Abstract: An article comprising hollow ceramic microspheres and multi-component fibers is disclosed. The multi-component fibers are adhered together, and the hollow ceramic microspheres are adhered to external surfaces of the multi-component fibers. A method of making the article and use of the article for insulation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A film includes a polymeric material and a plurality of particles dispersed therein. The polymeric material includes a plurality of elongate polymeric elements oriented along substantially a same first direction and interconnecting the particles. An elongate end portion of at least a first elongate polymeric element in the plurality of elongate polymeric elements conforms and is bonded to a first particle in the plurality of particles along an entire length of the elongate end portion. An elongate mid portion of at least a second elongate polymeric element in the plurality of elongate polymeric elements conforms and is bonded to a second particle in the plurality of particles along an entire length of the elongate mid portion with the second elongate polymeric element extending away from the second particle from opposite ends of the elongate mid portion. Multilayer films and processes are also described.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite is provided, including a metal, inorganic particles, and discontinuous fibers. The inorganic particles and the discontinuous fibers are dispersed in the metal. The metal includes aluminum, magnesium, or alloys thereof. The inorganic particles have an envelope density that is at least 30% less than a density of the metal. The metal matrix composite has a lower envelope density than the matrix metal while retaining a substantial amount of the mechanical properties of the metal.

Abstract: Buoyancy modules (200) are made from a foam composition that includes a combination of a thermally fusable powder and glass microspheres heated in a manner that provides a hardened syntactic foam having both low density and a high degree of compressive strength. An outer barrier (220) may enclose the buoyancy module.

Abstract: Provided are sealing elements useful for isolating or diverting segments of a well in a hydraulic fracturing operation. These sealing elements resist the extreme temperatures and pressures encountered within a well, yet can be degraded or dissolved when no longer needed without use of hazardous acids or other chemicals. The sealing elements are made from a composite containing one or more resins of polylactic acid combined with a degradant that can be customized to provide facile degradation of the sealing element over a wide range of operative temperatures and pressures. These compositions may optionally include a swellant that causes the sealing element to expand after being seated against a well perforation or passageway to provide an enhanced seal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes contacting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a treatment composition comprising solvent and a fluorinated polymer. The fluorinated polymer includes: a first divalent unit represented by formula (I): wherein Rf represents a fluoroalkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; each R1 is independently hydrogen or methyl; Q is a bond or —SO2—N(R)—, wherein R is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and m is an integer from 1 to 11, a second divalent unit comprising a poly(alkyleneoxy) group; and a third divalent unit comprising a pendant ionic group. The solvent includes not more than ten percent by weight methanol and not more than 25 percent by weight water, based on the total weight of the solvent, and/or the solvent solubilizes or displaces brine in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Treated hydrocarbon-bearing formations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a porous metal matrix composite is provided. The method includes mixing a metal powder, a plurality of inorganic particles, and a plurality of discontinuous fibers to form a mixture, wherein the metal powder comprises aluminum, magnesium, an aluminum alloy, or a magnesium alloy. The method further includes sintering the mixture to form the porous metal matrix composite. Typically, the inorganic particles comprise porous particles or ceramic bubbles or glass bubbles, and the inorganic particles and the discontinuous fibers are dispersed in the metal. The metal matrix composite has a lower density than the metal and an acceptable yield strength.

Abstract: Buoyancy modules (200) are made from a foam composition that includes a combination of a thermally fusable powder and glass microspheres heated in a manner that provides a hardened syntactic foam having both low density and a high degree of compressive strength. An outer barrier (220) may enclose the buoyancy module.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed that includes fluorinated polymer and a non-fluorinated polymer. The fluorinated polymer includes first divalent units independently represented by formula and second divalent unit independently comprising a pendent cationic, anionic, amphoteric, or amine-oxide group or a pendent poly(alkyleneoxy) segment. The non-fluorinated polymer is R2O-(EO)p—(R3O)q-(EO)p—R2 or R2O—(R3O)q-(EO)p—(R3O)q—R2. A method of making the composition and methods of reducing the surface tension of a liquid and a method of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a siliciclastic, hydrocarbon-bearing formation includes contacting the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a composition comprising solvent and a fluorinated amine oxide. The method can provide siliciclastic, hydrocarbon-bearing formations treated according to the method.

Abstract: A method of treating a carbonate hydrocarbon-bearing formation is disclosed. The method includes contacting the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a composition comprising solvent and a fluorinated amine oxide. Carbonate hydrocarbon-bearing formations treated according to the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber comprises, based on the total weight of the sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber: from 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of a size resin comprising a polyamide; and from 85 to 99.9 percent by weight of short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber. Methods of making the sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber and compositions comprising the sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber in a polymeric matrix are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive including a poly(lactide) homopolymer or copolymer with a molecular weight of about 1000 to about 40000 Daltons; and a plasticizer including an ester with about 50% to about 99% bio-based content; wherein the viscosity of the hot melt adhesive composition is about 500 to about 15,000 cPs at 350 F, and wherein the hot melt adhesive composition is substantially free of tackifying resins.

Abstract: Fibers comprising a first thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature up to 120° C and a curable resin. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a plurality of fibers, with some of the fibers comprising a first thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature up to 120° C and some of the fibers comprising a curable resin. The fibers have an aspect ratio of at least 2:1 and a maximum cross-sectional dimension up to 60 micrometers. Fluid compositions containing the fibers and methods of contacting a subterranean formation using the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A well cement composition includes a hydraulic well cement and multi-component fibers having at least a first polymeric composition and a second polymeric composition. At least a portion of the external surfaces of the multi-component fibers includes the first polymeric composition, and the first polymeric composition includes an ethylene-methacrylic acid or ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer. A method of cementing a subterranean well is also described. The method includes introducing the well cement composition into a wellbore, wherein the well cement composition further comprises water, and forming a cured cement in the wellbore.

Abstract: There is provided a controlled degradation fiber and methods of making such controlled degradation fiber, wherein at least one first material and at least one second material are selected such that the fiber has a weight loss of greater than 6 wt. % and less than 60 wt. % based on the total weight of the fiber after one week at 130° C. in the presence of water.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes contacting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a treatment composition comprising solvent and a fluorinated polymer. The fluorinated polymer includes: a first divalent unit represented by formula (I): wherein Rf represents a fluoroalkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; each R1 is independently hydrogen or methyl; Q is a bond or —SO2—N(R)—, wherein R is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and m is an integer from 1 to 11, a second divalent unit comprising a poly(alkyleneoxy) group; and a third divalent unit comprising a pendant ionic group. The solvent includes not more than ten percent by weight methanol and not more than 25 percent by weight water, based on the total weight of the solvent, and/or the solvent solubilizes or displaces brine in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Treated hydrocarbon-bearing formations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed that includes fluorinated polymer and a non-fluorinated polymer. The fluorinated polymer includes first divalent units independently represented by formula and second divalent unit independently comprising a pendent cationic, anionic, amphoteric, or amine-oxide group or a pendent poly(alkyleneoxy) segment. The non-fluorinated polymer is R2O-(EO)p—(R3O)q-(EO)p—R2 or R2O—(R3O)q-(EO)p—(R3O)q—R2. A method of making the composition and methods of reducing the surface tension of a liquid and a method of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber comprises, based on the total weight of the sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber: from 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of a size resin comprising a polyamide; and from 85 to 99.9 percent by weight of short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber. Methods of making the sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber and compositions comprising the sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber in a polymeric matrix are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method comprising contacting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a composition comprising solvent and a fluoropolyether compound. The fluoropolyether compound: is represented by formula Rf—[C(0)-NR1—X?—(Z)m]n; or comprises at least one first divalent unit represented by formula (I) and, at least one of, a second divalent unit comprising a pendant Z group; or a monovalent unit comprising a thioether linkage and at least one terminal Z group. Each Rf is independently a fluoropolyether group. Rf is a monovalent or divalent fluoropolyether group, and each Z group is independently —P(O)(OY)2 or —O—P(O)(OY)2. Hydrocarbon-bearing formations treated according to this method are also disclosed.