A thermoplastic composite sheet may be composed of a polymer material matrix and a lightweight material that is disposed throughout the polymer material matrix. The polymer material matrix may extend continuously throughout a length, width, and thickness of the thermoplastic composite sheet. The polymer material matrix may be a fully polymerized thermoplastic material. The lightweight material may be fully saturated by the thermoplastic material of the polymer material matrix. The thermoplastic composite sheet may include between 50 and 99 weight percent of the thermoplastic material and between 1 and 50 weight percent of the lightweight material. The thermoplastic composite sheet may be free of reinforcing fibers.

Low-density thermoplastic expandable microspheres are disclosed. Various low-density structures, in particular, sandwich panels, based on foam prepared from the low-density microspheres, are also disclosed. Process of preparing low-density polymeric microspheres, per se, and the corresponding low-density structures, based on the microsphere foam, are also disclosed.

Low-density thermoplastic expandable microspheres are disclosed. Various low-density structures, in particular, sandwich panels, based on foam prepared from the low-density microspheres, are also disclosed. Process of preparing low-density polymeric microspheres, per se, and the corresponding low-density structures, based on the microsphere foam, are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a composite sandwich base panel for a Unit Load Device. The panel comprises an upper surface layer comprising fibre reinforcement material, a lower surface layer comprising fibre reinforcement material, and a central core section where at least the majority comprises a plurality of particles bound in a matrix material. The upper surface layer and lower surface layer are provided with a matrix material to bind them to the central core section.

The invention relates to a composite sandwich base panel for a Unit Load Device. The panel comprises an upper surface layer comprising fibre reinforcement material, a lower surface layer comprising fibre reinforcement material, and a central core section where at least the majority comprises a plurality of particles bound in a matrix material. The upper surface layer and lower surface layer are provided with a matrix material to bind them to the central core section.

An insulating structure for an appliance includes an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein an insulating cavity is defined therebetween. A plurality of hollow nano-spheres are disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein each of the hollow nano-spheres includes a diameter in the range of from approximately 50 nanometers to approximately 1000 nanometers and has a wall that defines the internal space, and wherein the wall of each hollow nano-sphere has a thickness that is in a range of from approximately 0.5 nanometers to approximately 100 nanometers. A fill material is disposed in the insulating cavity and wherein the fill material is disposed in the space defined between the plurality of hollow nano-spheres, and wherein the fill material includes at least one of powdered silica, granulated silica, other silica material, aerogel and insulating gas.

A composite panel for use in applications such as mobile homes, boats, buses, RVs, or other panels used typically in transportation applications, where a single piece, water resistant, lightweight panel with patterned high-strength areas is needed. The composite panel generally includes internal preforms made of low-density material such as urethane foam, which create patterned structural portions of the panel during the molding process. The patterned structural portions are formed by a maze-like region within a mold, into which composite matrix material is infused. The patterned structural portions have high strength compared to the other regions of the panel, and can be used for structural support or for retaining fasteners for appliances, walls, etc.

A composite panel for use in applications such as mobile homes, boats, buses, RVs, or other panels used typically in transportation applications, where a single piece, water resistant, lightweight panel with patterned high-strength areas is needed. The composite panel generally includes internal preforms made of low-density material such as urethane foam, which create patterned structural portions of the panel during the molding process. The patterned structural portions are formed by a maze-like region within a mold, into which composite matrix material is infused. The patterned structural portions have high strength compared to the other regions of the panel, and can be used for structural support or for retaining fasteners for appliances, walls, etc.

A method of forming a buoyancy providing component, the method comprising locating a plurality of macrospheres in a mould, providing a composition including DCPD (dicyclo pentadiene) resin, a ruthenium or osmium catalyst, and a plurality of microspheres, dispensing the composition in liquid form into the mould to encapsulate the macrospheres, and allowing the mixture to set in the mould.

A method of forming a buoyancy providing component, the method comprising locating a plurality of macrospheres in a mould, providing a composition including DCPD (dicyclo pentadiene) resin, a ruthenium or osmium catalyst, and a plurality of microspheres, dispensing the composition in liquid form into the mould to encapsulate the macrospheres, and allowing the mixture to set in the mould.