A prepreg including an epoxide resin matrix system and fibrous reinforcement, at least partially impregnated by the epoxide resin matrix system, the epoxide resin matrix system having the components: a. a mixture of (i) at least one epoxide-containing resin and (ii) at least one catalyst for curing the at least one epoxide-containing resin; and b. a plurality of solid fillers for providing fire retardant properties to the fibre-reinforced composite material formed after catalytic curing of the at least one epoxide-containing resin, and wherein the fibrous reinforcement is a woven fabric ply of an interwoven mixture of glass fibres and carbon fibres, the woven fabric ply has a weight of from 350 to 550 g/m.sup.2 and is from 40 to 95 wt % glass fibres and from 5 to 60 wt % carbon fibres, each based on the weight of the woven fabric ply, and the proportion by weight of carbon fibres, expressed as C in wt %, in the woven fabric ply is defined by the formula:

[00001]$C\ge \left(-0.0048W+2.0858\right)\times 100\%,$ where W is the weight of the woven fabric ply in g/m.sup.2,
and the proportion by weight of glass fibres, expressed as G wt %, in the woven fabric ply is defined by the formula: G=(100−C) %.

The present invention relates to a reaction mixture for manufacturing an inorganic-filler based closed-cell rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate (PU or PIR) containing foam having a calorific value below 6 MJ/kg, preferably below 4.5 MJ/kg, more preferably below 3 MJ/kg, measured according to EN ISO 1716, the reaction mixture comprising: At least one polyisocyanate-containing compound; At least one isocyanate-reactive compound; An inorganic filler composition; At least one physical blowing agent;

characterised in that said inorganic filler composition has bulk density higher than 2 g/cm.sup.3, preferably higher than 2.1 g/cm.sup.3, more preferably higher than 2.2 g/cm.sup.3, even more preferably higher than 2.4 g/cm.sup.3.

[Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a foam including a thermoplastic resin and rubber as a main component, in which a micronized product of a cellulose fiber is uniformly dispersed, and uniformity and mechanical properties are excellent. [Solution] A foam includes a modified cellulose fiber (A) covalently bonded with a diene-based polymer, a thermoplastic resin and/or rubber (B), and a diene-based polymer (C) having a functional group capable of covalently bonding with a cellulose fiber, in which the fiber (A) is micronized, the fiber (A) has a content of 0.05 to 20% by mass, and the thermoplastic resin and/or rubber (B) has a glass transition point of −130° C. to 120° C.

There is provided herein thermoset porous polymer composites a methods for producing such composites. The method comprises: preparing a mixture comprising a resin, optionally a curing agent, and dry ice; optionally casting the mixture; curing the mixture to obtain the porous composite; and optionally controlling at least one of a reaction rate and an expansion rate of the mixture during the curing.

A polymer composite contains tubular particles, which contain at least one resin with fibres embedded. The tubular particles have an average length in the range of 0.5 mm to 60 mm and an average wall thickness in the range of 0.0005 mm to 30 mm, whereas the fibers have an average diameter in the range of 0.0005 mm to 5.0 mm. A process can be used to prepare the polymer composite containing tubular particles. The polymer composite can be used as a cushioning material, which can be formed into a cushioning article such as a shoe sole, a furniture cushion, a bed mattress, an automotive seat cushion, a flooring substrate, an outdoor/walking surface, a mat, a pad, and the like.

The present teachings generally provide for a reinforcing patch for stiffening vehicle panels. The reinforcing patch may be fabric free (e.g., free of any reinforcing layer). The reinforcing patch may be cut into small shapes, complex shapes, or both. The stiffening material may be free of a mesh or a fabric, which may allow the reinforcing patch material to be easily produced and easily reprocessed. The reinforcing patch may include one or more reinforcing particulates in combination with one or more discontinuous fiber components to obtain stiffness comparable to traditional patches which include a mesh/fabric layer.

A thermoplastic composite article comprising a porous core layer and an open cell skin disposed on a first surface of the core layer is described. The composite article comprises a noise reduction coefficient of at least 0.5 as tested by ASTM C423-17 and a flame spread index of less than 25 and a smoke development index of less than 150 as tested by ASTM E84 dated 2009.

Provided is a foamable polyamide composition comprising a) at least one polyamide comprising at least one carboxylic group; b) at least one thermoplastic rubber; and c) at least one compound having at least one isocyanate group; and optionally d) at least one filler and e) at least one additive.

The invention relates to a floor or wall panel and a method for producing such panel. The panel according to the invention comprises a core layer comprising at least one composite material, said composite material comprising at least one inorganic material, and at least one polymeric binder, wherein a weight ratio of the inorganic material to the polymeric binder is at least 2.4:1. The core layer further comprises an additive which is configured to improve the properties of the core layer.

Apertured polymeric layers, sheets, mesh or films are provided for a variety of different applications. A polymeric sheet comprises at least one polymer layer having one or more apertures for flow of gas or liquid therethrough, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed within the polymer sheet such that the nanoparticles are disposed between a first surface of the polymer sheet and a second surface opposite the first surface. The nanoparticles filter contaminants passing through the polymeric sheet. The apertured sheets may comprise filter media and/or support membranes for filter media in gas or liquid filters. The nanoparticles reduce the overall pressure drop across the support membranes to improve the efficiency of such filters.