Abstract: An insulated conductor and method for making it are disclosed. The insulated conductor includes an elongate conductor and a multi-layer insulation system. The multi-layer insulation system has a first insulating layer including an aromatic thermoplastic material overlying the elongate conductor and a second insulating layer including a perfluoropolymer adjacent the first insulating layer. The first and second insulating layers are each applied to a thickness such that the multi-layer insulation system exhibits a scrape abrasion resistance that is significantly greater than sum of the scrape abrasion resistance of the first and second insulating layers individually at that thickness.

Abstract: An insulation stripping assembly for stripping insulation from a conductor. The blade assembly includes a first blade assembly and a second blade assembly. The first blade assembly has a first cutting blade, and the second blade assembly has a second cutting blade. A clenching member is provided on at least one of the first blade assembly and the second blade assembly. The clenching member is spaced from the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade. The first and second cutting blade essentially cut through the insulation and the clenching member engages the insulation to provide increased pulling force to remove the cut insulation from the conductor.

Abstract: An optical fiber with a resilient jacket is disclosed. The optical fiber includes a cushion layer overlying the optical fiber in which the cushion layer is formed from a plurality of cushion members. The cushion members can be tubes that are hollow or that are partially or completely filled with a soft thermoplastic material. A polymeric sleeve overlies the cushion layer.

Abstract: An insulated conductor and method for making it are disclosed. The insulated conductor includes an elongate conductor and a multi-layer insulation system. The multi-layer insulation system has a first insulating layer including an aromatic thermoplastic material overlying the elongate conductor and a second insulating layer including a perfluoropolymer adjacent the first insulating layer. The first and second insulating layers are each applied to a thickness such that the multi-layer insulation system exhibits a scrape abrasion resistance that is significantly greater than sum of the scrape abrasion resistance of the first and second insulating layers individually at that thickness.

Abstract: An insulation stripping assembly for stripping insulation from a conductor. The blade assembly includes a first blade assembly and a second blade assembly. The first blade assembly has a first cutting blade, and the second blade assembly has a second cutting blade. A clenching member is provided on at least one of the first blade assembly and the second blade assembly. The clenching member is spaced from the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade. The first and second cutting blade essentially cut through the insulation and the clenching member engages the insulation to provide increased pulling force to remove the cut insulation from the conductor.

Abstract: An insulated conductor and method for making it are provided. The insulated conductor includes an elongate conductor and an insulation system, the insulation system having an extruded inner insulating layer including an aromatic thermoplastic material adjacent the elongate conductor, an extruded intermediate layer adjacent the inner insulating layer, and an extruded outer insulating layer including a crosslinked fluoropolymer adjacent the intermediate layer. The inner insulating layer has a thickness along its length of less than about 0.051 mm (0.002 inch) and has a volume that is less than about 28% of the total volume of the insulation system.

Abstract: An insulated conductor and method for making it are disclosed. The insulated conductor includes an elongate conductor and a two-layer insulation system. The two-layer insulation system has a first insulating layer including an aromatic thermoplastic material adjacent with the elongate conductor. The first insulating layer has a thickness along its length of less than about 0.051 mm (0.002 inch). The insulation system also includes a second insulating layer including a crosslinked fluoropolymer adjacent the first insulating layer. The volume of the first insulating layer is less than about 26% of the total volume of the insulation system.

Abstract: A method of making a multi-layer insulated elongate member is disclosed. The method includes providing an elongate member and tube extruding a first thermoplastic material onto an outer surface of the elongate member to create a first layer having a thickness less than or equal to 0.064 mm (0.0025 inch) using a first extruder apparatus. The method further includes using a second extruder apparatus for pressure extruding a compound comprising a second thermoplastic material different from the first thermoplastic material onto an outer surface of the first layer to create a second layer. The second layer fully wets the first layer and the flow point of the first thermoplastic material is at least 30° C. greater than the extrusion melt temperature of the second thermoplastic material.

Abstract: Hot melt adhesives include a thermoplastic terpolymer of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoro ethylene and hexafluoropropylene and a terpolymer of glycidyl methacrylate, ethylene and an acrylic ester. The adhesives will bond well to a variety of substrates, in particular substrates of very low surface energy such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Abstract: A foamable copolymer based coupling is provided for securely affixing a light emitting glass lamp in a metal base to form a lamp assembly. The copolymer is preferably selected from ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, and combinations thereof. The foamable coupling may be placed around one end of the glass lamp or in the lamp base before the lamp and base are matingly engaged. The assembled lamp is then heated to a temperature, which causes the foamable coupling to expand and securely affix the lamp in the base.

Abstract: A bi-layer covering sheath has a foamable polymeric inner layer, and a non-foamable non-heat-shrinkable polymeric outer layer surrounding and in intimate contact with the inner layer; the outer layer having a melting point that is at least 60° above the melting point of the inner layer, and the thickness and mechanical strength of the outer layer being such that the sheath retains substantially constant outer dimensions at a temperature sufficient to cause foaming of the inner layer. These sheaths are tubes for covering, generally, elongated substrates such as tubes, rods, wires, and cables, especially tubes, and caps for covering an end of such substrates.

Abstract: Conventional foamable cavity sealing articles are susceptible to sagging when expanded in a vertical orientation with the foaming material facing downwards, because of gravitational drag on the molten material during expansion. The problem is particularly pronounced in foaming materials formulated to have high expansion ratios and low melt viscosities. A solution to the problem is presented in the form of a cavity sealing article having a planar holder and a foamable sealer, the foamable sealer circumscribing the edge of the support member. This construction creates a gripping effect which prevents sagging of the sealing member during expansion.

Abstract: This invention relates to flat cables comprising a plurality of substantially parallel insulated conductors bonded to a polymeric substrate which has a melting point greater than 200.degree. C. and/or a thickness less than 2.5 mils (98 microns) and a method for the production of such cables.

Abstract: An electrical device, particularly a self-regulating strip heater, has improved thermal efficiency, good mechanical properties, and acceptable resistance to water penetration when an outer insulating layer is applied in a way that it penetrates the interstices of a braid surrounding the heater. Appropriate penetration may be achieved by pressure-extruding the outer jacket over the braid.

Abstract: This invention relates to flat cables comprising a plurality of insulated conductors bonded to a porous substrate. The porous substrate is impregnated with a polymeric material capable of bonding to the insulation of the conductors. The strength of the bond can be varied by varying the amount of the impregnant. If it is desired to separate one or more of the conductors from the substrate, for example to form a branch off, a minimum amount of impregnant can be used.

Abstract: This invention relates to flat cables comprising a plurality of insulated conductors bonded to a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate is provided with a layer of polymeric material capable of bonding to the insulation of the conductors. The layer of polymeric material is bonded to the metallic substrate with a peel strength of at least about 1 pound per linear inch (pli). The insulated conductors are bonded to the layer of polymeric material. The bond strength between the insulated conductors and the layer of polymeric material and the bond strength between the layer of polymeric material and the metallic substrate are such that the individual insulated conductors can be cleanly peeled away from the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical device, particularly a self-regulating strip heater, has improved thermal efficiency, good mechanical properties, and acceptable resistance to water penetration when an outer insulating layer is applied in a way that it penetrates the interstices of a braid surrounding the heater. Appropriate penetration may be achieved by pressure-extruding the outer jacket over the braid.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprise a blend of(A) a thermoplastic polymer selected from copolymers of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene, and thermoplastic vinylidene fluoride polymers; and(B) a thermoplastic elastomer having (i) at least one elastomeric segment comprising (a) vinylidene fluoride, hexa- or pentafluoropropylene, and tetrafluoroethylene repeating units in a mole ratio of 45-90:5-50:0-35 or (b) perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether), tetrafluoroethylene and vinylidene fluoride repeating units in a mole ratio of 15-75:0-85:0-85; and (ii) at least one nonelastomeric segment selected from segments comprising ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene repeating units in a mole ratio of 40-60:60-40, and segments comprising vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoroethylene repeating units in a mole ratio of 0-100:0-50:0-100,with the proviso that if the thermoplastic polymer is a vinylidene fluoride polymer, the blend is crosslinked.

Abstract: When metal conductors are stored, especially in humid environments, their solderability decreases. The rate at which solderability decreases can be reduced by treating the conductor with a suitable surface active agent, particularly one which has an HLB (hydrophile-lipophile balance) number of less than 10, preferably less than 5. The surface active agent can be applied to the conductor with a suitable liquid carrier, e.g. as a solution in a mineral oil or a halogenated hydrocarbon. If desired, a polymeric insulating jacket can be melt-extruded or wrapped over the treated conductor.