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 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.

The invention relates to a filter medium comprising a reinforced non-woven fabric, to a method for the production thereof, and to the use thereof.

The invention relates to a filter medium comprising a reinforced non-woven fabric, to a method for the production thereof, and to the use thereof.

There is provided a random mat including carbon fibers and a matrix resin, wherein the carbon fibers in the random mat have an average fiber length in a range of 3 mm to 100 mm, a fiber areal weight of the carbon fibers is 25 to 10,000 g/m.sup.2, the carbon fibers include a specific carbon fiber bundles having a specific opening degree in a specific amount per the total carbon fibers, and the specific carbon fiber bundles with a thickness of 100 μm or more are included in a ratio of less than 3% of the number of the total specific carbon fiber bundles.

There is provided a random mat including carbon fibers and a matrix resin, wherein the carbon fibers in the random mat have an average fiber length in a range of 3 mm to 100 mm, a fiber areal weight of the carbon fibers is 25 to 10,000 g/m.sup.2, the carbon fibers include a specific carbon fiber bundles having a specific opening degree in a specific amount per the total carbon fibers, and the specific carbon fiber bundles with a thickness of 100 μm or more are included in a ratio of less than 3% of the number of the total specific carbon fiber bundles.

A carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet containing CNTs having a median length of at least 0.05 mm and an aspect ratio of at least 2,500; L arranged b a randomly oriented, uniformly distributed pattern, and having a basis weight of at least 1 gsm and a relative density of less than 1.0. The CNT sheet is manufactured by applying a CNT suspension in a continuous pool over a filter material to a depth sufficient to prevent puddling of the CNT suspension upon the surface of the •filter material, and drawing the dispersing liquid through the filter material to provide a uniform CNT dispersion and form the CNT sheet. The CNT sheet is useful in making CNT composite laminates and structures having utility for electromagnetic wave absorption, lightning strike dissipation. EMI shielding, thermal interface pads, energy storage, and heat dissipation.

A carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet containing CNTs having a median length of at least 0.05 mm and an aspect ratio of at least 2,500; L arranged b a randomly oriented, uniformly distributed pattern, and having a basis weight of at least 1 gsm and a relative density of less than 1.0. The CNT sheet is manufactured by applying a CNT suspension in a continuous pool over a filter material to a depth sufficient to prevent puddling of the CNT suspension upon the surface of the •filter material, and drawing the dispersing liquid through the filter material to provide a uniform CNT dispersion and form the CNT sheet. The CNT sheet is useful in making CNT composite laminates and structures having utility for electromagnetic wave absorption, lightning strike dissipation. EMI shielding, thermal interface pads, energy storage, and heat dissipation.

A carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet containing CNTs, arranged is a randomly oriented, uniformly distributed pattern, and having a basis weight of at least 1 gsm and a relative density of less than 1.5. The CNT sheet is manufactured by applying a CNT suspension in a continuous pool over a filter material to a depth sufficient to prevent puddling of the CNT suspension upon the surface of the filter material, and drawing the dispersing liquid through the filter material to provide a uniform CNT dispersion and form the CNT sheet. The CNT sheet is useful in making CNT composite laminates and structures having utility for electro-thermal heating, electromagnetic wave absorption, lightning strike dissipation, EMI shielding, thermal interface pads, energy storage, and heat dissipation.