Abstract: The present invention provides an at least partially coated fiber strand comprising a plurality of glass fibers having a coating composition on at least a portion of at least one of the glass fibers, the coating composition comprising at least one coating comprising greater than 20 weight percent on a total solids basis of a plurality of particles selected from inorganic particles, organic hollow particles, composite particles, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein the plurality of particles have a Mohs' hardness value which does not exceed the Mohs' hardness value of the glass fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-heat cleaned glass fiber fabrics comprising resin compatible coatings that offer higher tensile strengths than corresponding fabrics that have been heat cleaned and silane finished. These fabrics can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as reinforcements for composites such as printed circuit boards. In one nonlimiting embodiment, the invention provides a non-heat cleaned fabric comprising a plurality of fiber strands in a warp direction and a fill direction, each fiber strand comprising a plurality of E-glass fiber, and having a resin compatible coating composition on at least a portion of a surface of at least one fiber strand, wherein the fabric has a tensile strength of at least 267 Newtons when measured in the warp direction or fill direction. Although not required, the fabric also has a tensile strength of at least 1.5 times that of a corresponding fabric that is heat cleaned by heating the corresponding fabric to a temperature of at least 380° C.

Abstract: A fabric comprising at least one fiber strand comprising a plurality of fibers and having a resin compatible coating composition on at least a surface of the at least one fiber strand, wherein the at least one fiber strand has an Air Jet Transport Drag Force value of greater than 100,000 gram force per gram mass of strand as determined by a needle air jet nozzle unit having an internal air jet chamber having a diameter of 2 millimeters and a nozzle exit tube having a length of 20 centimeters at a strand feed rate of 274 meters per minute and an air pressure of 310 kiloPascals.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates generally to sizing compositions, methods and apparatus for cleaning sized fiber glass strands, yarns and fabric without the use of high temperature thermal processes. More specifically, the invention relates to sizing compositions comprising a photocatalytically degradable organic material and a photocatalyst material, and methods and apparatus for cleaning photocatalytically degradable organic materials from the surface of the fiber glass strand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric comprising fiber strands having a coating that is more soluble in a resin matrix material than conventional slashing and/or silane finishes. As a result, the coating does not have to be removed prior to combining the coated fiber strand with a resin matrix material. These fabrics can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as reinforcements for composites, such as printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting abrasive wear of a fiber strand comprising at least one glass fiber by sliding contact with surface asperities of a solid object, comprising (a) applying a composition to at least a portion of a surface of at least one glass fiber of a glass fiber strand; (b) at least partially drying the composition to form a sized glass fiber strand having a residue of the composition upon at least a portion of the surface of the at least one class fiber; and (c) sliding at least a portion of the glass fiber strand to contact surface asperities of a solid object, the surface asperities having a hardness value which is greater than a hardness value of the at least one glass fiber, such that abrasive wear of the at least one glass fiber of the glass fiber strand by contact with the surface asperities of the solid object is inhibited by the inorganic solid lubricant particles.

Abstract: Prepregs for an electronic support comprising: (a) a matrix material; and (b) at least one non-degreased fabric comprising at least one strand comprising a plurality of fibers, wherein at least a portion of the fabric comprises a coating which is compatible with the matrix material, and wherein the at least one strand has a shape factor of greater than 1, measured in the warp direction or the fill direction of the at least one non-degreased fabric. Laminates for an electronic support comprising: (a) a matrix material; and (b) at least one non-degreased fabric comprising at least one strand comprising a plurality of fibers, wherein at least a portion of the fabric comprises a coating which is compatible with the matrix material, and wherein the at least one strand has a shape factor of greater than 1, measured in the warp direction or the fill direction of the at least one non-degreased fabric. Electronic supports and electronic circuit boards comprising at least one prepreg or at least one laminate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an at least partially coated fiber strand comprising a plurality of fibers having a resin compatible coating composition on at least a portion of a surface of at least one of the fibers, the resin compatible coating composition comprising: (a) a plurality of discrete particles comprising a silicate having a high affinity for metal ions; and (b) at least one film-forming material.

Abstract: At least partially clad laminates comprising: (a) a cladding material; (b) a matrix material; and (c) at least one non-degreased fabric comprising at least one strand comprising a plurality of fibers, wherein at least a portion of the at least one non-degreased fabric comprises a coating which is compatible with the matrix material, and wherein at least a portion of the at least partially clad laminate has a roughness factor less than 8 microns using a one ounce clad, measured in either the warp direction or the fill direction of the at least one non-degreased. Electronic supports and electronic circuit boards comprising at least one at least partially clad laminate.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-heat cleaned glass fiber fabrics comprising resin compatible coatings that offer higher tensile strengths than corresponding fabrics that have been heat cleaned and silane finished. These fabrics can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as reinforcements for composites such as printed circuit boards.

Abstract: The present invention provides coated fiber strand comprising at least one fiber having a residue of an aqueous forming size composition applied to at least a portion of a surface of the at least one fiber, the aqueous forming size composition comprising: (a) at least one starch; (b) at least one film-forming material; (c) at least one lubricant; and (d) a plurality of discrete particles that provide interstitial space between the at least one fiber and at least one adjacent fiber sufficient to allow wet out of the fiber strand. In one embodiment of the invention, the fibers are glass fibers, the at least one starch comprises an oleophobic starch, the at least one film-forming material comprises a N-vinyl amide polymer, the at least one lubricant comprises an ester, and the particles are dimensionally stable particles selected from polymeric organic materials, non-polymeric organic materials, polymeric inorganic materials, non-polymeric inorganic materials, composite materials and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A matrix for use in a method of photocatalytically decomposing organic compounds in a fluid includes a fiber glass mat substrate carrying a photocatalytic material. The fiber glass mat is made of randomly oriented glass fibers that have been substantially filamentized and needled whereby the filaments are interlocked. Adhesion of the photocatalytic material to the substrate is provided without requiring heat cleaning of the fiber glass by controlling the organic content of the fiber glass mat to be less than 1.0 percent by weight as measured by loss on ignition. This is achieved by using sizing compositions that preferably have little or no film forming polymer content.