A method and apparatus to shield various components (e.g., a gasket, a sensor, a wire, a mechanical component made of metals and/or polymers) deployed in a vacuum environment using a shield assembly formed from multiple ceramic fibers. The shield assembly reduces damage to the components when exposed to a plasma and the generation of contaminants. The ceramic fibers are formed from a ceramic and arranged in a packed structure creating a tortuous trajectory that suppresses the transport of charged particles and/or contaminants through the shield assembly. The ceramic fibers are mechanically compliant and readily bent and/or packed into gaps without fracture. The ceramic fibers may also be formed into a tube to surround a fiberglass rod, a gasket, a sensor, and/or a wire. The presence of the shield assemblies also permits cleaning of the interior surfaces of the vacuum chamber using a plasma without generating contaminants from the gaskets.

A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips.

A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips.

A cobalt-free steel cord-rubber composite article includes, in sequence, a steel cord core, a steel cord coating, and a rubber layer. The steel cord coating contains from about 61 wt % to about 66 wt % copper, from about 3.5 wt % to about 6.5 wt % iron, and a balance of zinc and unavoidable impurities. The rubber layer is formed from a rubber compound including 100 phr of at least one elastomer; sulfur; about 20 phr to about 100 phr of at least one filler; about 2 phr to about 15 phr of zinc oxide; and about 0.5 phr to about 3.0 phr of at least one accelerator, containing no cobalt and no resin.

A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips.

A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips.

A product comprising a plurality of interlaced yarns wherein at least a first yarn having a tensile strength, having a value TS in N/tex, said first yarn containing a plurality of UHMWPE fibers having a titer, having a value T in den, wherein the ratio T/TS is at least 5 den.tex/N. The tensile strength is obtained by adjusting the drawing ratio or the UHMWPE filaments/fibers accordingly. The product shows resistance to abrasion. The product can be a rope or round slings, comprising a sheath/jacket comprising said first yarn.

A product comprising a plurality of interlaced yarns wherein at least a first yarn having a tensile strength, having a value TS in N/tex, said first yarn containing a plurality of UHMWPE fibers having a titer, having a value T in den, wherein the ratio T/TS is at least 5 den.tex/N. The tensile strength is obtained by adjusting the drawing ratio or the UHMWPE filaments/fibers accordingly. The product shows resistance to abrasion. The product can be a rope or round slings, comprising a sheath/jacket comprising said first yarn.