Abstract: Microfibers and microfibrillated articles are provided by imparting fluid energy to a surface of a highly oriented, highly crystalline, melt-processed polymeric film. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles are useful as tape backings, filters, thermal and acoustical insulation and as reinforcement fibers for polymers or cast building materials such as concrete.

Abstract: Briefly, in one aspect, the present invention provides puncture resistant microporous materials made of melt-processable semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymers. The microporous materials can be produced at relatively high rates and at low cost. Films and multilayer constructions made of the microporous materials and methods of making microporous materials also are provided.

Abstract: A tristable liquid crystal display device comprises (a) first and second opposed substrates, at least one bearing an alignment coating and each bearing at least one electrode so as to define one or a plurality of pixels; (b) a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic liquid crystal composition disposed between the substrates; and (c) a pair of orthogonally disposed polarizers, each having a polarization axis, one polarization axis being aligned with the zero field optical axis of a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic mesophase of the liquid crystal composition; wherein the substrates are disposed so as to provide an alignment of the liquid crystal composition, which comprises (i) at least one chiral liquid crystal compound; and (ii) at least one achiral liquid crystal compound that can be represented by the following formula:R--M--N--(P).sub.a --OCH.sub.2 R.sub.f (I)where R, M, N, P, a and R.sub.f are describe herein; wherein the liquid crystal composition exhibits tristable switching.

Abstract: A method for imparting soil resistance to unscoured carpets, and a carpet treated in accordance with the method, are provided. In accordance with the method, a substrate comprising unscoured carpet fibers is treated with a salt of a polycarboxylic acid. The treated substrate is found to have enhanced water and oil repellency in both heat cured and room temperature drying conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of R.sub.f OC.sub.2 H.sub.5, where R.sub.f is a branched or straight chain perfluoroalkyl group having 4 carbon atoms, and an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of: straight chain, branched chain and cyclic alkanes having 6 to 8 carbon atoms; esters having 4 carbon atoms; ketones having 4 carbon atoms; disiloxanes having 6 carbon atoms; cyclic and acyclic ethers having 4 to 6 carbon atoms; chlorinated alkanes having 3 to 4 carbon atoms and chlorinated alkenes having 2 carbon atoms. The compositions are useful for cleaning, as solvents or carriers for coating and as heat transfer materials.

Abstract: A tristable liquid crystal display device comprises (a) first and second opposed substrates, at least one bearing an alignment coating and each bearing at least one electrode so as to define one or a plurality of pixels; (b) a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic liquid crystal composition disposed between the substrates; and (c) a pair of orthogonally disposed polarizers, each having a polarization axis, one polarization axis being aligned with the zero field optical axis of a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic mesophase of the liquid crystal composition; wherein the substrates are disposed so as to provide an alignment of the liquid crystal composition, the composition comprising at least one chiral liquid crystal compound that can be represented by the following formula:R--M--N--(P).sub.b --OCH.sub.2 C*HF--CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.a R.sub.

Abstract: Novel mixtures of perfluoroalkyl halides and derivatives thereof are described. These mixtures contain some compounds with a straight perfluoroalkyl group and some with a branched perfluoroalkyl group. Methods of preparation and use are also described.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a water-soluble and shelf-stable aqueous fluorochemical polymeric treatment useful to treat porous substrates to render them repellent to water- and oil-based stains. The treatment comprises a water-soluble fluorochemical polymer containing only carbon atoms in the backbone, with a plurality of each of the following groups pendent from the backbone: (a) fluoroaliphatic groups, (b) carboxyl-containing groups, (c) oxyalkylene or polyoxyalkylene groups, and, optionally, (d) silyl groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides binary azeotropic composition consisting essentially of C.sub.3 F.sub.7 --OCH.sub.3 and a second component selected from the group consisting of an unsubstituted alkane having 5 to 7 carbon atoms, methyl formate, acetone, methanol, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, methylene chloride and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene. The present invention also discloses tertiary azeotropic composition consisting essentially of C.sub.3 F.sub.7 --OCH.sub.3, a second component selected from the group consisting of methanol and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol and a third component selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene. The azeotropic composition of this invention may be used in various applications and in particular as refrigerant, in cleaning applications, in heat transfer applications, in coating applications, and the like.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing, chiral liquid crystal compounds comprise (a) a chiral fluorochemical terminal portion comprising (i) at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; (ii) a terminal fluoroalkyl, fluoroether, perfluoroalkyl, or perfluoroether group; and (iii) an alkylene or fluoroalkylene group optionally containing at least one caternary ether oxygen atom; (b) a chiral or achiral terminal portion consisting of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon ether group, and, when chiral, comprising at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; and (c) a central core connecting the terminal portions; the alkylene or fluoroalkylene group of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion having at least 3 in-chain atoms and being located between the chiral center of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion and the central core. The compounds have smectic mesophases or latent smectic mesophases and are useful, for example, in liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: Described is a reaction of a fluorinated alkoxide with an alkyl fluorovinylalkyl ether, the alkyl fluorovinylalkyl ether having alpha-beta carbon-carbon unsaturation relative to the ether oxygen, to produce a hydrofluoroether.

Abstract: The invention provides azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of R.sub.f OCH.sub.3, where R.sub.

Abstract: This invention provides aqueous film-forming foamable (AFFF) compositions comprising one or more environmentally-friendly .alpha.-branched fluoroalkylcarbonyl group-containing surfactants.

Abstract: Briefly, in one aspect, the present invention provides compositions of open-chain, .alpha.-branched fluoroalkylcarbonyl fluorides, and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of R.sub.f OCH.sub.3, where R.sub.f is a branched or straight chain perfluoroalkyl group having 4 carbon atoms, and one or more organic solvent(s) selected from the group consisting of: straight chain, branched chain and cyclic alkanes containing 6 to 8 carbon atoms; cyclic and acyclic ethers containing 4 to 6 carbon atoms; ketones having 3 carbon atoms; chlorinated alkanes containing 1, 3 or 4 carbon atoms; chlorinated alkenes containing 2 carbon atoms, alcohols containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, partially fluorinated alcohols containing 2 to 3 carbon atoms, 1-bromopropane, acetonitrile, HCFC 225ca (1,1,-dichloro-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane and HCFC- 225cb (1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane).

Abstract: This invention provides a method of preparing fluoropolymer utilizing one or more environmentally-friendly fluorinated emulsifiers comprising .alpha.-branched fluoroalkylcarbonyl moieties. Fluoropolymer emulsions comprising one or more environmentally-friendly fluorinated emulsifiers comprising .alpha.-branched fluoroalkylcarbonyl moieties are also disclosed.

Abstract: A single or multi-layer microporous material of which at least one layer contains a compatible, melt-processible polymer mixture having a first polymer component with a melting point greater than 140.degree. C. and a second polymer component having a melting point lower than 120.degree. C. is described as well as a method of preparing the material. The first polymer component and the second polymer component are miscible in a compound or compatible liquid when heated above the melting temperature of the first polymer component or above the liquid--liquid phase separation temperature and phase separate from the compound or compatible liquid when cooled. The materials are particularly useful as battery separators.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing, chiral liquid crystal compounds comprise (a) a chiral fluorochemical terminal portion containing at least one methylene group and optionally containing at least one catenary ether oxygen atom; (b) a saturated, chiral or achiral, hydrocarbon terminal portion; and (c) a central core connecting the terminal portions. The compounds have smectic mesophases or latent smectic mesophases and are useful, for example, in liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for deposition of a carbon-rich coating onto a moving substrate is provided. The process and apparatus involve the creation of an electric field surrounding a rotatable electrode in a carbon-containing gaseous environment. This results in carbon-rich plasma formation, wherein the electrode is negatively biased with respect to the electrode which results in ion acceleration from the plasma toward the electrode. Ion bombardment continuously occurs on a substrate in contact with the electrode producing a continuous carbon-rich coating over the length of the substrate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for deposition of a carbon-rich coating onto a moving substrate is provided. The process and apparatus involve the creation of an electric field surrounding a rotatable electrode in a carbon-containing gaseous environment. This results in carbon-rich plasma formation, wherein the electrode is negatively biased with respect to the electrode which results in ion acceleration from the plasma toward the electrode. Ion bombardment continuously occurs on a substrate in contact with the electrode producing a continuous carbon-rich coating over the length of the substrate.