Abstract: A ballistic vest of the soft body armor type comprises a plurality of overlying first flexible layers arranged in a stack on a strike side of the vest and a plurality of overlying second flexible layers arranged in a stack on a body side of the vest. One of the first or second flexible layers comprises unidirectional aramid fibers coated with resin and cross plied to form a flexible plastic sheet, and the other flexible layer comprises thin plastic ballistic fibers forming a thin flexible woven fabric sheet. The woven fabric sheet can consist of aramid fibers or non-aramid fibers.

Abstract: A crosslinkable acrylic copolymer sealant composition has a stabilized viscosity in that the viscosity does not unduly increase nor does the material gel on storage for periods of time up to and including one year. The stabilized viscosity is unexpectedly achieved by adding moisture scavengers either before and/or during the polymerization of the various monomers. The sealant composition is suitable for use in high movement applications as well as to metal and glass substrates.

Abstract: An article that includes at least two networks of high strength fibers and a matrix material which impregnates the high strength fibers to form a composite element having a first plane profile and a second plane profile, wherein at least one of the first and second plane profiles has on its surface a textured pattern, and the matrix material is distributed substantially uniformly over the textured plane profile, and a method for making the composite element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the automated production of a cross-plied material, preferably for structural or anti-ballistics end use. The apparatus comprises means for advancing a first, continuous ply of material into a cross-plying zone; means for sequentially laying a plurality of discontinuous second plies of material coplanarly on the first ply in the cross-plying zone with the longitudinal axis of each of the second plies rotated relative to the longitudinal axis of the first ply; means for preconsolidating the first and the second plies; and means for withdrawing the cross-piled material from the cross-plying zone.

Abstract: A high tenacity fiber for reinforcing plastic composites, the fiber being selected from the group consisting of polyester, aliphatic polyamide, and combinations thereof. The fiber is treated with a composition comprising an aqueous solution of carboxyl-terminated, oil-free alkyd resins based on an aliphatic glycol or glycols or a glycol ether or ethers containing 2 to 12 carbon or carbon plus ether oxygens with a combination of aromatic di- or trifunctional carboxylic acids, said resins having a degree of esterification below the gel point of the resins to enhance stiffness of the fiber for cutting.

Abstract: A high tenacity fiber for reinforcing plastic composites, the fiber being selected from the group consisting of polyester, aliphatic polyamide, and combinations thereof. The fiber is treated with a composition comprising an aqueous solution of carboxyl-terminated, oil-free alkyd resins based on an aliphatic glycol or glycols or a glycol ether or ethers containing 2 to 12 carbon or carbon plus ether oxygens with a combination of aromatic di- or trifunctional carboxylic acids, said resins having a degree of esterification below the gel point of the resins to enhance stiffness of the fiber for cutting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing fluid leakage through a sealing mechanism of a melt pump into a vessel during the period of establishing a vacuum therein and increasing the viscosity of the material fed thereto. The method includes enclosing in a fluid-tight relationship the area of fluid leakage adjacent the sealing mechanism and reducing the pressure in the enclosed area sufficiently to prevent the fluid from leaking. The apparatus includes a rigid housing which encloses in fluid-tight relationship the area of fluid leakage adjacent the sealing mechanism, a vacuum generating device, and means for connecting the vacuum generating device with the enclosed area.

Abstract: In a reactor, for the continuous polymerization of feed materials to higher viscosity process fluid, comprising a vertical, hollow vessel having an inlet for the introduction of feed materials, an outlet for the discharge of process product and an exhaust for reaction vapors; and means for heating the vessel; the improvement comprising a draft tube, partially immersed vertically in the process fluid, the non-immersed end of the tube having at least one annular plate on the periphery thereof which overhangs the process fluid; and an impeller, located within the draft tube and propelling the process fluid up the draft tube and over the plate.