Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a synthetic reinforcing strand of filaments in which the strand density is reduced by spacing the filaments apart along their length with heat expandable hollow particles such as plastic microspheres expanded into microballoons and the method of making such strands. Also embodied in the invention are methods utilizing such strands in processes for making composite structures.

Abstract: A process of preparing new down-like clusters employs a method of point-bonding thermoplastic cut fibers in a stack of webs of carded fibers or continuous filaments in a tow, and then cutting and separating the resulting clusters which have an entirely different structure that is refluffable. Ultrasonic bonding has worked well as the bonding method, but other methods may prove useful.

Abstract: Described is a hybrid yarn consisting of at least two varieties of filaments, at least one variety (A) having a lower heat shrinkage and at least one variety (B) a higher heat shrinkage than the rest of the filaments of the hybrid yarn, whereinthe first variety (A) of filaments has a dry heat shrinkage maximum of below 7.5%,the second variety (B) of filaments has a dry heat shrinkage maximum of above 10%, andits dry heat shrinkage tension maximum is so large that the total shrinkage force of the proportion of the second variety of filaments is sufficient to force the lower-shrinking filaments present to undergo crimping,the optionally present, further filament varieties (C) have dry heat shrinkage maxima within the range from 2 to 200%and at least one of the filament varieties (B) and/or (C) is a thermoplastic filament whose melting point is at least 10.degree. C., preferably 20.degree. to 100.degree. C., in particular 30.degree. to 70.degree. C.

Abstract: A loose-fill insulation product is provided which may be poured or blown by a consumer. The insulation is comprised of irregularly-shaped glass fibers which are comprised of two distinct glass compositions. The loose-fill insulation product may be densely packaged in a small container for consumer use, and shows improved recovery, good thermal efficiency, and low dust upon blowing or pouring.

Abstract: A loose-fill insulation product is provided which is formed from a blend of first and second insulating materials having three-dimensional groups of fibers of different sizes and densities. At least one of the insulating materials is comprised of irregularly-shaped glass fibers comprised of two distinct glass compositions. When blended with the fibers of a standard insulation or with other irregularly-shaped fibers of different sizes, the resulting loose-fill insulation product shows improved coverage and thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A reinforcing member for civil and architectural structures is made up of a mixture of reinforcing fibers and thermoplastic fibers which become thermoplastic at a temperature which is lower than a temperature at which the reinforcing fibers become thermoplastic. The thermoplastic fibers may be mixed into each bundle of the reinforcing fibers. The mixture may be formed by arranging respective fiber bundles of the reinforcing fibers and fiber bundles of the thermoplastic fibers. It may also be made by mixing the thermoplastic fibers and an electrically conductive heat-generating wiring material into the reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a split polyethylene stretched material having a tensile strength of at least 0.7 GPa when twisted in the range of 50-500 times/m, which material is produced by subjecting a polyethylene having an intrinsic viscosity of 5-50 dl/g as measured at 135.degree. C. in decalin, i.e. an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene to stretching and then subjecting the stretched polyethylene to splitting, as well as a process for producing said material. The split polyethylene stretched material according to the present invention has a large surface area and accordingly can be easily laminated to other materials, and has a high strength and flexibility.

Abstract: A string for use on musical instrument is made of a core wire composed of long filaments, sheathed with a thick mantle of a precious metal such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, copper, or the like, or of other metal (5) having excellent ductility, or of an alloy of these metals, or of a synthetic resin or ceramic. It becomes possible to change the density per unit length, thus to enable the adjustment of sound quality and the attenuation rate, and the selection of the basic vibration frequency. It also becomes possible to adjust the tensile strength of the string, thus to enable the selection of the tensile strength and the density in accordance with the type of the musical instrument which is strung and the type (number) of the string. It also becomes possible to maintain the sound quality of the wound wire for bass strings for a long term, and to take easily countermeasures against abrasion with a partial hardening treatment.

Abstract: An elongated structural element includes an external tubular casing (11) with the hollow interior space filled with a polymer binder (12) containing a plurality of elongated parallel continuous strands of fiber reinforcement material (13) extending lengthwise of the element. A method for preparing such an element is provided by filling a preformed tubular casing (11) with a polymer binder (12) in liquid form in which is dispersed the fiber reinforcement material (13) and allowing the polymer binder to solidify. The element may be initially shaped prior to solidification or reheated into another shape such as a helical coil or spring. An internal casing (29) can also be used where the fiber reinforcement strands (13) are between the external and internal casings (11) and (29).

Abstract: A glass fiber insulation product comprises irregularly-shaped glass fibers of two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with the irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of producing self-texturing filaments that exhibit a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig zag. The method comprises directing a quenching fluid at extruded hollow filaments of a liquid polymer predominantly from one side of the hollow filaments to thereby produce hollow filaments with different orientations on each side. Thereafter the temperature of the hollow filaments is raised to a temperature sufficient for the filaments to relax, but less than the temperature at which the filaments would shrink.

Abstract: Fiberballs based on poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) fiber have given improved products.

Abstract: Coils for use as cushioning, such as dunnage, made from spiral coils of paper that are recyclable and biodegradable, or from other thin, flexible, resilient strips. The coils are cylindrical or cylindrical with a transverse fold, and when used as dunnage are randomly oriented to provide cushioning for packaged articles.

Abstract: An artificial turf with high water rentivity. A cut pile is formed over the surface of a backing structure by implanting a multiplicity of tufts. Each tuft comprises one or a plurality of pile yarns. Each of the pile yarns is composed of one flat filament or a plurality of bundled flat filaments twisted and fixed in the twisted state into a slender form having an approximately spiral cross section. A pile yarn for such artificial turfs and a process for producing such a pile yarn.

Abstract: There is disclosed a structured fiber material with a three-dimensional network structure containing non-elastic crimped short fibers (A) and three-dimensionally crimped composite fibers (B), the fibers (B) being partially interlocked with each other, in which contact portions the fibers (B) are partially heat-bonded with each other; the fibers (B) being partially wound around the fibers (A) at their contact points, in which contact portions the fibers (A) and (B) are partially heat-bonded with each other; and the material having an apparent density of 0.005 to 0.10 g/cm.sup.3. Also disclosed is a process for producing the structured fiber material.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a fibrous texture for producing a composite material article. The fibrous texture is formed of a yarn comprising discontinuous fibers which are made of a refractory material or a precursor thereof. The discontinuous fibers are disposed parallel to one another, without twist. A covering yarn made of a fugitive material is disposed over the discontinuous fibers to provide integrity to the yarn. The covering yarn is eliminated after formation of the fibrous texture.

Abstract: Flowable loose packing dunnage is formed from paperboard into three dimensional particles of various shapes. Also, an apparatus for forming the dunnage employs two vertically aligned arrays of toothed, untoothed and/or cutting wheels through the nip of which paperboard segments pass and by which they are shaped into dunnage particles. Further, in a method of forming the dunnage particles, strips of paperboard are cut into segments which are formed into three dimensional shapes. A method of protecting a packed object surrounds it with the flowable loose packing dunnage made of paperboard in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A glass fiber insulation product comprises irregularly-shaped glass fibers of two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with the irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fiber reinforced composite structure which is made by providing yarn having of a plurality of continuous reinforcing fibers and fibers which when melted form a matrix material, randomizing the yarn, forming the randomized yarn into a preform, and consolidating the preform in one direction. Each of the plurality of reinforcing fibers extends continuously and randomly throughout the matrix because of the randomizing. The fiber reinforced composite structure is particularly suitable for manufacturing a vertebral prosthetic spinal implant device.

Abstract: Melt-spun filaments having a highly crimped configuration which is imparted by differential cooling, nonwoven webs of the crimped melt-spun filaments, and a process of forming a nonwoven web of the crimped filaments are disclosed. The filaments are formed from a random copolymer of propylene and ethylene or an alpha-olefin co-monomer having at least 4 carbon atoms which provides an enhanced response to filament crimping by differential cooling. The random copolymer may contain from about 0.5 to about 10 percent, by weight, of ethylene or an alpha-olefin co-monomer having at least 4 carbon atoms; and from about 99.5 to about 90 percent, by weight, propylene. The alpha-olefin co-monomer having at least 4 carbon atoms may be 1-butene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene.

Abstract: A method of treating an aramid monofilament by plasma in such a manner that the monofilament has a wettability by water satisfying the relationship WS.sub.SL .gtoreq.120, W.sub.SL being the reversible solid-liquid adhesion work expressed in mJ/m.sup.2. By way of example, the treatment is carried out by means of a plasma at reduced pressure, and the monofilament is subjected to a coating treatment after the surface treatment. The aramid monofilament is characterized by the following relationships:1.7.ltoreq.Ti.ltoreq.260;40.ltoreq.D.ltoreq.480;T.gtoreq.170-D/3;Mi.gtoreq.2,000; andW.sub.SL .gtoreq.120.In the above relationships, Ti represents linear density in tex, D represents diameter in .mu.m (micrometers), T represents tenacity in cN/tex, and Mi represents initial modulus in cN/tex. The aramid monofilament is particularly useful for reinforcing tires.

Abstract: This invention provides for a continuous PTFE fiber having on its surface a substantially round profile and a single spiralling seam formed from a continuous sheet of polytetrafluoroethylene which is helically rolled and self-adhered. The PTFE sheet may include microporous PTFE as well as expanded microporous PTFE. The PTFE sheet may be filled with particulate fillers or coated with polymeric coatings prior to the formation of the inventive fiber. The PTFE sheet may be used to contain various filamentary or sheet-like elements with the inventive fiber.The method for producing the inventive fiber is also disclosed.

Abstract: Textile structure useful as a reinforcement in the manufacture of composite materials is produced using technical yarns. At least some of the yarns are formed from three constituents, namely a substantially straight core, a relief yarn, and an independent binding yarn. The relief yarn is secured to the core by the binding yarn.

Abstract: The present invention resides in ignition resistant non-linear carbonaceous fiber or fiber tow having a reversible deflection ratio equal to or less than 1.2:1. The fibers have a multiplicity of crimps along their length with a crimp frequency on the order of from 6 to 15 crimps per inch. Fibers of the invention have improved elongatability of from about 2 to about 9%, a pseudo-elongatability of from about 0.2 to about 18%, and a tenacity without a loss of elongation on the order of at least 6 g/d. The carbonaceous fibers can be used, for example, as thermal insulation and/or fire resistant insulation in vehicles, building structures or clothing in furniture coverings, carpets, and the like, and can be blended with other fibers to form fine yarns.

Abstract: A door mat comprising an integral mass of loops of synthetic resin monofilaments which includes a surface layer having a decorative pattern on its upper side and a reverse surface layer having its upper side joined to the lower side of said surface layer. The undersigned of the reverse surface layer may be joined to an anti-slip layer, which may be in the form of a lattice layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an article of manufacture consisting of a toy having a plurality of synthetic fibers capable of spontaneously transporting water on the surface thereof, said fibers satisfying the following equation(1-X cos .theta..sub.a)<0,wherein.theta..sub.a is the advancing contact angle of water measured on a flat film made from the same material as the fiber and having the same surface treatment, if any,X is a shape factor of the fiber cross-section that satisfies the following equation ##EQU1## wherein P.sub.w is the wetted perimeter of the fiber and r is the radius of the circumscribed circle circumscribing the fiber cross-section and D is the minor axis dimension across the fiber cross-section.

Abstract: Fiberballs for filling uses in pillows, cushions and for like support purposes, from blends of slickened fiberfill of regular denier, to provide support and resilience, mixed with minor amounts of lower denier slickened fibers to provide optimum aesthetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel chemical and oxidation resistant gasketing or sealing material, such as packing yarn. More particularly, there is provided packing yarn comprising carbonaceous fibers which can be used at temperatures over 400.degree. C. that derived from oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers and have good dry lubricity.

Abstract: A crimped multifilament composed of a thermoplastic polymer, wherein a birefringence index measured at an outer layer of a filament constituting said multifilament is larger than that of a birefringence index measured at a central portion of the filament, and said filament has a distribution in which a position having a smallest value of the birefringence index deviates from the center axis of the filament and random crimps of 10 per inch or more.A crystal growth rate measured by a wide-angle X-ray diffractometry is 0.2 or more for a polyamide crimped multifilament and 0.4 or more for a polyester crimped multifilament.A preferable method for manufacturing the crimped multifilament is that a multifilament extruded from. a spinneret (2) is applied with an aqueous liquid (5) to one side thereof up to state that a temperature of the multifilament becomes to a predetermined temperature, the obtained multifilament is drawn at the drawing ratio between 1.0 and 1.

Abstract: A fibrous thermal insulation comprising an intimate blend of A) an effective amount of non-graphitic carbonaceous fibers having an LOI value greater than 40, a percent char value greater than 65, and a thermal conductivity less than 1 BTU hr ft.sup.2 /.degree.F. for providing a synergistic improvement in fire resistance, and B) hollow thermoplastic fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles, such as smoke filters, which contain fibers that have complex geometry in combination with tobacco smoke modifying agents such as flavorants. The fibers are preferably made of a polyester such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and preferably are capable of spontaneously transporting water or n-decane on their surfaces. The articles of the invention result in improved delivery of the tobacco smoke modifying agent to the user.

Abstract: A printing sleeve comprises a cylindrical tube of polymeric material reinforced with overlapping, closely touching windings of fibrous reinforcing material with at least one winding extending in each direction. The windings are wound in a helical pattern at a wind angle of about 40.degree..

Abstract: Cut resistant, abrasion resistant and electrically conductive yarns (1) are formed in torque-free form from stainless steel and other metallic yarns (2) served with or formed into composite twists with non-metallic yarns and fibers (4) and (5). The metallic yarn (2) is made up of at least about 60 ends, and up to as many as about 300 ends, of metal fibers (3) having a diameter of from about 2 to about 25 .mu.m. The absence of torque permits facile knitting into protective garments, such as cut resistant, abrasion resistant and/or electrically conductive gloves (10), or yarns which are as much as 85 to 90% by weight metallic fiber. When knit into gloves, added protection may be provided from puncture injuries if the palm (12), finger stalls (14) and thumb stall (16) are coated or impregnated with an elastomer or the like.

Abstract: An aramid monofilament (20), characterized by the fact that it has the following relationships: 1.7.ltoreq.Ti.ltoreq.260; 40.ltoreq.D.ltoreq.480; T.gtoreq.170-D/3; Mi.gtoreq.2000, Ti being the linear density in tex, D being the diameter in .mu.m, T being the tenacity in cN/tex, and Mi being the initial modulus in cN/tex for this monofilament.A method of obtaining said monofilament (20) in which a solution (2) of aromatic polyamide(s) is extruded in a spinneret (9), the jet is drawn into a non-coagulating layer of fluid (13), and the drawn liquid vein is introduced into a coagulating medium (19).Assemblies of such monofilaments. Articles reinforced by these monofilaments or these assemblies, such articles being for instance tires.

Abstract: High tensile and torque strength threads are provided on a thermoplastic composite rod by first cutting a thread at a relatively short pitch into an end of the rod. Thermoplastic composite tape is then wound in tight conformance to the cut thread so that the fibers of the tape align with the desired helix angle of the thread to be created. The rod and the tape are heated at their junction to above melt temperatures during the winding process to increase adhesion between the rod and the tape. While the end of the rod and the wound tape are at above melt temperatures, the end of the rod and the tape are compressed in a die conforming to the desired ultimate configuration of the thread. The tape and rod are then permitted to cool until sufficiently hardened to permit release of the compressing die without deformation of the threaded end of the tape. The result is a thermoplastic composite rod having high tensile and torque strength at its threaded end.

Abstract: A carbon fiber chopped strands suitable for use in production of a composite with a matrix material, which have a circular or elliptical cross-section, wherein carbon fiber filaments are bundled by a sizing agent in an amount of from 1 to 10% by weight based on the chopped strand, and which have denseness of from 0.4 to 0.9 according to the formula below: ##EQU1## where D denotes the average diameter of the chopped strands, d denotes the average diameter of filaments constituting the chopped strand and N denotes the number of the filaments, and a method for production thereof by impregnating a carbon fiber strand with a sizing agent in an amount of from 1 to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the chopped strand to form a sized strand, and then cutting the sized strand, thereby giving the denseness of from 0.4 to 0.9 according to the formula (1).

Abstract: A dry clutch is prepared from a composite of fiber yarns, including fiberglass fibers and polymer fibers such as polyacrylonitrile fibers, which are blended together and twisted with wire. The yarns are shaped in a disc or other form and are bonded together with a heat curable binder system that includes an elastomer and a resin. The binder system also may contain organic and inorganic friction modifying particles.

Abstract: A toothed belt of the present invention comprises a back surface section and tooth sections that are made of an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer (NBR) with a hydrogenation rate of 90% or more; a tooth cloth that covers the surface of the tooth sections and tooth lands, the tooth cloth being made of an industrial nylon raw fiber with a viscosity relative to sulfuric acid of 2.45 to 2.53, a tensile strength of 5 g/denier or more, and a fineness of single fibers of 5 denier or less and being treated with resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex (RFL) liquid in which resorcinol-formaldehyde resin is mixed with a hydrogenated NBR as a latex component; and core fibers with a core diameter of 0.63 to 0.85 mm, the core fibers being made of twisted bundles of glass fibers of high strength.

Abstract: Heatset, textured (e.g. stuffer box textured), continuous filament, nylon carpet yarn useful for making textured carpets is disclosed. The yarn is made from nylon 66 copolymer. Textured carpets made from the yarns of the invention have improved aesthetics and/or appearance retention characteristics as compared to textured carpets made from nylon 66 carpet yarns.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded plastic suitable for expansion to a foam packing peanut and a process for making the pellet and the peanut. The peanut comprises a discrete plastic body having a core portion extending continuously along the longitudinal extension of the body and an outer portion extending from and continuously along the core portion along the longitudinal extension. The body further has a blowing agent incorporated therein. In a preferred embodiment, the pellet takes on a generally helical shape. Also disclosed is a foam packing peanut formed by expansion of the pellet described above. Further disclosed is a package useful in transporting, storing, or cushioning an article or articles comprising a receptacle containing the article and a plurality of the foam peanut described above. The peanuts are capable of providing a packing factor of 3.0 or greater.

Abstract: A magnetic marker serving to locate, trace, and identify an elongated hidden object, such as a buried utility pipe, duct, conduit, or fiber optic cable, is manufactured by applying magnetic material to a substrate that is elongated and by forming from the material a helical or twisted permanent magnet pattern extending along the length of the substrate. The magnetic material, which may be coextensive with the substrate or applied to a portion only of the substrate, may be formed as a strip coextruded with the substrate and magnetized in the direction of the width of the strip. Alternatively, magnetic material may be mixed with the material from which the substrate is extruded or may be coated on the substrate. A strip may also be preformed and applied to an elongated object as the object is buried, or the strip may form a separate warning tape that is buried with the object and that is provided with a desired magnetic signature by twisting the strip lengthwise as it is advanced for burial.

Abstract: A method for producing para-aramid pulp includes forming a liquid, actively-polymerizing solution and subjecting the solution to orienting flow which produces an optically anisotropic liquid solution with polymer chains oriented in the direction of the flow. When the solution has a viscosity sufficient to maintain the orientation of the polymer chains, the solution is incubated until it gels. The gel is cut transversely at intervals and para-aramid pulp is isolated from the gel. Para-aramid pulp produced by the process can be used similarly to pulp produced from spun fiber.

Abstract: There is provided a non-flammable expanded fiber comprising carbonaceous polymeric substantially irreversibly heat set fiber having an LOI value of greater than 40, and the fibrous structures thereof. Also, provided are stabilized expanded polymeric fibers.

Abstract: A fibrous thermal insulation comprising an intimate blend of A) an effective amount of non-graphitic carbonaceous fibers having an LOI value greater than 40, a percent char value greater than 65, and a thermal conductivity less than 1 BTU hr ft.sup.2 /.degree.F. for providing a synergistic improvement in fire resistance, and B) hollow thermoplastic fibers.

Abstract: A composite hose comprising an inner helical core (1) made of metal, a plurality of layers of plastics material fibres and films (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) wound on the helical core (1), at least one layer of glass cloth (3) and at least one layer (4) of aluminium foil disposed adjacent one another and wound onto the layers of plastics material fibres and films (2) and an outer helical former (7) made of metallic material.In an alternative embodiment, at least one layer of ceramic fibres (5) is wound around the plastics material, which layer (5) is covered by at least one winding of a protective layer (6a; 6b).Such hoses are made by winding the layers successively one upon another on a rotating mandrel.

Abstract: Coating composition especially useful for high gloss coating of untreated, bright, sealed, anodized metal substrates, particularly coils of such metal, comprises a catalyst-free composition comprising a high gloss, thermosetting, hydroxyl group-containing fluorocarbon polymer, a cross-linking agent comprising a blocked aliphatic polyisocyanate, a partially self-condensing, highly methylated melamine-formaldehyde resin or a mixture of the blocked polyisocyanate and melamine-formaldehyde resin, butanol solvent, an ultraviolet screening agent, an ultraviolet stabilizer acting as free radical scavenger, and optionally one or more of the following components: polysiloxane slip and flow and defoaming agents, a high boiling solvent distilling at a temperature of about 195.degree. C. or above to modify the viscosity of the composition and an amine active as an inhibitor for residual acid in the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: A composite envelope composed of a heat-shrinkable foil with a reinforcing layer containing tear-resistant fibers. The reinforcing layer is formed of a material which will melt below or at the temperature to which the heat-shrinkable foil is heated to stretch the foil and cause it to shrink back to its original condition so that the tear-resistant fibers are free to move in the melted material. Preferably, the composite is formed by providing carrier elements either having the fibers wrapped thereon or contained therein and assembling them with the shrinkable foil, heating to a stretching temperature to cause a melting of the carrier elements and stretching the foil at that temperature to create the memory and then holding the stretching forces until the foil has cooled to solidify the material of the carrier elements to form the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A polyurethane polyamide self-crimping conjugate fiber having eccentric conjugate form, comprises a high hardness polyurethane having a Shore hardness D of 58 to 75 and a polyamide having a melting point of at least 200.degree. C., which has a excellent extension stress properties and excellent heat resistance. The conjugate fiber is suitable for hosiery products and tricot products, having excellent transparent of fabric and a high level of fitting properties.

Abstract: A retractile speargun line suitable for use in conjunction with a speargun comprising a line of flexible linear material having a first end adapted for connection to a speargun and a second end adapted for connection to a speargun spear by the use of a clip attached at each such end of the type used for leader lines in fishing, said flexible linear material having a springlike helical configuration.

Abstract: The cushion material according to the invention is prepared by mixing(A) polyester fibers having a fineness of 4 to 30 denier and a cut length of 25 to 150 mm with(B) core-sheath type conjugated fibers having a fineness of 2 to 20 denier and a cut length of 25 to 76 mm in a weight ratio of 95.about.40:5.about.60, the sheath component of said conjugated fibers having a melting point lower than that of the core component of said conjugated fibers and said polyester fibers with a difference of 30.degree. C. or more. In the cushion material, cubically and continuously interconnected portions of the fibers are adhered by fusion of the sheath portion of the above core-sheath type conjugated fibers.The cushion material having a thickness of 10 cm or more and a good quality can be stably prepared by combining far-infrared ray or hot air flow heating and steaming in the heat-treatment.