Abstract: An adhesive composition comprises(a) a thermoplastic polyamide having reactive amine groups;(b) a thermoplastic copolymer of an alkene with an ethylenically unsaturated ester of an alkanol and a carboxylic acid, e.g. vinyl acetate or ethyl acrylate, and optionally one or more acidic copolymers; and(c) a thermoplastic epoxy resin.The components (a) and (b) are present in a ratio of from 35:65 to 75:25 by weight and component (c) is present in an amount of from about 8 to 79 parts per hundred parts of components (a) and (b) by weight, components (a), (b) and (c) existing separately in the form of particles that are mixed together.

Abstract: A method of bracing an article, especially a junction between conduits subject to an internal pressure greater than that of their surroundings, which comprises applying thereto, in the order listed, a gas-impermeable member (this step may be omitted), a reinforcing member and a heat-recoverable member, the reinforcing member being radially inwardly deformable, at least at elevated temperatures, and heating the assembly to cause recovery of the heat recoverable member.

Abstract: Hot melt adhesives which are especially suitable for use with heat-recoverable plastics articles such as heat-shrinkable sleeves, wrap-around sleeves and end-caps are based on a combination of selected polyamides of relatively low molecular weight and relatively high amine equivalent, especially those based on dimer acids, and compatible waxes, especially low molecular weight paraffin and polyolefin waxes. The adhesive compositions advantageously comprise a tackifier, especially an aromatic tackifier, and preferred compositions include a minor amount of a rubber modifying agent to improve their low temperature flexibility and high temperature stability.