Abstracts of patents

Toughening of polyester resins by rubber modification Part 2 - - Microstructures Crosbie, G.A. and Phillips, M.G. Journal of Materials Science Vo120 (1985) pp 563-577 This paper characterizes the structures of a rubber-toughened polyester, t,lle mechanical properties of which were studied in part 1. SEM and TEM were used tO study fracture surface morphologies of samples tested in double torsion. Three of the different modifying rubbers produce dispersions of rubberrich second-phase particles in the polyester

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matrix, whilst the fourth does not give any detectable particles, possibly since it is the most compatible with the polymer. The microstructure of these particles depend on both the rubber and resin formulations. The mode of fracture is modified from continuous to stickslip by allowing plastic deformation ahead of cracks which have stopped or travelling at low speeds, which leads to crack blunting. One of the rubber-resin systems shows initiation of a sharp crack from a blunted crack, leaving two distinctive regions on the fracture surface.

Toughness of fibre composites with controlled matrix shrinkage Lim, J.T., Piggott, M.IL and Bailey, W.J. SAMPE Quarterly Vol 15 No 4 (July 1984) pp 25-30 A method of controlling shrinkage pressure of epoxy resin matrices by forming copolymers of double ring compounds with the epoxy is described` Toughness of composites formed from these matrices was measured with an Izod tester. The toughness of carbon/epoxy was improved by this method. The toughness of glass and Kevlar/epoxy is not significantly affected by shrinkage of the matrix.

:t'actsoF

Abstracts of British Patents are prepared by Dr F. Ft. Jones, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Surrey, UK

UK PATENTS COMPONENTS Photopolymerisable organic compositions and diaryliodonium salts used therein (General Electric Co, USA) GB 2 140 410 A (28 November 1984) Photo-curing agents for epoxy resins which give deep section uv cures are described. Although primarily applied to encapsulating resins, it is suggested that particulate and fibrous fillers can be incorporated. 7-dicaleium silicate containing cement compositions (Sumitomo-Cement Co Ltd, Japan) GB 2 140 795 A (5 December 1984) A water-dispersible polymeric CSH gel matrix containing 7-dicalcium silicate and filler particles is described. The hydraulic 7dicalcium silicate cement was prepared from quick lime and silica, cured with polyvinyl acetate or polyacrylonitrile and milled. Thermal curing gives a product with flexural strength of ~-70 MPa. The product also has good water resistance. Calcium phosphate-based bone filler material (Mitsubishi Mining and Cement Co Ltd` Japan) GB 2 142 914 A (30January 1985) Melt-spun fibres of calcium phosphate of negative zeta potential, in the form of nonwoven or woven mat, can be used to fill bone cavities because they promote early formation of new bone. Fibre-reinforced hydraulic material (Fibrotubo-Fibrolit SA, Spain) GB2 143 226 A (6 February 1985) Cementious binders have lower alkalinity and porosity when treated with carbonate and bicarbonate (eg NH4HCO3) solutions during setting. Fibre-reinforced materials are claimed to have improved mechanical properties and durability.

MATERIALS Composite sound and heat insulating board (Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha.

COMPOSITES. JULY 1985

Japan) GB 2 139 950 A (21 November 1984) The material consists of a compacted short fibre matt (eg glass) bound with, for example, waterglass. A harder(or softer) fibre-reinforced resin layer gives the insulation matt the desired mechanical properties. The board can be thermoformed and used for insulating components of a motor vehicle.

Fibre reinforced materials and thermoplastic reinforcing fibres therefor (Bent Pagh Sperling~ Denmark) GB 2 139 996 A (21 November 1984) The reinforcement consists of thermoplastic fibres, such as short fibrillated polypropene, with partially embedded and adhered mineral (eg fly ash) or metallic particles. These are intended mainly for reinforcing cementitious products but can also be used in cold-curing resin matrices. Fire retardant polymer resin (Fiber Materials Inc, USA) GB 2 141 128 A (12 December 1984) The incorporation of carbon fibres and high surface-area carbon black (to absorb excess resin) into furfural/resorcinol produces a curable, fire-retardant ablative composite. Variable density multi layer composite material (Industrielle Plastique Mecanique, France) GB 2 141 379 A (19 December 1984) A multi-layer composite comprises a middle layer of woven synthetic fibre or metal fibre impregnated with resin, which is of variable density. The density increases from the midplane to the outer interface: the density of the laminate at the outer surface being 3-13 times that of the mid-plane. The nature of the fibres and matrices depends upon the application but the composite is generally used where resistance to high velocity impact is required, such as in ballistics and sports goods. Urethane composites (Secretary of State for Industry, UK) GB 2 141 722 A (3 January 1985) A long fibre-reinforced polyurethane for car bumpers and drive shaft applications is prepared by resin injection of a dry fibre preform. FR.P prepreg stiffeners can be introduced in to mould to that, during curing co-polymerization between the epoxy and polyurethane matrices, a good bond is established.

Composite material and manufacture thereof (Atochem, France) GB 2 141 971 A (9 January 1985) A process akin to pultrusion is described for the manufacture of a so-called qightened thermoplastic', the properties of which are closer to those of the compacted material than a conventional cellular product. An external face of GRP is applied to extruded fibres from eg polystyrene or PV(:. The fibres may be additionally foamed. An important requirement is that the reactive diluent in the polyester resin partially dissolves the thermoplastic to form an alloy. Glass fibre reinforced resin compositions (Mitsubishi Petrochemical Co Lt& Japan) GB2 143 83l A (20 February 1985) A propene block-copolymer compounded with acrylic acid and maleic anhydride copolymer modifiers and EPR is reinforced with small diameter glass fibres (,--. 4-Ill pm), talc, mica and milled fibres and has good high temperature stiffness. When larger diameter glass fibres are used the properties are inferior. Extrudable unsaturated polyester resin compositions (BIP Chemicals Ltd, UK) GB 2 143 838 A (20 February 1985) The rheology of the resin composition is adjusted for plug flow by using efficiently packing fillers, a thermoplastic polymer (eg polystyrene) and fibres of length < 3 mm. Synthetic resin materials containing microsphere filler (Alexander McDowell of Scotland) GB 2 144 141 A (27 February 1985) "Fillite" filled polyester resin castings are used for slipsills for rainwater drainage from buildings.

PROCESSES Pressing contoured shapes (TKR International Ltd, UK) GB 2 139 934 A (21 November 1984) Aromatic polymer composites (eg carbon fibre/ PEEK) c a n be thermoformed and consolidated with accuracy into contoured shapes between a contoured tool and a complementary semirigid diaphragm which can be pressurized

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Isostatically. The diaphragm is made from materials which exhibit superplasticity at appropriate temperatures.

at least one facing panel. The panel comprises a facing sheet and a scrim, both made from bonded glass fibres.

Fibre reinforced plastics article (The Secretary for State for Defence, UK) GB 2 141 660 A (3 January 1985) A moulding process for preparing accurate wind-tunnel models from CFRP prepreg is described. A rubber former is cast against a wax layer in the mould. The prepreg replaces the wax layer and formers for the manufacture of an aerofoil.

Reinforced molded rubber muffler hanger and method of making same (Reid, G.J., Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA) USPat4 415 391 (15 November 1983) A preform of uncured elastic material, approximately the shape of the finished article, has a wrapping loop of reinforcing material coated with the uncured elastic material placed around it. The resulting structure is compression moulded so that the preform expands and fills the wrapping loop, which was of the same dimensions as the required article.

Surface preparation of fibre reinforced thermoplastics (Fothergill and Harvey plc, UK) GB2 143 766 A (20 February 1985) Uncontaminated surfaces of PEEK fibre composites for adhesive bonding are prepared by moulding against a thin layer of aluminium foil, which is subsequently chemically etched away with aqueous caustic soda solution. Method of forming fibres from glass and apparatus therefor (Nitro Boseki Co Ltd, Japan) GB 2 144 155 A (27 February 1985) A rotary-blast flame process is described.

Viscoelastically damped reinforced skin structures Jacobs, LD. (The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA, USA) US Pat 4 416 349 (22 November 1983) A skin is formed over stringers supported by a frame. The damping mechanism comprises core layers attached to the skin and located between adjacent pairs of stringers, and viscoelastic coupling means for selectively attaching the core layers to the stringers.

COMPONENTS

Friction facings reinforced with stitching Suzuki, K., Yamamoto, Y., Tomikawa, R., Sakabe, T., Ban, H. and lshida, N. (Aisin Seiki Co Ltd, Kariya, Japan) US Pat 4 416 361 (22 November 1983) This friction lining for attaching to a clutch mechanism comprises a non-woven fibrous lamina, reinforced with stiches of a continuous brass wire, impregnated with binder.

Composite disc Prescott, IL (Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, New York, NY, USA) US Pat 4 413 860 (8 November 1983) An FRP composite disc comprises three layers of plies arranged in the vertical sequence ABA. A and B are each comprised of wedge-shaped triangular segments cut from fibre/resin prepreg in A the fibre direction runs from the apex of the triangles to the base, be parallel to the radius of the disc; and in B the fibre direction is normal to the radius of the disc.

Carbide coated composite silicon nitride cutting tools Sarin, V.K., Buljan, S.-T. and D'Angelo, C. (GTE Laboratories Incorporated, Waltham, MA, USA) US Pat 4 416 670 (22 November 1983) The cutting tool has a composite body and at least one adherent layer. The body comprises hard refractory particles uniformly distributed in a two-phase silicon nitride matrix: the first phase is pure silicon nitride, the second silicon nitride containing a metal oxide densification aid.

US PATENTS

Reinforcing and confining earth formation (Tucker, M.C., Halliburton Services, Athens, Greece) US Pat 4 413 928 (8 November 1983) The units for reinforcing and confining an earth formation have retaining limbs for insertion into holes in the formation and meshlike transverse portions connecting the retaining limbs which lie against the formation. Fibre-reinforced cement, and process (Restrepo, J.M., Bogota, Colombia) US Pat 4 414 030 (8 November 1983) A fibrillated polyolefin reinforcement for a cement matrix is described. The filaments are obtained from ribbons, 50 m m long, of a polyolefin film which are microfibrillated by stirring with particulate mortar components resulting in hooked microfibrils branched laterally from the filaments. The reinforcement is distributed randomly throughout the composite. Insulation board Rosato, D.W., and Lister, N.K. (Millmaster Onyx Group Inc, New York, NY, USA) US Pat4 414 265 (8 November 1983) This board has a plastic foam layer covered by

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Composite roofing panel Lin, D.C.IC (Owens-Coming Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, OH, USA) US Pat 4 418 108 (29 November 1983) The panel comprises a fibrous glass board which allows the penetration of foamable liquid, a uniformly perforated sheet on the upper surface of the board which limits the penetration of the liquid during manufacture and a layer of plastic foam cured and foamed in place from a foamable liquid placed on top of the perforated sheet. Reinforcing mat for fiber reinforced plastic material Kawashima, S. and Ito, C. (Asahi Fiber Glass Company Limited, Tokyo, Japan) US Pat4 418 113 (29 November 1983) A reinforcing mat for use in hand lay-up of FRP articles is described. It comprises a first layer of curled glass fibre strands arranged nondirectionally, each strand having a length of >600 m m and being formed of at least 300 filaments. A second, thinner layer of nondirectional glass fibre strands, of length 20-150 mm, is arranged on the first layer and is bonded to it by a polyester resin. The density of

the first layer is 400-1500 g m -2 and that of the second is 50-500 g m -2. Device for preserving connecting bars for concrete structural members Dietrich, H. (Losinger AG, Berne, Switzerland) US Pat 4 419 852 (13 December 1983) A reinforcement device to be attached to a casing on which a steel-reinforced concrete member is to be made is described. It comprises reinforcing bars held in an embedding material. Polyphase braid reinforced hose (Brown, T.C., Orangeburg. SC, USA) US Pat 4 420 018 (13 December 1983) A reinforced hose comprises a tubular member and courses of braided reinforcing wires covering it. Each course consists of at least two groups of reinforcing wires, the first being helically wrapped clockwise, the second being helically wrapped counter-clockwise. The courses are winded so that they fit and interlock in open unoccupied spaces of the underlying course. Energy-absorbing laminate Wieme, A. (NV Bakaert SA, Zwevegem, Belgium) US Pat 4 420 523 (13 December 1983) The laminate comprises a stiff material covered on one of its surfaces with an elastomeric layer in which twisted fibre bundles are embedded. The elastomer layer is in the form of a grid, built up of two parallel elastomer strips reinforced with the twisted fibre bundles, which strips intersect at angle of between 10-120 ° and which are bonded together in the c o m m o n contact areas. Fiber-reinforced drive shaft Federmann, H. and Bausch, J. (Felten & Guilleaume Energietechnik GmbH, Cologne, FRG) US Pat 4 421 497 (20 December 1983) A drive shaft for motor vehicles has a tubular shaft of wound layers of fibre-reinforced resin. The windings in the inner and outer layers are helical and have low pitch, but the intermediate layers have a pitch angle of 30-60 °. Alumina coated composite silicon nitride cutting tools Sarin, V.K., Buljan, S.-T. and D'Angelo, C. (GTE Laboratories Incorporated, Waltham, MA, USA) US Pat 4 421 525 (20 December 1983) A cutting tool of the form described in US Pat4 416 670 (22 November 1983) has alumina as the adherent coating. Low density resin systems for improved filamentwound composites useful as rocket motor cases Marks, B.S., Mauri, KE. and Watsey, G.W. (Lockheed Missiles & Space Company Inc, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) US Pat 4 421 806 (20 December 1983) This resin, used to make fibre-reinforced filament wound composites, comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon monomer and, as its major component, poly-1, 2-butadiene, carboxy-terminated poly-1, 2-butadiene or mixtures thereof. It has a density of <105 g cm -3, a saturation water pick-up of < 1% and a viscosity o f < 2000 cP at 45°C. Fiber reinforced plastic impregnated wire rope Simpson, N.H., Riggs, P.P. and Rasmussen, W.W. (AMSTED Industries Incorporated, Chicago, IL, USA) USPat4422286 (27December 1983) Individual wires are wound into strands and

COMPOSITES. JULY 1985

disposed about a lubricated core into a multistrand rope while the outer strands are coated with a lubricant The rope is then impregnated with a coating reinforced with discontinuous, predispersed fibres. Fiberglass reinforced cooling tower Bardo, C.J. and Green. A. (Ceramic Cooling Tower Company, Fort Worth, TX, USA) US Pat 4 422 983 (27 December 1983) This liquid cooling tower has a heat/mass exchange unit supported on support beams inside a rectangular enclosure. The side panels and support beams are formed of glass fibrereinforced polyester. Reinforced insulation for water cooled pipes (Magera, M.IL, Oakdale, PA, USA) USPat4424 028 (3 January 1984) Metallic mesh is embedded in a pair of curved` prefabricated sleeves of refractory material. The sleeves are placed around the pipe and the mesh tensioned by tightening a nut and bolt. Alumina coated composite silicon aluminum oxynitride cutting tools Satin. V.K. and Buljan. S.-T. (GTE Laboratories Incorporated, Walthan` MA, USA) US Pat4 424 060 (3 January 1984) Particulate material (refractory metal carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides or mixtures thereol) are present in 5-60 vol % in a matrix of modified silicon aluminium oxynitride. The particle size is 0.5-20/xm; the modifier is an oxide of Si, Y, Mg, Hf, Zr, Be, the lanthanides, or combinations thereol~ Calcium intercalated boronuted carbon fiber Sara. KV. (Union Carbide Coporation, Danbury, CT, USA) USPat4424 145(3January 1984) A mesophase-pitch derived carbon fibre of low resistivity and good mechanical properties is formed by boronating a carbon fibre (derived from a mesophase pitch having a mesophase content of at least 70 wt %) so that the fibre contains 0.1-10 wt % boron and intercalating the resulting fibre with calcium so that the Ca: B weight ratio in the fibre is 2:1. Flame and heat resistant electrical insulating tape George, S. (Subtex Inc, Hartsdale, NY, USA) US Pat 4 425 397 (10 January 1984) This tape comprises a porous base fabric (knitted fibre-glass, woven fibre-glass or nonwoven, porous fibre-glass web), a refractory coating (refractory materials capable of fusing with the base fabric at elevated temperatures, a bonding agent of acrylic latex resin with or without colloidal silica) and an abrasion resistant polymeric coating over the refractory. Fibrillated polymeric films as reinforcement in manufactured articles based on hydraulic binders Camprincoli, P. (Montedison SpA, Milan, .Italy) US Pat4 425 402 (10 January 1984) Articles are described which contain reinforcing synthetic polymer fibrillated films or netlike flat structures in hydraulic binders. The reinforcement further contains 1-30 wt % of at least one alkaline-earth metal carbonate. CVD SiC pretreatment for carbon-carbon composites Galasso, F.S. and Veltrk R.D. (United Technologies Corporation` Hartford, CT, USA) US Pat4 425 407 (10 January 1984)

COMPOSITES. JULY 1985

Carbon fibres for reinforcing a carbon matrix have a 0.025-0,127 mm thick layer of SiC chemically vapour deposited on their surface. Connecting rod of a composite material and method for manufacturing the same Swozil, A. (Sigri Elektrographit GmbH, Meitingen bei Augsburg, FRG) US Pat4 425 820 (17 January 1984) This connecting rod is formed from reinforcement fibres wound in the form of an endless loop, with constant cross-sectional area and varying cross-sectional shape, in an aluminium jacket Torque transmitting catheter apparatus Alston Jr, W.W., Bloom, W.G. and Johnson, W.C. (Raychem Corporation, Menlo Park, CA, USA) US Pat 4 425 919 (17 January 1984) A braid of flat reinforcing wires is sandwiched between two thin-walled tubes in this apparatus. Beam dampers for damping the vibrations of the skin of reinforced structures Miles, ILN. (The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA, USA) US Pat 4 425 980 (17 January 1984) In a skin supported by spaced-apart reinforcing elements, beam dampers attached to the skin between reinforcing elements damp the vibrations of the skin. Each damper has a stiff, elongate beam to resist bending in one plane attached to a plate lying orthogonal to the plane and a layer of material between the plate and skin which converts vibration energy into heat. Impact composite blade Carlson R.G. (Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, DC. USA) US Pat 4 426 193 (17 January 1984) A blade for a fluid-flow machine, which has a tip and root portion, a pressure surface and a suction surface, is made from parallel filament laminates bonded together. In the root portion, boron filaments are sandwiched between two aluminium sheets, one alloyed and disposed towards the blade pressure surface and the second unalloyed and disposed towards the blade suction surface. In the tip portion` boron filaments and a resin-filled cavity are sandwiched between two unalloyed aluminium sheets, one disposed towards the blade pressure surface and the other towards the blade suction surface, The root and tip portions, which are bonded together, have different impact absorption capabilities.

Thermoplastic polymer concrete structure and method (Prusinski, ILC., Dearborn. MI, USA) USPat4 427 818 (24 January 1984) The structure is a mixture of otherwise unusable, unrecyclable thermoplastic scrap and fillers, having an approximate composition of 25% ABS, 25% sand, 25% LDPE and 25% HDPE. Mesh reinforced elastomeric element for oil well components (Shaffer, C.D., Fullerton, CA, USA) US Pat4428 592 (31 January 1984) A sealant for an oil well apparatus has a body of elastomeric material and a pre-shaped reinforcing means embedded in the elastomer which contains laminae of wire mesh extending laterally and longitudinally across the elastomeric body. The laminae resist unwanted flow of the elastomer down the well pipe and eliminate rotation around the axis of the pipe. Reinforced cement sheet product containing no asbestos for fabricating on Hatschek machine Johnson, ILM, and Melling, E.M. (National Gypsum Company, Dallas, TX, USA) US Pat 4 428 775 (31 January 1984) This product contains 40-80 wt % Portland cement, 1-15 wt % fibres, 2-15 wt % clay and sufficient polyethylene oxide to coact with a slurry of the previous three constituents to retain fines in a mat formed from the slurry. Structural laminate with expanded wood core Kohn, H.A. and Spahn` H. (Baltek Corporation, Northvale, NJ, USA) US Pat 4 428 993 (31 January 1985) This sandwich structure comprises a core of wood strips cut from a block of end-grain balsa wood between two skins. The parallel fibres of the balsa wood are normal to the skins and the wavy strips of balsa wood in the array are out of phase with each other to define open-ended cells. Glass cloth and prepreg containing same Yokono, H. and Hiratsuka, T. (Hitachi Chemical Company Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) USPat 4 428 995 (31 January 1984) A woven cloth of glass monofilaments is impregnated with a thermosetting resin varnish and heated and dried to form a B-stage thermosetting resin varnish thereon.

Glass fibers for the reinforcement of polyolefins and reinforced polyolefin compositions obtained therefrom Marzola` 1L, Garagnani, E. and Moro, A, (Montedison SpA, Milan, Italy) USPat4426469 (17 January 1984) The general formula of a bis-maleamic acid is given which is used in conjunction with a polyolefin film-forming agent and a silane as a coating for glass fibres subsequently used to reinforce polymers.

Laminated shield for missile structures and substructures Hawkinson, E . L . (Rockwell International Corporation. El Segundo, CA, USA) US Pat 4 428 998 (31 January 1984) A laminate for bonding to the exterior of a missile wall is described. It has an outer fabric layer of at least one ply of aramid fibre woven fabric with 80-90% of fibres parallel to the longitudinal axis of the missile wall. Below this is a sublayer of at least one ply of aramid fibre fabric, with the fibres woven more uniformly than in the outer layer, and a layer of fine hollow microspheres bonded together in a rubbery matrix.

Core or core part for use in the lost wax casting process Willgoose, K., Brien. IL, Rose, P.E. and Hannah, C.G. (Rolls-Royce Limited, London, England) US Pat 4 427 742 (24 January 1984) Short reinforcing fibres are distributed randomly in a ceramic or disposable material used as a core or core-shaped part for use in the lost wax casting process.

Reinforced brick assembly Kato, S. (Kunishiro Co Ltd, Japan) US Pat 4 429 499 (7 February" 1984) Bricks stacked horizontally and vertically to form a panel with mortar in between have a prestressed steel reinforcing bar passing vertically through holes in the bricks and also through support plates located at the top and bottom of the panel. A horizontal steel bar

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located in the mortar between two vertically adjacent pair of horizontal brick rows acts as a support for the upper half of a leg passing up through a hole in the first brick unit and the lower half of the leg passing vertically downward into the second brick unit. Mortar surrounds the bars in the holes in the bricks.

Tennis racket van Raemdonck, J. (Snauwaert En Delpha NV, Roeselare, Belgium) US Pat 4 429 873 (7 February 1984) A frame and shaft for a tennis racquet made from synthetic fibres or resin-impregnated fibres have an inner core of foam reinforced by at least one wooden layer. Reinforced beam section and a method of producing it (Hammarberg. L., Lausanne, Switzerland) US Pat4 430 373 (7 February 1984) Continuous glass fibre threads are embedded and bonded on a wood pulp board at predetermined zones around areas of inflection, ie changes in the configuration of the finished section. The threads cross-over from one side to another at the inflection points. Filaments of high tensile strength and modulus Smith, P. and Lemstra, P.J. (Stamicarbon BV, Gcleen. The Netherlands) US Pat 4 430 383 (7 February 1984) A solution-spun and drawn polyethylene filament has an average MW of 8 )< 105, a modulus of at least 20 GPa and a tensile strength of at least 2 GPa. Hose Abdullaev, G.M.B.O., Maxudov, F.G.O., Alley, G.G. et al (Institut Matematik I Mekhaniki, Baku, USSR) US Pat 4 431 034 (14 b'ebruary 1984) The tube comprises an inner supporting tube of elastic material, an interlayer of non-metallic fabric, a first and second pair of reinforcing plies and an outer protective cover of elastic material. Each of the plies comprise helically wound threads; in the first pair of plies the threads arc wound at 75-90 ° relative to the longitudinal axis of the hose, in the second pair the threads are wound at 0-20 ° to the same axis. Materials feed unit for an injection molding machine Meeker, G.W. and Scarson Jr, F.W. (USM Corporation, Farmington, CT, USA) US Pat 4431 105 (14 February 1984) A unit lot feeding fibrous material into an injection unit is described.

fibres longer than 1 mm, and the third, 0.9 mm thick, disposed between the other two, prepared from a thermoplastic polymer compatible with the olefinic polymer.

Laser hardened missile casing structure Rolinski, E.J. and Patterson, D.M. (Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, DC, USA) US Pat 4 431 697 (14 February 1984) A thermally protective covering comprises a first ablative layer applied to the casing structure, a thermal barrier of carbon fabric impregnated with a resin containing a heavy metal powder and a second ablative layer applied to the thermal barrier, wherein the ablative layers are cork/resin. Composite steel and concrete floor construction Taft. B.A. (Steel Research Incorporated, Bellevue, WA. USA) US Pat 4 432 178 (21 February 1984) In a composite steel and concrete flour construction, a primary steel open web truss frame supports secondary joist members at their ends and has top and bottom chords horizontally further supporting the joists. A concrete slab extends from a level above that of the top chord to cause the top chord to function as a shear transfer connector. Resin impregnation ring Farris, J.IL and TuccL A.T. (McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Long Beach, CA, USA) US Pat 4 432 302 (21 February 1984) A device for coating roving fibres with a binder comprises a hollow ring having a continuous circumferential slot for distribution of binder under pressure, a circular seal located within the ring to engage and close the slot, a spring for engaging the seal and slot and a means to supply binder under different pressures, the binder forcing the seal away from the slot at higher pressures enabling the roving fibres to be coated. Multiple glazed unit bonded with fiber-reinforced silicate cement (Neely Jr, J.E., Lower Burrelk PA. USA) USPat4 433 016 (21 February 1984) Two glass sheets are bonded with a cement comprising sodium silicate, potassium silicate, filler and reinforcing fibres.

Metal fiber-containing textile materials and their use in containers to prevent voltage build up Massey, F. (Tioxide Group pie, Stockton-onTees, England) US Pat 4 431 316 (14 February 1984) A first layer of polymeric fabric, an intermediate moisture-barrier of polymeric material and a second layer of polymeric fabric containing spaced threads of staple metal fibres are laminated together to form the material.

Sound attenuation sandwich panel including barrier material for corrosion control Riel, F.J. (Rohr Industries Inc, Chula Vista, CA, USA) US Pat4 433 021 (21 February 1984) An acoustical honeycomb sandwich panel for use on and around the high-speed air and gas flow surfaces of an aircraft is described. It comprises a honeycomb core with the cells transverse to the panel, a perforated facing sheet of thin metal bonded to one side of the core, an unperforated facing thin metal sheet bonded to the other side of the core, a thin layer of open-weave non-metallic fabric on the surface of the perforated sheet remote from the core and a thin sheet of microporous metal fabric bonded over the non-metallic fabric, the metals of the facing sheets and fabric being differenL

Manufactured articles based on thermoplastic polymers reinforced with glass fibers Di Drusco, G., Chiolle, A. and Credalk L. (Montedison SpA. Milan, Italy) USPat4 431696 (14 February 1984) The articles are based on a three-layer structure, two of the layers prepared from fibrils of an olefinic polymer containing 3-95 wt % glass

Panel for elevator Ohta, K. and Sakakibara, K. (Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan) US Pat 4 433 023 (21 February 1984) A reinforced structural panel has a flat front plate, a corrugated reinforcing substrate, the corrugations of which define three aligned second surfaces positioned so that the second

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surfaces face the plate, a rigid cured binder bonding the central second surface to the plate and a vibration-damping elastomer bonding the outer second surfaces to the plate.

Modified phenol-formaldehyde resin and the production thereof Hsn, O.H.H. and Tassler, M.C. (Masonite Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA) US Pat 4 433 126 (21 February 1984) A modified phenol-formaldehyde resin for binding lignocellulose fibres is formed by reacting the concentrated aqueous extract obtained from the steam digestion of wood chips with phenol and formaldehyde under alkaline conditions at temperatures not exceeding 100°C. Connector for fiber reinforced plastic tension rods Parsons, Jr, J.H., Hardy-The McLain, P. and TringalL D. (The Shakespeare Company, Columbia, SC, USA) US Pat 4 433 933 (28 February 1984) This metal connector to be fitted over the end of an FRP rod has a tubular body for encasing the rod and a threaded end-portion. There is a continuous wedge-shaped internal groove inside the tubular body which is filled with bonding material that adheres to the FRP rod, but not the groove. Fabric-reinforced, flexible-walled container and method of making said container Knaus, E., Namsick` R,J. and Smith, H.D. (Goodyear Aerospace Corporation, Akron, OH, USA) US Pat4 435 240 (6 March 1984) First, a fabric reinforcement has" one of its faces coated with an elastomeric gum, the opposite face coated with an clastomeric adhesive gum and an air-impervious nylon film applied to the latter surface. The material is then placed in upper and lower moulds of the container with the nylon films facing outwards, the two moulds clamped together and differential pressure applied to the upper and lower halves so that the elastomeric gum penetrates the interstices of the fabric and adheres to the adhesive gum. The resulting container is used for storing liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Compliant composite tubular liners of fiber reinforced glass/glass-ceramic having utility as gun barrel liners Prewo, K,M. and Brennan, J.J. (United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT, USA) US Pat4 435 455 (6 March 1984) A tubular liner for use in a gun barrel comprises a fibre-reinforced glass or glass-ceramic matrix which has a elastic modulus o f < 103 GPa and a high fracture toughness (KIc> 16.5 MPa m'/Z). Multi-layered sealing sheet of elastomeric synthetic resin Kuhnel, W., Pi~tz, P., Simm, M. and Spielau, P. (Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft` Troisdorf, FRG) US Pat 4 435 466 (6 March 1984) This sealing sheet for use in the building industry has a textile reinforcing insert embedded between layers of elastomeric resin containing additivies to enhance the weatherability and fillers to enhance the mechanical properties. The resin is an ethylene--propylenediene terpolymer and/or an ethylene-propylene copolymer, the reinforcement is a fabric, mat or knitted fabric formed of synthetic resin fibres and/or glass fibres, The peeling force of the layers is > 100 N/5 cm.

COMPOSITES. JULY 1985

Repair material for tubeless tires Niconchuck, A.W. (North Shore Laboratories Corporation, Peabody. MA` USA) US Pat4 435 470 (6 March 1984) Repair of tubeless tyres from the outside can be effected by the use of a material comprising individually twisted` parallel fibrous cords in an elastomeric adhesive, in which adjacent cords can be peeled apart by rupturing the weak elastomeric connection between them. Aqueous peroxide emulsion for use with glass fibers Tamosaukas, A.E. and Temple, C.S. (PPG Industries Inc, Pittsburgh, PA. USA) US Pat 4 435 473 (6 March 1984) This composition contains an emulsion of an organic peroxide, (>0.6-10 wt %), a vinylcontaining organic silane (0.2-10 wt %), a lubricant (0.001-1 wt %) and an amount o fwater to give a total solids content of ~ 1-25 wt %. Aqueous sizing composition and sized glass fibers and method Das, B. and Dow Moore, L. (PPG Industries lnc, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) US Pat 4 435 474 (6 March 1984) Glass fibres for reinforcing polymers have a coating produced from an aqueous size comprising one or more cross-linkable polymers compatible with the matrix to be reinforced` one or more organosilane coupling agents ( ~ 20 wt %) and an interaction product of an epoxidized polar thermoplastic copolymer and an unhydrolysed` amino-containing organosilane (10-50 wt %). The percent solids is 2-30 wt %. Low friction flat-top article carrying chain Hodlewsky, W.G. and Bloedorn. W.H. (Rexnord Inc, Milwaukee, Wl, USA) US Pat 4 436 200 (13 March 1984) The links of a chain interconnected by pins comprise injection-moulded acetal resin with a uniform dispersion of random PTFE monofilaments therein. Composite reinforced racket structure Fernandez, D. (American Sports Equipment. Camarillo, CA, USA) US Pat4 436 305 (13 March 1984) A tubular frame, bent in the shape of a racquet with first and second end portions adjacent and parallel to form a handle and a semi-circular central portion forming the racket head, has slots in the frame which pass from the interior of the frame to the exterior. A support frame of composite material situated on the interior and exterior of the tubular frame, has integral ribs passing through the slots in the frame and spaced integral support bars extending between and joining the inner rims, one of which forms the string mounting. Reinforcement product for use in cement boards and a method of manufacturing said product and boards Slack, I.D., Ellis, D.G. and Firth, C. (Plasticisers Limited, Yorkshire, England) US Pat4 436 564 (13 March 1984) A reinforcement product is described` comprising cross-layered webs of plastic fibres (most of which are laid trans-axially) and continuous filaments of fibrillated tapes located between the layers. A manufacturing method for the reinforcement is given. A cement board, in which a cement slurry is impregnated into the reinforcement, excess

COMPOSITES. JULY 1985

moisture removed and the board cured` is also specified.

Aqueous, adhesive coating composition with a non-selfcrosslinkable elastomer for use with filamentary materials Girgis, M.M. (PPG Industries Inc, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) US Pat 4 436 866 (13 March 1984) An aqueous adhesive coating composition for treating filamentary materials used to reinforce elastomers comprises at least three elastomers (a vinyl-pyridine containing latex, a nonselfcrosslinkable homopolymer or interpolymer latex and a carboxylated butadiene), a phenolic aldehyde condensate polymer and water. Diamond like flake composites Banks, B.A. (Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington. DC, USA) US Pat 4 437 962 (20 March 1984) Carbon deposited on a surface is scraped off to form flakes, which are then combined with a matrix material to form a composite. Reinforced lead anode for the electrolytic production of zinc from sulphate solution and process for the preparation thereof Dreulle, N., van Ceulen` A. and Eusebe, C. (Compagnie Royale Asturienne des Mines, Brussels, Belgium) US Pat 4 437 965 (20 March 1984) A flat member of titanium of zirconium is used to reinforce argentiferous lead` and the resulting electrode used in the production of zinc. Structural laminate and method for making same Gluck, D.G. and Barry, LF. (The Celotex Corporation, Tampa, F L USA) USPat4438 166 (20 March 1984) A structural laminate comprises a facing sheet adhered to at least one surface of a glass fibrereinforced rigid foam. The fibre length is >305 mm, the fibres are arranged in layers parallel to the facing sheet and are attached to the adhesive coating of the facing sheet Novel porous fabric Schwarz, E.C.A. (Biax Fiberfilm Corporation, Neenah, W1, USA) US Pat 4 438 167 (20 March 1984) A web of elongated, biaxially stretched thermoplastic fibres are embedded in a synthetic polymer film. The fibres and polymer exhibit a difference in aqueous contact angle of 5° and a difference in initial tensile modulus of 34.5 MPa when individually stretched. The fabric has 155 perforations per mm 2. Rocker arm and process for producing same Kosuda, H., Kogo, Y., Mishima` Y. and Nakagawa, M. (Toho Beslon Co Ltd, Tokyo and Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha` Aichi, both of Japan) US Pat 4 438 738 (27 March 1984) A rocker arm made from a carbon fibrereinforced resin is described. Artificial reef unit Kikuzaw& K. and Akasaka, S. (Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha` Osaka, Japan) USPat 4 439 059 (27 March 1984) A hollow structure with lattice windows along its length is formed by spirally winding elongated glass fibre-reinforced plastics having a bending strength of 176-980 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 7.85-68.6 GPa.

Composite fiber reinforced plastic frame Ford. J.M., Dean, R.A., Woodard Jr, K.E. and Branco, A. (Olin Corporation, New Haven, CT, USA) US Pat 4 439 298 (27 March 1984) This frame consists of parallel top and bottom and vertical side members joined to form a rectangular frame with a hollow centre into which opposing electrode surfaces fit A corrosion-resistant thermoplastic covers three of the four faces of the rectangular cross-section member, a core material fills the generally rectangular cross-section within the liner and reinforcements are inserted into the core adjacent to the joins in the frame. Injection molded articles with improved surface characteristics Wada, A., Tazakk K., Tahara` T., Suzuki. H. and Mizutani, Y. (Asahi-Dow Limited. Tokyo, Japan) US Pat4 439 492 (27 March 1984) These injection moulded articles of thermoplastic resin and reinforcing glass fibres and fillers have a smooth skin layer comprising the resin component only, which bestows a surface gloss to the article. Aqueous peroxide emulsion for use with glass fibers Tamosauskas. A.E. and Temple, C.S. (PPG Industries Inc, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) US Pat 4 439 558 (27 March 1984) Polymers can be reinforced with glass fibres treated with an aqueous size comprising 0.5-12 wt % of a film former and 0.1-6 wt % of an emulsion of a peroxide and at least 35 wt % water. Drill bit for drilling holes in composite fiber/resin laminates D'Apuzzo, S. (Aeritalia Societa Aerospaziale Italiana pA~ Naples, Italy) US Pat 4 440 532 (3 April 1984) A drill bit for drilling a hole in a glass, graphite or carbon fibre-reinforced plastic laminate has an odd number of cutting elements, each having a first straight cutting edge and a second curved cutting edge. Reinforced plastic composite articles and apparatus and method for producing same Goldworthy, W.B. (Goldsworthy Engineering Inc, Torrance, CA, USA) US Pat 4 440 592 (3 April 1984) An apparatus for producing arcuately-shaped filament-containing reinforced plastic composite articles, which have a non-constant cross-sectional shape over their length, is described. It comprises two dies, a means for movingone of the die members, simultaneously pulling the filament/resin material through the die channel and a curing means. Starting pitches for carbon fibers Vemura, S., Yamamoto, S., Hirose, T., Takashima` H. and Kato, O. (Nippon Oil Co Ltd` Tokyo, Japan) US Pat 4 440 624 (3 April 1984) A heavy fraction oil boiling at not lower than 200°C obtained from steam cracking of petroleum is mixed with 10-200 parts by weight of wax of average MW 250-1000 to form a mixture. The mixture is heat treated at 360-480°C under 196-4900 kPa to obtain a starting pitch. The pitch is heat-treated, spun. infusibilized and carbonized or graphitized to obtain carbon fibres.

251

lnterconnection of unidirectional fiber arrays with random fiber networks Rosser, R.W. and Keller, LB. (Hughes Aircraft Company, El Segundo, CA, USA) US Pat4 440 819 (3 April 1984) An array of high strength and modulus unidirectional fibres interconnected with random fibre networks of high strength polymer fibres is prepared by placing unidirectional fibres in a solution of fibre-forming polymeric material in solvent and cooling the solution whilst simultaneously subjecting it to sonic vibration. Concrete pipe reinforcement spacer bar (Tolliver, W.E., Holland, MI, USA) USPat4 441 527 (10 April 1984) An assembly of inner and outer cylindrical pipe reinforcing cages is described. Each cage comprises longitudinal wire strands and circumferential wire strands and are held apart in the pipe by spacer bars, with hooks linking the cages. Adhesively joined pipe connection Steenbergen, J.F. (Wavin BV, Zwolle, The Netherlands) US Pat 4 441 743 (10 April 1984) A plastic pipe connection, comprising male and female parts of fibre-reinforced thermosetting plastics, is secured together by means of a thermosetting adhesive. Reinforced plug for flow regulators Welker, ILH. (Welker Engineering Company, Sugar Land, TX, USA) US Pat4 442 999 (17April 1984) Reinforcing fibres extending along the length of a plug for use in a flow regulator are anchored at opposite ends of the plug by folding the fibres under into the body of the plug. which is made of resilient material. The resilient material is compressed at opposite ends and expands radially outwards, thereby regulating flow; the fibres are non-yielding along the length of the plug but allow radial expansion. Bonded reinforced plastic structures Martins, J.G., Donermeyer, D.D. and Fabel, D.A. (Monsanto Company, St Louis, MO, USA) US Pat4 443 518 (17April 1984) In this structure, reinforced plastics parts formed from SMC or bulk moulding compound are coated with a primer and bonded together by a thermoplastic block copolymer. The primer comprises a moisture-curable polyisocyanate; the block copolymer comprises 40-80 wt % crystalline polyester or polyamide segments and 20-60 wt % amorphous polyamide or polyether segments. Fireproof coating for wood of thermoplastic resin, alumina trihydrate and glass fibers (Braithwaite, C.H., Whittier, CA, USA) US Pat4 443 520 (17 April 1984) In this method, a suspension of film-former ingredients (latexes of PVA, polyacrylates, styrene-butadiene polymers and halogenated derivates thereof or copolymers), 26-30 wt % alumina trihydrate and 2-10 wt % glass fibres is applied to a wood product and the coating dried at a temperature of ambient-135°C for a time sufficient to remove water but not dehydrate the alumina trihydrate. Sized reinforcing fibers suitable for use in composites of improved impact resistance Ying. L (Celanese Corporation, New York, NY, USA) US Pat 4 443 566 (17 April 1984) The reinforcing fibre is coated with 0.5-3.0 wt % of a sizing composition comprising epoxy resin and an organophosphazene elastomer.

252

MATERIALS Fiber-containing products made with hydraulic hinder agents Studinka, J. and Meier, P.E. (Ametex AG, Niederurnen, Switzerland) US Pat 4 414 031 (8 November 1983) These products contain polymerized acrylic nitrile reinforcing fibres in hydraulic binders, and are said to maintain their strength characteristics during and after setting. Organic matrix composites reinforced with intercalated graphite (Vogel, F.L., Whitehouse Station, NJ and Zeller, C., Munroe, CT, both of USA) US Pat 4 414 142 (8 November 1983) An electrical conductive composite comprises 10-65 vol% of an intercalated graphite (in fibre, flake, filament or powder form) in an organic polymer matrix. The graphite may be intercalated with an oxidizing inorganic or organic acid, a halide salt of a transition Group IliA, IVA, VA or VIA element, or with a Bronsted acid and a metal halide. Shaped body of a settable mineral material with reinforcement fibers embedded therein Hartmann, L. and Ambros, O. (Firma Carl Freudenberg. Weinheim, FRG) US Pat 4 414 262 (8 November 1983) A non-woven fabric of reinforcement fibres is randomly distributed in an alkaline settable material. The fibres comprise a bundle of individual parallel fibre strands in which at least one strand at the core is protected against chemical attack from the matrix material by the outermost strands, which are cor~posed of a polymer which is inert to the matrix. Glass-filled thermoplastic resins F a l l J.C. and Khait, K.F. (Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, IL USA) US Pat 4 414 342 (8 November 1983) The composition contains 95-50 wt % of a blend of styrenic and acrylic resins and a copolymer comprising monovinyl aromatic, acrylic compounds and methacrylic compounds and 1-20 wt % of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The resin is reinforced with 5-50 wt % glass fibres. Thermoplastic molding compositions and process Cohen, S.C., Kostelnik, R.J. and Wambach, A.D. (General Electric Company, Pittsfield, MA, USA) US Pat 4 414 352 (8 November 1983) The details of a glass fibre- reinforced poly- 1,4butylene terephthalate which contains a flame retardant and a silica, mica, talc, pysophillite, wollastonite or mineral wool filler, are given. Concrete comprising sulphur, cyclopentafliene oligumers, aggregate and glass fibers Swanson, H.V. ( G H A Lock Joint lnc, Wharton, NJ, USA) US Pat 4 414 385 (8 November 1983) The concrete composition comprises 77-88 wt % sulphur, 3-10 wt% dicyclopentadiene and an oligomeric mixture of cyclopentadiene trimers: 1-15 wt % limestone, quartz, silica, mica, basalt or fibreglass; and 2-5 wt % glass fibres of length 12.7-38.1 mm. AI203 ceramic composite Lee, M. and" Szala, L.E. (General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY, USA) US Pat4 416 840 (22 November 1983) This composite contains 20-40% of a sub-

stoichiometric TilC x phase (0.95 0.65) in AI203. The TiC phase is formed in situ from Till 2.

Titanium-diboride dispersion strengthened iron materials Slaughter, E.R (United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT, USA) US Pat4 419 130 (6 December 1983) This material consists of a ferrite matrix containing 0.2-10 wt % of XB 2 precipitate particles (X = TL Zr, Hf and mixtures thereof), the particles being present with a density of at least 1010 per m m 3. Pultruded reinforced phenolic resin products Hindersinn, R.R. (Occidental Chemical Corporation, Niagara Falls, NY, USA) US Pat4 419 400 (6 December 1983) This product contains a plurality of filaments reinforcing a phenolic resin. Reinforced carboxynitrile polymer compositions" containing particulate nickel Springer, V.E. (Regal International Inc, Corsicana, TX. USA) US Pat 4 419 479 (6 December 1983) Particulate nickel metal is used to reinforce a carboxylated nitrile resin. Copper-clad polyester-glass fiber laminates Barrell, D., Kennedy, D.E., Marino Jr, J.J. and Rollen, D.C. (Glasteel Tennessee Inc, Collierville, TN, USA) US Pat 4 420 509 (13 December 1983) A coating of linear polyester resin is applied to a copper foil, glass fibre filaments distributed on the coating, the assembly heated to partially gel the resin and pressure applied to cure it. Bitumen atactic polypropylene and propylene/ ethylene copolymer compositions and waterproofing membranes using the same Gorgati, R (Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, OH, USA) USPat4 420524 (13 Decem bet 1983) Reinforcing layers of fibreglass mat and a bonded fibreglass net/polyester mat is impregnated with a bitumen mixed with a specified thermoplastic polymer. Polymeric matrices reinforced with highly dispersed synthetic zeolitic particulates Canard, P., Latourrette, B. and SchorsclL G. (Rhone-Poulenc Industries, Paris, France) US Pat 4 420 582 (13 December 1983) A polypropylene matrix is reinforced with synthetic zeolite particles, resulting in composite with an impact strength greater than that of the unreinforced matrix. Glass-filled polycarbonate of improved impact strength Rawlings, H.L. and Reinert, G.E. (Mobay Chemical Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) US Pat 4 420 584 (13 December 1983) The composition of a polyanhydride resin is given, which is used in an amount of 0.1-10 wt % in a blend of an aromatic polycarbonate resin and 5-40 wt % glass fibres. Impact resistant polyamide moulding compositions Grigo, U., Fahnler, F. and Binsack, R. (Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen, FRG) US Pat 4 423 186 (27 December 1983) A thermoplastic moulding composition is given as 35-99 wt %polyamide, 65-1 wt %partly crosslinked polymer (a methacrylate and a polybutadiene rubber) and optionally 10-60 wt % of reinforcing materials.

COMPOSITES. JULY 1 9 8 5

Impregnated compositions for cellulose conraining materials Schmidt, W. (Dynamit Nobel AG, Troisdorf, FRG) US Pat 4 424 075 (3 January 1984) The composition comprises an aqueous or aqueous alcohol solution of a mixture of an alkali aluminate and at least one alkyl silanol, where the alkyl is ethyl, propyl or n-butyl.

Polymer-reinforcing compositions preparation

and their

Brownscombe, T.F. (Shell Oil Company, Houston, TX, USA) US Pat 4 425 384 (10 Jan uary 1984) A particulate or filamentary polymerreinforcing mineral composition having a 0.5-50 nm thick layer of thermoplastic covalently bonded to its surface is described. It is formed by contacting the mineral which has reactive oxygen atoms at its surface, with a hydrocarbon polymer treated to form protonated double bonds.

High gloss polyethylene terephthalate reinforced resin compositions Christiansen, J. and Lu, S.-Z. (Celanese Corporation, New York, NY, USA) US Pat 4 425 457 (10 January 1984) The composition contains 40-95 wt % polyethylene terephthalate, 4-65 wt % reinforcement and 0,1-25 wt % of an alkali metal salt containing an anion which is an oxide of Ge, Sn, Pb or combinations thereof. The mixture is moulded at 70-110°C.

Fiber reinforced sulphur concretes Woodhams, 1LT. (Sulphur Development Institute of Canada (SUDIC), Calgary, Canada) US Pat 4 426 458 (17 January 1984) Bundles of fibre filaments, 30 mm long and surface coated with binder to maintain bundle integrity, are dispersed throughout a mixture of particulate mineral aggregate and a sulphur component (elemental sulphur, modified sulphur or mixtures thereof).

physical contact to form two layers with no substantial intermixing, at the same time the layered slurries are frozen to form a unified structure, capable of withstanding temperatures of at least 1650°C and having a high thermal shock resistance.

Mica-reinforced polyolefin compositions comprising a maleammic silane modifier Marzola, R,, Garagnani, E. and Moro, A, (Montedison SpA. Milan, Italy) USPat4 429064 (31 January 1984) The general formula of maleammic silane modifier used to pretreat mica reinforcements before incorporation into a polyolefin resin is given.

Composites made from thermosetting compositions containing hemiformals of phenol Brode, G . L Chow, S.-W. and Hale, W.F. (Union Carbide Corporation, Danbury, CT, USA) US Pat 4 430 473 (7 February 1984) This composite is made by liquid injection moulding 20-70 wt % reinforcement and 30-80 wt % of a liquid comprising 40-80 wt % of a hemiformal of a phenol and 20-60 wt% of either a phenol-formaldehyde resole, a phenolformaldehyde novolac, an aromatic polyester, an aromatic polycarbonate, an unsaturated polyester, an aromatic polyether, a ureaformaldehyde resin or a melamineformaldehyde resin.

Glass filled poly (p-methylstyrene) Feeney, F.J. (Mobil Oil Corporation, New York, NY, USA) US Pat 4 434 271 (28 February 1984) 5-50 wt % glass fibres is used to reinforce a resin comprising p-methylstyrene homopolymer or copolymer containing 90 wt % p--methylstyrene and 10-1 wt % conjugated diene. The methylstyrene comprises at least 90 wt % para isomer, < 0.1 wt % ortho isomer and the balance meta isomer.

Polyester antistatic laminate materials (Whewell, B.R., Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England) US Pat 4 438 174 (20 March 1984) This anti-static laminate comprises a polyester resin layer, an electrically conductive mesh (glass cloth tissue impregnated with carbon particles or thin carbon-fibre mesh) disposed in the resin at or immediately below its operational surface and one or more backing layers of polyester resin and/or conventional fibreglass.

Metallurgically bonded diamond-metal composite sintered material and method of making same Kuminitsu, S., Hayakawa, 1., Kitatank S. and Emura, A, (Mutsui Mining and Smelting Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) US Pat 4 439 237 (27 March 1984) This composite has a matrix of nickel, cobalt or mixtures thereof with diamond powder and particles of a hard. brittle, intermetallic compound uniformly dispersed therein. It is formed by sintering a mixture of matrix metal powder, diamond powder and powder of a substance (tin` antimony, zinc or mixtures thereof) capable of combining with diamond to form the intcrmetallic.

Titanium diboride-graphite composites Joo', L A , Tucker, K.W. and McCown, F.E. (Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, New York, NY, USA) US Pat 4 439 382 (27 March 1984) In this process, coke, a carbonizable binder and a first TiB2-forming reactant are blended to form a dispersion, and the article shaped then baked to carbonize the binder. The article is then impregnated with a second TiB2-forming reactant under alternate cycles of vacuum and pressure and the article heated to form a TiB2/carbon composite.

Composite material for electromagnetic radiation

Gardner, H.C. (Union Carbide Corporation, Danbury, CT, USA) US Pat4 426 491 (17January 1984) A fibre-reinlbrced rigid article containing ~ 15-80 wt % fibres is made by adding a mixture of: (i) a polyol, a polyamine, an amino alcohol or mixtures thereof; (ii) an unsaturated carboxylic anhydride; and (iii) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer to a mould cavity containing the fibres and curing.

Ebneth, H., Fitzky, H.G. and Oberkirch, W. (Bayer Aktiengesellschafl Leverkusen` FRG) US Pat 4 435 465 (6 March 1984) In this composite, additives are used to increase at least one of the ohmic, electrical or magnetic losses present in the polymer matrix or metallized sheet-form textile.

Glass reinforced poly(oxymethylene) composition having improved property retention

Davis, J.A. (The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Akron, OH, USA) USPat4435477(6 March 1984) The composition of the rubber in a brassreinforced rubber ply is given as a vulcanizable rubber, 0.5-12.5 pphr of an organic nickel salt and at least 3.0 pphr of a thermoplastic derived from crude wood rosin and containing-COOH or -COOR groups.

Osborne, T.R, (Scott Bader Company Limited, Northamptonshire, England) US Pat 4 439 559 (27 March 1984) This granular moulding composition contains an unsaturated polyester (25-55 mole % of the acid being symmetrical aromatic saturated dicarboxylic acid and the glycol component being 1,6-hexanediol), a low volatility monomer, at least one inorganic filler and reinforcing fibres.

Reinforced thermoplastic composition

Metal modified dispersion strengthened copper

Hepp, LR. (General Electric Company, Pittsfield, MA, USA) US Pat 4 436 860(13 March 1984) A fibre-reinforced thermoplastic exhibiting improved control in warpage comprises ~ 6 0 90 wt % polytheylene terephthalate blended with 40-10 wt % poly-l, 4-butylene terephthalate, 5-60% by weight of the resin of glass fibres, and an internal nucleating amount of sodium stearate alone or in conjunction with an oxirane compound.

Nadkarni, A.V. and Samal, P . K , (SCM Corporation, New York, NY, USA) US Pat4 440 372 (3 April 1984) A modified dispersion strengthened copper alloy is formed by blending a major amount of an unmodified, premadc, dispersionstrengthened copper powder containing a refractory metal oxide and a minor amount of one or more powdered modifying metals (not copper), and heating to a temperature below that of the melting point of the copper.

Composite inorganic structures and process of producing same Blasch, E. and Smith-Johannsen` R. (Blasch Precision Ceramics Inc, Schenectady, NY, USA) US Pat 4 428 895 (31 January 1984) Two slurries of inorganic particles of differing coefficients of thermal expansion in the same or different freeze-sensitive colloidal ceramic sols are produced. The slurries are then brought into

COMPOSITES. JULY 1985

against

Beever, W.H. (Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, OK, LISA) US Pat 4 436 865 (13 March 1984) About 0.5-2 wt % of a copolymer containing monovinylarene and a hydrogenated diene grafted with an oil-soluble organonitrogen compound is added to a blend comprising 25-50 wt % polyarylene sulphide, 10-30 wt % reinforcement, 30-60 wt % filler, 0.5-2 wt % processing aid and 0-3 wt % colourant.

Curable physical mixtures and composites therefrom

Zimmerman, D. and Lu, S.-Z. (Celanese Corporation, New York NY, USA) US Pat4 427 807 (24 January 1984) This moulding composition comprises about 50-90 wt % of a copolymer of trioxane and a cyclic ether, cyclic acetal or linear polyacetal; 5-50 wt% of a terpolymer of trioxane, a cyclic ether and/or cyclic acetal and a diglycide of specified formula; and(). 1-50 wt%, based on the resin components, of glass reinforcement.

shielding

Poly(arylene sulfide) composition suitable for molding

Rubber compositions and articles thereof having improved metal adhesion and metal adhesion retention

Moulding compositions

253

Rubber-modified asphalt composition Uffner, W.E. (Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, OH, USA) US Pat 4 440 816 (3 April 1984) A glass fibre/asphalt composite comprises a bundle of glass fibres impregnated with a rubber-modified asphalt, an adhesive coating on one surface of the bundle (comprising an asphalt reacted with a vinyl aromatic monomer and a depolymerized rubber) and an overlying protective strip. MTC3 reinforced iron base superalloys Lemkey, F.D. and Thompson, E.R. (United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT, USA) US Pat 4 411 939 (10 April 1984) An iron-base superalloy is reinforced by ~30 vol % of aligned M7C 3 fibres, where M consists of at least 80% of either Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co or mixtures. The austenitic matrix phase is stabilized by at least 8% Mn.

Heat and humidity resistant steel cord reinforced rubber composite Sharma, S.C. (The General Tire and Rubber Company, Akron, OH, USA) US Pat4 441 946 (10 April 1984) Bright steel cord is coated with an aminocont~lining organosilane before being used to reinforce a vulcanizable rubber which contains a resorcinol and a hexamethyol melamine bonding agent. Resorcinol-filler preparation, process for the production and use of the same Kiihner, G., Wolff, S. and Rothbi~hr, L. (Degussa Aktiengesellschaft` Frankfurt, FRG) US Pat 4 442 163 (10 April 1984) A vulcanizable rubber composition having improved adhesion to textile fabric~ contains 30-70% of a homogeneously distributed resorcinol and 70-30% of a carbon black. A composite of polyethylene glycol terephthalate fabric in the said rubber is also described. Low-density thermally insulating carbon-carbon syntactic foam composite Gebhardt, J.J. and Juneau Jr, P.W. (General Electric Company, Philadelphia. PA, USA) US Pat 4 442 165 (10 April 1984) This composite has a reinforced carboncarbon syntactic foam material, comprising a thermosetting resin matrix and a pyrolysed mixture of carbon fibres and hollow carbon spheres, a pyrolytic carbon covering and penetrating a portion of the foam and a layer of pyrolytic graphite on that. Reinforced resin composites (Woodhams, R.T., Toronto, Ontario, Canada) US Pat 4 442 243 (10 April 1984) The high MW polymer matrix of this composite contains 20-80 vol % of reinforcing inorganic filler and about 1-10 wt %, based on the weight of the filler, of a derivatized polypropylene polymer wax of average MW 500-10 000. Heat-moldable laminate and process for molding said laminated structures "Yamada, K, and Tanaka, T. (Toho Beslon Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) US Pat 4 443 507 (17 April 1984) The laminate comprises at least one thermoplastic resin layer, at least one fibre-reinforced cured thermosetting resin layer 0.02-5 mm thick and at least one slippage layer about 0.02-1 mm thick between these. The slippage layer permits the two resin layers to move relative to one another and the thermoplastic resin layer provides rigidity capable of preventing the

254

reinforced thermoset from resuming its original form through internal stress when the laminate is deformed by exterior forces.

PROCESSES Method of securing fiber reinforced glass matrix composite material to structural members Layden, G.K. and Prewo, K,M, (United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT, USA) US Pat 4 414 011 (8 November 1983) The high temperature staple fibre-reinforced glass is riveted or bolted onto the structural member and the open end of the hole is closed by heat deforming or by applying a nut, respectively. Method of manufacture of reinforced sheet plastics material and the production of moulded articles therefrom Archer, E.W. and Gentle, D.F. (Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI, USA) US Pat 4 414 266 (8 November 1983) In this method, superimposed layers of fibrous reinforcing material and molten polyethylene terephthalate are held in contact under pressure and the layers cooled to below the Tg of the resin at such a rate that crystallization of the plastic is avoided. Method for treating discontinuous cellulose fibers characterized by specific polymer to plasticizer and polymer-plasticizer to fiber ratios, fibers thus treated and composites made from the treated fibers Coran, A.Y. and Goettler, LA. (Monsanto Company. St Louis, MO, USA) US Pat4 414 267 (8 November 1983) Discontinuous cellulose fibres are treated with an aqueous suspension of vinyl chloride polymer (particle diameter < 10 p.m) and a plasticizer. The polymer and plasticizer are present in an amount of at least 25 wt % of the fibres and the weight ratio of the plasticizer to polymer is 2.5:1 to 25:1. Composite laminating method and product Bettner, T.J., Sullivan, F.E. and Hartley, C.R (Northrop Corporation, Hawthorne, CA, USA) US Pat 4 416 175 (22 November 1983) A method of providing structural drop-off in a two-ply, resin-impregnated preplied laminate is described, in which each ply contains unidirectional fibres, with the fibres of each ply being oriented at a bias to those in the other ply. A common edge is feather cut so that the cuts are parallel to the fibre direction in one ply and across the fibre direction in the other. Negligible structural effect is caused in one ply and significant effect is caused in the other by shortening of the fibres along the feather-cut edge. Rapid processing of composites Galasso, F.S., Veltri, R.D. and Taylor, R.L. (United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT, USA) US Pat 4 416 717 (22 November 1983) A fibre-reinforced epoxy composite is formed from stacked, cut prepreg tapes in a die subjected to three processing steps: (1) 66-88°C. 550-827 MPa, 3-5 h; (2) 135-190°C, 3.1-3.8 MPa, 1 h; (3) 149°C, atm pressure, 6 h.

Method of producing high temperature composite seal Usher, P.P. (Metex Corporation, Edison, NJ, USA) US Pat4 417 733 (29 November 1983)

First, a cylindrical preform comprising a sheet of a flexible refractory material between two wire meshes is formed around a compression die which is the same shape and has the same cavity size as the desired seal. An axial load is then applied to the preform to collapse it to the desired size of the seal and cause the refractory material to become interlocked with the mesh.

Fibre reinforced plastics structures and method and apparatus for producing same Escher, G.A, and Dahn, E.C, (Atlantic Bridge Company Limited, Nova Scotia, Canada) US Pat 4 417 937 (29 November 1983) In this method, a strand of continuous fibre is cut into uniform lengths. The cut fibres are moved away from the cutting device on an initial path of travel then a force is applied to individual fibres to change their direction. A mould surface is positioned to intercept the moving cut fibres and achieve a predetermined orientation of the fibres on the surface. Method of fabricating a composite structure of concrete and steel network McNeill, RC. (Ogden Structural Products lnc, Ogden, UT, USA) US Pat 4 418 463 (6 December 1983) A three dimensional wire network is lowered into a layer of high strength concrete in a first form so that part of the network is submerged, and the concrete allowed to partially cure. The form is pivotted along its longitudinal axis and the unsubmergcd part of the network lowered into a second layer of concrete in a second form as the first form is lowered onto the second. The concrete in the second form is then allowed to partially cure. Method for making carbon/metal composite pretreating the carbon with tetraisopropyltitanate Donomoto, T., Tanaka, A., Okada, M., Kitamura, A, and Kyono, T. (Toray Industries, Aichi and Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha. Tokyo, both of Japan) US Pat 4 419 389 (6 December 1983) Before carbon material and metal are mixed to form a composite, tetraisopropyltitanate is applied to the carbon to wet it, infiltrated into the carbon by vacuum suction and the carbon dried. Mold and method of making spoked wheels and product of same Reikowski, H,J. (Kelsey-Hayes Co, Romulus, MI, USA) US Pat 4 419 908 (13 December 1983) First a mould is assembled having a central support with an annular ring thereabout and at least two ramps connecting the ring and support. Binder-impregnated parallel fibres are introduced into the mould and a wedge-shaped member is used to move the fibres laterally to fill the mould. Apparatus for manufacturing cementitious reinforced panels (Clear, T.E. and Dinkel, P.E., both of Hamilton, OH, USA) US Pat 4 420 295 (13 December 1983) In this apparatus, a first reinforcing web has a metered amount of hydraulic cement slurry placed on it, followed by a metered amount of aggregate which is then compacted. A second reinforcing web has hydraulic cement slurry deposited on it and is then placed on the first web. The panels are cut transversely and stacked for curing

COMPOSITES. JULY 1985

Process for securing projecting studs in the ends of wood resin composite bodies and the like and the structure formed thereby Gougeon, M.A. and Gougeon, J.C. (Gougeon Brothers Inc. Bay City, ML USA) US Pat 4 420 354 (13 December 1983) In this process, metallic studs are embedded in composite structures made of wood-reinforced plastic which have an end block. The studs are fixed in plugs, resin/hardener/filler sleeves are cast about the plugs and cured in a frustoconical shape. The end blocks are drilled to receive the plugs, which are bonded in position. Apparatus and method for the manufacture of particle board Neubauer, H., Greten, B. and Seeyer, G. (BisonWerke B~ihre & Greton G m b H & Co KG, Springe. FRG) US Pat 4 420 357 113 December 19831 In this apparatus for the continuous manufacture of boards from a mat of electrically poorly conducting material and hardenable binder, the constituents pass through a high frequency heating device having upper and lower electrical plates without there being an air gap between the plates and the constituents. Apparatus for producing fiber-reinforced plastic sheet structures Goldsworthy, W.B. (Goldsworthy Engineering Inc, Torrance, CA. USA) US Pat 4 420 359 (13 December 1983) Two continuous belts define an opening into which two fibre-reinlbrced plastic sheets to be laminated are led. Two plenum chambers, situated one on the opposite side of each belt, receive gas under pressure which causes the chambers to expand, bear against the surfaces of the belts and the two FRP sheets to come into contact. Driving means advance the belts through the opening defined by the plenum chambers, and the sheets are laminated under the resulting pressure. Method of making a two-phase or multi-phase metallic material Singer, A.R.E. (National Research Development Corporation, London, England) US Pat4 420 441 (13 December 1983) Particles of a high melting point phase can be dispersed in a lower melting point metallic matrix phase (the particles being soluble in the matrix at the mp of the matrix at equilibrium) by introducing them into a spray of molten matrix material and rapidly cooling the mixture on a chill surface. Manufacture of springs of fibre reinforced composite material Marsh, B.J. (GKN Technology Limited. Wolverhampton, England) US Pat 4 420 450 (13 December 1983) An assembly of resin-impregnated fibres of sufficient width to constitute a number of individual springs is formed. The assembly is moulded and individual springs are cut from the cured assembly along a longitudinal plane. The process is said to be improved if depressions are made in the surface of the fibre/resin assembly along the plane from which the springs are cut. Process for making a modified silicon aluminum oxynitride based composite cutting tool Buljan, S.-T. and Sarin, V.K. (GTE Laboratories Incorporated, Waltham, MA, USA) US Pat4 421 528 (20 December 19831 In this process, 20-90 vol % silicon nitride, 5-60

COMPOSITES. JULY 1985

vol % aluminium oxide and 20-25 vol % of a modifier are mixed and reacted in a nonoxidizing atmosphere at 1400-1800°C for 1-8 h. The resulting blend is comminuted with 5-60 vol % hard refractory material and the composite densified.

Method of optimally operating a graphite fiber reinforced glass matrix composite optical article Prewo, K.M. (United Technologies Corporation, Hartford. CT, USA) US Pat4 422 725 (27 December 1983) For a laser mirror comprising a graphite fibrereinforced glass matrix composite, the operating temperature is maintained in a limited range given by the region of minimum slope in the thermal strain/temperature plot of the composite. Extruder process for preparation of carbon fiber reinforced fluoropolymer compositions Michel, ILH. (E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, DE, USA) US Pat4 422 992 (27 December 1983) A twin screw extruder, having a screw speed of 50-120 rpm and a barrel temperature of 2211-410°C. has a first zone in which the ratio of screw length to screw pitch is 11-15 and a second zone for metering the blend having a die slot with an opening of 2-4 mm. The polymer and 20-35 wt% continuous carbon fibre are introduced into the first zone, in which the polymer is melted, the fibres chopped to 1.5-13 mm in length and the components blended. The mixture is passed through the second zone and out through the die slot. Process for the preparation of filaments of high tensile strength and modulus Smith, P. and Lemstra~ P.J. (Stamicarbon BV, Geleen, The Netherlands) US Pat4 422 993 (27 December 1983) A 1-211 wt % solution of linear polyethylene polymer of average MW at least 8 × 105 is spun and the spun filaments drawn at a ratio of 112 × 106/MW) +1 and a temperature of 75-135°C so that filaments of modulus at least 20 GPa are formed. Method for making coated molded articles Navin` R.F. and Prom, J.R. (Freeman Chemical Corporation, Port Washington, WI, USA) US Pat 4 422 996 (27December 1983) The composition of a coating cured in a matched metal mould with a moulded, fibrereinlorced thermoset plastic article is described. Production of moldings from unsaturated polyester resins Hesse. A., Scholz, D. and Nicolaus, W. (BASF Aktiengesellschaft, FRG) US Pat 4 425 287 (10 January 1984) A mixture containing unsaturated polyester, reinforcing fibres and conventional additives is formed into a semi-finished product by thickening the mixture. The final cure is carried out by means of uv irradiation. Aqueous method of making reinforced composite material from latex, solid polymer and reinforcing material Wessling, R,A., Yats, L.D. and Tolbert, D.IC (The Dow Chemical Company, Midland. MI, USA) US Pat 4 426 470 117 January 19841 A composite, which is capable of being heat fused into a reinforced polymer sheet` is formed by dewatering and drying a deposited slurry of 19-79% polymer particles, 10-80% reinforcemerit and 1-10% of a latex binder.

Method for producing prepreg rovings Yamada~ F. and Hiraishi, S. (Dainippon Ink & Chemicals lnc, Tokyo. Japan) US" Pat 4 427 482 (24 January 19841 Prepreg rovings are prepared by heating filamentary reinforcing material impregnated with an unsaturated polyester and a polyisocyanate to 60-110°C to react the two impregnants. The prepreg rovings are then disposed between at least two plies of SMC, obtained by impregnating glass fibres with an unsaturated polyester and an unsaturated monomer, the resulting product formed into a sheet and the assembly consolidated under heat and pressure. Controlled matrix contraction composites (Piggott, M.R., Toronto, Ontario, Canada) US Pat 4 427 735 (24 January 1984) In a fibre-reinforced composite having a matrix with a Young's modulus of E and a linear shrinkage stress of S, and fibres embedded in the matrix with an average fibre Poissoffs shrinkage at breaking stress of C, the fibre and/ or matrix materials are chosen so thatS is equal to, but not smaller than, C × E. Metallic solder composite bonding Snitzer, E. and Bacon, J.R. (United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT, USA) US Pat 4 428 523 (31 January 19841 Oriented or discontinuous graphite fibrereinforced glass matrix materials can be bonded together by applying, first, a thin layer of stable metal to the adjoining surfaces, then a solder layer and melting the solder to bond the materials together. Process for the production of silicon carbide composite Ohno, J.M. (General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY, USA) US Pat 4 428 755 (3l January 1984) Diamond crystals are first evenly coated with carbon black and the resulting mixture dispersed in paraffin. Carbon fibre, carbon black and filler are mixed in paraffin to form a second dispersion: one of these dispersions is compacted` recompacted with the second dispersion to form a binary compact and the paraffin removed in vacuo. The bindary compact is then infiltrated with liquid silicon and sintered to produce fl silicon carbide binder uniting the compact. Transfer molding method of producing fiber reinforced glass matrix composite articles Layden` G.K. (United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT, USA) US Pat4 428 763 (31 Janua(v 1984) High-temperature stable graphite, SiC or AI203 fibres are aligned in a mould cavity, liquid glass matrix material (borosilicate, aluminosilicate, lithium aluminosilicate or high silica content glass) transferred to the mould and a pressure of 68.9-689 kPa applied. Process and apparatus for producing composite building panels, and panels produced thereby Reinke, F. (Fritz Reinke Engineering` Erbach, FRG) US Pat 4 428 791 (31 January 19841 Bar members disposed on the outside o( a rotating drum are moved downstream by rotation of the drum and threads are wound around the outside of the bars on the drum to introduce a prestress into the bars. A hardenable plastic bonding agent is then applied and hardened to form a first strip. A second strip, produced in a similar manner to the first` is then

255

adhesively bonded to the first to produce an elongated panel.

to the fabric. The support layer is stretched during moulding to follow the shaping forces.

Process for preparing particle board Lowenkron` S.B., Prather, R_A, and Steele, HAL (The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) US Pat 4 428 897 (31 January 1984) The metallic surfaces which contact a mixture of treated particles and polyisocyanate binder during the application of heat and pressure are made of zinc or magnesium.

Method of making foam composite material impregnated with resin Andersson, B. and Tanner, O. (Kemanord AB, Stockholm, Sweden) US Pat 4 432 825 (21 February 1984) A composite material, in which a curable resin in the B-stage and expanded plastic microspheres are uniformly distributed in a material web, is laminated with a further such material and the structure cured when the resin passes into the C-stage.

Method of splicing reinforcement fiber Street, S.W. (Hitco, Irvine, CA, USA) US Pat 4 428 992 (31 January 1984) Reinforcement fibres are spliced by applying to the ends of two fibres a solution of linear polyimide (Tg at least 200°C) in a solvent (bp < 65°C), placing the coated ends in contact and drying to remove the solvent The spliced fibres are used to reinforce a resin matrix in which the polyimide is insoluble in the solvent used to dissolve the resin matrix. Process of manufacture of a composite material and composite material manufactured by this process Hascic, W. (Empex Mineral-Und Naturfaserprodukts AG, Villars-sur-Glane, Switzerland) US Pat 4 430 125 (7 February 1984) First a mixture is formed of a fibrous material, an alkali metal silicate, a lower than stoichiometric amount of a fluosilicate relative to the alkali metal silicate, either a metallic oxide or a base metal silicate reactive with the alkali metal silicate and. optionally, a filler. The mixture is shaped and subjected to heat and pressure to produce a hardened composite with claimed high mechanical strength and fire resistance. Method of improving the wet tensile strength of glass fiber mats Jackey, P.A. and Canfield. V.R (GAF Corporation, New York, NY, USA) US Pat4 430158 (7 February 1984) The wet tensile strength of a glass fibre mat is improved by the addition of a given surfactant to the urea-formaldehyde binder. The surfactant is anionic (ie contains carboxy, sulphate ester, phosphate ester, sulphonic acid or phosphonic acid groups) with a hydrophobic segment 8-30 carbon atoms long Process for producing carbon fibers from petroleum pitch Fug, G. (The British Petroleum Company plc, London, England) US Pat4 431 623 (14 February 1984) Spun fibres from petroleum pitch having a f l resin content of 2-40 wt % arc infusibilized in a treatment which limits the a resin content of the fibres to 30 wt %. In the treatment, the fibres are treated first with a mixture of NO and 02 below 200°C, then with a gaseous halogen followed by 02 below 250°C and a final treatment with SO2 (with or without 02) below 300°C. The treated fibres are then carbonized by heating. Apparatus for moulding three-dimensionally shaped articles from binder-containing web-like non-woven fabrics Kiss, G.H. (Lignotock Vertahrenstechnik GmbH, Berlin, FRG) US Pat 4 432 716 (21 February 1984) A mould for the production of threedimensional articles from non-woven fabrics has two movable mould halves, one of which has a forming surface thereon. An elastically deformable support layer between the two halves transmits shaping forces from the mould

256

Discontinuous fiber pretreatment Hawes, D.H. (Westvaco Corporation, New York, NY, USA) US Pat 4 433 074 (21 February 1984) About 3-15 wt % vinyl pyridine latex is mixed with delignified bleached hardwood fibres which have not been dried. The fibres thus treated are incorporated into a vulcanizable elastomeric matrix. Method for producing concrete panels (Teare, J.W,, Hamilton, OH, USA) US Pat4 434 119 (28 February 1984) First a continuous strip of fabric-reinforced concrete is laid onto a web of absorbent paper, treated with a concrete release agent, on a conveyor belt Then the strip, including the web, is cut into panels, and the uncured panels stacked with the web between adjacent panels. The panels are hardened under non-drying conditions and then subjected to air drying at ambient conditions, whereby moisture within the stack is dissipated through the wicking action of the paper. Method for production of helical spring from a fiber-reinforced plastic Sch~per, S. (Audi Nsu Auto Union Aktiengesellschaft. Neckarsulm, FRG) US Pat4 434 121 (28 February 1984) In this method, a strand of plastically deformable fibre-reinforced resin is fed into a helical groove between two co-rotating cylindrical members, and a cured spring emerges from the opposite end. Method of utilizing glass fibers in composite gasket structures Charon, C.W. and Reid, K,E. (Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, OH, USA) US Pat 4 434 255 (28 February 1984) A sheet material is formed by steps of: (1) forming a slurry of particulate clay, latex resin and a surfactant; (2) adjusting the pH to encapsulate the clay in the resin and an outer film of surfactant: (3) adding glass fibres: and (4) processing the slurry to force the clay through the latex and surfactant film to produce a cohesive sheet Process for producing NbdSn superconducting wires Tachikawa, K. and Yoshida, Y. (National Research Institute for Metals, Tokyo, Japan) US Pat 4 435 228 (6 March 1984) Nb3Sn in a copper-alloy matrix is formed by heating a mixture of niobium, tin and tin-free copper alloy containing0.1-5 atomic % Ti, Zr or Hf at 400-900°C. The composite may be processed into a wire, tape or tube before the heat treatment Method of producing high pressure decorative laminate containing an air-laid web Hunt, J.E.B. (Formica Corporation, DE, USA) US Pat 4 435 234 (6 March 1984)

An air/fibre stream containing cellulosic fibres 0.5-2.5 mm long has 20-35% thermosetting resin particles incorporated into it The fibres and resin are deposited in a layer 5-100 mm thick onto a foraminous belt at 40-80% RH and then preconsolidated to form a layer 0.5-10.0 mm thick. A thermosetting-resin impregnated decorative sheet is laminated onto the fibre/ resin layer and heat and pressure applied.

Apparatus and method for making flexible loadcarrying cord Standley, P.M. (Dayco Corporation, Dayton, OH, USA) US Pat 4 435 348 (6 March 1984) The tendency of the elements making up a loadcarrying cord to untwist is eliminated by bonding a polymeric sleeve, with fibres disposed helically around the sleeve, to the cord. Method for making a reinforced RIM elastomer Dominquez, R.J.G. (Texaco Inc, White Plains, NY, USA) US Pat 4 435 349 (6 March 1984) In this process for making a composite comprising a reinforcing mat impregnated with a RIM polyurethane elastomer, the mat is placed into a mould cavity and a polyol of ~5500 MW (comprising trihydric initiator, ethylene glycol, a stannic diester of thiol acid and a polyisocyanate) is injected into the mould. Method for producing a carbon filament and derivatives thereof Tamura, S., Sano, M., Inokuchi, H., ToriumL K. and Sato, N. (Shohei Tamura, Tokyo, Japan) US Pat4 435 375 (6 March 1984) Purified graphite material is heated in a plasma having an electron temperature of at least 3400°C at one atmosphere to form a carbon filament, which is then subjected to a heat treatment at 2500°C to effect graphitization of the filament Process for the production of polymer filaments having high tensile strength Smith,.P., Lemstra, P.J., Kirschbaum, R. and Pijpers, J.P.L. (Stamicarbon BV, Geleen` The Netherlands) US Pat 4 436 689 (13 March 1984) A solution of a linear, high molecular weight ethylene polymer or copolymer is spun at a temperature above the gel point of the solution, cooled to below the gel point to form a gel filament and the filament stretched under such conditions to give a polyethylene filament having a tensile strength of 1.5 GPa at room temperature. Winding fiber reinforced pipe fittings Magarian` G.M. and Friedrich, R-S. (Ameron Inc, Monterey Park, CA, USA) US Pat4 437 616 (20 March 1984) A method for winding a fibre-reinforced plastic pipe fitting having a straight run and a lateral branch is described. Adhesive topcoated polymer material and process for incorporating same into rubber Powers, E.J. (Fiber Industries Inc, Charlotte, NC, USA) US Pat4 437 919 (20 March 1984) Improved adhesion between polymer filaments and an RFL latex results from providing the filaments with a topcoat of 5-50 wt % active isocyanate and --20 wt % endcapped silicone glycol copolymer before the RFL latex is applied. Fibres so treated are used to reinforce a rubber.

COMPOSITES. JULY 1985