Abstract: A method for forming a conductive metal-polymer composite coated polymer includes providing a polymer substrate and immersing the polymer substrate in a metal solution. The method further includes decomposing the metal solution in a thermally controlled environment and reducing the metal solution to metal such that the metal is deposited on a surface of the polymer substrate. After reducing the metal solution, the method includes treating the surface with a polymer coating to form the metal-polymer composite coated polymer.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present application provides electrically conductive metal-plated fibers and continuous processes of preparing metal-plated fibers. Additionally, provided are polymeric articles comprising the provided metal-plated fibers or other fibers prepared by the provided process, said articles having electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness.

Abstract: Conductive metal and metallized fiber hybrid wires are disclosed, wherein such wires have a central member and a peripheral member and comprise at least one conductive metallized fiber. The peripheral member comprises (i) at least one conductive metal filament; and (ii) optionally, at least one conductive metallized fiber. The central member comprises (i) at least one non-metallized fiber; (ii) at least one conductive metallized fiber; (iii) at least one conductive metal filament; or (iv) combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the surfaces of individual filaments in multifilament yarn. The method includes the steps of immersing the yarn into a liquid treatment solution and coating all exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, disrupting the orientation of the individual filaments and coating all newly exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, and repeating the previous steps until a predetermined treatment level is achieved. A filament orientation disruption assembly may include at least one roller having a roller profile such that for a given transverse section of the roller, a roller surface perimeter has a plurality of points located a plurality of distinct distances from a central axis of the roller, i.e., a non-cylindrical roller. The method is particularly effective in plating highly anisotropic uniaxially oriented polymer fibers, such as PBO.

Abstract: Conductive metal and metallized fiber hybrid wires are disclosed, wherein such wires have a central member and a peripheral member and comprise at least one conductive metallized fiber. The peripheral member comprises (i) at least one conductive metal filament; and (ii) optionally, at least one conductive metallized fiber. The central member comprises (i) at least one non-metallized fiber; (ii) at least one conductive metallized fiber; (iii) at least one conductive metal filament; or (iv) combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the surfaces of individual filaments in multifilament yarn. The method includes the steps of immersing the yarn into a liquid treatment solution and coating all exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, disrupting the orientation of the individual filaments and coating all newly exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, and repeating the previous steps until a predetermined treatment level is achieved. A filament orientation disruption assembly may include at least one roller having a roller profile such that for a given transverse section of the roller, a roller surface perimeter has a plurality of points located a plurality of distinct distances from a central axis of the roller, i.e., a non-cylindrical roller. The method is particularly effective in plating highly anisotropic uniaxially oriented polymer fibers, such as PBO.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the surfaces of individual filaments in multifilament yarn. The method includes the steps of immersing the yarn into a liquid treatment solution and coating all exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, disrupting the orientation of the individual filaments and coating all newly exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, and repeating the previous steps until a predetermined treatment level is achieved. A filament orientation disruption assembly may include at least one roller having a roller profile such that for a given transverse section of the roller, a roller surface perimeter has a plurality of points located a plurality of distinct distances from a central axis of the roller, i.e., a non-cylindrical roller. The method is particularly effective in plating highly anisotropic uniaxially oriented polymer fibers, such as PBO.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present application provides electrically conductive metal-plated fibers and continuous processes of preparing metal-plated fibers. Additionally, provided are polymeric articles comprising the provided metal-plated fibers or other fibers prepared by the provided process, said articles having electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the surfaces of individual filaments in multifilament yarn. The method includes the steps of immersing the yarn into a liquid treatment solution and coating all exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, disrupting the orientation of the individual filaments and coating all newly exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, and repeating the previous steps until a predetermined treatment level is achieved. A filament orientation disruption assembly may include at least one roller having a roller profile such that for a given transverse section of the roller, a roller surface perimeter has a plurality of points located a plurality of distinct distances from a central axis of the roller, i.e., a non-cylindrical roller. The method is particularly effective in plating highly anisotropic uniaxially oriented polymer fibers, such as PBO.

Abstract: A benzobisazole polymer having repeating units of the formula: wherein Q is and wherein Z is —O—, —S— or —NH—. A new method for preparing 1,5-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid from 1,5-diaminonaphthalene under relatively mild conditions in good yields is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the surfaces of individual filaments in a multifilament yarn. The method includes the steps of immersing the yarn into a liquid treatment solution and coating all exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, disrupting the orientation of the individual filaments and coating all newly exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, and repeating the previous steps until a predetermined treatment level is achieved. The method and apparatus may eliminate the use of surfactants in many treatment processes. The yarn and the treatment solution may be agitated to increase the orientation disruption of the individual filaments. Orientation disruption may include the repeated changing of the direction of travel of the yarn during treatment. The method is particularly effective in plating highly anisotropic uniaxially oriented polymer fibers, such as PBO.

Abstract: A method for processing thermally intractable rigid-chain polymers into shaped structural articles is provided. The method includes dissolving a rigid-chain polymer in sulfuric acid at a concentration and temperature sufficient to form a nematic liquid crystalline solution which is then formed into a shaped article and cooled to a solid. The solution undergoes a phase transformation upon cooling from a liquid crystalline phase to a solid phase containing crystal solvates. The method allows rigid-chain polymers to be formed into fibers, bulk structural components, fiber reinforced composites and other structural materials without undergoing significant shrinkage or deformation.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a highly conductive metal-containing polymer fiber or sheet in which a polymer is immersed in a solution containing a metal precursor selected from organic or inorganic salts of copper, silver, aluminum, gold, iron and nickel. The metal precursor is then reduced by chemical, electrochemical, or thermal means such that conductive metal is incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: A method for preparing optical quality, thin films of polymers and co-polymers, as well as blends of such polymers or co-polymers with flexible polymers and co-polymers which comprises(a) preparing a solution of the polymer or co-polymer or blend in a suitable solvent;(b) forming a film from the solution;(c) cooling the thus-formed film to a temperature below the freezing point of the solvent; and(d) dissolving the solvent out of said film at a temperature below the melting point of the solvent.This method can be employed to prepare films of high optical clarity for electro-optical device applications. Because of their thermal stability, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, films prepared according to this method can also be used as filters and separation membranes.

Abstract: A method for preparing optical quality, thin films of rigid-rod polymers and co-polymers, as well as blends of such polymers or co-polymers with flexible coil-like aromatic heterocyclic polymers and co-polymers which comprises(a) preparing a solution of the rigid-rod polymer or co-polymer or blend in a suitable solvent;(b) forming a film from the solution;(c) exposing the film to a non-solvent vapor for about 1 to 5 minutes per micron thickness in the finished film; and(d) coagulating the film in a non-solvent.This method can be employed to prepare films of high nonlinear optical susceptibility for electro-optical device applications. Because of their thermal stability, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, films prepared according to this method can also be used as filters and separation membranes.