Abstract: Provided are composite particles in which reinforcing fibers adhere to the surface of thermoplastic resin expanded beads via a thermosetting resin being in an uncured state, a cured product of the composite particles, an in-mold molded article of the composite particles, a laminate of the composite particles and a reinforcing fiber sheet material, a composite of the composite particles, and a method for producing composite particles.

Abstract: A composite molded article in which thermoplastic resin expanded beads are bonded via a thermosetting resin binder, wherein the composite molded article has a density of 0.05 to 0.5 g/cm3, and when heated at 100° C. for 20 minutes, the composite molded article has a volume expansion rate of 15 to 200%.

Abstract: A method for producing a foamed blow-molded article, which includes extruding a physical blowing agent-containing foamable molten resin downwardly through a annular die to form a tubular foamed parison, clamping the foamed parison between split molds, and then blow molding it. At the latest before completion of the clamping of the foamed parison between the split molds, a gas is blown toward an inner peripheral surface of an upper portion of the foamed parison, the bottom portion of which has been closed, from a gas ejection outlet located within the foamed parison at a position immediately below the annular die to widen the foamed parison.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an arm structure includes a base, a first link, a second link, a connecting member, and a gravity compensation mechanism. The first and the second links are rotatable in a vertical direction. One end side of the first link is pivotally attached to the base via a first rotating shaft. One end side of the second link is pivotally attached to another end side of the first link via a second rotating shaft. A length of the first link is same as a length of the second link. The second link rotates around the second rotating shaft. A rotation angle of the second link is twice a rotation angle of the first link. A rotation direction of the second link is opposite to a rotation direction of the first link. The gravity compensation mechanism compensates for torque generated around the first rotating shaft by gravity.

Abstract: Provided are composite particles in which reinforcing fibers adhere to the surface of thermoplastic resin expanded beads via a thermosetting resin being in an uncured state, a cured product of the composite particles, an in-mold molded article of the composite particles, a laminate of the composite particles and a reinforcing fiber sheet material, a composite of the composite particles, and a method for producing composite particles.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an arm structure includes a base, a first link, a second link, a connecting member, and a gravity compensation mechanism. The first and the second links are rotatable in a vertical direction. One end side of the first link is pivotally attached to the base via a first rotating shaft. One end side of the second link is pivotally attached to another end side of the first link via a second rotating shaft. A length of the first link is same as a length of the second link. The second link rotates around the second rotating shaft. A rotation angle of the second link is twice a rotation angle of the first link. A rotation direction of the second link is opposite to a rotation direction of the first link. The gravity compensation mechanism compensates for torque generated around the first rotating shaft by gravity.

Abstract: A method for producing a foamed blow-molded article, which includes extruding a physical blowing agent-containing foamable molten resin downwardly through a annular die to form a tubular foamed parison, clamping the foamed parison between split molds, and then blow molding it. At the latest before completion of the clamping of the foamed parison between the split molds, a gas is blown toward an inner peripheral surface of an upper portion of the foamed parison, the bottom portion of which has been closed, from a gas ejection outlet located within the foamed parison at a position immediately below the annular die to widen the foamed parison.

Abstract: A load compensation device which can compensate loads on a working arm has a working arm supported by a first pivot-mounting part on a supporting body, an actuator cylinder supported by a second pivot-mounting part above the first pivot mounting part, and a piston rod of the actuator cylinder linked to a third pivot-mounting part of the working arm. A piston rod of a compensation cylinder is linked to a movable frame, and a piston of the compensation cylinder is urged upward by means of a compression coil spring which pushes the movable frame upward. The actuator cylinder and the compensation cylinder are linked by the inside of a conduit, and when the working arm is pivoted, the displacement of the piston of the actuator cylinder urges the piston of the compensation cylinder, a torque which balances the load torque of a load W on the working arm is generated.

Abstract: A fine carbon fiber having linearity, each fiber filament of the carbon fiber having a bending angle of 30° or less with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fiber filament, and including a hollow space extending along its axis, and having an outer diameter of 1 to 1,000 nm, an aspect ratio of 5 to 1,000, and a BET specific surface area of 2 to 2,000 m2/g, wherein the average interlayer distance (d002) of the carbon fiber at a (002) plane is 0.345 nm or less as measured by means of X-ray diffractometry, and the ratio of the peak height (Id) of the band at 1,341 to 1,349 cm?1 in a Raman scattering spectrum of the carbon fiber to that of the peak height (Ig) of the band at 1,570 to 1,578 cm?1 in the spectrum (Id/Ig) is 0.1 to 2. The fiber exhibits excellent dispersibility in a matrix.

Abstract: [Summary] [Problem] To provide a load compensation device which can compensate loads on a working arm, and has excellent safety and durability. [Means of Resolution] A working arm 104 is supported by a first pivot-mounting part 103 on a supporting body 102, an actuator cylinder 105 is supported by a second pivot-mounting part 107 above the first pivot-mounting part 103, and a piston rod 108 of the actuator cylinder 105 is linked to a third pivot-mounting part 109 of the working arm 104. A piston rod 112 of a compensation cylinder 110 is linked to a movable frame 113, and a piston 112A of the compensation cylinder 110 is urged upward by means of a compression coil spring 114 which pushes the movable frame 113 upward.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vapor grown carbon fiber having a mean fiber diameter of 80 to 500 nm, an aspect ratio of 100 to 200 and preferably a bulk density of 0.02 g/cm3 or less, wherein filaments having a diameter within ±20% of the mean fiber diameter occupies 65% (on a number basis) or more of the total. The production method involves thermal decomposition of a carbon source at 800 to 1,300° C. in the presence of, as a catalyst, a transition metal compound having a vapor pressure of 0.13 kPa (1 mmHg) or more at 150° C. and spraying of the carbon source and the transition metal compound in gas form toward the reactor inner wall to allow reaction to proceed. The vapor grown carbon fiber having a larger aspect ratio has excellent dispersibility, and when added in a resin, a smaller amount contributes to enhancement in electroconductivity and thermal conductivity, as compared with a case using conventional one.

Abstract: A fine carbon fiber having linearity, each fiber filament of the carbon fiber having a bending angle of 30° or less with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fiber filament, and including a hollow space extending along its axis, and having an outer diameter of 1 to 1,000 nm, an aspect ratio of 5 to 1,000, and a BET specific surface area of 2 to 2,000 m2/g, wherein the average interlayer distance (d002) of the carbon fiber at a (002) plane is 0.345 nm or less as measured by means of X-ray diffractometry, and the ratio of the peak height (Id) of the band at 1,341 to 1,349 cm?1 in a Raman scattering spectrum of the carbon fiber to that of the peak height (Ig) of the band at 1,570 to 1,578 cm?1 in the spectrum (Id/Ig) is 0.1 to 2. The fiber exhibits excellent dispersibility in a matrix.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating pellet-cladding interaction (PCI) in a nuclear core having a reactor protection system and a plurality of elongated fuel rods each having fuel surrounded by cladding with a gap therebetween. The method includes: selecting a number of core parameters to be analyzed; evaluating the selected parameters at a plurality of statepoints; generating a model of an operating space of the core based, at least in part, upon the statepoints; selecting a subset or loci of statepoints from the model wherein each of the statepoints of the loci of statepoints, when subjected to a predetermined transient, falls within the operational limits of the reactor protection system; and evaluating the loci of statepoints for PCI in response to the transient. In this manner, the potential for PCI can be accurately determined without requiring every statepoint for every fuel rod in the core to be individually analyzed.

Abstract: The fine carbon fiber obtained by pulverizing vapor grown fine carbon fiber, each fiber including a hollow space extending along its axis, and having an outer diameter of 1 to 1,000 nm, an aspect ratio of 5 to 1,000, and a BET specific surface area of 2 to 2,000 m2/g, wherein the average interlayer distance (d002) is 0.345 nm or less, and the ratio of the peak height (Id) of the band (e.g. 1,341 to 1,349 cm?1) in a Raman scattering spectrum to that of the peak height (Ig) of the band (e.g. 1,570 to 1,578 cm?1) (Id/Ig) is 0.1 to 2, a bending angle of 30° or less with respect to the axis; a composite material comprising the fine carbon fiber and a resin serving as a matrix, wherein the fine carbon fiber is oriented in one direction through, application of an external force; and a production method and use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite of vapor grown carbon fiber and inorganic fine particles comprising vapor grown carbon fiber, each fiber filament of the carbon fiber having a structure with hollow space extending along its axis, a diameter of 0.001 to 1 ?m and an aspect ratio of 5 to 15,000; and inorganic fine particles having a particle size of 0.0001 to 5 ?m, the particles being deposited onto the surface of the carbon fiber, wherein the ratio of the average diameter of the vapor grown carbon fiber to the average particle size of the inorganic fine particles is 1:0.01 to 1:5, wherein the inorganic fine particles are formed of an element belonging to groups 2 to 15 of the periodic table, or a compound containing the element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite of vapor grown carbon fiber and inorganic fine particles comprising vapor grown carbon fiber, each fiber filament of the carbon fiber having a structure with hollow space extending along its axis, a diameter of 0.001 to 1 ?m and an aspect ratio of 5 to 15,000; and inorganic fine particles having a particle size of 0.0001 to 5 ?m, the particles being deposited onto the surface of the carbon fiber, wherein the ratio of the average diameter of the vapor grown carbon fiber to the average particle size of the inorganic fine particles is 1 0.01 to 1:5; the ratio by mass of the vapor grown carbon fiber to the inorganic fine particles is 1:0.005 to 1:50; and the carbon crystal structure of the carbon fiber is maintained and the surface characteristics are modified.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing vapor grown carbon fiber by vapor-phase reaction conducted by supplying carbon source compounds and a catalyst or a catalyst precursor into a heating zone, wherein at least one of the carbon source compound and the catalyst or the catalyst precursor is solid at room temperature and the solid compound is supplied in gas form into the heating zone from a material supplier filled with the solid material alone at a constant amount. The production method according to the invention enables efficient and stable production of vapor phase carbon fiber even by using a high-volume production equipment.

Abstract: (1) A carbonaceous material for forming an electrically conductive composition, comprising a vapor grown carbon fiber, each fiber filament of the carbon fiber having an outer diameter of 2 to 500 nm and an aspect ratio of 10 to 15,000, or the carbon fiber containing boron in an amount of 0.01 to 5 mass %, and graphitic particles and/or amorphous carbon particles, wherein the amount of the vapor grown carbon fiber is 10 to 90 mass %, the amount of the graphitic particles is 0 to 65 mass %, and the amount of the amorphous carbon particles is 0 to 35 mass %; (2) an electrically conductive composition comprising the carbonaceous material for forming an electrically conductive composition, and a producing method thereof; (3) an electrically conductive coating material comprising, as an electrically conductive material, the electrically conductive composition, and an electrically conductive coating film and electric device using the electrically conductive coating material.

Abstract: The invention provides a production method of a conductive polymer, comprising a step of blending a polymer in a state of a melt viscosity of 600 Pa·s or less at a shear rate of 100 s?1 with a vapor grown carbon fiber in 1 to 15 mass at a mixing energy of 1,000 mJ/m3 or less, and a conductive polymer obtained thereby. Preferably, a vapor grown carbon fiber used has an outer fiber diameter of 80 to 500 nm, an aspect ratio of 40 to 1,000, a BET specific surface area of 4: to 30 m2/g, a do02 of 0.345 nm or less according to an X-ray diffraction method, and a ratio (Id/Ig) of 0.1 to 2 wherein Id and Ig each represent peak heights of a band ranging from 1,341 to 1,349 cm?1 and a band ranging from 1,570 to 1,578 cm?1 respectively, according to a Raman scattering spectrum. According to the invention, an excellent conductivity can be attained by compounding vapor grown carbon fiber in a smaller amount than in a conventional method.

Abstract: A composite cable 21 with a plug 22 attached thereto includes optical fibers, metal wires, a tensile strength fiber 21a, and an envelope 21b for enveloping them and the plug 22 includes a ferrule 210 of the plug for connecting the optical fiber, a cable clamp 221 and a Kevler holder 222 (first fixing mechanism) for fixing the tensile strength fiber 21a, and a gasket 223 (second fixing mechanism) for blocking a twist of the envelope 21b and further includes a joint mechanism (227) of a detachable traction cap for pulling the composite cable 21 and inserting the composite cable 21 into piping.