Abstract: The present invention provides improved, flexible retroreflective articles based upon an optically clear, aliphatic polyurethane polymer. The aliphatic polymer has a plurality of hard chain segments of the formula--C(O)N(H)--C.sub.6 H.sub.10 --N(H)C(O)--.

Abstract: A skid-resistant, surface marking material is disclosed. The skid-resistant, surface marking material comprises a polymer matrix phase and a plurality of opaque ceramic spheroids partially embedded in and protruding from the top surface of the matrix layer. The ceramic spheroids have rounded surfaces and no substantial points.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a magnetic tape cassette housing comprising a polymeric cassette box having an interior surface. The interior surface of the cassette box has been irradiated with an amount of ultraviolet radiation sufficient to impart a priming effect to the interior surface of the cassette box. A wear pad is adhered to the interior surface of the cassette box. The wear pad comprises a low-friction, wear-resistant polyolefin sheet. The wear pad also comprises a polyamide adhesive layer coated on one side of the polyolefin sheet and adhering the polyolefin sheet to the interior surface of the cassette box. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a method of applying a polyolefin sheet to an interior surface of a polymeric cassette box.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thin film-coated polymer webs, and more particularly to thin film electronic devices supported upon a polymer web, wherein the polymer web is treated with a purifying amount of electron beam radiation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns magnetic recording media comprising fine, magnetizable pigment or particles dispersed in a binder and supported on a substrate. The invention particularly concerns the nature of the binder. The binder comprises a sulfonated, hydroxy-functional polyurethane polymer having sulfonate and cross-linkable hydroxyl groups pendant from the polyurethane polymer backbone. The hydroxyl groups are pendant from the polyurethane polymer at locally hydrophobic sites. The binder also comprises a sulfonated, hydroxy-functional vinyl chloride copolymer having sulfonate and cross-linkable hydroxyl groups pendant from the vinyl chloride copolymer backbone.

Abstract: A pavement marking material comprises a flexible base sheet that is conformable to an irregular pavement surface. A durable, wear-resistant, polymeric top layer is adhered to one surface of the base sheet. The top layer is capable of undergoing brittle fracture at a temperature from 0.degree. C. to 45.degree. C. such that when the base sheet conforms an irregular surface, the top layer readily forms ruptures to relieve stress build-up in the top layer as the regions of the top layer defined by the ruptures remain adhered to, and follow the conformance of, the base sheet. A plurality of particles are embedded in and protrude from the top layer. The particles comprise retroreflective beads and skid-resistant granules. In a preferred embodiment, the top layer is characterized by a Young's modulus of from about 50,000 psi to about 300,000 psi, and a percent elongation at break of from about 4% to about 35%.

Abstract: A tape guide having improved durability and excellent tape tracking characteristics. In one aspect, the present invention concerns a tape guide that comprises a durable, polymeric, resiliently expandable, substantially cylindrical sleeve. An outer tape guiding surface on said sleeve is concave for biasing a magnetic recording tape toward a centered position on the outer tape guiding surface. An inner surface on the sleeve defines a central bore that is smaller in size than the tape guide post. The central bore, though, is of a sufficient size such that the tape guide can be resiliently expanded to fit over a tape guide post with a resilient, gripping effect. A thickened wall portion is circumferentially positioned on the inner surface in a centered position between the top end and the bottom end of the sleeve. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve has two opposing slot edges that define a slot along the axial direction of the sleeve. The slot edges are biased towards each other.

Abstract: The present invention concerns magnetic recording media comprising fine, magnetizable pigment or particles dispersed within a binder and supported on a substrate. The invention particularly concerns the nature of the binder polymer and its preparation. The binder polymer is a curable polymer comprising a sulfonated, hydroxy-functional polyurethane polymer. A plurality of SO.sub.3 M groups are pendant from the polyurethane polymer backbone. The SO.sub.3 M groups have an equivalent weight of from about 2,000 to about 100,000. M is selected from the group consisting of H.sup.+, Li.sup.+, Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, NR.sub.4.sup.+ where R can be H.sup.+ or an alkyl group, and mixtures thereof. A plurality of hydrophobic polymer chain segments are incorporated into the polyurethane polymer that comprise residues of a polyol having a molecular weight of at least about 180. The hydrophobic chain segments have a carbon atom to polar functionality of at least about 60.

Abstract: The present invention concerns magnetic concerns magnetic recording media comprising fine, magnetizable pigment or particles dispersed in a binder and supported on a substrate. The invention particularly concerns the nature of the binder. The binder comprises a sulfonated, hydroxy-functional polyurethane polymer having sulfonate and cross-linkable hydroxyl groups pendant from the polyurethane polymer backbone. The hydroxyl groups are pendant from the polyurethane polymer at locally hydrophobic sites. The binder also comprises a sulfonated, hydroxy-functional vinyl chloride copolymer having sulfonate and cross-linkable hydroxyl groups pendant from the vinyl chloride copolymer backbone.

Abstract: Beta cobaltous hydroxide is synthesized by decomposing the complex formed between cobaltous ions and a suitable complexing agent under hydrothermal conditions. Cobaltous ion and complexing agent are combined in an aqueous medium, wherein the molar ratio of the cobaltous ion to the complexing agent is about one or more. Hydroxide ion is added, wherein the molar ratio of hydroxide ion to cobaltous ion is more than about 2. The resulting admixture is heated under hydrothermal conditions for precipitating beta cobaltous hydroxide. The method provides improved control over the size and shape of the beta cobaltous hydroxide reaction product. The beta cobaltous hydroxide can be reduced to form magnetic particles of cobalt metal.

Abstract: A skid-resistant pavement marking sheet including a top surface and a plurality of skid-resistant ceramic spheroids embedded in and protruding from the surface. The ceramic spheroids are fired from a raw material mixture including 10-97 wt. % mineral particulates, 3-90 wt. % alumina, and at least 1 wt. % binder, at a temperature of about 1300.degree. C., have an outer surface rich in alumina concentration relative to the center of the spheroid, and are resistant to crushing and fracturing.

Abstract: A method and agent for improving polyurethane binder compositions are provided. The method comprises introducing into the polyurethane backbone a diol residue including a double bond therein. Preferably the double bond is positioned in a moiety pendant from the polyurethane backbone. In preferred compounds, the double bond-containing residue is introduced in sufficient quantities to provide at least one double bond every 2,000-3,000 molecular weight units of polymer. Preferred agents include acrylate-, methacrylate-, acrylamide-, norbornenyl-, and cyclohexenyl-groups. Preferred compositions, both cured and uncured, are provided. Also, use of such a composition in magnetic recording media is described.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a nonmagnetizable substrate and a magnetizable layer coated onto the substrate. The magnetizable layer comprises about 83 to 89 percent by weight of acicular, substantialy dendrite-free, iron oxide magnetic pigment particles dispersed in a polymeric binder.

Abstract: Stretched surface recording disk (SSR) 10 comprising an annular support 12 having raised annular ridges 28 and 42 at its inside and outside diameters 22 and 30 with a base portion 24 in between the two ridges, and an annular recording medium film 14 held in radial tension and stretched across the base portion by adhering the film to attachment surfaces 48 and 36 near the inside and outside diameters respectively. The bond between the recording medium film and the support at the inner and outer attachment surfaces is formed by an electron beam cured adhesive such as a mixture of hydantoin hexacrylate and dimethylacrylamide. By manufacturing the stretched surface recording disks with the e-beam process, significantly less time is required to adhere each stretched recording medium to its support, and the quality of the bond between the support and recording medium film is improved.

Abstract: Prior magnetic recording diskettes having a wiping fabric, edges of which register with edges of jacket openings, thus involving a hazard of loose fibers. In the novel diskette, the edges of the wiping fabric are out of registry with the edges of the jacket openings. This not only avoids the hazard of loose fibers, but a die with which the jacket is cut remains usefully sharp for at least twice as long as it would if used to die-cut a composite of the jacket material and fabric as in the prior art. Also, the punched-out pieces of jacket material are uncontaminated by fabric and so can be reused as scrap. Preferably, the wiping fabric is separated along the line at which the jacket blank is centrally folded to form an envelop for a recording disk. By eliminating fabric at the central jacket fold, surprisingly lower temperature has been necessary to form the fold, thus eliminating distortions in the jacket at the central fold.

Abstract: A skid-resistant pavement marking sheet including a top surface and a plurality of skid-resistant ceramic spheroids embedded in and protruding from the surface. The ceramic spheroids are fired from a raw material mixture including 10-97 wt. % mineral particulates, 3-90 wt. % alumina, and at least 1 wt. % binder, at a temperature of about 1300.degree. C., have an outer surface rich in alumina concentration relative to the center of the spheroid, and are resistant to crushing and fracturing.