The Dow Chemical Company

Dow Global Technolgoies LLC

Avc Holdings Inc.

Fulcrum Composites, Inc.

Christopher Michael Edwards

Edward Louis D'Hooghe

Edward L d'Hooghe

Faye J Miller

Paul J Moses

Hani Farah

Marc G Gagnon

Roger Clement

Pultruded composites of longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers in a matrix of a thermoplastic resin are shaped in-line during the pultrusion process to provide a variety of non-linear or variable cross-section articles.

Process for in-line forming of pultruded composites

The present invention provides a reinforced thermoform or blow-molded article, and the process for preparing the same, where the reinforcement is provided by a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite that contains a thermoplastic resin, such as a rigid thermoplastic polyurethane, and a plurality of continuous reinforcing fibers impregnated with the resin. The reinforced thermoform blow-molded article is useful in a variety of products such as boat hulls, table tops, automotive and non-automotive seat structures, small vehicle structures such as golf carts and golf cart roofs, pallets, containers, and skis.

Thermoplastic composite reinforced thermoform and blow-molded article

The present invention provides a glass mat thermoplastic comprising a glass mat impregnated with an engineering thermoplastic polyurethane (ETPU) having a T of at least 50&deg; C. The glass mat thermoplastic can be prepared, for example, by a) contacting a continuous glass mat with ETPU film or sheet, or between ETPU films or sheets, with sufficient pressure and heat to form a multilayered structure which contains a wetted out glass mat layer sandwiched between an ETPU layer and a glass mat layer, b) thermoforming or compression molding the multilayered structure with sufficient heat to substantially completely wet out the glass mat with the ETPU; and c) cooling the substantially wetted out thermoformed glass mat to a temperature below the T of the ETPU. The efficiency with which the depolymerizable and repolymerizable ETPU can be impregnated into the glass mat matrix results in a GMT with excellent physical properties.

Engineering thermoplastic polyurethane reinforced with glass mat

Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite bonded to wood

Small cross-section composites are used as reinforcements for concrete. The composites include longitudinally oriented fibers embedded in a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic matrix. The composites are mixed into the wet concrete and poured with the concrete to form a reinforced concrete structure.

Small cross-section composites of longitudinally oriented fibers and a thermoplastic resin as concrete reinforcement

Reinforcing bars for concrete structures, are made from a composite of a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic resin and longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers. These reinforcing bars provide excellent tensile reinforcement, and do not exhibit the corrosion problems of conventional steel reinforcing bars. The rebars are readily formed into a great many shapes that are adapted to many specialized reinforcement requirements.

Reinforcing bars for concrete structures

The present invention is an article comprising a fiber-reinforced engineering thermoplastic polyurethane composite welded to a thermoplastic part by way of an interlayer containing a dispersion of a ferromagnetic material and a method for preparing the same. Alternatively, the composite or the thermoplastic part or both may contain the ferromagnetic material. A tight bond is created by subjecting the ferromagnetic material to a radio-frequency magnetic field to generate heat, which locally melts composite and the thermoplastic part, then allowing the subjected areas to cool. The invention is particular useful for the preparation of window frames.

Electromagnetically welded composite and the preparation thereof

A fiber-reinforced depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic composite that is encased in a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic resin exhibits the strength and stiffness that make the encased composite particularly suitable for a wide array of applications that require very high strength, stiffness, and exceptional impact, together with complex shape. Examples of such applications include bumper beams, pedals, car door structures, instrument panels, and seating structures for automotive use. Other applications include window profiles, skis, ski poles, mast stays, tent poles, concrete reinforcement, crash barriers, window or door lineals, cable trays, cable for optical fibers, bicycle wheels and frames, and pipe.

Fiber-reinforced composite encased in a thermoplastic and method of making same

Physical properties of polymer resins, particularly amorphous resins such as ABS or SAN copolymers, are markedly improved by dispersing therein a filler-reinforced engineering thermoplastic polyurethane.

Filler-reinforced engineering thermoplastic polyurethane dispersion in a thermoplastic resin

Fiber-reinforced composites prepared from a depolymerizable and repolymerizable polymer have the processing advantages of a thermoset without being brittle. Impregnation of polymer into the fiber bundle can be achieved with ease, while still producing a composite with excellent physical properties and high damage tolerance.

Fiber-reinforced composite and method of making same

The present invention is a laminated glazing comprising a rigid thermoplastic polyurethane sheet or film sandwiched between and adhering to an outer glass sheet and an inner glass sheet. This glazing can be made to be sufficiently thin to make it particularly suitable for intrusion-resistant automotive applications.

Growing community of inventors

Midland, MI, United States of America

Christopher Michael Edwards