A colorless composite material according to an embodiment includes glass fibers, and inorganic-organic hybrid resin having inorganic bonds and organic bonds, wherein the inorganic bonds are M-O-M bonds and M denotes a metallic element, wherein the metallic element is one of Ti, Zr and Al.

The present invention relates to an optical fiber for an SPR sensor, characterized in that the optical fiber is comprised of a core layer and a cladding layer surrounding the core layer, and the cladding layer is doped with metal nanoparticles.

The invention relates to a process for manufacturing flat glass, comprising the following successive steps: (a) applying a layer of a glass frit to a glass textile, the glass of the frit and of the textile having essentially the same composition, (b) heating the glass textile bearing the layer of glass frit to a temperature T>T.sub.L20 C., T.sub.L being the Littleton temperature of the glass frit, for a sufficient length of time to convert the layer of frit into an enamel layer of the same composition as the glass textile, and (c) cooling the glass textile impregnated with the enamel or bearing an enamel layer, obtained in step (b), so as to obtain a glass sheet.

It also relates to a glass sheet capable of being obtained by this process.

A method for generating a diameter-enlarged end on an optical fiber, includes placing a longitudinal subsection of a longitudinal section of the fiber into a heating zone and heating the longitudinal subsection, wherein first and second sides of the longitudinal section on either side of the longitudinal subsection are situated outside the heating zone; compressing the heated longitudinal subsection in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber; pushing the first side of the longitudinal section toward the heating zone in the longitudinal direction and pulling the second side of the longitudinal section away from the heating zone in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first side of the longitudinal section is pushed to a greater degree than the second side of the longitudinal section is pulled, and generating an optical entry surface of the fiber by cutting the enlarged longitudinal subsection transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fiber.

A coated optical fiber includes an optical fiber; and a primary coating encapsulating the optical fiber, the primary coating having an in-situ modulus of about 0.12 MPa or less at a thickness of about 32.5 m, a Young's modulus as a cured film of about 0.7 MPa or less, and a T.sub.g of about 22 C. or below, wherein the primary coating is the cured reaction product of a primary curable composition having a gel-time ratio relative to C1 of less than about 2.

The present invention concerns an aqueous flame retardant composition for mineral fiber-based mats, in particular glass or rock fibers, which comprises: at least one thermoplastic or thermoset resin; magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH).sub.2, and aluminum hydroxide, AlOOH, as flame retarding agents; and optionally, carbon black.

It also concerns mats treated with said flame retardant composition.

A coated glass fiber 1 comprising a glass fiber 10 and one or more coating layers each composed of an ultraviolet curable resin on the outer circumference of the glass fiber 10, wherein the ultraviolet curable resin constituting at least one of the coating layers is formed of an ultraviolet curable coating material containing a silane coupling agent and a photoacid generator. The coated optical fiber 1 coated optical fiber having a high dynamic fatigue coefficient since adhesion between the surface of the glass fiber and the resin coating layer is satisfactory.

Polyester materials, methods for making polyesters materials, and uses of the polyester materials in binder materials and articles of manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment, a process is provided for preparing a polyester solution, including mixing monomers of at least one organic acid containing at least three carboxylic groups and at least one multi-hydroxyl alcohol containing at least three hydroxyl groups to form a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture to a first temperature, polymerizing the monomers at the first temperature until reaching an acid value from about 200 to about 400 mg KOH/g, adjusting the temperature to a second temperature less than the first temperature, and forming the polyester solution. The polyester materials may be mixed with cross-linking materials to form binder materials. The binder material may then be used to form articles of manufacture.

An aqueous binder composition is provided that includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent. In exemplary embodiments, the carbohydrate-based binder composition may also include a catalyst, a coupling agent, a process aid, a crosslinking density enhancer, an extender, a moisture resistant agent, a dedusting oil, a colorant, a corrosion inhibitor, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, and combinations thereof. The carbohydrate may be natural in origin and derived from renewable resources. Additionally, the carbohydrate polymer may have a dextrose equivalent (DE) number from 2 to 20. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the carbohydrate is a water-soluble polysaccharide such as dextrin or maltodextrin and the crosslinking agent is citric acid. Advantageously, the carbohydrates have a low viscosity and cure at moderate temperatures. The environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free binder may be used in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats. A method of making fibrous insulation products is also provided.

A reinforced composite is provided that includes at least one planar fiber reinforcement or fabric formed from a plurality of fibers. The fiber reinforcement or fabric has a first side and a second side. The reinforced composite further includes a chemical treatment coated on at least one of said first side and second side and a matrix material.