A packaging material comprising a graphene-reinforced polymer matrix composite (G-PMC) is disclosed. The packaging material has improved barrier resistance to gas and liquid permeants. Also disclosed is a method of improving barrier resistance of a polymer to a permeant, the method comprising forming a graphene-reinforced polymer matrix composite within the polymer. The packaging material may be used for packaging food, drug, perfume, etc. and to make various containers.

A hybrid metal composite (HMC) structure comprises tiers comprising fiber composite material structures, and additional tiers longitudinally adjacent one or more of the tiers and comprising perforated metallic structures and additional fiber composite material structures laterally adjacent the perforated metallic structures. Methods of forming an HMC structure, and related rocket motors and multi-stage rocket motor assemblies are also disclosed.

A liquid-crystal polymer includes at least one repeating unit having a spiro structure, and the repeating unit occupies 1 mol % to 20 mol % of the liquid-crystal polymer. The liquid-crystal polymer is composed of the following repeating units: 1 mol % to 20 mol % of ##STR00001##
10 mol % to 35 mol % of ##STR00002##
10 mol % to 35 mol % of ##STR00003##
10 mol % to
50 mol % of ##STR00004##
and 10 mol % to 40 mol % of ##STR00005##
AR.sup.1 is ##STR00006##
wherein each of ring R and ring S is independently a C.sub.3-20 ring, ring R and ring S share a carbon atom, and each of K.sup.1 and K.sup.2 is independently a C.sub.5-20 conjugated system. Each of AR.sup.2, AR.sup.3, AR.sup.4, and AR.sup.5 is independently AR.sup.6 or AR.sup.6—Z—AR.sup.7.

A structural member including a lightweight core, one or more skins, and a crosslinking nanolayer interposed therebetween that results in significant mechanical strength in the structure. The core is a polymer of reduced density by way of included voids, such as an open or closed cell foam, honeycomb, or corrugated structure. The core polymer has a lower density and may have a higher softening or melting temperature than the polymer skin materials. The core may be discontinuous at the interface with the skin such that only a small percentage of the core surface is actually in contact with the skin compared to the overall area of the interface. The skin may be a thermoplastic layer that attaches to the core material. The skin may be a composite material including non-thermoplastic reinforcements. The crosslinking nanolayer is covalently bonded to the surface of the core material and provides molecular compatibility with the skin material.

A method of making a flexible pipe layer, which method comprises: commingling polymer filaments and carbon fibre filaments to form an intimate mixture, forming yarns of the commingled filaments, forming the yarns into a tape, and applying the tape to a pipe body to form a flexible pipe layer.

An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition contains: (A) an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer including two or more types of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers having different ethylene structural unit contents; and (B) an iron compound; wherein the iron compound (B) is present in an amount of 0.01 to 5 ppm on a metal basis based on the weight of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition. The ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition is substantially free from coloration and excellent in heat stability.

Disclosed herein is an intrinsically self-healing composite based upon in situ thermal remendability of an embedded polymeric interphase. The fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) material may incorporate a thermoset polymer with a defined glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and/or a thermoplastic material of amorphous or semi-crystalline nature. The polymeric interphase can be incorporated as a plurality of particles, fibers, meshes, films, or 3D-printed structures. The self-healing composite includes a resistive heating component as a structural element that minimizes electrical energy demand and impact on mechanical integrity. Healing occurs in situ via resistive heating and can be enabled below, at, or above the glass-transition temperature of the FRC matrix, demonstrating viability for in-service repair under sustained loads. In addition to providing rapid healing functionality, the polymeric interphase increases inherent resistance to interlaminar fracture. Repeated heal cycles have been achieved in a double cantilever beam (DCB) fracture test without significant degradation in performance.

Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Different coating methods can be used. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, the golf ball can be treated with a multi-functional isocyanate prior to applying the coatings. The polyurethane cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)—light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.

A cover member of the present invention is a cover member to be placed on a face of an object to prevent passage of a foreign matter through an opening of the face, the cover member including: a protective membrane having a shape configured to cover the opening when the cover member is placed on the face; and a first substrate layer joined to one of principal surfaces of the protective membrane. The first substrate layer has a laminated structure including at least two substrate films, and is positioned between the protective membrane and the face when the cover member is placed on the face. The at least two substrate films include a non-foam film and a foam film. The cover member of the present invention is suitable for improving the peelability from a member supply sheet.

Insulating articles, assemblies and methods are provided. The insulating articles include a core layer (101,201) containing a plurality of non-meltable fibers; and at least one reinforcement layer (102, 202) disposed on the core layer (101,201). The insulating article has tensile strength of at least 0.75 newtons/millimeter according to ASTM D822 and a tear strength of at least 2 newtons under ASTM D1938, wherein the insulating article has a surface electrical resistivity of at least 15 M-ohm at a relative humidity of 85% and temperature of 30° C., wherein the insulating article has an air flow resistance of up to 2000 MKS Rayls according to ASTM C522, and wherein the insulating article displays a UL94-V0 flammability rating.