In an embodiment, a multifunctional material system is provided and can include a variable-permeability layer, a desiccant containing layer, and a vapor-permeable supporting layer. The variable-permeability layer can have a vapor permeability that increases with increasing relative humidity. The desiccant containing layer can be adjacent the variable-permeability layer. The vapor-permeable supporting layer can be positioned adjacent at least one of the variable-permeability layer and the desiccant containing layer. Water moves in a first direction from the variable-permeability layer to the desiccant layer when relative humidity is greater adjacent the variable-permeability layer than the desiccant layer. Water moves a second, opposing direction, from the desiccant containing layer to the variable-permeability layer when the relative humidity is greater adjacent the desiccant containing layer than the variable-permeability layer. The rate of water motion in the first direction is greater than the second direction when the humidity gradient is reversed.

The present invention relates to a fibre composite material W of increased translucency and/or mechanical strength, comprising a copolymer C encompassing monomers A-1, where A-1 form covalent bonds with functional groups B-1 on the surface of fibres B embedded in the fibre composite material W, and this fibre composite material W has greater translucency and/or mechanical strength than a fibre composite material Win which the copolymer C contains no A-1. The present invention further embraces a method for producing a fibre composite material W of increased translucency and/or mechanical strength.

A moldable composite sheet having improved thermal and mechanical property characteristics. In one aspect, the composite sheet may be a porous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin comprising discontinuous mineral reinforcing fibers, and one or more skin layer materials. Generally, the composite sheet may have a void content or porosity from about 5% to about 95% by volume of the sheet, an areal weight between about 400 g/m.sup.2 to about 4000 g/m.sup.2 (gsm), a mineral fiber content from about 20% to about 80% by weight, and a thermoplastic resin content from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the composite sheet. The composite sheet can be molded via low pressure processes, such as thermoforming, match metal molding on stops, vacuum forming and pressure forming, to produce durable automotive interior trim parts and construction articles having improved thermal and mechanical properties in addition to other beneficial characteristics.

A curable composite material having high z-direction electrical conductivity. The curable composite material includes two or more layers of reinforcement carbon fibers that have been infused or impregnated with a curable matrix resin and an interlaminar region containing at least conductive nano-sized particles, e.g. carbon nanotubes, and a light-weight carbon veil. According to another embodiment, the interlaminar region further contains polymeric toughening particles. Methods for fabricating composite materials and structures are also disclosed.

A curable composite material having high z-direction electrical conductivity. The curable composite material includes two or more layers of reinforcement carbon fibers that have been infused or impregnated with a curable matrix resin and an interlaminar region containing at least conductive nano-sized particles, e.g. carbon nanotubes, and a light-weight carbon veil. According to another embodiment, the interlaminar region further contains polymeric toughening particles. Methods for fabricating composite materials and structures are also disclosed.

Unexpectedly unique and environmentally friendly composite material structures, storage articles fabricated therefrom, and related methods. The composite structure includes at least one or more fiber-containing layers, such as fiberboard or other layers having fibers from natural and/or synthetic sources, and one or more mineral-containing layers. The mineral-containing layer(s) comprises a thermoplastic bonding agent fixing the mineral particles in place. The fiber-containing layer(s) and mineral-containing layer(s) can be shaped, sized, and manufactured such that the composite structure formed therefrom is capable of being machined to form the storage article. The composite structure can be repulped and recycled without the use of dispersions, emulsions, or aqueous solutions. Further, the composite reduces layer mass requirements for heat seal, barrier, and fiber adhesion compared to polymer layers. The composite structure further has tensile strength and other structural characteristics that allow it to be readily machined into desired storage article forms.

Unexpectedly unique and environmentally friendly composite material structures, storage articles fabricated therefrom, and related methods. The composite structure includes at least one or more fiber-containing layers, such as fiberboard or other layers having fibers from natural and/or synthetic sources, and one or more mineral-containing layers. The mineral-containing layer(s) comprises a thermoplastic bonding agent fixing the mineral particles in place. The fiber-containing layer(s) and mineral-containing layer(s) can be shaped, sized, and manufactured such that the composite structure formed therefrom is capable of being machined to form the storage article. The composite structure can be repulped and recycled without the use of dispersions, emulsions, or aqueous solutions. Further, the composite reduces layer mass requirements for heat seal, barrier, and fiber adhesion compared to polymer layers. The composite structure further has tensile strength and other structural characteristics that allow it to be readily machined into desired storage article forms.

Tape adhesives suitable for impregnating processes for insulation systems are described. Embodiments of the tape adhesives include solid insulation material such as mica, anhydride-free impregnating resins and accelerators for the anhydride-free impregnating resins. The tape adhesives may be adjusted with respect to the reactivity of the accelerators for the anhydride-free impregnating resins in relation for the storage stability of the overall insulation systems.

Tape adhesives suitable for impregnating processes for insulation systems are described. Embodiments of the tape adhesives include solid insulation material such as mica, anhydride-free impregnating resins and accelerators for the anhydride-free impregnating resins. The tape adhesives may be adjusted with respect to the reactivity of the accelerators for the anhydride-free impregnating resins in relation for the storage stability of the overall insulation systems.

The disclosure relates to acoustic panels and methods for preparing them. The disclosure relates more particularly to panels having a porous facing and to methods for making such panels. One aspect of the disclosure is an acoustic panel comprising a base structure. The base structure has one or more edges, an outward major surface having a total area, and an inward major surface opposing the outward major surface. The base structure has a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of at least about 0.3. The panel includes a coating layer directly disposed on the outward major surface of the base structure, the coating layer being formed of an open-cell foam. The coating layer has an exterior major surface opposing the outward major surface of the base structure. The coating layer is substantially scattering for light in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm, and has an absorption coefficient of less than 0.5 for acoustic frequencies in the range of 100 Hz to 10,000 Hz.