The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a nanocellulosic composition comprising cellulose nanoparticles and/or nanoparticles. The nanocellulosic compositions are useful in the manufacturing of biodegradable plastics. The invention also includes a method of manufacturing biodegradable plastics using such nanocellulosic compositions.

Presented are fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sandwich structures, methods for making/using such FRP sandwich structures, and motor vehicles with a vehicle component fabricated from a compression molded thermoset or thermoplastic FRP sandwich structure. A multidimensional composite sandwich structure includes first and second (skin) layers formed from a thermoset of thermoplastic polymer matrix, such as resin or nylon, filled with a fiber reinforcing material, such as chopped carbon fibers. A third (core) layer, which is encased between the first and second skin layers, is formed from a thermoset/thermoplastic polymer matrix filled with a fiber reinforcing material and a filler material, such as hollow glass microspheres. The first, second and third layers have respective rheological flow properties that are substantially similar such that all three layers flow in unison at a predetermined compression molding pressure. These layers may be formed from the same thermoset/thermoplastic polymer material, and include the same fiber reinforcing material.

A thermoplastic composite sheet may be composed of a polymer material matrix and a lightweight material that is disposed throughout the polymer material matrix. The polymer material matrix may extend continuously throughout a length, width, and thickness of the thermoplastic composite sheet. The polymer material matrix may be a fully polymerized thermoplastic material. The lightweight material may be fully saturated by the thermoplastic material of the polymer material matrix. The thermoplastic composite sheet may include between 50 and 99 weight percent of the thermoplastic material and between 1 and 50 weight percent of the lightweight material. The thermoplastic composite sheet may be free of reinforcing fibers.

The present invention relates in general to recycling of polymer matrix composite. In particular, the invention relates to a process for separating reinforcement material from polymer matrix composite comprising the reinforcement material within a thermoset polymer matrix.

A method of manufacturing a flexible intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite controlling for an effective pore size using removable pore-forming substances and physically incorporated, non-leaching antimicrobials. A flexible intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite controlled for an effective pore size composited physically incorporated, high-surface area, non-leaching antimicrobials, optionally in which the physically incorporated non-leaching antimicrobial exposes nanopillars on its surface to enhance antimicrobial activity. A kit that enhances the effectiveness of the intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite by storing the composite within an antimicrobial container.

The present disclosure is directed to articles that include a cured coating that includes a matrix of crosslinked polymers and optionally a colorant (e.g., pigment particles or dye or both). The cured coating can include a matrix of crosslinked polymers. The cured coating is a product of crosslinking a coating composition comprising uncrosslinked polymers (e.g., a dispersion of uncrosslinked polymers in a carrier to form the matrix of crosslinked polymers), wherein the uncrosslinked polymers are crosslinked to form the matrix of crosslinked polymers. The matrix of crosslinked polymers can be elastomeric. The present disclosure is also directed to articles including these bladders, methods of forming these bladders, and methods of making articles including these bladders, where the bladders include the cured coating.

A pultruded material includes a thermosetting resin, and a reinforced fibers impregnated with the thermosetting resin. The thermosetting resin includes a solid resin that contains a fire-resistant resin having a median oxygen index of equal to or higher than, a long-chain fatty acid ester that has a median number of carbons per molecule within a range equal to or more than 3 and equal to or less than 1000, and that has a median flash point within a range equal to or higher than 150 degrees Celsius, and an additive that has a median BET specific surface area within a range equal to or more than 150 m.sup.2/g and equal to or less than 250 m.sup.2/g, and that has a median primary particle diameter within a range equal to or more than 5 nanometers and equal to or smaller than 20 nanometers.

A degradation method of thermosetting resin is provided. The method includes the following steps, for example, a first resin composition is provided. The resin in the first resin composition includes a carbon-nitrogen bond, an ether bond, an ester bond or a combination thereof. The first resin composition and a catalyst composition are mixed to perform a degradation reaction to form a second resin composition. The catalyst composition includes a transition metal compound and a group IIIA metal compound. The second resin composition includes a resin monomer or an oligomer thereof having functional groups. The functional group includes an amine group, a hydroxyl group, an ester group, an acid group or a combination thereof. A catalyst composition used in the degradation method and a resin composition obtained by the degradation method are also provided.

A composite material (101) is produced by obtaining a plurality of agglomerates (102), introducing the plurality of agglomerates into a liquid carrier including a component capable of solidifying to produce a solidified polymeric material and mixing the plurality of the agglomerates into the liquid carrier (103) to produce a composite material. Each agglomerate is pre-formed by obtaining a plurality of electrically conductive or semi-conductive particles, mixing the plurality of electrically conductive or semi-conductive particles (201) in a granulation vessel. The mixing step includes operating the granulation vessel (202) at a Froude number of between 220 and 1100 and adhering the plurality of electrically conductive or semi-conductive particles by adding a granulation binder to a plurality of agglomerates.

Provided is a thermosetting conductive paste which is able to be processed at low temperature (for example, at 250° C. or less), and which enables the achievement of a conductive film that has low resistivity. The conductive paste which contains (A) a conductive component, (B) a thermosetting resin, (C) a compound having a specific structure, and (D) a solvent.