Abstract: Fiber-based composite material for use in an automated packaging formation and padded mailers and corresponding systems and methods are provided herein. A fiber-based composite includes a fiber-based liner defining a liner width and a fiber-based padding defining a first surface and a second surface attached to the backing material to provide cushioning for items within a mailer. The fiber-based padding defines a padding width which is less than the liner width thereby defining a first liner overhang and a second liner overhang. A heat seal material is disposed on the first surface of the fiber-based padding, the first liner overhang and the second liner overhang to aid in heat seal formation between opposite surfaces when used to form a package. The heat seal material may, in some cases, includes an anti-stick additive.

Abstract: A woven fabric formed from polyamide fibers, wherein: a. the woven fabric exhibits a Fabric Relative Viscosity of ?90; b. the Edgecomb Resistance of the fabric is at least 500N in each of the warp and the weft directions; c. the fabric has a Dynamic Air Permeability of no more than 500 mm/s; wherein the fabric exhibits improved seam performance in deployment in comparison to a control fabric characterized by <90 Fabric RV with the same fabric construction.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag fabric comprises weft yarn and warp yarn. The weft yarn contains from ?1 to ?100 weight percent of recycled polymer material and has from ?1 to ?6 denier per filament (dpf), a tenacity of 65 to 80 cN/tex and a fluff content of ?150 fluffs per million linear meters of yarn. The warp yarn contains equal or less recycled polymer material per unit weight than the weft yarn and has from ?1 to ?6 denier per filament (dpf) and a fluff content lower than that of the weft yarn.

Abstract: Padded materials and corresponding systems and methods for forming the same are provided herein. A padded material comprises a first web of paper-based material defining a first and a second surface, and a second web of paper-based material defining a first and a second surface. The padded material defines a plurality of consecutive panel sections formed of a first edge, a second edge, a first panel breakline and a second panel breakline. A first adhesive is positioned between corresponding portions of the first web and the second web. A starch-based padding is sandwiched between the first web and the second web with a second adhesive. The starch-based padding defines a non-uniform placement density along the first web between 15%-40%. The placement density is the ratio of area covered by the starch-based particles to the web area defined between the first edge, second edge, first panel breakline, and second panel breakline.

Abstract: Padded materials and corresponding systems and methods for forming the same are provided herein. A padded material comprises a first web of paper-based material defining a first and a second surface, and a second web of paper-based material defining a first and a second surface. A first layer of heat seal coating is disposed on the second surface of the first web, and a second layer of heat seal coating is disposed on the second surface of the second web. A starch-based padding is sandwiched between the first web and the second web such that the starch-based padding is positioned between the first surface of the first web and the second layer of heat seal coating disposed on the second surface of the second web. The padded material may be formed into a roll stock that is used in an automated packaging machine, such as an automated mailer formation device.

Abstract: A composition for the treatment of fiber, yarn and fabrics, said composition comprising at least one highly dispersible clay nanoparticle component, at least one silicone polymer component; and water. Also provided is fiber surface treated with these compositions as well as articles including yarns, fabrics and carpets of the surface treated fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers comprising a modified polyamide, such as a modified nylon-6, a modified nylon-6,6, or a modified nylon-5,6. The polyamide may be modified to contain a modified polyolefin, such as a maleated polyolefin. The disclosed fibers are hydrophobic and have surprising properties and benefits as compared to fibers having the same base polymer but without modification.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymerization initiators as may be utilized for addition of polymers to a substrate surface. The initiators are azo-based initiators that include multi-functionality through addition of multiple anchoring agents to an inner azo group. Disclosed polymerization initiators can be utilized to form high density and high molecular weight polymers on a surface such as a particulate surface. Formed materials can be beneficial in one embodiment in fracking applications, providing composite proppant/polymer materials that can prevent leakage of polymers from a subterranean geologic formation.

Abstract: A composition for the treatment of fiber, yarn and fabrics, said composition comprising at least one highly dispersible clay nanoparticle component, at least one silicone polymer component; and water. Also provided is fiber surface treated with these compositions as well as articles including yarns, fabrics and carpets of the surface treated fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymerization initiators as may be utilized for addition of polymers to a substrate surface. The initiators are azo-based initiators that include multi-functionality through addition of multiple anchoring agents to an inner azo group. Disclosed polymerization initiators can be utilized to form high density and high molecular weight polymers on a surface such as a particulate surface. Formed materials can be beneficial in one embodiment in fracking applications, providing composite proppant/polymer materials that can prevent leakage of polymers from a subterranean geologic formation.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymerization initiators as may be utilized for addition of polymers to a substrate surface. The initiators are azo-based initiators that include multi-functionality through addition of multiple anchoring agents to an inner azo group. Disclosed polymerization initiators can be utilized to form high density and high molecular weight polymers on a surface such as a particulate surface. Formed materials can be beneficial in one embodiment in fracking applications, providing composite proppant/polymer materials that can prevent leakage of polymers from a subterranean geologic formation.

Abstract: A RAFT agent is provided that includes a thiocarbonylthio-containing organic compound having a phosphonic end group. The RAFT agent can have the formula: wherein Z is an organic linkage; R1 is H or an alkyl group; R2 is H or an alkyl group; A is O, S, or NH; and R? is an organic end group. A method is also provided for forming a polymer chain on a surface of a nanoparticle. The method can include: attaching a RAFT agent to the surface of the nanoparticle such that the phosphonic group of the RAFT agent is covalently bonded to the surface of the nanoparticle; and attaching a polymer to the RAFT agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymerization initiators as may be utilized for addition of polymers to a substrate surface. The initiators are azo-based initiators that include multi-functionality through addition of multiple anchoring agents to an inner azo group. Disclosed polymerization initiators can be utilized to form high density and high molecular weight polymers on a surface such as a particulate surface. Formed materials can be beneficial in one embodiment in fracking applications, providing composite proppant/polymer materials that can prevent leakage of polymers from a subterranean geologic formation.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a binary polymer functionalized nanoparticle are generally provided. In one embodiment, a first anchoring compound is attached to a nanoparticle, and a first plurality of first monomers are polymerized on the first anchoring compound to form a first polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the first anchoring compound. In another embodiment, a first polymeric chain can be attached to the nanoparticle, where the first polymeric chain has been polymerized prior to attachment to the nanoparticle. Thereafter, a second anchoring compound is attached to the nanoparticle, and a second plurality of second monomers are polymerized on the second anchoring compound to form a second polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the second anchoring compound. Nanoparticles are also generally provided having multiple polymeric assemblies.

Abstract: An intermediate compound for forming a RAFT agent is provided that can have the formula: where n is an integer from 1 to 20; m is an integer from 0 to 20; R1 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; R2 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; Y is OH, COOH, or NH2; and X is OH, COOH, NH2, a nitrobenzyl, benzyl, or para-methyl benzyl group. A RAFT agent is also provided that comprises a thiocarbonylthio-containing organic compound having a phosphonic end group. A method is also provided for forming a polymer chain on a surface of a nanoparticle utilizing the RAFT agent, along with nanoparticles and nanocomposites formed therefrom.

Abstract: An intermediate compound for forming a RAFT agent is provided that can have the formula: where n is an integer from 1 to 20; m is an integer from 0 to 20; R1 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; R2 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; Y is OH, COOH, or NH2; and X is OH, COOH, NH2, a nitrobenzyl, benzyl, or para-methyl benzyl group. A RAFT agent is also provided that comprises a thiocarbonylthio-containing organic compound having a phosphonic end group. A method is also provided for forming a polymer chain on a surface of a nanoparticle utilizing the RAFT agent, along with nanoparticles and nanocomposites formed therefrom.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a binary polymer functionalized nanoparticle are generally provided. In one embodiment, a first anchoring compound is attached to a nanoparticle, and a first plurality of first monomers are polymerized on the first anchoring compound to form a first polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the first anchoring compound. In another embodiment, a first polymeric chain can be attached to the nanoparticle, where the first polymeric chain has been polymerized prior to attachment to the nanoparticle. Thereafter, a second anchoring compound is attached to the nanoparticle, and a second plurality of second monomers are polymerized on the second anchoring compound to form a second polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the second anchoring compound. Nanoparticles are also generally provided having multiple polymeric assemblies.

Abstract: Silicone-based nanocomposites that include a plurality of multimodal nanoparticles dispersed within a silicone-based polymeric matrix are provided. Each of the multimodal nanoparticle has a first plurality of long silicone compatible polymeric chains and a second plurality of short silicone compatible polymeric chains grafted onto a surface of a nanoparticle (e.g., an inorganic nanoparticle, such as silica, alumina, titania, indium tin oxide, CdSe, etc.), with the short silicone compatible polymeric chains present on each multimodal nanoparticle at a higher grafting density than the long silicone compatible polymeric chains. Methods are also provided for forming a silicone-based nanocomposite.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a binary polymer functionalized nanoparticle are generally provided. In one embodiment, a first anchoring compound is attached to a nanoparticle, and a first plurality of first monomers are polymerized on the first anchoring compound to form a first polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the first anchoring compound. In another embodiment, a first polymeric chain can be attached to the nanoparticle, where the first polymeric chain has been polymerized prior to attachment to the nanoparticle. Thereafter, a second anchoring compound is attached to the nanoparticle, and a second plurality of second monomers are polymerized on the second anchoring compound to form a second polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the second anchoring compound. Nanoparticles are also generally provided having multiple polymeric assemblies.

Abstract: An intermediate compound for forming a RAFT agent is provided that can have the formula: where n is an integer from 1 to 20; m is an integer from 0 to 20; R1 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; R2 is H, an alkyl group, or a cyano group; Y is OH, COOH, or NH2; and X is OH, COOH, NH2, a nitrobenzyl, benzyl, or para-methyl benzyl group. A RAFT agent is also provided that comprises a thiocarbonylthio-containing organic compound having a phosphonic end group. A method is also provided for forming a polymer chain on a surface of a nanoparticle utilizing the RAFT agent, along with nanoparticles and nanocomposites formed therefrom.