Abstract: A retroreflective article (100, 200, 300) that has a retroreflective layer (120, 220, 320) that includes optical elements (121, 221, 321) and a specularly reflective layer (122, 222, 322), and a binder layer (110, 210, 310), that is the reaction product of an epoxy resin and polymer that has a silicon-containing, crosslinkable, terminal, functional groups. Retroreflective articles of this construction can demonstrate good abrasion resistance and laundering durability.

Abstract: The invention relates to sheet-like absorbents for water and aqueous solutions, containing at a defined distributionA) at least one water-swellable synthetic and/or natural superabsorbent polymer, andB) at least one water-soluble synthetic and/or natural polymeras a matrix of sheet-like design wherein the superabsorbent component A) is integrated or fixed. The sheet-like absorbents have an increased absorptive capacity for water and aqueous liquids, particularly under load. They are manufactured by forming a sheet-like matrix from the water-soluble synthetic and/or natural polymers B) and providing same with said water-swellable synthetic and/or natural superabsorber A), e.g., by applying a solution of matrix B) on a surface, sprinkling same with component A), and drying the sheet-like structure thus obtained.

Abstract: A coated textile fabric that has utility for fabricating automobile airbags. A surface of the textile fabric is coated with first and second layers of polyorganosiloxane-based elastomeric material, the first layer being disposed between the textile surface and the second layer. The polyorganosiloxane-based material of the first layer exhibits an elongation-at-break of at least 400%. The polyorganosiloxane-based material of the second layer exhibits a tear-strength of at least 30 kN/m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous base material comprising a primary layer of less fibrillated aramid fibers, carbon particles, carbon fibers, phenolic novoloid fibers, and at least one filler material, optionally cotton fibers, and a secondary layer of carbon particles on at least one surface of the fibrous base material for use in a non-asbestos friction material. In certain embodiments, the fibrous base material is impregnated with a phenolic or phenolic-based resin material, including, for example, a mixture of a phenolic resin and a silicone resin to form a friction material having an extended high speed durability life, good "break-in" characteristics, good heat dissipation characteristics, and good noise or squawk resistance.

Abstract: A method for fabricating fiber-reinforced composite structures, including centrifuge rotors, by resin transfer molding (RTM) is disclosed. The method involves loading reinforcing fibers into a mold and then injecting resin into the mold to coat the fibers to form the composite structure. Two types of reinforcing fibers are used--fabric preforms at the surfaces of the structure and chopped fibers at the interior of the structure. Also disclosed is a fiber-reinforced composite structure comprising a skin layer of reinforcing fabric, chopped fibers distributed throughout the interior of the structure, and epoxy resin that binds the fabric and chopped fibers together into a fiber-reinforced composite structure. The resin transfer molding method is especially useful for fabricating composite centrifuge rotors.

Abstract: A fibrous structure comprising a fibrous matrix with surrogate particles fixed to the fibrous matrix, is provided. Functionally active, fine particles are immobilized on the fixed surrogate particles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method a method of making a material for thermal cores and the material so made. In particular, the present invention disclose a method including the steps of applying thermally conductive particles over at least a portion of a fiber layer, providing another fiber layer upon the fiber layer, and repeating the above steps as desired. In another aspect of the present invention is disclosed a method of making a thermally conductive material including applying thermally conductive particles upon at least a portion of a fiber prepreg layer, providing another fiber prepreg layer upon the fiber layer, repeating the above steps as desired, and bonding the fiber prepreg layers, including the thermally conductive particles, together. The material in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of layers made of thermally conductive fibers bonded by a resin, and a plurality of interposed layers of resin having a high concentration of high conductivity particles therein.

Abstract: A slurry is molded from ceramic fibers and/or microparticles to form a soft felt mat which is impregnated with a sol prior to drying the mat. A catalyst for the sol is caused to diffuse into the mat by exposing the mat to the catalyst and subjecting the mat to a soak time during which the catalyst diffuses into the mat and causes the sol to gel. The sol-gel binder forms bonds so that the mat is dimensionally stabilized. The mat is dried to produce ceramic insulation.Ceramic insulation having a consistent microstructure and a fully gelled sol-gel binder through its entire thickness is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation curable release coating composition comprising:(a) about 1 to about 50 percent by weight of a cationically reactive polydiorganosiloxane liquid rubber having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R are monovalent moieties which can be the same or different selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl wherein at least about 50% of the total number of silicon atoms have two methyl groups bonded thereto;E is an organic monovalent functional group comprising from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms having at least one cationically co-reactive functional group;a and b both represent integers, wherein the sum of a plus b is an integer of about 10 to about 1200;b has a value ranging from about 0 to about 0.

Abstract: Structure, composition and method in which a fiber reinforcement is impregnated with an interpenetrating network of a light cure resin and a thermosetting resin which are independently curable, enabling autobody component repair, electronic assembly bonding, etc. by selective cure first of one or the other resin, and the support against fluid flow of the uncured resin by the first cured resin.

Abstract: A retroreflective composition of the present invention comprises non-volatile matrix material, volatile constituent, and a plurality of retroreflective microsphere beads wherein the ratio of the volume of matrix material to the volume of retroreflective microsphere beads is in the range of 75% to 185%, and is optimally suitable for use on fabrics.

Abstract: The addition polymerization resin systems phthalonitrile, diethynyldiphenyl methane, phenolic triazine, and polyphosphazene are disclosed as the matrix constituent in fiber-reinforced ablative nozzle components. Various types of fibers such as carbon fibers, preferably rayon and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based, graphite fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, and silica fibers may be used in the nozzle composite materials. Fillers, such as carbon black, ground silica, ground petroleum coke, and microballoons, may also be included in the ablative nozzle components. The fiber-reinforced ablative nozzle components include from about 20% to about 40% resin, by weight, from about 45% to about 60% fiber, by weight, and when present, from about 3% to about 15% filler, by weight.

Abstract: A medium temperature conductive-resistive article employing graphite suspended in a high temperature polymer based activator and water is disclosed. The conductive-resistive substance can be applied to a fabric-like substrate in order to provide an electrical resistive temperature adjustable heating element which can alter the temperature of the fabric-like substrate when electrical current is permitted to flow through the conductive-resistive substance. A process of making the article is also disclosed.