Abstract: The invention relates to a gel spun, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) multifilament yarn characterized in that said yarn comprises individual monofilaments having a coefficient of variation of their linear density, hereafter CVintra, of less than 30%, wherein the CVintra of a monofilament was determined from linear density values corresponding to a number of 20 representative lengths randomly extracted by cutting from said monofilament and using Formula 1 wherein ?i is the linear density of any one of the representative lengths extracted from the monofilament under investigation and Formula 1A is the averaged linear density over the n=20 measured linear densities of said n=20 representative lengths. The invention also relates to a gel spun UHMWPE multifilament yarn characterized in that the yarn has a coefficient of variation in linear density between the monofilaments comprising said yarn, hereafter CVinter, of less than 50%.

Abstract: Process for producing a three-dimensionally shaped article, comprising the steps a) providing a structure containing a plurality of consolidated films or tapes of uni-directionally oriented polymer, b) forming the structure into a three-dimensionally shaped article by applying a force at a temperature below the melting point of the oriented polymer.

Abstract: A biocompatible medical component comprising•a hybrid fabric comprising i. at least one type of second fibre, and ii. at least one type of first fibre, and•a structural component, wherein the Young's modulus of said second fibre is at least 125% of the Young's modulus of the first fiber.

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 process for making a polyolefin fiber. The process comprises the steps of providing at least one polyolefin tape; twisting or folding the at least one polyolefin tape longitudinally to obtain a precursor fiber and exposing the precursor fiber under tension to a temperature within the melting point range of the polyolefin for a time sufficient to at least partly two or more parts of the precursor fiber. The invention also relates to the fiber obtainable thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to a net comprising a plurality of net members (100), said members being arranged in a lattice structure and having a thickness (D1), wherein the net further comprises attachment means connected to said members, wherein the thickness (D2) of the attachment means is larger that the thickness of the members (D1) at least at the place of places of connection through which loads are transmitted between said members and said means and wherein the ratio between the thickness of the members and the thickness of the attachment means (D1/D2) is at least 1.15. The invention further relates to the use of the net as a barrier net to secure an off-limits area and as a cargo net to secure restrain movement of a cargo on a platform of a pellet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gel spun, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) multifilament yarn characterized in that said yarn comprises individual monofilaments having a coefficient of variation of their linear density, hereafter CVintra, of less than 30%, wherein the CVintra of a monofilament was determined from linear density values corresponding to a number of 20 representative lengths randomly extracted by cutting from said monofilament and using Formula 1 wherein ?i is the linear density of any one of the representative lengths extracted from the monofilament under investigation and Formula 1A is the averaged linear density over the n=20 measured linear densities of said n=20 representative lengths. The invention also relates to a gel spun UHMWPE multifilament yarn characterized in that the yarn has a coefficient of variation in linear density between the monofilaments comprising said yarn, hereafter CVinter, of less than 50%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gel-spinning process for producing a high tensile strength ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) multifilament yarn comprising ultra-low dtex filaments, the process being characterized in that the draw ratio DRfluid applied 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 present invention relates to a microphone that includes a housing and a diaphragm and backplate located with the housing. The housing has a sound port for receiving the sound. The diaphragm undergoes movement relative to the backplate, which it opposes, in response to the incoming sound. The backplate has a charged layer with a first surface that is exposed to the diaphragm and a second surface opposite the first surface. The backplate further includes a conductor for transmitting a signal from the backplate to electronics in the housing. The conductor faces the second surface of the charged layer. To minimize the charge degradation created by contact with or infiltration of foreign materials, the first surface, the second surface, or both surfaces of the charged layer includes a protective layer thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a shaped part comprising the steps of—forming a stack by stacking (2) or more sheets comprising mono-layers of unidirectional anti-ballistic fibers and a binder followed by placing the stack in a mould, clamping the stack in the mould with a control member closing the mould—consolidating the stack under temperature and pressure into a curved shaped part. The invention furthermore relates to products obtainable with said process, which are very suitable for use in anti-ballistic applications and include e.g. helmets, curved panels, cones and domes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curved product, and in particular an armor product. The armor product is produced by a filament winding process in which a plurality of reinforcing elements in the form of fibers and/or tapes are impregnated with a polymer matrix and wound onto a mandrel. The polymer matrix comprises a solution and/or dispersion of a polymer in a carrier fluid, which carrier fluid is at least partly evaporated during and/or after winding. The armor product comprises a high amount of reinforcing elements with respect to the total mass of the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to gel-spun ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers and to a process for producing thereof. Specifically, the invention relates a gel-spun UHMWPE fiber comprising an UHMWPE having an intrinsic viscosity in decaline at 135° C. of at least 8 dl/g, and having a T1 relaxation time as measured by Solid-State proton NMR at 26° C. of at least 600 ms. The invention further relates to ropes, nets and composites, in particular composites for ballistic applications containing the UHMWPE fibers of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microphone that includes a housing and a diaphragm and backplate located with the housing. The housing has a sound port for receiving the sound. The diaphragm undergoes movement relative to the backplate, which it opposes, in response to the incoming sound. The backplate has a charged layer with a first surface that is exposed to the diaphragm and a second surface opposite the first surface. The backplate further includes a conductor for transmitting a signal from the backplate to electronics in the housing. The conductor faces the second surface of the charged layer. To minimize the charge degradation created by contact with or infiltration of foreign materials, the first surface, the second surface, or both surfaces of the charged layer includes a protective layer thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered material sheet comprising a consolidated stack of unidirectional 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered material sheet comprising a consolidated stack of unidirectional monolayers of drawn polymer, whereby the draw direction of two subsequent monolayers in the stack differs. At least one monolayer comprises a plurality of unidirectional tapes of the drawn polymer, aligned in the same direction, whereby adjacent tapes do not overlap. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the multilayered material sheet, and to a ballistic resistant article comprising the multilayered material sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered material sheet comprising a consolidated stack of unidirectional monolayers of drawn polymer. The draw direction of two subsequent monolayers in the stack differs. Moreover the strength to thickness ratio of at least one monolayer is larger than 4.5.1013 N/m3. 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.

Abstract: Endless shaped article, comprising at least partly fused ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin filaments and or staple fibres. Also claimed is a process for producing the endless shaped article by winding a fibre (1) of the ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin around a pair of wheels (2, 3) to form a loop, heating the fibres to a temperature below the melting point at which the fibres at least partly fuse and stretching the loop by increasing the distance between the wheels, while rotating the wheels.

Abstract: Bone fixing devices include (I) a surgical cable having a first end and a second end and (II) at least a first fixing plate and a second fixing plate. The first and second fixing plates are respectively provided with first and second central holes and first and second rings surrounding the first and second holes. The circumference of each fixing plate defines an outer edge of its respective ring and an inner edge of the ring being adjacent to the hole it surrounds. The first fixing plate is in a stacked position on top of the second plate so as to define a gap therebetween with the plates and the holes at least partly overlapping each other. The cable ends follow a continuous trajectory running around and between the plates and through the holes in such way that by drawing the cable ends the cable is tensioned around the bone parts so as to and fixate the same.

Abstract: The application relates to a process for manufacturing a prosthetic joint with at least one loaded surface which consists at least partially of polyethylene, comprising compressing one or more layers of a woven fabric of drawn gel-spun polyethylene fibres into the desired shape in a hollow mould part using a plug at a pressure of at least 0.05 MPa and at a temperature of between 120 and 165° C. and below the crystalline melting point of the polyethylene at the prevailing temperature and pressure, without a matrix material being present, and at least the woven fabric in a layer situated on a loaded surface comprising at least 90 wt % of fibres with a titre of at most 1000 denier, and to a prosthetic joint with a crease-free surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongated surgical repair product comprising a load-bearing member containing strands comprising a biocompatible High-performance polyethylene (HPPE) yarn substantially consisting of a plurality of ultra-high molar mass polyethylene (UHMWPE) filaments, wherein the (UHMWPE) filaments have an effective diameter of at most micrometer. The product shows higher knot tensile strength than known products, and can contain relatively heavy strands without loosing favorable properties. The invention also relates to a method of making said elongated product.