Abstract: A thermoplastic thermoformable composite material for shaping and stretching into a desired form without voids and holes, including a core formed by at least one layer of chopped fibers enveloped and impregnated by thermoplastic material to form a fabric layer. Layers of thermoplastic material respectively positioned on opposite sides of the fabric layer core, and the layers of thermoplastic material provided with a sufficient thickness to flow into and heal any voids or holes formed in the core as the composite material is shaped and stretched into a desired form.

Abstract: A mono-dispersed fine polymer particle having an irregular shape manufactured by processing a polymer particle dispersing solution in which at least one kind of hydrophilic-hydrophobic amphoteric organic solvent is added to the polymer particle dispersing solution so that particles can be associated with each other. The mutual solubility in water of the hydrophilic-hydrophobic amphoteric organic solvent is in the range from 0.1 to 50%.

Abstract: Fire-resistant structures are provided having at least a 20 minute ASTM E-152 fire test rating. The structures include glass partition walls having framing members formed from a gypsum-containing composition having a density of at least about 60 lbs/ft.sup.3, a flexural strength of at least 30 lbs ( 1/2 inch thick material), and a screw-holding capacity of at least about 400 lbs. The gypsum-containing composition further contains a substantially uniform distribution of solids including about 65 wt.% to about 90 wt.% set gypsum dihydrate, about 7 wt.% to about 30 wt.% paper fiber, and about 1.5 wt.% to about 35 wt.% of one or more performance boosters selected from inorganic fiber, clay, vermiculite, and binder polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements to reinforced ribbed structures, and in particular to reinforced or strengthened spirally wound pipes or tubes made from composite materials.

Abstract: A method for increasing the energy absorption of a fabric constructed of high tenacity fiber. This method modifies the ballistic stress-deflection curve of the fabric by effectively toughening the fabric by controlling the peak stresses generated in the fabric layer. These stresses are controlled by perforating the fabric into relatively narrow portions or cutting the fabric into relatively narrow strips, preferably along the bias. This unexpected property is counter-intuitive to known expertise in this area in that the weakening of the fabric by cutting or perforating actually improves the ballistic performance.

Abstract: The ski described is characterized by the use of a selected fiber reinforced material comprising a sheetlike textile material and a thermoset resin, the fiber content being 30-70% by weight and the fiber being not less than 30% by weight synthetic. This material is notable for high flexibility and high restoring forces and confers excellent properties on the ski, for example good vibration damping.

Abstract: A method for increasing the energy absorption of a fabric constructed of high tenacity fiber. This method modifies the ballistic stress-deflection curve of the fabric by effectively toughening the fabric by controlling the peak stresses generated in the fabric layer. These stresses are controlled by perforating the fabric into relatively narrow portions or cutting the fabric into relatively narrow strips, preferably along the bias. This unexpected property is counter-intuitive to known expertise in this area in that the weakening of the fabric by cutting or perforating actually improves the ballistic performance.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a structural member comprising a thermoplastic composite core with an exterior reinforcing layer, the core member is initially extruded in the shape of a profile. The profile is then contacted with reinforcing fiber and resin to form the exterior reinforcing layer. The exterior thermosetting layer is cured to form a reinforcing layer. The structural member is preferably manufactured using a pultrusion method in which a tractor device is used to provide linear movement of the profile from the extrusion head to the exterior coating operation. The fiber-reinforced thermoset is coated on the entirety of the exterior of the profile or is applied only on a portion of the profile requiring reinforcement in a defined load-bearing direction. The preferred thermoplastic core comprises a polymer-fiber composite material.

Abstract: A method for increasing the energy absorption of a fabric constructed of high tenacity fiber. This method modifies the ballistic stress-deflection curve of the fabric by effectively toughening the fabric by controlling the peak stresses generated in the fabric layer. These stresses are controlled by perforating the fabric into relatively narrow portions or cutting the fabric into relatively narrow strips, preferably along the bias. This unexpected property is counter-intuitive to known expertise in this area in that the weakening of the fabric by cutting or perforating actually improves the ballistic performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a backing for a coated abrasive article, wherein the backing includes a tough, heat resistant, thermoplastic binder material, and an effective amount of a fibrous reinforcing material distributed throughout the thermoplastic binder material. The tough, heat resistant, thermoplastic binder material and the fibrous reinforcing material together form a hardened composition that will not substantially deform or disintegrate during use.

Abstract: A laminated composite material with improved interlaminar strength and damage tolerance having short rods distributed evenly throughout the composite material perpendicular to the laminae. Each rod is shorter than the thickness of the finished laminate, but several times as long as the thickness of each lamina. The laminate is made by inserting short rods in layers of prepreg material, and then stacking and curing prepreg material with rods inserted therethrough.

Abstract: A glass mat reinforced thermoplastic semi-finished sheet material comprising thermoplastic resin and at least two needled continuous and/or chopped glass fibre strand mats is disclosed as well as a method for its manufacturing and its use. Each of said glass mats is needled from the two sides in an asymmetrical way, so that the number of fibre ends protruding from the two major mat surfaces are practically the same, but the length of said fibre ends protruding from the first major surface is substantially longer than the length of the fibre ends protruding from the second opposite major surface. Said glass mats are impregnated with thermoplastic resin, having either their first major surfaces directed towards the outside surface of said thermoplastic sheet, for maximum mouldability, or having their second major surfaces directed towards the outside surface of said thermoplastic sheet, for maximum surface quality of the moulded part.

Abstract: A method of preparing a laminate having increased peel strength and solvent resistance which involves (A) applying an adhesive composition to a surface of a first sheet; (B) exposing the adhesive composition on the surface of the first sheet to incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation from a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp; (C) bringing a surface of a second sheet in contact with the adhesive composition-bearing surface of the first article; and (D) allowing the adhesive composition to cure. The incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation has a single narrow wavelength band within the range of from about 260 to about 360 nanometers. The adhesive composition includes from about 94 to about 60 percent by weight of a cycloaliphatic diepoxide, from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of a cationic photoinitiator, and from about 5 to about 30 percent by weight of a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol terpolymer, all based on the weight of adhesive composition.

Abstract: Partially oriented yarns (POY), when processed into short fibers and used as a fiber reinforcement in an elastomer, have been found to demonstrate reduced crack propagation in the elastomer. POY reinforced elastomers can be used in tires to replace cord reinforced components, and for example, can be used in the tread base of a tire, obviating the need for an overlay ply. In one embodiment it has been found that the properties of a fiber reinforced elastomer can be optimized by using a mixture of partially oriented fibers and fibrillated pulp fibers, such as pulped high modulus rigid rod liquid crystalline fibers, as the fiber reinforcement.

Abstract: A protective, impact resistant material and method, the material comprising a fabric of thermoplastic polymeric fibers having a strength of at least 0.5 GPa and an elastic modulus of at least 25 GPa and a matrix of polymeric material disposed in the interstices between the fibers, the matrix having an elastic modulus in the range 0.2 to 3.times.10.sup.6 psi. The polymeric fibers can be gel spun polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene terephthalate. In a second embodiment, the matrix is derived from the fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material for fastening pallets to be used to transfer printed circuit boards for automatic soldering. The composite material is composed of a thermosetting resin, reinforcing long fibers, and a light-colored electrically conductive filler. The pallets are formed from the composite material by heating and pressing. The pallets have high electrical conductivity to prevent static build-up, a light color which permits coloring, and good mechanical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adsorbent fibrous nonwoven structure composed of (1) a matrix of pulp fibers having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface; and (2) an adsorbent material integrated into the pulp fiber matrix so that the concentration of adsorbent material adjacent the first exterior surface of the nonwoven structure is at least about 60 percent, as determined by optical image analysis, and the concentration of adsorbent material adjacent the second exterior surface is less than about 40 percent, as determined by optical image analysis. This adsorbent nonwoven structure provides useful strength and low-lint characteristics. The fibrous nonwoven structure of the present invention may be laminated together or to surfaces of other materials.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers, glass microballoons and/or diatoms, bound together with a ceramic reinforcing cloth with a sol-gel ceramic binder. The composite is particularly useful as a high strength, high temperature insulation material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectric materials used in circuit board, radar and microwave applications and methods of making these materials. The dielectric materials of this invention are characterized by having a ground plane, at least two dielectric materials having different dielectric constants and a common conducting layer positioned over the dielectric materials.

Abstract: A method for increasing the energy absorption of a fabric constructed of high tenacity fiber. This method modifies the ballistic stress-deflection curve of the fabric by effectively toughening the fabric by controlling the peak stresses generated in the fabric layer. These stresses are controlled by perforating the fabric into relatively narrow portions or cutting the fabric into relatively narrow strips, preferably along the bias. This unexpected property is counter-intuitive to known expertise in this area in that the weakening of the fabric by cutting or perforating actually improves the ballistic performance.