Abstract: An apparatus adapted for depositing one or more polymeric materials on the surface of a substrate, which apparatus includes a polymerization chamber; an inlet for admitting a glow discharge polymerization precursor into the polymerization chamber; a first conductive member extending into the polymerization chamber; a first conductive support attached to the first conductive member for holding a substrate; a power generator arranged for transmitting electrical energy to the first conductive member; a second conductive member on or within the polymerization chamber, the second conductive member being spaced and insulated from the first conductive member; and a pump arranged for applying a vacuum to the polymerization chamber; whereby a glow discharge zone is established within the polymerization chamber when a vacuum is applied thereto and electrical energy from the first conductive member is received by the second conductive member.

Abstract: A process of electrolessly metallizing a body on the surface thereof with a metal coating incorporating particulate matter therein, which process comprises contacting the surface of said body with a stable electroless metallizing bath comprising a metal salt, an electroless reducing agent, a complexing agent, a quantity of particulate matter which is essentially insoluble or sparingly soluble in the metallizing bath, and a particulate matter stabilizer (PMS), and maintaining said particulate matter in suspension in said metallizing bath during the metallizing of said body for a time sufficient to produce a metallic coating with said particulate matter dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method of producing a substantially finished surface on the outmold side of a thermosetting casting. The method entails preparing a first laminae having a curable thermosetting resin material as a first outmold surface, and providing a second laminae having an imprinted surface thereon. The first surface and second laminae having an imprinted surface are then positioned in face-to-face registration with one another. Substantial vacuum conditions are generated in the area between the first surface and the imprint surface, and the surfaces are pressed together under substantial vacuum conditions. The vacuum and pressure conditions maintain the surfaces in face-to-face registration and contain any volatile components of the curable thermosetting resin material of the first laminae while the curable thermosetting resin material cures.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable synthetic polymer is exposed to a gas plasma in a chamber at a pressure substantially below atmospheric for a sufficient time to increase the hydrophobicity and/or cross-linking density of a surface layer thereof and thereby modify the rate at which the polymer will hydrolyze. An accordingly modified polymer is useful for surgical implants and wound closures.

Abstract: Method of chromatographically separating a mixture by contacting said mixture under chromatographic separation conditions with a chromatographic separation stationary phase comprising a polymer formed by coating substantially all of the surfaces of a microporous, comminuted substrate material with a monomer that is subsequently polymerized in situ with a cold-gas plasma discharge.

Abstract: Method of chromatographically separating a mixture by contacting said mixture under chromatographic separation conditions with a chromatographic separation stationary phase comprising an N-acyl diazepine polymer. In a preferred form, the polymer has been rendered substantially alkali-stable by substitution for the hydrogen at the C3 position on the diazepine ring.

Abstract: Method of chromatographically separating a mixture by contacting said mixture under chromatographic separation conditions with a chromatographic separation stationary phase comprising an N-acyl diazepine polymer. In a preferred from, the polymer has been rendered substantially alkali-stable by substitution for the hydrogen at the C3 position on the diazepine ring.

Abstract: A process of electrolessly metallizing a body on the surface thereof with a metal coating incorporating particulate matter therein, which process comprises contacting the surface of said body with a stable electroless metallizing bath comprising a metal salt, an electroless reducing agent, a complexing agent, an electroless plating stabilizer, a quantity of particulate matter which is essentially insoluble or sparingly soluble in the metallizing bath, and a particulate matter stabilizer (PMS), and maintaining said particulate matter in suspension in said metallizing bath during the metallizing of said body for a time sufficient to produce a metallic coating with said particulate matter dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method for the electroless coating of ferromagnetic substrates substantially free of microspheres or other unwanted auxillary matter, thereby reducing the roughness of the coated articles. The method and articles produced are subjected to a magnetic field and demagnetized prior to the plating step. The method is of particular utility in the coating of textile machinery parts operating at high rotational speed in the minimizing of dust and yarn damage. The method is also of great utility in the deposition of composite electroless coatings.

Abstract: A process of electrolessly metallizing a body on the surface thereof with a metal coating incorporating particulate matter therein, which process comprises contacting the surface of said body with a stable electroless metallizing bath comprising a metal salt, an electroless reducing agent, a complexing agent, an electroless plating stabilizer, a quantity of particulate matter which is essentially insoluble or sparingly soluble in the metallizing bath, and a particulate matter stabilizer (PMS), and maintaining said particulate matter in suspension in said metallizing bath during the metallizing of said body for a time sufficient to produce a metallic coating with said particulate matter dispersed therein.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and articles for the preparation of composite electroless coatings which comprise a metal and/or metal alloy, plus particulate matter, the latter having at least two distinct nominal sizes.

Abstract: A method for the electroless coating of ferromagnetic substrates substantially free of microspheres or other unwanted auxiliary matter, thereby reducing the roughness of the coated articles. The method and articles produced are subjected to a magnetic field and demagnetized prior to the plating step. The method is of particular utility in the coating of textile machinery parts operating at high rotational speed in the minimizing of dust and yarn damage. The method is also of great utility in the deposition of composite electroless coatings.

Abstract: Metallic surfaces are imparted to non-conductor substrates by an electroless plating process comprising contacting the substrate with colloidal composition comprising colloids of catalytic metals capable of electroless plating initiation and activator(s) capable of modifying and extending the useful life-time for the colloidal composition from further deterioration.

Abstract: A resilient, composite surface material which is resistant to the effects of weather and traffic. It is constructed of a layer of resilient, shock-attenuating, closed-cell, elastomeric foam; a fabric binding layer, which can be adhesively or thermally bound to the foam layer; and a wear- and weather-resistant layer, applied in a fluid form, which binds mechanically to the fabric layer by saturating the fabric and then hardening. The resulting surface can be used for playgrounds or recreational areas, in industrial or commerical application, or in any location where a resilient, wear- and weather-resistant surface is desired.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the electroless (chemical) plating of substrates incorporating polyelectrolytes to increase the catalytic site density prior to the electroless (chemical) metal deposition step.

Abstract: An electric discharge surface conditioning apparatus includes a discharge electrode consisting of an assembly of alternating conductive and non-conductive discs which rotate about an axis. The surface of the conductive discs includes a specific pattern of slots to effect a pumping action thereby enhancing the electric discharge efficiency by circulating the fluid away from the surface of the workpiece being machined. A control arrangement for controlling the orientation of the described electrode is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the electroless (chemical) plating of substrates incorporating polyelectrolytes to increase the catalytic site density prior to the electroless (chemical) metal deposition step.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and articles for the preparation of composite electroless coatings which comprise a metal and/or metal alloy, plus particulate matter, the latter having at least two distinct nominal sizes.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and articles for composite electroless coatings comprising at least two distinct layers, the first layer comprising a metal and/or a metal alloy plus particulate matter and the second layer comprising a metal and/or a metal alloy and being substantially free of particulate matter.

Abstract: This invention is a method for depositing on an article a coating containing at least one member of the group metals and metal alloys plus particulate dispersed diamond comprising contacting the surface of the article with a stable electroless plating bath consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of soluble constituents of the group, electroless reducing agent therefor, a suspension of diamond particles therein and a stabilizer, and maintaining the diamond particles in suspension throughout the bath during the coating of the article for a time sufficient to produce a preselected depth of coating on the article, and the coated article pe se.This is a reissue of a patent which was the subject of a reexamination certificate No. B1 Re. 29,285, dated July 5, 1983, Request No. 90/000,120, Dec. 3, 1981.