Abstract: A trim tab for use in a blade housing includes a cavity connected to an opening extending from the cavity out a trailing edge of the blade housing, the cavity has a first dimension which is greater than a second dimension of the opening at a same spanwise location of the blade housing. The trim tab has a trim portion, a head portion having a head dimension substantially similar to the first dimension, and a tail portion connecting the trim portion and the head portion. The tail portion has a tail dimension substantially similar to the second dimension such that the trim tab is retainable by the blade housing when the head portion is disposed within the cavity and the tail portion is disposed within the opening.

Abstract: A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.

Abstract: A thermoset composite material that my used in the fabrication of structural components including railroad ties comprise a substantially homogeneous blend of an amount of vulcanized rubber particles including a predetermined ratio of different particles sizes, and a thermoset elastomeric binding agent added to the vulcanized rubber particles. The blend may comprise about 30% to about 97% by weight of the vulcanized rubber particles, and the blend is subjected to compression molding at a predetermined temperature and pressure for a resident time period forming the composite material. The ratio of different rubber particle sizes is selected so that the composite material has a desired density or is within a range of desired densities.

Abstract: A reinforced polymer composite, and more particularly, a wool reinforced polymer composite is provided. The composition includes wool fibers combined with a polymer to form a reinforced polymeric matrix having at least one of improved Izod Impact Strength (ASTM D-256) or improved Tensile Strength (ASTM D-1708) as compared to the polymer without the fibers.

Abstract: A variable-thickness climbing shoe rand may be fabricated by digitally scanning a variable-thickness rand prototype, transmitting scan data to a computer numerically controlled mold fabrication device, creating a rand mold with the mold fabrication device, cutting a slab of uncured high-friction rubber to fit within the mold, and curing the slab within the mold to create a variable-thickness climbing shoe rand, which may then be bonded to a climbing shoe upper and finished with little or no grinding.

Abstract: A brick comprises a thermoplastic material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), and a cement-containing material. The brick may be made by mixing thermoplastic material and dry, uncured cement-containing material. This mixture is placed in a mold. The mold is heated while the mixture is compressed to melt or soften the thermoplastic material and to bind the particulate material in the mold into the shape of a brick. After the hardened brick is removed from the mold, the surface of the brick may be sprayed with water to cure cement-containing material on the surface of the brick.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for preparing a plastic containing feedstream for conversion to valuable carbon-containing products such as synthetic crude oil. In some systems and methods, the plastic material is prepared from carpet scrap.

Abstract: Rubber articles such as tires, hoses and lining sheets comprising glass flakes exhibit improved fluid impermeability. Methods for the manufacture of such rubber articles are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite article comprises a plurality of lignocellulosic pieces and an adhesive system disposed on the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces for bonding the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces. The adhesive system comprises a binder component and a tackifier component. The tackifier component comprises an acrylic or a styrene-butadiene polymer. The tackifier component is useful for maintaining orientation of the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces during manufacture of the composite article. The composite article may be various engineered lignocellulosic composites, such as particleboard.

Abstract: A brick includes a thermoplastic material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), and a cement-containing material. The brick may be made by mixing thermoplastic material and dry, uncured cement-containing material. This mixture is placed in a mold. The mold is heated while the mixture is compressed to melt or soften the thermoplastic material and to bind the particulate material in the mold into the shape of a brick. After the hardened brick is removed from the mold, the surface of the brick may be sprayed with water to cure cement-containing material on the surface of the brick.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a structure for a diffused aeration system. More particularly, the invention encompasses a diffuser membrane where at least a portion of the surface has been treated with at least one layer of fluorine, to form a fluorinated elastomeric gas diffuser membrane. The invention also includes the deposition of fluorine atoms on the surface of a non-fluorine containing membrane to create a permanent fluoro-elastomeric surface layer. Tubular and disc diffuser members are also disclosed that have at least a portion of them treated with at least one layer of fluorine. A process of making the inventive diffuser membrane is also disclosed.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to a method and a fluid composition for producing contact lenses with improved lens quality and with increased product yield. The method of the invention involves adding a phospholipid into a fluid composition including a lens-forming material in an amount sufficient to reduce an averaged mold separation force by at least about 40% in comparison with that without the phospholipids.

Abstract: A method for producing an elastomeric sealing article including preparing a thermoplastic elastomeric resin composition having (a) 100 parts by weight of a hydrogenated block copolymer including at least two polymeric blocks (A) of styrene, and at least one polymeric block (B) of isoprene; (b) 70 to 130 parts by weight of an ethylene-octene copolymer including ethylene in an amount of more than 50% by weight; and (c) 30 to 60 parts by weight of polypropylene. The thermoplastic elastomeric resin composition does not contain a non-aromatic softening agent, and none of components (a), (b), and (c) is cross-linked. The method also includes molding the thermoplastic elastomeric resin composition into an elastomeric sealing article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition for flexographic printing plates containing a thermoplastic elastomer (A), a polymer (B) mainly composed of butadiene, a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer (C) and a photopolymerization initiator (D) (which composition substantially contains no hydrophilic polymers). In this photosensitive resin composition for flexographic printing plates, the number average molecular weight of the polymer (B) is not less than 10,000 and not more than 60,000, and the 1, 2 vinyl content in the total double bonds of the polymer (B) is not more than 25%.

Abstract: A method of producing a carbon fiber composite material including: (a) masticating an elastomer to reduce the molecular weight of the elastomer to obtain a liquid elastomer; (b) mixing the elastomer obtained in the step (a) and carbon nanofibers having an average diameter of 0.5 to 500 nm to obtain a mixture; (c) increasing the molecular weight of the elastomer in the mixture obtained in the step (b) to obtain a rubbery elastic mixture; and (d) mixing the rubbery elastic mixture obtained in the step (c) to disperse the carbon nanofibers in the elastomer by a shear force to obtain a carbon fiber composite material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a conductive structure having high electrical conductivity, and a method for manufacturing a dimensionally accurate separator for a fuel cell having high electrical conductivity. In the present invention, the cavity surface temperature of a mold is kept equal to or higher than the crystal melting temperature (Tm) of composite material until the shaping of the composite material melted in the mold is completed, and after the completion of the shaping process, the cavity surface temperature of the mold is controlled to be equal to or higher than a temperature 20° C. lower than the crystallization temperature (Tc) of the composite material but equal to or lower than a temperature 20° C. higher than the crystallization temperature of the composite material to harden the composite material.

Abstract: The direct vapor depositing resin composition of the present invention comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of (A-I): a graft copolymer obtained by graft-polymerizing one or more monomers or a monomer mixture to a complex rubber-like polymer (G) composed of a polyorganosiloxane and a (meth)acrylate-based polymer and (A-II): a graft copolymer obtained by graft-polymerizing one or more monomers or a monomer mixture including an alkyl (meth)acrylate as an essential component to a rubber-like polymer (R) in which the content of diene units is 30% by weight or less in 100% by weight of the whole rubber-like polymer. The direct vapor depositing resin composition of the present invention can provide a beautiful bright appearance after direct vapor deposition of a metal, further, has high level mechanical strengths such as impact strength and the like, and weather resistance, and is also excellent in hot plate welding property with a transparent resin such as PMMA resins, PC resins and the like.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for manufacturing crumb rubber products. In various embodiments, the product being manufactured is a floor mat, which may be a decorative floor mat or fatigue floor mat used in industrial applications. In various embodiments, a crumb rubber and binder mixture is dispensed into a pan and leveled within the pan using a vibratory leveling operation. A die release may then be applied and the pan conveyed into a press. The press may be equipped with an upper die, which is compressed against the crumb rubber in the pan. The press applies both heat and pressure to activate the binder, which bonds the crumb rubber granules together to form a cohesive mat.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to a method and a fluid composition for producing contact lenses with improved lens quality and with increased product yield. The method of the invention involves adding a phospholipid into a fluid composition including a lens-forming material in an amount sufficient to reduce an averaged mold separation force by at least about 40% in comparison with that without the phospholipids.

Abstract: A method for making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method can include a number of steps where various molds are used to attach or mold a tread element onto a substrate or matrix lining. The tread element can be formed by compressing a rubber block between various molding members to liquefy and cause the resulting rubber material to flow into at least one lug cavity disposed near the matrix lining. The rubber material eventually enters the lug cavity and becomes attached to the matrix lining.

Abstract: This invention refers to an agglomeration process of wood fibres which consists of an impregnation and/or pulverisation of fibres with a pre-polymer of hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), a di-isocyanate and possibly a catalyst to obtain slabs of fibre agglomerations (fibreboards). The<b></b>agglomerating system used in the process is formaldehyde-free. It is therefore an alternative to the current processes that use formaldehyde-based agglomerates and also fulfils the most demanding environmental criteria. This<b></b>process aims to produce agglomerated fibreboard slabs in different densities such as medium density fibreboard (MDF) and high density fibreboard (HDF) which have better physical and mechanical properties resulting therefore in a better quality product and therefore also enabling exemplary quality slabs to be obtained irrespective of the nature of the wood fibreboard whether it is hardwood or resin-based.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the use of low levels of a desiccant material in a rubber compound, such as for use as a tire tread, that allows for reduced cure times of tires cured under pressure, thereby increasing tire production. The low level of desiccant material reduces the blow point of the rubber compound by substantially eliminating blows earlier in the pressure curing process, thereby allowing for the reduced cure time of the tire under pressure. In one embodiment, low levels of no greater than about 9 phr of desiccant material, which may include generally a metal oxide (e.g. calcium oxide or magnesium oxide), are provided in the rubber compound. The rubber compound including the low levels of desiccant material may be cured, under pressure, at less than 30% of full cure of the rubber compound.

Abstract: The invention concerns a texturing film that is flexible enough to be applied to a clay model to add texture and color to the surface of the clay model, and a method of forming and using the texturing film. The texturing film may be formed of a latex-based paint mixed with a high-solids water-based butyl ester polymer peelable coating.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing extrudable/melt spinnable concentrate pellets which contain phase change materials (PCMs), whether the PCMs are micro-encapsulated absorbed into carrier polymers, or non-micro-encapsulated within the concentrate pellets. The polymer matrix within the concentrate pellets can be any thermoplastic polymer or combination of thermoplastic polymers, and the concentrate pellets can then be blended into similar thermoplastic polymers to form mono-filament melt spun fibers, extruded films, injection molded products, etc., or the concentrate pellets can be blended with other thermoplastic polymers to form bi-component or multi-component melt spun fibers, extruded films, injection molded products, etc.

Abstract: The use of a sulphur-free and low-emission elastomer blend which has properties of various rubbers, and the mechanical properties thereof are improved, in particular, in relation to the permanent set (DVR), elongation at rupture, tensile strength and/or gas permeability (permeation) in relation to the individual compounds, and it also has an improved temperature resistance and an improved resistance to media. The elastomer blend also includes a rubber having at least two functional groups which can be cross-linked by hydrosilylation, at least one other rubber comprising at least two functional groups which can be cross-linked by hydrosilylation. The rubber is chemically different from the rubber and a cross-linking agent includes a hydrosiloxane or hydrosiloxane derivative or a mixture of several hydrosiloxanes or derivatives, which include at least two SiH groups per molecule in the centre, a hydrosilylation catalyst system and at least one filling material.

Abstract: A method of molding a golf ball core utilizing a single cavity mold that moves on a continuous conveyor system wherein heated preps are automatically and individually taken directly from the extruder and robotically placed into a bottom mold half that is integral with and moves along a conveyor at a speed consistent with the output from the extruder. This eliminates the prep's inefficient loss of heat during storage that is associated with the batch process. The method provides preheating each top and bottom mold half in separate conveyor ovens to about 350° F. prior to the prep being loaded into the bottom mold half. After the prep is loaded, the top and bottom mold halves are assembled to create the single cavity mold. The single cavity mold compresses the prep into a spherical core shape by utilizing spring force and retainer plates to exert about 384 lbs of force. The core is then moved by conveyor into a convection oven wherein the core is cured to a temperature of about 350° F.

Abstract: Microbial growth on the surface of a valve of a voice prosthesis and optionally the cartridge or ring supporting the valve, is inhibited by providing antimicrobial activity at a level sufficient to retard growth of a microbial film by dispersing an inorganic antimicrobial agent such as silver oxide or an organic antimicrobial agent such as triclosan or butyl paraben dispersed in a medical grade silicone elastomer. The valve, ring or cartridge is in contact with body fluids containing microorganisms and nutrients therefor. The antimicrobial surface can interfere with or inhibit the growth of a biofilm, bacterial layer or a yeast layer. The body of the prosthesis may also contain an antimicrobial surface as long as it is non-toxic to the tissue it contacts. Methods of making such antimicrobial components for voice prosthesis devices are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a formulation and a method for production of a material from an epoxy resin and a Theological control agent, which may be processed by means of the techniques for working thermoplastics yet with the capacity to react and form a thermosetting material with good shock-resistant properties.

Abstract: Methods for making processable rubber compositions containing fluorocarbon elastomers cured by polyol or phenol curative agents include an optional heat treating step before thermoplastic processing. In one aspect, a dynamic vulcanizate of a fluorocarbon elastomer containing an excess of un-reacted polyol curative agent is subject to a pre-molding heat treatment at a temperature of 150° C. or above, but preferably below the thermoplastic processing temperature, for a time sufficient to drive off or decompose at least part of the un-reacted or excess polyol curative agent. After part or all of the curative agent is driven off or decomposed by the heat treatment, the heat treated material may be thereafter processed by thermoplastic techniques to form shaped articles. Advantageously, articles produced by thermoplastic processing of the heat treated dynamic vulcanizates are characterized by a low permeability to gases and vapors.

Abstract: A process for making a framed electrode by injection molding. The process comprises placing a flat piece of electrode material on a shrinkage-free under mold frame and attaching it thereto in a manner which substantially prevents the piece and the frame from moving relative to each other, over molding the resultant assembly by injecting a molten resin into an over molding cavity which contains the assembly, and allowing the resin to solidify. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method for making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method can include a number of steps where various molds are used to attach or mold a tread element onto a substrate or matrix lining. The tread element can be formed by compressing a rubber block between various molding members to liquefy and cause the resulting rubber material to flow into at least one lug cavity disposed near the matrix lining. The rubber material eventually enters the lug cavity and becomes attached to the matrix lining.

Abstract: A non-asbestos sheet-like gasket usable at a high temperature, exhibiting only a small decrease in tensile strength and stress relaxation under high temperature conditions is provided. The method for manufacturing the sheet-like gasket comprises a step of obtaining a sheet-forming composition comprising a base fiber other than asbestos, a latex of hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene, a filler, and rubber chemicals and a step of obtaining the sheet-like gasket by molding the composition and vulcanizing the rubber.

Abstract: A plastic lens which absorbs ultraviolet light having wavelength of about 400 nm and suppresses coloring and a process for producing the lens. A plastic lens may be made from a composition which comprises (A) a lens material monomer comprising diethylene glycol bisallylcarbonate, (B) an organic peroxide-based polymerization initiator, (C) a cobalt compound represented by at least one of CoO.Al2O3 and Co.Al2O4, and (D) at least one ultraviolet light absorbent selected from 2-hydroxy-4-octyloxy-benzophenone, 2,2?,4,4?-tetrahydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone and 2,2?,4?-trihydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone. A process for producing a plastic lens comprises mixing component (A), component (B), a cobalt fluid comprising component (C) in a dispersant and component (D) and a step of casting the mixed fluid into a mold and polymerizing the fluid to obtain a plastic lens.

Abstract: A method of making a finished product includes the steps of providing a feedstock comprising a polymer component comprising 5 to 100 parts by weight of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene in particulate form, polyvinyl chloride in particulate form, and a mixture of polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride both in particulate form; 0 to 95 parts by weight of polystyrene in particulate form; an extender, and optionally reinforcing fibres or particles; mixing the feedstock with a thermosetting resin selected from an unsaturated polyester resin in liquid form and a catalyst for the polyester resin and an epoxy resin in liquid form and a catalyst for the epoxy resin; and subjecting the product to suitable conditions of temperature and pressure to cause the polyethylene and/or the polyvinyl chloride and the polystyrene, if present, to melt and the thermosetting resin to set to form the finished product, e.g a shutter board.

Abstract: A cushion that includes a cushioning element. The cushioning element has a number of substantially parallel elongate columns formed in a soft, easily deformable elastic or visco-elastic cushioning media. The columns are configured so that when a force is applied to the cushioning element in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the columns, the cushioning element will yield by compressability or deformability of the cushioning media, bucklability of the walls of the columns, or a combination of both. In particular, the walls of columns which are located beneath a protruberance on an object being cushioned tend to buckle, permitting the cushioning element to conform to the shape of the cushioned object while evenly distributing a supporting force across the contact area of the cushioned object and avoiding pressure peaks. The preferred cushioning media is a gelatinous elastomer or gelatinous viscoelastomer.

Abstract: In the production of a vulcanized rubber-resin composite material by providing a vulcanized rubber molding in a mold, followed by injecting a resin into the mold, a vulcanizable adhesive layer containing brominated poly(2,3-dichlorobutadiene-1,3) as the main component is formed on the surface to be bonded of the vulcanized rubber molding, and then injecting the resin while keeping the vulcanizable adhesive layer to stay as formed on the surface to be bonded, thereby effecting the bonding, where a strong adhesion is established between the vulcanized rubber molding and the resin layer without any heat treatment of the vulcanized rubber molding before provision of the vulcanized rubber molding in the mold or without any heat treatment of the composite material after the resin injection.

Abstract: A process for curing a natural or synthetic rubber includes the measuring of curing conditions by dielectric or impedance means to produce a process curve (impedance property data versus time) followed by analyzing the process curve with a software algorithm which defines and statistically quantifies the correlation between the process curve and the desired part properties. The correlation relationship is applied in real time to end the curing process at the optimum time and to produce rubber parts of uniform quality and with reduced process cycle time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomeric article, such as an elastomeric glove, for example, and a method for making the disclosed elastomeric article. The elastomeric article includes a fluorocarbon graft on the donning surface of the article. In addition, a hydrophilic lubricant including a modified siloxane displaying polar functionality may be applied to the surface of the article. In one embodiment, the modified siloxane may be an amino modified siloxane. The silicone lubricant and the fluorocarbon graft display a synergy, providing an article with improved dry slip characteristics and improved wet slip characteristics. In addition, a fatty alcohol may be applied to the surface of the article, further improving the damp slip characteristics of the article.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing extrudable/melt spinnable concentrate pellets which contain phase change materials (PCMs), whether the PCMs are micro-encapsulated absorbed into carrier polymers, or non-micro-encapsulated within the concentrate pellets. The polymer matrix within the concentrate pellets can be any thermoplastic polymer or combination of thermoplastic polymers, and the concentrate pellets can then be blended into similar thermoplastic polymers to form mono-filament melt spun fibers, extruded films, injection molded products, etc., or the concentrate pellets can be blended with other thermoplastic polymers to form bi-component or multi-component melt spun fibers, extruded films, injection molded products, etc.

Abstract: A process for production of a modified carbon black, at a cheaper cost, for rubber reinforcement having the superior tan &dgr; temperature dependency of silica and an excellent abrasion resistance and further having no problems arising due to a low electrical conductivity is provided.

Abstract: High flow engineering thermoplastic compositions made from a thermoplastic host polymer and a low molecular weight flow modifier polymer, and products made therefrom. The flow modifier polymer is made by polymerizing at least one vinyl aromatic monomer and at least one (meth)acrylate monomer.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition having a co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology. These co-continuous interconnecting channels are predominately occupied with a polymer and particles that control the surface properties of the composition. The polymer composition may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.

Abstract: Oxygen barrier polyamide compositions exhibiting high oxygen scavenging capability suitable for extended shelf-life, packaging applications. Thus a polyamide composition comprises a polyamide homopolymer, copolymer, or blends thereof, and at least one polyamide reactive, oxidizable polydiene or oxidizable polyether. The polyamide products are particularly suited to making barrier packaging articles such as monolayer or multi-layer films, sheets, thermoformed containers and coinjection/coextrusion blow molded bottles comprising PET, polyolefin or polycarbonate as structural layers. Such articles are useful in a variety of oxygen-sensitive food, beverage, pharmaceutical and health care product packaging applications.

Abstract: A bench-top molding process is disclosed in combination with an apparatus designed to heat a molding composition. In accordance with the present invention, the molding composition contains a thermoplastic elastomer and a plasticizer. The thermoplastic elastomer can be, for instance, a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer. The plasticizer, on the other hand, can be mineral oil. The block copolymer can be chosen in conjunction with the plasticizer so as to have a bubble rise rate when heated equal to at least one half of the bubble rise rate of glycerin at room temperature. By having a bubble rise rate in the above range, it has been found that no significant amounts of air will be trapped in the molding composition when formed into a casting.

Abstract: An automated process for manufacturing rubber paving blocks uses crumb rubber recovered from used automotive tires. A production line in which the molds are emptied of the formed rubber paving block and then filled with a fresh crumb rubber mixture is balanced with an oven line in which the compressed crumb rubber mixture is heated, cured and cooled before being returned to the production line for further processing. The mold includes a lid having latching mechanisms that are actuated by compressed air. The formed rubber paving block is removed from the cooled mold through a compressed air extraction mechanism so that the formed block is not damaged during the extraction process. The rubber paving block is formed with a textured bottom surface having a central depressed disk and a plurality of grooves forming interconnected passageways for water to pass beneath the blocks when installed.

Abstract: Articles are formed from a thermosetting composition based on polybutadiene or polyisoprene resins which are subjected to a high temperature cure step of greater than 250° C. The thermosetting compositions may include fillers such as particulate ceramic fillers and may also include woven webs for improved dimensional stability and decreased brittleness. The formation process of this invention is particularly well suited for making electrical circuit substrates for microwave and digital circuits, typically in the form of the thermosetting composition being laminated on one or both opposed surfaces to metal conductive foil (e.g., copper).

Abstract: A process for producing an article in a flexible foamed polymer material, including treating a former with a coagulant; dipping the treated former in a latex foam mixture to form a layer of the mixture on the former that includes air cells; curing the layer to gel the foam mixture to a cross-linked open cell structure; and stripping the layer from the former; where the latex foam mixture includes a natural latex polymer as a primary polymer component, and a synthetic latex polymer as a secondary polymer component, which synthetic latex polymer is selected to enhance the evenness and/or fineness of said open cell structure.

Abstract: A nonslip member in which a large number of nonslip convexes are fixed to an upper surface of a base fabric performing an anchoring action, and the nonslip convexes are made of rubber. By engaging a male mold and a female mold with each other, a large number of small pieces coincident to a shape of through holes of the female mold are punched out from a plate-like material. By pressurizing and heating each small piece between a punching convex and a mounting base while engaging the male mold and the female mold with each other, the small piece is bridged and fixed to the base fabric to serve as a nonslip convex.

Abstract: A method of producing a rubber-based covering comprising at least one layer formed from fragmented cohesible material comprises the steps of forming a substantially continuous bed of the fragmented cohesible material and subjecting the material of the bed to a compacting step so as to form a sheet material as a result of the cohesion of the material. The compaction step is performed with a substantial absence of stretching stresses on the fragmented material.

Abstract: Shrinkage of cured resins is reduced by mixing the crosslinkable resin with a low profile additive (LPA). The LPA is in the form of particles which comprise an SCC polymer (or a similar crystalline polymer which melts over a narrow temperature range). The system is cured at a temperature above the melting point of the crystalline polymer (Tp), and the system and the LPA are such that at least part of the LPA remains as a separate phase in the curable resin at temperatures below Tp. It is believed that at least part of the crystalline polymer remains as a separate phase in the resin as it cures. Preferably at least part of the crystalline polymer forms a separate phase in the cured polymer after it has cooled.