Abstract: A process for producing polymeric films by applying a liquid composition onto a surface of a substrate under vacuum conditions in a vacuum chamber. The composition has a first component which is polymerizable or crosslinkable in the presence of a sufficient amount of an acid; and a cationic photoinitiator which generates an acid upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation, electron beam radiation or both to cause polymerizing or crosslinking of the first component. A gas which emits ultraviolet radiation upon exposure to electron beam radiation is introduced into the vacuum chamber. The composition and the gas are exposed to electron beam radiation to cause the cationic photoinitiator to generate an amount of an acid to cause polymerizing or crosslinking of the first component. The composition is exposed to both electron beam radiation and gas-generated ultraviolet radiation and cured.

Abstract: Provided are a printed packaging and a method for printing and decorating packaging materials, such as paper, paper board, metals, and various flexible and rigid polymer films by electron beam exposure of plural layers of curable inks, which do not substantially change viscosity during the printing process. The inks are essentially free of volatile components such as organic solvents, inorganic solvents, water and low molecular weight fractions before, during and after exposure to electron beam irradiation. The method involves applying multiple layers of ink and an optional coating onto a substrate. The ink is an admixture of a colorant, and an unsaturated component such that the inks have a maximum of 10% volatile components. Thereafter these layers are simultaneously exposed with electron beam radiation to cause the ethylenically unsaturated components to polymerize or crosslink such that they become dried.

Abstract: A liquid composition and a process for coating the composition onto a surface of a substrate in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere, under vacuum conditions. The composition comprises one or more components, all of which components do not go into a gas or vapor phase under the vacuum conditions. The composition has an ethylenically unsaturated component composed of an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer, or a combination of an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate oligomer. The ethylenically unsaturated component is polymerizable or crosslinkable by the application of sufficient electron beam radiation. The composition is substantially absent of ethylenically unsaturated acrylate components, substantially absent of polymerization initiators, and substantially absent of solvents. The composition optionally further comprises one or more polymers without an acrylate functional group and without a methacrylate functional group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gravure printing ink and a method of multi-color gravure printing on flexible substrates with liquid radiation curable inks. Individual colors are transferred via direct contact between engraved gravure cylinder and a substrate. Each color is dried such that the sequentially printed ink layers transfer through the press without distortion of the printed image during multiple web turns around turn bars. Finally the printed substrate is cured by exposing an electron beam unit. The gravure printing ink comprises an admixture of a) a water dispersible pigment; b) a water dispersible, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, ethylenically unsaturated oligomer or ethylenically unsaturated polymer which is polymerizable or crosslinkable by the application of sufficient electron beam radiation; c) a defoaming agent; d) sufficient water to form a dispersion with components a), b) and c), which dispersion has a viscosity of from about 25 cps to about 200 cps.

Abstract: A method for printing and decorating packaging materials, such as paper, paper board and various flexible polymer films by electron beam exposure of plural layers of curable inks and coatings which do not substantially change viscosity during the printing process. The inks and coating are essentially free of volatile components such as organic solvents, inorganic solvents, water and low molecular weight fractions before, during and after exposure to electron beam irradiation. The method involves applying multiple layers of ink and an optional coating onto a substrate. The ink is an admixture of a colorant, and an unsaturated component such that the inks have a maximum of 10% volatile components. Thereafter these layers are simultaneously exposed with electron beam radiation to cause the ethylenically unsaturated components to polymerize or crosslink such that they become dried.

Abstract: The invention provides an article and process for producing electronic devices. More particularly the invention relates to an article and process for fabricating patterns of electrically conductive materials on non-electrically conductive substrates by laser ablation. Such an article and process find use in the production of RDIF devices, antennae, electrical circuits, microwave susceptors, contacts, leads, conductors, interactive displays, electrostatic shielding devices and the like. The process involves first providing an electrically conductive metal layer on an electrically non-conductive substrate. Then an electronic circuit is electrically connected to the electrically conductive metal layer.