A moldable composite sheet having improved thermal and mechanical property characteristics. In one aspect, the composite sheet may be a porous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin comprising discontinuous mineral reinforcing fibers, and one or more skin layer materials. Generally, the composite sheet may have a void content or porosity from about 5% to about 95% by volume of the sheet, an areal weight between about 400 g/m.sup.2 to about 4000 g/m.sup.2 (gsm), a mineral fiber content from about 20% to about 80% by weight, and a thermoplastic resin content from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the composite sheet. The composite sheet can be molded via low pressure processes, such as thermoforming, match metal molding on stops, vacuum forming and pressure forming, to produce durable automotive interior trim parts and construction articles having improved thermal and mechanical properties in addition to other beneficial characteristics.

A moldable composite sheet having improved thermal and mechanical property characteristics. In one aspect, the composite sheet may be a porous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin comprising discontinuous mineral reinforcing fibers, and one or more skin layer materials. Generally, the composite sheet may have a void content or porosity from about 5% to about 95% by volume of the sheet, an areal weight between about 400 g/m.sup.2 to about 4000 g/m.sup.2 (gsm), a mineral fiber content from about 20% to about 80% by weight, and a thermoplastic resin content from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the composite sheet. The composite sheet can be molded via low pressure processes, such as thermoforming, match metal molding on stops, vacuum forming and pressure forming, to produce durable automotive interior trim parts and construction articles having improved thermal and mechanical properties in addition to other beneficial characteristics.

Protective garments are disclosed having fabric treated with a water resistant treatment. The water resistant treatment includes a combination of a water resistant concentrate and a solvent. In accordance with the present disclosure, the water resistant treatment is substantially free of fluorocarbon chemicals and yet provides not only excellent water resistance, but also excellent breathability and comfort. The water resistant treatment may be particularly applicable for use in reapplications.

Protective garments are disclosed having fabric treated with a water resistant treatment. The water resistant treatment includes a combination of a water resistant concentrate and a solvent. In accordance with the present disclosure, the water resistant treatment is substantially free of fluorocarbon chemicals and yet provides not only excellent water resistance, but also excellent breathability and comfort. The water resistant treatment may be particularly applicable for use in reapplications.

The present invention relates to a sizing composition for mineral fibers, especially glass fibers or rock fibers, containing a liquid phenolic resin having a free formaldehyde content, expressed with respect to the total weight of liquid, of 0.1% or less and an extender. Preferably, the liquid phenolic resin is mainly composed of phenol-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde-amine condensates and has a water dilutability, at 20 C., at least equal to 1000%. Another subject of the present invention is the insulating products based on mineral fibers treated by said sizing composition.

The present invention relates to a sizing composition for mineral fibers, especially glass fibers or rock fibers, containing a liquid phenolic resin having a free formaldehyde content, expressed with respect to the total weight of liquid, of 0.1% or less and an extender. Preferably, the liquid phenolic resin is mainly composed of phenol-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde-amine condensates and has a water dilutability, at 20 C., at least equal to 1000%. Another subject of the present invention is the insulating products based on mineral fibers treated by said sizing composition.

Carbon fiber and method of forming the same are provided. The method modifies proportion of a finishing oil to control a relation between a surface tension and a particle size of the finishing oil, and thus penetration of the finishing oil into an interior of the carbon fiber is avoided. Therefore, the carbon fiber can have both low oil residues and a high strength.

The Improved Sock is made of yarns knitted to include a foot portion and a calf portion, with graduated compression on an individual's foot from the foot to the calf. The yarns can include wool and alpaca fibers. A substantial proportion of wool and/or alpaca are on the inside of the sock so as to be in direct contact with the skin and wound. The Improved Sock provides absorption and wicking of inflammatory mediators, bacteria and biofilm and necrotic exudate from the foot and leg. The Improved Sock has AgNP shapes electrostatically bonded to the yarn. At least 30% of the mass of the AgNP shapes attached to the fibers have a shape selected from the group including truncated triangular plates (a triangle with the corners rounded off), triangular prisms, and/or discs. The Improved Sock functions as a unique wound dressing with the sock in direct contact with the wound.

The Improved Sock is made of yarns knitted to include a foot portion and a calf portion, with graduated compression on an individual's foot from the foot to the calf. The yarns can include wool and alpaca fibers. A substantial proportion of wool and/or alpaca are on the inside of the sock so as to be in direct contact with the skin and wound. The Improved Sock provides absorption and wicking of inflammatory mediators, bacteria and biofilm and necrotic exudate from the foot and leg. The Improved Sock has AgNP shapes electrostatically bonded to the yarn. At least 30% of the mass of the AgNP shapes attached to the fibers have a shape selected from the group including truncated triangular plates (a triangle with the corners rounded off), triangular prisms, and/or discs. The Improved Sock functions as a unique wound dressing with the sock in direct contact with the wound.

The invention relates to a bio-based polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) composition suitable as a binder for fiber based materials, textiles, woven and nonwoven materials, said PEC composition comprising cationic biopolymer, anionic biopolymer, acid and a preservative, and wherein the net charge of the PEC is cationic, the charge ratio of the anionic polymer and the cationic polymer is 1, the cationic biopolymer is chitosan, the anionic biopolymer is a polyanion derived from nature, the acid is a Brnsted acid and/or a Lewis acid, wherein the Brnsted acid is selected from any organic and/or inorganic acids, and wherein the Lewis acid is selected from any cationic mono- or multivalent atom, the weight ratio between cation and anion is 1:0.1 to 1:20, the weight ratio between the cation and acid is 1:0.01 to 1:30, chitosan has a degree of deacetylation being 66-100%, the pH is less than 7, and wherein said composition further comprises one or more fatty compounds as well as methods and use thereof. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing the PEC composition, uses of the PEC composition, as well as method of treating materials with the PEC composition.