The Dow Chemical Company

Peter K Kim

Ritchie A Wessling

Stephen E Bales

Patrick H Martin

Peter E Pierini

Daniel O Clark

John A Jensvold

William E Mickols

Henry N Beck

Frederick L Coan

Edgar S Sanders, Jr

Wudneh Admassu

This invention relates to a low heat release, low density, fiber-reinforced composite comprising a matrix comprising a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyarylsulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, polyetherketoneketone, a copolycarbonate of 4,4'-thiodiphenol and at least one member of the group consisting of bisphenol A, 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene, and 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenyl ethane, a copolycarbonate of bisphenol A and 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenyl ethane polycarbonate, bisphenol A polycarbonate, and polyetherimide, and from about 10 to about 70 percent by weight of the composite of randomly oriented reinforcing fibers, less than 0.5 inch in length, distributed throughout the matrix. The matrix has a void volume of from about 20 to about 90 percent by volume. The composite has a thermoplastic skin layer on each of the major surfaces thereof. A process for making the composite is also disclosed.

Low heat release polymeric composites

This invention relates to a low heat release, low density, fiber-reinforced composite comprising a matrix comprising a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyarylsulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, polyetherketoneketone, a copolycarbonate of 4,4'-thiodiphenol and at least one member of the group consisting of bisphenol A, 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, and 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenyl ethane, a copolycarbonate of bisphenol A and 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenyl ethane polycarbonate, bisphenol A polycarbonate, and polyetherimide, and from about 10 to about 70 percent by weight of the composite of randomly oriented reinforcing fibers, less than 0.5 inch in length, distributed throughout the matrix. The matrix has a void volume of from about 20 to about 90 percent by volume. The composite has a thermoplastic skin layer on each of the major surfaces thereof. A process for making the composite is also disclosed.

A structural panel for a vehicle or building contains a substrate and a layer of flame resistant polybenzazole polymer. If the substrate is heat resistant, the panel can serve as a fire barrier. If the substrate is not heat resistant, the polybenzazole layer can still serve to delay ignition and contain any volatile gases and molten polymer that forms when the panel is subjected to heat.

Fire resistant panel

Fibers may be prepregged with a dope containing polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole. The prepreg may be contacted with water or another nonsolvent to coagulate the polymer and form a matrix composite.

Matrix composites in which the matrix contains polybenzoxazole or

The invention is a semi-permeable hollow fiber gas separation membrane possessing a non-external discriminating region fabricated from hydrophobic polymeric materials possessing less than about 1 weight percent equilibrium water content at about 25.degree. C. The invention includes a process for making such membranes as well as a method of using such membranes.

Growing community of inventors

Danville, CA, United States of America

Peter K Kim