Abstract: A process for coating a steel strip, particularly ferritic stainless steel, with aluminum by hot quenching, in which the strip is preheated to a temperature less than 500.degree. C. in a first non-oxidizing atmosphere containing a quantity of oxygen less than 3%, the strip is then heated to a temperature less than 950.degree. C. in a second non-oxidizing atmosphere, the strip is then conveyed to an atmosphere (3, 4) which is non-reactive at the coating temperature, and, finally, the strip is quenched in a coating bath.

Abstract: A game apparatus has a panel with a target area supported on a frame against which a ball is aimed and tossed. The ball covering and the target area include hook and pile fastener materials so that the ball will releasably attach to the target area upon impact. The target area employs hook material while the ball covering includes the pile material. A graphic representation of a target is formed on the target area by applying pigmented ink to selected portions of the hooks and by employing a heat sublimation process to deform selected portions of the hooks along with the pigmented ink to display a particular target representation. The frame may be placed on the ground or may be floated by using buoyant spheres or bulbs secured to the frame.

Abstract: A polymer-coated carbon is coated with an aromatic polysiloxane liquid coating solution polymerized to have non-linear, ladder-like silicon to oxygen bonding. Carbon fiber or fabric coated with aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer provides enhanced thermal protection and oxidative stability. The aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer-coated carbon preferably includes a non-linear, ladder-like aromatic polysiloxane polymer-coated carbon such as provided by polyphenyl-siloxane polymer having the general formula R.sub.n SiO.sub.(4-n)/2, wherein R comprises phenyl radical, and n has an average value of about 0.95 to 1.05.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-friction coating on a metal surface subject to sliding wear, including the steps of: forming an encapsulated powder having grains made of a core of solid lubricants including at least graphite and MoS.sub.2 (others may include BN, NaF, LiF, CaF.sub.2, and WS.sub.2), and a thin shell of fusable soft metal such as Ni, Co, Fe, Zn, Sn, Mg, or Cu; plasma spraying the powder onto a light metal surface, such as a cylinder bore wall of an internal combustion engine, to form a coating; and finish-smoothing the coating to a uniform thickness of about 25-175 microns. Some core particles may be hard, wear-resistant particles such as SiC, NiCrAl, FeMn, FeCrAl, FeWNiVCr, NiCrMoVW, FeCrMoWV, CoFeNiCrMoWV, NiCrMoV, and CoMoCrVW.

Abstract: A thin film is formed on a substrate positioned in a vacuum chamber by use of a gas jet apparatus affixed to a vacuum chamber port and having an outer nozzle with an interior cavity into which carrier gas is fed, an inner nozzle located within the outer nozzle interior cavity into which reactant gas is introduced, a tip of the inner nozzle being recessed from the vacuum chamber port within the outer nozzle interior cavity, and a microwave discharge device configured about the apparatus for generating a discharge in the carrier gas and reactant gas only in a portion of the outer nozzle interior cavity extending from approximately the inner nozzle tip towards the vacuum chamber. A supersonic free jet of carrier gas transports vapor species generated in the microwave discharge to the surface of the substrate to form a thin film on the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing thin films of materials such as metals, oxides and nitrides at low temperature relies on a supersonic free jet of inert carrier gas to transport vapor species generated from an evaporation source to the surface of a substrate. Film deposition vapors are generated from solid film precursor materials, including those in the form of wires or powders. The vapor from these sources is carried downstream in a low pressure supersonic jet of inert gas to the surface of a substrate where the vapors deposit to form a thin film. A reactant gas can be introduced into the gas jet to form a reaction product with the evaporated material. The substrate can be moved from the gas jet past a gas jet containing a reactant gas in which a discharge has been generated, the speed of movement being sufficient to form a thin film which is chemically composed of the evaporated material and reactant gases.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible amorphous silicon solar cell includes the steps of: a) coating a PI varnish on a glass substrate; b) imidizing the PI varnish film; c) vacuum-depositing a metal film on the PI film; d) vacuum-depositing an amorphous silicon film on the metal film; e) vacuum-depositing a transparent conducting film on the amorphous silicon film; and f) separating the PI film from the glass substrate. The method also provides for preparing the PI varnish by the steps of: 1) preparing a mixed solution of 60-100% by weight aprotic solvent, and 0-40% by weight aromatic solvent; 2) adding into the mixed solution in a mole ratio of 1:9 two aromatic diamines; and 3) further adding in the mixed solution in a mole ratio of 1:5 two aromatic dianhydrides.

Abstract: Polyvinyl acetal resins having an activating solvent, preferably ethanol are used to bond silicone rubber compounds securely to substrates. To repair crack masonry such as foundations, the masonry is first dried, then cleaned, and then the above described composition is applied. When tacky, the silicone caulk is placed in the crack. The seal will withstand more than 65 psi of water pressure without separating.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting algae growth on an asphalt shingle surface exposed to varying humidity using a blend of copper-containing algae-resistant granules and non-algae-resistant granules. The copper-containing algae-resistant granules comprise a substrate granule having at least one inner ceramic coating layer comprising cuprous oxide and a seal coating having a thickness covering the inner layer and which is at time t.sub.o devoid of copper.

Abstract: Mechanical plating method for forming a zinc alloy film by ejecting powder onto a surface. Ejection powder is made by mixing iron or iron alloy nuclei with zinc alloy melt, cooling to form a solidified alloy, and crushing. The ejection powder is then heat treated between 300.degree. C. and 700.degree. C. to adjust the Vicker's hardness of the zinc alloy to between 60 and 370.

Abstract: Method for using fines from toner particle manufacturing which are unacceptable for use in photocopying. Manufactured toner particles are separated into toner particles generally of a size acceptable for photocopying and residue toner particles generally of a size unacceptable for photocopying. The residue toner particles are electrostatically sprayed onto surfaces to form decorative or protective coatings.

Abstract: Particles, such as superabsorbent particles, are bound to fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, by a binder that has a volatility less than water. The binder has a functional group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the fibers, and a functional group that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles. The binder is activated or reactivated by addition of heat, liquid, or mechanical energy. Therefore, fibers treated with binder may be shipped to a distribution point before particles are bound to the fibers. The binder may be a polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, poly(caprolactone) diol, polyacrylic acid, polyamides and polyamines. The polymeric binder has a hydrogen bonding functionality or coordinate covalent bond forming functionality on each repeating unit of the polymeric binder.

Abstract: Iron and titanium oxide thin films are deposited onto functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) which are bonded to silicon or glass substrates. The resulting oxide thin films have ordered, uniform densely packed crystalline structures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying particulate powder material to a moving fibrous substrate includes a volumetric dry material feeder for forming a continuous stream of particulate powder material. The continuous stream is then transmitted through a nozzle and exits at an outlet thereof. The nozzle is movable between a first and second position by a motion control. The motion control includes an adjustable differential gear box and an encoder for synchronizing the dispensing of powder at a predetermined location of the substrate. A flow separator is disposed beyond the outlet of the nozzle and intermediate of the first and second positions. In operation, the motion input drives the nozzle to oscillate between the first and second positions at a variable speed over each product cycle. As the nozzle crosses a plane of the flow separator, the continuous stream of particulate powder material exiting the nozzle is split into two intermittent streams of particulate powder material.

Abstract: A drum is provided on its surface with depressions corresponding to the portions of a web not to be coated and is partially enclosed by a chamber in which separating agent is evaporated. The depressions capture vapor as the drum is rotated, and the web is passed over the drum where it is not enclosed by the chamber. Separating agent condenses on selective of the web correspond to the depressions, and a functional coating is subsequently applied. Thereafter the functional coating is removed from the areas where the separating agent was applied.

Abstract: A composite films which exhibit low oxygen transmission rates. The film comprises a silane resin coated on a plastic substrate then cured by ultraviolet radiation. For the silane coating, this invention relies on a class of organosilicon compounds derived from 1) organohydrogensilanes or organohydrogensiloxanes and 2) propargyl esters of carboxylic acids containing a terminal aromatic hydrocarbon radical, where the carbopropynoxy group of the ester and the aromatic hydrocarbon radical are separated by at least two adjacent ethylenically unsaturated carbon atoms. If more than two of these carbon atoms are present they form a sequence of conjugated ethylenic double bonds which allows the polymer to cross-link upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a swellable plastic resistive moisture sensor comprising dispersing an additive selected from the group consisting of carbon in powder, dust or soot form, carbon black, graphite, a metal in powder or dust form, and mixtures thereof, into a plastic comprising a polyimide or a copolyimide or both formed from diisocyanate and dianhydride reactants.

Abstract: Faux finishes are produced without need for artistic manipulations of coating materials by applying a layer of one or more unique color mixtures to a substrate surface and, while the layer is still wet, applying thereto scattered portions of one or more special blending solvent mixtures, allowing such portions to interact with the color mixture layer to automatically form a faux finish pattern and then allowing the resulting faux finish to dry. The color mixtures have the following weight percentage composition: 20%-60% acrylic latex, 20%-60% propylene glycol, and 1%-60% colorant. The blending solvent mixtures have the following weight percentage composition: 10%-30% isopropyl alcohol, 10%-30% ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, 30%-60% water, and 5%-30% acrylic latex.

Abstract: A method of using compositions and kits for preparing a flexible and permanent marbleizing coating on the surface of an object involves conditioning water with borax and testing the water, floating multiple color paints on the surface of the conditioned water, and dipping the object directly into this two phase liquid system. The color coating forms its own design on the water surface and does not need to be moved around. Small articles such as glitter, powders, beads, flakes, and fibers may be applied to the coated object before the paint dries or to the paint floating on the water. The coating may be transferred from the object to a second object by contacting these objects immediately after the dipping.

Abstract: A process of coating a substrate such as aluminum by the steps of (a) applying thereon a powder coating composition prepared by (i) blending a mix containing a poly(vinylidene fluoride) resin, a thermoplastic resin, a pigment, and a vinylidene fluoride/tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene terpolymer, (ii) pelletizing the blend from (i), and (iii) cryogenically grinding the pellets from (ii); (b) heating the powder coating composition above its melt temperature; and (c) cooling the coated substrate.