Abstract: A cured article includes a cured thermoset resin matrix defining an article surface. Hollow glass microspheroids are dispersed in the cured thermoset resin matrix. A low profile additive package is dispersed in the cured thermoset resin matrix. A plurality of carbon fiber bundles are present and wet by the cured thermoset resin matrix. The matrix formed from a prepolymer and styrenic monomer. A free radical initiator is provided to cure the thermoset resin matrix and having limited decomposition products with a boiling point of between 160-210° C.; wherein the article emits less than 250 parts per million (ppm) of volatiles as measured after heating to 185° C. at a rate of 14° C./min and held for 1 minute.

Abstract: A system for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that has one or more reels of fiber tow, a cutting element configured to receive the fiber tow to form chopped fiber, and a tube with introduced gas flow configured to receive the chopped fiber. A moving belt is positioned under the tube to collect the chopped fiber. A dispenser is positioned along the moving belt for applying a binder or additive. A treatment chamber receives the treated chopped fiber. A process for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that supplies one or more reels of fiber tow to a cutting system, drops the chopped fiber into a tube with introduced gas flow to debundle the chopped fiber with a vortex, collects the chopped fiber exiting the tube onto a moving belt, chemically treats the chopped fiber, and provides the chemically treated chopped to a treatment chamber.

Abstract: A monomer is provided for a thermoset molding compound. The monomer is also polymerized with conventional monomers to form thermoplastic polymers. Graphene oxide is used to chelate metal ions to form a graphene oxide chelate that is coupled to a monomer retaining an aliphatic unsaturation capable of free radical polymerization reaction. Inclusion of a metal ion chelated to the graphene oxide affords control over the conductivity of the resultant article. In some embodiments, the monomer is found polymerized into a resulting article proximal to the article surface.

Abstract: A system for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that has one or more reels of fiber tow, a cutting element configured to receive the fiber tow to form chopped fiber, and a tube with introduced gas flow configured to receive the chopped fiber. A moving belt is positioned under the tube to collect the chopped fiber. A dispenser is positioned along the moving belt for applying a binder or additive. A treatment chamber receives the treated chopped fiber. A process for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that supplies one or more reels of fiber tow to a cutting system, drops the chopped fiber into a tube with introduced gas flow to debundle the chopped fiber with a vortex, collects the chopped fiber exiting the tube onto a moving belt, chemically treats the chopped fiber, and provides the chemically treated chopped to a treatment chamber.

Abstract: A system for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that has one or more reels of fiber tow, a cutting element configured to receive the fiber tow to form chopped fiber, and a tube with introduced gas flow configured to receive the chopped fiber. A moving belt is positioned under the tube to collect the chopped fiber. A dispenser is positioned along the moving belt for applying a binder or additive. A treatment chamber receives the treated chopped fiber. A process for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that supplies one or more reels of fiber tow to a cutting system, drops the chopped fiber into a tube with introduced gas flow to debundle the chopped fiber with a vortex, collects the chopped fiber exiting the tube onto a moving belt, chemically treats the chopped fiber, and provides the chemically treated chopped to a treatment chamber.

Abstract: A system for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that has one or more reels of fiber tow, a cutting element configured to receive the fiber tow to form chopped fiber, and a tube with introduced gas flow configured to receive the chopped fiber. A moving belt is positioned under the tube to collect the chopped fiber. A dispenser is positioned along the moving belt for applying a binder or additive. A treatment chamber receives the treated chopped fiber. A process for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that supplies one or more reels of fiber tow to a cutting system, drops the chopped fiber into a tube with introduced gas flow to debundle the chopped fiber with a vortex, collects the chopped fiber exiting the tube onto a moving belt, chemically treats the chopped fiber, and provides the chemically treated chopped to a treatment chamber.

Abstract: A monomer is provided for a thermoset molding compound. The monomer is also polymerized with conventional monomers to form thermoplastic polymers. Graphene oxide is used to chelate metal ions to form a graphene oxide chelate that is coupled to a monomer retaining an aliphatic unsaturation capable of free radical polymerization reaction. Inclusion of a metal ion chelated to the graphene oxide affords control over the conductivity of the resultant article. In some embodiments, the monomer is found polymerized into a resulting article proximal to the article surface.

Abstract: A molded article is provided that has a resin matrix having a surface, the resin matrix formed from cross-linked polyester resin or vinyl-ester resin. Glass fibers are crossed linked to the resin matrix via a silane coupling agent reactive with the matrix. A molded article is provided that has a resin matrix having a surface, the resin matrix formed from cross-linked polyester resin or vinyl-ester resin. Glass fibers each covalently bonded to at least one microspheroid matrix via a silane coupling agent reactive with a surface of the at least one microspheroids are present in increase the fiber pull strength. A sizing composition for treating glass fibers is also provided for use in such articles.

Abstract: A molded article is provided that includes a resin matrix having a surface, the resin matrix formed from cross-linked polyester resin or vinyl-ester resin. Microspheroids having a mean diameter of from 16 to 45 microns are embedded in the resin matrix. The microspheroids having a specific gravity of between 0.19 and 0.6 and an isotactic crush strength of greater than or equal to 2750 kilopascals (kPa). Surface activating agent alkoxysilane molecules are covalently bonded to each of the microspheroids. Filler particles are also present in the resin matrix. Fibers are also present in the resin matrix. The fibers being natural fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, or a combination thereof. The article has a specific gravity of between 0.80 and 1.25.

Abstract: A molded article is provided that includes a resin matrix having a surface, the resin matrix formed from cross-linked polyester resin or vinyl-ester resin. Microspheroids having a mean diameter of from 16 to 45 microns are embedded in the resin matrix. The microspheroids having a specific gravity of between 0.19 and 0.6 and an isotactic crush strength of greater than or equal to 2750 kilopascals (kPa). Surface activating agent alkoxysilane molecules are covalently bonded to each of the microspheroids. Filler particles are also present in the resin matrix. Fibers are also present in in the resin matrix. The fibers being natural fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, or a combination thereof. The article has a specific gravity of between 0.80 and 1.25.

Abstract: A molded article is provided that has a resin matrix having a surface, the resin matrix formed from cross-linked polyester resin or vinyl-ester resin. Glass fibers are crossed linked to the resin matrix via a silane coupling agent reactive with the matrix. A molded article is provided that has a resin matrix having a surface, the resin matrix formed from cross-linked polyester resin or vinyl-ester resin. Glass fibers each covalently bonded to at least one microspheroid matrix via a silane coupling agent reactive with a surface of the at least one microspheroids are present in increase the fiber pull strength. A sizing composition for treating glass fibers is also provided for use in such articles.

Abstract: A method of forming a silsesquioxane/Q/siloxane polymer or oligomer system used to form coatings or monoliths, includes the step of mixing silsesquioxane, siloxane and alkoxysilane components having structures as presented below in ratios as presented below with a soluble F? catalyst and water in a suitable solvent so that on stirring at temperatures of ?20° to approximately 100° C. all of the components dissolve producing a solution. A soluble oligomer is formed in equilibribum with single molecules with specific structures including [RSiO1.5]x[R?MeSiO]y[R?Me2SiOSiO1.5]z (where R?R? or R? or R1 or R2 as denoted below) and where x, y and z are mole fractions whose sum is equal to one.

Abstract: A multi-functional silsesquioxane, method of making the same, and coatings incorporating the same, including a polyhedral silsesquioxane including at least one first face and at least one second face that is spaced apart from the at least one first face; at least one first functionality bonded to the at least one first face; and at least one second functionality different from the first functionality, and being bonded to the at least one second face. In one particular respect, silica for the silsesquioxane may be derived from rice hull ash via an octa(tetramethylammonium)silsesquioxane octaanion.

Abstract: Polyhedral silsesquioxane anions are economically prepared by reaction of a silica source derived from combusted organic material with a quaternary ammonium hydroxide compound. Reaction of the resulting anions with chlorosilanes may be effected in near stoichiometric fashion in organic solvent containing reactive quantities of organic acids such as formic acid. The functional groups on the resulting functionalized silsesquioxanes may be substituted for other functional groups by reaction with di- or polysiloxanes in the presence of a synthetic ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A multi-functional silsesquioxane, method of making the same, and coatings incorporating the same, including a polyhedral silsesquioxane including at least one first face and at least one second face that is spaced apart from the at least one first face; at least one first functionality bonded to the at least one first face; and at least one second functionality different from the first functionality, and being bonded to the at least one second face. In one particular respect, silica for the silsesquioxane may be derived from rice hull ash via an octa(tetramethylammonium)silsesquioxane octaani{dot over (o)}n.