Abstract: Described are articles having an alkoxyacrylamide photochromic coating. The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 50 to 130 Newtons per mm.sup.2 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 alkoxyacrylamide photochromic articles.

Abstract: A process for forming a polymerizable, liquid, substantially gel-free, poly(allyl carbonate)-functional prepolymer composition comprises heating a neat composition comprising at least one poly(allyl carbonate)-functional monomer and free radical initiator having a ten-hour half-life temperature of at least 85.degree. C. at temperatures in the range of from 5 Celsius degrees below the ten-hour half-life temperature of the free radical initiator to 150.degree. C., to form a reaction mixture having an increased 25.degree. C. viscosity in the range of from 25 to 10,000 centipoises and an ethylenic double bond utilization of at least 3 percent; and over a period of less than 90 minutes cooling the reaction mixture to a temperature at least 20 Celsius degrees below the ten-hour half-life temperature of the initiator.

Abstract: An appliance is rendered self-cleaning of accumulated organic contaminants on one or more surfaces of the appliance, by coating such surfaces of the appliance with a photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating. Upon exposing such coated surfaces to radiation of the appropriate wavelength, for a sufficient interval of time, at least a portion of the organic contaminants present on the photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating are removed. The coated surface is thereby cleaned without the need of manual effort or high temperatures. The radiation is generally actinic radiation, and more particularly includes ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Functional polysiloxanes and curable coating compositions containing such polysiloxanes are disclosed. The curable compositions are useful in coatings where they provide excellent appearance, pot-life, humidity resistance and improved adhesion to galvanized steel substrates. A method for preparing the functional polysiloxanes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A radiation curable coating composition comprising: (A) an unsaturated polyester component; and (B) a non-polymerized, cocurable vinyl ether component. Component (B) may be separate from or structurally incorporated in the unsaturated polyester component. The vinyl ether component contains an average of at least two vinyl ether groups per molecule of the vinyl ether component.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous secondary coating compositions adapted to coat a sized fiber strand, the compositions including a urethane-containing polymer and a blend of a halogenated vinyl polymer and an elastomeric polymer. Another aspect of the present invention is a generally tubular assembly having a reinforcement coated with a primary layer of a sizing composition including a fiber lubricant which provides the assembly with an electrical resistance of greater than about 750 megaohms per 152.+-.13 millimeters of length of the assembly and a secondary layer including a halogenated vinyl homopolymer and a urethane-containing polymer. Another aspect of the present invention is a fiber strand formed from a thermoplastic or thermosetting material having a primary layer including a halogenated vinyl homopolymer and a urethane-containing polymer. The present invention also includes strands coated with the above-discussed coatings and polymeric composites and assemblies reinforced with the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber cable assembly including an optical fiber and a reinforcement strand including a plurality of sized glass fibers positioned about the optical fiber, the strand having thereon a dried residue of a secondary aqueous coating composition which is essentially free of a urethane-containing material and includes a first polymer prepared by vinyl addition polymerization of a first monomer component including a first vinyl aromatic monomer and an acrylic monomer and a second polymer different from the first polymer, the second polymer being prepared by vinyl addition polymerization of a second monomer component including a curable polymer of a second vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the surface of the strand wicks water at a rate of less than about 25.4 millimeters (one inch) in about six hours at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. A method of reducing the wicking of water along the surface of a glass fiber strand is also provided.

Abstract: Curable compositions containing novel polysiloxanes having various reactive functional groups are disclosed. The curable compositions are useful as both ambient-cured and thermally-cured coating compositions which provide such properties as excellent appearance, mar resistance, acid etch resistance, adhesion, pot life, improved tack time, mar resistance and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Curable compositions containing novel polysiloxanes having various reactive functional groups are disclosed. The curable compositions are useful as both ambient-cured and thermally-cured coating compositions which provide such properties as excellent appearance, mar resistance, acid etch resistance, adhesion, pot life, improved tack time, mar resistance and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Improved powder coating compositions containing novel polysiloxanes having various reactive functional groups are disclosed. The compositions are particularly useful as thermosetting powder coating compositions where they provide excellent filiform corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An insulating flow block having a plurality of bores extending therethrough to permit the flow of molten fiberizable material through the block, a bushing assembly having a bushing block with one or more bores extending through a peripheral region thereof to divert a portion of a supply of molten fiberizable material from a central region of the bushing block to the peripheral region of the bushing block, and a bushing positioned in general registry with the bore of the peripheral region of the bushing block to facilitate the flow of molten fiberizable material to a peripheral region of the bushing is disclosed.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion containing cellulose ester, the dispersion being polymeric microparticles comprised of cellulose ester and a polymer formed from at least two different vinyl monomers of which at least one vinyl monomer is polyethylenically unsaturated. The dispersion of microparticles is formed by a high stress technique prior to polymerization of the vinyl monomers in the presence of the cellulose ester. Typically the dispersion also contains surfactant. A method of making the stable, cellulose ester-containing aqueous dispersion by (a) mixing together a cellulose ester, at least two vinyl monomers of which at least one vinyl monomer is polyethylenically unsaturated, surfactant, and water to form an emulsion; (b) particulating the emulsified mixture of (a) into microparticles by a high stress technique; and (c) copolymerizing the vinyl monomers in the cellulose ester-containing particulated emulsion of (b) to form a crosslinked polymer within the microparticles of the dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector assembly for electrically connecting to an electroconductive element having an electroconductive connector with a generally flat pad portion, a terminal portion capable of connecting the assembly to an external device and connecting portion interconnecting the pad and terminal portions, and a preformed plug member sized to a predetermined configuration and overlaying the pad portion such that a major surface of said pad portion is exposed along a first surface of the plug member. The exposed surface may be covered with an adhesive and in one embodiment of the invention, the connecting portion extends through the plug member. The plug member is preferably an electrically nonconductive and moisture impervious material.

Abstract: Describes a process for improving the adhesion of polymeric coatings to organic polymeric substrates and photochromic polymeric substrates. The process comprises irradiating the surface of a polymeric substrate prepared from or coated with a monomer composition having acrylic functionality in an oxygen containing environment with ultraviolet light; etching the treated surface; and applying to the etched surface a polymer-forming coating composition. Further described are articles and photochromic articles comprising in combination a polymeric substrate having on at least one surface thereof an adherent coating or photochromic coating prepared by the aforedescribed process.

Abstract: The present invention provides semi-solid and reinforced soil mixtures formed from aqueous soil mixtures such as dredge material, discrete reinforcing fibers such as glass fibers. The reinforced mixtures can include additives for partially solidifying the aqueous soil mixture, such as calcium-containing materials, cementitious materials, silicon-containing materials, aluminum-containing materials and mixtures thereof. The pH of the reinforced soil mixture can be adjusted to control deterioration of the reinforcing fibers, as desired.

Abstract: Curable compositions containing novel polysiloxanes having various reactive functional groups are disclosed. The curable compositions are useful as both ambient-cured and thermally-cured coating compositions which provide such properties as excellent appearance, mar resistance, acid etch resistance, adhesion, pot life, improved tack time, mar resistance and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Vinylidene chloride is stabilized with free radical stabilizer having at least one 2,2,6,6-tetra(lower alkyl)-1-piperidinyloxy-yl free radical group.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrodepositable coating compositions containing novel polysiloxanes which are the reaction product of a polysiloxane containing silicon hydride and at least one material which contains one or more unsaturated bonds capable of undergoing hydrosilylation reaction. The electrodepositable coating compositions can be anionic or cationic electrodepositable coatings and are resistant to cratering. Also disclosed is a method of electrocoating a conductive substrate using the electrodepositable coating compositions of the invention. Novel low molecular weight polysiloxanes having pendant groups which contain unsaturated bonds capable of undergoing hydrosilylation reaction are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing laminated composites such as laminated electrochromic devices is disclosed. The method involves placing a plurality of shims between first and second substrates prior to lamination using a laminating adhesive. The shims maintain uniform spacing during lamination. Devices prepared via the instant method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for producing glass fiber product from scrap glass fibers comprising at least one crusher having at least one pair of rotatable rollers which rotate at essentially the same speed, the rollers having intermeshing protuberances for crushing scrap glass fibers passing therebetween; a dryer for drying the crushed glass fibers to form dried glass fibers having a mean average moisture content of less than about one weight percent; and a separating device for separating the crushed glass fibers into (1) a first portion of crushed glass fibers having a mean average length of less than about 5 millimeters and (2) oversize dried waste material.