Abstract: A tape element having at least a first layer containing a first thermoplastic polymer, at least one crack propagation channel in a surface of the tape, and at least one reciprocal channel in the opposite surface of the tape, where the channels in the two surfaces are in registration. The crack propagation channel has an aspect ratio of width to depth of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a depth at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extend along at least a portion of the length of the tape. Rubber articles containing the tape element are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tape element having at least a first layer containing a first thermoplastic polymer, at least one ripstop ridge in a surface of the tape, and at least one reciprocal elongated hill in the opposite surface of the tape, where the ridges and hills in the two surfaces are in registration. The ripstop ridges have an aspect ratio of width to height of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a height at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extend along at least a portion of the length of the tape. Rubber articles containing the tape element are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tape element having at least a first layer containing a first thermoplastic polymer, at least one crack propagation channel in a surface of the tape and at least one ripstop ridge in a surface of the tape. The crack propagation channel has an aspect ratio of width to depth of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a depth at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extend along at least a portion of the length of the tape. The ripstop ridge has an aspect ratio of width to height of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a height at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extends along at least a portion of the length of the tape. Rubber articles containing the tape element are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tape element having at least a first layer containing a first thermoplastic polymer, at least one crack propagation channel in a surface of the tape, and at least one reciprocal channel in the opposite surface of the tape, where the channels in the two surfaces are in registration. The crack propagation channel has an aspect ratio of width to depth of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a depth at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extend along at least a portion of the length of the tape. Rubber articles containing the tape element are also disclosed and a die to make the tape elements.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article containing a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn tape elements having a rectangular cross-section and at least a first layer having a draw ratio of at least about 5, a modulus of at least about 2 GPa, a density of at least 0.85 g/cm3. The first layer contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, and co-polymers thereof. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article containing a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn tape elements having at least a first layer, an upper surface and a lower surface. The first layer comprises a blend of polyester and nylon 6. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: The process of forming a reinforced rubber article comprising, in order, slit extruding fibers having at least a first layer containing a polymer, orienting the fibers monoaxially forming monoaxially drawn fibers having a plurality of voids in the first layer in an amount of between about 3 and 15 percent by volume of the first layer, forming the monoaxially drawn fibers into a fibrous layer, and embedding the fibrous layer into rubber.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article containing a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn tape elements having at least a first layer, an upper surface and a lower surface. The first layer comprises a blend of polyester and nylon 6. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article comprising a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn fibers having at least a first layer, where the first layer contains a polymer, a plurality of void-initiating particles, and a plurality of voids. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article containing a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn tape elements having a rectangular cross-section and at least a first layer having a draw ratio of at least about 5, a modulus of at least about 2 GPa, a density of at least 0.85 g/cm3. The first layer contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, and co-polymers thereof. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article comprising a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer comprises monoaxially drawn fibers having at least a first layer, where the first layer contains a polymer and a plurality of voids. The voids are in an amount of between about 3 and 15 percent by volume of the first layer. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A woven mat fabric with fused layers containing a plurality of woven layers, where each woven layer contains a plurality of warp elements interwoven with a plurality of weft elements. The warp and weft elements contain polymeric strips which have a core layer disposed in layered relation with at least one surface layer. The core layer contains a first strain oriented polymer composition and having a first softening point and the surface layer contains a second polymer composition having a softening point lower than the first softening point. The weft and warp elements within each layer are fused to one another, but the weft and warp elements of one layer are not consolidated to the weft and warp elements of the adjacent layers.