A method of forming a composite material part using an integrated shape memory polymer (SMP) and caul tool comprises the steps of: placing a caul on a positive feature of a mold, deforming the SMP from a relaxed state such that the SMP integrates with the caul to form an integrated SMP and caul tool, placing composite material on the integrated SMP and caul tool, heating the composite material to cure the composite material to form a composite material part while the SMP remains deformed, and stimulating the SMP to return to the relaxed state such that the SMP separates from the caul and the composite material part.

A method of forming a composite material part using an integrated shape memory polymer (SMP) and caul tool comprises the steps of: placing a caul on a positive feature of a mold, deforming the SMP from a relaxed state such that the SMP integrates with the caul to form an integrated SMP and caul tool, placing composite material on the integrated SMP and caul tool, heating the composite material to cure the composite material to form a composite material part while the SMP remains deformed, and stimulating the SMP to return to the relaxed state such that the SMP separates from the caul and the composite material part.

A disclosed reinforcer includes a shrinkable layer able to shrink in a direction of shrinkage, under the effect of a heat-shrink heat treatment, from an initial state to a shrunk state, a first corrugatable layer, which includes a gridwork of filaments added against the shrinkable layer and connected to the shrinkable layer by connection lines spaced apart and extending transversely with respect to the direction of shrinkage, the first corrugatable layer exhibiting a shrinkage that is substantially zero or that is smaller than that of the shrinkable layer, so that, when the shrinkable layer is in the initial state, portions of the first corrugatable layer, each defined between two consecutive connection lines, are bent over and, when the shrinkable layer is in the shrunk state, the portions of the first corrugatable layer are curved.

A disclosed reinforcer includes a shrinkable layer able to shrink in a direction of shrinkage, under the effect of a heat-shrink heat treatment, from an initial state to a shrunk state, a first corrugatable layer, which includes a gridwork of filaments added against the shrinkable layer and connected to the shrinkable layer by connection lines spaced apart and extending transversely with respect to the direction of shrinkage, the first corrugatable layer exhibiting a shrinkage that is substantially zero or that is smaller than that of the shrinkable layer, so that, when the shrinkable layer is in the initial state, portions of the first corrugatable layer, each defined between two consecutive connection lines, are bent over and, when the shrinkable layer is in the shrunk state, the portions of the first corrugatable layer are curved.

The invention provides a heat-shrinkable polyester film roll obtained by winding a heat-shrinkable polyester film on a paper tube with primary shrinkage in the longitudinal direction and a shrinkage rate of 40% or more, wherein the film has a winding length of 1000 to 30000 m, a width of 50 to 1500 mm, and a thickness of 5-30 μm, the thickness irregularity of the film roll in the width direction is 20% or less, the paper tube has an inner diameter of 3 inches with a 0.5 mm or less difference in clearance and a 1700 N/100 mm or more flat compressive strength in the width direction after the film is removed from the film roll, the mean value of the winding hardness of the surface layer part of the film roll in the width direction is 500-850, and the natural shrinkage rate in the longitudinal direction is 2.0% or less.

The invention provides a heat-shrinkable polyester film roll obtained by winding a heat-shrinkable polyester film on a paper tube with primary shrinkage in the longitudinal direction and a shrinkage rate of 40% or more, wherein the film has a winding length of 1000 to 30000 m, a width of 50 to 1500 mm, and a thickness of 5-30 μm, the thickness irregularity of the film roll in the width direction is 20% or less, the paper tube has an inner diameter of 3 inches with a 0.5 mm or less difference in clearance and a 1700 N/100 mm or more flat compressive strength in the width direction after the film is removed from the film roll, the mean value of the winding hardness of the surface layer part of the film roll in the width direction is 500-850, and the natural shrinkage rate in the longitudinal direction is 2.0% or less.

The present disclosure relates to a shape memory polymer material containing at least one two dimensional region having a first amount of stored stress in a first direction and a second amount of stored stress higher than the first amount of stored stress in a second direction, wherein the two dimensional region is capable of changing shape in only one of the first or second directions.

A rubber product having a printed surface includes a base and a printed surface layer on the base. The printed surface layer is printed on a plate beforehand by way of printing using inks containing a rubber material. The plate and the printed surface layer are pre-heated for the printed surface layer to be formed on the plate. The plate and a natural rubber material are simultaneously placed inside a die assembly and are heated and pressed for the natural rubber material to form a base through a sulfurization process of the natural rubber material. The printed surface layer and the base are fused during the sulfurization process to form the rubber product with the printed surface ensuring better resistance against abrasion and corrosion.

The invention relates to a modification process for modifying a biaxially oriented pipe, comprising a) providing a biaxially oriented pipe made by stretching a tube made of a thermoplastic polymer composition in the axial direction and in the peripheral direction, b) placing an insert within an end portion of the pipe, wherein the outer periphery of the cross section of the insert substantially matches the inner periphery of the cross section of the pipe and c) heating the end portion such that the end portion axially shrinks while the inner periphery of the cross section of the end portion is substantially maintained, to obtain a modified biaxially oriented pipe with a thickened end portion.

An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing member.