Abstract: The present invention relates to a chain comprising a plurality of chain links comprising a polymeric fiber and wherein said chain comprises at least one spacer having a thickness ? at the contact location through which loads are directly transmitted between said chain links and a ratio ?/?=f, with ? being the thickness of any of the chain links at the contact location through which loads are directly transmitted between said chain links and f being in a range between 0.10 and 2.50. The invention further relates to the use said chain for storing, securing, lashing and tying down for handling and transporting cargo, in lifting and hoisting, logging, hauling and rigging, propulsion and driving, mooring, cargo-hold of an aircraft or naval ship.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heavy-duty chain containing chain-links comprising synthetic polymeric yarns, wherein when said chain is kept at least taut onto an essentially planar surface, each chain-link has an orthographic projection onto said planar surface, said projection having a foot print area (A), wherein the foot print areas denoted as A1 and A2 of every two adjacent links are in a relation 80% A2?A1?100% A2 with A1 being the smallest of said two areas and wherein the projection is done in such a way that the ratio of the foot print areas A2 to A1 is maximized.

Abstract: Processes for removing residual spin solvent from a gel spun, UHMwPE filament having an effective diameter of above 16 ?m, comprise the steps of removing residual spin solvent from the filament to a level of below 100 ppm at elevated temperature, while keeping the filament taut. Gel spun UHMwPE filaments having an effective diameter of above 16 ?m and a residual spin solvent residue of less than 100 ppm are also provided. Preferably the filament has a creep rate, measured at 50° C., under a load, so that the initial stress is 600 MPa, of less than 5·10?6 sec?1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifilament yarn having a tenacity of at least 30 cN/dtex, and comprising a plurality of spun ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin filaments characterized in that the titer of any one of said spun filaments is at least 10 dtex.

Abstract: Gel-spinning processes for producing a high tensile strength ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) multifilament yarn comprising ultra-low dtex filaments, include applying a draw ratio DRfluid to fluid filaments obtained by spinning a solution of UHMWPE through a spinneret and into an air gap, is at least 450, wherein DRfluid=DRsp×DRag, the DRsp and DRag being the draw ratios in the spinholes and in the air gap, respectively; and provided that DRag is at least 30. The UHMWPE multifilament yarns produced thereof were characterized by a tensile strength of at least 3.5 GPa and contained filaments having a dtex of at most 0.5. The invention further relates to products comprising said yarns, e.g. fabrics, medical devices and composite and ballistic articles.

Abstract: Multilayer material sheets containing unidirectional high performance fibers are obtained by a process which includes the steps of positioning the fibers in a parallel fashion, consolidation of the fibers to obtain a monolayer, stacking at least two monolayers such that the fiber direction in one monolayer is at an angle a to the direction of the fibers in an adjacent monolayer and fixation whereby the stack of at least two monolayers is subjected to a pressure and temperature treatment for a duration of a least 2 seconds, followed by cooling the stack under pressure to a temperature of 120° C. or lower. The multilayer material sheet has a reduced uptake of liquids.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multifilament yarn construction comprising a core part and a sheath part, the core part comprising a plurality of core filaments, and the sheath part comprising a plurality of sheath filaments. Furthermore, the invention concerns members comprising the multifilament yarn construction and uses of the multifilament yarn construction and the members according to the invention.

Abstract: Gel-spinning processes for producing a high tensile strength ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) multifilament yarn comprising ultra-low dtex filaments, include applying a draw ratio DRfluid to fluid filaments obtained by spinning a solution of UHMWPE through a spinneret and into an air gap, is at least 450, wherein DRfluid=DRsp×DRag, the DRsp and DRag being the draw ratios in the spinholes and in the air gap, respectively; and provided that DRag is at least 30. The UHMWPE multifilament yarns produced thereof were characterized by a tensile strength of at least 3.5 GPa and contained filaments having a dtex of at most 0.5. The invention further relates to products comprising said yarns, e.g. fabrics, medical devices and composite and ballistic articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an armor comprising in front to back order at least one rigid first panel comprising inorganic fibers and at least one second panel comprising polymeric fibers, characterized in that the at least one rigid first panel has a flexural strength of at least 300 MPa and the at least one second panel has a flexural strength of at most 250 MPa.

Abstract: Multifilament yarn constructions include a core part and a sheath part, the core part comprising a plurality of core filaments, and the sheath part comprising a plurality of sheath filaments. Furthermore, members comprising the multifilament yarn construction and uses of the multifilament yarn construction and the members are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heavy-duty chain containing chain-links comprising synthetic polymeric yarns, wherein when said chain is kept at least taut onto an essentially planar surface, each chain-link has an orthographic projection onto said planar surface, said projection having a foot print area (A), wherein the foot print areas denoted as A1 and A2 of every two adjacent links are in a relation 80% A2?A1?100% A2 with A1 being the smallest of said two areas and wherein the projection is done in such a way that the ratio of the foot print areas A2 to A1 is maximized.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable valve prosthesis, optionally comprising a support structure and at least one valve leaflet. The valve prosthesis comprises a material structure of unidirectional reinforcing elements of drawn ultra high molecular weight polyolefin, extending in at least two directions, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the polyolefin reinforcing elements is at least 60 GPa. The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing such an implantable valve. The valve is easily manufactured and has an improved durability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wireless power transfer system comprising: (a) a receiving magnetic resonator in an electronic device, for receiving electromagnetic energy capable of inducing a current in said receiving magnetic resonator; (b) at least one transmitting magnetic resonator coupled to a power generator, for transmitting the electromagnetic energy; and (c) a heat dissipating device, wherein said heat dissipating device contains a polyolefin fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endless shaped article comprising at least one strip of material forming a plurality of convolutions of the strip of material, the strip having a longitudinal axis, wherein each convolution of said strip comprises a twist along the longitudinal axis of said strip, wherein said twist is an odd multiple of 180 degrees. The invention also relates to a method to manufacture said article, and its use as sling, loop, belt or chain link.

Abstract: The invention relates to an umbilical comprising a plurality of functional elements for providing hydraulic, electrical, signal and chemical functionality thereof, wherein at least some of the said functional elements comprise a fibrous sheath containing high strength polyolefin fibers.

Abstract: Composite panel comprising at least one layer containing at least one tape comprising a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyamides or polyketone, wherein the tape has a tensile strength of at least 1.2 GPa and an areal density of between 5 and 150 g/m2, and an adhesive in contact with said layer, whereby the amount of the adhesive in contact with one side of the at least one layer is between 0.2 and 15 g/m2, wherein the adhesive is a plastomer wherein said plastomer is a random copolymer of ethylene or propylene and one or more C2 to C12 a-ol-efin co-monomers and wherein said plastomer has a density as measured according to 1801183 of between 860 and 930 kg/m3. In a preferred embodiment the tape comprises an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The composite panel is used in a ballistic resistant article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gel-spun fiber comprising a polyolefin polymer forming a fiber body, wherein a stabilizer is present inside the fiber body, characterized in that the amount of said stabilizer is between 0.001 and 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the amount of the polyolefin polymer forming said fiber body and wherein said stabilizer is carbon black.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a medical component such as a medical implant for example a graft or stent-graft, said medical component comprising ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, a medical component obtainable by said process as well as uses of said process and medical component.

Abstract: A net is provided having a plurality of net members, the net members being arranged in a lattice structure and having a thickness (D1). The net is further provided with attachment devices having a thickness (D2) which are connected to the net members, the thickness (D2) of the attachment devices being larger that the thickness of the net members (D1) at least at the places of connection through which loads are transmitted between the net members and the attachment devices. The ratio between the thickness of the net members and the thickness of the attachment devices (D1/D2) is at least 1.15. The net is useful as a barrier net to secure an off-limits area and as a cargo net to restrain cargo movement on a platform of a pallet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered material sheet comprising a consolidated stack of unidirection monolayers of drawn ultra high molecular weight polyolefine. The draw direction of two subsequent monolayers in the stack differs. Moreover the thickness of at least one monolayer does not exceed 50 ?m, and the strength of at least one monolayer is comprised between 1.2 GPa and 3 GPa. The invention also relates to a ballistic resistant article comprising the multilayered material sheet and to a process for the preparation of the ballistic resistant article.