Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include an additive manufacturing assembly having a printing area, a first nozzle comprising a first nozzle having a first aperture diameter and configured to dispense a first material in the printing area, and a second nozzle comprising a second nozzle having a second aperture diameter that is larger than the first aperture diameter and configured to dispense a second material in the printing area.

Abstract: An article including at least one polymer, the at least one polymer including a silicone elastomer, a thermoplastic elastomer, or combination thereof, wherein the article has an outer surface treated to provide at least silicon moieties, silicon-oxide moieties, silica-like moieties, organosilicon moieties, hydroxyl moieties, hydrocarbon moieties, or combination thereof, wherein the outer surface has a tack decrease of at least 50% compared to a non-treated outer surface.

Abstract: A leak detection sensor including a dielectric substrate including a circuit board material; and a plurality of electrical circuits in communication with the substrate, where the plurality of electrical circuits are located on different sides of the substrate.

Abstract: A composite article including a substrate, having a first major surface, a second major surface; and an amorphous carbon coating overlying the first or the second major surface, where the substrate includes a composition of 1-99 wt. % of an organic polymer and 1-99 wt. % of an inorganic filler.

Abstract: A composite tube includes a first layer including a thermoplastic polymer having a Tg of not greater than about 160° C. and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer including an extruded silicone material. Further included is a method of forming the composite tube which includes providing a first layer including a thermoplastic polymer having a Tg of not greater than about 160° C.; receiving, by an extrusion system, a silicone material; forming, by the extrusion system, a second layer including the silicone material adjacent to the first layer; and irradiating the silicone material with a radiation source to substantially cure the silicone material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates more to processes for making a filter element that includes a filter membrane having a strip of thermoplastic polymer material laminated thereto, for example, as a strip along an edge of the filter membrane. For example, one such process includes providing a sheet of filter membrane having a first surface and an opposed second surface; providing a strip of thermoplastic polymer material having a first surface and an opposed second surface; contacting the first surface of the strip of thermoplastic polymer material with the first surface of the filter membrane; and softening the strip of thermoplastic polymer material at at least its first surface by irradiation with laser radiation; such that the softened polymer material of the first surface of the strip of thermoplastic polymer material bonds to the first surface of the filter membrane upon hardening.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include an additive manufacturing assembly having a printing area, a first nozzle comprising a first nozzle having a first aperture diameter and configured to dispense a first material in the printing area, and a second nozzle comprising a second nozzle having a second aperture diameter that is larger than the first aperture diameter and configured to dispense a second material in the printing area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles comprising first and second layers, each layer including a cross-linkable polymer and a cross-linker, to methods for preparing and curing such articles, and to articles formed thereby. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a curable article including a first layer including a first cross-linkable polymer comprising at least about two unsaturated carbon bonds, a first cross-linker comprising at least about two silicon-hydride functional groups, present in the first layer in an amount within the range of 0.1 wt. % to 20 wt. %, and a first hydrosilylation catalyst; and a second layer in contact with the first layer, the second layer comprising a second cross-linkable polymer comprising at least about two unsaturated carbon bonds, a second cross-linker comprising at least about two silicon-hydride functional groups, and a second hydrosilylation catalyst. The second layer does not include a substantial amount of the first cross-linkable polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a silicone article is disclosed. The apparatus includes an pumping system to deliver the silicone formulation to a die, the silicone formulation having a viscosity of less than about 2,000,000 centipoise; the die having a distal end, a proximal end, and a channel there between, wherein the silicone formulation flows through the channel of the die; and a source of radiation energy, wherein the radiation energy substantially cures the silicone formulation as the silicone formulation flows out the channel of the die to form the silicone article. The present disclosure further includes a method of forming the silicone article, a silicone tube, and a silicone extrudate.

Abstract: A composite tube includes an inner layer including a silicone polymer, wherein the inner layer has a surface that defines a central lumen of the composite tube; an adhesive layer adjacent to the inner layer, wherein the adhesive layer includes an adhesive silicone material including a silicone polymer and an adhesion promoter, and an outer layer adjacent to the adhesive layer, wherein the outer layer includes a thermoplastic polymer having a functional group that forms a chemical bond with the adhesion promoter of the adhesive silicone material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates more to processes for making a filter element that includes a filter membrane having a strip of thermoplastic polymer material laminated thereto, for example, as a strip along an edge of the filter membrane. For example, one such process includes providing a sheet of filter membrane having a first surface and an opposed second surface; providing a strip of thermoplastic polymer material having a first surface and an opposed second surface; contacting the first surface of the strip of thermoplastic polymer material with the first surface of the filter membrane; and softening the strip of thermoplastic polymer material at at least its first surface by irradiation with laser radiation; such that the softened polymer material of the first surface of the strip of thermoplastic polymer material bonds to the first surface of the filter membrane upon hardening.

Abstract: A composite tube includes an inner layer including a silicone polymer, wherein the inner layer has a surface that defines a central lumen of the composite tube; an adhesive layer adjacent to the inner layer, wherein the adhesive layer includes an adhesive silicone material including a silicone polymer and an adhesion promoter, and an outer layer adjacent to the adhesive layer, wherein the outer layer includes a thermoplastic polymer having a functional group that forms a chemical bond with the adhesion promoter of the adhesive silicone material.

Abstract: Silicone tube structures are formed having a particular dimensional accuracy. In one embodiment, a silicone tube structure can include an extruded hollow body having an inner bore. The extruded hollow body can have an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a length of at least approximately 20 m. The extruded hollow body can also have a dimensional accuracy that is measured by the standard deviation of the inner diameter being no greater than approximately 0.8% of an average inner diameter of the extruded hollow body over the length. In an embodiment, the silicone tube structure can be cut to form a number of silicone tubes.

Abstract: A composite tube includes a first layer including a thermoplastic polymer having a Tg of not greater than about 160° C. and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer including an extruded silicone material. Further included is a method of forming the composite tube which includes providing a first layer including a thermoplastic polymer having a Tg of not greater than about 160° C.; receiving, by an extrusion system, a silicone material; forming, by the extrusion system, a second layer including the silicone material adjacent to the first layer; and irradiating the silicone material with a radiation source to substantially cure the silicone material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a silicone article is disclosed. The apparatus includes an pumping system to deliver the silicone formulation to a die, the silicone formulation having a viscosity of less than about 2,000,000 centipoise; the die having a distal end, a proximal end, and a channel there between, wherein the silicone formulation flows through the channel of the die; and a source of radiation energy, wherein the radiation energy substantially cures the silicone formulation as the silicone formulation flows out the channel of the die to form the silicone article. The present disclosure further includes a method of forming the silicone article, a silicone tube, and a silicone extrudate.

Abstract: Silicone tube structures are formed having a particular dimensional accuracy. In one embodiment, a silicone tube structure can include an extruded hollow body having an inner bore. The extruded hollow body can have an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a length of at least approximately 20 m. The extruded hollow body can also have a dimensional accuracy that is measured by the standard deviation of the inner diameter being no greater than approximately 0.8% of an average inner diameter of the extruded hollow body over the length. In an embodiment, the silicone tube structure can be cut to form a number of silicone tubes.