A method for producing composite profiles comprises providing a first profile part extending in a longitudinal direction, made from a first plastics material, with a profile region produced from a second plastics material thermally plasticizable at a first temperature, providing a second profile part extending in a longitudinal direction, made from a material not thermally plasticizable at the first temperature, and with a receiving structure formed along the longitudinal direction of the second profile part, with which the profile region of the first profile part is connectible, bringing the profile region of the first profile part into contact with the receiving structure of the second profile part, plasticizing the second plastics material of the profile region by heating to the first temperature and deforming the plasticized profile region while forming a positive engagement between the profile region and the receiving structure while maintaining the geometry of the receiving structure.

A mechanical assembly for securing a first sheet to a second sheet includes a first projection having a first sidewall and a first top wall. The first sidewall extends from the first top wall at a first acute angle. The first sidewall includes a first top end and a first bottom end. A first discontinuity is defined in the first sidewall between the first top end and the first bottom end. A first base wall extends from the first bottom end. The first base wall extends generally parallel to the first top wall.

A mechanical assembly for securing a first sheet to a second sheet includes a first projection having a first sidewall and a first top wall. The first sidewall extends from the first top wall at a first acute angle. The first sidewall includes a first top end and a first bottom end. A first discontinuity is defined in the first sidewall between the first top end and the first bottom end. A first base wall extends from the first bottom end. The first base wall extends generally parallel to the first top wall.

A method for plasma treating a surface of a first substrate is disclosed. The method may comprise generating a plasma flume using a plasma treatment device having a nozzle. The plasma flume may emanate through a flume aperture of the nozzle at an emanation angle of about 5 degrees or less. The emanation angle may be defined as an angle between a central axis of the nozzle and a central axis of the flume aperture. The method may further comprise plasma treating the surface of the first substrate with the plasma flume by scanning the plasma flume over the surface of the first substrate. The first substrate may be one of a consolidated thermoplastic material and a cured thermoset material.

A method for plasma treating a surface of a first substrate is disclosed. The method may comprise generating a plasma flume using a plasma treatment device having a nozzle. The plasma flume may emanate through a flume aperture of the nozzle at an emanation angle of about 5 degrees or less. The emanation angle may be defined as an angle between a central axis of the nozzle and a central axis of the flume aperture. The method may further comprise plasma treating the surface of the first substrate with the plasma flume by scanning the plasma flume over the surface of the first substrate. The first substrate may be one of a consolidated thermoplastic material and a cured thermoset material.

A functional phenylene ether oligomer of the structure ##STR00001##
wherein Q.sup.1, Q.sup.2, Q.sup.3, Q.sup.4, x, y, and R are as defined herein. A curable composition includes the functional phenylene ether oligomer, and a thermoset composition includes a cured product derived from the curable composition.

The metal/resin composite structure (106) of the present invention includes a metal member (103), a resin member (105) which is integrated to the metal member (103) and is formed of a resin composition containing a thermoplastic resin, and an inorganic particle layer (107) which is provided between the metal member (103) and the resin member (105) and is formed of inorganic particles. Moreover, the metal member (103) has a fine uneven shape (104) at least on a surface of an integrating part with the resin member (105), the inorganic particle layer (107) is formed to cover a part or an entirety of the fine uneven shape (104) of the metal member (103), and the metal member (103) and the resin member (105) are integrated to each other through the inorganic particle layer (107).

A ultrasonic welding method of joining dissimilar-material workpieces, such as sheet materials, and the joined components formed thereby. The method includes applying ultrasonic energy to a thermoplastic piece to fill a hole of a dissimilar piece to form a weld point that is made up with polymer from the thermoplastic piece. In general, the geometry of the thermoplastic piece is not altered during the process. The dissimilar piece generally has a higher melting temperate and can be metal, thermoset polymers, or other thermoplastic material. The welded pieces can be arranged in a lap, laminate, or double lap configuration. In some embodiments, the hole of the dissimilar sheet material includes undercut features that improve the mechanical interlock between the dissimilar pieces. In some embodiments, the weld point has a mushroom cap to improve mechanical interlock.

A ultrasonic welding method of joining dissimilar-material workpieces, such as sheet materials, and the joined components formed thereby. The method includes applying ultrasonic energy to a thermoplastic piece to fill a hole of a dissimilar piece to form a weld point that is made up with polymer from the thermoplastic piece. In general, the geometry of the thermoplastic piece is not altered during the process. The dissimilar piece generally has a higher melting temperate and can be metal, thermoset polymers, or other thermoplastic material. The welded pieces can be arranged in a lap, laminate, or double lap configuration. In some embodiments, the hole of the dissimilar sheet material includes undercut features that improve the mechanical interlock between the dissimilar pieces. In some embodiments, the weld point has a mushroom cap to improve mechanical interlock.

A composition includes specific amounts of a poly(phenylene ether), a polyester, a reinforcing filler, a metal di(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)phosphinate, and a nitrogen-containing flame retardant. The composition exhibits an advantageous combination of properties. A method for the manufacture of the composition and articles including the composition are also disclosed.