Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sizing agent composition that gives a carbon fiber from which a carbon fiber-reinforced composite material having excellent adhesion between a resin and the carbon fiber and having excellent mechanical properties can be formed. The sizing agent composition of the invention is a sizing agent composition comprising (A) a blocked isocyanate, and (B) a compound containing at least one polar group and at least one unsaturated group per molecule. In the invention, the mixing ratio (mass ratio) of the blocked isocyanate (A) and the compound (B) containing at least one polar group and at least one unsaturated group per molecule (A/B) is preferably 95/5 to 5/95. In the invention, the blocked isocyanate (A) is preferably a compound having an aliphatic skeleton.

Abstract: The automatic strand take-up installation comprises at least one gripping member (12) for taking hold of at least one strand coming from a bushing (2), the gripping member being guided by a single conveying loop (1) to the vicinity of a chopper (7). One system for maneuvering the gripping member allows the gripping member (12) to be opened and closed in such a way as to release said strand at the chopper (7).

Abstract: Inorganic fiber production processes and systems are disclosed. One process includes providing a molten inorganic fiberizable material, forming substantially vertical primary fibers from the molten material, and attenuating the primary fibers using an oxy-fuel fiberization burner. Other processes include forming a composition comprising combustion gases, aspirated air and inorganic fibers, and preheating a fuel stream and/or an oxidant stream prior to combustion in a fiberization burner using heat developed during the process. Flame temperature of fiberization burners may be controlled by monitoring various burner parameters. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: The automatic strand take-up installation comprises at least one gripping member (12) for taking hold of at least one strand coming from a bushing (2), the gripping member being guided by a single conveying loop (1) to the vicinity of a chopper (7). One system for maneuvering the gripping member allows the gripping member (12) to be opened and closed in such a way as to release said strand at the chopper (7).

Abstract: A surface-modified fibrous material is provided for incorporation in a thermoplastic matrix to form a fiber-reinforced composite article. Good binding between the fibrous material and the thermoplastic matrix is achieved through the presence of finely roughened surfaces on the fibers of nanoparticles of an inorganic material. Such nanoparticles are provided from an alkaline aqueous size composition containing the nanoparticles dispersed therein (as described). The fibrous material may be provided in continuous or discontinuous form. In a preferred embodiment glass fibers are initially provided in continuous form followed by cutting into discontinuous lengths and drying with the retention of the nanoparticles on the surfaces of the fibers. The surface-roughened fibrous material is incorporated in a thermoplastic matrix as fibrous reinforcement with the application of heat whereby the thermoplastic matrix is rendered melt processable. In preferred embodiments injection or compression molding is utilized.

Abstract: A sizing composition that permits in-line chopping and drying of reinforcement fibers for reinforcing thermoset resins is provided. The size composition includes at least one coupling agent and one or more blocked polyurethane film forming agents. The blocking agent preferably de-blocks at a temperature that permits simultaneous or nearly simultaneous de-blocking and curing of the polyurethane film former. The sized fiber strands may be chopped to form chopped strand segments and dried in a fluidized bed oven, such as a Cratec® drying oven, in-line. The chopped fiber strands may then be used in a bulk molding compound and molded into a reinforced composite article. Chopping the glass fibers in-line lowers the manufacturing costs for products produced from the sized fiber bundles. Further, because the reinforcement fibers can be chopped and dried at a much faster rate with the inventive size composition compared to conventional off-line chopping processes, productivity is increased.

Abstract: An automatic restart procedure for a system for manufacturing chopped strands. At least one strand coming from a bushing is grabbed by a gripping device. The gripping device is moved right to a drawing device, the drawing device configured to bring the strand to a drawing speed compatible with a chopping operation carried out as the strand passes between an anvil wheel and a chopper wheel of a chopping machine. The path of the strand between the bushing and the drawing device is modified using a transfer device, the transfer device configured to pass the strand between the anvil wheel and the chopper wheel using an engagement device, or to be moved away from the chopper wheel and the anvil wheel.

Abstract: A method for making gradient refractive index optical components includes mixing a molten basic material (11) with a refractive index modifying material (21) in continuously changing proportions. The mixture is changed into a plurality of semi-molten fibers (41), and the fibers are rolled to form a continuous plate (51). The plate has a continuously changing refractive index along a lengthwise direction thereof. The plate is wound around a spindle (57) to obtain a wound preformed rod (58). The preformed rod is integrally fused by local heating, and drawn to form a draw (61) having a predetermined diameter. The draw is cut into pieces. Each piece can then be made into an optical component having a continuously changing refractive index in a radial direction. The method allows precise control of all steps, and such control is achieved with relative ease throughout.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and automatically moving a moving strand of fibers from a starting position to any one of a plurality of predetermined positions in a multi-grooved separator roll is disclosed. This apparatus is particularly in processes of making continuous fiber products from molten material and replaces a manual operation that presented safety problems.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and automatically moving a moving strand of fibers from a starting position to any one of a plurality of predetermined positions in a multi-grooved separator roll is disclosed. This apparatus is particularly in processes of making continuous fiber products from molten material and replaces a manual operation that presented safety problems.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for the manufacture of a composite fibrous strand including glass fibers. Glass fibers and an additive fibrous material (e.g., thermoplastic polymeric fibers) are each introduced separately into a substantially rotationally symmetric zone that is closed circumferentially except for a longitudinal introduction locale. The glass fibers and the fibers of the additive fibrous material are subjected to a vortex to form a homogeneous composite fibrous strand. Good admixture of the fibrous components is made possible thereby facilitating the ultimate production of composite articles wherein the glass fibers are disposed as reinforcement in a highly uniform manner. Such homogeneity and uniformity provides improved mechanical properties to the end user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing dried, chopped strands from a supply of continuous fiber strands by the direct deposition of wet, chopped strands ejected from a chopping assembly into a drying chamber is disclosed. A transition chute is interposed between the chopping assembly and the drying chamber to guide the chopped strands to pass directly into the drying chamber.

Abstract: In a method of chopping fiber from a leg containing three or more fiberizers, prior to stopping the chopper for maintenance all of the strands are first removed from the chopper and put into a single set of pull rolls located near the chopper where the strands are pulled while the chopper is down. When the chopper is started back up the strands are more quickly started back into the chopper avoiding the considerable walking and time required in the conventional method of restarting strands from a leg of fiberizers back into a chopper. One of the pull rolls is free to move away from the other roll, but is biased against moving away to provide the grip needed to pull many strands at the same time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the in-line production of composite strand material and the conversion of at least a portion of the strand material into a composite product. The apparatus (10) includes a combining station (48) where glass fibers (14) with a second polymeric material (66) are combined to form composite strand material (16), and at least one mold (54) for receiving a portion of the composite strand material and forming the portion into a composite product. The apparatus also includes transfer equipment for moving the composite strand material from the combining station to the mold, which may include a computer-controlled robotic arm (52). In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a collecting device (18) for accumulating the composite strand material (16) in looped form and equipment for delivering the accumulated portion from the collecting device to the mold (54).

Abstract: A process and device for manufacturing cut threads according to which glass threads composed of continuous filaments are coated with a liquid non-aqueous size, which can react under the effect of actinic radiation. The threads are cut by a member which is also used to draw or entrain the threads mechanically before they are subjected to actinic radiation.

Abstract: The initial stages in the manufacture of a glass-like mineral fiber suitable for a multiplicity of industrial uses are essentially conventional; a charge of raw minerals (igneous rock, basalt, slag from a blast furnace or other metal working furnace, phosphate slag, etc.) is melted, then spun and collected to produce a fibrous mineral "blanket". The "blanket" is chopped up, separated, and screened, producing a prilled material constituting a multiplicity of mineral fiber pellets of given average size. These pellets are subjected to brief, rapid acceleration, as by contact with a high-speed toothed rotary wheel, to accelerate and stress the pellets into an industrially usable material constituting a multiplicity of shredded, flake-like mineral fiber elements, at least one such element for each pellet.