Abstract: A hydrophilic elastically stretchable composite sheet composed of an elastically stretchable first sheet and an inelastically stretchable second sheet intermittently bonded to at least one surface of the first sheet. At least one of the first sheet and the second sheet contains hydrophilic material. The composite sheet has a high sweat absorbability.

Abstract: A concrete article comprised of concrete having therein a reinforcing fiber, where at least about 50 percent of the reinforcing fibers are frayed only at an end or ends of the reinforcing fibers, may be made by mixing concrete, water and a reinforcing fiber for a sufficient time to fray the ends of at least 50 percent of the fibers and curing the mixture to form the concrete article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molding comprising a thermoplastic resin and having a skin layer and a beam-supported structure layer, the thermoplastic resin containing reinforcing fibers whose average fiber length is maintained at 1 mm or more, the skin layer having almost no voids, the beam-supported structure layer containing reinforcing fibers which are intertwined complicatedly with each other and are fixed to each other with the thermoplastic resin in the vicinity of their contacts, wherein the beams forming the beam-supported structure layer are arcuate as an aggregate in the plane direction of the molding, said a lightweight fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molding having a high percentage of void and is lightweight and excellent in bending rigidity.

Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers. Further exemplary fibers and methods involve mechanically-flattening intertwined or braided fibers or fiber bundles, thereby providing fibers having physical impressions thereon of the intertwinement or braidingand, optionally though preferably of micro-diastrophic surface deformities.

Abstract: A cleaning sheet for a fuser member, comprising an ultrafine fibers-containing portion including (a) first ultrafine fibers formed from a resin having a softening point of higher than 230° C., having a non-circular cross-sectional shape, and having a fiber diameter of not more than 10 &mgr;m, and (b) second ultrafine fibers formed from a resin having a softening point of 150 to 230° C., and having a fiber diameter of not more than 10 &mgr;m, wherein at least one surface of the cleaning sheet is contained in the ultrafine fibers-containing portion, and the second ultrafine fibers in a surface portion containing the surface are deformed by press-attaching is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved structural panel with synthetic ingredients, such as vermiculite and fibers. The improved structural panel achieves enhanced lateral and surface integrity by the use of fibers within the core of the structural panel and adhesives and smooth materials (such as foil) as a surface coating. The invention further describes a method and apparatus for assembling such a structural panel.

Abstract: A method of forming fiber reinforced aluminum phosphate bonded material having improved strength at elevated temperatures. The method comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a slurry by blending alumina and alumina phosphate solution, the slurry being substantially free of silica; (b) providing a fiber substrate; (c) infiltrating the solution into the fiber substrate; and (d) curing the infiltrated substrate to form a fiber reinforced aluminum phosphate bonded composite material. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fiber substrate is made from SiC fibers.

Abstract: Fiberboards are provided containing at least about 65 wt. % calcium sulfate dihydrate derived from hemihydrate or anhydrous gypsum, and at least about 7 wt. % pulped paper fibers. The boards are capable of being formed into structural members having superior mechanical properties and/or fire resistance, including screw-holding capacities in excess of 650 lbs.

Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers.

Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers.

Abstract: A non-combustible gypsum/fiber board comprises two surface layers and at least one core layer, wherein the surface layers comprise a gypsum composition that is reinforced with organic fibers, and the core layer comprises a gypsum composition containing no more than about 3% by weight of organic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electromagnetic wave absorbing material which comprises an electromagnetic wave absorbing layer comprising a hydraulic inorganic binder and a fibrous conductor. The present invention also provides an electromagnetic wave absorbing material which comprises an electromagnetic wave absorbing layer comprising a hydraulic inorganic binder, a magnetic powder and a fibrous conductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cementitious structural panel and its method of manufacture. The method of manufacture involves encapsulating a top and bottom layer of porous reinforcing material with a cementitious mixture by vibration. The structural panel may be coated with a layer of waterproof material.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced brittle matrix composites are disclosed with improved mechanical properties. The composites comprise extensible, somewhat elastic fibers and hardened brittle matrix materials. The fibers are positioned to support the composite in a three dimensional manner. Temporary tension forces are applied to some of the fibers before the matrix has completely hardened. The resulting three dimensional array of aligned fibers acts to improve the properties of the composite by providing self-compression. Self-compression is enabled by the alignment and stored elastic energy resulting from the temporary tension and from other deformations acting with the fiber network. The composites have improved response to challenges such as matrix shrinkage during hardening or bending forces and impacts. The invention is particularly useful with brittle, high modulus matrixes, such as cementitious materials and elastic fibers such as polymeric fibers.