CN1027240C - Composite material - Google Patents

Abstract

A cable splice case or other article for environmental sealing comprises a composite material having multifilament fibres therein, which fibres are blocked in order to prevent passage of fluid through the material in a direction parallel to its major surfaces.

Description

Composite material

The present invention relates to a kind of composite, it comprises multifilament fiber and the matrix material that is referred to as synnema usually, this composite has improved plane compactness, this has improved tolerance with regard to meaning the fluid that is parallel to its surface usually moved, and situation is to have reduced the absorption of fluid in the composite and accumulate preferably.

Composite has for example obtained extensive use owing to having pliability or toughness (intensity).We find, for many purposes, multifilament fiber may be selected as a component of composite because of they have higher performances such as pliability, but since multifilament can see through air, water and other pollution impurity and often have problems.

An object of the present invention is to prevent or stop air, water and other pollutants flowing in being mixed with the dimensionally recoverable goods of multifilament fiber.

We find that further multifilament fiber (it can provide intensity, therefore can think that it contains strength) can overcome these problems through processing or structural design.Thereby allow multifilament fiber can formerly not use the occasion of fabric or composite, perhaps these goods are used by the occasion of monfil manufacturing.This processing or structural design make multifilament fiber along its length in a place or many places, are preferably got up by shutoff along its length continuously basically.This shutoff comprises some material that can prevent or stop fluid to flow along the multifilament fiber axial clearance, normally comprises certain polymer filler.The shutoff that is interrupted can prevent or reduce fluid along the moving of fiber, but fiber still can absorb and accumulate fluid.Can prevent or reduce this class along the continuous substantially shutoff of fibre length absorbs and accumulates.

The invention provides a kind of fibre-bearing composite of dimensionally recoverable, it is characterized in that it comprises multifilament fiber and a kind of matrix material, and contain some material, this material can prevent or stop fluid along the gap of described fiber and/or along the flowing of the outer surface of described fiber and described matrix material at least after replying, and this composite can be replied fiber and has reversibility owing to wherein being had.

Multifilament fiber preferably becomes fabric, particularly woven fabric, the preferably part of the fabric of dimensionally recoverable at least.

This composite preferably also comprises:

(a) strength (preferably multiple strength);

(b) but the plugging material thermal softening fibers form or that make by it, when composite heats when replying (preferably also comprise pressurization and/or), the gap (preferably including the gap between the strength) that its can shutoff multifilament fiber.

The present invention further provides a kind of method of making composite, this composite comprises a kind of fibre-bearing composite of dimensionally recoverable, it is characterized in that it comprises multifilament fiber and a kind of matrix material, and contain some material, this material can prevent or stop fluid flowing along the gap of described fiber and/or along the outer surface of described fiber and described matrix material at least after replying, this composite can be replied fiber and has reversibility owing to wherein being had, and described method comprises:

(1) a kind of emulsion, a kind of hot melt encapsulant or a kind of curable composition are applied on the described gap of described multifilament fiber, and

(2) clad this fiber with a kind of polymeric matrix material.

Described emulsion can contain water-based latex.

When replying goods when replying when pressurizeing (particularly be lined with down substrate), perhaps when can be used to cause the heating period of answer, perhaps to replying that goods or composite carry out other heating or during the pressure period, some variations take place can replying in the goods, but these variations may make an appropriate designs on-plane surface closely goods to become the plane tight.

Goods or material may need for final application with shutoff or plane compact state, but always must be like this.Some further processing procedures (processing in the time of maybe being included in use or installation, for example above-mentioned heating is replied) may cause shutoff or plane compactness.Disclosed herein is various technology, the reader who is skilled in technique can easily judge these, and further whether processing is essential.But for simplicity, when shutoff or plane compactness are owing to installing or use or other simple process when causing, its goods or material can be called shutoff or the plane closely.For reaching shutoff or plane compactness, suitable structural design can comprise dipping multifilament fiber or fiber coating all around, or covers layer of substance above the fiber, but or the assorted fibre of strength and some thermal softening fibers formation.

As rough general introduction, people may notice that impregnation process may be best when needing shutoff before processes such as heat answer or other installation processing.Other technologies particularly adopt assorted fibre, can select for use when only requiring shutoff after processes such as installation.

In general, when adopting the assorted fibre structure, we like with one or more strength is core (strength also comprises metal wire rod), its Denier range is 2～300 Tekes (5～200 is better, and 10～100 is better, and 10～80 is best), but surround the sheath material that the thermal softening fiber constitutes around the core, the Denier range that core adds the sheath material is 10～1000 Tekes (20～700 is better, and 30～500 is better, and 50～300 is best).Like this, but impregnate layer or coating or stratified material or thermal softening fiber may produce the deformation of mobile or other modes when replying processing, thereby produce desired shutoff.Used material should have much lower viscosity than matrix material usually.But the thermal softening fiber is preferably answered shutoff multifilament fiber core, but this core constitutes the assorted fibre structure with the thermal softening fiber; But also can otherwise carry out shutoff, for example use with assorted fibre and weave or weave or fiber shutoff that other modes are made, perhaps use the fiber shutoff that forms the part of composite with assorted fibre by other fibers.When assorted fibre was core with the monofilament, the shutoff of this other fibers will exist.

Can reply though composite product can be a matrix material, and multifilament fiber plays humidification, goods preferably can be replied fiber and have reversibility owing to wherein having.Providing can reply fiber the time, fiber can be replied and multifilament fiber or synnema can be comprised, the two also can be different; If different, both can weave in form the part of fabric at least, for example unidirectional basically recoverable woven fabric or through compiling or the inlaid thread knitted fabric.For example, can provide a kind of recoverable fabric, wherein said multifilament fiber is arranged in a direction, and the orientation that can reply fiber (it also can be a multifilament) is perpendicular with it.If the fiber of each direction all is a multifilament.Plugging material will get up both's shutoff.

The present invention also further provides a kind of shutoff multifilament fiber, and this fiber is aggregated the shutoff of thing material, and the result was 10 centimetres or shorter along length the best that fiber sucks methylene blue solution in 24 hours.

The polymer plugging material can adopt any suitable technology to use, and for example the fiber of shutoff does not pass through from the polymer plugging material of latex form; From the melt of polymeric material, pass through; From its solution, pass through, or adopt monomer or other precursors, and then solidify.Our tendency reaches the length that sucked solution in 24 hours and is less than 5 centimetres, better less than 2 centimetres, preferably less than 1 centimetre.

The present invention also provides a kind of method of shutoff multifilament fiber, and this method comprises the polymeric material of the polymeric material that fiber is applied the emulsion form, particularly latex form (especially water-based latex form).

Reach multifilament fiber is carried out appropriate shutoff and remarkable, to penetrate into the ability in gap strong the phase during fabrication than plugging material because can expect to suck ability that moisture, water vapour or other pollute impurity in a long time along fibre gap.But need not above-mentioned further processing usually, these technology just can make shutoff fiber (for example the replied goods that may make these fibers are replied).

Have many reasons require the goods of can heat replying or composite (when particularly being used for sealing substrate) as the substrate that constitutes by cable or pipeline anhydrous basically or other pollute impurity, even do not have air.For example water can damage substrate to be sealed, also can damage recoverable goods, and particularly can and bubble because of evaporation between hot installation period has problems, and air gap can cause discharging when the sealed high pressure cable.

Therefore; the present invention also provides a kind of environmental protection substrate method of (as constituting the substrate of cable or pipeline); this method is included in around this substrate installs (preferably utilizing heat to reply) a kind of goods that contain the shutoff multifilament fiber (preferably coiled material or other sleeve pipe, and preferably can heat reply).

Therefore, the present invention also provides a kind of method that enters and seal substrate (for example cable or pipeline) again, and this substrate seals with above-mentioned composite, and this method comprises:

(a) along the direction cutting composite that blocks multifilament tow, part is removed its composite, thereby exposes substrate;

(b) place a coating (preferably a kind of thermal contraction casing tube) above substrate substrate is resealed, this coating is across the cutting part of composite.

Technology of the present invention is except being used for the sealing to environment, and these technology also may be useful to manufacturing structure element, pipeline and other conduits etc.For example need a kind of water or other can resisted to pollute the absorption of impurity or the fibre reinforced materials of infiltration.Therefore, for example, owing to the infringement that the water freezing of carrying under one's arms causes just may be avoided.

But if not as the thermal softening fiber, adopt the form of emulsion better when fiber is used the polymer plugging material, adopt the form of water-based latex then better.Other technology is included in the melt to be used, and uses (may become problem though remove solvent) in the solution, or uses in-situ polymerization then with polymer precursor.

In general, multifilament fiber is carried out shutoff, refer to a kind of processing procedure that can significantly reduce this fiber pervasion or keep fluid capacity.Though repeat to be interrupted the penetrating power that shutoff fiber section also can significantly reduce fluid, preferably along the length of any designated samples to interfibrous gap whole filled polymer materials basically.

So-called reversibility is meant that goods are when the variation that stands can take place when suitably handling dimensional configuration.Usually these goods from prior strained recovery of shape to original-shape,, terminology used here also comprised goods not distortion in advance but " can replying ", and through handling the situation that has become new configuration, maybe can reply composite by replying the replied fabric that fiber makes, just belong to this situation.

Can heat reply goods based on what can reply that fabric makes, in following patent specification and common pending application, be described: United States Patent (USP) 3669157(Carolina Narrow Fabric), european patent application communique 0116393(MP0790), 0116391(EK169), 0117026(RK176), 0115905(RK177), 0116392(RK178), 0116390(RK179), 0117025(RK181), 0118260(RK189), 0137648(RK205), 0153823(RK228), 0175554(RK246), european patent application 86303767.7(RK273), UK Patent Application 8528966(RK289), 8610813(RK296), 8529800(B118) and U.S. Patent application 821662(B121).The disclosure of these patents and patent application is classified this paper list of references as.From the goods that the fabric manufacturing that contains the fiber of can heat replying can heat be replied, compare with the routine techniques of making the thermal contraction product, have some advantages, comprise being easy to make, because do not need the follow-up expansionary phase; Improved mechanical performance, tensile strength for example, wearability and resistance to tearing; The thermally-stabilised fiber of very high strength can be incorporated in the goods, all these advantages make the fabric of can heat replying to be applied to be considered to so far among the unusable field of product of can heat replying.

The thermal contraction fabric of having narrated in the prior art has many purposes, the object that for example coating, mechanical protection, electric shield and environmental sealing wrap up with fabric.For many these class purposes, need fabric that a kind of water, moisture or impervious barrier of other liquid to invading can be provided especially.An example of this purposes is the cable used of for example long-range communication or power cable or the joint between the fibre-optic cable, provides seal protection with fabric.In this application, having of water may cause electric short circuit and terminal signaling distortion.Describedly in the prior art can heat reply textile material, normally make polymeric matrix material and can reply fabric and link together, or bond together, or extend, can reach not seeing through property replying on the fabric.Generally polymeric matrix material is laminated to the one or both sides of fabric with thin layer form, perhaps fiber is distributed in the matrix as matrix.Fabric preferably all has polymeric material in its each side.

Temperature and/or pressure when fiber being carried out coating with matrix material, but should make thermal softening fiber take place to soften as the plugging material source, make it in case of necessity to flow or deformation takes place, thereby the gap shutoff between the strength is got up.Can adopt extrusion coated and roll technology combined as required.

With the fabric that polymeric material lamination or dipping can heat be replied, can prevent that basically sealing, moisture or other liquid penetrate the thickness direction of goods, this direction is considered to be substantially transverse to the fabric in the goods or the direction of fiber.But should be pointed out that polymeric material always has that moisture sees through on the occasion of, even numerical value is very little, so always have a small amount of moisture to penetrate.Therefore just said polymer matrix material " basically " has stoped the thickness of fluid or vapour transmission sheath and the intrusion that takes place.

What is more important, water vapour or comprise other invaders of air can penetrate in swagelok or other sheath along the fiber in the composite.Even can not enter sheath, but swagelok still may absorb water in the atmosphere period in storage.Therefore swagelok is preferably done by the fiber of basic shutoff.If used fiber itself just can be along its length direction permeate water (particularly using the occasion of multifilament fiber), and composite structure is that the free end of fiber can contact with liquid, and these fibers are exposed to the inside of sheath again, and above-mentioned phenomenon just may take place.If composite product is a pipe with polymeric material internal layer, see through liquid along fiber so and can not constitute problem (low-voltage cable is like this at least) usually, reach any influential degree because liquid can not enter sheath inside, this is because its path has been aggregated the shutoff of thing material.But as fruit fiber only be the outside lamination one deck polymeric material, if perhaps interior layer compression polymer material layer is damaged, then water can enter sheath along fiber.For example a kind of fabric sheath of can heat replying that contains glass fibre, glass fibre extends to the other end from the one end in the sheath, and fabric has only carried out lamination at outer surface, and the intrusion of fluid will take place under this occasion.For example water or air may penetrate sheath inside, at first enter the free end (for example between the fiber of multifilament tow) of glass fibre, then along the length direction migration of fiber, may penetrate into the inside of sheath thus.When final products need when withstand voltage, for example telecommunication is with the swagelok of pressure cable, the shutoff air particular importance that just seems.

Another kind of situation also can have problems, and when fabric or composite only formed sheath a part of, the edge of a part of fabric just was exposed among the environment, and the edge of another part is exposed to sheath inside again; Moisture or other pollutants may penetrate into sheath inside along the thickness direction of fabric from the outside, enter from the edge of first, and leave in the edge of second portion.To be exactly that joint coupling of cable (or other sheaths) is following reenter and reseal a kind of special circumstances of this problem.Each makes the otch of a circumferential on sleeve pipe at the two ends of joint, and the mid portion of swagelok is taken away, otch is transversal multifilament fiber in the swagelok.This has just stayed two old swageloks on adapter lead at the two ends of joint end exposes joint itself people can be operated conductor.Two ends of old swagelok stay and need, because cable is sealed, particularly the cable to bifurcated seals comparatively difficulty, because in case after the sealing formation, preferably do not go to open.For example reseal and can shrink or wrap one deck coating by thermal contraction casing tube, cover the old stuff tube end, new sheath be wanted long enough, can encase joint area, again can be at each old end coincidence number centimetre, thereby also covered the cutting part on the composite.New sheath does not directly form sealing to the cable that exposes from old end usually, and its reason as mentioned above.As can be seen, have moisture to invade the path of the swagelok of making again, normally along the fiber of axially arranging in old end: one of each old end is exposed to environment, and the other end is under the new sheath and in the swagelok inside of making again.

Therefore we have proposed the new construction of fiber base goods, make these goods can stop liquid to see through the thickness of goods basically, and also can stop basically liquid or steam in the fabric fiber and invade.Provide a kind of like this fabric or composite to achieve the above object, in this fabric or the composite, those fibers that may move along their liquid have been carried out continuous shutoff on substantially, shutoff is preferably by means of a kind of polymeric material, this material preferably combines with above-mentioned fiber or other fiber, occasion at composite, goods also can comprise the second kind of polymeric material that is applied on the fiber, make fiber have impermeability basically for invading perpendicular to the liquid on plane, fiber place.This fiber provides comparatively convenient with the form of fabric, particularly woven fabric or knit goods.

Non-standard term used herein " fiber " comprises monofilament and multifilament fiber tow, and for example heat-shrinkable fibre is exactly the monofilament form in some goods.This term also comprises ribbon, comprises special-shaped band, embossing band and splits the film band.

In a most preferred embodiment, the cover layer of fabric or composite and goods are shapes (comprise and twine sleeve and tubular sleeve) of making sleeve.In this occasion,, can prevent basically that also liquid from seeing through the thickness of goods or invading sleeve inner from two of tubular body even sleeve is cut off.In above-mentioned Britain and european patent application, having described what can heat reply fiber is optimised form.Can preferably form by heat answer fiber by the polymeric material that can make fiber have for example good creep resistance of good rerum natura.Can adopt olefin polymer, for example polyethylene (particularly high density polyethylene (HDPE)) and ethylene copolymer, polyamide, polyester and crosslinkable acrylic polymer.Concerning fiber, best polymeric material is that density is 0.94～0.97 gram per centimeter ³, Mw is 80 * 10 ³To 200 * 10 ³, Mn is from 15 * 10 ³To 30 * 10 ³Polyethylene.

Can heat reply fiber when temperature surpasses its conversion temperature, better have 10 ^-1The minimum recovery stress of MPa better has 5 * 10 ^-1MPa has 1MPa usually at least.The upper limit that does not have recovery stress in theory, but 200MPa in fact, more commonly 100MPa is the highest numerical value that polymer fiber can reach usually.Under the recovery temperature of fiber, the tensile strength of fiber preferably makes the polymeric material that constitutes fiber take place crosslinked usually and is increased to 0.1MPa or higher, can be with chemical means or with shining, and for example high energy electron irradiation, radiation gamma or ultraviolet ray irradiation.

When fiber through irradiation and when crosslinked, this can be controlled at any appropriate stage.For example, crosslinked operation can be merged in the process of making fiber.Fiber can be lower than under its melting temperature, is extruded, stretches, and preferably reaches 400～2000%, shines then to make it crosslinked.Also fiber can be extruded, crosslinked through shining, heating stretches, then cooling.Hdpe fiber can draw special dosage to shine with about 5～35,000,000,5～25,000,000 draw special better, about 8～10,000,000 draw special best.Usually the gel content of cross filament is greater than 20%, better greater than 30%, more preferably greater than 40%.In fact, gel content greater than 90% not capacity reach.Again for example, fiber can be extruded, stretch being lower than under its melting temperature, incorporate in the fabric, then irradiation.

Though concerning can heat replying fiber, reach at least 20% answer usually for well, preferably reach at least 40%, have sufficiently high response rate in order to make by these fibroplastic fabrics or composite, may need higher response rate.In many application,, may require composite to have at least 45% response rate for example as swagelok or other environmental sealing goods, preferably at least 60%.But in some occasion, requiring has the ability that keeps high pressure, and what then may need to use low response rate can heat reply fiber, and for example response rate is low to moderate 5%.

Though multifilament fiber may heat be replied, they are preferably heat-staple, and can provide certain intensity usually, and therefore a composition of multifilament fiber can be referred to as strength at least.They better have the intensity (at 120 ℃, be preferably in 180 ℃ also like this) of at least 0.03 newton/Tekes, and better at least 0.07, better at least 0.1, best at least 1.0 newton/Tekes.But their intensity can contrast with those thermal softening fibers that is used for carrying out shutoff.So-called thermally-stabilised goods are meant a kind of goods, and it before its change phase, does not change its configuration with can heat to reply goods different when heating.This fiber will be at least as the fabric part of woven fabric, knitted fabric, braid or adhesive-bonded fabric for example.Preferably a kind of like this weavy grain of fabric wherein can be got a direction by heat answer fiber, and thermally-stabilised fiber is got another direction (preferably basic vertical with first direction), and making whole fabric only is recoverable in one direction.When fabric comprised weavy grain, we recommend the tram fiber was recoverable, but direction also can be opposite.But fabric may integral body be heat-staple also, for example the woven fabric of glass mat or glass fibre structure or knitted fabric.

Therefore a kind of novel non-response multifilament glass fibre or the fabric of other fibers for example can be provided, it on one or more directions by shutoff.

Such fabric can be used for mechanical protection or heat protection, and it can constitute the part of thermal contraction product, or uses with the thermal contraction product, for example is used as the winding sleeve or the tubular sleeve of joint coupling of cable and so on.

For example a kind of sleeve of dimensionally recoverable may have such shutoff glass fabric on its surface, and the protection to oxyfuel gas welding torch preferably is provided on the outer surface.

Goods are form of sleeve in many application, at this moment need first group can heat reply the circumferencial direction of fiber alignment at goods, and second group of thermally-stabilised fiber arranged along the length direction of goods.This means that goods will be radially recoverable.And length variations is not obvious when replying.The thermally-stabilised fiber of arranging along the goods length direction preferably has high axial strength, thereby provides good axial strength for end article.

Second group of fiber polymeric material shutoff.The examples of material that can be used for second group of fiber, can enumerate glass, synthesizing polymeric material such as polyether-ketone, Byton(trade (brand) name), the Nomex(trade (brand) name), Nomex such as Kevlar(trade (brand) name), cross-linked polyolefin and natural fiber (for example cotton), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyimides, fluorinated olefin polymer, thermolytic polyacrylonitrile or metal.Adoptable other fibers comprise carbon fiber and silica short fiber.

The polymer shutoff of second group of fiber has stoped any liquid to move along interfibrous gap basically.Therefore the occasion at sleeve can stop liquid to enter inside.Plugged zone should have enough intensity and thickness, sees through coating to prevent any migration fluid seepage, also will prevent to damage coating, will prevent to make following fiber itself to be exposed to outer damage especially.Plugging material is preferably pliable and tough, can make fiber be processed into fabric easily.Plugging material is preferably also enough tough, is damaged when making or goods are installed preventing.This is especially important when only using individual layer, otherwise will be come out by the fiber of shutoff.

Plugging material comprises hot melt adhesive preferably, for example ethylene vinyl acetate; Can be made into latex or solution resin and can be by the acrylic resin of heat cure or ultra-violet curing or other resins.Other plugging materials comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, Vingon and polyester (for example PETG, nylon (for example nylon 6), but when material provided with the thermal softening fiber, these materials were better.

Synnema by woven or form fabric before, can earlier plugging material be applied on the synnema, this mode may but not necessarily produce the fiber of suitable shutoff; In follow-up manufacturing process, for example lamination or heating or the heat when installing are later on replied, and plugging material is flowed and reach the shutoff that needs.Other mode is for the not shutoff fiber that will form fabric, fabric is by lamination or apply the suitable material of one deck, flaky material for example, or by spraying or dip-coating, and then carry out lamination with second kind of material that will form matrix material, make fabric become impermeability.First kind of material using can be low viscous when heating and be used for shutoff later on.

When but plugging material provided with the thermal softening fiber, we recommended especially:

(a) softening temperature of matrix material is 60～180 ℃, comparatively 70～160 ℃, and more preferably 85～140 ℃;

(b) can hot recovery temperature of replying fiber be 80～180 ℃, be preferably 90～160 ℃, more preferably 100～150 ℃;

(c) softening temperature of plugging material is 300 ℃ or lower, is preferably 250 ℃ or lower, more preferably 200 ℃ or lower.

But recovery temperature is preferably than low 150 ℃ of the softening temperature of thermal softening fiber (100 ℃ better) but to the softening temperature than the thermal softening fiber high 50 ℃ (25 ℃ better).

The softening temperature that the softening temperature of matrix material is preferably than plugging material hangs down 180 ℃ (60 ℃ better) to the softening temperature than plugging material high 100 ℃ (20 ℃ better).

Fabric can be made into the various kinds decorative pattern, for example twill, satin weave, weft sateen, leno, plain weave, basket, sackcloth, delustring and in single or multiple lift tissue (for example 2 layers or 3 layer tissues) various weave formations.Woven, knitting and braid all can use, but woven fabric and knitted fabric are best.To some purposes, particularly require the wearability of goods will be good the time, preferably adopt twill structure.

As mentioned above, goods of the present invention can comprise that a kind of polymeric matrix material is applied in groups the fiber, and making them is impervious to the liquid perpendicular to their planes, place basically.In another embodiment, fiber is used for strengthening or the protection polymeric matrix material, and it is recoverable in recoverable sleeve for example.The matrix polymer material can one or more layers be applied on the one or both sides of fiber in groups or fabric, or as matrix, and fiber extends by wherein.Polymeric matrix material preferably is bonded on the fiber, thereby prevents that fluid outer surface along fiber between fiber and matrix material from flowing.Fiber and polymeric material also should be quite pliable and tough, to prevent to use time cracking or delamination.

In some cases, can select only to be laminated to basically a side of fabric with the one layer of polymeric material.But just weight reduction of for example whole goods.Only find textile article in addition, and compare, but can reach higher response rate in the respective fabric of both sides lamination or impregnation matrix material at a side lamination.The present invention is not done the restriction of any way, can think that this is because when having the matrix material of both sides laminate layers or stain stain, polymeric material tends to the gap of shutoff fabric, so has hindered answer.The response rate of the most preferred embodiment of goods of the present invention is preferably in 2: 1 to 8: 1 1.1: 1 to 8: 1 scope.

Polymeric matrix material is (when being necessary to be distinguished with the polymer plugging material, it can be described as second polymeric material) preferably a kind of like this material, there is a temperature (t) (preferably surpassing its crystalline melting temperature) that equals or exceeds the fiber recovery temperature in its elongation/temperature curve, under this temperature, second polymeric material has greater than 20% extension at break and 20%(and preferably also has 2%) secant modulus (X) be at least 10 ^-2MPa(measures with the strain rate of per minute 300%), under this temperature, can satisfy following inequality (1):

(x)/(y) ((1-R))/(R) less than 1, better less than 5, preferably less than 10(1) Y is that the recovery stress of fiber when temperature surpasses its recovery temperature (crystalline melting temperature that preferably surpasses fibrous material) (preferably is at least 5 * 10 in the formula ^-2MPa); R be in composite structure along replying direction or each is replied on the direction, can heat reply the average effective volume fraction of fiber, serve as to calculate benchmark with the cumulative volume of can heat replying the fiber and second polymeric material.Be suitable for material as second polymeric material at European patent communique 0116393(MP790) in narration, its disclosure is at this as a reference.

Cause matrix material generation deformation during fiber recovery, this deformation is mobile (different with the border bending) preferably.When the surface area of matrix material reduced because of replying fiber, matrix material preferably will be thickeied.

Be in or when surpassing the recovery temperature of fiber, second polymeric material preferably can take place limited mobile under pressure.When said temperature, its extension at break is better greater than 50%, and more preferably greater than 100%, its 20%(preferably also has 2%) secant modulus under per minute 300% rate of deformation, measure and better be at least 5 * 10 ^-2MPa, preferably at least 10 ^-1MPa.

After replying, the ability that second polymeric material takes place to flow when heating is not essential.Therefore, for example second polymeric material may finally be solidified into thermosetting material when heating, but the best unlikely obstruction of its curing rate is replied under the answer condition, and also can be under the fabric drippage at material between return period.For example second polymeric material can contain hydrolyzable grafted silane group, and it is crosslinked that this group can make the material generation in the presence of moisture.United States Patent (USP) 1,286,460(Dow Corning Ltd.) provided this class examples of material, its disclosure is at this as a reference.Second polymeric material can comprise a kind of polymer in addition, and preferably a kind of rubber is acrylic rubber for example, and it contains undissolved vulcanizing agent, for example dicyandiamide under epoxy radicals and the room temperature.But we recommend matrix material to comprise polyolefin usually, for example polyethylene, particularly low density polyethylene (LDPE).Matrix material is preferably crosslinked.

Second polymeric material be used for the polymeric material of shutoff fiber can be chemical/or physically compatible.Between second polymeric material and Ke Re answer fiber, also has compatibility.And then between the polymer plugging material that is administered to second polymeric material on the fabric, the polymeric material that can hotly reply fiber and multifilament fiber, also there is compatibility.The compatibility of polymer may be the polymer by similar or identical chemical type, and their relevant physical propertys between lamination, installation and operating period are similar or identical and produce, but this point is not basic factor.

When only using individual layer, need good compatibility, otherwise can be bonding not firm between individual layer and the fiber.When using double-decker, each one deck of the both sides of fabric, the gap that polymer material layer may see through fabric is glued together mutually, though still need good compatibility this moment, this point is very unimportant.

When second polymeric material is applied on the fiber as laminate layers, at (a) second polymeric material and (b) plugging material and/or can reply compatibility between the fiber and preferably reach the bonding peel strength (measuring down for 23 ℃) that makes between laminate layers and the fiber and be at least 10 newton/25 millimeter width, not firm to prevent laminate layers and inter-fibre-bond.

Because plugging material can be selected with can heat to reply fiber compatible and compatible with second polymeric material, so even between multifilament fiber and second polymeric material directly bonding, also can obtain the good structure of compactness.Therefore can adopt the combination of materials of broad range.

Can be used for second polymeric material, also can be used for the material of polymer plugging material simultaneously, comprise thermoplastic and elastomeric material.Suitable thermoplastic comprises ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene/acrylic acid second vinegar copolymer, ethylene/butylacrylate copolymer, polyethylene (comprising linea low density, low-density and high density polyethylene (HDPE)), polypropylene, polybutene, polyester, polyamide, polyetheramides, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/ethylene copolymer and Kynoar.Elastomeric material comprises that SB and functional analogue thereof, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) block copolymer, acrylate elastomer comprise ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (VAE), polynorbornene, polyurethane and the elastomer silicone etc. of acrylate and methacrylate and their copolymer (for example butyl polyacrylate and polyacrylic acid 2-ethylhexyl), high vinyl acetate content.Can be used as plugging material at suitable these materials of occasion, with solution form, melt form, the resin form of solidifying with ultra-violet curing or other modes or preferably use with the form of latex.During as plugging material, must have low initial viscosity (for example wiring solution-forming, suspension improve temperature) during manufacture, and when product is installed temperature, have good heat endurance again.The occasion of used blowtorch when installation can hotly be replied sleeve, temperature is installed may be higher.After dipping, shine crosslinked grade and help to reach the combination of this performance aspect two.

Second polymeric material and plugging material can be through the processing of irradiation or other modes, and for example chemical cross-linking agent is handled (for example peroxide chemical cross-linking agent).If uncrosslinked matrix material fusing point is too low, then may need crosslinked.When but plugging material is to provide with the thermal softening fibers form, needs certain to flow or during other deformation, then may need to select for use for example polypropylene (comprising that chain rupture speed surpasses the material of any crosslinking rate) of not crosslinked material.In such a way, can composite material of irradiation make its replied fiber and/or matrix material produce crosslinkedly, and don't weaken plugging material and flow and form the ability of shutoff.In fact, irradiation can improve mobile or other performances (for example increasing solution flow index) of the polymeric material (for example polypropylene) that is used for shutoff.Perhaps, this is because of chain rupture or its event of also degrading.Therefore, plugging material can comprise a kind of material that can degrade under irradiation, perhaps be exactly the catabolite of this material.

Therefore the irradiation operation can be used to improve the performance (by degraded) of plugging material, improves the intensity of fabric or the flowability (by crosslinked) of reversibility and/or attenuating matrix material simultaneously.When shining, for a kind of material that does not contain reflected ray or close ray material, dosage can be 13,000,000 to draw the spy or below it, 10,000,000 draw spy or its with next better, 2～7,000,000 draw spy's then better (to containing the material of reflected ray or close ray material, then dosage can be distinguished a bit high or hang down a bit).Produce crosslinked degree and allow second polymeric material to reply, prevented that also second polymeric material and plugging material from trickling or drippage taking place between hot return period, when particularly carrying out heat answer operation with blowtorch with fabric.Goods its response rate after shining better is at least 50% of pre-irradiation, and preferably 70%.These dose value can be thought the typical numerical value to polyolefin (for example polyethylene), and the technical staff can select the proper dosage value according to the close ray thing of the various variable concentrations that may exist.Is consistent as all polymeric materials of existing in the fruit product to the response of ray, can adopt once irradiating manufactured goods; Can improve and can heat reply the response of fiber by adding close ray material as required ray, second polymeric material and/or plugging material can by add the reflected ray material reduce to ray to should.Also can adopt some independently cross-linking step.A kind of method of making goods comprises to be extruded and stretches and can heat reply fiber, the fiber of they and shutoff is knitted together, second polymeric material is applied on the fabric, optionally can applies the material that one deck contains the reflected ray material, draw special dosage to make laminated product crosslinked with about 12,000,000.Another feature of crosslinked behind the lamination (particularly shining crosslinked) is, can reply may form between fiber and/or any other fiber and/or second polymeric material crosslinked bonding, this will help to keep the structure of goods, especially under the answer condition of harshness, this can allow laminating operation so not strict, because can exempt the needs to the physics interlock.

Used polymeric material may be nonconducting, and for example its resistivity is greater than 10 ¹⁰, better greater than 10 ¹⁴Ohmcm.But a kind of can electrically heated goods the electrical heating product of replying for example, can be by mixing low resistivity material manufacturing.

Of the present inventionly can heat reply the application that goods have method.For example it can be replied and be encased substrate, substrate different or discontinuous profile is particularly arranged, thereby mechanical protection or environmental sealing are provided.Fabric can use the thermally-stabilised fiber with high-tensile, for example glass fibre or aromatic polyamide fibre (for example E.I.Du Pont Company sell fiber) with trade name " Kevlar ", if with this fibrid with axially-aligned, can make stand-by goods for example as pipe coupler usefulness, high-strength thermally-stabilised fiber then makes goods have higher axial pull.

According to the different purposes of goods, it can take any suitable shape.For example it can have uniform cross-section along its length direction, and perhaps the shape in its cross section and/or size can change along its length direction.

To some purposes, be preferably in the inner coated with adhesive of goods, preferably coat a kind of heat snensitive adhesives, preferably hot-melt adhesive.

To by way of example and with reference to accompanying drawing embodiment of the present invention be described below:

Fig. 1 is a kind of perspective view of radially thermal contraction casing tube, and it comprises composite, and a part of matrix material is cut, has exposed inner fiber;

Fig. 2 is the cross section of Fig. 1 goods;

Fig. 3 a and 3b represent the winding-type sleeve;

Fig. 4 a and 4b represent a sleeve, for reentering an excision part, the situation before and after resealing handled;

But the various forms of multifilament assorted fibres of strength and thermal softening fiber have been represented to contain in Fig. 5～11.

Fig. 1 and 2 represents a tubular body 1, and it comprises the matrix material 5 of tissue layer 3 and low density polyethylene (LDPE).Tissue layer 3 can be for example a kind of 2 * 2 twill-weaves, but it comprise thermal contraction hdpe fiber 7 and be weft yarn, along the circumferential arrangement of goods, thermally-stabilised fiber 9 is a warp thread, arranges along the goods length direction.Thermally-stabilised fiber 9 comprises the multifilament glass fiber strand, carries out shutoff with ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

This has done expression in more detail in enlarged drawing, can see, multifilament fiber 10(comprises monofilament 11) be aggregated 12 shutoff of thing material.

Fig. 3 a represents a kind of winding-type sleeve that may comprise fabric of the present invention or composite.This sleeve has for example outstanding track 14 shown in the figure of a blocking device 14(), available a kind of flute profile strip 15 is clamped together these two tracks.Cross spider is represented the internal sizes adhesive coating layer.Sleeve after Fig. 3 b represents to reply.

Fig. 4 a represents a swagelok, and it comprises the sleeve pipe 16 that a thermal contraction is coated on joint 18 places, and this joint is between two remote control communications cable 17.In order to repair or improve joint, the sleeve pipe middle body is cut.Can see that end 19 still stays on the cable.

Reenter sleeve pipe among Fig. 4 b presentation graphs 4a, reseal by adding on the end 19 that a sleeve pipe 20 is contracted in the old stuff pipe.Usually also have one deck lining as holder in old stuff pipe the inside, damage cable connector 18 to prevent thermal contraction casing tube.For clarity sake, the lining part is not drawn among the figure.

Thermally-stabilised fiber in the general old stuff pipe along the longitudinal and path that seepage takes place, with 21 expressions, seepage enters inside from the outside of swagelok as can be seen in Fig. 4 b.If therefore longitudinal fiber comprises the multifilament fiber of not shutoff, then polluting impurity can be inhaled into swagelok inside between each monofilament of this fiber.This phenomenon can adopt fiber blocking technology of the present invention to prevent.The present invention also can be used to the replied multifilament fiber of the circumferential arrangement of shutoff.

Fig. 5～11 have illustrated the various forms of assorted fibres that can reply among the fiber of incorporating into, may be fabric woven, knitting or that other modes are processed into, or and the polymeric matrix material composite and/or the recoverable material that are combined together to form.Such multilayer material, especially after heating, irradiation, pressurization and/or replying, can be the plane closely, thereby can be used to providing environmental protection such as substrates such as cable or pipelines.After heating, irradiation, answer and/or pressurization, shown multifilament tow will have the structure of the fiber 10 among Fig. 2 usually.

But Fig. 5 has illustrated the multifilament fiber that comprises continuous strength 22 and continuous thermal softening fiber 23 (among the figure expression wherein a section).This multifilament fiber can make by assorted its component of blend.Number of filaments shown in the figure is lacked than the number of optimum state.So-called " continuous ", we represent not to be staple simply, do not hint any length that can compare with the length of tow or any fabric or composite; Yet we recommend fiber the same with tow basically long, and the tow relative dimensions with fabric or composite basically is the same long.

Fig. 6 has represented a kind of cross section that wraps the multifilament fiber of core spinning, comprises strength 24 and is core, but be the sheath layer of stable thermal softening fiber 25 on every side.Core can comprise wall scroll but not many strength.The fiber of such bag core spinning can be made by the Dref technology.

" Dref " is the trade mark of Austrian Fehrer AG company.We recommend the fiber number of core is 2～300 Tekes, is preferably 15～30 Tekes, better is about 22 Tekes, and the fiber number that core adds the sheath layer is 10～1000, is preferably 75～150, better is about 100 Tekes.Core preferably contains glass fibre, and polypropene staple is preferably contained in sheath portion.We are made into fabric with such bag core fibre with the hdpe fiber of thermal contraction, are pressed on the fabric of gained with low-density polyethylene body material layer.The fiber of bag core spinning is carrying out such as before weaving or passing through roll or other equipment, preferably through handling, to reduce its lousiness or adherence.This processing can comprise heating.This may be applicable to other assorted fibre mentioned in this article.With resulting composite thermal contraction 5%, test the plane compactness then, just to flow through the prevention ability of liquid along the glass fibre core.It is found that it can tolerate at least 80 pounds/square inches fluid pressure at least 15 minutes.This test result can be considered to show good plane compactness, and this composite is suitable for being used in cable accessory and environmental protection aspect in general.

If apply enough heat, irradiation and/or pressure, but polypropylene or other plugging materials as the thermal softening fiber are softened and/or deformation, just can reach the plane compactness usually, and need not 5% initial answer.Requirement reaches degree softening or distortion, will depend on the person's character (for example size of monofilament and number) of strength and the application scenario of composite certainly.

Fig. 7 represents the multifilament fiber tow, but it includes the assorted fibre (expression is wherein a section among the figure) of the thermal softening fiber 27 of the strength 26 of segment and segment.Preferably strength can be transmitted tension force in surpassing the distance of himself length, but they preferably mix mutually and do not only depend on the thermal softening fiber to interlink.Therefore strength preferably constitutes the major part of tow.

Fig. 8 represents by continuous strength 28 polymer sheath layer 29 is arranged on every side, but in sheath layer outside the thermal softening fiber 30 of bonding segment and the cross section of the multifilament fiber tow that constitutes.The method of making this assorted fibre comprises the Bobtex(trade (brand) name) whole composite spinning technology.But the polymer sheath layer can be by constituting with the same or analogous material of thermal softening fiber.

But Fig. 9 represents to be arranged parallel to each other basically and the cross section of the multifilament fiber tow that constitutes by continuous strength 31 and continuous thermal softening fiber 32.It is 3～30 microns that strength preferably comprises diameter, is more preferably 6～12 microns glass fibre, is 5～15 microns polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon 6 fiber but the thermal softening fiber preferably comprises diameter.Tow can be with certain twist.But one or more strength tow can be twisted with the fingers together with one or more thermal softening fibre bundle, but but we recommend the thermal softening fiber to separate with strength.For example ring twisting technology, the 2 pairs of 1 twisting technology, REPCO(trade (brand) name) self-twist spinning technology and the flyer spindle technology of twisting thread all can use.

Figure 10 represents the multifilament fiber tow by following method formation, this method comprises and holds spinning (be also referred to as hollow spindle spinning) but core 33 that is made of continuous strength and the peripheral coating 34 that is made of the thermal softening fiber, holds it in around the core by holding silk or adhesive 35.But the thermal softening fiber can comprise staple or continuous fiber.

Figure 11 represents by four continuous fibers and the multifilament that is twisted into strand filigree bundle.

As mentioned above, such as first being processed such as woven (or other processing) or laminations, the heat treatment of earlier assorted fibre being carried out in advance may be favourable.May be easier to processing through this heat treated fiber.In the assorted fibre occasion of twisting, cross and owing to sclerosis or to have lowered the elasticity or the elastic cause of twisting; Occasion in the spinning of bag core can reduce fluffing, so fiber may be easier of machine, especially can not cling.

Be several object lessons of goods of the present invention below.Under every kind of occasion, goods all were that diameter is 30 millimeters an even sleeve before replying, but also can be made into sleeve and other goods of other sizes certainly.

Example 1

The low melting point monofilament that the thermolytic polyacrylonitrile fiber that fiber number is 40 Tekes and two fiber numbers are 30 Tekes for example polycaprolactone twisting together, red 110 Tekes of the linear density that adds twisted filament of generation.Polycaprolactone is 55 ℃ of fusings.

Example 2

The glass fiber of one 22 Tekes is embedded among the sheath layer of polypropylene staple, utilizes bag core spining technology to make the bag core fibre.Gained fiber linear density is 50 Tekes.Polypropylene is 160 ℃ of fusings.

Example 3

The continuous multifilament yarn polyethylene terephthalate silk that utilizes one 17 Tekes holds the contraposition aromatic polyamide fibre (Kevlar(TM) of one 167 Tekes of spinning as holding silk in the sheath layer inside of polyethylene terephthalate staple).The linear density of gained fiber is 380 Tekes.The component of polyethylene terephthalate is 260 ℃ of fusings in the silk.

Example 4

The glass fibre multifilament of 68 Tekes is bathed by a kind of latex, remove excessive latex, obtain the fiber of crossing with following various water-based latex impregnation process.Remove moisture with the forced ventilation drying.The glass fibre of crossing through latex dipping on reel, is used for making composite by rolling after waiting until, the composite of for example can heat replying.

The latex type:

1. ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer

2. ethene-vinyl acetate ester-butyl acrylate terpolymer

3. chlorosulfonated polyethylene

4. carboxyl butylbenzene copolymer

Example 5

The prior 34 Tekes multifilament glass fibres of handling through ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (28% vinylacetate) melt impregnation, be used to make the fabric that is used for composite structure as mentioned above, for example be used to make the structure of the composite of can heat replying.

Example 6

With the multifilament glass fibre of 68 Tekes, carry out impregnation process with the fluid composition that contains a kind of polymer precursor, make the polymer precursor in-situ polymerization by the ultraviolet ray irradiation, form the polymer impregnated thing of solid.Be used for the fabric of composite structure with impregnated glass fibre manufacturing, for example be used to make the composite structure of can heat replying.

Example 7

With the multifilament glass fibre of 68 Tekes, under 80 ℃, carry out impregnation process with the solution of ethylene-propylene ester ethyl ester copolymer (25% ethyl acrylate) in toluene, unnecessary solvent is removed with forced ventilation is dry.The glass fibre rolling of the shutoff that generated is used after waiting until on the reel, for example made the fabric that is included in the glass fibre based composites.

Example 8

Assorted fibre in the use-case 1～3 carries out woven, and the woven fabric of gained is carried out lamination with one deck low density polyethylene (LDPE), again the composite that generates is carried out hot-pressing processing, contains the condition that the replied composite of this fibrid will stand when mounted with simulation.

Get the gained composite of 200 millimeters long, its lower edge is new the cut-out, and glass fibre keeps vertical direction, and this material is immersed in the aqueous solution of methylene blue, and immersion depth is 10 millimeters.After 24 hours, detect along the glass fibre suction distance that methylene blue solution reached in room temperature.Following table is represented the distance that records.

Without 33 millimeters in the glass fibre (ratio example) that floods

Example 1～3 is very little

Example 9

The assorted fibre of use-case 4～7 carries out woven, and the woven fabric of gained is carried out lamination treatment.Get the composite of 200 millimeters gained, its lower edge is new the cut-out, and glass fibre keeps vertical direction, and this material is immersed in the aqueous solution of methylene blue, and immersion depth is 10 millimeters.After 24 hours, measure along the glass fibre suction distance that methylene blue solution reached in room temperature.Following table is represented the distance that records.

Latex 1(such as example 4) 1.1 millimeters

Latex 2(such as example 4) 1.0 millimeters

Latex 3(such as example 4) 1.7 millimeters

Latex 4(such as example 4) 0 millimeter

10 millimeters of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (as example 5)

1.1 millimeters of uv-curing acrylic polymers (example 6)

4.4 millimeters of ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers (example 7)

Different as can be seen dippings sucks liquid appreciable impact.Suck 10 millimeters of distances or be better it below, 5 millimeters or its with next better.

Example 10

Multifilament fiber described in example 1～7 is made into fabric as mentioned above, for example adopts the extrusion coated method to carry out lamination treatment with low density polyethylene (LDPE) again and forms composite structure.Adopting known technology that it is molded into can hot swagelok of replying.

The sleeve pipe that makes is as mentioned above replied as shown in Fig. 3 b and is enclosed within on the cable connector.In order to reenter, respectively do the cutting of circumference type at the two ends of joint and with the excision of the central part of swagelok, (Fig. 4 a) therefore to have stayed the end of sleeve pipe on cable.Second sleeve pipe is enclosed within on the end of old sleeve pipe by answer, thereby joint is linked up (Fig. 4 b).

After making joint coating cooling, when being immersed in it in the water, make the joint coating stand the interior pressure 15 minutes of 100KPa.There is not bubble from coating, to overflow, thus the good seal around the proof joint.There is not air to spill along impregnated multifilament glass fibre as mentioned above.

Carry out temperature cycling test subsequently, make to be pressurized to 40KPa in this coating and to keep apart, promptly at room temperature keep the pressure of 40KPa, pressure changes along with variations in temperature.The joint that is coated stands from-30 ℃ to+60 ℃ temperature cycles, and finishing once, circulation needs 12 hours.After finishing 15 temperature cycles, do not record the pressure loss.

In order to contrast, to repeat above-mentioned steps, but use by can heat not replying swagelok with what 68 Tekes glass fibres of plugging material made.Reentering and resealing and during subsequently pressurization, observing a large amount of bubbles through the end of multifilament glass fibres and spill.Also having observed air equally when the beginning temperature cycles spills.

For eliminating query, should be noted that the whole bag of tricks provided by the invention, composite and be can be selecteed by shutoff or replied goods with plane compactness that any one or more fiber, fabric, goods, composite, plugging material and the method that provide in other words are can be selecteed.And any combination of the various features defined in every claim also can be made up.

Claims (35)

1, a kind of fibre-bearing composite of dimensionally recoverable, it is characterized in that it comprises multifilament fiber and a kind of matrix material, and contain some material, this material can prevent or stop fluid along the gap of described fiber and/or along the flowing of the outer surface of described fiber and described matrix material at least after replying, and this composite can be replied fiber and has reversibility owing to wherein being had.

2,, it is characterized in that described multifilament fiber is arranged in a direction, and can reply fiber alignment in vertical with it basically direction according to the composite of claim 1.

3, according to the composite of claim 1, the fiber that it is characterized in that both direction all is a multifilament.

4,, it is characterized in that the fiber of both direction all contains described material according to the composite of claim 3.

5, according to each composite in the aforementioned claim, it is characterized in that to reply fiber and have at least 10 ^-1The recovery stress of MPa.

6, according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4, it is crosslinked it is characterized in that described matrix material and/or can replying fiber.

7,, it is characterized in that described multifilament fiber so that the form of small part fabric exists according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4.

8,, it is characterized in that and to get a direction by heat answer fiber, and the thermally-stabilised fiber of size is got vertical with this a direction basically direction according to the composite of claim 7.

9,, but it is characterized in that it has the form of the sleeve of radial contraction according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4.

10, according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that described multifilament fiber comprises glass fibre.

11, according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that the described fiber of replying comprises polyethylene.

12, according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that it has assorted fibre, this fiber comprises:

(a) strength, and

(b) but but with the form of thermal softening fiber or by the fibroplastic described material of thermal softening, in heating and/or pressurization and/or when shining this composite, described material is with the described fibre gap of shutoff.

13,, it is characterized in that described multifilament fiber comprises described assorted fibre according to the composite of claim 12.

14, according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that:

(a) softening point of described matrix material is 70-160 ℃;

(b) the hot recovery temperature that can reply fiber is 90-160 ℃; And

(c) to comprise softening point be material below 300 ℃ or 300 ℃ to described material.

15, according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that described material comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polycaprolactam, polyester, Vingon or polyvinyl chloride; And/or described fiber comprises cross-linked polyolefin, glass fibre, carbon fiber, silica staple, Nomex, polyether-ketone, acrylonitrile or metal.

16, according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that described matrix material comprises crosslinked polyethylene.

17,, it is characterized in that described matrix material can one or more layers be coated on one of fiber in groups or each surface according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4.

18, according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that fiber extends passes through matrix material.

19,, it is characterized in that described matrix material is a kind of material that can be coated with by extrusion coated according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4.

20, according to the composite of claim 12, it is characterized in that described assorted fibre comprises continuous strength mixed in together mutually and continuous heat softenable fiber, is perhaps formed by continuous strength mixed in together mutually and continuous heat softenable fiber.

21, according to the composite of claim 12, it is characterized in that but described assorted fibre comprises the continuous strength of core spinning and thermal softening fiber on every side, perhaps form by this two types of fibers, prepared assorted fibre with Overheating Treatment before described matrix material combines.

22,, but it is characterized in that described assorted fibre comprises the blend of the thermal softening fiber of the strength of segment and segment, is perhaps formed by this blend according to the composite of claim 12.

23, according to the composite of claim 12, it is characterized in that described assorted fibre comprises continuous strength, this fiber around the polymer sheath layer is arranged, but the thermal softening fiber of segment be bonded on the outside of sheath layer, perhaps described assorted fibre is formed by this fibrid.

24,, but it is characterized in that described assorted fibre comprises the continuous strength that is arranged parallel to each other basically and continuous thermal softening fiber, is perhaps formed by them according to the composite of claim 12.

25,, but it is characterized in that described strength and thermal softening fiber are twisted together according to the composite of claim 12.

26, according to the composite of claim 12, it is characterized in that but described assorted fibre comprises the core that contains strength and the outside cladding that contains the thermal softening fiber of multiple spinning, but perhaps clad the core that contains the thermal softening fiber and the outside cladding that contains strength of spinning.

27, according to the composite of claim 12, it is characterized in that described assorted fibre forms with a kind of method, but this method comprises continuous strength and continuous thermal softening fiber and sth. made by twisting are in the same place.

28, according to the composite of claim 12, but it is characterized in that described assorted fibre has the core of the strength of thermal softening fibrous sheath layer around comprising, the fiber number of core is the 2-300 Tekes, and core adds that the fiber number of sheath layer is the 10-1000 Tekes.

29,, it is characterized in that the intensity of strength is at least 0.03 newton/Tekes under 120 ℃ according to the composite of claim 12.

30, according to each composite in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that described material comprises a kind of material of degraded under irradiation, or a kind of like this catabolite of material; And/or described matrix material crosslinked or a kind of its crosslinked product under irradiation.

31,, but it is characterized in that described thermal softening fiber comprises a kind of material of degraded under irradiation according to the composite of claim 30.

32,, it is characterized in that the material of described degraded comprises polyethylene according to the composite of claim 30.

33, a kind of preparation is according to the method for the composite of claim 1, and this method comprises:

(1) a kind of emulsion, a kind of hot melt encapsulant or a kind of curable composition are applied on the described gap of described multifilament fiber, and

(2) clad this fiber with a kind of polymeric matrix material.

34,, comprise a kind of emulsion that contains water-based latex of coating according to the method for claim 33.

35, a kind of method of sealing cable junctions, this method comprises:

(a) will according among the claim 1-32 each composite or be placed on around the described joint with the composite of the method for claim 33 or 34 preparation.

(b) described composite size is reverted back to and the described cable splice that is connected.

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