Abstract:
A SinullSiC material of Si concentration-gradient type is obtained by melt-infiltrating Si into a molded material comprising SiC particles. The SinullSiC material has a porosity of 1.0% or less and in the SinullSiC material the Si concentration decreases gradually from the surface layer towards the innermost layer. A SiC fiber-reinforced SinullSiC composite material of Si concentration-gradient type is obtained by melt-infiltrating Si into a molded material comprising a SiC fiber and SiC particles. The composite material has a porosity of 1.0% or less and in the composite material the Si concentration decreases gradually from the surface layer towards the innermost layer. These materials are significantly improved in corrosion resistance in highly oxidative and corrosive environment, strength, and healability of defects of surface layer and innermost layer.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the field of high temperature composites made by the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition of a binding matrix within a porous structure. More particularly, the invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure, apparatus for carrying out those processes, and the resulting products. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.
Abstract:
An extruded composite structural artificial lumber product is manufactured from wood fiber and polyethylene, including recycled polyethylene, by reducing the wood fiber and polyethylene each to a finely divided particles, mechanically mixing the wood fiber and polyethylene particles together with a measured amount of a powdered endothermic foaming agent, mechanically mixing the mixture, without pre-pelletization, in a twin-screw extruder where it is compressed and heated until it becomes plastic and homogenous, and then extruding the plastic mixture, using vacuum to remove vaporized moisture and other excess volatiles, through a molding die which forms structural profile of the desired product. The endothermic foaming agent ingredient causes greater expansion in the center of the extruded profile, thereby compressing a greater proportion of plastic material against the sides of the extrusion die, increasing the density and strength on the outside of the extrusion, and reducing the density (with no significant loss of overall strength) on the inside. The resulting extruded artificial lumber product has a specific gravity of about 1.0, plus or minus 20%, with no significant variation in dimensions after cooling.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the field synthetic polymeric membrane materials formed from casting polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) polymer solutions and/or dispersions. Membranes formed in accordance with the present invention are all highly porous. Both internally isotropic membranes and highly asymmetric PVDF membranes are disclosed. The membranes of the invention are useful in a variety of microfiltration and ultrathin applications.
Abstract:
Porous polymeric matrix materials in the form of an integral body having a property gradient selected from any of pore size distribution, chemical composition or a combination thereof are disclosed along with a process for making the same.
Abstract:
Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a starch-bound cellular matrix reinforced with substantially uniformly dispersed fibers. High strength articles that have adequate flexibility and toughness immediately or very shortly after being demolded without the need for subsequent conditioning are molded from compositions having a starch-based binder and fibers that are uniformly dispersed by means of a high yield stress fluid fraction within the starch-based composition. In a two-step mixing process, a preblended mixture is formed by gelating a portion of the starch-based binder or other thickening agent in water to form a liquid phase having high yield stress into which the fibers are substantially uniformly dispersed. The fibers preferably have an average length of at least about 2 mm and an aspect ratio of at least about 25:1. The remaining starch-based binder, water, and other desired admixtures, such as mold-release agents, inorganic fillers, rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, integral coating or sealing materials, and dispersants, are added to the preblended mixture to form a moldable starch-based composition, which is molded between heated molds to produce form-stable articles having a desired shape and a selectively controlled foamed structural matrix. Such articles can replace articles presently made from conventional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or other organic-based materials and have especial utility in the mass-production of containers, particularly food and beverage containers.
Abstract:
A laminated support pad includes layers of material having different density in which voids are formed to extend through at least partial cross-sections of at least two adjacent layers to form regions of the pad having different support characteristics determined by the placement and extent of the voids in the laminated layers. Lamination of a layer of high density material on top of a layer of relatively low density material produces a relatively firm pad having varying degrees of firmness dependent upon the placement and extent of the voids. Conversely, lamination of layer of low density material on a top surface of a layer of relatively high density material produces a relatively soft pad also having varying degrees of firmness dependent upon the placement and extent of the voids. The pad can be cut to conform to conventional mattress sizes, and the regions formed in areas of the pad which correspond to the weight bearing requirements for optimum support of the human body in prone positions.
Abstract:
An optical device having a variable index of refraction across its surface includes a light transmissive material with a plurality of regions in the light transmissive material. Each region has an index of refraction which is different from the remainder of the material. The regions may be arranged in the surface of the material such that the density of the regions on the surface varies across the surface. Each region may be a bore, including a hole that extends through the light transmissive material. Variations in the density of the regions or bores as well as the depth and shape of the bores may be utilized to create variations of the refractive index within the light transmissive material.
Abstract:
The invention provides a peelable laminated structure suitable for use in a peelable seal joining a flexible closure element (23) to a container (20) or in foil/polymer laminates used for packaging and the like. The structure comprises a porous-anodizable metal substrate (11) and a porous anodic film (12) overlying and attached to a surface of the substrate. The porous anodic film (12) has a weakened stratum (19) positioned between an outer film part and an underlying structure including the metal substrate (11). The weakened stratum (19) is strong enough in use of said structure to prevent detachment of the outer film part from the underlying structure, except by deliberate peeling of the flexible closure element (23). The invention also relates to a process for producing the structure and to peelable containers and recyclable laminates incorporating the structure. The structure provides a peeable interface which is not greatly dependent on the characteristics of particular adhesives or bonding techniques used to adhere the metal substrate (11) to the remaining structure, and is thus stable and reliable.
Abstract:
A low-density resin impregnated ceramic article advantageously employed as a structural ceramic ablator comprising a fired preform of ceramic fibers. The fibers of the ceramic preform are coated with an organic resin film. The organic resin can be a thermoplastic resin or a cured thermosetting resin. In one embodiment, the resin is uniformly distributed within the ceramic article. In a second embodiment, the resin is distributed so as to provide a density gradient along at least one direction of the ceramic article. The resin impregnated ceramic article is prepared by providing a fired preform of ceramic fibers; immersing the preform of ceramic fibers in a solution of a solvent and an organic resin infiltrant; and removing the solvent to form a resin film on the ceramic fibers.