Abstract: A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic polymer matrix having improved mechanical properties. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiO2 source and water), a non-silicate network former and/or reactive glass, water and optionally one or more multivalent cation(s) selected from Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the periodic table such as an alkaline earth salt, water and optional processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and curing the composite at a temperature from about 15° C. up to 1000° C. and a pressure of up to 20,000 psi for typical high-performance organic polymer processing (temperatures about 15° C. to about 200° C. and pressures <200 psi). The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods.

Abstract: A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic network matrix. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiO2 source and water), an acidic inorganic composition, such as a reactive glass, water and optional fillers, additives and processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and applying the temperature and pressure necessary to consolidate the desired form. The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods. A notable aspect of the invention is that, although composite and neat resin components prepared from the invention can exhibit excellent dimensional stability to 1000° C. and higher, they can be prepared at the lower temperatures and pressures typical to organic polymer processing.

Abstract: A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic network matrix. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiO2 source and water), an acidic inorganic composition, such as a reactive glass, water and optional fillers, additives and processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and applying the temperature and pressure necessary to consolidate the desired form. The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods. A notable aspect of the invention is that, although composite and neat resin components prepared from the invention can exhibit excellent dimensional stability to 1000° C. and higher, they can be prepared at the lower temperatures and pressures typical to organic polymer processing.

Abstract: A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic network. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiO2 source and water), an acidic oxoanionic compound such as phosphoric acid, water and optionally one or more multivalent cation(s) selected from Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the periodic table such as an alkaline earth salt, water and optional processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and curing the composite at a temperature from about 15° C. up to 1000° C. and a pressure of up to 20,000 psi for typical high-performance organic polymer processing (temperatures about 15° C. to about 200° C. and pressures <200 psi). The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods.

Abstract: A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic network. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiO2 source and water), an acidic oxoanionic compound such as phosphoric acid, water and optionally one or more multivalent cation(s) selected from Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the periodic table such as an alkaline earth salt, water and optional processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and curing the composite at a temperature from about 15° C. up to 1000° C. and a pressure of up to 20,000 psi for typical high-performance organic polymer processing (temperatures about 15° C. to about 200° C. and pressures <200 psi). The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods.

Abstract: An improved acoustic window for an acoustic waveform passage having a generally uniform transmission loss at an angle of incidence of between −40° and +40°. The composition is formed from at least one core layer and at least two septa, with the core layer being a material having a generally low-acoustic-impedance, a static shear modulus between about 1.0 psi (0.007 MPa) and about 15,000 psi (103 MPa), a transverse (or through-thickness) sound velocity for the acoustic waveform of between about 700 and about 2200 meters per second, a transverse acoustic impedance of less than or equal to 4×106 kilograms per square meter-second, and a shear loss factor of greater than 0.02, the septa being composed of at least one ply of a material, preferably a graphite fiber reinforced epoxy composition, having a transverse acoustic impedance of less than 60×106 kg/m2-sec, a tensile modulus of more than 0.5×106 psi, a thickness of less than 0.

Abstract: A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic polymer matrix having improved mechanical properties. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiO2 source and water), a non-silicate network former and/or reactive glass, water and optionally one or more multivalent cation(s) selected from Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the periodic table such as an alkaline earth salt, water and optional processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and curing the composite at a temperature from about 15° C. up to 1000° C. and a pressure of up to 20,000 psi for typical high-performance organic polymer processing (temperatures about 15° C. to about 200° C. and pressures <200 psi).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a curable composition comprising a) at least one epoxy resin, b) at least one reactive liquid polymer, and c) at least one reaction product of an epoxy resin and a reactive liquid polymer. These curable compositions provide improved toughness and higher temperature performance when cured. The curable compositions are easy to handle in terms of their viscosity. The present invention also relates to methods of making articles, such as laminates and the articles made with the curable composition.

Abstract: A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic network matrix. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiO2 source and water), an acidic inorganic composition, such as a reactive glass, water and optional fillers, additives and processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and applying the temperature and pressure necessary to consolidate the desired form. The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods. A notable aspect of the invention is that, although composite and neat resin components prepared from the invention can exhibit excellent dimensional stability to 1000° C. and higher, they can be prepared at the lower temperatures and pressures typical to organic polymer processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming reinforcing fibers for composites. The fibers comprise bundles of non-crystalline glass or carbon fibers formed in a helix and cut to small lengths for inclusion in molded composites to render the composites substantially isotropic.