Abstract: Voided carbon fiber tapes comprising from 18K to 125K carbon fibers, a thermoplastic resin having a viscosity of about 10 to about 150 Pa·s, at least 3 void areas, a fiber fraction ranging from about 35 to 70 percent, a void volume ranging from about 2 to about 50 percent, and at least 10 percent wetted carbon fibers may be used to prepare consolidated thermoplastic composites which exhibit flexural strengths greater than or equal to 75 percent of the theoretical flexural strength.

Abstract: Chitosan films and laminates made from the films are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a flame retardant article comprising a polyolefin, an activatable flame retardant and an optional flame retardant activator wherein the flame retardant performance of the flame retardant article is at least about 1% higher on the limiting oxygen index (LOI) scale after activation treatment than before activation treatment as measured by LOI ASTM D2863. The flame retardant article can be made into a building substrate, garment, banner, light reflector and cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flame retardant plexifilamentary film-fibril strand comprising at least one polyolefin and at least one flame retardant selected from the group consisting of: phosphate esters, phosphonate esters, phosphinate esters, polyphosphazines, nitrogen-containing polyphosphates, hindered amines and mixtures thereof. The present invention also relates to flame retardant sheet made from the flame retardant plexifilamentary film-fibril strands. The sheet can be made into a flame retardant building substrate, garment, banner, light reflector and cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flame retardant plexifilamentary film-fibril strand comprising at least one polyolefin and at least one flame retardant selected from the group consisting of: phosphate esters, phosphonate esters, phosphinate esters, polyphosphazines, nitrogen-containing polyphosphates, hindered amines and mixtures thereof. The present invention also relates to flame retardant sheet made from the flame retardant plexifilamentary film-fibril strands. The sheet can be made into a flame retardant building substrate, garment, banner, light reflector and cover.

Abstract: Inclusion of a needle structured sepiolite clay in a chitosan film in an amount of about 0.5 weight percent to about 8 weight percent was found to reduce shrinkage of the film. The clay is processed into a substantially dispersed form. Laminates fabricated from this chitosan film including dispersed sepiolite clay can be used in making a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Inclusion of a needle structured clay or the plate structured clay sodium montmorillonite in a chitosan film was found to reduce shrinkage of the film. The needle structured clay is purified and processed into a substantially dispersed form by subjecting an aqueous slurry of the clay with water-soluble phosphate dispersant to a high pressure, high shear mixing process or to sonication. Laminates fabricated from chitosan film including dispersed clay can be used in make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Processes for fabricating selectively permeable laminates are provided. In one process, continuous chitosan film is prepared by casting a chitosan solution directly onto a substrate that will be incorporated along with the film into a laminate. Alternatively, the chitosan solution is cast onto a work device (for example, such as glass or a polymer film), dried, detached, and then incorporated into a laminate in a separate step. In various embodiments, the laminates are useful for fabrication as a protective article and are substantially impermeable to hazardous chemical and biological agents, but sufficiently permeable to water vapor that, if worn as protective apparel, it is both protective and comfortable to wear.

Abstract: A nonwoven fibrous structure and process for forming it, which is an interconnecting web of polyolefin filaments having filament widths greater than about 1 micrometer which are further interconnected with webs of smaller polyolefin filaments having filament widths less than about 1 micrometer, wherein the smaller polyolefin filaments comprise a majority of all filaments.

Abstract: Inclusion of a needle structured clay or the plate structured clay sodium montmorillonite in a chitosan film was found to reduce shrinkage of the film. The clay is processed into a substantially dispersed form. Laminates fabricated from this chitosan film including dispersed clay can be used in make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with flash-spinning a surface-modified structure such as a plexifilimentary yarn or a microcellular foam.

Abstract: A nonwoven fibrous structure and process for forming it, which is an interconnecting web of polyolefin filaments having filament widths greater than about 1 micrometer which are further interconnected with webs of smaller polyolefin filaments having filament widths less than about 1 micrometer, wherein the smaller polyolefin filaments comprise a majority of all filaments.

Abstract: A method for dispersing sepiolite-type clay particles in a polyester matrix by melt-compounding a mixture of: sepiolite-type clay, at least one linear polyester oligomer, and at least one polyester polymer to produce a nanocomposite composition; and, optionally, subjecting said nanocomposite composition to solid state polymerization to increase polyester molecular weight. Further described is a method for preparing a polyester nanocomposite composition from a masterbatch, comprising melt-compounding a mixture of: sepiolite-type clay, at least one polyester oligomer, and at least one polyester polymer to produce a nanocomposite composition containing a greater concentration of sepiolite-type clay than is desired in the final resin composition; optionally, subjecting said nanocomposite composition to solid state polymerization to increase the polyester molecular weight; and further melt compounding said nanocomposite composition with polyester polymer and, optionally, additional ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with flash-spinning a surface-modified structure such as a plexifilimentary yarn or a microcellular foam.

Abstract: A composition for forming a crystalline thermoplastic (such as polyacetal) composition for improving compatibility using a ternary blend that includes a mineral filler and elastomer material and an article made therefrom. The mineral filler may be coated or uncoated.

Abstract: A composition and method for forming a hydrocarbon polymer composition of molded articles that exhibit desirable combinations of stiffness and impact resistance, wherein the composition contains a mineral filler.

Abstract: A composition for forming a crystalline thermoplastic (such as polyacetal) composition for improving compatibility using a ternary blend that includes a mineral filler and elastomer material and an article made therefrom. The mineral filler may be coated or uncoated.