Abstract: Polymeric coated optical elements are described herein, which exhibit good optical properties, e.g., low attenuation. Some such coated optical elements comprise an optical element (e.g., an optical fiber) having an outer surface and a thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical element, wherein the polymer-coated optical element exhibits a first attenuation at room temperature of plus or minus about 50% the attenuation of a comparable optical element with no thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating thereon, and a second attenuation at room temperature after thermal cycling to a temperature of at least 170° C. that is about 2 times the first attenuation or less.

Abstract: Polymeric coated optical elements are described herein, which exhibit good optical properties, e.g., low attenuation. Some such coated optical elements comprise an optical element (e.g., an optical fiber) having an outer surface and a thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical element, wherein the polymer-coated optical element exhibits a first attenuation at room temperature of plus or minus about 50% the attenuation of a comparable optical element with no thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating thereon, and a second attenuation at room temperature after thermal cycling to a temperature of at least 170° C. that is about 2 times the first attenuation or less.

Abstract: A heat shrink tubing, which can be readily peeled in the longitudinal direction after use (e.g., to remove the heat shrink tubing from an underlying material) is provided herein. The heat shrink tubing can be of various compositions, and generally is produced from at least one fluorinated, copolymeric resin. The tubing can exhibit desirable physical properties such as good optical clarity (e.g., translucency or transparency) and/or peelability, exhibiting one or more of complete, straight, and even peeling along a given length of tubing.

Abstract: Polymeric coated optical elements are described herein, which exhibit good optical properties, e.g., low attenuation. Some such coated optical elements comprise an optical element (e.g., an optical fiber) having an outer surface and a thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical element, wherein the polymer-coated optical element exhibits a first attenuation at room temperature of plus or minus about 50% the attenuation of a comparable optical element with no thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating thereon, and a second attenuation at room temperature after thermal cycling to a temperature of at least 170° C. that is about 2 times the first attenuation or less.

Abstract: A radiopaque lined heat shrinkable tubing is disclosed. A non-limiting example of a radiopaque lined heat shrinkable tubing is a multilayer construction having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer includes a thermoplastic that is highly loaded with a radiopaque filler, and the outer layer includes a fluoropolymer heat shrink tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides insulated electrical conductors, e.g., wires, and methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors to combat partial discharge by enhancing bond strength between the electrical conductor and a base insulating thermoplastic layer (e.g., including a PAEK). Such insulated electrical conductors can include: an electrical conductor; an insulating coating on at least a portion of a surface of the electrical conductor; and an oxide layer between the electrical conductor and the insulating coating. Methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors can involve extrusion of an insulating polymer onto the electrical conductor under ambient atmosphere and a subsequent heat treatment step, which can also be conducted under ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: Polymeric coated optical elements are described herein, which exhibit good optical properties, e.g., low attenuation. Some such coated optical elements comprise an optical element (e.g., an optical fiber) having an outer surface and a thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical element, wherein the polymer-coated optical element exhibits a first attenuation at room temperature of plus or minus about 50% the attenuation of a comparable optical element with no thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating thereon, and a second attenuation at room temperature after thermal cycling to a temperature of at least 170° C. that is about 2 times the first attenuation or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides insulated electrical conductors, e.g., wires, and methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors to combat partial discharge by enhancing bond strength between the electrical conductor and a base insulating thermoplastic layer (e.g., including a PAEK). Such insulated electrical conductors can include: an electrical conductor; an insulating coating on at least a portion of a surface of the electrical conductor; and an oxide layer between the electrical conductor and the insulating coating. Methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors can involve extrusion of an insulating polymer onto the electrical conductor under ambient atmosphere and a subsequent heat treatment step, which can also be conducted under ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides insulated electrical conductors, e.g., wires, and methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors to combat partial discharge by enhancing bond strength between the electrical conductor and a base insulating thermoplastic layer (e.g., including a PAEK). Such insulated electrical conductors can include: an electrical conductor; an insulating coating on at least a portion of a surface of the electrical conductor; and an oxide layer between the electrical conductor and the insulating coating. Methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors can involve extrusion of an insulating polymer onto the electrical conductor under ambient atmosphere and a subsequent heat treatment step, which can also be conducted under ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides insulated electrical conductors, e.g., wires, and methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors to combat partial discharge by enhancing bond strength between the electrical conductor and a base insulating thermoplastic layer (e.g., including a PAEK). Such insulated electrical conductors can include: an electrical conductor; an insulating coating on at least a portion of a surface of the electrical conductor; and an oxide layer between the electrical conductor and the insulating coating. Methods for producing such insulated electrical conductors can involve extrusion of an insulating polymer onto the electrical conductor under ambient atmosphere and a subsequent heat treatment step, which can also be conducted under ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: Polymeric coated optical elements are described herein, which exhibit good optical properties, e.g., low attenuation. Some such coated optical elements comprise an optical element (e.g., an optical fiber) having an outer surface and a thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical element, wherein the polymer-coated optical element exhibits a first attenuation at room temperature of plus or minus about 50% the attenuation of a comparable optical element with no thermoplastic polymeric tight buffer coating thereon, and a second attenuation at room temperature after thermal cycling to a temperature of at least 170° C. that is about 2 times the first attenuation or less.

Abstract: A method of assembling a metal or decorative strip to a body side molding of a vehicle. The method includes forming a bodyside molding by extrusion, injection molding or another plastic forming process to a desirable cross-sectional configuration having a show side opening. The strip is shaped by forming and end punching the metal strip to a desirable shape and configuration. The formed metal strip and the bodyside molding are then placed in suitable fixtures in proximity to one another, and to a heat staking tool. The heat staking tool picks up the metal strip from the fixture such that the strip is heated. The heat staking tool then forces the heated metal strip into the opening in the bodyside molding under suitable pressure such that the metal strip melts the molding and the edges of the metal strip are embedded within the molding.