Abstract: Advantageously, para-chloroaniline (PCA) is minimal in antimicrobial articles prepared according to the method of the invention. A method of forming an antimicrobial article according to the invention comprises steps of: providing a polymerizable composition; incorporating an antimicrobially effective amount of at least one chlorhexidine-containing antimicrobial agent into the polymerizable composition; and, polymerizing the polymerizable composition to form chlorhexidine-containing polymer of the antimicrobial article, wherein processing temperature during the method is less than about 80° C.

Abstract: An improved protected graphics assembly according to the invention comprises the following sequential layers: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one graphics layer; and at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of low surface energy materials and has a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle. The assembly is beneficially applied to a variety of articles and used in a variety of related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a race car comprises a protected graphics assembly that comprises: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of low surface energy materials; and at least one graphics layer substantially protected from exterior exposure by the polymer layer.

Abstract: A polymeric film or laminate comprising the same is applied to at least a portion of a surface of an underlying article to provide, for example, desired surface characteristics. To assist in such application, a polymerizable composition is coated onto at least one of the surface of the polymeric film or the laminate and the surface of the article. The polymerizable composition is then polymerized with the polymeric film or laminate positioned thereover to form a sufficiently polymerized interlayer between the polymeric film or laminate and the underlying surface in resulting articles. Ease of removal and/or repair of polymeric film and laminates comprising the polymeric film that are so applied is facilitated.

Abstract: An improved protected graphics assembly according to the invention comprises the following sequential layers: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one graphics layer; and at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of low surface energy materials and has a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle. The assembly is beneficially applied to a variety of articles and used in a variety of related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a race car comprises a protected graphics assembly that comprises: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of low surface energy materials; and at least one graphics layer substantially protected from exterior exposure by the polymer layer.

Abstract: A polymeric film assembly comprising a first solidified interlayer on a polymeric film or laminate comprising the same that is contacted with at least a portion of a surface of an underlying article to provide, for example, desired surface characteristics. At least a portion of the first solidified interlayer becomes a softened interlayer positioned between the polymeric film and the surface of the article when contacted as such. The softened interlayer is then converted to a second solidified interlayer, which second solidified interlayer may be in a different form than or same form as the first solidified interlayer initially provided, for adherence of the polymeric film to at least the portion of the surface of the article. Ease of removal and/or repair of polymeric film and laminates comprising the polymeric film that are so applied is facilitated.

Abstract: Paint replacement films of the invention comprise at least one adhesive layer; at least one pigmented layer; and at least one polymer layer that is essentially free of low surface energy materials. In addition, paint replacement composite articles and related methods of the invention comprise a paint replacement film and a topcoat on a surface of the paint replacement film opposite the adhesive layer. Paint replacement films and composite articles of the invention are useful when applied to a variety of articles (e.g., a motorized vehicle such as an aircraft).

Abstract: In order to repair any damage to an originally applied paint film, a method of the invention facilitates repair of the paint film by removing essentially only that portion of the paint film that is damaged. After removal of the damaged portion of the paint film, a series of abrading, application, and polishing steps results in a repaired portion of the paint film.

Abstract: Polymeric sheets of the invention comprise sequential layers as follows: a topcoat layer, a polyurethane-based carrier layer, and an adhesive layer. The polyurethane-based carrier layer is formed using essentially no chain extender having a molecular weight of 350 grams/mole or less, resulting in a relatively low storage modulus polymeric sheet. Such polymeric sheets are particularly useful for application to surfaces having a concave topography.

Abstract: A polymeric film assembly comprising a first solidified interlayer on a polymeric film or laminate comprising the same that is contacted with at least a portion of a surface of an underlying article to provide, for example, desired surface characteristics. At least a portion of the first solidified interlayer becomes a softened interlayer positioned between the polymeric film and the surface of the article when contacted as such. The softened interlayer is then converted to a second solidified interlayer, which second solidified interlayer may be in a different form than or same form as the first solidified interlayer initially provided, for adherence of the polymeric film to at least the portion of the surface of the article. Ease of removal and/or repair of polymeric film and laminates comprising the polymeric film that are so applied is facilitated.

Abstract: Unwind assembly fixtures herein are useful in improved methods for application of polymeric film or laminate to at least a portion of a surface of an article. In an exemplary embodiment, such a method comprises: providing an unwind assembly fixture comprising an anti-static device; securing the roll of multi-layer sheet in the fixture; unwinding the multi-layer sheet from the roll; removing the release liner from the multi-layer sheet after it is unwound from the roll; capturing and re-rolling the removed release liner on another roll positioned in the fixture; and applying the polymeric film laminate to the surface of the article.

Abstract: A polymeric film assembly comprising a first solidified interlayer on a polymeric film or laminate comprising the same that is contacted with at least a portion of a surface of an underlying article to provide, for example, desired surface characteristics. At least a portion of the first solidified interlayer becomes a softened interlayer positioned between the polymeric film and the surface of the article when contacted as such. The softened interlayer is then converted to a second solidified interlayer, which second solidified interlayer may be in a different form than or same form as the first solidified interlayer initially provided, for adherence of the polymeric film to at least the portion of the surface of the article. Ease of removal and/or repair of polymeric film and laminates comprising the polymeric film that are so applied is facilitated.

Abstract: Multi-layer protective sheets of the invention are both rigid enough to provide desired protective properties, but flexible enough to be formable into a desired non-planar shape in order to protect surfaces such as optical display surfaces of electronic devices. Once formed into the desired non-planar shape, a modified interlayer of the multi-layer protective sheet has a shear storage modulus of greater than about 100 MPa.

Abstract: In-situ polymerized polymer film facilitates improved paint film appliques with reduced defects. The paint film appliques comprise the in-situ polymerized polymer film as a carrier layer. The carrier layer is colored and, preferably defect-free.

Abstract: In-situ polymerized polymer film facilitates improved paint film appliques with reduced defects. The paint film appliques comprise the in-situ polymerized polymer film as a carrier layer and at least one color layer assembled as a laminate, optionally further comprising at least one topcoat layer on one major surface of the laminate and an adhesive layer on the other major surface of the laminate.

Abstract: An improved protected graphics assembly according to the invention comprises the following sequential layers: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one graphics layer; and at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of low surface energy materials and has a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle. The assembly is beneficially applied to a variety of articles and used in a variety of related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a race car comprises a protected graphics assembly that comprises: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of low surface energy materials; and at least one graphics layer substantially protected from exterior exposure by the polymer layer.

Abstract: An improved protected graphics assembly according to the invention comprises the following sequential layers: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one graphics layer; and at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of low surface energy materials and has a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle. The assembly is beneficially applied to a variety of articles and used in a variety of related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a race car comprises a protected graphics assembly that comprises: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of low surface energy materials; and at least one graphics layer substantially protected from exterior exposure by the polymer layer.

Abstract: Multi-layer films of the invention comprise sequential layers as follows: a topcoat layer; a boundary layer; a carrier layer; and an adhesive layer. Inclusion of the boundary layer between the topcoat layer and the carrier layer was, surprisingly, found to provide a multi-layer film that is more resistant to formation therein of compromising defects during intensified stretching when applying the film to a surface. Advantageously, the boundary layer generally promotes stretchability of the multi-layer film. Articles comprising the same and methods for their formation and use are also described herein.

Abstract: A polymeric film assembly comprising a first solidified interlayer on a polymeric film or laminate comprising the same that is contacted with at least a portion of a surface of an underlying article to provide, for example, desired surface characteristics. At least a portion of the first solidified interlayer becomes a softened interlayer positioned between the polymeric film and the surface of the article when contacted as such. The softened interlayer is then converted to a second solidified interlayer, which second solidified interlayer may be in a different form than or same form as the first solidified interlayer initially provided, for adherence of the polymeric film to at least the portion of the surface of the article. Ease of removal and/or repair of polymeric film and laminates comprising the polymeric film that are so applied is facilitated.

Abstract: A polymeric film or laminate comprising the same is applied to at least a portion of a surface of an underlying article to provide, for example, desired surface characteristics. To assist in such application, a polymerizable composition is coated onto at least one of the surface of the polymeric film or the laminate and the surface of the article. The polymerizable composition is then polymerized with the polymeric film or laminate positioned thereover to form a sufficiently polymerized interlayer between the polymeric film or laminate and the underlying surface in resulting articles. Ease of removal and/or repair of polymeric film and laminates comprising the polymeric film that are so applied is facilitated.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry for mounting on articles, such as vehicles, is concealed by embedding the circuitry using at least an overlying polymeric material within a concealed embedded circuitry structure. The concealed embedded circuitry is capable of ready and effective application to an article and is capable of being retrofitted to articles after their fabrication.