Abstract: Described is a coating composition adapted to enhance the adhesion of a polymeric coating or film applied to a substrate. The coating composition is interposed between the substrate and the polymeric coating and comprises (a) at least one coupling agent, partial hydrolysates thereof or mixtures thereof in a concentration greater than 25 weight percent, based on the weight of the total composition, and (b) an adhesion enhancing amount of an epoxy-containing material having at least two epoxy groups. The coating composition is substantially free of photochromic materials and colloidal particles chosen from silica, alumina or mixtures thereof. Also described is a process for using the coating composition and articles coated with the composition and additional coatings and films which can be photochromic.

Abstract: Described is a photochromic article that includes a substrate and at least a partial coating of an at least partially cured polymerizable composition of a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic compound, at least one material having at least one carbonate group and at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one monoisocyanate containing material having at least one unsaturated group. Also described are photochromic optical elements such as ophthalmic lenses, prepared from an optical element substrate coated with the photochromic polymerizable composition.

Abstract: Described are novel reversible photochromic indenonaphthopyran compounds, examples of which are 2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans characterized by having a substituted or unsubstituted indeno group fused at the 2,3 positions of the group to the 1 side of the 2H-naphthopyran. The compounds also have substituents at the 3 position of the pyran ring. Substituents may also be present at the number 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13 carbon atoms of the compounds. These compounds may be represented by the following graphic formulae: Also described are various substrates, e.g., paper, glass, organic polymeric materials, etc., that contain or that are coated with such compounds. Optically clear articles such as ophthalmic lenses or other plastic transparencies that incorporate the novel indenonaphthopyran compounds or combinations thereof with complementary photochromic compounds, e.g., indenonaphthopyrans, naphthopyrans, benzopyrans, oxazine-type compounds, etc., are also described.

Abstract: Described is an improved process for producing hydrophobic particulate inorganic oxides useful for reinforcing polymeric compositions, e.g., rubber, by using a certain amount of hydrophobizing agents in an aqueous suspension of inorganic oxide having a pH of 2.5 or less and increasing the pH of the suspension after hydrophobizing the filler.

Abstract: Described is an article of a non-elastomeric poly(urea-urethane) substrate having free isocyanato surface groups and at least a partial coating of a photochromic polymeric coating on at least one surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Described are imbibition compositions that incorporate kinetic enhancing additive(s) into photochromic polymeric host material. Kinetic enhancing additives include organic polyol(s), epoxy-containing compound(s) or a mixture thereof that improves the performance of organic photochromic compounds in the polymeric host as determined in the Photochromic Performance Test. Also described is a process for incorporating kinetic enhancing additives into polymeric substrates prior to, after and/or with organic photochromic compounds and the resulting photochromic articles produced by such a process.

Abstract: Described are fillers, e.g., inorganic oxides, that have been chemically treated to have a carbon content of greater than 1 weight percent, a mercapto content of at least 0.15 weight percent, a Silane Conversion Index of at least 0.3 and a Standard Reinforcement Index of 4 or more. Polymeric compositions that contain such treated fillers are also described.

Abstract: Described are novel photochromic 6-aryl substituted 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran compounds, examples of which are naphthopyran compounds having a substituted aryl group at the number 6 carbon atom and certain substituents at the 3-position of the pyran ring. Certain substituents may also be present at the number 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms of the compounds. These compounds may be represented by the following graphic formula: Also described are polymeric organic host materials that contain one or more of such compounds or combinations of such compounds) with complementary photochromic compounds, e.g., other naphthopyrans, benzopyrans and spiro(oxazine)type compounds.

Abstract: Described are articles having a photochromic poly(meth)acrylic coating The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 50 to 150 Newtons per mm2 and improved photochromic performance properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Described are polymeric matrix compatibilized naphthopyran compounds, examples of which are certain 2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans, 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans and indeno[2,1-f]naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans each having at least one substituent containing terminal and/or pendant groups selected from hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfo, sulfono, (meth)acryloxy, 2-(methacryloxy)ethylcarbamyl, epoxy or a mixture thereof. Specific substituents are also present on the naphtho, indeno and/or pyrano portions of the compounds. These compounds may be represented by the following graphic formulae: Also described are various substrates that contain or that are coated with such compounds. Optically clear articles such as contact lenses or other plastic transparencies that incorporate the novel naphthopyran compounds or combinations thereof with complementary photochromic compounds, are also described.

Abstract: Described are photochromic organic resin compositions and the impact resistant polymerizates and coating compositions made therefrom. The organic resin composition comprises the reaction product of at least one polyol having greater than 1.0 hydroxyl groups; at least one polyisocyanate having greater than 1.0 isocyanato groups; and at least one polyamine curing agent having greater than 1.0 amino groups. The polymerizates are made photochromic either by the addition of organic photochromic compounds to the reactants used to form the polymerizate or by methods that imbibe or transfer the photochromic compounds into the polymerizate. Optically clear photochromic and impact resistant articles such as ophthalmic lenses and articles having photochromic coatings prepared from the photochromic organic resin compositions are also described.

Abstract: Described are articles having an aminoplast resin photochromic coating prepared from an aminoplast resin, components(s) having hydroxyl functional groups and photochromic substances. The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 45 to 180 Newtons per mm2 and desirable photochromic properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Also described are photochromic aminoplast resin articles.

Abstract: Described are photochromic 2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans characterized by having an aromatic substituent in the 5 position. The aromatic group at 5-position of the naphthopyran is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or other substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group. These compounds may be represented by the following graphic formula: Also described are polymeric organic host materials that contain or that are coated with such compounds.

Abstract: Described are articles having a polyanhydride photochromic coating. The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 50 to 130 Newtons per mm2 and desirable photochromic properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Also described are polyanhydride photochromic articles.

Abstract: Described are organic photochromic imbibition compositions that incorporate kinetic enhancing additive(s). Kinetic enhancing additives include epoxy-containing compounds, organic polyols and/or plasticizers that improve the performance of organic photochromic compounds as determined in the Photochromic Performance Test. Also described is a process for incorporating kinetic enhancing additives into polymeric substrates with organic photochromic compounds and the resulting photochromic articles produced by such a process.

Abstract: Described are articles having an aminoplast resin photochromic coating prepared from an aminoplast resin, component(s) having at least two different functional groups and photochromic substances. The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 45 to 180 Newtons per mm2 and desirable photochromic properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Also described are photochromic aminoplast resin articles.

Abstract: Described are novel photochromic naphtho[1,2-b]pyran compounds having certain substituents at the 2 position of the pyran ring, certain substituents at the 5 and 6 positions and optionally at the 7, 8, 9 and 10-positions of the naphtho portion of the compound. These compounds may be represented by the following graphic formula: Also described are polymeric organic host materials that contain or that are coated with such compounds. Optically clear articles such as ophthalmic lenses or contact lenses that incorporate the novel naphthopyran compounds or combinations thereof with complementary photochromic compounds, e.g., certain other naphthopyrans, benzopyrans, and spiro(indoline)type compounds, are also described.

Abstract: Described is an process for producing uniform coatings on circular substrates that reduces the amount of coating required. The improved process includes the steps of applying the liquid coating material through a single opening of a dispenser having certain characteristics, in a pattern onto the center of a spinning substrate, and then radially moving the dispenser opening near to the edge of the substrate while maintaining the dispenser opening at a predetermined distance from the substrate surface for substantially the entire radius of the substrate providing uniform coverage. Also described are products produced by the process that are substantially free of cosmetic defects and may be photochromic.

Abstract: Described are novel photochromic 2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran compounds essentially characterized by having two adjacent moderate to strong electron donor substituents at the 8 and 9 positions or a fused heterocyclic group formed by the substituents coming together, weak to moderate electron donors at the 2 position and a rating of at least 80 in the Relative &Dgr;OD at Saturation Test. The compounds also have certain substituents at the 5 position and optionally at the 6 position of the naphtho portion of the compound. These compounds may be represented by the following graphic formula: Also described are polymeric organic host materials that contain or that are coated with such compounds. Optically clear articles such as ophthalmic lenses or adjacent plastic transparencies that incorporate the novel naphthopyran compounds or combinations thereof with complementary photochromic compounds, e.g.

Abstract: Described are fillers, e.g., inorganic oxides, that have been modified to have a carbon content of greater than 1 weight percent, a sulfur content of greater than 0.1 weight percent, a Silane Conversion Index of at least 0.3 and a Standard Tensile Stress @ 300% elongation of 7 or more. Polymeric compositions that contain such modified fillers are also described.