temperature of the backface of the insulation and better protecting the structure that underlies the insulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aluminum conductor composite core reinforced cable (ACCC) and method of manufacture. An ACCC cable has a composite core surrounded by at least one layer of aluminum conductor. The composite core comprises a plurality of fibers from at least one fiber type in one or more matrix materials. The composite core can have a maximum operating temperature capability above 100° C. or within the range of about ?45° C. to about 240° C. or higher, at least 50% fiber to resin volume fraction, a tensile strength in the range of about 160 Ksi to about 370 Ksi, a modulus of elasticity in the range of about 7 Msi to about 37 Msi and a coefficient of thermal expansion in the range of about ?0.6×10?6 per deg. C. to about 1.0×10?5 per deg. C. According to the invention, unique processing techniques such a B-Staging and/or film-coating techniques can be used to increase production rates from a few feet per minute to sixty or more feet per minute.

Abstract: A method of making wet rolls includes providing a web of material, applying a wetting solution to the web to produce a wet web, and winding the wet web into a roll. The wetting solution may include an inorganic salt and at least one preservative. The wetting solution may be distributed evenly throughout the wet roll.

Abstract: A fire safety line is disclosed having a core of heat-resistant strands twisted together and surround by a tough, cut and abrasion resistant jacket. Preferably, the strands of the core are glass fibers coated with vermiculite and the jacket is formed of braided glass fibers encapsulated by a para-aramid. Stainless steel wire may also be interbraided to reinforce the jacket.

Abstract: An aqueous glass fiber sizing composition that includes a polymeric film forming component, at least one silane coupling agent, and one or more lubricants is provided. The polymeric film forming component of the sizing composition includes a silanated polyvinyl acetate, an epoxidized polyvinyl acetate, and a modified epoxy emulsion. In preferred embodiments, the film formers are present in the sizing composition in ratios of 70:25:5, 50:25:25, or 63:18:18 of silanated polyvinyl acetate, epoxidized polyvinyl acetate, and modified epoxy emulsion respectively. Fibers sized with the sizing composition in a sheet molding compound process have improved wet-out characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to stainless steel fibers obtained by bundled drawing of stainless steel wires embedded in a matrix material. The composition of the stainless steel fibers comprises iron and the following components expressed in percent by weight: C £ 0.05%, Mn £ 5%, Si £ 2%, 8 £ Ni £ 12%, 15% £ Cr £ 20%, Mo £ 3%, Cu £ 4%, N £ 0.05%, S £ 0.03% and P £ 0.05%. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing stainless steel fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal coated fiber with excellent coating strength and corrosion resistance, and a conductive resin composition with excellent conductivity. A feature of a metal coated fiber of the present invention is that following provision of a metal coating on the surface of the fiber, heat treatment is conducted at a temperature greater than the crystallization temperature but less than the melting temperature of the fiber. Gradual cooling is preferably performed following the heat treatment. Furthermore, a conductive metal coating may be provided as the metal coating, and an additional corrosion resistant metal coating then laminated onto the surface of the conductive metal coating. In addition, a feature of a conductive resin composition of the present invention is that metal coated short fibers, formed by providing a conductive metal coating on the surface of a substrate fiber formed from a synthetic resin and then conducting heat treatment, are mixed into a substrate resin.

Abstract: An electrical insulating vapor grown carbon fiber containing a vapor grown carbon fiber having a fiber diameter of 0.01 to 0.5 ?m, wherein the surface thereof is partially or entirely coated with an electrical insulating material and a method of producing thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an optical fiber preform assembly and a method for making optical fiber using the preform assembly. The assembly includes a preform core rod, at least one overclad tube formed around the preform core rod, a handle attached to one end of the overclad tube, and a refractory material positioned in the overclad tube between the preform core rod and the handle. The refractory material reduces if not prevents movement of the preform core rod into the handle during the fiber draw process. Preferably, the refractory material is made of, e.g., magnesium oxide and/or aluminum oxide, and has a melting point, e.g., greater than approximately 2000 degrees Celsius. Embodiments of the invention also include a method for making optical fiber using this preform assembly.

Abstract: A suture material for surgery comprises one or more filaments and is formed with a coating, which is characterized in that the coating at least partly comprises a bioresorbable polymer, which is essentially formed from a random terpolymer with a completely amorphous structure.

Abstract: A coated glass fiber for reinforcing a rubber includes a glass fiber, a first coating layer covering the glass fiber, and a second coating layer covering the first coating layer. The first coating layer is prepared by a process including (a) dispersing a resorcinol-formaldehyde resin and a rubber latex in water to prepare a first coating solution; (b) applying the first coating solution to the glass fiber to form a first precursory layer; and (c) drying the first precursory layer into the first coating layer. The second coating layer is prepared by a second process including (d) dispersing bisallylnadiimide, a rubber elastomer, a vulcanizing agent, and an inorganic filler in an organic solvent to prepare a second coating solution; (e) applying the second coating solution to the first coating layer to form a second precursory layer; and (f) drying the second precursory layer into the second coating layer.

Abstract: A novel polymer coated magnet wire that includes an insulating polymeric coating on only one facet thereof. Such a magnet wire can be conventionally wound using current transformer manufacturing processes but can be produced at significantly lower cost due to the almost 75% reduction in the volume of insulating polymeric material applied to the magnet wire core as compared to similar prior art such products. The method provides for the application of the insulating polymeric coating to only a single minor axis facet of the magnet wire core through the use of custom dies and a modified manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sizing composition for use on glass fibers which are used to reinforce plastic resins used in the formation of fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs). The sizing composition comprises a copolymer formed from at least one functional monomer that is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, phenyl and alkoxylated functional groups. The glass fibers sized with the sizing composition of the invention have excellent computability with resins used in forming FRPs, as seen by a low level of white glass.