The sound absorbing material according to the present invention is formed by laminating a porous sound absorber and two or more sheets of a nonwoven fabric one on another. The nonwoven fabric has a plurality of drawn filaments arranged and oriented in one direction. The mode value of the diameter distribution of the plurality of filaments is in the range of 1 to 4 μm. The grammage of the nonwoven fabric is in the range of 5 to 40 g/m.sup.2. The sound absorbing material according to the present invention provides high sound absorption performance in a predetermined low frequency band of 6000 Hz or less, and still remains light in weight and flexible enough and easy enough to handle to be substantially comparable to the porous sound absorber.

Absorbent product including a laminate of at least two plies, wherein the absorbent product has a measured Valley Volume parameter greater than 11 microns and a Pit Density of greater than 25 pockets per sq. cm.

The invention includes a method of providing an intermediary layer in a laminated structure, between two adjacent layers, where the intermediary layer contains a fiber having an extrusion coating. The intermediary layer may form a textile constructed from the fibers, the intermediary layer, when the lamination method proceeds, provides the adhesion between the adjacent layers, as well as reinforcement for the laminated structure.

An impact resistant exterior sheathing gypsum building panel with an integrated impact resistant woven mesh which protects against impact from projectiles such as those conveyed by hurricane force winds is provided. Methods for manufacturing these exterior sheathing gypsum building panels with an integrated impact resistant woven mesh are also provided. An exterior sheathing system employing the exterior sheathing cementitious building panel is provided.

This invention relates to devices integrally comprising fibres that have emissivities, particularly of infrared radiation, that can be controllably varied. The active emissive surface comprises graphene layers with intercalated ions.

A multilayer film bonded to a base fabric includes a first layer bonded to the base fabric; and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The first layer, the second layer, or both includes a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyester-based elastomer, a polyurethane-based elastomer, and a polyamide-based elastomer. A melt strength of the multilayer film is greater than or equal to 7.5 mN.

An air and water barrier article comprised of multiple layers. The layers include a porous layer, a polymeric layer disposed on a front side of the porous layer, and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on a second side of the porous layer. In certain embodiments, a top polymeric layer having hydrophobic and UV resistant properties will be provided on a surface of the first polymeric layer opposite the adhesive layer. Each of the polymeric layers and the porous layer can be formed of a material(s) having a Tg between −40° C. and 20° C. The top layer, if present, can have a Tg between −5 and 30° C. The barrier article can provide nail seal ability and have a weight of less than 30 ounces per square yard.

Nonwoven fabrics are provided that include a plurality of mono-component spunbond fibers comprising a polymeric material including a polymeric blend of (i) a TS7 value of at most about 30 as determined by a Tissue Softness Analyzer (TSA) from Emtec Innovative Testing Solutions; (ii) a HF value of at least about 40 as determined by a Tissue Softness Analyzer (TSA) from Emtec Innovative Testing Solutions; (iii) a delta value of at least 20, wherein the delta value is determined by subtracting the TS7 value from the HF value; (iv) a TS7 value that is from about 5% to about 35% lower than that of an identically constructed nonwoven fabric formed from 100% polypropylene; and (v) a HF value that is from about 5% to about 35% larger than that of an identically constructed nonwoven fabric formed from 100% polypropylene.

A photovoltaic module includes at least one solar cell, an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, a frontsheet juxtaposed with the encapsulant, and backsheet juxtaposed with the encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a glass layer, a polymer layer attached to the glass layer, and an adhesive layer attaching the polymer layer to the glass layer. The backsheet includes a single-layer, moisture-resistant, fire-retardant membrane.

In at least one embodiment, a building material comprising a porous membrane having a moderate to high water vapor permeability and high liquid water penetration resistance is disclosed. The building material may be used in building applications, including as or as part of a building wrap, a rain screen, a roofing underlayment, a flashing, a sound proofing material, or an insulation material. The porous membrane may include at least one thermoplastic polymer, at least one filler, and at least one processing oil. The porous membrane may be flat or may have ribs. The porous membrane may include at least one scrim component.