A multifunctional surfacing material capable of providing lightning strike protection (LSP) and burn-through resistance. In one embodiment, the multifunctional surfacing material is composed of a conductive layer positioned between two resin layers, at least one of which contains one or more fire retardant compounds. In another embodiment, the multifunctional surfacing material is composed of a conductive layer positioned between two resin layers one of which is a thermally-stable layer. The surfacing material is co-curable with a composite substrate, e.g. prepreg or prepreg layup, which contains fiber-reinforced matrix resin.

Adding silica particles having specified collective characteristics to a fluororubber formulation enhances direct adhesion between the fluororubber formulation and a copolymer upon curing. Specifically, as measured before being mixed into the fluororubber formulation, the silica particles have an average value of the product “(particle size)×(circularity)” that is 17.5 nm or higher and 500 μm or lower. The silica particles may also have an average particle size of between 25.0 nm inclusive and 500 μm inclusive, and an average circularity of 0.80 or higher. Alternatively, as measured after being incorporated into the fluororubber formulation and then cured, the silica particles have an apparent average value of the product “(particle size)×(circularity)” that is 32.0 nm or higher and 500 μm or lower. The silica particles may also have an apparent average particle size of between 40.0 nm inclusive and 500 μm inclusive as measured after being incorporated into the fluororubber formulation and then cured.

Adding silica particles having specified collective characteristics to a fluororubber formulation enhances direct adhesion between the fluororubber formulation and a copolymer upon curing. Specifically, as measured before being mixed into the fluororubber formulation, the silica particles have an average value of the product “(particle size)×(circularity)” that is 17.5 nm or higher and 500 μm or lower. The silica particles may also have an average particle size of between 25.0 nm inclusive and 500 μm inclusive, and an average circularity of 0.80 or higher. Alternatively, as measured after being incorporated into the fluororubber formulation and then cured, the silica particles have an apparent average value of the product “(particle size)×(circularity)” that is 32.0 nm or higher and 500 μm or lower. The silica particles may also have an apparent average particle size of between 40.0 nm inclusive and 500 μm inclusive as measured after being incorporated into the fluororubber formulation and then cured.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer-based layer and layers on opposing surfaces thereof. A first voltage is applied to the transparent conductors to cause the shutter to extend to a closed position.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a multilayer film comprising highly refined cellulose fibers, the method comprising the steps of: a) forming a first wet web by applying a first pulp suspension comprising highly refined cellulose fibers on a first wire; b) partially dewatering the first wet web to obtain a first partially dewatered web; c) forming a second wet web by applying a second pulp suspension comprising highly refined cellulose fibers on a second wire; d) partially dewatering the second wet web to obtain a second partially dewatered web; e) joining the first and second partially dewatered web to obtain a multilayer web; and f) further dewatering, and optionally drying, the multilayer web to obtain a multilayer film comprising highly refined cellulose fibers.

The present invention provides a resin composition for a fiber-reinforced plastic, the resin composition including a cyanate ester (A), an epoxy resin (B), and an aromatic amine-based curing agent that is liquid at 25° C. (C), wherein the average number of cyanate groups in the cyanate ester (A) is 2.1 or greater, and/or the average number of epoxy groups in the epoxy resin (B) is 2.1 or greater. A fiber-reinforced plastic that is produced using this composition and a reinforcing fiber has favorable heat resistance and excellent tensile and bending properties, and therefore can be applied to a wide variety of fields including transport vehicles such as ships, automobiles, and aircrafts, sporting goods, building materials such as sinks and window frames, as well as industrial machinery and materials such as high-pressure gas tanks and blades for wind power generation.

A method of making an electrically-conductive film is provided. The method includes providing a release layer, optionally having a topologically structured surface, and depositing at least one electrically-conductive layer on the release layer whereby the at least one electrically-conductive layer has an outer surface that substantially replicates the topologically structured surface. The electrically-conductive layer can be peeled away from the release layer to obtain the electrically-conductive film. Such electrically-conductive films can be useful in lightning strike applications.

A method of making an electrically-conductive film is provided. The method includes providing a release layer, optionally having a topologically structured surface, and depositing at least one electrically-conductive layer on the release layer whereby the at least one electrically-conductive layer has an outer surface that substantially replicates the topologically structured surface. The electrically-conductive layer can be peeled away from the release layer to obtain the electrically-conductive film. Such electrically-conductive films can be useful in lightning strike applications.

A biodegradable cellulose fiber-based substrate, at least one side of which is coated with a release coating including: a) at least one water-soluble polymer (WSP) containing hydroxyl groups, and b) at least one lactone substituted with at least one linear or branched and/or cyclic C.sub.8-C.sub.30 hydrocarbon chain which may contain heteroatoms. The biodegradable substrate is certified biodegradable in accordance with EN 13432. A method of production thereof is also disclosed.

A biodegradable cellulose fiber-based substrate, at least one side of which is coated with a release coating including: a) at least one water-soluble polymer (WSP) containing hydroxyl groups, and b) at least one lactone substituted with at least one linear or branched and/or cyclic C.sub.8-C.sub.30 hydrocarbon chain which may contain heteroatoms. The biodegradable substrate is certified biodegradable in accordance with EN 13432. A method of production thereof is also disclosed.