Abstract: A method of co-texturizing glass fibers and thermoplastic fibers comprises passing a glass fiber strand through a texturizing gun, simultaneously passing a thermoplastic fiber strand through the texturizing gun with the glass fiber strand and injecting pressurized air into the texturizing gun concurrently with the glass fiber strand and thermoplastic fiber strands. This method produces a co-texturized fiber material comprising between 20-85% by weight glass fiber and 15-80% by weight thermoplastic fiber having an overall density of from about 20 grams/liter to about 200 grams/liter, and preferably from about 20 grams/liter to less than about 30 grams/liter.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making densified glass fiber pellets substantially encapsulated in a polymeric shell from chopped segments of multi-filament glass strand is described. The densified pellets may be advantageously produced by hydrating chopped glass strands and then pelletizing them by tumbling in a rotary drum, densifying the resulting pellets by tumbling in a rotating zig-zag or undulating tube, drying the pellets and encapsulating them in a polymeric composition. The resulting pellets exhibit enhanced degradation resistance during bulk storage and handling.

Abstract: A method of co-texturizing glass fibers and thermoplastic fibers comprises passing a glass fiber strand through a texturizing gun, simultaneously passing a thermoplastic fiber strand through the texturizing gun with the glass fiber strand and injecting pressurized air into the texturizing gun concurrently with the glass fiber strand and thermoplastic fiber strands. This method produces a co-texturized fiber material comprising between 20-85% by weight glass fiber and 15-80% by weight thermoplastic fiber having an overall density of from about 20 grams/liter to about 200 grams/liter, and preferably from about 20 grams/liter to less than about 30 grams/liter.

Abstract: A polymer composite multiend roving material used to make structural composite parts is comprised bundle of fibers held together by a high integrity sizing composition and surrounded by a powder coating polymer material. The powder coating material is approximately 10-80% of the dry weight of the multiend composite roving weight. The multiend composite roving material may then be easily processed further to form a molded composite part having good mechanical properties and high fiber content.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making densified glass fiber pellets substantially encapsulated in a polymeric shell from chopped segments of multi-filament glass strand is described. The densified pellets may be advantageously produced by hydrating chopped glass strands and then pelletizing them by tumbling in a rotary drum, densifying the resulting pellets by tumbling in a rotating zig-zag or undulating tube, drying the pellets and encapsulating them in a polymeric composition. The resulting pellets exhibit enhanced degradation resistance during bulk storage and handling.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder comprises a fibrous substrate with a chemical treatment, applied thereto, comprising an epoxy, a polyurethane, at least one curing agent, a thickener, and a filler. Additionally, the string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous pre-form material to make a product suitable for use in various molding application. The filler, preferably a calcium carbonate filler, of the present invention improves surface characteristics of the finished reinforcing articles by minimizing or eliminating surface fiber prominence and blistering. The string binder made with fillers additionally reduces manufacturing costs and raw material costs as compared with string binders made without such fillers.

Abstract: A nonaqueous sizing for glass fibers useful for reinforcement of polymers. The sizing composition comprises one or more film formers miscible with the polymer to be reinforced, one or more coupling agents and one or more powders. The sizing composition of the invention provides a glass fiber which has improved processability and notched izod without any loss in dispersability characteristics of the glass pellets.

Abstract: A nonaqueous sizing for glass fibers useful for reinforcement of polymers. The sizing composition comprises one or more film formers miscible with the polymer to be reinforced, one or more coupling agents and one or more powders. The sizing composition of the invention provides a glass fiber which has improved processability and notched izod without any loss in dispersability characteristics of the glass pellets.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making densified glass fiber pellets substantially encapsulated in a polymeric shell from chopped segments of multi-filament glass strand is described. The densified pellets may be advantageously produced by hydrating chopped glass strands and then pelletizing them by tumbling in a rotary drum, densifying the resulting pellets by tumbling in a rotating zig-zag or undulating tube, drying the pellets and encapsulating them in a polymeric composition. The resulting pellets exhibit enhanced degradation resistance during bulk storage and handling.

Abstract: An aqueous glass fiber sizing composition comprising at least one diol-organosilane coupling agent and at least one triol-organosilane coupling agent.

Abstract: Energy efficient apparatus for forming migration free glass fiber packages composed of fibers bearing substantially uniform coatings of size composition. Heated air from around the fiber forming bushing is drawn into a chamber through which the glass fibers pass to cause the water or solvent in the applied size to be evaporated. The flow of heated air through the chamber is regulated so as to obtain substantially uniform size application to the fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a glass fiber package. The apparatus includes a heated bushing for supplying streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous fibers, a rotatable member adapted to draw the streams into fibers and to wind the fibers into a package, an applicator for applying a size to the fibers, and a drying device including a heated element maintained at a temperature of between about 1000.degree. F. and 1500.degree. F. for contacting and transferring energy in the form of heat to the sized fibers to dry the fibers before they are wound into the package. The heating member is stationary while contacting the sized fibers.

Abstract: A sizing composition for glass is provided. The sizing composition comprises a vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion, a polyvinyl acetate copolymer latex, and a vinyl acrylic copolymer emulsion.

Abstract: A reinforcing composition is provided comprising pellets produced by the process of hydrating glass fibers to achieve a water content on the glass fibers of from about 11 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, mixing the glass fibers for at least about three minutes, thereby forming pellets, and drying.

Abstract: A reinforcing composition is provided comprising pellets produced by the process of hydrating glass fibers to achieve a water content on the glass fibers of from about 11 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, mixing the glass fibers for at least about three minutes, thereby forming pellets, and drying.

Abstract: A process for making a composite article having improved mechanical properties such as fatigue life, which process comprises contacting at least one continuous filament with a mixture comprising a resin and a strain relieving polymer.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition for glass fibers is provided which contains a polycarbonate precursor material and a water soluble film former or binder. The resulting coated glass fibers have excellent flexibilty with little or no powdering of the coating composition off the fibers.

Abstract: Energy efficient process and apparatus are disclosed for forming glass fiber packages which are free of migration. Air from around the fiber forming bushing is passed beneath the bushing whereby it is heated by bushing heat and the heated air is then drawn into a chamber through which the glass fibers pass in heat transfer contact with the heated air. This heat transfer contact causes the water or solvent in the applied size to be evaporated and results in a migration free package.

Abstract: A method of depositing a coating consisting essentially of titanium dioxide from an organic solution onto glass in an effort to improve the modulus and temperature resistance of the glass.

Abstract: Chrome-free aqueous sizing composition for glass fiber gun roving contains a mixture of emulsified film-forming polymers, titanium acetyl acetonate, silylated polyazamide, cationic lubricant and methacryloxypropylsilane.