Abstract: Methods of making optical films having continuous phase/disperse phase morphology are disclosed which can control the nature of the disperse phase in such films to yield enhanced optical properties. When used in liquid crystal displays and the like, the films can increase the screen luminance beyond that achievable with known continuous phase/disperse phase optical films.

Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polarizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.

Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polarizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.

Abstract: Methods of making optical films having continuous phase/disperse phase morphology are disclosed which can control the nature of the disperse phase in such films to yield enhanced optical properties. When used in liquid crystal displays and the like, the films can increase the screen luminance beyond that achievable with known continuous phase/disperse phase optical films.

Abstract: An improved optical film having a continuous/disperse phase morphology and a method for making the same is provided. At least one of the continuous and disperse phases comprises a blend of homopolymers which are inter-reacted, as by transesterification. The resulting films exhibit a higher degree of birefringence for a given level of strain than analogous films in which the blend is replaced by a random copolymer.

Abstract: An improved optical film having a continuous/disperse phase morphology and a method for making the same is provided. At least one of the continuous and disperse phases comprises a blend of homopolymers which are inter-reacted, as by transesterification. The resulting films exhibit a higher degree of birefringence for a given level of strain than analogous films in which the blend is replaced by a random copolymer.

Abstract: An improved optical film having a continuous/disperse phase morphology and a method for making the same is provided. At least one of the continuous and disperse phases comprises a blend of homopolymers which are inter-reacted, as by transesterification. The resulting films exhibit a higher degree of birefringence for a given level of strain than analogous films in which the blend is replaced by a random copolymer.

Abstract: Optical films and processes for forming the optical films are described in which materials having different properties are used and the different properties are exploited to obtain improved optical and/or mechanical properties of the optical film. The different properties of the materials may be used to select processing conditions under which the materials will react differently. The film may be processed with respect to two different directions with the amount of molecular orientation, if any, induced by the process being separately controlled for each material and each direction.

Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polarizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.

Abstract: A novel microprismatic retroreflective film or sheeting is provided which comprises a transparent semicrystalline polymer. The microprismatic retroreflective film or sheeting of the present invention offers superior retroreflective brightness at large angles of incidence and at large observational angles. Syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymers, especially syndiotactic polystyrene and copolymers thereof, are preferred semicrystalline polymers, as they impart good dimensional stability and resistance to moisture, and can be made resistant to UV radiation. Signing materials comprising these microprismatic retroreflective films provide improved performance for off-angle illumination and viewing in traffic control and other signing applications.

Abstract: A novel microprismatic retroreflective film or sheeting is provided which comprises a transparent semicrystalline polymer. The microprismatic retroreflective film or sheeting of the present invention offers superior retroreflective brightness at large angles of incidence and at large observational angles. Syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymers, especially syndiotactic polystyrene and copolymers thereof, are preferred semicrystalline polymers, as they impart good dimensional stability and resistance to moisture, and can be made resistant to UV radiation. Signing materials comprising these microprismatic retroreflective films provide improved performance for off-angle illumination and viewing in traffic control and other signing applications.

Abstract: Optical films and processes for forming the optical films are described in which materials having different properties are used and the different properties are exploited to obtain improved optical and/or mechanical properties of the optical film. The different properties of the materials may be used to select processing conditions under which the materials will react differently. The film may be processed with respect to two different directions with the amount of molecular orientation, if any, induced by the process being separately controlled for each material and each direction.

Abstract: Flexible optically uniform sign face substrate comprising at least one layer of durable thermoplastic sheeting and an optically uniform dimensionally stable scrim film, and more particularly a sign face substrate comprising at least one layer of optically uniform dimensionally stable multilayer scrim film laminated between at least two layers of durable thermoplastic sheeting for use in areas such as awning, canopy, fascia or sign material construction.

Abstract: Flexible optically uniform sign face substrate comprising at least one layer of durable thermoplastic sheeting and an optically uniform dimensionally stable scrim film, and more particularly a sign face substrate comprising at least one layer of optically uniform dimensionally stable multilayer scrim film laminated between at least two layers of durable thermoplastic sheeting for use in areas such as awning, canopy, fascia or sign material construction.

Abstract: A soft, fatigue resistant vulcanizate adapted for transmitting load between moving mechanical parts comprising (a) 100 parts by weight of crosslinked elastomer, (b) a fatigue life enhancing amount of substantially internally saturated, substantially linear polymer that (i) is made from monomers consisting essentially of isobutylene, (ii) is a strain crystallizable, elastic solid at 20.degree. C. and (iii) has a viscosity average molecular weight (Flory) above about 1.3 million, (c) about 5-200 parts by weight particulate comprising carbon black, said elastomer being crosslinked with (d) curative in an amount sufficient to crosslink said elastomer, wherein said polymer of (b) is dispersed throughout said elastomer of (a) in a discrete microscopic phase.

Abstract: A soft, heat and fatigue resistant vulcanizate adapted for transmitting load between moving mechanical parts comprising (a) 100 parts by weight of crosslinked elastomer consisting essentially of (i) natural or synthetic polyisoprene rubber, and (ii) elastomeric polybutadiene made from monomers consisting essentially of butadiene at a weight ratio of (i) to (ii) of about 1:10 to 10:1, (b) about 10-75 parts by weight of substantially internally saturated, substantially linear polymer that (i) is made from monomers consisting essentially of isobutylene, (ii) is a strain crystallizable, elastic solid at 20.degree. C. and (iii) has a viscosity average molecular weight (Flory) above about 1.

Abstract: Polychloroprene compounded with large particle, high structure carbon black and finely divided silica especially when combined with certain curants and plasticizer yields, upon curing, articles which exhibit high tear resistance and low compression set and are admirably suited for high temperature, fatigue producing applications as suspension bushings.

Abstract: Improvements in molded articles from sinterable particulate solids, improvements in method for making such articles, and novel sacrificial binders for use in making such articles are disclosed. The sacrificial binders used in this invention comprise block polymers having the structural formulaX--B(AB).sub..eta. A].sub..eta. 'wherein "X" is a linking group, A or B, ".eta." is 0 or a positive integer, ".eta.'" is a positive integer greater than 2, "A" is a linear or branched polymer that is glassy or crystalline at room temperature and has its softening point in the range of about 80.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and "B" is a polymer different from A that behaves as an elastomer at processing temperatures, a plasticizer which may be oil, wax or oil and wax, and optionally other components.

Abstract: Improvements in molded articles from sinterable particulate solids, improvements in method for making such articles, and novel sacrificial binders for use in making such articles are disclosed. The sacrificial binders used in this invention comprise block polymers having the structural formulaX--[B (AB).sub..eta. A].sub..eta.'wherein "X" is a linking group, A or B, ".eta." is 0 or a positive integer, ".eta.'" is a positive integer greater than 2, "A" is a linear or branched polymer that is glassy or crystalline at room temperature and has its softening point in the range of about 80.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and "B" is a polymer different from A that behaves as an elastomer at processing temperatures, a plasticizer which may be oil, wax or oil and wax, and optionally other components.