A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

Compositions of at least one matrix polymer that may be a thermoplastic and/or curable polymer having at least one functional group for crosslinking for use in forming articles are disclosed as well as methods for making such articles, wherein the compositions and methods include a carbon nanostructure additive that is three-dimensional, branched and crosslinked. The resulting articles can in one embodiment provide a volume resistivity level of about 0.5 ohm-cm or less which are useful in applications requiring conductivity sufficient to provide electromagnetic interference shielding and/or radio frequency interference shielding. Other articles formed using compositions disclosed herein in other embodiments can demonstrate dissipative and/or quantum tunneling effects and so are useful as self-sensing pressure sensitive articles, such as self-sensing seals.

Compositions of at least one matrix polymer that may be a thermoplastic and/or curable polymer having at least one functional group for crosslinking for use in forming articles are disclosed as well as methods for making such articles, wherein the compositions and methods include a carbon nanostructure additive that is three-dimensional, branched and crosslinked. The resulting articles can in one embodiment provide a volume resistivity level of about 0.5 ohm-cm or less which are useful in applications requiring conductivity sufficient to provide electromagnetic interference shielding and/or radio frequency interference shielding. Other articles formed using compositions disclosed herein in other embodiments can demonstrate dissipative and/or quantum tunneling effects and so are useful as self-sensing pressure sensitive articles, such as self-sensing seals.

Coating compositions are disclosed that include corrosion resisting particles such that the coating composition can exhibit corrosion resistance properties. Also disclosed are substrates at least partially coated with a coating deposited from such a composition and multi-component composite coatings, wherein at least one coating later is deposited from such a coating composition. Methods and apparatus for making ultrafine solid particles are also disclosed.

Methods are provided to make a prosthetic valve having a thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is present in the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer.

Methods are provided to make a prosthetic valve having a thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is present in the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer.

A bonding method for bonding an adherend with a high-frequency dielectric heating adhesive sheet is provided. The adherend includes a fluorine-containing surface at least containing fluorine on a surface thereof. The high-frequency dielectric heating adhesive sheet includes a high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer including a thermoplastic resin and a dielectric filler. A surface free energy of the high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer is in a range from 15 mJ/m.sup.2 to 30 mJ/m.sup.2. A melting point of the high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer is in a range from 110 degrees C. to 300 degrees C. The bonding method includes bringing the fluorine-containing surface of the adherend into contact with the high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer and applying a high-frequency wave to the high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer to bond the high-frequency dielectric heating adhesive sheet to the fluorine-containing surface.

A bonding method for bonding an adherend with a high-frequency dielectric heating adhesive sheet is provided. The adherend includes a fluorine-containing surface at least containing fluorine on a surface thereof. The high-frequency dielectric heating adhesive sheet includes a high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer including a thermoplastic resin and a dielectric filler. A surface free energy of the high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer is in a range from 15 mJ/m.sup.2 to 30 mJ/m.sup.2. A melting point of the high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer is in a range from 110 degrees C. to 300 degrees C. The bonding method includes bringing the fluorine-containing surface of the adherend into contact with the high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer and applying a high-frequency wave to the high-frequency dielectric adhesive layer to bond the high-frequency dielectric heating adhesive sheet to the fluorine-containing surface.

Coating compositions are disclosed that include corrosion resisting particles such that the coating composition can exhibit corrosion resistance properties. Also disclosed are substrates at least partially coated with a coating deposited from such a composition and multi-component composite coatings, wherein at least one coating later is deposited from such a coating composition. Methods and apparatus for making ultrafine solid particles are also disclosed.

Coating compositions are disclosed that include corrosion resisting particles such that the coating composition can exhibit corrosion resistance properties. Also disclosed are substrates at least partially coated with a coating deposited from such a composition and multi-component composite coatings, wherein at least one coating later is deposited from such a coating composition. Methods and apparatus for making ultrafine solid particles are also disclosed.