Abstract: Disclosed are pretreatment compositions and associated methods for treating metal substrates with pretreatment compositions, including ferrous substrates, such as cold rolled steel and electrogalvanized steel. The pretreatment composition includes: (a) a group IIIB and/or IVB metal; (b) free fluorine; (c) a source of aluminum ions; and (d) water. The methods include contacting the metal substrates with the pretreatment composition.

Abstract: Low-gloss, two-component clear coats include a base resin including a urethane resin, an isocyanate resin that combines with the base resin immediately prior to application of the low-gloss, two-component clear coat to form a two-component base resin mixture, wherein the two-component base resin mixture comprises from about 20 weight percent to about 40 weight percent urethane resin and from about 20 weight percent to about 40 weight percent isocyanate resin, and a silica-based flattener, wherein the silica-based flattener comprises from about 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the two-component base resin mixture to about 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the two-component base resin mixture, wherein the low-gloss, two-component clear coat has a 60° gloss finish from 22 gloss units to 34 gloss units when cured.

Abstract: A fiber strand comprising at least one fiber at least partially coated with a composition formed from at least one rosin, at least one cationic lubricant, at least one film forming material, at least one organosilane coupling agent, and at least one dispersion of polymeric particles. A fiber strand comprising at least one fiber at least partially coated with a composition formed from components comprising at least one rosin, at least one polymeric lubricant, at least one film forming material, at least one organosilane coupling agent, and at least one dispersion of polymeric particles. A fiber strand comprising at least one fiber at least partially coated with a starch-free composition comprising at least one rosin, at least one cationic lubricant, at least one film forming material, and at least one organosilane coupling agent.

Abstract: Composition and process for low temperature curing of polyuretdione-polyol compositions in which the polyuretdione is prepared from a polyisocyanate with isocyanate groups and a polyol containing primary hydroxyl groups. The catalyst for the composition and process is an amine catalyst containing the group —N?C—N—, being aprotic, having a pKa greater than 20 and upon addition to the liquid coating composition causing a phase-change of the coating composition from liquid to solid at 25° C. and 1 atm. within one week.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for passivating metal substrates, including ferrous substrates, such as cold rolled steel and electrogalvanized steel. The methods comprise the steps of autodepositing copper, silver, a IIIB metal and/or IVB metal onto at least a portion of the substrate, and simultaneously and/or immediately subsequently electrophoretically depositing on the substrate a curable, electrodepositable coating composition; wherein the copper, silver, IIB metal and/or IVB metal and the curable, electrodepositable coating composition are both contained within a single bath composition. The present invention also relates to coated substrates produced by the above methods.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a photoactive and/or hydrophilic surface includes contacting the surface with conditioned water and optionally a cleaning agent solution. A device for cleaning a photoactive and/or hydrophilic surface includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a first chamber and an optional second chamber located in the housing, a flow passage extending through the housingc between the inlet and the outlet, and a selector valve configured to selectively place the flow passage in flow communication with the first chamber, the optional second chamber, neither chamber, or both chambers. In one embodiment, the first chamber includes an ion exchange bed and the second chamber includes at least one cleaning agent.

Abstract: A display system includes at least one light emitting material having an absorption band carried on a support, wherein the support is a laminated article having a first ply and a second ply; and a projection assembly having an electromagnetic radiation source, the projection assembly configured to direct radiation of one or more selected wavelengths within the absorption band of the light emitting material toward the light emitting material to cause at least a portion of the light emitting material to emit light. The support can be an automotive transparency, a commercial window, a residential window, a commercial sign, an advertising display, and an insulating glass unit. The light emitting material is fluorescent materials, phosphorescent materials, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A curable, aqueous film-forming composition is provided that includes a polymeric binder comprising reactive functional groups, a crosslinking agent having at least two functional groups that are reactive with the functional groups of the polymeric binder, and a copolymer flow control agent comprising at least 30 mol % of residues containing alternating residues from a donor monomer and from an acceptor monomer. The copolymer contains at least 15 mol % of an isobutylene type donor monomer. Components (a) and (b) are substantially hydrophobic and are prepared as an aqueous dispersion comprising polymeric microparticles, prepared by mixing components (a) and (b) together under high shear conditions. A multi-component composite coating composition is also provided, comprising a base coat deposited from a pigmented film-forming composition and a transparent topcoat applied over the base coat. The topcoat is deposited from the film-forming composition described above.

Abstract: A region in a metallic panel that facilitates the transmission of radio frequency signals. The metallic panel may be included in a window such as the window of a vehicle or building. For example, the metallic panel may be used for heating or to reflect infrared radiation. An aperture is formed in the metallic panel to enable radio frequency signals to be transmitted through the metallic panel. The design of the aperture may be selected to enable the transmission of the desired frequency band. Furthermore, the aperture is designed such that there is a taper in the transmission amplitude and/or the phase to suppress lobing effects on the other side of the aperture. In an embodiment in which the metallic panel is used to conduct electric current, the aperture may be oriented such that the current may flow between the openings of the aperture. Accordingly, there may be uniform heating across the metallic panel without blocking the transmission of radio frequency signals in the desired frequency band.

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: The present invention relates to polypropylene film-adhesion promoter-metal laminates, adhesion promoter used being polypropylene modified with carboxyl groups and/or anhydride groups. Polypropylene random copolymers of 90 to 99% by weight, preferably 93 to 99% by weight, of propylene and 1 to 10% by weight, preferably 1 to 7% by weight, of comonomers, having a molecular weight distribution M.sub.w :M.sub.n in the range from 2 to 10, preferably 3 to 6, and a melt flow index MFI 230.degree. C./2.16 kg in the range of 1 to 20 g/10 min, preferably in the range from 4 to 15 g/10 min, are used for the production of the polypropylene film.

Abstract: Described are novel photochromic indeno-fused naphthopyran compounds, examples of which are naphthopyran compounds having a substituted or unsubstituted indeno group, the 2,1 positions of which are fused to the f side of the naphtho portion of the naphthopyran, and having certain substituents at the 3-position of the pyran ring. Certain substituents may also be present at the number 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 carbon atoms of the compounds. These compounds may be represented by the following graphic formula: ##STR1## Also described are polymeric organic host materials that contain or that are coated with such compounds. Optically clear articles such as ophthalmic lenses or other plastic transparencies that incorporate the novel naphthopyran compounds or combinations thereof with complementary photochromic compounds, e.g., certain other naphthopyrans, benzopyrans and spiro(indoline)type compounds, are also described.

Abstract: Very thin microporous material comprises a matrix of substantially linear polyolefin, finely divided substantially water-insoluble filler particles distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout said microporous material. The very thin microporous material can be produced by the blown film process. The material is used as a separator in a battery.

Abstract: The detrimental effects of fluctuating humidity are neutralized by adjusting the viscosity of a waterborne coating as it is being conducted to the spraying device. A predetermined amount of water or other viscosity modifying additive is mixed continuously with the coating in the coating supply line immediately upstream from the spray device. The amount of water or other additive to be added may be determined by monitoring the humidity in the spray zone. Preferably, an automated feedback control system is employed to adjust the amount of water or other viscosity altering additive being mixed into the coating stream.

Abstract: Siloxane organic hybrid polymers and a method of making them by condensation polymerization reaction of organoalkoxysilane with an alkali metal carboxylic acid catalyst in the presence of organic film-forming polymers are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a needled mat adapted to reinforce a thermosetting matrix material to form a composite, composites formed therefrom, and methods related thereto. The needled mat includes a primary layer of a plurality of unidirectional continuous glass fiber strands coated with a composition which is compatible with the thermosetting matrix material and a secondary layer positioned thereon of a plurality of randomly oriented, generally continuous and/or chopped glass fiber strands coated with a composition which is compatible with the thermosetting matrix material. The mat has a total surface weight ranging from about 1300 to about 11,500 grams per square meter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mat adapted to reinforce a thermosetting matrix material to form a composite, composites formed therefrom, and methods related thereto. The mat includes a primary, supporting layer having a plurality of randomly oriented essentially continuous glass fiber strands. The primary layer has about 1 to about 10 weight percent of the mat on a total solids basis. The mat also includes a secondary layer positioned upon and supported by a surface of the primary layer, the secondary layer including a plurality of glass fiber strands. The mean average length of the glass fiber strands of the secondary layer ranges from about 20 to about 125 millimeters. The strands of the primary layer are entangled with the strands of the secondary layer by needling the primary layer and the secondary layer together.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., ethyleneamine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. A three compartment electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and an anion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) an intermediate compartment separated from the catholyte and anode compartments by the anion exchange membrane and either (i) the hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode or (ii) the hydraulic barrier respectively.

Abstract: Substantially dry free-flowing particles of amorphous precipitated silica have large sizes and large carrying capacities for organic liquids, and they contain little or no dust.

Abstract: Describes a method of electreochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., amine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. An electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating the catholyte and anode compartments and separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane.