Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous non-melt processible polytetrafluoroethylene dispersion comprising non-melt processible polytetrafluoroethylene particles in an amount between 30 and 70% by weight based on the total weight of the dispersion and one or more non-ionic surfactants and wherein at least a part of said non-melt processible polytetrafluoroethylene particles comprise polytetrafluoroethylene polymer chains having repeating units comprising ionic groups. The invention further provides a method for obtaining the dispersions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active energy ray curable composition for coating optical disc, comprising a urethane (meth)acrylate compound having at least one amide group in the molecule, an ethylenically unsaturated compound other than the urethane (meth)acrylate compound and a photopolymerization initiator; and an optical disc having a cured coating layer obtained by curing the composition.

Abstract: A material comprising aerogel particles and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binder is formed having a thermal conductivity of less than or equal to 25 mW/m K at atmospheric conditions. The material is moldable or formable, having little or no shedding of filler particles, and may be formed into structures such as tapes or composites, for example, by bonding the material between two outer layers. Advantageously, composites may be flexed, stretched, or bent without significant dusting or loss of insulating properties.

Abstract: Polymerizable fluorinated polyethers are formed by Michael-type addition of a reactive fluorinated polyether to a poly(meth)acryl compound. The polymerizable fluorinated polyethers may be used to form composite articles.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer composition comprising a fluoropolymer with a particle size distribution having a ratio of the mode to D95 of 0.75 or greater and wherein when the fluoropolymer is a copolymer consisting of interpolymerized units derived from tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(propyl vinyl) ether, the fluoropolymer has less than 60 unstable endgroups per million carbon atoms; coated articles comprising the fluoropolymer; and methods for making the same.

Abstract: One or more PTFE films are heated to greater than 150 degrees centigrade (C) and for a time greater than 20 hours, then the PTFE films are cooled. The PTFE films may be heated to temperatures greater than 200° C. and less than 250° C. and most preferably heated to a temperature of about 228° C. The PTFE films may be kept at a temperature for greater than 50 hours or most preferably kept at a temperature for around 100 hours. The PTFE films may be heat processable PTFE fluoropolymer films and may have a number of heat affected zones. The heat affected zones may be created before or after heat treating. The heat affected zones are generally caused by welding two or more PTFE films together, usually under-pressure. An “optimal” temperature and “optimal” time period are determined at which heat processed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fluoropolymers should be heat treated.

Abstract: An ethylenically unsaturated group-containing fluoropolymer, which is obtained by reacting a compound containing one isocyanate group and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, and a hydroxyl group-containing fluoropolymer at an isocyanate group/hydroxyl group molar ratio of 1.1 to 1.9. According to the present invention, an ethylenically unsaturated group-containing fluoropolymer having superior antiscratching property, coating property and durability, as well as a curable resin composition and an antireflection film using the same can be provided.

Abstract: Polymeric microstructures and nanostructures can be prepared with use of a tip to pattern a surface. A tip can be used to pattern a structure which can initiate polymerization. The structure can be then exposed to monomer to induce polymerization at the structure. Alternatively, a tip can be used to pattern a surface with a monomer in which the surface is treated with polymerization catalyst so that polymerization occurs at the patterning site. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization can be carried out with use of the tip to control the polymerization. The tip can be a sharp tip as used in for example an atomic force microscope tip. Norbornene types of monomers can be used. Biological macromolecules can be also prepared.

Abstract: A process for purifying a P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer to produce an improved high performance copolymer for pyroelectric conversion. Pellets of a P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer are dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. Subsequently, anhydrous ethanol is added to the solution to initiate copolymer gel precipitation, after which the solution is separated to obtain the gel precipitate, which is subsequently washed and dried. The resulting copolymer has fewer impurities and higher resistivity, thereby being suitable for use in applications such as pyroelectric converters. The purified copolymer also exhibits phase transition characteristics that allow for increased power output.

Abstract: A pellicle membrane is mounted between an outer frame and an inner frame. At least one of the frames is attached to the reticle without using conventional adhesives. The pellicle and reticle may be used in a lithography system. The pellicle allows radiation to pass through the pellicle to the reticle and may prevent particles from passing through the pellicle.

Abstract: A composite material having superior tribological properties includes a first polymer being a transfer film forming polymer and a second polymer mixed with the first polymer. The first polymer is at least 10 weight % of the composite and the composite provides a wear rate of <10?7 mm3/Nm and an average friction coefficient of said composite no more than 0.15. The first polymer can be PTFE and the second polymer a polyaryletherketone (e.g., PEEK). A method of forming composites includes the steps of providing a plurality of transfer film forming polymer particles and second polymer particles, and molding or extruding the particles at a temperature sufficient to allow softening and mobilization of at least one of the transfer film forming polymer particles and the plurality of strengthening phase polymer particles to form an interconnected network, wherein the composite formed provides a wear rate of <10?7 mm3/Nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer membrane mainly made of an ion exchange resin which further comprises melt-spun fluororesin fibers such as fibers made of an ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, a polyvinylidene fluoride or the like, having fiber diameters of from 0.01 to 20 ?m, fiber lengths of from 1 ?m to 10 mm and aspect ratios of at least 5 in an amount of from 1 to 40% based on the total mass. The polymer membrane is excellent in handleability and shows excellent dimensional stability when hydrated, and therefore a polymer electrolyte fuel cell provided with a membrane-electrode assembly having the polymer membrane as an electrolyte membrane has great durability.

Abstract: This invention provides a fluorine-containing copolymer having a repeat unit derived from at least one fluorinated olefin and a repeat unit derived from at least one polycyclic ethylenically unsaturated monomer having pendant hydroxyl or esterified hydroxyl groups, and optionally other repeat units, typically derived from an acrylate. These polymers have high transparency at short wavelengths such as 193 nm and 157 nm, and provide good plasma etch resistance and adhesive properties. Also provided are photoresist compositions and substrates coated therewith.

Abstract: Anionic species are removed from aqueous dispersions of ionic fluoropolymers using anion exchange resins. In some embodiments, cationic species are also removed using cation exchange resins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of poly(perfluorovinyl ether) homopolymers. The present invention further relates to a method of making an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising bicomponent particles of poly(perfluorovinyl ether) homopolymers and a second fluoropolymer. The dispersions of the present invention may be used for rendering fibrous substrates oil repellent, water repellent and/or stain repellent without altering the looks and feel of the substrate.

Abstract: A process for preparing fluoropolymer dispersions, substantially free from anionic fluorinated surfactants, and with a coagulum amount <0.1% by weight, comprising: a) step a1) addition of: a non ionic surfactant having cloud point (CP) between 40° and 80° C., in an amount from 1.5% to 50% by weight on the dispersion fluoropolymer; and optionally an electrolyte to bring the specific conductivity of the dispersion to values in the range 130-8,000 ?S/cm; optionally a buffer agent to have a pH between 2 and 12 to a fluoropolymer dispersion obtainable by an emulsion polymerization process; step a2): heating of the dispersion obtained in a1) up to a temperature Tc in the range CP±10° C.; decantation without stirring, at the temperature Tc, until obtaining the dispersion separation in two aqueous phases, of which the lower one containing the fluoropolymer is discharged; b) step b1): the dispersion obtained in step a2) is optionally additioned of an electrolyte and of a non ionic surfactant as in a1).

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a structure and method for providing improved thermal conductivity of a thermal interface material (TIM) made of phase changed polymer matrix and a fusible filler material is disclosed. The TIM may also have a non-fusible filler material and a percentage of a non-phase change polymer added to the phase change polymer matrix. The TIM, used to mate and conduct heat between two or more components, can be highly filled systems in a polymeric matrix where the fillers are thermally more conductive than the polymer matrix.

Abstract: An aqueous non-melt processible polytetrafluoroethylene dispersion having non-melt processible polytetrafluoroethylene particles in an amount of 30 to 70% by weight and an amount of non-ionic surfactant between 2 and 15% by weight based on the weight of polytetrafluoroethylene solids. The dispersion is free of fluorinated surfactant or contains fluorinated surfactant in amounts of not more than 200 ppm based on the amount of polytetrafluoroethylene solids. At least part of the non-melt processible polytetrafluoroethylene particles comprise an effective amount of ionic end groups in the polytetrafluoroethylene polymer chains.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluororesin composition, which is excellent in moldability and crack resistance, a process for preparing the composition and a cable evenly coated with the composition. Specifically, the present invention provides a fluororesin composition wherein polytetrafluoroethylene is compounded to a terpolymer comprising tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and perfluoroalkyl vinylether. Also, the present invention provides a process for preparing the composition which comprises kneading with a multi-screw kneader. Furthermore, the present invention provides a cable which is coated with the resin.

Abstract: A pellicle made of a polymer material contains fullerenes within the polymer material to reduce the damaging effects of radiation that is transmitted through the pellicle during an exposure operation. The fullerenes may comprise nanotubes and/or buckyballs. The buckyballs may also enclose molecules of a gas that further reduce the damaging effects of the radiation on the polymer material.