Polybutylene terephthalate can be used as a gas diffusion barrier for closed-cell rigid polyurethane foams. A thermal insulation element containing a closed-cell, rigid polyurethane foam, which is at least partially covered by a layer system containing at least one layer formed by a polybutylene terephthalate composition, is useful. Articles and devices may contain a corresponding thermal insulation structure, such as refrigerators, insulation panels, pipe insulations, water heaters, and thermally insulated transport boxes.

An vacuum adiabatic body includes a first plate, a second plate, and a support configured to maintain a vacuum space between the first and second plates. The support includes a support plate supported on an inner surface of one of the first plate and the second plate and a bar extending from the support plate. The bar contacts an inner surface of the other of the first plate and the second plate. The one end of the bar has a cross-section less than that of the other end of the bar.

The present disclosure provides an article. The article includes a crosslinked foam composition, an adhesive layer, and a substrate composed of an olefin-based polymer. The crosslinked foam composition includes an ethylene/a-olefin multi-block copolymer, an ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer (EPDM), optional silicone rubber, optional blend component selected from ethylene/aolefin random copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), styrene-butadiene block copolymer, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer, and combinations thereof, optional plasticizer, optional filler, and optional additive.

Functionalized textile materials are provided. At least a portion of a textile surface in includes a ceramic material, such as a binderless porous structured ceramic, and optionally, one or more functional layer is applied, resulting in a textile material with one or more desirable functional properties, such as hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, flame retardancy, photocatalysis, anti-fouling, and/or deodorant properties.

Provided are a joining structure, a joining method, an exterior body for a wire harness, and a wire harness capable of firmly joining members having different physical properties while reducing the thickness of a joint part. The joining structure 10 joins a first member 1 made of a first resin and a second member 2 made of a second resin, wherein: the second resin has physical properties having a higher foaming ratio than the first resin; and a recessed joint part 3 is provided which reaches at least the inside of the first member 1 from the outer surface side of the second member in a state in which the first member 1 and the second member 2 are superimposed. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the joining structure 10 comprises the steps of: superimposing a first member 1 made of a first resin and a second member 2 made of a second resin having physical properties having a higher foaming ratio than the first resin; and joining the first member 1 and the second member 2 by forming the recessed joint part 3 by pressing and hot-melting the second member 2 until the recessed joint part 3 reaches at least the inside of the first member 1 from the outer surface side of the second member 2.

Multifunctional surfacing materials for use in composite structures are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the surfacing material includes (a) a stiffening layer, (b) a curable resin layer, (c) a conductive layer, and (d) a nonwoven layer, wherein the stiffening layer (a) and the nonwoven layer (d) are outermost layers, and the exposed surfaces of the outermost layers are substantially tack-free at room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.). The conductive layer may be interposed between the curable resin layer and the stiffening layer or embedded in the curable resin layer. According to another embodiment, the surfacing material includes a fluid barrier film between two curable resin layers. The surfacing materials may be in the form of a continuous or elongated tape that is suitable for automated placement.

A laminate includes a substrate, a self-healing layer on the substrate and having a thickness of greater than or equal to about 50 micrometers, a protective layer between the substrate and the self-healing layer, and a surface layer on the self-healing layer and having a thickness of about 20 nanometers to about 300 nanometers, wherein the self-healing layer has a first elastic modulus and the protective layer has a second elastic modulus, wherein the second elastic modulus is about 1.2 times to about 50 times greater than the first elastic modulus, and wherein the surface layer has a friction coefficient of less than or equal to about 1.

A laminated panel is provided comprising a skeletal framework, foam core inserts, an impact resistant sheet, and a weather resistant sheet bonded together with adhesive. Recreational vehicles incorporating such panels are also contemplated, as are methods of making the composite laminated panel.

A rigid polymeric modular flooring plank that contains chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) in the core or base layer. The rigid polymeric modular flooring plank has at least a polymeric core or base layer, a decorative layer, and a wear layer located above the decorative layer. The CPVC can offset the negative effects from any plasticizer present in the core layer, and thus permits the core layer to include plasticized material such as from recycled or reclaimed sources including rework and scrap materials. Methods of making the planks are further described. A method to control dimensional stability of a polymeric flooring plank is further described.

A laminate assembly includes a matrix layer and elongated, continuous strips of a conductive alloy. The matrix layer has opposite first and second sides connected by opposite first and second edges. Each of the first and second edges extends from the first side of the matrix layer to the opposite second side of the matrix layer. The elongated, continuous strips of the conductive alloy are disposed in the matrix layer between the first and second sides of the matrix layer. The elongated continuous strips continuously extend through the matrix layer from the first edge to the opposite second edge.