Abstract:
Methods of using and repairing seal caps as well as constructions comprising seal caps, including in some embodiments seal caps which may be useful in sealing fasteners that protrude into fuel storage cells in aircraft. In some embodiments, methods include the use of optically translucent seal cap and application of a second quantity of sealant to fill voids observed within the interior of the seal cap after cure of a first quantity of sealant.
Abstract:
A composition including a polythiol having more than one thiol groups, a polyepoxide having more than one epoxide group, a photolatent base catalyst that can photochemically generate a first amine, and a second amine phase-separated within the composition. A polymer network preparable from the composition, and a method for making the polymer network are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for producing a dimensionally stable melt blown nonwoven fibrous web. The process includes forming a multiplicity of melt blown fibers by passing a molten stream including molecules of at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer through at least one orifice of a melt-blowing die, subjecting at least a portion of the melt blown fibers to a controlled in-flight heat treatment operation at a temperature below a melting temperature of the at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer immediately upon exiting from the at least one orifice, and collecting at least some of the melt blown fibers subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation on a collector to form a non-woven fibrous structure. The nonwoven fibrous structure exhibits a Shrinkage less than a Shrinkage measured on an identically-prepared structure including only fibers not subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation, and generally less than 15%.
Abstract:
The method includes applying a curable sealant to a surface of the aircraft component, forming a non-tacky skin on an exposed portion of the curable sealant within a first time period while allowing a portion of the curable sealant adjacent the surface of the aircraft component to be liquid for a second time period. The second time period is at least twice the first time period. The curable sealant comprises at least one of an adhesion promoter or a wetting agent.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides methods and articles useful in sealing fasteners, including seal caps and in particular translucent or transparent seals or seal caps. In some embodiments, a seal cap which is optically translucent and optionally visibly transparent contains an uncured sealant, which is optionally optically translucent or visibly transparent, and is applied to a fastener. In some embodiments, the sealant is cured by application of actinic radiation to the sealant through the seal cap. In another aspect, a protected fastener construction is provided comprising: q) a fastener; r) a seal cap; and s) a cured sealant; wherein the sealant is optically translucent and optionally visibly transparent.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for producing a dimensionally stable melt blown nonwoven fibrous web. The process includes forming a multiplicity of melt blown fibers by passing a molten stream including molecules of at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer through at least one orifice of a melt-blowing die, subjecting at least a portion of the melt blown fibers to a controlled in-flight heat treatment operation at a temperature below a melting temperature of the at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer immediately upon exiting from the at least one orifice, and collecting at least some of the melt blown fibers subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation on a collector to form a non-woven fibrous structure. The nonwoven fibrous structure exhibits a Shrinkage less than a Shrinkage measured on an identically-prepared structure including only fibers not subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation, and generally less than 15%.
Abstract:
Curable sealant compositions comprise the components: a) x weight percent of at least one polythiol; b) y weight percent of at least one unsaturated compound having at least two non-aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds, at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, or a combination thereof; c) from 0.01 to 8 weight percent of at least one quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salt; d) from 0.05 to 10 weight percent of at least one organic peroxide; and e) optionally from 0.01 to 10 weight percent of a photoinitiator system capable of generating free radicals upon exposure to actinic radiation. Each of x and y represents a positive real number. The sum x+y is in the range of 72 to 99. The weight percent ranges of the components a)-e) are based on the total weight of the components a)-e). A seal cap including the curable sealant composition and methods of making and using the curable sealant compositions are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A lightning protective seal cap comprising a seal cap that defines an interior, and a quantity of an uncured sealant that is curable by the application of actinic radiation so as to bind the seal cap to a fastener. The interior of the seal cap contains the quantity of uncured sealant, the seal cap is positionable over the fastener such that at least a portion of the fastener resides in the interior of the seal cap, and when the seal cap is in position over the fastener, the sealant containing seal cap prevents electrical arcing to the fastener from a lightning strike.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for producing a dimensionally stable melt blown nonwoven fibrous web. The process includes forming a multiplicity of melt blown fibers by passing a molten stream including molecules of at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer through at least one orifice of a melt-blowing die, subjecting at least a portion of the melt blown fibers to a controlled in-flight heat treatment operation at a temperature below a melting temperature of the at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer immediately upon exiting from the at least one orifice, and collecting at least some of the melt blown fibers subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation on a collector to form a non-woven fibrous structure. The nonwoven fibrous structure exhibits a Shrinkage less than a Shrinkage measured on an identically-prepared structure including only fibers not subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation, and generally less than 15%.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides methods and articles useful in sealing fasteners, including seal caps and methods of their use, and in particular light weight seal caps having higher dielectric breakdown strength, lower weight, and/or lower wall thickness. In some embodiments, the seal caps according to the present invention are made of a material having a dielectric breakdown strength of greater than 1.0 kV/mm, in some embodiments greater than 15.0 kV/mm, and in some embodiments greater than 50.0 kV/mm. In some embodiments, the seal caps according to the present invention are thin-walled, having an average wall thickness of less than 1.5 mm and in some embodiments less than less than 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, the seal cap comprises a polyurethane polymer, a polythioether polymer, a polysulfide polymer, a fluorinated thermoplastic polymer, a THV polymer, a fluorinated thermoset polymer, an engineering thermoplastic, and/or a PEEK polymer.