A method of making an enhanced membrane suitable for use in single-ply roofing applications is disclosed. The method comprises mixing a masterbatch comprising an EPDM rubber and combining the masterbatch with a curing package to form a final batch. An adhesion promoter is incorporated in either the masterbatch or the final batch. The method further includes forming a sheet from the final batch and vulcanizing the sheet.

A method of making an enhanced membrane suitable for use in single-ply roofing applications is disclosed. The method comprises mixing a masterbatch comprising an EPDM rubber and combining the masterbatch with a curing package to form a final batch. An adhesion promoter is incorporated in either the masterbatch or the final batch. The method further includes forming a sheet from the final batch and vulcanizing the sheet.

Provided are a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin molding material by which, when the fiber-reinforced resin molding material is manufactured, separated fiber bundles can be supplied to a cutting machine in stable condition while avoiding the influence of meandering of the fiber bundles or slanting or meandering of filaments occurring in the fiber bundles.

Provided are a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin molding material by which, when the fiber-reinforced resin molding material is manufactured, separated fiber bundles can be supplied to a cutting machine in stable condition while avoiding the influence of meandering of the fiber bundles or slanting or meandering of filaments occurring in the fiber bundles.

A method of forming a fiber-reinforced molding compound. The method includes establishing a melt stream of a source material and dosing a composite material into the melt stream. The composite material includes carbon reinforcing fibers pre-impregnated by a polymeric material. The composite material has at least 30% of the fibers protected by the polymeric material. The method further includes forming a molding compound from the source and composite materials, dispensing the molding compound from the extruder, and using the molding compound to produce a part.

A method of forming a fiber-reinforced molding compound. The method includes establishing a melt stream of a source material including a first polymeric material and dosing a composite material into the melt stream. The composite material includes pre-impregnated reinforcing fibers and a second polymeric material. The method further includes forming a molding compound from the source and composite materials and dispensing the molding compound from the extruder. The first and second polymeric materials are different than each other to introduce a functionality into the molding compound that is not present in the second polymeric material. The method further includes using the molding compound to produce a part.

Provided are composite feedstock strips for additive manufacturing and methods of forming such strips. A composite feedstock strip may include continuous unidirectional fibers extending parallel to each other and to the principal axis of the strip. This fiber continuity yields superior mechanical properties, such as the tensile strength along strip's principal axis. Composite feedstock strips may be fabricated by slitting a composite laminate in a direction parallel to the fibers. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the slit strips may be changed by reattributing material at least on the surface of the strips and/or by coating the slit strips with another material. This cross-sectional shape change may be performed without disturbing the continuous fibers within the strips. The cross-sectional distribution of fibers within the strips may be uneven with higher concentration of fibers near the principal axis of the strips, for example, to assist with additive manufacturing.

Provided are composite feedstock strips for additive manufacturing and methods of forming such strips. A composite feedstock strip may include continuous unidirectional fibers extending parallel to each other and to the principal axis of the strip. This fiber continuity yields superior mechanical properties, such as the tensile strength along strip's principal axis. Composite feedstock strips may be fabricated by slitting a composite laminate in a direction parallel to the fibers. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the slit strips may be changed by reattributing material at least on the surface of the strips and/or by coating the slit strips with another material. This cross-sectional shape change may be performed without disturbing the continuous fibers within the strips. The cross-sectional distribution of fibers within the strips may be uneven with higher concentration of fibers near the principal axis of the strips, for example, to assist with additive manufacturing.

The present disclosure provides methods of reducing center shifting of golf ball components, which, in turn, improves concentricity of the resulting golf balls. The methods include extruding a golf ball component material through an extruder to form an extrudate having a first temperature, cutting the extrudate at a second temperature to form a component prep, and molding the component prep into the golf ball component. The preps formed by the methods of the present disclosure include surfaces having reduced or no concavity.

The present disclosure provides methods of reducing center shifting of golf ball components, which, in turn, improves concentricity of the resulting golf balls. The methods include extruding a golf ball component material through an extruder to form an extrudate having a first temperature, cutting the extrudate at a second temperature to form a component prep, and molding the component prep into the golf ball component. The preps formed by the methods of the present disclosure include surfaces having reduced or no concavity.