Abstract: The present invention is directed to conductive polymer composition that have positive temperature coefficients, electrical devices comprised thereof and methods of making the same. The composition comprises a thermoset polymer matrix containing discretely distributed thermoplastic material and dispersed conductive material. Preferably, the thermoset and thermoplastic polymers are substantially immiscible and have comparable volume transition temperatures, such as bisphenol A liquid epoxy resins and oxidized polyethylene.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tagging system is provided for remotely detecting and locating polymeric and other non-conductive structures situated behind barriers, such as underground plastic pipes or containers. The system comprises a fluctuating magnetic field source, a pattern of tags embedded in discrete regions of the wall of the polymeric structure, each tag including an amorphous magnetic metal target for generating a Barkhausen response when exposed to the fluctuating magnetic field source, and a portable detection circuit movable along the ground or other control surface for remotely detecting the Barkhausen response. The amorphous magnetic material in each tag is preferably in the form of a plurality of elongated particles having aspect ratios of at least 3 to 1 and arranged end-to-end.

Abstract: A nondestructive method for determining the amount of deformation induced in a material by a compressive force is provided that includes the steps of uniformly dispersing a quantity of a particulate tagging substance in the material whose presence and distribution is detectable by a form of radiant energy, applying a compressive to the material, and then determining the extent to which the material is compressively deformed by transmitting the appropriate radiant energy through the material to determine changes in the density and distribution of the particulate tagging substance. The method may advantageously be applied to determine the extent to which a granular material such as asphalt concrete has been compacted over a roadbed, as well as to determine strain and wear patterns in gaskets formed from elastic materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for approximating the life of a gasket used in a predetermined environment is provided which allows for the long-term exposure to the environment to be simulated over a shortened period of time. The method and apparatus utilize the steps of placing a gasket sample in a test assembly, clamping the gasket sample within the test assembly at a predetermined clamping pressure whereby a chamber is formed within the interior of the gasket sample, filling the chamber with a gas at a predetermined pressure from a gas fill system, changing the temperature of the gasket sample over a predetermined number of temperature cycles, and measuring the amount of the gas which leaks from the chamber. The apparatus may also include a pressure control system for changing the pressure within the chamber over a predetermined number of pressure cycles or in response to predetermined temperature conditions.

Abstract: A nondestructive method for determining the thickness of a non-electrically conductive material is provided that comprises the steps of uniformly dispersing a quantity of a ferromagnetic particulate tagging substance in the material whose presence and distribution is detectable by a form of radiant energy, such as the high-frequency electromagnetic field emanated from an eddy current probe, and then calibrating the output of the eddy current probe with a sample material having a known thickness that has been tagged with the same tagging substance at the same density. The thickness of the material is then determined by comparing the amplitude of electromagnetic coupling with the material with that obtained with the sample. The method may advantageously be applied to determine the thickness of a granular material such as asphalt concrete over a roadbed, as well as the strain and wear patterns in gaskets formed from elastic materials.

Abstract: A method for detecting low level of alkylbenzene or mineral oil impurity in polyol ester lubricants for compressors. This method comprises mixing a mixture of alcohol and water with a sample of the lubricant and then observe the presence or absence of turbidity.

Abstract: A method for the identification of whether a lubricant in a compressor is an alkylbenzene or a naphthenic oil. This method comprises adding 3,3-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) phthalide and observing whether there is an absence or presence of turbidity.

Abstract: An eutectic beam which includes a plastic housing, an eutectic solution in the housing, and an evaporator tube in the eutectic solution having ends which extend outside the housing. The ends of the evaporator tube are adapted for connection to a refrigeration system. The evaporator tube is formed of copper having a thin protective coating on its outer surface formed of plastic, which is preferably a two component, filled epoxy resin system. The housing, in a preferred embodiment, is formed of a plastic, such as polyethylene, filled with a filler material selected to increase the thermal conductivity and thus the efficiency of the eutectic beam. In still another preferred embodiment, the filler material is also selected to increase both the electrical and thermal conductivity of the housing, with the housing including electrodes for electrically heating the housing to remove frost and ice build-up.

Abstract: An optical fiber moisture sensor is prepared by coating an optical fiber with a thin film of plasma polymerized hexamethyldisiloxane and ammonia, approximately 1-2 .mu.m thick. The light transmission characteristics of such a coated optical fiber change as a function of moisture conditions in an environment to which the coating is exposed. Accordingly, the coated optical fiber may be utilized by sensing changes in moisture conditions in an environment by being placed in the environment, causing light to be transmitted through the fiber and detecting changes in the light transmitted through the fiber as a function of the moisture conditions in the environment.

Abstract: A curing agent is made by admixing (a) an irradiated mixture of carboxylic acid anhydride and carbon containing cyclic compound and (b) a polyhhydric alcohol, where the curing agent can be added to a resin such as an epoxy resin, applied to the surface of an article, and cured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a conductive coating of polyacetylene or substituted polyacetylene on fibers. The fibers are immersed into a solution of a catalyst for the polymerization of acetylene or substituted acetylene. The fibers are removed from the solution and acetylene or substituted acetylene gas is permitted to permeate the fibers, polymerizing to form a polyacetylene coating on the fibers. The coated fibers are then doped to make the polyacetylene coating conductive. Also disclosed are conductive polyacetylene coated fibers and a laminate containing conductive polyacetylene coated fibers.

Abstract: A coated article is made by: (1) admixing an epoxy resin, with a dual curing agent admixture of (a) an irradiated mixture of carboxylic acid anhydride and carbon containing cyclic compound and (b) a boron trihalide complex selected from at least one of boron trihalide:amine and boron trihalide:ether, (2) applying the mixed resin and concentrated dual curing agent to the surface of an article, and (3) curing the applied resin and curing agent.

Abstract: A resilient polyurethane elastomeric article is made from (A) a prepolymer prepared from a composition consisting essentially of diphenylmethane diisocyanate and polyoxytetramethylene glycol, and (B) a dual component chain extender consisting essentially of a low molecular weight triol and a material selected form one of 1,4-butanediol and resorcinol di-(beta-hydroxy ethyl) ether. The admixture can be used to impregnate or coat porous fabric material which upon cure and be used as relatively soft, flexible seals or shock isolator pads.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of coating a fibrous or filamentous organic polymeric substrate by forming a liquid which comprises an organic compound having a vapor pressure of less than about 400 mm at room temperature, applying the liquid to the substrate, evaporating any solvent which is present, and exposing the liquid to an ionized non-polymerizing inorganic gas. Also disclosed is a coated substrate comprising a fibrous or filamentous substrate made of an organic polymeric material and a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon coating on the substrate polymerized and chemically bonded to the polymeric material. A laminate is made by impregnating the treated substrate with an organic impregnating resin, heating the impregnated treated substrate to evaporate any solvent and to partially cure the organic impregnating resin, forming a prepreg, forming a stack of a plurality of prepregs, and heating the stack under pressure to fully cure the impregnating resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a capacitor winding by exposing a plasma polymerizable vapor of an organometallic compound to a plasma, moving a polymeric substrate beneath the plasma-exposed polymerizable organometallic vapor at a speed such that the metallic element in the organometallic vapors is deposited on the polymeric substrate to form a conducting layer, and carbon from the organic portion of the organometallic vapor is deposited on top of the conducting layer as a pinhole free highly cross-linked polymeric film. The substrate is then wound on a spool to form the capacitor winding.Also disclosed is apparatus useful for making the capacitor winding which consists of a substantially gas-tight reactor, a pay-out spool containing a wound-up organic polymeric substrate, a take-up spool positioned so that the substrate can move from the pay-out spool to the take-up spool unimpeded, and means for moving the substrate from the pay-out spool to the take-up spool.