A conductive far-infrared heat-generating fiber and a preparation method therefor. In the process of preparing the conductive far-infrared heat-generating fiber, the preparation method specifically comprises: A) pretreating a matrix fiber, and then drying same; B) impregnating, in a coating liquid of a conductive material, the matrix fiber obtained in step A, and then drying same; and performing step B) at least once, and obtaining the conductive far-infrared heat-generating fiber. The preparation method for the conductive far-infrared heat-generating fiber is simple and can realize good control of resistivity and heat generation.

Processes for preparing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, and the fibers and articles produced therefrom. Exposed surfaces of the fibers are subjected to a treatment that enhances the surface energy at the fiber surfaces. Such treated surfaces are subsequently coated with a protective coating immediately after the treatment to increase the shelf life of the treatment. The coating comprises at least one poly(alkyl-oxide) polymer.

In general, coated fibers, methods of bonding a coating to fibers, and composite materials prepared from coated fibers are provided. The coated fiber is created with a surface that is compatible with and bonds to the polymer resin used in composite materials. In another aspect, the coating may exhibit additional functionality, such as water repellency, fire resistance, or odor control. More specifically an atmospheric pressure plasma process is applied to the fibers to bond coating materials to the fiber surface and to cure the coating surrounding the fiber surface. Optionally, radiation is used in the process to cure the coating. Finally, composite materials and parts may be made from the coated fibers that exhibit high strength and improved mechanical properties over composites made with uncoated fibers. Alternatively, a natural fiber reinforced composite material is made from coated natural fibers that has improved mechanical properties and decreased water absorption.

A system for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that has one or more reels of fiber tow, a cutting element configured to receive the fiber tow to form chopped fiber, and a tube with introduced gas flow configured to receive the chopped fiber. A moving belt is positioned under the tube to collect the chopped fiber. A dispenser is positioned along the moving belt for applying a binder or additive. A treatment chamber receives the treated chopped fiber. A process for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that supplies one or more reels of fiber tow to a cutting system, drops the chopped fiber into a tube with introduced gas flow to debundle the chopped fiber with a vortex, collects the chopped fiber exiting the tube onto a moving belt, chemically treats the chopped fiber, and provides the chemically treated chopped to a treatment chamber.

A process and system are provided for introducing a blend of chopped and dispersed fibers on an automated production line amenable for inclusion in molding compositions as a blended fiber mat for structural applications. The blend of fibers are simultaneously supplied to an automated cutting machine illustratively including a rotary blade chopper disposed above a vortex supporting chamber. The blend of chopped fibers and binder form a chopped mat. The chopped mat has a veil mat placed on either side, and is consolidated with the veil mat using heated rollers maintained at the softening temperature of thermoplastic binder, with consolidated mats being amenable to being stored in rolls or as flat sheets. A charge pattern is made using the consolidated mat, and the charge pattern can be compression molded in a mold maintained at a temperature lower than the melting point of the thermoplastic fibers.

A liquid repellent cloth or liquid repellent film according to an embodiment includes abase fabric selected from a fiber cloth or a synthetic resin film, and a liquid repellent membrane supported on at least one principal face of the base fabric. The liquid repellent membrane is a monomolecular membrane of a fluorine-containing organic compound that binds to a surface of the base fabric through a binding moiety represented by —Z—O—* (wherein Z represents an atomic group containing a Si atom, and * represents a binding site to the surface of the base fabric) and includes a perfluoroalkyl group having 4 or less carbon atoms at a terminal, and the fluorine-containing organic compound undergoes intermolecular bonding between the fluorine-containing organic compounds adjacent to each other by mutual binding of Z in the formula.

Through-holes are formed at a constant pitch along a side-edge portion of a fastener tape where a tape base fabric is covered by a waterproof layer, the through-holes piercing the fastener tape. Plasma treatment or corona treatment is applied to the side-edge portion of the fastener tape so as to form an activation region on a surface of the waterproof layer on one or both sides of the fastener tape. Injection molding of fastener elements is performed to attach the fastener elements to the side-edge portion of the fastener tape. Melted resin adheres to the activation region and fills the through-hole before solidifying into the fastener element.

Cellulosic fibrous materials are described which are impregnated with a bioflavonoid composition, the bioflavonoid content of the composition comprising at least naringin and neohesperidin. The use of such impregnated materials is also described, for example as paper or bamboo towels and cardboard, as well as the process for impregnating the materials.

A structure includes a reinforcing member made up of reinforcing fibers that are impregnated with a resin. The reinforcing member includes a first region and a second region. The first region is formed by irradiating the reinforcing fibers with plasma. The second region is formed by irradiating the reinforcing fibers with a smaller amount of the plasma than the first region. The reinforcing member is provided such that the first region is positioned in a location where more strength is required than the second region.

A molding method is performed for molding a composite material in which resin is injected in a state in which a fiber base material is disposed in a cavity formed in a metal mold and the resin is cured to form the composite material. The molding method includes enhancing wettability of a portion of the fiber base material, and disposing the portion of the fiber base material in a narrow portion in which a gap constituting the cavity is smaller than other locations.