Abstract: A reinforced composite article and method for making the same. The article and method employ at least one elongated plastic member as a reinforcement phase. An intermediate form including the elongated member is made and can be processed, for example, to form a composite article with a smooth exposed reinforcement surface.

Abstract: A process for forming a shaped three dimensional article, comprising the steps of deforming an intermediate form (10), including a plurality of thermoplastic elongated members that are initially movable relative to each other, while displaceably clamping the intermediate form during the deforming in such a way that while a force is applied for deforming the intermediate form, the intermediate form is free to move within a predetermined limit; and optionally at least partially consolidating the thermoplastic elongated members of the intermediate form for forming a three dimensional article having a predetermined orientation of the elongated members. An apparatus including a press (32) for forming the shaped three-dimensional article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced composite article and method for making the same. The article and method employ at least one elongated plastic member as a reinforcement phase. An intermediate form including the elongated member is made and can be processed, for example, to form a composite article with a smooth exposed reinforcement surface.

Abstract: Pultruded composites of longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers in a matrix of a thermoplastic resin are shaped in-line during the pultrusion process to provide a variety of non-linear or variable cross-section articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass mat thermoplastic comprising a glass mat impregnated with an engineering thermoplastic polyurethane (ETPU) having a Tg of at least 50° C. The glass mat thermoplastic can be prepared, for example, by a) contacting a continuous glass mat with ETPU film or sheet, or between ETPU films or sheets, with sufficient pressure and heat to form a multilayered structure which contains a wetted out glass mat layer sandwiched between an ETPU layer and a glass mat layer, b) thermoforming or compression molding the multilayered structure with sufficient heat to substantially completely wet out the glass mat with the ETPU; and c) cooling the substantially wetted out thermoformed glass mat to a temperature below the Tg of the ETPU. The efficiency with which the depolymerizable and repolymerizable ETPU can be impregnated into the glass mat matrix results in a GMT with excellent physical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wood that is reinforced with a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite that contains a plurality of substantially parallel continuous fibers impregnated with thermoplastic polymer having the following structural units: where Z is S or O, and Z′ is S, O, N-alkyl or NH The invention is useful in a variety of applications including glue-laminated structures, laminated veneer lumber, reinforced I-beams, parallel strand lumber, reinforced particle board, and ladders. The use of a thermoplastic polyurethane, particularly the high Tg thermoplastic polyurethane as the impregnating resin provides a means of recycling and reusing the reinforced lumber, as well as shaping the composite in ways that would be impossible using conventional fibe-reinforced thermoset composites.

Abstract: Small cross-section composites are used as reinforcements for concrete. The composites include longitudinally oriented fibers embedded in a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic matrix. The composites are mixed into the wet concrete and poured with the concrete to form a reinforced concrete structure.

Abstract: Reinforcing bars for concrete structures, are made from a composite of a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic resin and longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers. These reinforcing bars provide excellent tensile reinforcement, and do not exhibit the corrosion problems of conventional steel reinforcing bars. The rebars are readily formed into a great many shapes that are adapted to many specialized reinforcement requirements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wood that is reinforced with a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite that contains a plurality of substantially parallel continuous fibers impregnated with thermoplastic polymer having the following structural units: where Z is S or O, and Z′ is S, O, N-alkyl or NH The invention is useful in a variety of applications including glue-laminated structures, laminated veneer lumber, reinforced I-beams, parallel strand lumber, reinforced particle board, and ladders. The use of a thermoplastic polyurethane, particularly the high Tg thermoplastic polyurethane as the impregnating resin provides a means of recycling and reusing the reinforced lumber, as well as shaping the composite in ways that would be impossible using conventional fiber-reinforced thermoset composites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass mat thermoplastic comprising a glass mat impregnated with an engineering thermoplastic polyurethane (ETPU) having a Tg of at least 50° C. The glass mat thermoplastic can be prepared, for example, by a) contacting a continuous glass mat with ETPU film or sheet, or between ETPU films or sheets, with sufficient pressure and heat to form a multilayered structure which contains a wetted out glass mat layer sandwiched between an ETPU layer and a glass mat layer, b) thermoforming or compression molding the multilayered structure with sufficient heat to substantially completely wet out the glass mat with the ETPU; and c) cooling the substantially wetted out thermoformed glass mat to a temperature below the Tg of the ETPU. The efficiency with which the depolymerizable and repolymerizable ETPU can be impregnated into the glass mat matrix results in a GMT with excellent physical properties.

Abstract: A method for creating surface modification onto a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composite is described. The method comprises the steps of a) drawing a fiber bundle through a heated thermoplastic polyurethane resin melt to impregnate the fiber bundle with the resin to form a wetted fiber bundle; b) wrapping a thermoplastic film over the wetted fiber bundle to provide surface modification over the wetted fiber bundle; and c) cooling and shaping the surface modified wetted fiber bundle to form the surface modified fiber reinforced composite. This method creates surface modification that imparts a variety of properties onto the surface including transparency, paintability, ignition resistance, scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, reflectiveness, and resistance to dust build-up.

Abstract: The present invention is an article comprising a fiber-reinforced engineering thermoplastic polyurethane composite welded to a thermoplastic part by way of an interlayer containing a dispersion of a ferromagnetic material and a method for preparing the same. Alternatively, the composite or the thermoplastic part or both may contain the ferromagnetic material. A tight bond is created by subjecting the ferromagnetic material to a radio-frequency magnetic field to generate heat, which locally melts composite and the thermoplastic part, then allowing the subjected areas to cool. The invention is particular useful for the preparation of window frames.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wood that is reinforced with a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite that contains a plurality of substantially parallel continuous fibers impregnated with thermoplastic polymer having the following structural units: 1

Abstract: Pultruded composites of longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers in a matrix of a thermoplastic resin are shaped in-line during the pultrusion process to provide a variety of non-linear or variable cross-section articles.

Abstract: Small cross-section composites are used as reinforcements for concrete. The composites include longitudinally oriented fibers embedded in a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic matrix. The composites are mixed into the wet concrete and poured with the concrete to form a reinforced concrete structure.

Abstract: An external reinforcement for structures includes a composite of longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers in a thermoplastic matrix. The reinforcement is useful to shore up damaged structures or to provide, for example, additional protection against natural phenomena such as earthquakes or storms.

Abstract: Reinforcing bars for concrete structures, are made from a composite of a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic resin and longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers. These reinforcing bars provide excellent tensile reinforcement, and do not exhibit the corrosion problems of conventional steel reinforcing bars. The rebars are readily formed into a great many shapes that are adapted to many specialized reinforcement requirements.