Abstract: The invention relates to a two-package coating agent for forming an antifogging film. This coating agent contains a first coating agent comprising an isocyanate containing an isocyanate group; and a second coating agent comprising (a) a polyol component comprising at least a water-absorbing polyol and a hydrophobic polyol and (b) a surfactant comprising a group that is reactive with the isocyanate group. It is possible to form an antifogging film by a method including the steps of mixing the first and second coating agents together to prepare a coating agent; applying the coating agent to the substrate to form a precursory film on the substrate; and hardening the precursory film under room temperature or heating into the antifogging film.

Abstract: An antifogging article includes a substrate and an antifogging film covering the substrate. This antifogging film contains a water-absorbing organic polymer and an inorganic substance and has a water repellent finishing on a surface of the antifogging film. Another antifogging article includes (1) a substrate, (2) a water-absorbing, antifogging film covering the substrate, and (3) a water-permeable, protective film covering the antifogging film. This antifogging film contains (a) a polyvinyl acetal resin having a degree of acetalization of not greater than 10 mol % and (b) a hydrolysate or partial hydrolysate of an alkylsilylisocyanate represented by the general formula R2nSiR14−n where R1 is an alkyl group having a carbon atom number of 1 or 2, R2 is an isocyanate group, and n is 1 or 2. These antifogging articles are superior in antifogging property and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article having a substrate and photocatalytic film covering the substrate. This film contains (1) a film-forming component including ZrO2 and SiO2 and (2) TiO2 crystals dispersed in the film-forming component. These ZrO2, SiO2 and TiO2 crystals respectively are in amounts of 25-60 wt %, 15-50 wt % and 25-45 wt %, based on the weight of the film. The article is improved in photocatalytic activity, abrasion resistance and chemical resistance by the provision of the film.

Abstract: An antifogging article includes a substrate and an antifogging film covering the substrate. This antifogging film contains a water-absorbing organic polymer and an inorganic substance and has a water repellent finishing on a surface of the antifogging film. Another antifogging article includes (1) a substrate, (2) a water-absorbing, antifogging film covering the substrate, and (3) a water-permeable, protective film covering the antifogging film. This antifogging film contains (a) a polyvinyl acetal resin having a degree of acetalization of not greater than 10 mol % and (b) a hydrolysate or partial hydrolysate of an alkylsilylisocyanate. This constituent (b) can be replaced with at least one of a silylisocyanate, its hydrolysate, and its partial condensate. These antifogging articles are superior in antifogging property and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: An antifogging article includes a substrate and an antifogging film covering the substrate. This antifogging film contains a water-absorbing organic polymer and an inorganic substance and has a water repellent finishing on a surface of the antifogging film. Another antifogging article includes (1) a substrate, (2) a water-absorbing, antifogging film covering the substrate, and (3) a water-permeable, protective film covering the antifogging film. This antifogging film contains (a) a polyvinyl acetal resin having a degree of acetalization of not greater than 10 mol % and (b) a hydrolysate or partial hydrolysate of an alkylsilylisocyanate represented by the general formula R2nSiR14-n where R1 is an alkyl group having a carbon atom number of 1 or 2, R2 is an isocyanate group, and n is 1 or 2. These antifogging articles are superior in antifogging property and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: An antifogging article includes a substrate and an antifogging film covering the substrate. This antifogging film contains a water-absorbing organic polymer and an inorganic substance and has a water repellent finishing on a surface of the antifogging film. Another antifogging article includes (1) a substrate, (2) a water-absorbing, antifogging film covering the substrate, and (3) a water-permeable, protective film covering the antifogging film. This antifogging film contains (a) a polyvinyl acetal resin having a degree of acetalization of not greater than 10 mol % and (b) a hydrolysate or partial hydrolysate of an alkylsilylisocyanate represented by the general formula R2nSiR14−n where R1 is an alkyl group having a carbon atom number of 1 or 2, R2 is an isocyanate group, and n is 1 or 2. These antifogging articles are superior in antifogging property and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: An antifogging article includes a substrate and an antifogging film covering the substrate. This antifogging film contains a water-absorbing organic polymer and an inorganic substance and has a water repellent finishing on a surface of the antifogging film. Another antifogging article includes (1) a substrate, (2) a water-absorbing, antifogging film covering the substrate, and (3) a water-permeable, protective film covering the antifogging film. This antifogging film contains (a) a polyvinyl acetal resin having a degree of acetalization of not greater than 10 mol % and (b) a hydrolysate or partial hydrolysate of an alkylsilylisocyanate. This constituent (b) can be replaced with at least one of a silylisocyanate, its hydrolysate, and its partial condensate. These antifogging articles are superior in antifogging property and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: An antifogging article includes a substrate and an antifogging film covering the substrate. The antifogging film contains (a) 30-60 wt % of a metal oxide constituting a matrix phase of the antifogging film and (b) 40-70 wt % of ultrafine oxide particles constituting a dispersed phase of the antifogging film. The antifogging film is prepared by a process including the steps of (1) applying a sol containing (i) a precursor of the metal oxide, (ii) the ultrafine oxide particles, and (iii) a strong acid catalyst to the substrate, thereby forming thereon a precursory film; and (2) heating the precursory film into the antifogging film. The antifogging article is superior in hydrophilicity and antifogging property.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophilic article having (a) a substrate; (b) a first layer formed on the substrate; and (c) a second layer formed on the first substrate. The first layer contains (1) an amorphous silica and (2) at least one first amorphous metal oxide selected from titania and alumina. The second layer has (1) a matrix phase constituted of a crystalline titania and at least one second amorphous metal oxide and (2) a dispersed phase constituted of ultrafine particles made of at least one material selected from silica and alumina. The hydrophilic article is excellent in durability, since the second layer is superior in adhesion to the first layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophilic film formed on a substrate. This film has a hydrophilic outermost layer having a matrix phase containing titania and a disperse phase constituted of at least one compound of silica and alumina. The matrix phase may further contain an amorphous metal oxide. With this, the outermost layer becomes superior in abrasion resistance. The at least one compound of the disperse phase may be a non-spherical colloidal silica. With this, the outermost layer becomes substantially improved in scratch resistance. The outermost layer is formed on the substrate by a method including sequential steps of (a) providing a sol mixture including a first sol containing a precursor of the titania and a second sol containing the at least one compound; (b) coating the substrate with the sol mixture, thereby to form thereon a precursory film; and (c) baking the precursory film into the outermost layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photocatalytic glass pane including (a) a glass substrate having (1) major surfaces that are substantially parallel with and opposed to each other and (2) an edge surface that connects the major surfaces together; (b) a photocatalytic film formed on at least one of the major surfaces of the glass substrate; and (c) a light source for exciting the photocatalytic film. A light from the light source enters the glass substrate from its edge surface and then is reflected totally within the glass pane. Another photocatalytic glass pane of the invention is substantially the same as the above, except that the light enters the glass substrate from its peripheral surface. It is optional to form a prism on the peripheral surface. Alternatively, the peripheral surface may be inclined such that the glass substrate is tapered at a position of the peripheral surface. With this, the light is totally reflected within the another glass pane, too.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-repellent glass plate. This glass plate has a glass substrate having a major surface and a water-repellent film formed on the major surface of the glass substrate. The water-repellent film is prepared by an application of a water-repellent agent which is in a liquid form, to the major surface of the glass substrate, while the glass substrate is heated at a temperature of from 90 to 200.degree. C. The glass plate is superior in water repellency duration even under severe environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous metal-oxide film formed on a glass substrate by the sol-gel process. The film is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a coating solution by mixing a metal alkoxide(s) and/or a metal acetylacetonate(s), a first solvent, water, an acid and an organic polymer; (b) applying the coating solution to the glass substrate; (c) drying a gel film formed thereon at a first temperature not higher than 100.degree. C.; (d) contacting the gel film with a second solvent which is one of an acid solution and a mixed solution of alcohol and water; and (e) heating the gel film at a second temperature so as to transform the gel film into the porous metal-oxide film. The porous metal-oxide film's surface is minutely rough and has a fine features pattern of three-dimensional micro-porous structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered metal oxide film formed on a glass substrate by the sol-gel process. The film has a first metal oxide layer formed on the glass substrate and a second metal oxide layer formed on the first layer. To make the first layer minutely rough, at least two sols are respectively prepared from at least one compound selected from the group consisting of metal alkoxides and metal acetylacetonatos, such that polymers of the sols have different average molecular weights. Then, the at least two sols are mixed with a solvent so as to prepare a first coating solution. The first coating solution is applied to the glass substrate so as to form thereon a first sol film. The thus coated glass substrate is heated so as to transform the first sol film into the first metal oxide layer. To form a water-repellent metal oxide film on the first layer, a silane compound containing a fluorocarbon group is mixed with a solvent so as to prepare a second coating solution.

Abstract: A motor-operated die clamp mechanism produces a great clamping force even with use of small-output motors, and is adapted for use in a motor-operated injection-molding machine. Screw portion (13a, 13b), threaded reversely to each other, are formed on a ball screw (13) which is rotated by a motor (15). Ball nuts (11, 12), which are threadedly engaged with the screw portions (13a, 13b), respectively, and a movable wedge (6) are coupled to one another links (9, 10). As the motor rotates, the links contract or spread, thereby advancing or retreating the movable wedge with a great force. When the movable wedge advances, it is engagedly pressed against a fixed wedge (5) formed on the mold base (4) of a die (3), thereby causing the die to be fixedly mounted on a stationary board (1) or a movable board (2).