Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrophobic, oleophobic and stain resistant fabric comprising a woven, non-woven, or knitted fabric substrate coated with a polymer system comprising a scrub resistant first layer and a second layer comprising a fluoropolymer bonded to the scrub resistant first layer. A method for producing a hydrophobic, oleophobic and stain resistant fabric including the steps of selecting a suitable fabric substrate and applying first layer to form a scrub resistant first layer; drying and curing the scrub resistant first layer; applying a fluoropolymer coating over the first layer to form a second layer; and drying and curing the second layer. Articles comprising a fabric as described herein are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously seaming cured EPDM membrane to form a composite sheet of predetermined width and indefinite length. The method includes the steps of providing at least two rolls of cured EPDM membrane having longitudinal marginal edges and feeding the cured EPDM membrane from the at least two rolls in a first direction. The longitudinal marginal edges of the cured EPDM membranes are positioned in an overlapping relationship as the cured EPDM membranes are fed in the first direction and then the overlapping longitudinal marginal edges are continuously seamed to form a composite sheet of indefinite length.

Abstract: A polyester polymer includes at least one hydroxyl terminated polyoxetane block containing repeat units derived from polymerizing at least one oxetane monomer having a pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf group wherein said Rf group is partially or fully fluorinated. A preferred process for forming said polymer is by reacting a hydroxyl terminated polyoxetane with a polycarboxylic acid under appropriate conditions to form an ester linkage and then adding and reacting that product with polyester forming reactants. The polyester polymer containing at least one polyoxetane block therein when reacted with an amino resin curative can be used as a coating on a substrate wherein the coating has dry erase properties. The coated substrate can be used as prepared or applied to yet other substrates.

Abstract: Acrylate, or methacrylate, or allylic, functionalized polyfluorooxetanes are disclosed for use in radiation curable coating compositions. These acrylate, or methacrylate, or allylic, functionalized polymers provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils. The partially or fully fluorinated side groups of the fluorooxetanes are believed to be disproportionately present at the interfaces between the coating and the substrate and between the coating and the atmosphere.

Abstract: The polymer of the present invention is derived from cyclic ether monomers, dioxane, dioxalane or trioxane and contains both pendant Rf fluoro groups as well as polar groups. These polymers have good wetting, or flow, or leveling properties. They can be reacted with other monomers, such as in the preparation of polyesters, and can be used in waxes, polishes and coatings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydophobic, oleophobic and stain resistant fabric comprising a woven, non-woven, or knitted fabric substrate coated with a polymer system comprising a scrub resistant first layer at least partially penetrating the fabric substrate, the scrub resistant first layer including a polymer composition containing polymer compositional constituents similar to constituents on the fabric substrate; and a second layer comprising a fluoropolymer reacted to the surface of the scrub resistant first layer. A method for producing a hydophobic, oleophobic and stain resistant fabric including the steps of selecting a suitable fabric substrate and applying a base coating to form a scrub resistant first layer at least partially penetrating the fabric substrate; drying and curing the scrub resistant first layer; applying a fluoropolymer coating over the first layer to form a second layer; and drying and curing the second layer.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers, polymers, and copolymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. In addition to serving as an initiator, the monoalcohol can also serve as a solvent for the fluorooxetane or other monomers to produce oligomers, polymers, or copolymers having low cyclic content. Suitable comonomers generally include various cyclic ethers. The polyfluorooxetane oligomer, polymer, or copolymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously seaming cured EPDM membrane to form a composite sheet of predetermined width and indefinite length. The method includes the steps of providing at least two rolls of cured EPDM membrane having longitudinal marginal edges and feeding the cured EPDM membrane from the at least two rolls in a first direction. The longitudinal marginal edges of the cured EPDM membranes are positioned in an overlapping relationship as the cured EPDM membranes are fed in the first direction and then the overlapping longitudinal marginal edges are continuously seamed to form a composite sheet of indefinite length.

Abstract: A composition comprises an oxetane oligomer or polymer or copolymer block wherein each repeat group has at least one ether side chain which is terminated by a fluorinated aliphatic group and optionally with the proviso that at least two different repeat units of the oligomer or polymer or copolymer have different Rf groups. The oxetane block is connected to a hydrocarbon polymer block derived from a mono or polyhydroxyl initiator. The terminal fluorinated alkyl groups impart good stain resistance to the oligomer or polymer or copolymer. In another embodiment, a fluorinated aliphatic or alkyl alcohol is reacted with an amino dicarboxylic acid with the reaction product thereof being subsequently grafted to a maleated polyolefin or a maleated polymer derived from a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer. The fluorinated alcohol also imparts good stain resistance to the grafted copolymer. Both compounds can be utilized as an additive in polymers as for example various polyolefins.

Abstract: Acrylate, or methacrylate, or allylic, functionalized polyfluorooxetanes are disclosed for use in radiation curable coating compositions. These acrylate, or methacrylate, or allylic, functionalized polymers provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils. The partially or fully fluorinated side groups of the fluorooxetanes are believed to be disproportionately present at the interfaces between the coating and the substrate and between the coating and the atmosphere.

Abstract: A large width single-ply heat-weldable roof membrane. The roof membrane includes at least two sheets of a thermoplastic polyolefin and one fold strip of a thermoplastic elastomer. The sheets have side edges. The fold strip is bonded to the sheets to join the sheets and form the large width single-ply roof membrane. The thermoplastic elastomer consists of a highly cross-linked rubbery polymer and a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers, polymers, and copolymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. In addition to serving as an initiator, the monoalcohol can also serve as a solvent for the fluorooxetane or other monomers to produce oligomers, polymers, or copolymers having low cyclic content. Suitable comonomers generally include various cyclic ethers. The polyfluorooxetane oligomer, polymer, or copolymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties.

Abstract: In a first embodiment a polyoxetane-polyester polymer comprising a hydroxyl terminated polyoxetane prepolymer containing repeat units derived from polymerized oxetane monomers having one or two pendant —CH2—O— (CH2)n-Rf groups wherein Rf is partially or fully fluorinated, where the polyoxetane prepolymer is esterified with polyester forming reactants to form the polyoxetane-polyester polymer, and said polymer is mixed with a reactive lower alkyl etherified melamine formaldehyde to form a thermoformable coating composition. In a second embodiment, the coating composition is based on a polyester mixed with the lower alkyl etherified melamine formaldehyde and is substantially free of the polyoxetane. The coating composition is partially cured in a first stage heating at less than about 180° F. to provide a thermoformable partially cured, tack-free, non-blocking, coating layer, followed by application to generally a contoured substrate and thermoformed to conform thereto.

Abstract: A polyester polymer includes at least one hydroxyl terminated polyoxetane block containing repeat units derived from polymerizing at least one oxetane monomer having a pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf group wherein said Rf group is partially or fully fluorinated. A preferred process for forming said polymer is by reacting a hydroxyl terminated polyoxetane with a polycarboxylic acid under appropriate conditions to form an ester linkage and then adding and reacting that product with polyester forming reactants. The polyester polymer containing at least one polyoxetane block therein when reacted with an amino resin curative can be used as a coating on a substrate wherein the coating has dry erase properties. The coated substrate can be used as prepared or applied to yet other substrates.

Abstract: A fluorine containing polymer which acts as a wetting, flow or leveling agent, and has at least one polar group. The polymer has at least one pendant or ether side chain containing from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms with at least 25% of the hydrogen atoms being replaced by fluorine atoms. The fluorinated polymers unexpectedly impart wetting, flow or leveling properties to a variety of coatings while producing little foam.

Abstract: A fluorine containing polymer which acts as a wetting, flow or leveling agent, and has at least one polar group. The polymer has at least one pendant or short side chain containing from about 1 to about 7 carbon atoms with at least 25% of the hydrogen atoms being replaced by fluorine atoms. The fluorinated polymers unexpectedly impart wetting, flow or leveling properties to a variety of coatings while producing little foam.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers and polymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. The fluorooxetane oligomers or polymers can be copolymerized with generally cyclic ethers. Alternatively, the polyfluorooxetane oligomer or polymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils.

Abstract: A co-mingled polyurethane-polyvinyl ester composition can be used as a coating, which has good scratch, mar and solvent resistance. The coating is derived from a waterborne polyurethane solution containing free radically polymerizable monomers such as acrylate, ultraviolet light initiators, and optionally urethane crosslinking agents. A process for forming the co-mingled polyurethane-polyvinyl ester composition comprises drying the waterborne polyurethane containing the polymerizable monomers therein and radiation polymerizing, as by ultraviolet light, the free radically polymerizable monomers on a substrate such as a plastic sheet to form a laminate. Subsequently, the laminate can be utilized to form a coating on a product as by thermoforming, where if urethane crosslinking agents are utilized, the polyurethane will be crosslinked.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers and polymers Zare prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. The fluorooxetane oligomers or polymers can be copolymerized with generally cyclic ethers. Alternatively, the poly-fluorooxetane oligomer or polymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils.

Abstract: Anionic waterborne polyurethane dispersions are formed in the presence of polyfluorooxetane oligomers, polymers, or copolymers so that the polyfluorooxetanes are incorporated in the polyurethane. Coatings made from such polyurethanes have good low temperature flexibility, good chemical resistance, stain resistance, and abrasion resistance, as well as a low coefficient of friction. Alternatively, the anionic water borne polyurethane dispersion can be blended with vinyl ester monomers such as various acrylates and subsequently polymerized by radiation, for example ultraviolet light, to form a comingled blend of at least two different types of polymers. Another embodiment relates to a preformed copolymer made by reacting the polyfluorooxetane oligomer, polymer, or copolymer with a polycarboxylic acid such as a dicarboxylic acid and subsequently reacting the same with a polyol intermediate, such as a polymer, or with monomers forming the polyol intermediate.