Abstract: An energy management system and device for use in an automotive frame, rail, or other structural component of an automotive vehicle. The frame or rail having a cavity or exposed surface capable of supporting at least one member. The member having an interior portion and an exterior portion with the interior portion being defined by at least one trigger or step change to the geometry of the inner portion to target and direct axial bending of the system. A reinforcing material, such as a polymer-based expandable material, is disposed along the exterior portion of a member prior to final assembly of the vehicle by the vehicle manufacturer. The system is activated as the vehicle undergoes the final vehicle assembly process and paint operation which activates and transforms the reinforcing material to expand, bond and structurally adhere the frame rail to mange, direct, and/or absorb energy in the event of an impact to the vehicle from an applied load or an external force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material, method, and application for reinforcement of structural members, especially joints such as a hem flange joint of an automobile. The method and material of the present invention comprises of combining, in parts by weight: less than about twenty percent (<20%) ethylene copolymer, less than about forty percent (<40%) epoxy, less than about thirty percent (<45%) epoxy-based resin, less than about two percent (<2%) blowing agent and from about one percent (1%) to about five percent (5%) curing agent (and optionally add any of the following components: less than about two percent (<2%) curing agent accelerator, from about twenty-five percent (25%) to fifty-five percent (55%) filler, and less than about one percent (<1%) of coloring agent).

Abstract: A two-component foam-in-place structural material for producing a foamed product. The first component of the system includes an epoxy-based resin preferably formulated with a physical blowing agent particulate material. The physical blowing agent core is encapsulated within a shell or skin that will change state. The second component is an acid that is capable of initiating polymerization of the resin. A reactive mixture is achieved through the combination of the first and second components wherein heat from the exothermic reaction of the epoxy component caused by the acid in turn causes the thermoplastic shell having a solvent core to soften and increase in size due to gas pressure and change in state of the shell thereby foaming the reactive mixture.

Abstract: The invention and formulation relates to methods, materials, and products for foam-in-place materials comprising a two-component foam-in-place structural material for producing a foamed product. A first component of the system includes an epoxy-based resin preferably formulated with a coated particles, such as a metal salt, a metal carbonate encapsulated within a wax, or a polymer, (e.g., Thermoset, thermoplastic, or mixture). The metal carbonate particle may be encapsulated within a wax, shell or skin that will change state to expose the core to chemically react for initiating the production of gas for blowing. The second component is an acid that is capable of initiating polymerization of the resin.

Abstract: An structural reinforcement system for use with hydroforms and other closed forms having a plurality of members designed to be secured to a closed form, such as an hydroform tube used in automotive applications. A bonding material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the plurality of members. Once the system is attached to the closed form, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the hydroform tube and the members. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight and further serves to reduce noise and vibrational characteristics of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A sealant material and articles incorporating the same. The sealant material includes up to about 80% of an epoxy resin; up to about 40% of an epoxy/elastomer hybrid; up to about 40% of a rheology modifier; up to about 5% of a blowing agent; up to about 7% of a curing agent; and about 40 to about 60 % of a filler.

Abstract: A structurally reinforced panel and a method of forming the panel are disclosed. The reinforcement includes a fibrous woven material in a bondable plastic matrix.

Abstract: An structural reinforcement system for use with hydroforms and other closed forms having a plurality of members designed to be secured to a closed form, such as an hydroform tube used in automotive applications. A bonding material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the plurality of members. Once the system is attached to the closed form, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the hydroform tube and the members. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight and further serves to reduce noise and vibrational characteristics of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A reinforced sleeve including a carrier member and a reinforcing medium supported by the carrier member. The carrier is an elongated polymer member, and the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier member. The reinforcing medium is preferably an epoxy-based resin. More particularly, the reinforcing medium is preferably a heat-activated structural foam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, materials, and products for forming a foamed product, comprising the steps of combining an epoxy-based component with an amine-based component. The epoxy component is cross-linked through a polymerization reaction catalyzed by the amine formulation. In this regard, a reactive mixture or exothermic reaction is created between the epoxy component and the amine component when combined. The heat generated by the exothermic reaction softens a thermoplastic shell of a blowing agent formulated within the epoxy component thereby enabling a solvent core within the thermoplastic shell of the blowing agent to expand from the heat generated by the exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A reinforced sleeve including a carrier member and a reinforcing medium supported by the carrier member. The carrier is an elongated polymer member, and the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier member. The reinforcing medium is preferably an epoxy-based resin. More particularly, the reinforcing medium is preferably a heat-activated structural foam.

Abstract: A reinforced sleeve including a carrier member and a reinforcing medium supported by the carrier member. The carrier is an elongated polymer member, and the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier member. The reinforcing medium is preferably an epoxy-based resin. More particularly, the reinforcing medium is preferably a heat-activated structural foam.

Abstract: An structural reinforcement system for use with hydroforms and other closed forms having a plurality of members designed to be secured to a closed form, such as an hydroform tube used in automotive applications. A bonding material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the plurality of members. Once the system is attached to the closed form, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the hydroform tube and the members. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight and further serves to reduce noise and vibrational characteristics of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle frame reinforcement system has a skeleton member designed to be secured to a vehicle frame, such as a roof or pillar section. An expandable material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on the skeleton member. Once the system is attached to the frame, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the frame. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight.

Abstract: An structural reinforcement system for use with hydroforms and other closed forms having a plurality of members designed to be secured to a closed form, such as an hydroform tube used in automotive applications. A bonding material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the plurality of members. Once the system is attached to the closed form, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the hydroform tube and the members. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight and further serves to reduce noise and vibrational characteristics of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expandable pre-formed plug that is suitable for sealing and/or structurally reinforcing a structure having surfaces defining a space therebetween. The plug is comprised of at least an expandable inner core having an outer surface and a transportable outer skin that preferably substantially encapsulates the core. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the unexpanded plug is designed to mate with the surfaces that define a space therebetween upon expansion. The adhesive skin is generally dry to the touch at room temperature, however, upon initiation of expansion, the inner core expands and the surrounding skin is displaced in a coordinated manner. After some period of expansion, the outer skin preferably durably adheres or bonds to the walls of the surfaces defining a space therebetween and the outer surface of the core. A method for using such a plug is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expandable pre-formed plug that is suitable for sealing and/or structurally reinforcing a structure having surfaces defining a space therebetween. The plug is comprised of at least an expandable inner core having an outer surface and a transportable outer skin that preferably substantially encapsulates the core. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the unexpanded plug is designed to mate with the surfaces that define a space therebetween upon expansion. The adhesive skin is generally dry to the touch at room temperature, however, upon initiation of expansion, the inner core expands and the surrounding skin is displaced in a coordinated manner. After some period of expansion, the outer skin preferably durably adheres or bonds to the walls of the surfaces defining a space therebetween and the outer surface of the core. A method for using such a plug is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tube reinforcement assembly is designed to reinforce complex tube structures, such as those having bends or varying inner diameters. The assembly includes a carrier and a plurality of spring-biased, deflecting wings around the carrier. The wings have structural foam layers on both surfaces that expand when heated. In one application, the wings of the assembly are compressed so that the assembly can fit around bends and narrow areas within the tube. Once the assembly is in its desired position, the structural foam is expanded and cured so that one expanded foam layer presses against the inner wall of the tube structure and the other expanded foam layer presses against the carrier of the reinforcement assembly.

Abstract: A reinforced sleeve including a carrier member and a reinforcing medium supported by the carrier member. The carrier is an elongated polymer member, and the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier member. The reinforcing medium is preferably an epoxy-based resin. More particularly, the reinforcing medium is preferably a heal-activated structural foam.

Abstract: A bladder system and method for reinforcing at least a portion of a structural member, including a flexible barrier member for dividing at least a portion of the structural member being reinforced into one or more sections; and a reinforcement material for filling one or more sections bounded by the flexible barrier member. The reinforcement material filling one or more sections of the structural member can be a pumpable polymeric material, and the flexible barrier member can be a polymeric material.