Inventive manufacture of CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 composites is based on pressureless sintering. According to typical inventive practice, CrB.sub.2 powder and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 powder are mixed together in selected volumetric proportions so that the volume of the CrB.sub.2 does not exceed 50% of the overall volume of the CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 mixture. The CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 mixture is shaped into a green body. The green body is pressureless sintered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a firing temperature in the approximate range between 1600° C. and 2050° C. The present invention succeeds in preparing, via pressureless sintering, a proportionality-associated range of compositions in the CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 system, which is a potentially “advanced” ceramic system. A typical inventively fabricated CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 composite is inventively configured in a complex shape, and has “advanced” material (e.g., mechanical) properties that are favorable for a contemplated application. Inventive manufacture of ceramic-ceramic composites is thus dually attributed, and uncommonly so, with complex shape-ability and advanced capability.

A curable composition containing an alkenyl phenol A, an epoxy-modified silicone B, and an epoxy compound C other than the epoxy-modified silicone B.

A thermoplastic bag includes raised rib-like elements that allow the thermoplastic bag to expand. The thermoplastic bag further includes side seals having rib-like elements that allow the side seals to expand. Additionally, in one or more implementations, the thermoplastic bag includes one or more of a material formulation, a density of raised rib-like elements, a height of raised rib-like elements, or land areas that provide the raised rib-like elements with a reduced rebound ratio.

A modular utility vehicle construct that is light weight yet robust is provided. The construct is formed with a composite open area core sandwich structure capable of withstanding typical wear and tear and environmental elements experienced by utility vehicle compartments. The use of the composite sandwich structure allows for replacement of traditional materials such as steel or aluminum, without a loss of strength, in a vehicle's containment construct while also reducing the overall weight of the vehicle and increasing the ability to customize the vehicle's utility features to suit the specific needs of the purchaser.

A composite structure may comprise a composite core comprising a composite material, and a heat resistant system coupled to the composite core comprising a binder and/or at least one of a heat dissipation material or a thermal barrier material. The heat dissipation material may comprise boron nitride, graphene, graphite, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, aluminum foil, and/or copper foil, and the thermal barrier material may comprise montmorillonite, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, silicate glass, mica powder or flake, aluminum oxide powder, titanium dioxide powder, and/or zirconium oxide powder. The binder may comprise at least one of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol copolyacetate, polyacrylamide, polyethylene glycol, polyethylenimine, polyurethane, polyester, or latex.

A moisture resistant carpet exhibiting exceptional delamination strength and methods of making same are disclosed.

In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known having a MDF (Medium Density Board) or HDF (High Density Board) based core layer on top of which a decorative substrate is attached to provide the panels a desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled panels.

Tetrafluoroethene-based fluoropolymers of low gel content, methods of making the fluoropolymers, methods of extruding the fluoropolymers into articles, and extruded articles comprising the fluoropolymers.

Fiber-reinforced composites is provided. The composites include a plurality of prepreg layers, each comprising a polymeric resin and a plurality of fibers disposed therein; and at least one electrically-conductive layer at least partially embedded in the plurality of prepreg layers. These fiber-reinforced composites can save weight relative to externally provided wires and can be provided in forms suitable for use in automated fiber placement and automated tape layup machines. Advantageous applications include uses in lightning strike protection, energy storage, signal transmission, and power distribution.

There is provided retroreflective articles comprising a binder layer comprising an adhesive composition comprising at least one tackifier and at least one elastomer selected from at least one of natural rubbers and synthetic rubbers, and a layer of optical elements at least partially embedded in a major surface of the binder layer. There are also provided articles of clothing using the presently disclosed retroreflective articles and methods for preparing the retroreflective articles.