Abstract: Electronic components and overmolding processes are disclosed. The electronic component, such as, an antenna, includes a substrate, an overmolding bonded to at least a portion of the substrate, the overmolding being a non-planar arrangement of a polymeric material, and a conductive ink positioned on the substrate between the substrate and the overmolding. The conductive ink is devoid or substantially devoid of delamination or fracture from the bonding of the overmolding to the substrate. The overmolding process includes providing a substrate, applying a conductive ink onto the substrate, and bonding an overmolding to at least a portion of the substrate, the overmolding being an arrangement of a polymeric material. The conductive ink is devoid or substantially devoid of delamination or fracture through the bonding of the overmolding to the substrate.

Abstract: Electronic articles, antennae, and processes of producing electronic articles are disclosed. The electronic article includes a rigid substrate having a non-planar region and a sintered conductive ink positioned on the non-planar region. The antenna is a specific type of electronic article covered by the disclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna has a light transmission of at least 85%. The process includes positioning a substrate having a non-planar region, applying a conductive ink to the non-planar region, and sintering the conductive ink on the non-planar region thereby producing the sintered conductive ink on the electronic article and/or producing an antenna having a light transmission of at least 80%.

Abstract: Crosslinked flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer gels are provided. The crosslinked flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer gels comprise a char catalyst, a char former, a maleic anhydride-modified styrene ethylene/butylene styrene polymer, and a softener oil. Methods are provided of making crosslinked flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer gels.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, apparatuses, and systems are provided for a hybrid thermoplastic gel or sealant. The methods comprise providing (a) a base polymer having at least one functional group capable of crosslinking, (b) a functionalized extender, and (c) heat, and reacting the base polymer and functionalized extender in the presence of the heat to form the hybrid thermoplastic gel. The gel composition may comprise 5-40 wt % of a base polymer, 60-95 wt % of a functionalized extender, and 0-10 wt % of a crosslinker. A closure or interconnect system may comprise a housing, a cable, and a hybrid thermoplastic gel or sealant. A telecommunications apparatus may comprise a telecommunications component and a sealant that forms a seal with the telecommunications component. The sealant may comprise a sealant material having a first range of elongation followed by a second range of elongation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a dry silicone gel in a closure or interconnect system. The dry silicone gel may be made by reacting a crosslinker, a chain extender, and a vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. The reaction may be conducted in the presence of a catalyst. In certain embodiments, the dry silicone gel may comprise: (1) a hardness between 100 g and 300 g, (2) a stress relaxation between 30% and 60% when subjected to a deformation of 50% of the original size of the gel, (3) a compression set between 4% and 20% after 50% strain has been applied to the gel for 1000 hours at 70° C., and/or (4) less than 10% oil bleed out under compression of 1.2 atm after 60 days at 60° C.

Abstract: Methods of processing high service temperature crosslinked thermoplastic gels are provided. The methods include combining (a) an oil-swelled physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel comprising at least one functional group configured to chemically crosslink in the presence of a crosslinker and (b) a crosslinker; maintaining the combination of the physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel and the crosslinker at a temperature at which they remain substantially unreacted; subsequently heating the combination to a temperature at which the oil-swelled physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel reacts with the crosslinker.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a dry silicone gel. The dry silicone gel comprises a base polymer having a vinyl-silicone group, a crosslinker, and a chain extender. The dry silicone gel may be made by reacting (a) a first set of components comprising a base polymer having a vinyl-silicone group and an addition cure catalyst with (b) a second set of components comprising a crosslinker, a chain extender, and additional base polymer. In certain circumstances, the base polymer and additional base polymer are vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a dry silicone gel in a closure or interconnect system. The dry silicone gel may be made by reacting a crosslinker, a chain extender, and a vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. The reaction may be conducted in the presence of a catalyst. In certain embodiments, the dry silicone gel may comprise: (1) a hardness between 100 g and 300 g, (2) a stress relaxation between 30% and 60% when subjected to a deformation of 50% of the original size of the gel, (3) a compression set between 4% and 20% after 50% strain has been applied to the gel for 1000 hours at 70° C., and/or (4) less than 10% oil bleed out under compression of 1.2 atm after 60 days at 60° C.

Abstract: Crosslinked flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer gels are provided. The crosslinked flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer gels comprise a char catalyst, a char former, a maleic anhydride-modified styrene ethylene/butylene styrene polymer, and a softener oil. Methods are provided of making crosslinked flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer gels.

Abstract: Methods of processing high service temperature crosslinked thermoplastic gels are provided. The methods include combining (a) an oil-swelled physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel comprising at least one functional group configured to chemically crosslink in the presence of a crosslinker and (b) a crosslinker; maintaining the combination of the physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel and the crosslinker at a temperature at which they remain substantially unreacted; subsequently heating the combination to a temperature at which the oil-swelled physically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer gel reacts with the crosslinker.

Abstract: Methods are provided of making chemically crosslinked block copolymer gels and chemically crosslinked block copolymer gels. The methods include swelling an olefinic block copolymer having a functionalized soft block region and a functionalized hard block region, in a softener oil, and chemically crosslinking the olefinic block copolymer. Compositions are provided comprising a chemically crosslinked olefinic block copolymer having a functionalized hard block region and a functionalized soft block region and a softener oil.