Abstract: The invention relates to a pigment with color dependent on the viewing angle, which has been obtained by three-dimensional crosslinking of oriented substances of liquid-crystalline structure having a chiral phase. In order to stabilize the color of such a pigment at elevated temperatures, crosslinking is carried out in the presence of at least one additional, color-neutral compound comprising at least two crosslinkable double bonds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for applying a multicoat finish to a substrate surface, comprising the following steps: (1): applying an aqueous basecoat A to the substrate surface, (2): forming a polymer film from the aqueous basecoat A applied in stage (1), (3): applying an aqueous transparent topcoat B to the basecoat film obtained in stage (2), and finally (4); baking the basecoat film and the topcoat film together, wherein the basecoat A comprises at least one hydroxyl-containing binder in aqueous solution or dispersion and a stable aqueous dispersion, prepared with a hydroxyl-containing emulsifier, of a hydrophobicized amino resin, and to substrates coated in accordance with the process of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for injecting an expandable or foaming material in a closed sectional structure of a body. The apparatus is suitable for mass-producing vehicles, such as automobiles efficiently. This apparatus is provided with a manipulator (38) movable to a desired position, a injector (50) fixed to the manipulator, a device (56) for supplying the expandable or foaming material to the injector, and a controller (40) adapted to control the position of the manipulator (10) so that the injector is set in a position in which the foaming material can be supplied to the closed sectional structure of the vehicle body through an injection port of the same closed sectional structure, and also adapted to control the supply device so that the foaming material can be injected and filled in the closed sectional structure thereof by only such an amount that was set in accordance with the volume of the inside of the sectional structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an interconnection for electrical connection of two electrical devices. The interconnection comprises a conductive polymer disposed in contact with one or two solderable caps. Together, the solderable cap(s) and the conductive polymer form an interconnection that can be used to connect two electrical devices through the contact pads on the electrical devices. For example, a packaged integrated circuit chip can be connected to a “card” using an array of the interconnections. Since the interconnection has solderable surfaces, the interconnect can be used in place of solder balls in a conventional manufacturing line.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising (a) 100 wt. parts of a polyolefin resin, (b) 5 to 250 wt. parts of an ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer rubber in which the content of the &agr;-olefin units is at least 50 wt. %, and (c) 0 to 500 wt. parts of an ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer rubber in which the content of the &agr;-olefin units is less than 50 wt. %. This composition can provide a molded article which is hardly whitened when it is bent, and has good flexiblity.

Abstract: A foil-decorating sheet comprised by a laminated film of two or more kinds of films which is to be set in an injection mold for being integrally bonded to a surface of a molding resin, wherein after a foil-decorating is made, a bonding surface-side film of the laminated film which is bonded to the molding resin has a peel strength of not less than 1 kgf/inch width at least at an interface between the surface film of the laminated film bonded to the molding resin and the molding resin, and wherein at least a transparent acrylic film is laminated on the bonding surface-side film bonded to the molding resin, with a decorative layer formed between the bonding surface-side film bonded to the molding resin and the acrylic film.

Abstract: The invention concerns a coated sheet which includes an aerogel layer, a method of manufacturing the coated sheet and its use.

Abstract: Claimed is a substrate having a polar surface and, adherent thereto, a polyurethane polymer which was applied as a latex. The latexes of the present invention are chain extended in water with aminoethyl ethanolamine and are prepared and applied in the substantial absence of organic solvents. The prepolymers used to prepare the latexes are substantially free ionic groups on the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A multi-component composite coating composition is provided which includes a basecoat deposited from an aqueous basecoat film-forming composition and a transparent topcoat applied over the basecoat, the transparent topcoat being deposited from a topcoat film-forming composition. The topcoat film-forming composition includes one or more crosslinkable film-forming resins and one or more amphiphilic adjuvants including: a water-soluble polar end having at least one terminal hydrophilic group selected from hydroxyl groups, carbamate groups, amide groups and urea groups; and a water-insoluble hydrocarbon end having at least six contiguous carbon atoms. The adjuvant has an acid value of less than 30 and is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01 to about 25 weight percent on a basis of total resin solids of the topcoat film-forming composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a systematic method for “engineering” hybrid inorganic/organic compounds (IOCs) to exhibit specific physico-chemical properties as may be desired for a particular materials application. Such hybrid inorganic/organic compounds comprise, in some embodiments, an organic phase in the form of a polymer matrix and an inorganic phase that is chemically linked thereto. In one embodiment of the method, given a specific application, (i) desired physico-chemical properties to be possessed by the hybrid IOC are defined; (ii) candidate inorganic and organic phases are selected; (iii) the morphology of those phases is controlled via “microstructural engineering” such that the phases collectively exhibit the physico-chemical properties required of the hybrid IOC; and (iv) the morphology of the hybrid IOC is controlled via “macrostructural engineering” such that the physico-chemical collectively possessed by the phases are exhibited by the hybrid IOC.

Abstract: There are provided; a laminated film or sheet formed by adhesively integrating a resin layer (1) of an acrylic resin with a resin composition layer (2) of a polyolefin resin composition, the polyolefin resin composition comprising an ethylene based copolymer (a) prepared by polymerizing ethylene with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic esters, unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides and vinyl acetate, a polyethylene resin (b) excluding the copolymer (a), and a polypropylene resin (c), which is characterized in that the layers (1) and (2) are adhesively integrated with each other to the satisfaction, even if no layer of an adhesive agent is interposed between them; and a laminated structure formed by adhesively integrating the laminated film or sheet with a substrate of a polyolefin resin, which is particularly suitable for uses such as interior or exterior car parts, electric appliances, parts of miscellaneous goods and signboards.

Abstract: A product and method of restoring a defaced or scratched window using a polyurethane film applied prior or subsequent to the damage to the window. The polyurethane fills in the scratches to the window and restores optical clarity. The polyurethane may be an aliphatic polyester polyurethane or aliphatic acrylic polyurethane. A further method is described which provides a protective coating to a window including a polyurethane film applied before the window is defaced. The film may be removed and reapplied easily to provide restored optical clarity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a barrier layer which has the ability to substantially prevent the diffusion of stains, such as plasticizers and dyes or other chemicals, onto a surface of a surface covering, from a surface or object in which the surface covering is placed upon. The barrier layer contains a polyamide or polyurethane and is preferably located above a substrate or base layer in a surface covering. The barrier layer preferably is located between a UV topcoat layer and a vinyl wear layer. The present invention also relates to a method of preventing stain migration onto a surface covering from a surface on which the surface covering is placed by use of the barrier layer of the present invention and also relates to methods of making surface coverings containing the barrier layer of the present invention.

Abstract: A coating is provided comprising a polyurethane network formed from the reaction on a substrate to be coated, of a mixture comprising a polyisocyanate; a hydroxyl donor and/or amine donor; a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polyacrylic acid; and an isocyanatosilane adduct having terminal isocyanate groups and at least one hydrolyzable alkoxy group bonded to silicon in a solvent. A method for preparing the coating is also provided.

Abstract: A layered material consisting of a substrate of heat-sensitive material, preferably wood, and a powder paint coat applied thereon, characterized in that it is obtained by a) optional application of an extender coat, b) optional application of at least one (water-based) paint, c) heating of the substrate by microwave irradiation, d) optional hardening of the liquid paint, preferably by ultraviolet irradiation, e) application of the powder paint, preferably by electrostatic spraying or by the Tribo process, f) heating of the powder paint to sintering temperature, g) subsequent hardening of the paint coat.

Abstract: The invention provides a recording sheet including an additive, referred to herein as a compatibilizer, to improve the quality of images formed by toner powder development of electrostatic charge patterns. Recording sheets, carrying images produced by toner powder transfer and fusion on a receptor surface, according to the present invention, exhibit improved light transmission and reduced light scattering. Specifically, a transparent sheet is provided having a toner-receptive coating containing about 4 wt. % to about 25 wt % of a compatibilizer on at least one surface, wherein the coating has a low density yellow Q factor value at least 2 less than an identical coating without the compatibilizer.

Abstract: A sandwich structure including a core having opposing top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of discrete pins disposed through the core and extending beyond the top and bottom surfaces of the core, a face sheet on the top core surface, and a face sheet on the bottom core surface. The ends of each pin are bent over and lie between the respective core surfaces and the face sheets to secure the face sheets to the core, improve the strength of the core, and to provide a physical connection between the two face sheets. Also disclosed is a reinforced core for a sandwich structure which does not yet have the face sheets assembled to it. Also disclosed is a method of making such a reinforced core and completed sandwich structures including such a core.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated metal surface including, successive, at least one layer of polyurethane and at least one layer of thermoplastic polymer, it being possible for a binder to be placed between the polyurethane and the thermoplastic polymer. The invention is useful for covering pipers, electrical cables, telecommunication cables and stay wires.

Abstract: A composite structure is made by first furnishing a skin layer made of a composite material of quartz fibers embedded in an uncured cyanate ester-resin matrix. A transition layer of a first epoxy resin is applied to the skin layer. The skin structure including the skin layer and transition layer is cured at a first temperature and post cured at a second temperature greater than the first temperature. A bonding layer of a second epoxy resin is thereafter applied to the bonding surface of the transition layer, and a substrate is contacted to the exposed face of the bonding layer. The second epoxy resin is cured at a third temperature no greater than the first temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent film comprising a substrate layer (A) of a uniaxially stretched film containing 95 to 100 wt % of thermoplastic resin and 0 to 5 wt % of an inorganic or organic fine powder having an average particle size of 0.2 to 2 &mgr;m, a surface layer (B) of a uniaxially stretched film containing 85 to 99 wt % of a thermoplastic resin and 1 to 15 wt % of an inorganic fine powder having an average particle size of 0.7 to 3 &mgr;m and being provided on one surface of the substrate layer (A), and an adhesive layer (C) of a uniaxially stretched film containing 90 to 99 wt % of a thermoplastic resin having a melting point of 80 to 140° C. and containing 1 to 10 wt % of an inorganic or organic fine powder having an average particle size of 0.7 to 3 &mgr;m and being provided on the other surface of the substrate layer (A). The transparent label is characterized in that having an excellent transparency and suitability for in-mold forming.