Abstract: Rubberized polyolefin fabrics, particularly rubberized polyolefin fiber containing fabrics and a method for vulcanizing rubber without melting or lowering the performance of the fibers. A plurality of fibrous layers are molded and rubberized under high pressures, producing fabrics having customized stiffness properties.

Abstract: Rubberized polyolefin fabrics, particularly rubberized polyolefin fiber containing fabrics and a method for vulcanizing rubber without melting or lowering the performance of the fibers. A plurality of fibrous layers are molded and rubberized under high pressures, producing fabrics having customized stiffness properties.

Abstract: A flexible, uncoated glove made from nonmetallic fabric comprising at least one fiber is disclosed. The glove is characterized by either weighing no more than about 30 g or having a thickness of no more than about 1.25 mm (0.05 inch), being cut resistant over some portion thereof by enduring without cutting through at least 5 cycles of an impact cam cut test, having compliance so that the wearer has a high degree of tactility, and having a cut resistance of at least 5 cycles of an impact cam cut test after a disinfectant treatment with sodium hypochlorite. The gloves are particularly useful in the medical field where they provide excellent cut protection and can be disinfected at least once while maintaining an acceptable level of cut resistance. In an alternate embodiment, a similarly characterized glove is made from a layer of fibrous material adhered to a surface of an elastomeric glove without being fully encapsulated thereby.

Abstract: A flexible, uncoated glove made from nonmetallic fabric comprising at least one fiber is disclosed. The glove is characterized by either weighing no more than about 30 g or having a thickness of no more than about 1.25 mm (0.05 inch), being cut resistant over some portion thereof by enduring without cutting through at least 5 cycles of an impact cam cut test, having compliance so that the wearer has a high degree of tactility, and having a cut resistance of at least 5 cycles of an impact cam cut test after a disinfectant treatment with sodium hypochlorite. The gloves are particularly useful in the medical field where they provide excellent cut protection and can be disinfected at least once while maintaining an acceptable level of cut resistance. In an alternate embodiment, a similarly characterized glove is made from a layer of fibrous material adhered to a surface of an elastomeric glove without being fully encapsulated thereby.

Abstract: An armor system useful, for example, as a shroud, comprising a first pliable, cut resistant fibrous layer and a second pliable fibrous layer is disclosed. The first layer is arranged to receive an impact from a large projectile prior to the second layer and engages the projectile to slow its velocity. The second layer is substantially coextensive with the first and dissipates the incoming energy of the impact to resist complete penetration of the second layer by the projectile, preferably by deforming in response to the impact. Both layers comprise fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 200 g/d, and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g and a tenacity equal to or greater than about 10 g/d. In another embodiment, the layers are reversed relative to the impact face of the system so that the second layer becomes the first layer and is resistant to projectiles impacting the system, while the first layer becomes the second layer and resists deformation of the system by projectile impacts.

Abstract: An armor system useful, for example, as a shroud, comprising a first pliable, cut resistant fibrous layer and a second pliable fibrous layer is disclosed. The first layer is arranged to receive an impact from a large projectile prior to the second layer and engages the projectile to slow its velocity. The second layer is substantially coextensive with the first and dissipates the incoming energy of the impact to resist complete penetration of the second layer by the projectile, preferably by deforming in response to the impact. Both layers comprise fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 200 g/d, and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g and a tenacity equal to or greater than about 10 g/d. In another embodiment, the layers are reversed relative to the impact face of the system so that the second layer becomes the first layer and is resistant to projectiles impacting the system, while the first layer becomes the second layer and resists deformation of the system by projectile impacts.

Abstract: An essentially tack free prepreg article, characterized by a shelf life at about 25.degree. C. of at least about three months, and method of making the same are provided. The prepreg article comprises at least one network of fibers which has been impregnated with a solution of a resin in styrene and a catalyst. The resin is curable by the catalyst at a temperature above about 90.degree. C. The impregnated network is dried for a length of time and at a temperature sufficient to reduce the styrene content to less than about 1% by weight of the impregnated network without curing the resin. The prepreg article can subsequently be used as a component in a molded composite.

Abstract: A high tenacity fiber for reinforcing plastic composites, the fiber being selected from the group consisting of polyester, aliphatic polyamide, and combinations thereof. The fiber is treated with a composition comprising an aqueous solution of carboxyl-terminated, oil-free alkyd resins based on an aliphatic glycol or glycols or a glycol ether or ethers containing 2 to 12 carbon or carbon plus ether oxygens with a combination of aromatic di- or trifunctional carboxylic acids, said resins having a degree of esterification below the gel point of the resins to enhance stiffness of the fiber for cutting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high tenacity reinforcing fiber having improved partitioning properties selected from the group consisting of polyester, aliphatic polyamide, and combinations thereof, for reinforcing plastic composites, said fiber being coated to enhance stiffness of the fiber for cutting with(a) 3 to 12 weight percent, based on weight of fiber of carboxyl-terminated, oil-free alkyd resin which is the reaction product of at least one aliphatic glycol containing 2 to 12 carbons with a combination of aromatic di- or trifunctional carboxylic acids and, optionally, an unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid, said resin having a degree of esterification below the gel point of the resin, and(b) 0.5 to 2 weight percent vinyl chloride copolymer having a glass transition termperature of greater than about 60.degree. C.

Abstract: A high tenacity, high elongation, low shrinkage synthetic fiber is treated to enhance stiffness and interfilament coherency, then dusted with a release agent, resulting in a fiber, combined in multiple high denier bundles, which can be cut at high speed to suitable reinforcing lengths for use in reinforcing a resin matrix. The cut fiber can be used in bulk molding compounds (BMC), sheet molding compounds (TMC) and spray-up applications due to ease of cutting.

Abstract: A high tenacity fiber for reinforcing plastic composites, the fiber being selected from the group consisting of polyester, aliphatic polyamide, and combinations thereof. The fiber is treated with a composition comprising an aqueous solution of carboxyl-terminated, oil-free alkyd resins based on an aliphatic glycol or glycols or a glycol ether or ethers containing 2 to 12 carbon or carbon plus ether oxygens with a combination of aromatic di- or trifunctional carboxylic acids, said resins having a degree of esterification below the gel point of the resins to enhance stiffness of the fiber for cutting.

Abstract: A high tenacity fiber for reinforcing plastic composites, the fiber being selected from the group consisting of polyester, aliphatic polyamide, and combinations thereof. The fiber is treated with a composition consisting essentially of an organofunctional silane in an amount sufficient to achieve 0.02 to 1.0 weight percent of the silane on the fiber, and a diluent which provides for the hydrolysis of the silane to a silanol. The fiber is used to reinforce a plastic composite additionally comprising a resin matrix.

Abstract: A high tenacity fiber for reinforcing plastic composites, the fiber being selected from the group consisting of polyester, aliphatic polyamide, and combinations thereof. The fiber is treated with a composition consisting essentially of an organofunctional silane in an amount sufficient to achieve 0.02 to 1.0 weight percent of the silane on the fiber, and a diluent which provides for the hydrolysis of the silane to a silanol. The fiber is used to reinforce a plastic composite additionally comprising a resin matrix.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for polishing an article are provided. The method features the step of contacting the article in an area to be polished with at least one polyethylene filament. The polishing apparatus comprises at least one polyethylene filament, and means for rotating the filament about a central axis for contact with the surface to be polished. The polyethylene filament of choice is characterized by a tenacity and an elongation such that the product of the tenacity and the square root of the elongation (toughness paramenter) ranges from 20 to 60 units. With use of such a filament, deflashing of an article to be deflashed can be accomplished simultaneously with the polishing of the article.

Abstract: This invention relates to optimum formulation regions of reinforced thermosetting resin composites incorporating substantially increased filler loadings which have been found to retain the impact strength of formulation regions with substantially less filler loadings. The reinforced thermosetting resin composite of this invention comprises(a) 15 to 23 weight percent resin matrix selected from the group consisting of polyester and epoxy,(b) 5 to 25 equivalent weight percent fiber reinforcement, said fiber reinforcement comprising 0 to 80 volume percent glass fiber and 100 to 20 volume percent high tenacity reinforcing organic fiber selected from the group consisting of polyester and polyamide, and(c) 80 to 52 weight percent inert filler.

Abstract: A high tenacity fiber for reinforcing plastic composites, the fiber being selected from the group consisting of polyester, aliphatic polyamide, and combinations thereof. The fiber is treated with a composition comprising a vinyl chloride copolymer having a glass transition temperature of greater than about 60.degree. C., to enhance compatibility of the fiber and a resin matrix reinforced therewith. A process is provided to enhance fiber stiffness for cutting and comprises treating the fiber with the referenced composition, followed by heating the treated fiber to a temperature above the glass transition temperature to cause the copolymer to flow and form a film which substantially coats the fiber.