Abstract: Composite articles are prepared by a spray up operation. In a first step, a gel coat is applied onto a mold surface. Next, a barrier coat is applied over the gel coat in the mold and thereafter a laminate formula is applied over the barrier coat. In a preferred embodiment, the multilayer composite has a thickness of about 15 mm or less, and is useful as an automobile body panel. The gel coat contains a curable polyester polyurethane acrylate resin, and the composite article has a surface that has high gloss and color retention after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A weatherable composition comprising an upper layer that comprises an aliphatic polyamide resin and an additive composition comprising an hindered amine light stabilizer and a hydroxyphenyl triazine or pyrimidine UV absorber; an intermediate layer that comprises a polymer system compatible with polymer in the upperlayer, and optionally, an additive composition comprising TiO2, dyes, pigments, and special effects additives; and a polymeric substrate, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between and in intimate contact with the upper layer and the substrate. The composition finds utility in articles such as automotive parts.

Abstract: A composite article includes an acrylic layer, a UV-cured layer formed from a UV-curable composition, and a polyurethane backing layer. A method of forming the composite article includes applying the UV-curable composition to the acrylic layer such that the composition is between the acrylic layer and the polyurethane backing layer to enhance bonding between these layers. The UV-curable composition includes at least one monomer which is an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated acrylate monomer, or both. The at least one monomer has a hydroxy functional group. The monomer is compatible with the acrylic layer and the hydroxy functional group of the monomer is reactive with a polyisocyanate from the polyurethane backing layer. The UV-curable composition also includes a curing initiator that is reactive with the monomer. Upon exposure of the UV-curable composition to UV electromagnetic radiation, the curing initiator enables the composition to cure to the acrylic layer.

Abstract: A flat or curved photochromic laminate structure and a plastic photochromic lens blank can be produced in a simple and efficient manner from relatively low-cost polymeric sheet materials. These laminates can be used to provide goggles, face shields, windows, window coverings, skylights, and optical lenses having efficient, uniform and high quality photochromic properties. The use of a polyesterurethane as the binder for the photochromic material has been found to improve the performance of the photochromic material. There may be a desire to have a protective exterior layer (e.g., an abrasion resistant layer) in combination with the lens system, but that may be provided in various methods. In the case of using the laminate in a goggle application, the laminate may be hard coated on one or both outer surfaces with an abrasion resistant coating, antireflective coating, and/or an anti-fog hard coating.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition including a polyurethane polymer which contains carboxylic acid groups, a crosslinking agent, a wetting agent, a slip aid, and a UV stabilizing agent is provided. Coatings prepared from the aqueous coating composition are durable and have low surface friction, flexibility at low temperatures, and adhesion to low surface energy substrates. A method of preparing a substrate coated with the aqueous coating composition and an article containing the coated substrate are also provided. The aqueous coating composition is useful for providing a protective coating with a low friction surface for automotive weatherstrip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to membranes including an urethane including a polyester polyol, wherein the membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas wherein the membrane has an average thickness of approximately 20.0 mils. Under certain embodiments, the membranes include blends of one or more polyester polyol based thermoplastic urethanes and one or more barrier materials. The membranes can be employed in a variety of applications and can be used as either monolayers or multi-layered laminates.

Abstract: New polynuclear aromatic diamines, such as 2,2?-di-(p-aminophenoxy)-biphenyl, a process for their manufacture and their use as polycondensation components for the manufacture of polyamide, polyamide-imide and polyimide polymers are described. The polymers obtained with the aromatic diamines according to the invention are readily soluble and can also be processed from the melt and are distinguished by good thermal, electrical and/or mechanical properties.

Abstract: There are provided a resin composition, which has optical properties such as a high refractive index, has excellent restorability and scratch resistance, and has good adhesion to a substrate, and, when utilized as an optical member (lens) used, for example, in screens for projection televisions or the like, can satisfy various property requirements, and a cured product of the resin composition. The resin composition comprises: an epoxy (meth)acrylate oligomer having an average molecular weight of not more than 1500, a copolymer of a (meth)acrylic ester with styrene or ?-methylstyrene, a thermoplastic urethane elastomer, a (meth)acrylic ester monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: This invention provides a resin-cemented optical element comprising a base member and a resin layer formed on the surface of the base member and comprising a cured product of a photosensitive resin composition, and the resin layer has (1) a refractive index of 1.55 or more, (2) a visible-light inner transmittance of 95% or more in a 100 ?m thick area, (3) a rate of hygroscopic dimensional change of 0.4% or less, (4) a durometer hardness of HDD 70 or more, (5) a gel percentage of 95% or more, (6) a glass transition temperature of 95° C. or above or (7) a rate of shrinkage on curing of 7% or less; and a production process for the element and an optical article having the element.

Abstract: A laminate film includes a guard film layer (A), a clear coating layer (B), and a color coating layer (C). A color coating material, from which the color coating layer (C) is made, contains a shining material (C3) containing at least an aluminum flake. If necessary, the color coating layer further contains an orientation control material (C4).

Abstract: Articles produced from hydrophobic polymers (e.g., polyethylene) are surface-coated with thin films of starch in order to render the surfaces hydrophilic. The thin coatings form on the surfaces of plastic objects when the objects are placed in contact with hot, aqueous solutions of starch. These starch coatings are adherent to the hydrophobic plastic surfaces under both wet and dry conditions, and they permit the surfaces to be uniformly wet with water. The coatings may be rendered even more adherent when wet by graft polymerizing the starch with a synthetic monomer. Resultant products have the potential for improved biocompatibility, improved compatibility with hydrophilic reagents, reduced build-up of electrostatic charge, reduced blocking, reduced friction, improved absorption of water-based dyes, and improved adhesion properties. The starch coatings are non-toxic, inexpensive and biodegradable.

Abstract: A polarizing plate with which, not only suppression in a drop in polarization efficiency, but also with which hue shift and light leakage do not substantially occur, under a high humidity/high temperature environment is provided. The polarizing plate of the present invention includes a polyvinyl-alcohol-based polarizing film, a protective film mainly composed of a cyclic-olefin-based resin and laminated on at least one side of the polarizing film, and an anchor coat agent film and an adhesive layer interposed between the polarizing film and the protective film. The amount of change in optical in-plane retardation of the protective film is 5 nm or less, after 24 hours in an atmosphere of 80° C., and the wetting tension of the laminated surface is 500 ?N/cm (23° C.) or more. The anchor coat agent is made of polyester polyol and polyisocyanate, and the adhesive layer is made of polyvinyl-alcohol-based adhesive.

Abstract: Moisture and gas permeable ionomeric films are described. The films described herein are obtained from blends of ionomers with an organic acid salt in the amount of at least about 5 wt %, and have MVTR greater than films obtained from conventional ionomers. Particularly preferred are the potassium salts of stearic, oleic, isostearic, and isooleic acids. Films comprising a liquid-absorbent ionomer film layer and an impermeable layer are provided. The films are suitable for preparation of tubular casings and shrinkbags, in particular, casings for smoked foodstuffs.

Abstract: A method for making paper to enhance its wet strength includes adding separately to a cellulosic paper pulp furnish the following additives to form a treated pulp: a cationic wet strength resin whose cationic sites bond to anionic sites of cellulose fibers contained in the paper pulp furnish, and a hydrophobically modified anionic polyelectrolyte whose anionic sites bond with cationic sites of the cationic wet strength resin.

Abstract: A heating system employs a ceramic substrate and a resistive layer. The resistive layer includes a thermally stable resin, which is filled with a conductive material. A method of manufacturing such a heating system involves a provision of a ceramic substrate and an application of a resistive layer on the substrate. In the method, the resistive layer comprises includes a thermally stable resin, which is filled with a conductive material. Before application of the resistive layer, an adhesion promotor is applied on the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive comprising an aqueous dispersion of a polymer, said dispersion comprising, besides the polymer, silicon compounds selected from polymeric silicates, water-soluble alkali metal silicates (waterglass), silanes, and silicones obtainable from the silanes by condensation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an elastomeric article including preparing a non-woven fibrous polymer composition for dip-coating onto a layer of carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomeric surface and in particular making industrial or household gloves. By dipping a former into a salt-based coagulant, followed by dipping into an elastomeric dispersion, and finally dipping into a polymer composite fibrous coating, a useful elastomeric article is prepared. The invention also provides an elastomeric article having a first layer, the first layer comprising a natural or synthetic polymer; and a second layer bonded to the first layer, the second layer comprising a polymer composite fibrous coating. The polymer composite fibrous coating includes at least one elastomer or elastomer blend, a fiber or fiber blend, a surfactant, and a micronised wax. The coating can be foamed, and provides improved sweat management and non-shredding properties to a user.

Abstract: The invention concerns manufactured articles comprising at least two assembled thermoplastic elements, a first element based on polyolefin and a second element based on polyamide. The elements are assembled by being welded together.

Abstract: A method of controlling the flow of a heat activated expandable sealant is provided in which a heat activated sealant is coated with a flow control agent having a melt flow rate which is lower than that of the sealant. The combination sealant/flow control agent is preferably used to seal gaps or cavities in parts such as components in automotive vehicles with minimal sagging.

Abstract: Highly heat-resistant labels usable with the adherends which can be exposed to high temperatures are provided and include the following: (1) a highly heat-resistant label comprising a support base and a hot-melt adhesive layer composed of a thermoplastic resin showing optical anisotropy in molten state and/or a thermoplastic polyimide; (2) a label of (1), further having an agglutinant layer, wherein the agglutinant layer, hot-melt adhesive layer and support base are laminated in that order; and (3) a label of (1) or (2), wherein the thermoplastic resin showing optical anisotropy in molten state comprises a completely aromatic liquid crystal polyester.