Abstract: A rigid improved penetration resistant composite of the type comprising a plurality of fibrous layers comprising network of fibers in a polymeric matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting resins or a combination thereof, at least two of said layers secured together by a securing means, said improvement comprising a securing means which comprises fiber stitches wherein the average stitch length is greater than the average stitch path, a process for forming the composite and articles fabricated from said composite.

Abstract: A composition containing a matrix, a fiber, a filler; and a friction modifier; wherein an effective amount of at least one of said components selected from the group consisting of fiber, filler, friction modifier and combinations thereof are cure promoting compounds having an effective aspect ratio such that the composition is rapidly cured in the presence of electromagnetic energy, and a process for curing such compositions.Articles comprised of this composition are suitable for use in the production of friction materials, such as brake pads, drum linings, and clutches.

Abstract: An improved rigid composite of the type comprising a plurality of fibrous layers at least two of which are secured together by a securing means, said improvements comprising a securing means which comprises at least two adjacent paths.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fire resistant multilayer complex ballistic resistant article comprising at least one first layer comprised a plurality of flammable fibers a first matrix and at least one second layer which is adjacent to said first layer which comprises a plurality of fire resistant fibers in a second matrix, wherein the second matrix comprises a fire retardant material and is different from the first matrix material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high strength, high modulus polyethylene filaments which form composites having improved shear strength and composites formed from said filaments.

Abstract: This invention is related to a woven fibrous article which exhibits relatively low reductions in energy-to-break and tenacity on repeated impacts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fire retardant compound comprising at least one fibrous layer comprising a network of fibers such as high strength polyethylene or aramid fibers in a matrix such as a blend of a vinyl ester and a polyurethane, and a fire retardant layer comprised of a particulate fire retardant material which decompose an heating to a gaseous material such as magesium hydroxide dispersed in a matrix comprised of relatively high char yield resin such as cured phenolic cyanate resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved composite which comprises one or more layers, at least one of said layers comprising network of high strength filaments having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 grams/denier, a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 joules/gram in a matrix material, the ratio of the thickness of said layer to the equivalent diameter of said filaments is equal to or less than about 12.8, and complex composite articles formed from said composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high strength, high modulus polyethylene filaments which form composites having improved shear strength and composites formed from said filaments.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved composite which comprises one or more layers, at least one of said layers comprising network of high strength filaments having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 grams/denier, a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 joules/gram in a matrix material, the ratio of the thickness of said layer to the equivalent diameter of said filaments is equal to or less than about 12.8, and complex composite articles formed from said composite.

Abstract: Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers are prepared by forming a 2-15 weight % solution of PAN of M.sub.w at least 500,000, extruding, cooling to below the gel temperature, extracting and drying. At least one of the gel fiber, the fiber containing extraction solvent and the dried gel is stretched. The product PAN fibers have a M.sub.w at least 500,000 (e.g. 1,000,000-4,000,000 or 1,500,000-2,500,000), a tenacity at least 5 g/den (e.g., at least 7 g/den) and a secant modulus at least 100 g/den (e.g. at least 125 g/den).

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol of molecular weight over 500,000 (i.e. 1,500,000 to 2,500,000) is spun as a dilute solution (2-15%) in a relatively non-volatile solvent such as glycerin. The resultant gel fiber is extracted with a volatile solvent such as methanol and dried. Upon stretching at one or more stages during the process, fibers of tenacity above 10 g/denier and modulus above 200 g/denier (e.g. 18 and 450, respectively) are produced.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol of molecular weight over 500,000 (i.e. 1,500,000 to 2,500,000) is spun as a dilute solution (2-15%) in a relatively non-volatile solvent such as glycerin. The resultant gel fiber is extracted with a volatile solvent such as methanol and dried. Upon stretching at one or more stages during the process, fibers of tenacity above 10 g/denier and modulus above 200 g/denier (e.g. 18 and 450, respectively) are produced.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol of molecular weight over 500,000 (i.e. 1,500,000 to 2,500,000) is spun as a dilute solution (2-15%) in a relatively non-volatile solvent such as glycerin. The resultant gel fiber is extracted with a volatile solvent such as methanol and dried. Upon stretching at one or more stages during the process, fibers of tenacity above 10 g/denier and modulus above 200 g/denier (e.g. 18 and 450, respectively) are produced.

Abstract: A method of measuring the coefficient of radial damping per unit length of a tire wall at a predetermined frequency of strain component is applied at a predetermined frequency and amplitude to a segment of the tire wall, the strain being applied in a direction substantially normal to the segment at the point where the strain is applied. The stress on the tire wall segment is continuously measured in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the strain component is applied and at a point spaced from the point where strain is applied in a direction along the segment. The coefficient of radial damping per unit length of wall is calculated from this data.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent light source that includes a non-conducting light transmissive hermetically sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas which is electromagnetically coupled to an ionizing radio frequency (r.f.) energy source is described. The r.f. energy source is an induction coil wound in the form of a toroidal helix to minimize microwave radiation leakage, and is placed within the envelope and in direct contact with the gas in order to maximize energy coupling to the gas.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and process are described for measuring linear and non-linear viscoelastic properties of viscoelastic materials such as nylon, polyester tire cord, rubber, rubber-tire cord composites and the like. The properties are determined by subjecting a sample material to a constant-rate strain displacement having a small amplitude high frequency sinusoidal strain displacement superimposed thereon, and analyzing the overall resulting material stress. The obtained properties can be used to predict and estimate actual end use characteristics of the material such as longevity and mechanical loss during performance. In the case of tire cord, this latter characteristic can be surprisingly related to efficiency of fuel consumption in automotive vehicles.

Abstract: By wheel testing two tires having different construction parameters, e.g. different tire cords and measuring the temperatures at a few points within each tire body; and by measurement with a high strain dynamic viscoelastometer, the heat generation rate and dynamic tensile moduli (at various temperatures, strain frequencies and tensions) of the cords and rubber used in each tire are determined, where the values of the exponents "X" in the general equation relating cyclic strain amplitude, S, in the tire cord and in the rubber of each tire vs. the dynamic tensile moduli, E, for cords and rubber, at given temperature can be determined in the form: S.sub.A /S.sub.B=( E.sub.B /E.sub.A).sup.X.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing viscoelastic solids, such as tire cord. The apparatus includes: holding means, pretension means, first and second displacement generators, and mechanical-electrical transforming means. The holding means holds the material in a predetermined position. The pretension means applies tension during testing. The first displacement generator has an eccentric means for applying cyclic displacement. The second displacement generator applies cyclic displacement to the material co-directional with that applied by the first displacement generator, but of smaller amplitude and higher frequency. The mechanical-electrical transforming means transforms mechanical motion into electrical signals, such as a stress signal, a strain signal and a differentiated strain signal.