Abstract: A structural laminate comprises at least one planar facing sheet comprised largely of glass fibers but not having micro-glass as a filler. The facing sheet is self adhered to a rigid thermosetting plastic foam core. The non-glass filler material is chosen from a group consisting of clay, mica, talc, limestone (calcium carbonate), gypsum (calcium sulfate), aluminum trihydrate (ATH), antimony oxide, cellulose fibers, and plastic polymer fibers. The non-glass filler material improves containment of liquid plastic thermosetting polymer, and offers economic and safety advantages.

Abstract: An automotive bumper is disclosed which comprises a shell of injection molded platable grade ABS plastic. The plastic shell is plated with chromium metal and then backfilled by injection of ethylene ionomers. The resultant composite product provides an article which has a metallic appearing external surface and is backfilled with a strong, resilient plastic core. The composite structure has a pleasing appearance, is lightweight and is easy to manufacture. It has substantial structural integrity necessary to serve as impact resistant members on automobiles. The invention also provides a novel process to bond ethylene ionomers to plastic articles of metal-platable grade plastic resin.

Abstract: There is provided a radiation-curable adhesive tape comprising a radiation-curable adhesive layer which is formed on a radiation transmitting substrate. The radiation-curable adhesive layer is composed of an acrylic adhesive and radiation-curable compound having carbon-carbon double bonds. The radiation-curable tape can be used preferably in processing steps for the production of semiconductor wafer, ceramics and glass employing a direct picking-up system.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided laminated molded articles excellent in properties such as heat resistance, low-temperature resistance and the like and also excellent in soft touch and hand feel, said laminated molded articles comprising(a) a core layer composed of a synthetic resin,(b) an interlayer (I) composed of a polyolefin foam, polyurethane foam or thermoplastic elastomer foam, formed on said core layer,(c) an interlayer (II) composed of a modified polyolefin elastomer graft modified with at least one graft monomer selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids, derivatives thereof, unsaturated epoxy monomers and unsaturated hydroxy monomers, formed on said interlayer (I), and(d) a surface skin composed of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyurethane and polyesters, formed on said interlayer (II), said surface skin being decorated, if necessary, by gigging the surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a C.sub.2-6 polyfluorocarbon compound containing no chlorine or bromine atoms as physical blowing agent in the preparation of rigid, closed-cell, polymer foams. Use of such blowing agents, especially 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a), in the preparation of polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams provided for products in which the loss in thermal insulation performance with time compared to products prepared in absence of such blowing agents is reduced.

Abstract: Methods of forming by polymerization reaction a silicate gel which exhibits intumescence upon application of heat and various products formed from the resulting ceramic foam materials. Specific formulations and processing steps best suited to particular applications are set forth, together with examples of various types and configurations of the resulting products. These include structural materials, such as sheets of wall board, very low density insulation materials, articles useful as a protective barrier from heat or flame, vitreous materials useful as heat resistant tiles or as abrasive wheels or blocks for grinding or polishing, and ceramic foam materials incorporating silica gel and processed solely with microwave heat.

Abstract: The invention deals with composite elements having improved resistance against stress cracking corrosion especially for low temperature housing compartments, comprising:(a) at least one top layer of polystyrene, preferably toughened polystyrene, having certain mechanical properties; and(B) a layer of polyurethane foam, preferably polyurethane rigid foam;said polyurethane rigid foam prepared while using difluorochloromethane as a blowing agent or a blowing agent mixture which essentially comprises water, difluorochloromethane, and optionally trichlorofluoromethane.

Abstract: A panel formed as a laminate with a decorative fabric at the exposed face includes a pair of foamed resin layers as backing material. Between the foamed resin layers is a fiber glass layer for strength. Means are provided to attach the panel to a substrate.

Abstract: Elongate foam strips are formed by cold welding a flat foam web using blunt rotary cutters. A manually separable array of foam strips is formed by welding a flat foam web along a series of parallel lines, using cold welding or other joining methods, and packaging the array without separating the individual strips from one another.

Abstract: Rigid foamed polymethacrylimide synthetic resin containing from 0.1 to 10 percent by weight of electrically conductive particles such as conductive carbon black exhibit improved properties when used in rapidly flowing streams of gases, are particularly suitable for use as a core material in laminates for aircraft construction, and are prepared by heating a copolymer of methacrylic acid and methyacrylonitrile containing a blowing agent and conductive particles.

Abstract: A self propelled enclosed apparatus for coupling sections of plastic pipe by fusion together to form a pipeline. The apparatus comprises a housing having a forwardly extending boom or trough for receiving pipe sections. Pipe sections are loaded onto the boom and fed to a fusion machine in the housing. The fusion machine is provided with hydraulically operated clamps and rollers to align and hold a section of pipe in mating relationship with a pipeline and a heating plate for forming a fused joint between the pipe section and the pipeline. Cooling apparatus is provided at the joint to reduce its temperature following fusion. Kick out rollers are provided, and the fused together pipeline exits the apparatus to a trailer towed thereby to be laid on the earth's surface or in trench. The trailer, self propelled apparatus, and boom are equipped with pipe support members to provide strain relief on the joint during fusion.

Abstract: A multi-layer arrangement of films which is capable of being deep-drawn including at least an upper and lower film, which is backed by a foam layer, for example, polyurethane foam, for the fabrication of molded objects such as automobile dashboards or similar parts, wherein at least one layer (12, 14) contains particulate pigments which are added during the fabrication of the film and which have essentially no effect on the color of the upper layer (12).

Abstract: The stratiform product in sheet form for packaging purposes comprises at least one impact-resistant film, made e.g., from a closed-cell foamed polyethylene, and a layer constituted by an elastomeric mass endowed with properties of selective and repetitive adhesion. Between this impact-resistant film and the layer of elastomeric mass, a support for this latter layer can be provided, which is constituted, e.g., by a non-woven fabric or by a plastic film. The product for packaging purposes protects the packaged articles against the impacts and the environmental agents, keeps said packaged articles fixed in a predetermined relative position and makes it possible inspections and/or checks to be carried out, with the initial integrity of the package being subsequently restored.

Abstract: Process for preparing heat-insulating structural elements, which comprises the steps of:(a) applying to the convex portion of a first half-shell a layer of beads made from a semi-foamed or foamed thermoplastic polymer, in order to produce a layer with an essentially constant thickness;(b) sintering the beads; and(c) applying to the so obtained composite a second half-shell capable of fitting the shape of the sintered layer.

Abstract: A reflective marker for highway striping, signs and other surfaces is produced from a multiplicity of thermoplastic or thermosetting granules in the shape of tetrahedrons. A plurality of glass spheres having a diameter in the range of from about 6.0 microns to about 0.125 inches are substantially evenly dispersed throughout each granule with some of the spheres protruding through the outer granule surfaces. To form the granules the glass spheres, the granule material and a suitable pigment are mixed together and then applied to a flexible sheet or a roller containing a multiplicity of tetrahedron-shaped indentations. The mixture is urged into each of the indentations and is then cured. The resulting granules are removed from the indentations and are dropped from a random position onto a freshly painted highway line or other surface such that one of the flat faces on each granule is disposed in a downward direction.

Abstract: The composite article of the present invention comprises a resin binder impregnated fiberglass matte having adjacent to one or more of said matte's edges a strip of semi-rigid foam. On one or more surface of the core is bonded one or more reinforcing or decorative layers. Further disclosed is the method for making these composite articles.

Abstract: A process in which a blowing agent dispersion is used for producing poly(vinyl chloride) that is particularly well suited for use in insulation covers and the insulation covers made from the resultant poly(vinyl chloride).

Abstract: Expandable foam which includes a foamable polyvinylchloride (PVC) base resin combined with a glutarate ester plasticizer and stabilizing agents. The compound is cast on a release liner and heated to expand the compound into a foamed state. The resulting foam when coated with adhesive is particularly useful in adhering to plastic materials.

Abstract: A reusable, composite coaster for use with a beverage container is characterized by a base substrate of open cell foam material which is heat fusion and pressure bonded to a cover substrate of polymeric fabric material. The open weave of the polymeric fabric material permits moisture to drain into the open cell foam layer, while preventing the buildup of a partial vacuum between the bottom surface of a beverage container and the coaster surface. Moreover, the polymeric fabric cover substrate increases the tear resistance of the assembly, while the open cell foam layer increases the reservoir capacity of the composite assembly.

Abstract: A lightweight, composite beams for reinforcing a vehicle door is provided. The reinforcing beam comprises a metal tube having a longitudinal cavity which is partially filled with a reinforcing polymeric core which in one aspect includes a thermoset or thermoplastic resin-based material. The core is friction fit or mechanically held within the metal tube at the mid-span of the tube. The composite beam includes end pieces which are adapted to be mounted to a vehicle door panel in a door cavity by spot-welds or the like. The horizontally mounted beam provides substantially increased resistance to side impacts to the vehicle door in the event of a collision.