Abstract: Coatings prepared from water-based compositions comprise an aqueous solution, emulsion, or dispersion of (a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one anionic moiety which is capable of reacting with an oxazoline or oxazine moiety; (b) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one oxazoline or oxazine moiety; and (c) colloidal silica; at least one of the components (a) and (b) further comprising at least one fluoroaliphatic moiety. The coatings have low surface energy and high abrasion resistance.

Abstract: This invention relates to fluorochemical compositions, their preparation and their use as water- and oil-repellents, and substrates treated therewith. The fluorochemical composition comprises a mixture of fluorochemical compounds and/or polymers, each component having at least two fluoroaliphatic groups and a large hydrocarbon moiety such as derived from dimer acids, and the polymer having at least one fluoroaliphatic group and a plurality of said hydrocarbon moiety.

Abstract: This invention describes hydrophobic and oleophobic fibers, films and molded articles comprising synthetic organic polymer wherein dispersed within the fiber, fabric or molded article and present at the surface of the fiber, fabric or molded article are fluorochemical compounds. Method of preparing such fibers, films and molded articles, as well as articles made therefrom also are disclosed.

Abstract: Polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated polyureas, polythiocarbamateureas, and polyurethaneureas comprise (a) at least one segment derived from an aspartic ester polyamine; and (b) at least one polycarbonate, polyether, or polyester segment. The polyfunctional polymers are useful in preparing curable coatings, films, and articles.

Abstract: Normally liquid, omega-hydrofluoroalkyl ether compounds (and selected mixtures thereof) have a saturated perfluoroaliphatic chain of carbon atoms interrupted by one or more ether oxygen atoms. The compounds can be prepared, e.g., by decarboxylation of the corresponding fluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids and are useful, e.g., in cleaning and drying applications, and fire extinguishing.

Abstract: Water-based coating compositions comprise an aqueous solution, emulsion, or dispersion of (a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one anionic moiety which is capable of reacting with an oxazoline or oxazine moiety; (b) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one oxazoline or oxazine moiety; and (c) colloidal silica; at least one of the components (a) and (b) further comprising at least one fluoroaliphatic moiety. The compositions can be used to form hard coatings having low surface energy and high abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A process for controlling the cone tilt angle of a tilted smectic liquid crystal composition comprises the step of combining (a) at least one liquid crystal composition comprising at least one smectic or latent smectic liquid crystal compound comprising (i) an aliphatic fluorocarbon terminal portion comprising a terminal fluoroalkyl or fluoroether group and an alkylene group having at least two carbon atoms and containing at least one catenary ether oxygen atom, (ii) an aliphatic hydrocarbon terminal portion, and (iii) a central core connecting the terminal portions; and (b) at least one liquid crystal composition comprising at least one smectic or latent smectic liquid crystal compound; with the provisos that at least one of the compositions (a) and (b) comprises at least one chiral liquid crystal compound and that the combining of compositions (a) and (b) provides an optically active, tilted chiral smectic liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from the surface of a substrate comprises contacting the substrate with a cleaning composition comprising at least one mono-, di-, or trialkoxy-substituted perfluoroalkane, perfluorocycloalkane, perfluorocycloalkyl-containing perfluoroalkane, or perfluorocycloalkylene-containing perfluoroalkane compound, the compound optionally containing additional catenary heteroatoms. The compounds exhibit good solvency properties while being environmentally acceptable.

Abstract: A multi-layer composition comprises (a) a first layer comprising semi-crystalline copolymer comprising interpolymerized units derived from tetrafluoroethylene and allylic hydrogen-containing olefin monomer (e.g., propylene), wherein less than 10% of the total heat of fusion is attributable to a secondary melt-transition above 300.degree. C. as shown by the heating curve from Differential Scanning Calorimetry; and (b) a second layer comprising melt-processable polymer (e.g., polyethylene) which is both substantially thermally stable and capable of being melt-processed at temperatures below the decomposition temperature of the semi-crystalline copolymer. The multi-layer composition can be used to form shaped articles (e.g., films, sheets, tubing, coated wires, cable jacketing, or bottles) for use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A process for controlling or extinguishing fires comprises introducing to a fire or flame (e.g., by streaming or by flooding) a non-flammable extinguishment composition comprising at least one mono- or dialkoxy-substituted perfluoroalkane, perfluorocycloalkane, perfluorocycloalkyl-containing perfluoroalkane, or perfluorocycloalkylene-containing perfluoroalkane compound, the compound optionally containing additional catenary heteroatoms in its perfluorinated portion and preferably having a boiling point in the range of from about 0.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. The compounds exhibit good extinguishment capabilities while being environmentally acceptable.

Abstract: A fluorochemical treatment composition comprises (a) a sol comprising a colloidal dispersion of substantially discrete, substantially monodisperse in size, polymer-grafted, inorganic microparticles in liquid; and (b) at least one fluorochemical. The composition can be used to impart durable water and oil repellency, stain release, and dry soil resistance to a variety of substrates.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive adhesive article comprises (a) a temperature-responsive carrier capable of changing its shape at a first transition temperature; and (b) a thermomorphic pressure-sensitive adhesive on at least a portion of at least one surface of the carrier, the thermomorphic pressure-sensitive adhesive being capable of changing its shape at a second transition temperature. By varying the initial shapes or topographies of carrier and adhesive and the relationship between the transition temperatures, the article of the invention can be designed to provide a wide variety of bonding and de-bonding properties.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing fluorine-containing ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and allylic-hydrogen containing olefin monomer is provided. The method involves the use of fluoroaliphatic-group containing sulfinate. Novel polymers are also disclosed, comprising interpolymerized units derived from tetrafluoroethylene and allylic-hydrogen containing olefin, for example, propylene.

Abstract: A process for controlling the cone tilt angle of a tilted smectic liquid crystal composition comprises the step of combining (a) at least one liquid crystal composition comprising at least one smectic or latent smectic liquid crystal compound comprising (i) an aliphatic fluorocarbon terminal portion comprising a terminal fluoroalkyl or fluoroether group and an alkylene group having at least two carbon atoms and containing at least one catenary ether oxygen atom, (ii) an aliphatic hydrocarbon terminal portion, and (iii) a central core connecting the terminal portions, wherein the alkylene group of the aliphatic fluorocarbon terminal portion is directly linked to the central core by a moiety selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond, --CH.dbd.CH--, and --C.tbd.

Abstract: Invention relates to new carbodiimide compound obtainable from reaction mixture comprising an isocyanate compound and a monofunctional alcohol in a non-reactive solvent in the presence of a suitable catalyst, characterized in that the isocyanate compound and the monofunctional alcohol, except for the hydroxy group, are free from isocyanate reactive hydrogen atoms and the monofunctional alcohol is a branched aliphatic alcohol containing at least 8 carbon atoms, and to compositions comprising a fluorochemical oil and water repellent agent and said carbodiimide compound.

Abstract: Water-based coating compositions comprise an aqueous solution, emulsion, or dispersion of (a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one anionic moiety which is capable of reacting with an oxazoline or oxazine moiety; (b) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one oxazoline or oxazine moiety; and (c) a sol comprising a colloidal dispersion of surface-modified, inorganic microparticles in liquid; at least one of the components (a), (b), and (c) further comprising at least one fluoroaliphatic moiety. The compositions can be used to form hard coatings having low surface energy and high abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A process for controlling or extinguishing fires comprises introducing to a fire or flame (e.g., by streaming or by flooding) a non-flammable extinguishment composition comprising at least one mono- or dialkoxy-substituted perfluoroalkane, perfluorocycloalkane, perfluorocycloalkyl-containing perfluoroalkane, or perfluorocycloalkylene-containing perfluoroalkane compound, the compound optionally containing additional catenary heteroatoms in its perfluorinated portion and preferably having a boiling point in the range of from about 0.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. The compounds exhibit good extinguishment capabilities while being environmentally acceptable.

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 self-emulsifying, liquid treatment composition comprises the polysiloxane reaction product of (a) at least one alkoxysilane, alkoxysiloxane, or siloxane compound comprising at least one hydrophobic moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, and alkaryl moieties; (b) at least one alkoxysilane, alkoxysiloxane, or siloxane compound comprising at least one hydrophilic moiety selected from the group consisting of protonated and unprotonated azaalkyl and silyl-containing azaalkyl moieties; and (c) at least one fluorine-containing alkoxysilane compound which is capable of reaction with component (a) and/or component (b) and which comprises at least one perfluoroalkyl group having at least four carbon atoms and optionally containing one or more catenary ether oxygen atoms. The composition can be used to render substrates, especially porous substrates (e.g., concrete, wood, or masonry), both water- and oil-repellent.

Abstract: A fastener and a method of fastening articles employing the fastener are provided. The fastener includes a fastener element adapted to be mated in an interlocking arrangement to a complementary fastener element. The fastener element has a plurality of mating cavities. The mating cavities include a mating surface which is adapted to interlockingly engage a mating element projecting from the complementary fastener element.