Multicomposite material (R1, R2) including at least one monofilament (10) made of glass-resin composite including glass filaments (101) embedded in a thermoset polyester resin (102), characterized in that said monofilament is coated with at least one layer (12) of benzoxazine; use of such a material as reinforcer in finished articles or semi-finished products made of rubber; finished articles or semi-finished products made of rubber, such as vehicle tyres, reinforced with such a material.

A fibre optic cable (500, 700, 1420) comprises one or more fibre units (502, 1302). Each fibre unit comprises two or more optical fibres (506, 1306) embedded in a solid resin material (520, 1320) to form a coated fibre bundle and an extruded polymer sheath (524, 1324). The sheath (524, 1324) of each fibre unit is primarily polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), with a friction reducing additive such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The additive may be polythene based and/or polyacrylate based. The fibre unit may be applied in a pullback cable (500, 800, 1100), as a cable for pulling or pushing or as a blown fibre cable (502, 1302).

A fibre optic cable (500, 700, 1420) comprises one or more fibre units (502, 1302). Each fibre unit comprises two or more optical fibres (506, 1306) embedded in a solid resin material (520, 1320) to form a coated fibre bundle and an extruded polymer sheath (524, 1324). The sheath (524, 1324) of each fibre unit is primarily polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), with a friction reducing additive such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The additive may be polythene based and/or polyacrylate based. The fibre unit may be applied in a pullback cable (500, 800, 1100), as a cable for pulling or pushing or as a blown fibre cable (502, 1302).

A fibrous material is treated with a binder solution and then heated. The binder comprises a polyester and a biopolymer, such as starch, where the polyester is a product of reaction of a polyol with an anhydride. A method for manufacturing the treated fibrous material comprises treating it with the binder solution and then heating. A cross-linking agent may be added.

An aqueous binder composition is disclosed that includes 5.0% by weight to 50.0% by weight of a monomeric polyol having at least four hydroxyl groups, based on the total solids content of the aqueous binder composition; and at least 50.0% by weight of a cross-linking agent comprising a polymeric polycarboxylic acid having at least two carboxylic acid groups, based on the total solids content of the aqueous binder composition. The aqueous binder composition includes a ratio of molar equivalents of carboxylic acid groups to hydroxyl groups is between 0.15/1.0 and 2.23/1 and has a pH of 2.2 to 4.0 and a viscosity at 40% solids and 25° C. of 10 cP to 60 cP.

An aqueous binder composition is provided that includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent. In exemplary embodiments, the carbohydrate-based binder composition may also include a catalyst, a coupling agent, a process aid, a crosslinking density enhancer, an extender, a moisture resistant agent, a dedusting oil, a colorant, a corrosion inhibitor, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, and combinations thereof. The carbohydrate may be natural in origin and derived from renewable resources. Additionally, the carbohydrate polymer may have a dextrose equivalent (DE) number from 2 to 20. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the carbohydrate is a water-soluble polysaccharide such as dextrin or maltodextrin and the crosslinking agent is citric acid. Advantageously, the carbohydrates have a low viscosity and cure at moderate temperatures. The environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free binder may be used in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats. A method of making fibrous insulation products is also provided.

An aqueous binder composition is provided that includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent. In exemplary embodiments, the carbohydrate-based binder composition may also include a catalyst, a coupling agent, a process aid, a crosslinking density enhancer, an extender, a moisture resistant agent, a dedusting oil, a colorant, a corrosion inhibitor, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, and combinations thereof. The carbohydrate may be natural in origin and derived from renewable resources. Additionally, the carbohydrate polymer may have a dextrose equivalent (DE) number from 2 to 20. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the carbohydrate is a water-soluble polysaccharide such as dextrin or maltodextrin and the crosslinking agent is citric acid. Advantageously, the carbohydrates have a low viscosity and cure at moderate temperatures. The environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free binder may be used in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats. A method of making fibrous insulation products is also provided.

An optical fibre comprising: an optical waveguide comprising a glass core surrounded by a glass cladding; a coating surrounding said optical waveguide comprising a polymer material comprising a cured polyester obtained by: (a) esterification of a reactant (A) selected from carboxylic acids, triglycerides, and mixtures thereof, having a C16-C24 aliphatic chain comprising at least two conjugated double bonds, with a reactant (B) selected from polyols having at least 3 hydroxyl groups, the polyols being thermally stable up to 300° C.; (b) curing of the 10 so obtained polyester, in the presence of a transition metal salt, the transition metal being selected from Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Ni. Preferably, the step of curing is a thermal curing, preferably up to 300° C. The transition metal salt acts as curing accelerator, i.e. it increases the curing rate so as to match the optical fibre drawing speed, the temperature of the glass exiting the drawing step and the drawing tower height commonly used in industrial plants for optical fibre production.

An optical fibre comprising: an optical waveguide comprising a glass core surrounded by a glass cladding; a coating surrounding said optical waveguide comprising a polymer material comprising a cured polyester obtained by: (a) esterification of a reactant (A) selected from carboxylic acids, triglycerides, and mixtures thereof, having a C16-C24 aliphatic chain comprising at least two conjugated double bonds, with a reactant (B) selected from polyols having at least 3 hydroxyl groups, the polyols being thermally stable up to 300° C.; (b) curing of the 10 so obtained polyester, in the presence of a transition metal salt, the transition metal being selected from Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Ni. Preferably, the step of curing is a thermal curing, preferably up to 300° C. The transition metal salt acts as curing accelerator, i.e. it increases the curing rate so as to match the optical fibre drawing speed, the temperature of the glass exiting the drawing step and the drawing tower height commonly used in industrial plants for optical fibre production.

An optical fibre comprising: an optical waveguide comprising a glass core surrounded by a glass cladding; a coating surrounding said optical waveguide comprising a polymer material comprising a cured polyester obtained by: (a) esterification of a reactant (A) selected from carboxylic acids, triglycerides, and mixtures thereof, having a C16-C24 aliphatic chain comprising at least two conjugated double bonds, with a reactant (B) selected from polyols having at least 3 hydroxyl groups, the polyols being thermally stable up to 300° C.; (b) curing of the 10 so obtained polyester, in the presence of a transition metal salt, the transition metal being selected from Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Ni. Preferably, the step of curing is a thermal curing, preferably up to 300° C. The transition metal salt acts as curing accelerator, i.e. it increases the curing rate so as to match the optical fibre drawing speed, the temperature of the glass exiting the drawing step and the drawing tower height commonly used in industrial plants for optical fibre production.