Abstract: Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers of high tenacity and modulus shrink controlled amounts at temperatures in the range of 100.degree.-145.degree. C. Fabrics and twisted multifilament yarns of these fibers are heat-shrunk or heat-set at these temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved prepreg layer, multilayer composite based on the improved prepreg layer, and article made from the multilayer composite.The prepreg layer of the present invention comprises an array of at least two adjacent, coplanar fibrous elements. Each element comprises a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix. The fibers are up to eight inches, preferably one to eight inches, and more preferably two to six inches long.The prepreg layer of the present invention is useful to make a multilayer composite comprising a plurality of the prepreg layers as recited above. The fibers of adjacent layers are at an angle of about 90.degree. from each other. The composite preferably has 2 to 500, more preferably 10 to 150, and most preferably 60 to 120 layers.

Abstract: Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers of high tenacity and modulus shrink controlled amounts at temperatures in the range of 100.degree.-145.degree. C. Fabrics and twisted multifilament yarns of these fibers are heat-shrunk or heat-set at these temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, composite article of manufacture which comprises a network of fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 500 grams/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 22 Joules/gram. An elastomeric matrix material having a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved article of manufacture which comprises at least one network of high strength, extended chain fiber or yarn selected from the group consisting of extended chain polyethylene (ECPE) extended chain polypropylene (ECPP) fibers, extended chain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber and extended chain polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber. The fibers and yarn have a denier of not more than about 500 and a tensile modulus of at least about 200 g/denier. The fibers and yarn preferably have a tensile modulus of at least about 500 grams/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 22 Joules/gram. Optionally, a low modulus elastomeric material, which has a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at about 23.degree. C., substantially coats the fiber and yarn of the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, complex composite article of manufacture which comprises a network of high strength fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 grams/denier and a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier. An elastomeric material substantially coats each of the individual fibers, and has a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at 25.degree. C. The coated fibers are provided with at least one additional rigid layer on a major surface of the coated fibers to produce a rigid complex composite. Composites of this construction have improved resistance to environmental hazards, improved impact resistance, and are unexpectedly effective as ballistic resistant articles such as armor plate or helmets.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved, flexible articles of manufacture comprising a plurality of first flexible layers arranged in a first portion of said article, each of said first layers consisting essentially of fibers, the fibers of each of said flat layers comprising fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 300 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier and a plurality of second flexible layers arranged in a second portion of said article, each of said second flexible layers comprising fibers, the resistance to displacement of fibers in each of said second flexible layers being greater than the resistance to displacement of fibers in each of said first flexible layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fabric which comprises at least one network of fibers selected from the group consisting of extended chain polyethylene (ECPE) extended chain polypropylene (ECPP) fibers, extended chain polyvinyl alcohol fibers and extended chain polyacrylonitrile fibers. A low modulus elastomeric material, which has a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at about 23.degree. C., substantially coats the fibers of the network. Preferably, the fibers have a tensile modulus of at least about 500 grams/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 22 Joules/gram.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, ballistic-resistant composite article of manufacture which comprises a network of high strength fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 500 grams/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 22 Joules/gram. An elastomeric matrix material substantially coats each of the individual fibers, and has a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, complex composite article of manufacture which comprises a network of high strength fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 grams/denier and a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier. An elastomeric matrix material substantially coats each of the individual fibers, and has a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at 25.degree. C. The fibers in the matrix are provided with at least one additional rigid layer on a major surface of the fibers in the matrix to produce a rigid complex composite. Composites of this construction have improved resistance to environmental hazards, improved impact resistance, and are unexpectedly effective as ballistic resistant articles such as armor or helmets.

Abstract: Fibers prepared by spinning, drawing and drying dilute solutions of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene are modified by including in the dilute solution a polymeric additive. The polyethylene fibers so prepared have melting points above 140.degree. C. and exhibit improved adherence to matrices, resistance to fibrillation and other advantageous properties. Additives include lower molecular weight polyolefins, oxidized polyolefins, olefin copolymers, polyolefin graft copolymers and polyoxymethylenes.

Abstract: High tenacity, high modulus ultrahigh molecular weight fibers of polyethylene or polypropylene are coated with polyethylene, polypropylene or an ethylene and/or propylene copolymer. The coating improves certain properties of the monofilament or multifilament, including adhesion to various matrices in complex composites and resistance of the fiber to fibrillation.

Abstract: High tenacity, high modulus ultrahigh molecular weight fibers of polyethylene or polypropylene are coated with polyethylene, polypropylene or an ethylene and/or propylene copolymer. The coating improves certain properties of the monofilament or multifilament, including adhesion to various matrices in complex composites and resistance of the fiber to fibrillation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for conditioning the surfaces of natural and synthetic plastic materials for electroless plating of a metal coating thereon by exposing such materials to an atmosphere comprising an effective amount of ozone and thereafter contacting said exposed materials with an effective amount of a conditioning solvent, such as an aqueous solution of sodium, potassium or lithium hydroxide.

Abstract: A composite containing a network of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene fibers of high tenacity and modulus and a matrix which has ethylene or propylene crystallinity, e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene or copolymers. The composite can be formed by heating the matrix to its melting or sticking temperature around the fibers. The composite retains a high proportion of the tenacity of the fiber.

Abstract: Articles such as vests, helmets and structural elements containing a network of ultrahigh molecular weight, high strength, high modulus polyethylene or polypropylene fibers. The fibers, and especially polyethylene fibers of 15, 20, 25, 30 or more g/denier tenacity, and 300, 500, 1,000, 1,500 or more g/denier tensile modulus impart exceptional ballistic resistance to the articles in spite of the melting points, e.g. 145.degree.-151.degree. C. for the polyethylene fibers and 168.degree.-171.degree. C. for the polypropylene fibers, which are high for these polymers, but substantially lower than the 200.degree. C. or more melting point previously thought necessary for good ballistic resistance.

Abstract: Fibers prepared by spinning, drawing and drying dilute solutions of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene are modified by including in the dilute solution a polymeric additive. The polyethylene fibers so prepared have melting points above 140.degree. C. and exhibit improved adherence to matrices, resistance to fibrillation and other advantageous properties. Additives include lower molecular weight polyolefins, oxidized polyolefins, olefin copolymers, polyolefin graft copolymers and polyoxymethylenes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for conditioning the surfaces of natural and synthetic plastic materials for electroless plating of a metal coating thereon by exposing such materials to an atmosphere comprising an effective amount of ozone and thereafter contacting said exposed materials with an effective amount of a conditioning solvent, such as an aqueous solution of sodium, potassium or lithium hydroxide.

Abstract: Articles such as vests, helmets and structural elements containing a network of ultrahigh molecular weight, high strength, high modulus polyethylene or polypropylene fibers. The fibers, and especially polyethylene fibers of 15, 20, 25, 30 or more g/denier tenacity, and 300, 500, 1000, 1500 or more g/denier tensile modulus impart exceptional ballistic resistance to the articles in spite of the melting points, e.g. 145.degree.-151.degree. C. for the polyethylene fibers and 168.degree.-171.degree. C. for the polypropylene fibers, which are high for these polymers, but substantially lower than the 200.degree. C. or more melting point previously thought necessary for good ballistic resistance.

Abstract: Partially unsaturated polymers are dissolved in a two component solvent comprising a first component having a reactivity toward ozone less than carbon-carbon double bonds but more reactive than carbon-carbon single bonds and a second component being inert toward ozone. Introduction of ozone into the solution produces ozonides which are readily cleft into difunctional aliphatic species that can be converted to e.g. carboxy-terminated or multifunctional carboxy substituted aliphatic compounds. These may be used as monomeric species in various polymerization schemes as such, in preparation of polyamides, for example, or may be reduced to aldehydes or alcohols to be used in the preparation of such polymers as polyesters, polyurethanes, poly (Schiff bases), etc. The carboxylated products may also be employed as ionomers, which are useful as surfactants. Monocarboxyl terminated polyethylene having a number average molecular weight of from about 4,000 to 100,000 are provided.