Abstract: There are provided a sheet having a silicon/plastic bi-layer structure capable of easily transferring a paste even when a hard roll is used, the hard roll having excellent durability but having disadvantages that the paste is poorly transferred when the paste is printed on a plastic base, and a method for producing the same. The bi-layer structured sheet having excellent printability when printed by hard roll includes a flexible substrate and a silicon resin formed on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the realization of particular supramolecular assemblies of dyes, in particular cyanines, called J aggregates. The invention concerns an assembly made up of a support including a mesoporous layer whereof the pores have an average BET diameter greater than 1.5 nm, macromolecules with dendritic architecture functionalizing said layer, at least in its pores, a layer of molecules from the family of cyanines interacting with the macromolecules with dendritic architecture and organized into J aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymeric composition, comprising: at least one thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of at least about 220° C.; inorganic particulates having an average particle size in the range up to about 100 nanometers dispersed in the thermoplastic resin, the inorganic particulates having an index of refraction in the range from about 1.4 to about 3; and an effective amount of at least one dispersant to disperse the inorganic particulates in the thermoplastic resin. The polymer composition may be a high temperature thermoplastic suitable for forming, such as by molding, optical articles such as lenses.

Abstract: To provide thermoadhesive conjugate fibers, nonwoven fabrics and cellulosic fiber blended nonwoven fabrics employing them, and wipers and absorbers employing the fabrics, thermoadhesive conjugate fibers comprise a thermoplastic resin (I) containing a modified polyolefin with at least one type of reactive functional group as a first component and having a second component composed of a thermoplastic resin (II) with a higher melting point than the thermoplastic resin (I) of the first component combined in a conjugate therewith, the first component being formed continuously along the length of at least a portion of the fiber surface, wherein the fiber surfaces are coated with a fiber treating agent containing a multifunctional compound capable of reacting with the reactive functional group of the modified polyolefin.

Abstract: Thermally formed thermoplastic articles can be protected from stress cracking in the presence of stress cracking promoting compounds by forming a shaped article comprising a thermoplastic and a liquid hydrocarbon oil composition. We have found that the liquid hydrocarbon oil composition prevents the stress cracking promoting materials from interacting with the polymeric structure of the stressed container to prevent or inhibit stress cracking in such materials. The methods and compositions of the invention are particularly useful in preventing stress cracking in polyethylene terephthalate beverage containers during bottling operations during which the bottle is contacted with aqueous and non-aqueous materials such as cleaners and lubricants that can interact with the polyester to cause stress cracking particularly in the container base.

Abstract: Disclosed are coated fiber-containing articles, including paper, paperboard, and molded fiber, and methods for preparing such articles. A preferred method comprises heating paperboard containing a polymeric binder to a temperature sufficient to remove at least some moisture from the paperboard; applying an aqueous dispersion or solution of at least one water-dispersible or water-soluble polymer to the paperboard product; heating the paperboard to at least partially cure the water-dispersible or water-soluble polymer; and cooling the paperboard to at least 160° F. to reduce the tackiness of the cured water-dispersible polymer.

Abstract: A method of preparation of a Lithographic Printing Plate comprising the steps of, selecting a substrate for making of the printing plate from a natural or synthetic polymeric sheet element material having a tensile strength in the range of 400 to 3000 Kgm/cm2 and thickness ranging from 75 microns to 250 microns; shrinking the said substrate to have shrinkage in the range of 0.2 to 2.0% by exposing the substrate to heat of temperatures ranging from 140 to 180 degrees Celsius for 8 to 12 minutes; subbing the substrate to alter the surface energy of the substrate; forming a hydrophilic lithographic coating by reacting a hydrophilic binder with a cross linking agent, an accelerator, at least one pigment, at least one cationic surfactant and particulate silica having micron size ranging between 1 to 5 microns and a pore volume ranging between 0.2 ml/gm to 1.

Abstract: A method and material for refurbishing vinyl and other painted surfaces includes the steps of cleaning the surface with a detergent, drying the surface, applying a revitalizer to the surface, and drying the surface such that the surface has an improved appearance. The surface may be vinyl or other painted surfaces, which may take the form of shutters, gutters and siding. Further, the improved method may also include the step of priming the surface prior to applying the revitalizer in order to promote adhesion of the revitalizer to the surface.

Abstract: Coated sodium percarbonate particles having a mean particle size of from 300 to 1600 ?m containing a sodium percarbonate core surrounded by at least one coating layer, the coating layer comprising at least one coating agent and small sodium percarbonate particles of a mean particle size smaller than 100 ?m. Process for the production of these particles by coating sodium percarbonate core particles with at least one coating agent and with small sodium percarbonate particles of a size smaller than 100 ?m. Use of these particles as bleaching agent in detergent compositions and detergent compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an ultra-thin soft conductive cloth, which includes the steps of providing a cloth interwoven with artificial fibers, thermal calendering the cloth at least once to reduce the thickness and increase the softness, and electroless plating the thermal calendered cloth for metallization, so as to form the ultra-thin soft conductive cloth having electromagnetic shielding effect.

Abstract: The insulating layer formation step of forming an insulating layer 24-1 on a base for resin application 20 by applying polymeric material, which has been diluted with a solvent, filled with inorganic filler to the base for resin application and by drying the base for resin application; the circuit formation portion forming step of creating a circuit formation portion and a via hole 25 in insulating layer 24-1 that has been formed in the above described insulating layer formation step by means of a laser treatment; and the circuit formation step of forming a circuit 23-1 by plating the circuit formation portion and via hole 25 that have been created in the above described circuit formation portion forming step are provided and the insulating layer formation step, the circuit formation portion forming step and the circuit formation step are repeated a plurality of times in this order and, thereby, a circuit formation part (multi-layered substrate) is manufactured.

Abstract: A composition and method for inhibiting stain formation in a floor covering. The composition includes a copper glycine complex in combination with magnesium hydroxide and a carrier. The composition can be advantageously applied to a wood-based substrate upon which a floor covering is overlaid. Flooring assemblies that include the composition are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an improved process for the hydrothermal conversion of coral into hydroxyapatite, a process for coating an object with hydroxyapatite, a process for coating an object with a divalent metal phosphate and uses of objects prepared by these processes. Following the processes according to the present invention, the resultant hydroxyapatite has greater strength and bioactivity than that of the coral prior to its conversion.

Abstract: A film sheet which has a polymer layer formed of a coating solution is drawn from a balk roll and transported toward a rubbing apparatus. Thereby, first and second blowers sequentially disposed respectively apply to the polymer layer an air of temperature 45±2° C. and humidity 50%–60%, and an air of temperature 25±1° C. and humidity 30%–35%. Thus, damages which occurred in transporting and rolling the film sheet are removed. Thereafter, a rubbing action is performed to the film sheet such that the polymer layer has alignment. Then a liquid crystal layer is formed on the polymer layer, to obtain an optical compensation film.

Abstract: A system for maintaining calender rolls of a paper machine clean when producing high-gloss paper or coated paper, such as LWC or MWC. To prevent a coating agent, such as coating dye, from adhering onto and soiling a smooth surface of a calender roll, with an overheating phenomenon, the system has a second measurement station (10) provided with measuring and indicator means for producing an output indicating soiledness of the web (W) or a humidity profile. When the output of the second measurement station (10) indicates excessive soiledness or an uneven humidity profile, the system performs at least one of: cleaning the surface of the smooth-surfaced calender roll; changing the nip load in the calender (5); making a correction adjustment of the CD-directional humidity profile of the web (W); cutting the web (W) and conducting it into the pulper; and/or changing the running speed of the web (W).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-component composite separate membrane and a method for preparing the same, and to a multi-component composite membrane comprising a support layer and active layers, wherein the support layer is located between the active layers.

Abstract: A method of forming a metallic feature on a substrate, comprising the steps of: providing a stamp having a raised region; depositing catalytic particles on a selected area of the stamp, including the raised region thereof; providing a substrate; applying the stamp to the substrate, such that the raised region of the stamp causes a corresponding indented region in the substrate and at least some of the catalytic particles are transferred to a selected area of the substrate; and plating the selected area of the substrate.

Abstract: A treatment method for preservation of plant leaves wherein the plant leaves are immersed in a dehydrating solvent consisting of acetone and ethyl alcohol to replace the tissue water and remove chlorophyll in the leaves by the dehydrating solvent. Thereafter, the leaves are immersed in a permeating solution containing polyethylene glycol and acetone for allowing polyethylene glycol to permeate the leaves for replacing the dehydrating solvent. Thereafter, the leaves are dyed with a coloring matter.

Abstract: Thermoplastic resin composition are provided that comprise a thermoplastic resin and an amount of antioxidant effective to increase the adhesion of paint to an article made from the composition. Also provided are methods to improve the paint adhesion of articles wherein the articles have been subjected to a temperature of at least about 330° F. for period of at least about 10 minutes. In a preferred embodiment, the antioxidant, also known as a stabilizer, or mixture of stabilizers is selected from the group consisting of the phenolic antioxidants, the 3-arylbenzofuranones, the hindered amine stabilizers, the ultraviolet light absorbers, the alkaline metal salts of fatty acids, the hydrotalcites, the epoxydized soybean oils, the hydroxylamines, the tertiary amine oxides, thermal reaction products of tertiary amine oxides, the thiosynergists, and mixture containing at least one of the foregoing.

Abstract: A method for powder coating articles includes the steps of preheating the article to a preheating temperature, coating the article with a polymeric powder coating having a cross-linking temperature that is above the preheating temperature and curing the article having the powder coating applied thereto at a curing temperature. The curing temperature is between the powder coating cross-linking temperature and the melting point temperature of the articles. A system for carrying out the coating method is disclosed as is an article made by the method.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a treatment composition comprising a halogen bearing compound, a volatile siloxane fluid and at least one solvent. In another aspect, there is disclosed a method for treatment of molded rubber articles by applying a treatment composition to a rubber article to form a treated surface, followed by applying an adhesive or a coating to at least a portion of the treated surface.

Abstract: A method for production of endless plastic hollow profiles, in particular tubes, comprises several production stages for the plastic tube and a coating stage for a metal coating. A reduced pressure is provided in the coating stage, whereby the metal is transferred into the gas phase and deposited on the tube as a surface layer homogeneously bonded thereto.

Abstract: A substrate has an abrasion-resistant diffusion barrier layer system having: a hard base layer including a coating composition based on a polymer containing reactive surface groups; and a nanostructured topcoat obtained by applying a nanoscale composition comprising sol particles and/or particulate solids to the basecoat and then curing it. The system features good abrasion resistance and diffusion barrier effect, and is particularly suitable as a protective coat for plastic substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving interfacial chemical reactions of a solid workpiece contacted with a liquid solution, said method comprising pre-heating the workpiece prior to immersion thereof in said liquid solution. The pre-heating may be carried out up to a temperature that is practicable without impairing the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an interior fitment for motor vehicles, the interior fitment having on its facing side a wood molding which is provided with a coating. In order to impart a substantially natural impression to the interior fitment, the invention proposes applying to the wood molding a coating material based on vegetable-oil-modified resins and natural vegetable oils, with the addition to the coating material of ceramic microparticles. Likewise proposed is an interior fitment produced preferably by this method.

Abstract: A paint composition for automotive weather strips and glass runs which comprises a curable urethane-based emulsion paint having added thereto either at least two silane coupling agents selected from the group consisting of a silane coupling agent having an amino group, a silane coupling agent having an epoxy group, a silane coupling agent having a methacryloxy group and a silane coupling agent having an acryloxy group, or a reaction product obtained by previously mixing said at least two silane coupling agents. Also discloses are processes for producing automotive weather strips.

Abstract: A monomer useful in the formulation of a radiation curable coatable composition comprises (a) polyfunctional isocyanurate having at least three terminal reactive groups reacted with (b) hydroxyalkyl acrylate and (c) tertiary amine alcohol in a molar ratio of a:b:c of about 1:1-2.5:0.5-2, wherein b+c is at least 3 and no greater than the total number of terminal reactive groups of (a). The monomer is included in a radiation curable coatable composition suitable for use as a floor finish and in a floor finishing system comprising the foregoing coatable composition with a primer. A method for the treatment of a substrate using the floor finish and the floor finishing system is also described.

Abstract: In order to make weather seals from closed cell elastomer foam material, molten plastic is extruded over a substrate of the foam material. Surface reactions during extrusion are avoided by continuously pulling the substrate through an oven chamber to degas (and remove moisture from) the material at least on its outside to a limiting thickness of the order of 10-30 mil to form a skin or crust. The extrusion of the over-coating is carried out to form a sleeve while the substrate is still hot. Since the skin is a degassed region on the outside of the foam substrate, reactions which may cause blistering and prevent the extrusion of a smooth and firmly adhering skin are avoided. The substrate material is preferably a thermosetting EPDM rubber closed cell foam, and the over coating material is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

Abstract: A process generally for preserving fresh-cut flowers and plant tissue, particularly fitted for fresh-cut flowers and plant tissue for use in manufacturing applications to form permanently flexible high-wear products to be used in a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. A method for preserving the plant tissue wherein the plant tissue is formed and substantially dehydrated, whereupon the plant tissue is subsequently saturated with a saturating mix, removed from the saturating mix, drained, dried, and then subsequently coated with a coating mix, removed, drained, and dried. An optional polishing mix may be applied for cosmetic purposes. The finished product retains the integrity of the original flower in shape, texture, size, and color and is highly flexible and durable under conditions of constant physical wear and disturbance.

Abstract: Manufacturing low density components of high surface strength having a polymer or metal matrix substrate and ceramics and/or metal-ceramics coating, wherein the low density substrate to be coated is subjected to: optionally, machining the surface in order to generate residual compressive stress in the outer layers; optionally, thermal stabilizing at a temperature lower than 350° C.; depositing onto the outer surface, with hot spraying techniques at a temperature ranging from 70 to 350° C., of a coating layer in ceramics and/or metal-ceramics material of a surface strength higher than that of the component to be coated, the surface of the coating layer being optionally subjected to a finishing treatment. The disclosure also relates to the product thus obtained.

Abstract: A plastic window panel for an automotive vehicle comprises a plastic panel of a transparent noncrystalline organic high polymer. Silica particulate is dispersed in the plastic panel and has a particle size not larger than wavelengths of visible light. The plastic window panel is produced by one of a first method and a second method. The first method comprises (a) providing a first solvent in which the silica particulate having the particle size not larger than wavelengths of visible light is dispersed, and a second solvent in which the transparent noncrystalline organic high polymer is dissolved; (b) mixing the first solvent and the second solvent to obtain a resin composition; and (c) molding the resin composition under heating.

Abstract: The present invention provides surface coated phosphors useful in field emission displays and vacuum fluorescent displays. The surface coated phosphor comprises a thin coating of rare earth oxide, e.g., yttrium oxide, disposed on an uncoated phosphor such as a sulfide phosphor. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a surface coated phosphor comprising contacting the uncoated phosphor with a rare earth hydroxide gel solution to obtain a rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor, drying the gel coated phosphor to remove solvent residues, and heat treating the dried rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor. The surface coated phosphors of the present invention have improved cathodoluminescence efficiency, coulombic aging resistance, chemical, and/or oxidative stability.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the field of ceramics and concerns an open-cell expanded ceramic which may be used in the form of a deep-bed filter, and a process for the production thereof. The primary object is to produce an open-cell expanded ceramic by a simple and economical process. This object is attained by an open-cell expanded ceramic in which the inner cavities, cracks and the porosity of the ceramic members are filled partially or completely by one or a plurality of metal and/or ceramic phases and/or glass phases. The open-cell expanded ceramic is also produced in that during or after sintering the cavities, cracks and the porosity of the ceramic members are partially or completely filled with a melt or a suspension which melt below the melting temperature of the expanded ceramic, have a coefficient of expansion similar to the coefficient of expansion of the expanded ceramic, and a very good wetting capacity, and only react partially or not at all with constituents of the expanded ceramic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving interfacial chemical reactions in electroless depositions of metals, in which the substrate to be plated is pre-heated prior to its immersion in the various processing solutions that require elevated temperatures, and especially before immersion in the electroless plating solution. The pre-heating is carried out to a temperature that is needed to bring about the desired chemical reaction at the substrate-solution interface, allowing the bath of that process step to operate significantly below the temperature that would have been needed if the panel had not been pre-heated, and below the solution temperature of current practice. According to another aspect of the present invention, the electroless plating apparatus for plating a workpiece operates in a vertical mode and it comprises a heating station, with the panel to be plated returning to the heating station as dictated by the temperature required for a given process step.

Abstract: A flexible rubber article such as a neck or cuff seal (1) for a drysuit is made of natural rubber in a conventional way, by dipping a former into a sensitized rubber latex. The application describes applying a thin thermoplastics layer e.g. about 25 &mgr;m thick on the surface of the natural rubber so that it can conveniently be welded to another thermoplastics component such as a hot-melt tape. The thermoplastics layer (4,5) may cover the whole or only a marginal part of the rubber article. It may be formed by dipping into a thermoplastics latex. The thermoplastics layer may cover the whole or only a margin of the rubber article. Polyurethane is one suitable material. By providing a non-tacky weldable region the invention is more convenient to use than previous proposals using adhesives.

Abstract: A film laminate is disclosed and comprises a biaxially oriented polyester film and another film laminated onto the polyester film, where the polyester film comprises a base layer at least 80% by weight of which is composed of a thermoplastic polyester, at least one cover layer and a metallic or ceramic layer located on the cover layer, where the cover layer is composed of a polymer or of a copolymer or of a mixture of polymers which comprises at least 40% by weight of ethylene 2,6-naphthalate units, up to 40% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units and, if desired, up to 60% by weight of units of other aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic diols and/or carboxylic acids, with the proviso that the Tg2 value of the polyester film is greater than the Tg2 value of the base layer but smaller than the Tg2 value of the cover layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of polymer laminated base paper, said process comprising laminating a base paper web on at least one side thereof with at least one polymer layer by extrusion-coating at a coating speed of 300 m/min or more, wherein the said base paper web is heated prior to laminating.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wicket conveyor for conveying a series of wickets through pre-curing, curing and post-curing sections of a curing system. The wicket conveyor forms a continuous loop, having a straight upper track portion, a straight lower track portion and a pair of curved end portions of track that adjoin each end of the straight upper and lower track potions. Each wicket is attached to the wicket conveyor track such that the plane of the wicket is oriented at a predetermined angle. B wicket picks up a horizontally oriented sheet and carries it toward the pre-curing section. The wicket and substrate sheet are reoriented in response to the contour of the conveyor, into a near vertical planar orientation. While in the near vertical orientation, liquid coatings on the surface of the sheet substrate move down the substrate sheet in “sheet flow,” thereby leaving a smooth coating surface prior to curing.

Abstract: A method for producing a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic material coated on a surface of a polymeric film comprising, in the running direction of the polymeric film, the steps of pressing a cleaning tape made of one of a non-woven fabric and a fabric impregnated with a cleaning agent against the surface of said polymeric film onto which said coating material is coated in order to wipe off foreign matter adhering to said surface of the polymeric film; drying the surface of the wiped polymeric film; and just after the drying step, coating a magnetic coating material onto a surface of a polymeric film while said polymeric film is running. An apparatus for the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite wall with an open cell metal foam core layer bonded to an inner cladding layer and an outer cladding layer. The method involves: creating a core substrate of open cell gas permeable foam in a chosen shape; impregnating the open cell foam substrate with metal vapour and depositing a porous layer of metal on exposed internal and external surfaces of the substrate thereby forming the open cell metal foam core through metal vapour deposition; and forming the inner and outer cladding layers upon the metal foam core through spray application of metal or ceramic.

Abstract: A coating that inhibits stain formation in floor covering. The coating includes a copper amine complex, preferably a copper morpholine complex, and is advantageously applied to an underlayment upon which a floor covering is adhered. Coated panels and floor assemblies that include the coating are also described.

Abstract: A photographic film comprising a base layer and at least one emulsion layer, the emulsion layer having a melting temperature that is within 4 degrees centigrade of the incubation temperature used in an accelerated core-set test.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that flocked or textured materials (e.g., for use as dental floss, or toothbrush bristles) can be manufactured without using adhesives to secure the short fibers or texture particles to the base material, or substrate. The flocked or textured materials are formed by thermally or chemically softening a preformed substrate (e.g., sheets, fibers, or filaments made of TEFLON® fibers, KEVLAR® fibers, cotton, polyester, polyethylene, or other plastic), then treating the softened substrate with short fibers or texture particles. Alternatively, the short fibers or texture particles can be applied during the formation of the substrate (e.g., in an extrusion, melt-blowing, die casting, weaving, or drawing process).

Abstract: Textile materials having high colorfastness, and methods for their production are described. The process involves heatsetting a textile material, then applying a polysiloxane/catalyst combination to the heatset material. The textile material is then dried at low temperature, thereby resulting in a material having good colorfastness and shade. The process can be used to process fibers, yarns or fabrics, and is particularly useful in the processing of microdenier fibers.

Abstract: An improved PVOH-based coating solution for application to a polymeric substrate. The coating solution includes poly(vinyl alcohol), a formaldehyde-containing crosslinking agent and a crosslinking-promoting acid catalyst which lowers the pH of the solution to about 3.5 or less and, preferably, to about 3 or less. The coating solution exhibits improved viscosity stability, particularly with the addition of a second acid catalyst. The coating solution also provides improved crosslinking and oxygen barrier characteristics upon drying.

Abstract: System and method for diffusing chemicals rapidly and evenly into and through fibrous material, such as wood. Chemicals are introduced into the fibrous material by applying the chemicals to the fibrous material. After treating the fibrous material with the chemicals, the fibrous material is maintained under low-headspace conditions. Thermal energy or dielectric heating, such as microwave or radio frequency energy, is applied to the fibrous material. As a result, the chemicals are able to distribute evenly and quickly throughout the fibrous material.

Abstract: The invention is a method for treating a worksurface of a workpiece to render it static dissipative under conditions of low relative humidity. Conditions are created that render the worksurface receptive to treatment with a electrostatic dissipative (ESD) agent. The receptive worksurface is contacted with an ESD agent. Finally, the conditions created to render the worksurface receptive are removed. One method for treating a worksurface of a workpiece to render it static dissipative under conditions of low relative humidity commences by contacting the worksurface with an aqueous bath comprising acid and poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate). The worksurface is removed from the bath and excess bath is washed away from the worksurface. The worksurface finally is dried. The preferred acid is HCl. Another method involves heating the worksurface to render it receptive followed by treating with heated worksurface with the ESD agent and subjecting the treated worksurface to pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved flexibilized, plasticized polyvinyl chloride films bonded with a substrate by means of an aqueous based pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive emulsion polymers. Conventional emulsion based pressure sensitive adhesives were comprised of a copolymer comprised of polymerized units of acrylic esters and ethylenically unsaturated monomers, the copolymer having a Tg of from −15 to −70° C. The improvement in the aqueous based, emulsion polymerized pressure sensitive adhesives resides in the incorporation of polymerized units of a vinyl C8-13 ester of a neo-acid into the adhesive. The vinyl ester is formed from a mixture of propylene oligomers and such vinyl ester is represented by the chemical formula: C8-13H7-27CO2CH═CH2. Preferably, the adhesive includes units of methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and a carboxylic acid selected from acrylic acid or methacrylic acid.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive tapes are manufactured by continuously extruding polypropylene to form a web which is cooled and set and slit at transversely spaced positions into a plurality of side by side continuous tapes. After slitting each tape is drawn longitudinally and heat set to effect monoaxial orientation of the tape. A release coating to the first tape surface and a coating of a pressure sensitive adhesive to the second tape surface. Each continuous tape with the release coating and the adhesive coating thereon is wound into a series of cylindrical tape spools each containing a length of the tape.

Abstract: A dense or porous coating of material is deposited onto a substrate by forcing a colloidal suspension through an ultrasonic nebulizer and spraying a fine mist of particles in a carrier medium onto a sufficiently heated substrate. The spraying rate is essentially matched to the evaporation rate of the carrier liquid from the substrate to produce a coating that is uniformly distributed over the surface of the substrate. Following deposition to a sufficient coating thickness, a single sintering step may be used to produce a dense ceramic coating. Using this method, coatings ranging in thickness from about one to several hundred microns can be obtained. By using a plurality of compounds in the colloidal suspension, coatings of mixed composition can be obtained. By using a plurality of solutions and separate pumps and a single or multiple ultrasonic nebulizer(s), and varying the individual pumping rates and/or the concentrations of the solutions, a coating of mixed and discontinuously graded (e.g.