Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.

David L Shipp

Andrew B Woodside

Martin C Flautt

Gordon P Armstrong

Margaret M Woodside

Frank J Macdonald

Jean-Claude Pollet

Leonard Joseph Adzima

Larry J Huey

David R Hartman

James V Gauchel

Douglas Brian Mann

David George Miller

Gary L Williams

Frank MacDonald

Joan T Muellerleile

Peggy M Woodside

Catherine Ashley Barron

A method is disclosed for forming coated fibers suitable for making a composite article. A plurality of fibers are coated with an aqueous- or non-aqueous-based chemical treatment containing a curable resin such that the resin on the fibers is in a partially cured or uncured state. The coated fibers may then be formed into a composite article in a subsequent forming operation, for example, by filament winding, pultrusion, weaving, knitting, or extrusion coating. The strand of fibers may also be shaped into a preform which can be used in resin transfer molding (RTM) and injection molding processes.

Method for forming pre-impregnated fibers suitable for processing into a composite article

A method and apparatus is disclosed for the in-line pre-impregnation of glass or synthetic fibers with a non-aqueous chemical treatment. The apparatus includes a first applicator for applying a curable, non-aqueous chemical treatment agent and a second applicator for applying a curing agent for the chemical treatment agent. The fibers are passed over the first and second applicators which are arranged either in parallel or in series, and are then joined by a gathering device to initiate curing of the chemical treatment agent on the fibers. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus includes a spray gun in which a mixture of the non-aqueous chemical treatment agent and curing agent are sprayed onto an applicator roll in contact with the fibers.

Method and apparatus for the in-line impregnation of fibers with a

A nonaqueous sizing for glass fibers useful for reinforcement of polymers. The sizing composition comprises one or more film formers miscible with the polymer to be reinforced and one or more coupling agents. The sizing composition of the invention provides a glass fiber which may be wirecoated with the polymer to be reinforced, eliminating the need for extrusion or pultrusion processing to make glass/polymer composite fibers, compound or pellets.

Nonaqueous sizing system for glass fibers and injection moldable polymers

A method and apparatus is disclosed for the in-line pre-impregnation of glass or synthetic fibers with a non-aqueous chemical treatment. The apparatus includes a first applicator for applying a curable, non-aqueous chemical treatment agent and a second applicator for applying a curing agent for the chemical treatment agent. The fibers are passed over the first and second applicators which are arranged either in parallel or in series, and are then joined by a gathering device to initiate curing of the chemical treatment agent on the fibers. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a spray gun in which a mixture of the non-aqueous chemical treatment agent and curing agent are sprayed onto an applicator roll in contact with the fibers.

A method and apparatus are provided for producing composite strands. The apparatus comprises a heated bushing for supplying streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous first fibers; a drawing device adapted to draw the streams into the first fibers; supply equipment for supplying one or more second fibers of a second material; one or more applicators for applying a size to the first and second fibers; and a device for gathering the first and second fibers into one or more composite strands. The composite stands are made by drawing glass fibers from the bushing; applying sizing to the glass fibers and the second fibers; contacting the fibers with a heated contact plate to dry the fibers; and then commingling the fibers to form one or more composite strands.

Contact drying of fibers to form composite strands

An aqueous size composition for glass fibers is disclosed which includes a thermoplastic polymer resin powder, a coupling agent, and fugitive processing aids, such as binders or film formers. The composition is applied to the glass fiber surfaces during the fiber forming process. A fugitive rheology modifier material may be added to the size composition. One embodiment of the composition includes a polyethylene oxide binder material and a polyphenylene sulfide thermoplastic polymer resin.

Size composition for impregnating filament strands

A glass fiber strand impregnated with a liquid crystal polymer and an aqueous slurry composition useful for producing the liquid crystal polymer impregnated glass fiber strand are disclosed. The aqueous slurry composition includes a liquid crystal polymer resin powder and a thickener material. The slurry composition is applied to the glass fiber surfaces during the fiber forming process. Coupling agents, surfactants or lubricants material may optionally be added to the slurry composition. One embodiment of the slurry composition includes a polyethylene oxide binder material and a melt spinnable liquid crystal polyester which is optically anisotropic in the melt phase.

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Newark, OH, United States of America

David L Shipp