Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite material includes introducing a nanofiller material having polar end groups into an extruder having a polymeric material therein. An unsaturated shielding material is introduced into the extruder. The unsaturated shielding material reacts with the polar end groups, thereby forming a shielded nanofiller material. The shielded nanofiller material is grafted to the polymeric material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material. The nanofiller material therein is substantially exfoliated, and the nanocomposite material exhibits enhanced physical properties.

Abstract: A multi-layer nanocomposite material includes a first layer of a first polymeric material and a second layer of nanocomposite material. The nanocomposite material includes a second polymeric material and a nanofiller material exfoliated therewithin. The second layer is established on the first layer, or the first layer is established on the second layer. The multi-layer nanocomposite material exhibits enhanced physical properties and enhanced ductility due to the improved stress dissipation of the secondary layers during impact.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric compound with nanofiller of a predetermined grade. The method includes the steps of providing a base grade of the polymeric material, and mixing a nanofiller concentrate material with the base grade polymeric material in a ratio sufficient to render the predetermined grade of filled polymeric compound, the ratio being nanofiller concentrate material to base grade polymeric material. A method for making the nanofiller concentrate material includes the steps of mixing a high flow carrier resin and a nanofiller to form a mixture, extruding the mixture, and pelletizing the extruded mixture. The mixture may advantageously include colorants, such as pigments or dyes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing to increase the thermal and electrical conductivity of polymers includes layering a filled polymer with an unfilled polymer to produce a multi-layered system of alternating filled and unfilled polymer layers. The filler material comprises thermally and/or electrically conductive material. A preferred polymer is a shape memory polymer. A method of manufacturing magnetic multi-layered polymer systems is described. Articles formed from such multi-layered systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing to increase the thermal and electrical conductivity of polymers includes layering a filled polymer with an unfilled polymer to produce a multi-layered system of alternating filled and unfilled polymer layers. The filler material comprises thermally and/or electrically conductive material. A preferred polymer is a shape memory polymer. A method of manufacturing magnetic multi-layered polymer systems is described. Articles formed from such multi-layered systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric compound with nanofiller of a predetermined grade. The method includes the steps of providing a base grade of the polymeric material, and mixing a nanofiller concentrate material with the base grade polymeric material in a ratio sufficient to render the predetermined grade of filled polymeric compound, the ratio being nanofiller concentrate material to base grade polymeric material. A method for making the nanofiller concentrate material includes the steps of mixing a high flow carrier resin and a nanofiller to form a mixture, extruding the mixture, and pelletizing the extruded mixture. The mixture may advantageously include colorants, such as pigments or dyes.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the exterior surface of an evaporator carries a coating of dried paint resistant to microbial growth and suitable for forming an adhered layer on cooling surfaces of an air conditioner. This paint comprises a pigment, a liquid, a binder to promote formation and adherence of the coating after the paint is applied and dried, and a metallic constituent which inhibits microbial growth. Preferably, the metallic constituent is inorganic and includes one or more of: copper, cupric carbonate, cuptic hydroxide, cuptic oxide, cuprous oxide, silver, silver oxide, zinc oxide, and zinc peroxide. The coating is preferably applied to the integral core after assembling and brazing the several plates and fins of the core.

Abstract: Novel, high solids urethane clearcoat compositions having improved flow characteristics by the incorporation of a flow control system composed of urea thixotrope/acrylic microgel additives. The urea thixotrope constituent is prepared by reacting a polyether polyol with a stoichiometric excess of a saturated cyclic aliphatic polyisocyanate to produce isocyanate-terminated prepolymers. These prepolymers are then modified by reaction with an ethanolamine to form urea end-capped thixotropes which are compatible in structure with any urethane clearcoat system. A combination of one of these urea thixotropes and a polymethyl methacrylate microgel of fine particle size is used effectively to reduce sagging of high solids urethane clearcoat systems. In fact, the combination of the two components produces a synergistic effect which is greater than that expected from any one of the components in the flow control system.

Abstract: Novel, high solids urethane clearcoat compositions having improved flow characteristics by the incorporation of a flow control system composed of urea thixotrope/silica additives. The urea thixotrope constituent is prepared by reacting a polyether polyol with a stoichiometric excess of a saturated cyclic aliphatic polyisocyanate to produce isocyanate-terminated prepolymers. These prepolymers are then modified by reaction with an ethanolamine to form urea endcapped thixotropes which are compatible in structure with any urethane clearcoat system. A combination of one of these urea thixotropes and a finely divided transparent silica is used effectively to reduce sagging of high solids urethane clearcoat systems. In fact, the combination of the two components produces a synergistic effect which is greater than that expected from any one of the components in the flow control system.

Abstract: Urethane-urea flow control agents are synthesized by a two-step process. First, an isocyanate-terminated urethane prepolymer is prepared by reacting a polyether polyol with a stoichiometric excess of a saturated cyclic aliphatic polyisocyanate. These isocyanate-terminated prepolymers are then modified by reaction with an ethanolamine to form urea endcapped flow control agents having number average molecular weight of between 1000 and 4000. These urea endcapped flow control agents can be blended with any urethane paint system and be compatible in structure. They have shown specifically superior compatibility with melamine cured high solids urethane paint systems. When blended with pigmented urethane paint at relatively small amounts, these flow control agents greatly reduce sagging while maintaining excellent leveling and viscosity properties of the paint.

Abstract: Waterborne acrylic copolymer-melamine enamels have a long storage life at room temperature and yet are curable at relatively low temperatures when containing suitable sulfamate ester curing agents such as ethyl N,N-dimethylsulfamate.

Abstract: Novel, low viscosity, high solids paint compositions have been created which provide durable, high gloss surface finishes when they are applied to and cured over suitable substrates. The paints are based on urethane binder resins formed by initially reacting a hindered piperidinol ultraviolet stabilizer with a stoichiometric excess of aliphatic polyisocyanate. This reaction product is in turn reacted with a stoichiometric excess of polyether polyols. The paint compositions are cured by crosslinking the urethane binder resins at the unreacted functional hydroxyl groups of the polyol constituents by means of acid catalyzed, melamine formaldehyde crosslinking agents. Cure can generally be fully accomplished in a short time at temperatures below about 250.degree. F. The cured paint has piperidine groups chemically incorporated within its molecular structure to effectively inhibit the degradation of the urethane linkages and the loss of gloss by ultraviolet radiation.