Abstract: Polymer interlayers having improved gradient bands and laminates comprising these interlayers are disclosed. The polymer interlayers and laminates comprising polymer interlayers have a gradient band that has a high level of gradient beauty from the perspective of visible light transmittance spectra.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovering stiff poly(vinyl butyral) from a plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) multilayer sheet containing the stiff poly(vinyl butyral) and soft poly(vinyl butyral). The processes include grinding the plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) multilayer sheet to obtain a granulate; adding additional plasticizer to the granulate to remove at least a portion of the soft poly(vinyl butyral); and physically separating the granulate from the resulting solution.

Abstract: Polymer interlayers having improved gradient bands and laminates comprising these interlayers are disclosed. The polymer interlayers and laminates comprising polymer interlayers have a gradient band that has a high level of gradient beauty from the perspective of visible light transmittance spectra.

Abstract: A copolymer fiber is prepared from a composition that includes specific amounts of a block polyestercarbonate-polysiloxane and a flame retardant. The fiber has an equivalent circular diameter of 10 to 60 micrometers. Also described are a method of forming the fiber, and various articles incorporating the fiber, including woven fabrics, knit fabrics, and nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric useful for forming composite panels includes specific amounts of reinforcing fibers, a polyimide, and a block polyestercarbonate-polysiloxane. The nonwoven fabric has a density of 0.03 to 0.2 gram/centimeter3, an areal density of 100 to 400 gram/meter2, and a tensile modulus of 50 to 1000 megapascals. Also described are a method of forming the nonwoven fabric, a composite formed from the nonwoven fabric, and a method of forming the composite.

Abstract: A honeycomb system including a honeycomb layer extending in a weft plane, the honeycomb layer defining plural cells; a reinforcing layer extending in a warp plane and at least partially received within the plural cells; and a mechanical interlock adapted to connect the honeycomb layer and reinforcing layer at an intersection thereof.

Abstract: A polymer laminate and a method for manufacturing a polymer laminate are disclosed. The polymer laminate includes a first layer having a first surface and a second surface. The first layer includes a first non-porous polymer material. The polymer laminate also includes a second layer on the first surface of the first layer. The second layer includes a first porous polymer material defining a first plurality of pores, and the first non-porous polymer material located within the first plurality of pores.

Abstract: A process of making a paper or nonwoven article is provide. The process comprising: a) providing a fiber furnish comprising a plurality of fibers and a plurality of binder microfibers, wherein the binder microfibers comprise a water non-dispersible, synthetic polymer; wherein the binder microfibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a fineness of less than 0.5 d/f; and wherein the binder microfibers have a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the fibers; b) routing the fiber furnish to a wet-laid nonwoven process to produce at least one wet-laid nonwoven web layer; c) removing water from the wet-laid nonwoven web layer; and d) thermally bonding the wet-laid nonwoven web layer after step (c); wherein the thermal bonding is conducted at a temperature such that the surfaces of the binder microfibers at least partially melt without causing the fibers to melt thereby bonding the binder microfibers to the fibers to produce the paper or nonwoven article.

Abstract: A paper or nonwoven article is provided comprising a nonwoven web layer, wherein the nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of fibers and a plurality of binder microfibers, wherein the binder microfibers comprise a water non-dispersible, synthetic polymer; wherein the binder microfibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a fineness of less than 0.5 d/f; and wherein the binder microfibers have a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the fibers.

Abstract: A paper or nonwoven article is provided comprising a nonwoven web layer, wherein the nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of fibers and a plurality of binder microfibers, wherein the binder microfibers comprise a water non-dispersible, synthetic polymer; wherein the binder microfibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a fineness of less than 0.5 d/f; and wherein the binder microfibers have a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the fibers.

Abstract: A process of making a paper or nonwoven article is provide. The process comprising: a) providing a fiber furnish comprising a plurality of fibers and a plurality of binder microfibers, wherein the binder microfibers comprise a water non-dispersible, synthetic polymer; wherein the binder microfibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a fineness of less than 0.5 d/f; and wherein the binder microfibers have a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the fibers; b) routing the fiber furnish to a wet-laid nonwoven process to produce at least one wet-laid nonwoven web layer; c) removing water from the wet-laid nonwoven web layer; and d) thermally bonding the wet-laid nonwoven web layer after step (c); wherein the thermal bonding is conducted at a temperature such that the surfaces of the binder microfibers at least partially melt without causing the fibers to melt thereby bonding the binder microfibers to the fibers to produce the paper or nonwoven article.