Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper element comprising a wiper blade made of an elastomeric material and reinforced with at least one elongated element (30). The elongated element (30) comprises a core (32) and a coating system (36). The coating system comprises a zinc alloy coating and a polyester coating on top of the zinc alloy coating. Using this coating system, the elongated element (30) is made corrosion resistant.

Abstract: A wire for external exposure, i.e. without chemical binding with a polymer or rubber matrix. The wire has a steel core, a nickel sub-coating and a zinc or zinc alloy top coating above the nickel sub-coating. The steel core has a carbon content exceeding 0.20%. The wire is in a work-hardened state by drawing or rolling. The wire has an excellent corrosion resistance and provides an excellent barrier against hydrogen. Preferable uses are wires in off-shore applications.

Abstract: A rail (22?, 22?) for the vertebra of the blade rubber (10) of a windscreen wiper has over its entire length a substantially constant cross-section deviating from a rectangular cross-section. The rail (22?, 22?) has a moment of inertia I, has a particular width and has a particular surface area. The moment of inertia I is larger than the moment of inertia of a rectangular wire with a same width and a same surface area. The cross-section has a circumference exhibiting both convex and concave portions. The rail is made of a drawn or rolled steel wire. The typical cross-section of the rail allows to have a stiffer structure without increasing the weight.

Abstract: A wire for external exposure, i.e. without chemical binding with a polymer or rubber matrix. The wire has a steel core, a nickel sub-coating and a zinc or zinc alloy top coating above the nickel sub-coating. The steel core has a carbon content exceeding 0.20%. The wire is in a work-hardened state by drawing or rolling. The wire has an excellent corrosion resistance and provides an excellent barrier against hydrogen. Preferable uses are wires in off-shore applications.

Abstract: A metal rope (10) comprises wires (16, 18). The wires (16, 18) have a surface of stainless steel. At least those wires (18) exposed to the surface of the rope (10) are coated with a transparent polymer (22) on the stainless steel. The transparent polymer (22) is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyesters, polyimides, polyamides and polyphtalamides, or a copolymer thereof. The metal rope (10) can be an element of a fabric, such as a woven (144) or knitted structure (150). The metal rope (10) be used in architectural, building and decorative applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper element comprising a wiper blade made of an elastomeric material and reinforced with at least one elongated element (30). The elongated element (30) comprises a core (32) and a coating system (36). The coating system comprises a zinc alloy coating and a polyester coating on top of the zinc alloy coating. Using this coating system, the elongated element (30) is made corrosion resistant.

Abstract: A composite material (16) comprising a polymer (17) as matrix and a metal structure (10) as a reinforcing element, characterized in that said metal structure (10) comprises two metal springs (12, 14), said springs (12, 14) being wound in opposite directions, said springs having coil parts which alternate with each other along the length of the metal structure, said springs being rolled so as to form a flat shape.

Abstract: A fabric (20) for reinforcement of canvasses having a plastic coating. The fabric (20) comprises a warp (22) and a weft (24) which form meshes having a maximum dimension ranging from 5 cm to 25 cm. At least one of the warp or the weft is formed by a strip (10) which comprises a matrix of a thermoplastic material (12) which is adherable to the plastic coating of the canvasses This strip further comprises two or more elongated metal members (14). This strip has a cross-sectional average thickness ranging from 0.50 mm to 3.0 mm and a cross-sectional width ranging from 3 mm to 25 mm. The strip and the fabric allow to reinforce the canvass in a cheaply way without adding too much additional weights.

Abstract: A push-pull steel cable (10) comprises a core (12) and an outer layer of filaments (16) twisted around the core (12). The cable (10) is provided with an external coating (20) of polyethylene terephthalate. The coating (20) gives to the cable (10) a good resistance against corrosion, a good weatherability, a good adhesion and adhesion retention and a friction resistance which is comparable to the friction resistance of a cable with a nylon coating. The cable (10) can be used as a brake cable, a shifting lever cable or a window elevator cable.

Abstract: A wire reinforcement for women's garments designed to support the breasts exhibits an axial cross section with a long axis and a short axis perpendicular to the long axis. The long axis has a length, and the short axis has a center thickness which is smaller than half of the length. Along the long axis, the cross section has a left end with a left thickness and a right end with a right thickness. Both the left thickness and the right thickness are substantially greater than the center thickness. Such a wire reinforcement is very rigid in the direction of the long axis and is flexible in the other directions and in relation to torsional stresses.

Abstract: The granular composite is obtained by chopping a composite strand containing metal fibers, said fibers being embedded as bundles in a plastic and is to be used for the shaping of plastic articles. The metal fibers comprise hardened material which has been derived from an austenitic ferric alloy in which the austenite has been converted into martensite for at least 75 vol. %.

Abstract: This granular composite is obtained by chopping granules from a composite strand which contains at least one bundle of gear crimped fibers embedded in a polymer. The fibers can have reinforcing or electrically conductive properties. The granular composite is mixed with another polymer granulate and softened, whereby the fibers are dispersed in the polymer mass, which is then shaped, for example, by injection molding into plastic articles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the electrochemical pickling of ferrous and other metal wires is disclosed. The process, which is particularly suitable for high-carbon steel wires, involves the application of a low voltage alternating current to the wires in a pickling bath containing a selected electrolyte. The frequency of the current is modified as compared with mains frequency, the modification depending on the nature of the electrolyte. The wave-form of the current may also be modified and a suitable direct current may be superimposed.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a metallic carrier having a catalytically active metal-containing surface layer, the catalytic metal being other than a noble metal, wherein the catalytically active metal-containing surface layer is formed directly on the carrier by an etching treatment with an oxidizing inorganic acid which at least partially removes one or more metals from the surface of the metallic carrier, followed by chemical reduction with hydrogen.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a metallic carrier having a catalytically active metal-containing surface layer, the catalytic metal being other than a noble metal, whereby the catalytically active surface layer is formed out of a homogeneous metallic carrier by oxidizing in an oxidizing gas such as air and subsequently reducing with hydrogen the surface of the metallic carrier at a temperature at which the active metal is substantially not sintered, characterized in that the carrier is a web or felt of fibers with a diameter between 4 and 100 microns.