Advanced reinforced polymers worth $7.8 billion by 2003

The market for polymers reinforced with high value materials, such as carbon, boron or ceramic fibres, will be worth more than $5.7 billion in 1999. The largest markets for these materials will be the aerospace and the defence industries. The market is expanding at an average growth rate of 8.4%, meaning that by 2003 it will reach $7.8 bi..

Luminescent materials shed light on carbon fibre damage

The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency plan to exploit crystals that glow when fractured to pinpoint otherwise invisible damage in carbon fibre composites. According to scientists, the output of the tribouluminescent materials could be monitored using optical fibres linked to detectors, the intensity of the light emitted giving a real..

Rational design of cellulosic fiber insulation materials

While fiberglass is a useful and inexpensive insulating material, pulmonary maladies and skin irritation associated with its use make it less desirable to work with or have around in homes and building with children. As previously encountered with asbestos insultion, these issues have created an impetus to actively seek alternatives to fi..

Polyester mesh emerges as best material for chin augmentation in long-term study

A nonabsorbable polyester fibre sheet called Mersilene mesh has emerged from a 14-year study as the most effective material for use in chin augmentation. Developed by Ethicon, New Jersey, USA, the alloplastic implants are popular because they are easily available, there is no donor site morbidity, and host tolerences are improved. The mer..

Reinforced polyamide used for in-line skates

Benetton is using a polyamide resin filled with 25% glass fibre reinforcement for the blades of its in-line skates. The resin used is AlliedSignal's Capron HPN series, which it is claimed has a higher flow rate and freeze off faster than any of their polyamide rivals. As a result, shorter times for moulding allow the manufacturer to make ..

Initial evaluation of a method to improve cleaning of seed cotton, lint, and lint cleaner waste

Tests were performed to clean seed cotton, lint, and lint cleaner waste with cylinder cleaners operated with different types of grid bars and cylinder speeds. Results showed that more aggressive, square grid bars performed better than conventional round grid bars in cleaning all three types of material, but allowed more fiber to escape wi..

Mitsubishi Rayon withdrawing from modacrylic staple fiber production

Mitsubishi Rayon is planning to cease production of its frame retardant modacrylic staple fiber and concentrate on the production of acrylic staple fiber 'Vonnel'. The company believes that the equipment used to manufacture modacrylic staple fiber can be used more effectively for the production of 'Vonnel'. Mitsubishi Rayon is advising cu..

Effect of multiple lint cleaning on the value and quality of stripper harvested cotton

Measurements were made over a five-year period to evaluate the effects of multiple stages of int claning on the quality and value of stripper harvested cotton. Twenty four test cottons representing five commercial stripper-type cotton varieties were used in these evaluations. Bale loan and market values and fiber quality measurements by t..

Polyurethane elastomers and its applications

The urethane polymer forming system has received intensive attention, especially in the fields of plastic, rubber, surface coatings, adhesives and fibres. Types of polyurethane elastomers include liquid elastomers, millable elastomers and thermoplastic linear urethane elastomers. The properties of these three basic groups have been studie..

Chemical composition of jute and its estimation

Estimation procedures are given for the basic chemical components of jute : holocellulose, alpha cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, fats and waxes, pectin, protein, mineral matter, colouring matter and ash. Chemical processing of jute is required to diversify products based on this important raw material.