Abstract: A conventional polymer is grafted from a plasma polymer layer provided at a substrate surface by radical polymerisation initiated from plasma induced radicals present at or in the plasma polymer, particularly radicals provided during deposition of the plasma polymer.

Abstract: A polylactide-based polymer or copolymer (PLA) compositions with improved flame retardancy properties as obtained by conventional melt-blending of PLA polyester matrix (1) with both calcium sulfate (2) and organo-modified layered silicates (OMLS) (3). Combination of CaSO4 and OMLS exhibits synergistic effects on PLA flame retardancy by both significantly increasing the time to ignition and decreasing the heat release rate per unit area, and promoting non-dripping properties. Moreover, all other properties of PLA remain almost unchanged or are improved as regards to pristine PLA, especially thermal and mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetron co-sputtering device (6) comprising a main magnetron cathode (x) and a secondary cathode (Y) adapted to be associated with each other to sputter deposit a material on a substrate (2) arranged at a substrate position, the material comprising a first material derived from the main cathode (X) and a second material derived from the secondary cathode (Y), wherein the secondary cathode (Y) is arranged between the main cathode (X) and the substrate position, at a position selected from: (i) a position within a magnetic field derived from a main cathode (X) magnetic source, and (ii) a position within the footprint (6) of the main cathode (X).

Abstract: A polylactide-based polymer or copolymer (PLA) compositions with improved flame retardancy properties as obtained by conventional melt-blending of PLA polyester matrix (1) with both calcium sulfate (2) and organo-modified layered silicates (OMLS) (3). Combination of CaSO4 and OMLS exhibits synergistic effects on PLA flame retardancy by both significantly increasing the time to ignition and decreasing the heat release rate per unit area, and promoting non-dripping properties. Moreover, all other properties of PLA remain almost unchanged or are improved as regards to pristine PLA, especially thermal and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A grafted polymer and its use in polymer/liquid crystal composite films, and more particularly in PDLC films, is disclosed. The grafted polymer includes (alkyl)acrylic acid or (alkyl)acrylamide moieties. At least one of the moieties is grafted with an alkylphenol or with an alkoxylated alkylphenol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the deposition in a magnetron reactor (1) equipped with a magnetron cathode (MC) of at least one material on a substrate (11a), according to which process said material is vaporized by magnetron sputtering, using a gas that is ionized in pulsed mode. To this effect and in order to favour the formation of high current pulses of short duration while avoiding the formation of electric arcs and while enabling an effective ionisation of the sputtered vapour, a preionization of the said gas prior to the application of the main voltage pulse on the magnetron cathode (MC) is carried out in order to generate current pulses (CP) whose decay time (Td), after cut-off of the main voltage pulse (VP) is shorter than 5 ?s.