Unique blends of fibers that incorporate synthetic cellulosic fibers to render fabrics made with such blends more durable than fabrics made with natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton. While more durable than cotton, the synthetic cellulosic fibers used in the blends are still inexpensive and comfortable to the wearer. Thus, the benefits of cotton (affordability and comfort) are still attained while a drawback of cotton—low durability—is avoided. In one embodiment, the fiber blend includes FR modacrylic fibers and synthetic cellulosic fibers, preferably, but not necessarily non-FR lyocell fibers such as TENCEL™ and TENCEL A100™. Other fibers may be added to the blend, including, but not limited to, additional types of inherently FR fibers, anti-static fibers, anti-microbial fibers, stretch fibers, and/or high tenacity fibers. The fiber blends disclosed herein may be used to form various types of FR fabrics. Desired colors may be imparted in a variety of ways and with a variety of dyes to the fabrics disclosed herein. Fabrics having the fibers blends disclosed herein can be used to construct the entirety of, or various portions of, a variety of protective garments for protecting the wearer against electrical arc flash and flames, including, but not limited to, coveralls, jumpsuits, shirts, jackets, vests, and trousers.

Curable prepregs possessing enhanced ability for the removal of gases from within prepregs and between prepreg plies in a prepreg layup prior to and/or during consolidation and curing. Each curable prepreg is a resin-impregnated, woven fabric that has been subjected to a treatment to create an array of openings in at least one major surface. Furthermore, the location of the openings is specific to the weave pattern of the fabric.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

The present invention relates to methods for forming a composite product having a patterned surface. A substrate including a porous structure (136), a sheet-form material (134) and a patterned sheet (131) are pressed together to form the composite product. In preferred examples, the patterned sheet is permeable to curable material in the sheet-form material.

An ink composition for continuous deflected ink jet printing, liquid at ambient temperature is disclosed. One aspect is an ink composition comprising: a solvent including organic solvent compound(s), and optionally water, the solvent representing at least 20 % by weight of the total weight of the ink. Furthermore, there is at least one compound imparting conductivity to the ink composition, chosen from among the ionic liquids, the compound representing 0.2 % by weight to 4 % by weight of the total weight of the ink composition, preferably 0.5 to 3 % by weight of the total weight of the ink composition. Lastly, the ink composition includes less than 10 % by weight, preferably less than 5 % by weight, more preferably less than 1 % by weight, and most preferably 0 % by weight of water relative to the total weight of the ink composition.

A vehicle structural element made of plastic has at least one carbon filler reinforced region and at least one fiberglass reinforced region. In a method for producing the vehicle structural element, a pre-heated carbon fiber reinforced region and a pre-heated fiberglass reinforced region are placed in a press and shaped.

An article of apparel and method of making the article of apparel for a wearer is disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the article of apparel comprises a fabric defining a first, inner surface facing the wearer, and a second, outer surface opposite the first surface. A plurality of compression areas are formed along the inner fabric surface, each compression area comprising compressed yarns. A sealing agent effective to reduce the air permeability of the fabric is applied to each compression area. The sealing agent secures the yarns in a compressed state.

Containers containing fibrous wipes that exhibit a novel combination of properties are provided.

The present disclosure relates to a multi-layered design for an article of apparel such as swimwear. In particular, at least one layer may include a stretch resistant matrix made of a thermoplastic polymer, a silicone or other similar material to provide additional support and modesty to certain areas of the apparel, such as the bust area. Further, a method of manufacturing the article of apparel is also disclosed. According to aspects described herein, the layers may be integrated using techniques to increase the overall integrity of the apparel.

In an illustrative implementation of this invention, a 3D object comprises substrate layers infiltrated by a hardened material. The 3D object is fabricated by a method comprising the following steps: Position powder on all or part of a substrate layer. Repeat this step for the remaining substrate layers. Transform the powder into a substance that flows and subsequently hardens into the hardened material. The hardened material solidifies in a spatial pattern that infiltrates positive regions in the substrate layers and does not infiltrate negative regions in the substrate layers.