Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reinforcing a substance or an object with continuous filaments comprising the steps of (a) supplying a fiber strand from a source of fiber strands, (b) passing said fiber strand horizontally through a passageway (21), (c) subjecting said fiber strand to a fluid such as air flow, within a channel (22) of rectilinear shape having an oblong cross-section, at an angle (?) substantially perpendicular with respect to the moving direction of the filaments so as to separate said fiber strand into a plurality of smaller strands or individual filaments, and then (d) pulling said separated strands and/or individual filaments horizontally through a divergent zone (23), wherein the area of its exit end (232) is larger than the one of its entrance end (231) and has an oblong cross-section, so as to spread said strands and/or filaments along its diverging wall in a plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impregnation system suitable for impregnating filaments continuously with an impregnating substance, said system may comprise an impregnation assembly comprising (a) at least one axial passageway for the filaments having an entrance end and an exit end and (b) at least one passageway for the impregnating substance having at least one inlet for the impregnating substance and at least two outlets for the impregnating substance leading into the passageway for the filaments via the outlets for the impregnating substance, wherein the passageway for the filaments has an oblong cross-section at the outlet point for the impregnating substance, and the at least two outlets for the impregnating substance have an oblong cross-section, and are disposed essentially opposite to each other, at the opposite widths of the passageway for the filaments.

Abstract: Methods of forming compressed preform products formed from continuous fibers substantially evenly coated with a thermoplastic sizing composition are provided. Applying a thermoplastic sizing composition to continuous fibers during the formation of the fibers enables a preform to be formed without applying any additional sizing or binder compositions at later stages of the manufacturing of the preform. The thermoplastic sizing composition includes a thermoplastic material, and, optionally a silane coupling agent. The thermoplastic material in the thermoplastic sizing composition includes chemicals and/or compounds that are thermoplastic or possess thermoplastic properties. One or more preforms may be randomly inserted to a muffler cavity. Upon the application of heat, the preforms decompress and fill the cavity with fibrous material. Due to the ability to decompress the compressed preform product, the preform product can have a shape that is independent of the shape of the muffler cavity.

Abstract: Compressed preform products formed from continuous fibers substantially evenly coated with a thermoplastic sizing composition are provided. Preferably, the continuous fibers are glass fibers. Applying a thermoplastic sizing composition to continuous fibers during the formation of the fibers enables a preform to be formed without applying any additional sizing or binder compositions at later stages of the manufacturing of the preform. The thermoplastic sizing composition includes a thermoplastic material, and, optionally a silane coupling agent. The thermoplastic material in the thermoplastic sizing composition includes chemicals and/or compounds that are thermoplastic or possess thermoplastic properties. One or more preforms may be randomly inserted to a muffler cavity. Upon the application of heat, the preforms decompress and fill the cavity with fibrous material.

Abstract: A sizing composition and method for manufacturing such, which is suitable for use in manufacturing fiber-reinforced composites which have desirable properties such as high strength, high resistance to water and chemical degradation, and improved coloring. This is achieved in part by good adhesion of the sizing composition to the reinforcing fibers and the polymer matrix. The sizing composition includes an emulsion having a grafted polyolefin, two or more saturated fatty acids, and one or more silane coupling agents. When reinforcing fiber materials sized according to the invention are used in a molding process, the resulting composites are observed to show minimal discoloration.

Abstract: A sizing composition and method for manufacturing such, which is suitable for use in manufacturing fiber-reinforced composites which have desirable properties such as high strength, high resistance to water and chemical degradation, and improved coloring. This is achieved in part by good adhesion of the sizing composition to the reinforcing fibers and the polymer matrix. The sizing composition includes an emulsion having a grafted polyolefin, two or more saturated fatty acids, and one or more silane coupling agents. When reinforcing fiber materials sized according to the invention are used in a molding process, the resulting composites are observed to show minimal discoloration.

Abstract: Disclosed are reactive anionic initiators of the general formula [ArCHR.sub.1 R.sub.2 N(R.sub.3 R.sub.4 R.sub.5 R.sub.6 ] wherein Ar=phenyl, substituted phenyl, or a heterocyclic compound, R.sub.1 =R.sub.2 =H, ester, cyano, alkyl, aryl, 1,3-oxazoline, N,N-dimethyl amide and other similar alpha activating groups, or combination of them, or one of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 together with Ar, where Ar is a phenyl or substituted phenyl, is a nitrogen atom containing heterocyclic compound and the other being a nitrile group, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 may be same or different and represent substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, arylalkyl or aryl or to of the R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together with nitrogen atom form a heterocycle with the condition that the sum of all carbon atoms of all R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is from 12 to 50 and no more than one of the R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is an aryl derivative.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the preparation of nitrile group containing polymers which comprises reacting a nitrile group containing vinyl monomer with an initiator of the general formula [ArCR.sub.1 R.sub.2 ].crclbar.[N(R.sub.3 R.sub.4 R.sub.5 R.sub.6)].sym. wherein Ar=phenyl, substituted phenyl or a heterocyclic compound, R.sub.1 =R.sub.2 =H, ester, cyano, alkyl, aryl, 1,3-oxazoline, N,N-dimethyl amide and other similar alpha activating groups, or combination of them, or one of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 together with Ar, where Ar is phenyl or substituted phenyl, is a nitrogen atom containing heterocyclic compound and the other being a nitrile group, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 may be same or different and represent substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, arylalkyl or aryl or two of the R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together with nitrogen atom form a heterocycle with the condition that the sum of all carbon atoms or all R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.