Composite materials are provided which may include one or more sheets of carbon fibers woven in orthogonal direction bundles; carbon nanotubes embedded within pores between the bundles; and a matrix material in which the one or more sheets and the carbon nanotubes are embedded. In one case, the carbon fibers lie substantially in an x-direction and a y-direction and the carbon nanotubes are oriented substantially in a z-direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the x- and y-directions. Methods for making the composite materials are also provided.

A moisture vapor permeable, water impermeable composite sheet material is provided which is suitable for use as a housewrap material, and is also useful for other applications such as tarpaulins, or as covers for automobile, boats, patio furniture or the like. The composite sheet material includes a nonwoven substrate and an extrusion-coated polyolefin film layer overlying one surface of the substrate. The nonwoven substrate is comprised of polymeric fibers randomly disposed and bonded to one another to form a high tenacity nonwoven web. The nonwoven substrate has a grab tensile strength of at least 178 Newtons (40 pounds) in at least one of the machine direction (MD) or the cross-machine direction (CD). The extrusion coated polyolefin film layer is intimately bonded to the nonwoven substrate. The film layer has micropores formed therein to impart to the composite sheet material a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of at least 35 g/m.sup.2/24 hr. at 50% relative humidity and 23° C. and a hydrostatic head of at least 55 cm. In one embodiment, the nonwoven substrate comprises a spunbonded nonwoven fabric formed of randomly disposed substantially continuous polypropylene filaments. The spunbonded nonwoven fabric is an area bonded fabric in which the filaments are bonded to one another throughout the fabric at locations where the randomly disposed filaments overlie or cross one another.

A moisture vapor permeable, water impermeable composite sheet material is provided which is suitable for use as a housewrap material, and is also useful for other applications such as tarpaulins, or as covers for automobile, boats, patio furniture or the like. The composite sheet material includes a nonwoven substrate and an extrusion-coated polyolefin film layer overlying one surface of the substrate. The nonwoven substrate is comprised of polymeric fibers randomly disposed and bonded to one another to form a high tenacity nonwoven web. The nonwoven substrate has a grab tensile strength of at least 178 Newtons (40 pounds) in at least one of the machine direction (MD) or the cross-machine direction (CD). The extrusion coated polyolefin film layer is intimately bonded to the nonwoven substrate. The film layer has micropores formed therein to impart to the composite sheet material a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of at least 35 g/m.sup.2/24 hr. at 50% relative humidity and 23° C. and a hydrostatic head of at least 55 cm. In one embodiment, the nonwoven substrate comprises a spunbonded nonwoven fabric formed of randomly disposed substantially continuous polypropylene filaments. The spunbonded nonwoven fabric is an area bonded fabric in which the filaments are bonded to one another throughout the fabric at locations where the randomly disposed filaments overlie or cross one another.

A cellulose fiber-based substrate, at least one side of which is coated with an aqueous mixture composed of: a) at least one water-soluble polymer (WSP) containing hydroxyl groups, b) at least one lactone substituted with at least one linear or branched and/or cyclic C.sub.8-C.sub.30 hydrocarbon chain which may contain heteroatoms, c)at least one crosslinking agent. A method of production and use thereof.

A pressure vessel for holding fluids includes a tank and a coating disposed on an outer surface of the tank. The tank defines a cavity for holding fluids, and an outer surface of the tank includes a first visual characteristic. The coating includes an indicator layer, an outer layer, and a first intermediate layer. The indicator layer is disposed on the outer surface, the indicator layer including a second visual characteristic that visually contrasts with the first visual characteristic. The outer layer is disposed over the indicator layer, the outer layer including a third visual characteristic that visually contrasts with the second visual characteristic. The first intermediate layer is positioned between the indicator layer and the outer layer, the first intermediate layer being visually transparent or translucent. The disclosure also describes a coating including an indicator layer, an outer layer, and a first intermediate layer.

A method of making a light weight component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a first metallic foam core into a desired configuration; applying an external metallic shell to a discrete exterior surface of the first metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; arranging the first metallic form core to be adjacent to a second metallic foam core also formed into a desired configuration to form a desired pre-form shape, wherein an applied external metallic shell located on a discrete surface of the second metallic foam core is adjacent to the external metallic shell applied to the discrete exterior surface of the first metallic foam core; and applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the desired pre-form shape.

A method of making a light weight component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a metallic foam core into a desired configuration; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; and attenuating the component to a desired frequency by forming a plurality of openings in the external metallic shell.

An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module and a second bonding module. The second bonding module is positionable in close proximity to the first bonding module for receiving a first nonwoven fabric, a second nonwoven fabric, and at least one elastic strand therebetween. The second bonding module has a face with a width dimension and a circumferential axis and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a plurality of ridges includes a first ridge and a pair of second ridges positioned on opposing sides of the first ridge along the circumferential axis. The first ridge defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches, and the second ridges are configured to sever the at least one elastic strand when in close proximity to the first bonding module.

A resistor grid system includes a resistor strip including multiple pins. The resistor grid system also includes an insulation board coupled to the resistor strip through the multiple pins and configured to provide a structural support. The insulation board is made of a composite material. The composite material includes a nitrogen-containing aromatic thermosetting polymeric resin and a filler.

A resistor grid system includes a resistor strip including multiple pins. The resistor grid system also includes an insulation board coupled to the resistor strip through the multiple pins and configured to provide a structural support. The insulation board is made of a composite material. The composite material includes a nitrogen-containing aromatic thermosetting polymeric resin and a filler.