Abstract: A thermoplastic epoxy matrix formulation, based on 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic epoxy matrix formulation, includes 0.1 to 95 parts by weight of a difunctional epoxy resin and 0.1 to 80 parts by weight of a latent hardener, wherein the latent hardener is an amine compound containing two reactive hydrogens.

Abstract: Microcapsules or macrocapsules have a core composition that includes a phase changing material (PCM) encapsulated within a polymer wall with an outer shell having a siloxane tethered to an exterior surface of the polymer wall by a surfactant. The siloxane may form a crystalline or a sol-gel outer shell. Methods of making such capsules and textile fabrics and clothing incorporating such capsules include treating pre-formed capsules with a surfactant solution followed by treating with a compound containing a siloxane functional group. The surfactant connects or tethers the siloxane to the exterior surface of the polymer wall and the siloxane forms an outer shell of the capsules.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a resin composition, comprising an epoxy resin, a high molecular weight polyetheramine and an amine-terminated acrylonitrile rubber. Various products can be made from the resin composition, such as prepregs, laminates, printed circuit boards or rigid-flex boards, in which one, multiple or all of the following properties can be met: low resin flow, low dust weight loss, high peel strength at room temperature and at high temperature, low moisture absorption rate, and better varnish stability.

Abstract: Provided are a sizing agent coated carbon fiber bundle that has excellent mechanical characteristics when used as a carbon fiber reinforced composite material, as well as excellent ease of handling; a method for manufacturing the same; and a prepreg and carbon fiber reinforced composite material of excellent mechanical characteristics, employing the fiber bundle. The carbon fiber bundle is coated with a sizing agent that includes a polyether aliphatic epoxy compound having two or more epoxy groups per molecule and/or a polyol aliphatic epoxy compound or a non-water-soluble compound having a glass transition temperature of ?100-50° C.

Abstract: Provided herein is a composition comprising from 50% to 60% polysiloxane consisting essentially of polyphenylmethylsiloxane and ?,?-methoxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, from 40% to 50% organic solvent, from 2% to 4% polysilazane, and polysilane of a formula (R1R2Si)n, wherein n is greater than 1, and wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkylamino, aryl, aralkyl, or alkylsilyl. The composition, after curing, is a flame resistant binder for forming a composition-fiber composite that withstands repeated temperatures over 1800° F. The composition may further comprise from 0.1% to 2% of an enhancer selected from butyltitanate and aminoethylaminopropyltrimethoxysilane (H2NC2H4NHC3H6—Si(OCH3)3). The composition may be mixed with fibers in a ratio of 35:65 to 45:55 (w/w), and the composition-fiber mixture may be cured under vacuum at a temperature of 200° F. to 450° F. for 30 minutes to 180 minutes to form a composite.

Abstract: Provided is a conjugate fiber for air-laid nonwoven fabric manufacture having a planar zig-zag crimp shape before a thermal treatment, such that a uniform web is obtained by air laying with high processability and productivity, and the conjugate fiber develops a spiral crimp when the web is subjected to a thermal treatment to thereby enable the web to shrink significantly, as a result of which a nonwoven fabric can be obtained in which fibers are amassed to a high density. The conjugate fiber for air-laid nonwoven fabric manufacture is a heat-fusible conjugate fiber in which a first component comprising an olefinic thermoplastic resin is conjugated with a second component comprising an olefinic thermoplastic resin having a melting point higher than that of the first component.

Abstract: In some aspects, the inventive subject matter contemplates: providing a substrate; providing a biomaterial to be affixed to the substrate; and subjecting the substrate and biomaterial to reactive species from a plasma generated by an atmospheric plasma apparatus until the biomaterial affixes to the substrate. The biomaterial may be silk or wool polypeptide. The biomaterial is deposited as a monomeric film on the surface of the substrate before the substrate is subjected to the reactive species of the plasma. Once the substrate with the film of biomaterial is subjected to the reactive species, the reactive species facilitates the polymerization of the film as a coating on the underlying portion of substrate. The resulting coated substrates are novel constructs that have improved attributes based on the biomaterial selected for use. For example, silk proteins may be used improve the hand or strength of textile materials.

Abstract: Provided herein is a new fire barrier material composed of flame retardant (FR) cellulosic fiber(s) and one or more of an antimicrobial (AM) cellulosic fiber and an untreated cellulosic fiber(s). The fire barrier material may be a fabric woven or knitted from the yarn containing the FR cellulosic fiber(s) and the one or more of AM cellulosic fibers and untreated cellulosic fibers. When AM cellulosic fibers are combined with FR treated cellulosic fibers, the fire barrier material has the dual features of flame retardancy and antimicrobial properties. The fire barrier material may also be a nonwoven, and in preferred embodiments optionally includes a binder fiber. The FR cellulosic fiber contains FR chemical(s) or FR compound(s) that have a melting point or decomposition temperature at 400° C. (752° F.) or below.

Abstract: A curable epoxy composition comprising an epoxy compound (A), active ester compound (B), and triazine structure-containing phenol resin (C), wherein the epoxy compound (A) includes a polyvalent epoxy compound (A-1) which has an alicyclic condensed polyvalent structure in a ratio of content of 30 wt % or more is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape. The carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape includes a first surface, a second surface and a side surface, wherein a carbon nanotube of the first surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, a carbon nanotube of the second surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, and a carbon nanotube of the side surface has degree of orientation in which a Herman orientation coefficient is 0.2 or more and 0.99 or less, and the first surface and second surface are mutually arranged in parallel and the side surface is perpendicular with respect to the first surface and second surface.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a non-rigid composite sheet comprising in order (i) a first component having an areal weight of from 88 to 678 gsm comprising a first fabric of filamentary yarns having a tenacity of at least 11 g/dtex and a UV and weather impervious first polymeric layer. (ii) a second component having an areal weight of from 120 to 430 gsm comprising a flame resistant paper and (iii) a third component having an areal weight of from 88 to 678 gsm comprising a second fabric of filamentary yarns having a tenacity of at least 11 g/dtex and an impact and scratch resistant second polymeric layer, the second fabric of the third component being adjacent to the paper of the second component.

Abstract: A UniDirectional (UD) preimpregnated material (prepreg) and method of production are provided. A plurality of reinforced fibers are arranged in one direction. At least one auxiliary fiber is arranged such that it crosses the plurality of reinforced fibers to maintain the arrangement of the plurality of reinforced fibers. The plurality of reinforced fibers and the at least one auxiliary fiber are impregnated with a coupling material, and the coupling material is cured with the plurality of reinforced fibers and the at least one auxiliary fiber.

Abstract: Concentrated dispersion from 5 to 50% by weight of nanoparticles of graphene in water with a lateral size from 10 to 5000 nm and thickness from 0.34 to 30 nm. The production process comprises the dispersion in water of flakes of expanded graphite and the subsequent treatment with ultrasounds at an energy level of from 100 to 2000 W for a period from 1 to 100 hours.

Abstract: An elastic thread yarn comprising linen and/or ramié and/or hemp and an elastic thread, with a thread made of an elastomeric material, and a substantially inextensible yarn made of linen and/or ramié and/or hemp helically wound about the elastomeric core at a predetermined number of windings per length unit of elasticized yarn, wherein, for each metric count Nm, the number of windings substantially inextensible yarn of the elasticized yarn, is set between two values indicated by two curves (12, 13) which can be expressed according to exponential laws, for example, with the same exponent, i.e. according to equations of the form T=K N0, 327 where K is 20 and 50, respectively. In particular, an intermediate curve 11 is such that, by choosing for a given metric count a number of windings proximate to curve 11, this best feature balance is obtained. In an exemplary embodiment, the core comprises a bare elastic thread, i.e. an elastic thread that is not coated by other fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flame-retardant Lyocell fibers which include incorporated inorganic additives which are particularly suited for use in flame barriers for articles of manufacture, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture applications.

Abstract: Provided is an aqueous urethane resin composition with which a fiber base can be impregnated, which is capable of thermal coagulation, which does not detach from the fiber base due to water or heat in the step of coloring the impregnated base, and which is capable of forming a coating film having resistance to discoloration which may occur with time and an excellent feeling, that is, flexibility and resilience. The aqueous urethane resin composition includes a urethane resin a nonionic emulsifier, and an aqueous medium, the urethane resin being produced by reacting a polyol including a polyol including a carboxyl group with an aromatic polyisocyanate and a chain extender, the content of urea linkage in the urethane resin being 0.3 mol/kg or less. Also provided is a leather-like sheet produced by impregnating a fiber base with the aqueous urethane resin composition and subsequently performing thermal coagulation of the urethane resin composition.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions are provided that include a crosslinked silicone gel, a hydrophilic component dispersed in the silicone gel, and an antimicrobial agent dispersed in the silicone gel. The adhesive composition is readily applied to (and removed from) skin, and has desirable hydrophilic and antimicrobial properties. Advantageously, the hydrophilic component in the crosslinked silicone gel is not readily extractable (e.g., into a pH 7 buffer). Surprisingly, the combination of hydrophilic component with antimicrobial agent in the crosslinked silicone gel can provide a synergistic level of antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: A dissolvable produce washing label includes a dissolvable facestock impregnated with a produce cleanser; an adhesive layer; and a coating to seal and protect from water and humidity. When rubbed and washed with water by the end user the top coating wears and breaks to expose the dissolvable substrate, thereby dissolving the facestock and releasing the produce wash.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a penetration-resistant article that includes a textile fabric made from aramid fibers finished with finish solids. The finish solids include a carbonic acid polyester. The penetration-resistant article can be a fragment protection mat, a bullet-proof vest, a flak jacket, a stab-resistant vest, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The laminate according to the invention is a multiple layer structure and contains predominantly urethane-based polymeric materials in the cap and base layers thereof, with no significant amount of PVC. As such, under combustion conditions, the laminate releases substantially no harmful halogen-based bases, such as HCl or other toxic gases, and exhibits toxicity and smoke generation parameters well below acceptable industry standards.