A moldable composite sheet having improved thermal and mechanical property characteristics. In one aspect, the composite sheet may be a porous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin comprising discontinuous mineral reinforcing fibers, and one or more skin layer materials. Generally, the composite sheet may have a void content or porosity from about 5% to about 95% by volume of the sheet, an areal weight between about 400 g/m.sup.2 to about 4000 g/m.sup.2 (gsm), a mineral fiber content from about 20% to about 80% by weight, and a thermoplastic resin content from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the composite sheet. The composite sheet can be molded via low pressure processes, such as thermoforming, match metal molding on stops, vacuum forming and pressure forming, to produce durable automotive interior trim parts and construction articles having improved thermal and mechanical properties in addition to other beneficial characteristics.

A moldable composite sheet having improved thermal and mechanical property characteristics. In one aspect, the composite sheet may be a porous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin comprising discontinuous mineral reinforcing fibers, and one or more skin layer materials. Generally, the composite sheet may have a void content or porosity from about 5% to about 95% by volume of the sheet, an areal weight between about 400 g/m.sup.2 to about 4000 g/m.sup.2 (gsm), a mineral fiber content from about 20% to about 80% by weight, and a thermoplastic resin content from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the composite sheet. The composite sheet can be molded via low pressure processes, such as thermoforming, match metal molding on stops, vacuum forming and pressure forming, to produce durable automotive interior trim parts and construction articles having improved thermal and mechanical properties in addition to other beneficial characteristics.

The present invention provides recyclable copper clad laminates (CCLs) each including copper coil and a recyclable/degradable fiber composition, and printed circuit boards that are made of or include the CCLs of this invention. Also provided are method for recycling these CCLs and printed circuit boards.

Transparent, impact-resistant, anti-icing coatings are disclosed. In some variations, a transparent anti-icing coating comprises: a continuous matrix of a hardened material; asymmetric templates that inhibit wetting of water, wherein the asymmetric templates have a length scale from about 10-300 nanometers; porous voids surrounding the asymmetric templates, wherein the porous voids have a length scale from about 15-500 nanometers; and nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water, wherein the nanoparticles have an average size from about 5-50 nanometers. Disclosed coatings have transparencies of 90% or higher light transmission. These coatings utilize lightweight and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly formed into coatings. A uniform distribution of particles and asymmetric templates throughout the coating allows it to be abraded, yet retain its anti-icing function as well as transparency. Therefore if the surface is damaged during use, freshly exposed surface is identical to that which was removed, for extended lifetime.

Laminate structure suitable as electrical insulation comprising a mica-aramid layer of 35-55 wt % mica, 20-60 wt % binder, and 5 to 25 wt % aramid floc, the mica distributed uniformly in the mica-aramid layer; and an aramid layer comprising 35-75 wt % binder and 25-65 wt % aramid floc, the aramid layer being essentially free of mica; wherein the mica-aramid layer has a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 37% or greater, and the aramid layer has a LOI of 30% or less and having a tensile strength and elongation greater than the mica-aramid layer; and the mica-aramid layer being homogeneously and continuously bound to the aramid layer; the laminate structure having a thickness of at least 0.10 mm, a LOI greater than 32%, and when exposed to a flame to determine LOI, the laminate burns as one piece.

Laminate structure suitable as electrical insulation comprising a mica-aramid layer of 35-55 wt % mica, 20-60 wt % binder, and 5 to 25 wt % aramid floc, the mica distributed uniformly in the mica-aramid layer; and an aramid layer comprising 35-75 wt % binder and 25-65 wt % aramid floc, the aramid layer being essentially free of mica; wherein the mica-aramid layer has a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 37% or greater, and the aramid layer has a LOI of 30% or less and having a tensile strength and elongation greater than the mica-aramid layer; and the mica-aramid layer being homogeneously and continuously bound to the aramid layer; the laminate structure having a thickness of at least 0.10 mm, a LOI greater than 32%, and when exposed to a flame to determine LOI, the laminate burns as one piece.

Structurally enhanced preformed layers of multiple rigid unidirectional rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements in a variety of composite components, e.g. wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Individual rods include aligned unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation. The relative straightness of the fibers and fiber collimation provide rods and the preform layers with high rigidity and significant compression strength. A plurality of rods are loosely attached, e.g. knitted, together with a coupling that allows for each rod to be axially displaced, e.g. slideable, relative to another rod.

A composite material includes laminated composite material sheets having conductivity, partitioning members provided between end parts of sets of the composite material sheets to mutually separate the sets of the composite material sheets, and metal sheets respectively provided in the separated end parts of the composite material sheets so as to be respectively pinched between the composite material sheets.

A composite material includes laminated composite material sheets having conductivity, partitioning members provided between end parts of sets of the composite material sheets to mutually separate the sets of the composite material sheets, and metal sheets respectively provided in the separated end parts of the composite material sheets so as to be respectively pinched between the composite material sheets.

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.