Abstract: Provided are resin particles including columnar resin particles each including filaments of a fibrous material, wherein the filaments of the fibrous material are aligned in an axial direction of each of the columnar resin particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of making a fiber-reinforced composite. Glass fibers may be provided. These glass fibers may be treated with a sizing composition that has a coupling-activator compound with the formula: S—X-(A)n, where S represents a silicon-containing coupling moiety capable of bonding to the surface of glass fibers, X represents a linking moiety, and (A)n, represents one or more polymerization activator moieties. The treated glass fibers may be combined with a resin to make a fiber-resin mixture. The resin may have a monomer, a catalyst, and an activator compound capable of initiating a polymerization of the monomer. The monomer may be a lactam or lactone having 3-12 carbon atoms in the main ring. The fiber-resin mixture may then be cured so that the monomer polymerizes to form a thermoplastic polymer matrix of the fiber-reinforced composite. The thermoplastic polymer matrix may be formed by in situ polymerization initiated from both the surface of the glass fibers and the resin.

Abstract: Are disclosed a thermoplastic material for vehicle interior or exterior having not only excellent strength in winter but also excellent sound-absorption and heat-resistance, a method for preparing the same and an article for vehicle interior or exterior using the same. A method for producing a thermoplastic material for interior or exterior of vehicle, comprising the steps of: forming a fiber sheet or web by randomly arranging fibers having a length of 50 mm or more, the fibers being selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers, basalt fibers, aramid fibers and mixtures thereof; applying polyethylene powders to one side or both sides of the fiber sheet or web; forming a fiber reinforced mat by heating and pressing the fiber sheet or web to which the polyethylene powders are applied; and laminating the fiber reinforced mat on one side or both sides of a polypropylene base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing thermoplastic fibre composites made from a thermoplastic matrix (M) comprising a thermoplastic moulding compound (A) and reinforcing fibres (B). Said method has technical advantages when it comprises the following steps: i) a flat structure (F) made of reinforcing fibres (B) is provided, ii) the flat structure (F) is introduced into a matrix M, iii) functional groups of the matrix are reacted with polar groups of the reinforcing fibres (B), iv) the fibre composite materials is consolidated.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced resin forming material contains at least a matrix resin and bundled aggregates of discontinuous reinforcing fibers, wherein: the bundled aggregates include both reinforcing fiber aggregates A having a shape formed by cutting after having performed a splitting treatment to completely split the strands of continuous reinforcing fibers into a plurality of bundles of strands, and reinforcing fiber aggregates B1 having a shape that includes unsplit parts where splitting treatment was inadequate and/or reinforcing fiber aggregates B2 having a shape not subjected to splitting treatment; and both the ratio of the weight of the reinforcing fiber aggregates B1 with respect to the total weight of reinforcing fibers in the fiber-reinforced resin forming material, and the ratio of the total weight of the reinforcing fiber aggregates B1 and the reinforcing fiber aggregates B2 with respect to the total weight of reinforcing fibers in the fiber-reinforced resin forming material, are 50-95%.

Abstract: Gypsum panels, sheathing systems, and methods of making and using the same are provided. A gypsum panel includes a gypsum core associated with a first fiberglass mat having a continuous barrier coating, the coating penetrating a portion of the first fiberglass mat opposite the gypsum core, wherein gypsum penetrates a remaining fibrous portion of the first fiberglass mat such that voids in the first fiberglass mat are substantially eliminated. A building sheathing system includes at least two gypsum panels and a seaming component to provide a seam at an interface between the gypsum panels.

Abstract: A composite sheet material and method for forming the same is provided that includes a substrate, a matrix, and a cover sheet. The substrate has a first face surface, a second face surface, and a plurality of edges, and includes a thermoplastic material. The matrix is attached to the substrate. The matrix includes a support component having a first melting point, and a thermoplastic component having a second melting point. The second melting point is less than the first melting point. The cover sheet imparts one or more surface characteristics to the composite sheet material during thermo-pressure formation of the composite sheet material.

Abstract: Composite rods and tapes are provided. In one embodiment, a composite rod includes a core, the core including a thermoplastic material and a plurality of continuous fibers embedded in the thermoplastic material. The plurality of continuous fibers have a generally unidirectional orientation within the thermoplastic material. The core further includes one or more sensing elements embedded in the thermoplastic material. The core has a void fraction of about 5% or less. A sensing element may be, for example, fiber optic cable, a radio frequency identification transmitter, a copper fiber, or an aluminum fiber.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to composite materials comprising one or more high melt flow index resins. In some examples, the composites can be used to provide automotive parts such as, for example, vehicle interior parts and vehicle exterior parts. In some configurations, the composite comprises a fiber reinforced polymer core comprising reinforcing fibers and a resin comprising a high melt flow index of greater than 325 g/10 min. as measured by ASTM D1238, condition L.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced molding materials and a related method of manufacture are provided. The fiber-reinforced molding materials include a fiber-reinforced tape that is moldable into complex structures at relatively low pressures while having high fiber concentrations. The fiber-reinforced tape includes a plurality of discontinuous fiber segments extending unidirectionally within a thermoplastic matrix material. The fiber-reinforced tape can be interwoven into multiple woven panels that are consolidated to form a fiber-reinforced mat. The fiber-reinforced mat is suitable for a wide range of molding applications where high strength and light weight are desired, while accommodating a variety of reinforcing fibers and thermoplastic resins.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a glass composition having a low thermal expansion coefficient, specifically, a glass composition comprising about 55 to less than 64 weight percent of silicon oxide, about 15 to about 30 weight percent of aluminum oxide, about 5 to about 15 weight percent of magnesium oxide, about 3 to about 10 weight percent boron oxide, about 0 to about 11 weight percent calcium oxide, and about 0 to about 2 weight percent of alkali oxide, the remainder being trace compounds of less than about 1 weight percent, is provided. Glass fibers and composite articles formed therefrom are also provided.

Abstract: An acid-modified polyolefin-based resin for glass fiber treatment having: (1) an amount of components extractable with boiling methyl ethyl ketone of 8 mass % or less; (2) a number average molecular weight (Mn), measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), of 6,000 to 48,000; and (3) an amount of an acid which has been added, measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, of 0.1 to 12 mass %.

Abstract: A cross arm is provided, for use in a support structure for conductors within an electrical grid. The cross arm is made of weather resistant glass fiber reinforced two component polyurethane based polymers and has a “C” cross sectional shape typically arranged in a double configuration. Pairs of the cross arms are attached to utility poles in a parallel position on opposite sides of the utility pole to meet predefined design conditions. Alternatively, a single cross arm may be attached to a utility pole.

Abstract: Coated and uncoated fibrous mats, and laminates containing the mat, having one or more surfactants on the fibers and binder holding the fibers together in only a portion of the thickness of the mat are disclosed. The mat contains a major portion of non-cellulosic fibers and a minor portion of cured resinous binder with the most typical fibers being glass fibers. The surfactant on the surface of the fibers causes a slurry or other liquid applied to the mat in a later process to form a board or laminate like faced gypsum board, a faced foam board, etc. to uniformly penetrate the mat to the desired distance. Also disclosed are methods of applying the surfactant(s) to the hot, coated or uncoated, mat soon after the coated or uncoated mat exits a drying oven used in the process of making, or coating, the mat.

Abstract: Disclosed are formaldehyde-free, thermally-curable, alkaline, aqueous binder compositions. The disclosed binder compositions may be cured to substantially water-insoluble thermoset polyester resins, including formaldehyde-free, substantially water-insoluble thermoset polyester resins. Uses of the disclosed binder compositions as binders for non-woven fibers and fiber materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber-metal laminate comprising mutually bonded fiber-reinforced composite layers and metal sheets, wherein the fiber and metal properties satisfy the following relationships simultaneously: (1) ?fibre tension>Ksf*?tu/(1.5*Et metal), (2) Efibre tension>Kstiff*Et metal, (3) ?fibre compression>ksf*?tu/(1.5*Klf*Et metal) wherein the strain concentration factor Ksf, stiffness factor Kstiff and the load factor Klf satisfy (4) 2.75?Ksf<5.7, (5) Kstiff?1.28, (6) 1.5?Klf?3.5 and ?tu=ultimate tensile strength of the metal, Et metal=tensile Young's modulus of the metal, ?fibre tension=elastic tensile strain of the fiber, Efibre tension=tensile elastic modulus of the fibre, ?fibre compression=elastic compression strain of the fiber. The fiber-metal laminate according to the invention shows an unprecedented combination of toughness and tensile strength.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising a housing assembly having at least one fiber composite layer molded into a portion of the housing assembly, the at least one fiber composite layer having a warp direction and configured to provide strength to the housing assembly corresponding to the warp direction.

Abstract: A continuous fiber composite is described and methods for forming the continuous fiber composite. The continuous fiber composite includes a plurality of unidirectionally aligned continuous fibers embedded within a polyarylene sulfide polymer. The continuous fiber composite includes a very high loading of continuous fibers, for instance greater than about 40% by weight of the continuous fiber composite. The continuous fiber composite is formed by reacting a starting polyarylene sulfide with a reactively functionalized disulfide compound in a melt processing unit. Reaction between the starting polyarylene sulfide and the reactively functionalized disulfide compound leads to formation of a reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide. Upon embedding of the continuous fibers into the reactively functionalized polyarylene sulfide, the reactivity of the polyarylene sulfide can enhance adhesion between the polyarylene sulfide polymer and the fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to prepregs and composite components (molding) produced therefrom at a low temperature, obtainable by using powdery highly reactive polyurethane compositions containing uretdione groups, with specific catalysts.

Abstract: A prepreg that contains a plurality of unidirectionally aligned continuous fibers embedded within a thermoplastic polymer matrix is provided. In addition to continuous fibers, the prepreg also contains a plurality of long fibers that are combined with the continuous fibers so that they are randomly distributed within the thermoplastic matrix. As a result, at least a portion of the long fibers become oriented at an angle (e.g., perpendicular) relative to the direction of the continuous fibers. Through such orientation, the long fibers can substantially increase the mechanical properties of the prepreg in the transverse direction (e.g., strength) and thus achieve a more isotropic material. Although unique isotropic prepregs are one aspect of the present invention, it should be understood that this is not a requirement.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a circuit board which may include the steps of forming a circuit board with horizontal and vertical fiberglass fibers, rotating the circuit board, and cutting the circuit board so that the horizontal and vertical fiberglass fibers form a non-right angle with a cut line of the circuit board. The circuit board may have a plurality of conductive traces located thereon which pass by areas of higher fiberglass-to-resin material and lower fiberglass-to-resin material to assist in reducing differential to common mode conversion between signals in the plurality of conducive traces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyamide molding compound having heat aging resistance for use as automobile or electrical components and composed of: (A) 27-84.99 wt % of a polyamide mixture consisting of (A1) at least one semiaromatic, semicrystalline polyamide having a melting point of 255° C. to 330° C., (A2) at least one caprolactam-containing polyamide that is different from (A1) and that has a caprolactam content of at least 50 wt %, where the total caprolactam content is 22-30 wt %, with respect to the polyamide mixture, (B) 15-65 wt % of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, (C) 0.01-3.0 wt % of at least one thermal stabilizer, and (D) 0-5.0 wt % of at least one additive, where the components (A)-(D) add up to 100 wt %.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising: a first stack comprising a plurality of plies of composite material and at least one ply of self-healing material, the ply of self-healing material comprising a plurality of containers each containing a curable healing liquid; and a second stack comprising a plurality of plies of composite material, the stacks being joined together at a bond line. By placing a ply of self-healing material in one of the stacks (preferably relatively close to the bond line) the ply of self-healing material can resist the propagation of cracks between the first stack and the second stack. Preferably the global strength of the first stack is greater than the global strength of the second stack.

Abstract: A roof covering includes a roofing mat formed from fibers of a fiber material. The fibers are coated with a sizing. The roof covering also includes a coating material that coats the mat. The coating material is based on an organic material. The sizing includes a sulfur-containing material that bonds to the fiber material. The sulfur-containing material has sulfur groups that form cross-links with the organic material. In another embodiment, the coating material contains sulfur added to the organic material. The sizing includes a bonding material that bonds to the fiber material and that bonds to the sulfur. The sulfur forms cross-links with the organic material.

Abstract: A composite member for a vehicle body a method for manufacturing such a composite member, in particular, for a vehicle roof, with a fiber-free outer skin (12) and a fiber-reinforced support layer (16), which is deposited at the inner side of the outer skin in order to support the outer skin. The side of the support layer (16) that faces away from the outer skin (12) is provided with a fiber-reinforced reinforcing layer (18) for reinforcing the support layer. The reinforcing layer has a higher fiber concentration than the support layer.

Abstract: A composite article may include a plurality of fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers may include a first fiber and a second fiber which may be oriented in substantially parallel relation to one another. The first and second fibers may be connected to one another at one or more connection sites.

Abstract: A composite beam chord is between first and second reinforcement plates. The beam chord includes a first ply of reinforcing fibers with a fiber orientation of +? degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the beam chord and a second ply of reinforcing fibers with a fiber orientation of ?? degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. The angle ? is between 2 and 12 degrees for suppression or delay of ply splitting.

Abstract: Disclosed are composites that can exhibit low transmission energy loss and can also be temperature resistant. The composites include reinforcement fibers held in a polymeric matrix. The reinforcement fibers can include an amorphous polymer component. The fibers can be woven or knit to form a fabric or can be included in a nonwoven fabric. The composites can include other fibers as well, such as fiberglass. The composites can be multi-layer structures and can include layers of other materials, for instance layers formed of polyaramids, fiberglass, or carbon fiber wovens or nonwovens. The composites can advantageously be utilized in low loss dielectric applications, such as in forming circuit board substrates.

Abstract: Thermoplastic composites having a core composite layer including a fibrous substrate and one or more high performance polymer, and a surface layer polymer applied to at least one surface of the core composite layer, which forms a polymer blend with the high performance polymer thereby imparting improved toughness and processing times, and methods for making and using same, are provided herein.

Abstract: Reinforcement patches comprising a mastic and a plurality of unidirectionally-aligned fibers at least partially embedded in a first major surface of the mastic are described. Generally, at least 90% of the unidirectionally-aligned fibers are oriented having an axis of alignment within +/?10 degrees of the average axis of alignment of the unidirectionally-aligned fibers. Reinforcement patches that include an encapsulating resin and a cover layer are also described. Methods of reinforcing a panel using reinforcement panels, and panels reinforced with the patches are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layered fiber containing a core and a skin layer. The core has an exterior surface portion containing polypropylene. The skin layer is disposed on at least a portion of the core and contains a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer contains a polymer having at least 70% ?-olefin units and is characterized by a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface portion of the core. The second polymer contains a co-polymer having at least 50% ?-olefin units and is characterized by a number-average molecular weight of about 7,000 g/mol to 50,000 g/mol, a viscosity of between about 2,500 and 150,000 cP measured at 170° C., and a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface portion of the core. The viscosity of the second polymer is not greater than about 10 percent of the viscosity of the first polymer measured at 170° C. Methods of forming the multi-layered fiber are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic substrate according to the present invention is used in optical instruments. The plastic substrate includes a composite substrate 10 in which fibers 11 are embedded in a resin matrix 12. The fibers are arranged in at least one predetermined direction within a plane of the composite substrate. The composite substrate substantially transmits visible radiation and has a predefined retardation that is associated with the predetermined direction in which the fibers are arranged.

Abstract: A roof covering includes a roofing mat formed from fibers of a fiber material. The fibers are coated with a sizing. The roof covering also includes a coating material that coats the mat. The coating material is based on an organic material. The sizing includes a sulfur-containing material that bonds to the fiber material. The sulfur-containing material has sulfur groups that form cross-links with the organic material. In another embodiment, the coating material contains sulfur added to the organic material. The sizing includes a bonding material that bonds to the fiber material and that bonds to the sulfur. The sulfur forms cross-links with the organic material.

Abstract: A composition of a fiber reinforced multi-layered laminate that when compression-molded forms a composite having a Class-A surface that is resin rich. The fiber reinforced multi-layered laminate has an outer layer of a cyclic polyester oligomer containing a latent polymerization catalyst; a glass mat; a core layer of a cyclic polyester oligomer containing a latent polymerization catalyst; a second glass mat, and another outer layer of a cyclic polyester oligomer containing a latent polymerization catalyst. When compression molded, the combination of heat and pressure force the core layer through the permeable glass mats and toward the surface. The latent polymerization catalyst initiates polymerization of the cyclic polyester oligomer forming a Class-A surface that is resin rich. The core layer of a cyclic polyester oligomer thoroughly permeates the reinforcing fiber forming a composite having a middle, with a nearly uniform mixture of reinforced glass fiber and thermoplastic in situ polymerized resin.

Abstract: A pultruded composite component includes a matrix material comprising a thermosetting polyurethane resin, and fibers provided within the resin matrix. All of the fibers within the resin matrix are oriented in substantially a single direction and the matrix material has an elongation-to-failure that exceeds that of the fibers.

Abstract: A composite sheet material, useful as a component of roofing shingles, and a process of making same, which includes a glass fiber web bound with a thermosetting resin which includes a fatty acid amide having the structural formula RCOONH2, where R is a C8-C25 alkyl.

Abstract: A composite material structure includes a first fiber layer, a second fiber layer, a resin layer between the first fiber layer and the second fiber layer and a plurality of chopped fibers provided in the resin layer.

Abstract: A self-healing composite material comprising a fibre-reinforced polymeric matrix, wherein the polymeric matrix comprises a thermosetting polymer and a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film, in particular for an adhesive tape, characterized in that the film contains at least one homopolymer, copolymer, or terpolymer of the propylene and fibers and is monoaxially stretched in the longitudinal direction, wherein the elongation ratio is preferably at least 1:8 and particularly preferably at least 1:9.5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling structures and a component for use in such assemblies. The component is an electrically insulant, compressible impermeable cloth. It is formed by impregnating an electrically insulant woven fiber with a sealant, and curing to form the cloth. Structures, such as airframe structures, may be assembled by positioning the cloth between a substructure and an outer skin on at least part of a sub-structure, and then assembling the outer skin to the sub-structure with the cloth located between the substructure and the outer skin. This provides a greater impermeability and insulation across the structural joint. During assemble the cloth may also be compressed, allowing skin panels to be fixed to the substructure within close tolerances, and allowing steps between adjacent panels to be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A hoisting device rope has a width larger than a thickness thereof in a transverse direction of the rope. The rope includes a load-bearing part made of a composite material, said composite material comprising non-metallic reinforcing fibers, which include carbon fiber or glass fiber, in a polymer matrix. An elevator includes a drive sheave, an elevator car and a rope system for moving the elevator car by means of the drive sheave. The rope system includes at least one rope that has a width that is larger than a thickness thereof in a transverse direction of the rope. The rope includes a load-bearing part made of a composite material. The composite material includes reinforcing fibers in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: Provided is a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded article, which contains reinforcing fibers having a given flattened cross-sectional profile, in which the fiber length distribution of the reinforcing fibers is shifted on the side of long fibers, and which is excellent in mechanical strength, heat resistance, dimensional accuracy such as warpage resistance, and surface appearance.

Abstract: A profile-extruded article is disclosed, made of a fiber-reinforced polymer of vinyl-chloride monomer, wherein the article has a ratio of actual specific gravity to theoretical specific gravity of nearly unity. A method of making the article is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are formaldehyde-free, thermally-curable, alkaline, aqueous binder compositions, curable to formaldehyde-free, water-insoluble thermoset polyester resins, and uses thereof as binders for non-woven fibers and fiber materials.

Abstract: A utility pole includes a thermoplastic composite material including: (a) at least one olefin polymer; and (b) at least one reinforcing fiber material embedded in the at least one olefin polymer, the thermoplastic composite material having a specific tensile strength higher than or equal to 15 MPa/(gr/cm3), preferably 20 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 200 MPa/(gr/cm3), and more preferably 30 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 150 MPa/(gr/cm3) and a specific tensile modulus higher than or equal to 2000 MPa/(gr/cm3), preferably 2500 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 20000 MPa/(gr/cm3), and more preferably 3000 MPa/(gr/cm3) to 15000 MPa/(gr/cm3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a composite part including an assembly of superimposed webs of reinforcement threads imbedded at least partially in a polymer matrix, said part including at least one curved area and the method comprising steps of draping or stacking plies of a composite material, characterised in that, in at least one area adjacent to a curved area, at least one draping or stacking step is carried out with a ply of composite material, that comprises a web, or twisted thread web, including at least one twisted reinforcement thread in order to at least compensate the length differences of the extreme paths of the thread on either side of the width as measured in a direction parallel to the surface of the web; the invention also relates to the composite materials thus obtained.

Abstract: A composition for preparing a halogen-free resin is provided, the composition including a halogen-free phosphorated epoxy, a urethane-modified copolyester, a curing agent, a filler, a surfactant, and a solvent. A halogen-free prepreg is also provided, including a glass fabric cloth and a halogen-free resin layer on the glass fabric. The halogen-free resin layer is made from the foregoing halogen-free resin.

Abstract: Composite structural members and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, a composite structural member includes a central structural portion comprised of a reinforced, polymer-based material and having a length, a first side and an opposing second side extending along the length. A first reinforcement member fixedly coupled to the first side and a second reinforcement member fixedly coupled to the second side.

Abstract: An optical resin sheet includes a cured resin layer containing glass fiber, wherein the ratio of the elastic modulus of the glass fiber to the elastic modulus of a cured resin material, which forms the cured resin layer, is 25 or more. With the thus arranged optical resin sheet, stress is applied to the glass fiber, thereby reducing the phenomenon of occurrence of birefringence, and when it is applied to a display device, there is achieved a significantly small light leakage in an oblique direction. The optical resin sheet is capable of achieving excellent display quality of an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device, as well as keeping the coefficient of thermal expansion lower and the mechanical strength higher.

Abstract: An aqueous glass fiber sizing composition that includes a polymeric film forming component, at least one silane coupling agent, and one or more lubricants is provided. The polymeric film forming component of the sizing composition includes a silanated polyvinyl acetate, an epoxidized polyvinyl acetate, and a modified epoxy emulsion. In preferred embodiments, the film formers are present in the sizing composition in ratios of 70:25:5, 50:25:25, or 63:18:18 of silanated polyvinyl acetate, epoxidized polyvinyl acetate, and modified epoxy emulsion respectively. Fibers sized with the sizing composition in a sheet molding compound process have improved wet-out characteristics.