Abstract: A cable splice case or other article for environmental sealing comprises a composite material having multifilament fibers therein, which fibers are blocked in order to prevent passage of fluid through the material in a direction parallel to its major surfaces.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composition in which a particulate conductive filler is dispsered in a polymeric component which is a mixture of an essentially amorphous thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin. In preferred compositions, the amorphous thermoplastic resin and the thermosetting resin are substantially mutually soluble. In order to improve the thermal stability of the composition on exposure to successive thermal cycles, it is preferred that the composition be cured by heating the uncured mixture of amorphous thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, and particulate conductive filler at a rate of at least 15.degree. C./minute to the cure temperature.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composition in which a particulate conductive filler is dispersed in a polymeric component which is a mixture of an essentially amorphous thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin. In preferred compositions, the amorphous thermoplastic resin and the thermosetting resin are substantially mutually soluble. In order to improve the thermal stability of the composition on exposure to successive thermal cycles, it is preferred that the composition be cured by heating the uncured mixture of amorphous thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, and particulate conductive filler at a rate of at least 15.degree. C./minute to the cure temperature.

Abstract: A microporous polymeric film of high porosity comprises a halopolymer in which the repeating units are --(C.sub.n H.sub.2n)-- and --(C.sub.m X.sub.2m)-- in which each X independently represents fluorine or chlorine and the values of n and m are greater than one and less than six. The film is the result of firstly melt processing a mixture of the halopolymer, more than 150 parts by weight of an extractable salt and not more than 80 parts by weight of an extractable polymer per 100 parts by weight of the halopolymer, the extractable polymer not being completely and homogeneously mixed with the halopolymer and being less viscous than the halopolymer when both are molten so that the surfaces of the film resulting from melt processing are rich in the extractible polymer, and secondly extracting at least some of the extractable salt to render the film porous and extracting at least some of said polymer to impart surface porosity to the film.

Abstract: A method and article for joining two substrates or repairing a substrate comprising positioning in thermal contact with and surrounding the substrate(s) a tubular article comprising conductive polymeric material. Two electrodes extending along the whole or part of the article as connected to a source of electrical power to cause current to pass through and heat the article. The conductive polymeric material is urged radially inwards towards the substrate(s). The radially inward movement may be caused by recovery of the conductive polymeric material, or by the use of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A simulation decoy whose position and structural purport are determinable by infrared detection means is disclosed, which comprises a multi-dimensional display body containing a sufficient quantity of combustible carbon to provide a controlled burning for a predetermined length of time, means to initiate ignition of said carbon to produce sustained burning of said multi-dimentionsal display body to activate such simulation decoy for infrared detection, and specific metal coated fibers to provide radar-detection capability. It may be utilized to mimic mobile structures such as land-based vehicles, marine vehicles, or aircraft, as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional display, providing an infrared and radar signature useful as a defensive countermeasure in warfare or other battlefield conditions.

Abstract: A tubular heat recoverable article comprises conductive polymeric material and is heated to effect recovery by the passage of electrical current therethrough. Elongate electrodes are attached on the surface or embedded in longitudinal flanges extending along the article. The flanges also comprise conductive polymeric material but are not heat recoverable, and therefore remain substantially undeformed on recovery other than bending to accommodate transitions. This means that the contact resistance between the electrode and the conductive material of the flange does not increase significantly on recovery.

Abstract: A particulate or filamentary coating, preferably curable, is provided on indelible labels or heat-recoverable articles, the coating comprising 4 to 90% by weight of an elastomeric binder incorporated in the coating in the form of an aqueous latex. Curable particulate materials described include epoxies and polyesters, and rubber latices include SBS, nitrile, chloroprene, EVA, and acrylates. The use of latices can enhance adhesion, ink receptivity, and humidity tolerance of the coatings.

Abstract: Sensitive electrode material, e.g. lithium electrode material, protected by a flexible layer of material which is swellable by liquid with which it will come into contact in use, and can thus, for example, act as an electrode separator when assembled in an electrical cell containing such a liquid. The protected electrode material can be processed, e.g. rolled into thin sheets, and can conveniently be fed to automatic cell assembly apparatus.

Abstract: Sensitive material, e.g. lithium electrode material, is provided with a protective layer of fluid-impermeable material, which is subsequantly rendered permeable by altering its physical structure, e.g. by perforation, without altering its composition. The permeable material can act, for example, as an electrode separator when the resulting article is assembled into an electrolytic cell, and the protected material can be processed, e.g. rolled into thin sheets, and conveniently fed to automatic assembly apparatus.

Abstract: Melt-extruded polymeric electrolyte material for electrochemical power cells may be coextruded with other components of the cell, notably a lithium metal anode.

Abstract: A dimensionally recoverable article, preferably a heat-recoverable article, has on at least part of a surface thereof an adhesive composition that will cure by reaction of a plurality of mutually reactive components. The components are in the form of particles which are mixed together and which will fuse when heated. Preferred adhesives are based on combinations of an epoxy with a polyamide, carboxylic acid, phenolic resin or blocked isocyanate curing agent.The particulate adhesives show a synergistic increase in rate and/or level of cure when used in conjunction with a recoverable article.

Abstract: A protected electrode article comprising sensitive electrode material having a layer of protective material bonded to at least part of its surface by means of an adhesive which can be made to swell by treatment with liquid, so as to increase the permeability of the adhesive to electrolyte which is encountered by the protected electrode material when incorporated in an electrochemical device.

Abstract: Continuous metal electrodes are protected by non-porous fluid-impermeable material which is convertible to a fluid-permeable (porous) state, enabling the protective material to act as an electrode separator after the conversion. Conversion by contact with the non-aqueous fluid in a lithium cell is preferred, using strips of lithium protected with a blend of polyethylene and polyethylene oxide, the latter being extractable by the cell liquids.

Abstract: Electrode material, preferably lithium metal, is protected by a layer of material ready to function as an electrode separator and capable of sufficient ionic conductivity to provide an electrolyte, preferably a solvent-free polymeric electrolyte. The electrode material may be rolled to reduce its thickness while so protected.

Abstract: A polyamide suitable as a hot-melt adhesive contains pendent graft copolymerized chains derived from aromatic compounds having an olefinically unsaturated moiety, e.g., styrene, lower methacrylates, epoxy-containing unsaturated compounds, acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile, but contains no free graft comonomer.The polyamides show improved peel strengths, especially at low and high temperatures. The low temperature properties may be further improved by incorporating an elastomer, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer, part of which is compatible with the graft copolymerized chains.