Abstract: In-situ polymerized polymer film facilitates improved paint film appliques with reduced defects. The paint film appliques comprise the in-situ polymerized polymer film as a carrier layer. The carrier layer is colored and, preferably defect-free.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry for mounting on articles, such as vehicles, is concealed by embedding the circuitry using at least an overlying polymeric material within a concealed embedded circuitry structure. The concealed embedded circuitry is capable of ready and effective application to an article and is capable of being retrofitted to articles after their fabrication.

Abstract: Cover seals for sealing of a re-workable hard disk drive comprise: a metallic substrate; an outwardly exposed adhesive layer on at least a portion of a major surface of the metallic substrate; and an adhesive-free border comprising a fusible metal alloy layer surrounding the adhesive layer. The cover seals can be used to form sealed hard disk drives, wherein a cover seal is attached to an exterior surface of the cover of an enclosed hard disk drive housing so that an adhesive layer of the cover seal covers the entire junction where the base and cover components of the enclosed housing meet and a metallic joint adheres a perimeter of the cover seal to the base of the enclosed housing.

Abstract: Multi-layer protective sheets of the invention are useful in a range of indoor and outdoor applications in, for example, the transportation, architectural and sporting goods industries. In one embodiment, a multi-layer protective sheet comprises sequential layers as follows: optionally, a topcoat layer; a carrier layer; a resilient layer; and an adhesive layer. Protective sheets of the invention are advantageously not only capable of protecting a surface, but also capable of being more cleanly removed therefrom than conventional protective sheets without resilient layers between the carrier layer and adhesive layer therein.

Abstract: Multi-layer protective sheets of the invention are useful in a range of indoor and outdoor applications in, for example, the transportation, architectural and sporting goods industries. In one embodiment, a multi-layer protective sheet comprises at least one defect-free carrier layer. In another embodiment, a multi-layer protective sheet comprises an in-situ polymerized carrier layer. In yet another embodiment, a multi-layer protective sheet comprises a carrier layer having a peak loss factor of at least about 0.5 when tested as a standalone film according to the Loss Factor Test Method described herein.

Abstract: Described are articles, materials, and methods for protecting moving parts from degradation, such as protecting an airfoil or hydrofoil from erosion forces caused by air, sand, water, or wind. Described are foil-shaped erosion-resistant sleeves for protecting a foil. The sleeves may have a body with an outer surface, an inner surface, a thickness, a longitudinal dimension with a first end and a second end, and a dimension transverse to the longitudinal dimension, and the outer surface may include a shape-memory polymer or an elastomeric polymer with a materially continuous perimeter circumscribing the body around the transverse dimension, and an opening at the first end of the body adapted to receive the foil. Some erosion-resistant sleeves may be installed on a foil by inserting the foil into the sleeve through an opening in the sleeve, contracting the sleeve around the foil, and conforming the sleeve around the foil.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry for mounting on articles, such as vehicles, is concealed by embedding the circuitry using at least an overlying polymeric material within a concealed embedded circuitry structure. The concealed embedded circuitry is capable of ready and effective application to an article and is capable of being retrofitted to articles after their fabrication.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry for mounting on articles, such as vehicles, is concealed by embedding the circuitry using at least an overlying polymeric material within a concealed embedded circuitry structure. The concealed embedded circuitry is capable of ready and effective application to an article and is capable of being retrofitted to articles after their fabrication.

Abstract: A method for formation of a polymer film in-situ according to the invention comprises steps of: providing a polymerizable composition in one or multiple parts; initiating polymerization of the polymerizable composition to form a polymerizing composition; prior to completion of polymerization of the polymerizable composition, forming a film therefrom; and fully polymerizing the polymerizing composition to form the polymer film.

Abstract: Resin compositions of the invention are capable of effectively impregnating conventional braid forms and comprise at least one relatively low viscosity resin and at least one viscosity modifier. Hot-melt processing of such resin compositions and others imparts additional advantages and processing efficiencies when preparing braid-reinforced composites.

Abstract: Hard disk drives of the invention are wrapped in wraps for enhanced sealing of the hard disk drive. Wrapped hard disk drives of the invention comprise: an enclosed hard disk drive housing comprising a base and a cover enclosed around internal components for facilitating reading and recording of data at a desired location on at least one disk contained within the housing; and a wrap wrapped and metallically sealed around the enclosed hard disk drive housing in an at least partially overlapping manner to form the wrapped hard disk drive and prevent undesired migration therethrough such that a sealed environment exists within the wrapped hard disk drive.

Abstract: Hard disk drives of the invention are wrapped in wraps for enhanced sealing of the hard disk drive. Wrapped hard disk drives of the invention comprise: an enclosed hard disk drive housing comprising a base and a cover enclosed around internal components for facilitating reading and recording of data at a desired location on at least one disk contained within the housing; and a wrap wrapped and metallically sealed around the enclosed hard disk drive housing in an at least partially overlapping manner to form the wrapped hard disk drive and prevent undesired migration therethrough such that a sealed environment exists within the wrapped hard disk drive.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry for mounting on articles, such as vehicles, is concealed by embedding the circuitry using at least an overlying polymeric material within a concealed embedded circuitry structure. The concealed embedded circuitry is capable of ready and effective application to an article and is capable of being retrofitted to articles after their fabrication.

Abstract: Cover seals for sealing of a re-workable hard disk drive comprise: a metallic substrate; an outwardly exposed adhesive layer on at least a portion of a major surface of the metallic substrate; and an adhesive-free border comprising a fusible metal alloy layer surrounding the adhesive layer. The cover seals can be used to form sealed hard disk drives, wherein a cover seal is attached to an exterior surface of the cover of an enclosed hard disk drive housing so that an adhesive layer of the cover seal covers the entire junction where the base and cover components of the enclosed housing meet and a metallic joint adheres a perimeter of the cover seal to the base of the enclosed housing.

Abstract: A method of assembling a disk drive according to the invention comprises steps of: providing a base component of a housing of the disk drive; providing a cover component of the housing; mating the base component and the cover component to form an enclosed housing that encloses disk drive components for operation of the disk drive; and sealing the disk drive using low thermal energy bonding. A hermetically sealed disk drive of the invention comprises: a housing comprising a base and a cover; and disk drive components enclosed within the housing for operation of the disk drive, wherein the housing comprises a bondline continuously extending around a periphery of the housing for sealing the same.

Abstract: A method for formation of a polymer film in-situ according to the invention comprises steps of: providing a polymerizable composition in one or multiple parts; prior to completion of polymerization of the polymerizable composition, forming a film therefrom; and initiating polymerization of the polymerizable composition using a radiation source to form the polymer film.

Abstract: A reinforced object of the invention comprises: at least one structural layer; and at least one reinforcing rod positioned on or within the at least one structural layer, wherein the object is an elongated object, with the at least one reinforcing rod longitudinally positioned essentially parallel to a central axis thereof. A method of manufacturing the reinforced object comprises steps of: providing a mold; and positioning the at least one reinforcing rod such that it is positioned on or within the at least one structural layer in the reinforced object formed in the mold.

Abstract: Linerless prepreg, composite articles therefrom, and related methods are disclosed. In linerless prepreg according to the invention, matrix material is impregnated into a reinforcement material without the need for any release liners during manufacture or storage thereof. Beneficially, prepreg of the invention is capable of being easily wound into a roll or stacked for storage, without sticking to itself when it is later used in the manufacture of composite articles.

Abstract: A method of preparing a (meth)acrylate syrup comprises: providing one or more precursors for formation of (meth)acrylate monomer; continuously forming the (meth)acrylate monomer from the one or more precursors thereof; and continuously polymerizing at least the (meth)acrylate monomer to form the (meth)acrylate syrup. The (meth)acrylate syrup is useful in, for example, preparation of adhesives.

Abstract: A reinforced object of the invention comprises: at least one structural layer; and at least one reinforcing rod positioned on or within the at least one structural layer, wherein the object is an elongated object, with the at least one reinforcing rod longitudinally positioned essentially parallel to a central axis thereof. A method of manufacturing the reinforced object comprises steps of: providing a mold; and positioning the at least one reinforcing rod such that it is positioned on or within the at least one structural layer in the reinforced object formed in the mold.