Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite including layers of fibers, each layer being impregnated with a resin. The layers include in combination a layer of an addition cured silicone resin and a layer of an organic resin. The layers form a hybrid composite having a higher modulus retention at elevated temperatures than the addition cured silicone resin alone. The hybrid composite's mechanical properties are similar to the organic resin composite, but demonstrate enhanced thermal resistance and reduced flammability.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite including layers of fibers, each layer being impregnated with a resin. The layers include in combination a layer of an addition cured silicone resin and a layer of an organic resin. The layers form a hybrid composite having a higher modulus retention at elevated temperatures than the addition cured silicone resin alone. The hybrid composite's mechanical properties are similar to the organic resin composite, but demonstrate enhanced thermal resistance and reduced flammability.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite including layers of fibers, each layer being impregnated with a resin. The layers include in combination a layer of an addition cured silicone resin and a layer of an organic resin. The layers form a hybrid composite having a higher modulus retention at elevated temperatures than the addition cured silicone resin alone. The hybrid composite's mechanical properties are similar to the organic resin composite, but demonstrate enhanced thermal resistance and reduced flammability.

Abstract: A hydrosilylation reaction curable composition that includes a silsesquioxane polymer, a mixture of silanes or siloxanes as a cross-linking compound and a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst. The curable composition is cured to form a cured resin having high fracture toughness and strength without the loss of elastic modulus.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced silicone matrix resin based composites are made more resistant to delamination by incorporating a suitably tough, lower modulus silicone resin, different from said matrix resin, between each fiber layer of the composite. Preferably, woven mats of glass or carbon fibers impregnated with a desired silicone matrix resin are coated with a precursor of the tougher interleaf silicone resin. The resulting laminate of alternating matrix resin-fiber layers and interleaved layers of the tougher silicone resin provides a tougher silicone based composite.

Abstract: A hydrosilylation reaction curable composition including a silsesquioxane polymer, a cross-linking compound, a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst and colloidal silica having a surface coating formed thereon. The curable composition is cured to form a cured resin having high fracture toughness and strength without the loss of elastic modulus and glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced silicone matrix resin based composites are made more resistant to delamination by incorporating a suitably tough, lower modulus silicone resin, different from said matrix resin, between each fiber layer of the composite. Preferably, woven mats of glass or carbon fibers impregnated with a desired silicone matrix resin are coated with a precursor of the tougher interleaf silicone resin. The resulting laminate of alternating matrix resin-fiber layers and interleaved layers of the tougher silicone resin provides a tougher silicone based composite.

Abstract: A hydrosilylation reaction curable composition including a silsesquioxane polymer, a cross-linking compound, a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst and colloidal silica having a surface coating formed thereon. The curable composition is cured to form a cured resin having high fracture toughness and strength without the loss of elastic modulus and glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A hydrosilylation reaction curable composition that includes a silsesquioxane polymer, a mixture of silanes or siloxanes as a cross-linking compound and a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst. The curable composition is cured to form a cured resin having high fracture toughness and strength without the loss of elastic modulus.

Abstract: A process for producing a cured silsesquioxane resin. The process includes fractionating the silsesquioxane resin a plurality of times utilizing an organic solvent in combination with an organic non-solvent. The fractionated resin is then stripped of excess solvent. The stripped resin is then mixed with a cross-linking compound to form a curable composition. The curable composition is cured to form a cured resin having high fracture toughness and strength without the loss of elastic modulus.

Abstract: A composite material having a coated fiber structure dispersed in a polyester matrix. The coating is a block copolymer having an elastomer block bonded to an ester block. The coating provides a flexible barrier between the fiber structure and the polyester matrix which results in a strong fiber reinforced composite having better crack resistance and improved toughness. The composite is particularly suited for use as a molding compound for use in the production of automotive body panels and structural components, aircraft components, sporting goods, housings for electrical and various other consumer goods, etc.

Abstract: A curable polyester molding composition incorporating an elastomeric low profile additive dispersed in voided rubbery particle form throughout the composition is used in association with a compatibilizing agent to form a molded thermoset article having very smooth, light reflective, class A surfaces and having a matrix fracture energy which is comparable to articles formed from similar or identical molding compositions which are free of low profile additives. The low profile additive is an epoxidized elastomer or block copolymer having at least one flexible elastomer block and one monovinyl aromatic block. The compatibilizing agent is a copolymer having a diene polymer backbone which is compatible with the elastomer or the flexible diene block of the low profile additive, with constituents which are compatible or reactive with the polyester being grafted or adducted onto the diene polymer backbone.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the surface appearance of thermoset FRP wherein a thin rubbery coating is applied to a sheet molded compound (SMC). This coating, when applied to FRP inhibits propagation of micro cracks to the surface of compliant rubbery coating of the parts, while not sacrificing the physical properties of the molded parts. The coating also supplies a suitable smooth surface for automotive body panel applications that serves as a substrate for further paint applications.

Abstract: A curable polyester molding composition incorporating an elastomeric low profile additive dispersed in voided rubbery particle form throughout the composition is used in association with a compatibilizing agent to form a molded thermoset article having very smooth, light reflective, class A surfaces and having a matrix fracture energy which is comparable to articles formed from similar or identical molding compositions which are free of low profile additives. The low profile additive is an epoxidized elastomer or block copolymer having at least one flexible elastomer block and one monovinyl aromatic block. The compatibilizing agent is a copolymer having a diene polymer backbone which is compatible with the elastomer or the flexible diene block of the low profile additive, with constituents which are compatible or reactive with the polyester being grafted or adducted onto the diene polymer backbone.

Abstract: An unsaturated polyester resin composition is described that contains an amine-terminated flexible polymer that can react with the unsaturation in the polyester. A compatible system results that has higher fracture toughness. The preferred amine-terminated flexible polymer is an amine-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile). The resin composition can be extended with fillers and reinforced with fibers. In these applications, the resin is known as a matrix resin.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the surface appearance of thermoset FRP wherein a thin rubbery coating is applied to a sheet molded compound (SMC). This coating, when applied to FRP inhibits propagation of micro cracks to the surface of compliant rubbery coating of the parts, while not sacrificing the physical properties of the molded parts. The coating also supplies a suitable smooth surface for automotive body panel applications that serves as a substrate for further paint applications.

Abstract: A unsaturated polyester resin composition is described that contains an epoxy resin reacted with an amine-terminated flexible polymer while dissolved in the unsaturated polyester resin and its ethylenically unsaturated crosslinking monomer. A compatible system results from the reaction which has a controllable modulus based on the amount of flexible polymer included in the resin. The resin is generally transparent if unfilled and has a higher calculated fracture energy than similar unsaturated polyester resin without modification. The unsaturated polyester resin can be filled with particulate filler or reinforced with fibrous fillers.

Abstract: A composite material having a coated fiber structure dispersed in a polyester matrix. The coating is a block copolymer having an elastomer block bonded to an ester block. The coating provides a flexible barrier between the fiber structure and the polyester matrix which results in a strong fiber reinforced composite having better crack resistance and improved toughness. The composite is particularly suited for use as a molding compound for use in the production of automotive body panels and structural components, aircraft components, sporting goods, housings for electrical and various other consumer goods, etc.

Abstract: A unsaturated polyester resin composition is described that contains an epoxy resin reacted with an amine-terminated flexible polymer while dissolved in the unsaturated polyester resin and its ethylenically unsaturated crosslinking monomer. A compatible system results from the reaction which has a controllable modulus based on the amount of flexible polymer included in the resin. The resin is generally transparent if unfilled and has a higher calculated fracture energy than similar unsaturated polyester resin without modification. The unsaturated polyester resin can be filled with particulate filler or reinforced with fibrous fillers.

Abstract: Ordered polymer fibers, such as aramid or polybenzazole, can be coated with a ceramic coating by physical vapor deposition to yield a coated fiber having improved properties.