Abstract: Methods of the invention include those for applying protective sheets to composite articles. According to these methods and resulting composite articles, a protective sheet is applied to at least a portion of an exterior surface formed from a composite material and where protection is desired. At least one exterior surface of the composite article to be protected can be integrally formed in the presence of the protective sheet. Improved bonding of the protective sheet to the composite article and improved processing efficiency are advantageously achieved according to the invention.

Abstract: Methods of the invention include those for applying protective sheets to articles. According to these methods and resulting articles, a protective sheet is applied to at least a portion of an exterior surface where protection is desired on an article. At least one portion of at least one exterior surface of the article to be protected can be integrally formed in the presence of the protective sheet. Improved bonding of the protective sheet to the article and improved processing efficiency are advantageously achieved according to the invention.

Abstract: A method of assembling a hard disk drive comprises steps of: sealing an interface of the base and the cover of an enclosed housing with an infrared-transmissive tape; filling the enclosed housing with a desired gaseous medium; optionally, testing the hard disk drive; and, optionally; re-working the hard disk drive. Preferably, the enclosed housing is free of rubber gasket materials between the base and the cover. A hermetically sealed hard disk drive of the invention comprises: a housing comprising a base and a cover; and disk drive components enclosed within the housing for facilitating reading and recording of data at any desired location on at least one disk contained within the housing, wherein the hard disk drive is free of rubber gasket materials between the base and the cover.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuous production of a partially polymerized composition according to the invention comprise those that facilitate continuously providing polymerizable composition comprising one or more monomers to an angled plane at an elevated position thereon; irradiating the polymerizable composition to form the partially polymerized composition; and continuously removing the partially polymerized composition from the angled plane at a lower position thereon, wherein the angle of the angled plane facilitates free flow of polymerizing composition from the elevated position to the lower position.

Abstract: A method of assembling a hard disk drive comprises steps of: sealing an interface of the base and the cover of an enclosed housing with an infrared-transmissive tape; filling the enclosed housing with a desired gaseous medium; optionally, testing the hard disk drive; and, optionally; re-working the hard disk drive. Preferably, the enclosed housing is free of rubber gasket materials between the base and the cover. A hermetically sealed hard disk drive of the invention comprises: a housing comprising a base and a cover; and disk drive components enclosed within the housing for facilitating reading and recording of data at any desired location on at least one disk contained within the housing, wherein the hard disk drive is free of rubber gasket materials between the base and the cover.

Abstract: A method of assembling a disk drive according to the invention comprises steps of: providing a base component of a housing of the disk drive; providing a cover component of the housing; mating the base component and the cover component to form an enclosed housing that encloses disk drive components for operation of the disk drive; and sealing the disk drive using low thermal energy bonding. A hermetically sealed disk drive of the invention comprises: a housing comprising a base and a cover; and disk drive components enclosed within the housing for operation of the disk drive, wherein the housing comprises a bondline continuously extending around a periphery of the housing for sealing the same.

Abstract: A disk drive assembly of the invention comprises: a hard disk drive; a base; and a cover, wherein the base and the cover are mechanically coupled without using essentially any discrete mechanical fasteners to form an enclosed housing comprising internal hard disk drive components between the base and the cover and to irreversibly hermetically seal the hard disk drive. Methods for forming such disk drive assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for formation of a polymer film in-situ according to the invention comprises steps of: providing a polymerizable composition in one or multiple parts; prior to completion of polymerization of the polymerizable composition, forming a film therefrom; and initiating polymerization of the polymerizable composition using a radiation source to form the polymer film.

Abstract: A method for formation of a polymer film in-situ according to the invention comprises steps of: providing a polymerizable composition in one or multiple parts; initiating polymerization of the polymerizable composition to form a polymerizing composition; prior to completion of polymerization of the polymerizable composition, forming a film therefrom; and fully polymerizing the polymerizing composition to form the polymer film.

Abstract: A reinforced object of the invention comprises: at least one structural layer; and at least one reinforcing rod positioned on or within the at least one structural layer, wherein the object is an elongated object, with the at least one reinforcing rod longitudinally positioned essentially parallel to a central axis thereof. A method of manufacturing the reinforced object comprises steps of: providing a mold; and positioning the at least one reinforcing rod such that it is positioned on or within the at least one structural layer in the reinforced object formed in the mold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuous production of a partially polymerized composition according to the invention comprise those that facilitate continuously providing polymerizable composition comprising one or more monomers to an angled plane at an elevated position thereon; irradiating the polymerizable composition to form the partially polymerized composition; and continuously removing the partially polymerized composition from the angled plane at a lower position thereon, wherein the angle of the angled plane facilitates free flow of polymerizing composition from the elevated position to the lower position.

Abstract: A method of preparing a (meth)acrylate syrup comprises: providing one or more precursors for formation of (meth)acrylate monomer; continuously forming the (meth)acrylate monomer from the one or more precursors thereof; and continuously polymerizing at least the (meth)acrylate monomer to form the (meth)acrylate syrup. The (meth)acrylate syrup is useful in, for example, preparation of adhesives.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for continuous production of a partially polymerized composition comprises: a reactor for formation of monomer to be partially polymerized; and a polymerization reactor for continuously receiving the monomer to be partially polymerized from the reactor in which it is formed and partially polymerizing the monomer. In another embodiment, an apparatus for continuous production of a partially polymerized composition comprises: a polymerization reactor for continuously receiving monomer to be partially polymerized and for partially polymerizing the monomer therein, wherein the polymerization reactor comprises an essentially straight tube for a heating portion and wherein the heating portion is essentially free of internal mixing apparatus.

Abstract: Linerless prepreg, composite articles therefrom, and related methods are disclosed. In linerless prepreg according to the invention, matrix material is impregnated into a reinforcement material without the need for any release liners during manufacture or storage thereof. Beneficially, prepreg of the invention is capable of being easily wound into a roll or stacked for storage, without sticking to itself when it is later used in the manufacture of composite articles.

Abstract: Methods of the invention include those for applying protective sheets to composite articles. According to these methods and resulting composite articles, a protective sheet is applied to at least a portion of an exterior surface formed from a composite material and where protection is desired. At least one exterior surface of the composite article to be protected can be integrally formed in the presence of the protective sheet. Improved bonding of the protective sheet to the composite article and improved processing efficiency are advantageously achieved according to the invention.

Abstract: Resin compositions of the invention are capable of effectively impregnating conventional braid forms and comprise at least one relatively low viscosity resin and at least one viscosity modifier. Hot-melt processing of such resin compositions and others imparts additional advantages and processing efficiencies when preparing braid-reinforced composites.

Abstract: An improved ceramic/metal composite material is disclosed which is fully reacted with aluminum. The composite is made from a ceramic preform, such as silicon carbide, having a binding agent, such as silica, that is contacted with a metal mixture or alloy, such as aluminum/silicon, that reacts with the binding agent to form a ceramic/metal composite material. Also disclosed is a method of making the improved composite material and articles made incorporating the material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and process for removing adherent molten metal from a surface by applying a non-wetting agent for the metal to the surface or to the adherent molten metal. The non-wetting agent may be a pressurized fluid or applied by a pressurized fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and process for removing adherent molten metal from a surface by applying a non-wetting agent for the metal to the surface or to the adherent molten metal. The non-wetting agent may be a pressurized fluid or applied by a pressurized fluid.

Abstract: An improved ceramic/metal composite material is disclosed which is fully reacted with aluminum. The composite is made from a ceramic preform, such as silicon carbide, having a binding agent, such as silica, that is contacted with a metal mixture or alloy, such as aluminum/silicon, that reacts with the binding agent to form a ceramic/metal composite material. Also disclosed is a method of making the improved composite material and articles made incorporating the material.