Abstract: A process for making printing plate material suitable for imaging by laser radiation. A metal substrate is electrocoated in a bath containing a polymeric resin and laser-sensitive particles, thereby depositing a laser ablatable layer on a principal surface of the metal substrate. In one embodiment, the laser-ablatable layer is treated with a corona discharge for a time sufficient to render the layer non-ink wettable. In other preferred embodiments, the laser-ablatable layer is overcoated with an overlayer such as a non-ink wettable silicone layer or a water-wettable layer comprising an organophosphorus polymer, preferably a copolymer of acrylic acid and vinylphosphonic acid.

Abstract: A process for making printing plate material suitable for imaging by laser radiation. A metal substrate is electrocoated in a bath containing a polymeric resin and laser-sensitive particles, thereby depositing a laser ablatable layer on a principal surface of the metal substrate. In one embodiment, the laser-ablatable layer is treated with a corona discharge for a time sufficient to render the layer non-ink wettable. In other preferred embodiments, the laser-ablatable layer is overcoated with an overlayer such as a non-ink wettable silicone layer or a water-wettable layer comprising an organophosphorus polymer, preferably a copolymer of acrylic acid and vinylphosphonic acid.

Abstract: A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated. Alternatively, the printing plate may include a printing member with an initial affinity for a printing fluid that changes to another affinity to printing fluid upon treatment with radiation.

Abstract: A bright finish aluminum alloy on high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination is disclosed including a bright finish top sheet, a high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate, and an adhesive bonding the bright finish metal top sheet to the high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate to provide a bright finish aluminum on high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination product having brighter finish than a sheet product of said high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy and higher strength than a sheet product of said bright finish aluminum of the same thickness as said lamination product, wherein said lamination product withstands galvanic corrosion. In one aspect, the bright finish metal top sheet is 5657 aluminum foil. In one aspect, the high strength aluminum alloy is 5182 alloy sheet.

Abstract: A reflective laminated strip includes an aluminum alloy or steel strip having a cleaned and conversion coated outer surface, an adhesive layer adjacent the conversion coated outer surface, and a polymer layer joined to the adhesive layer. An exterior side of the polymer layer is coated with a reflective metal layer that is preferably stainless steel, chromium, nickel or aluminum having a thickness of less than about 5000 .ANG.. In a preferred embodiment, an interior side of the polymer layer is coated with an adhesion-promoting metal layer or metal oxide layer having a thickness of about 50-5000 .ANG..

Abstract: A process for making an aluminum alloy lighting sheet product having a reflective surface protected by a UV-stable polymer coating. An aluminum alloy sheet is chemically brightened in an aqueous acidic solution, conversion coated, and then coated with a UV-stable polymer. Alternatively, an aluminum alloy sheet is chemically etched in an aqueous alkaline solution, conversion coated, and then coated with a UV-stable polymer. The UV-stable polymer may be clear or it may contain about 0.5-10 wt. % amorphous silica particles and polytetrafluoroethylene particles. In another embodiment, an aluminum alloy sheet surface is cleaned, chemically conversion coated and then coated with a coating composition containing a UV-stable polymer and 0.5-10 wt. % silica particles and polytetrafluoroethylene particles, both having an average size of about 0.5-5 microns.

Abstract: Reflective aluminum trim for use in automobiles, trucks, boats and a variety of household and industrial appliances is produced by forming aluminum strip into a desired shape, followed by selective application of a fluoropolymer protective coating to only a partial portion of the show surface of the shaped strip and the application of a thermoplastic to the portions of the show surface not covered by the protective coating. The resulting trim piece has a highly reflective aluminum show surface which has a high distinctness of reflected image. The thermoplastic is preferably co-extruded onto the shaped aluminum strip using an adhesive to bond the thermoplastic directly to an un-coated portion of the aluminum surface. Prior to application of the thermoplastic, a single heating step may be used to cure both the protective coating and the adhesive.

Abstract: A reflective laminated strip includes an aluminum alloy strip having a cleaned and conversion coated outer surface, an adhesive layer adjacent the conversion coated outer surface, and a polymer layer joined to the adhesive layer. An exterior side of the polymer layer is coated with a reflective metal layer that is preferably stainless steel, chromium or aluminum having a thickness of less than about 5000 .ANG..

Abstract: A process for making an aluminum alloy lighting sheet product having a reflective surface protected by a UV-stable polymer coating. An aluminum alloy sheet is chemically brightened in an aqueous acidic solution, conversion coated, and then coated with a UV-stable polymer. Alternatively, an aluminum alloy sheet is chemically etched in an aqueous alkaline solution, conversion coated, and then coated with a UV-stable polymer. Preferably, the UV-stable polymer contains about 0.5-10 wt. % amorphous silica particles. In another embodiment, an aluminum alloy sheet surface is cleaned, chemically conversion coated and then coated with a coating composition containing a UV-stable polymer and 0.5-10 wt. % of about 0.5-5 microns.

Abstract: A strip of highly reflective aluminum protected by a conversion coating and a light-permeable fluoropolymer coating which is non-adhesively interstitially mechanically bonded to the microscopic irregularities of the conversion coated surface. The highly reflective strip may be substituted for polished stainless steel and/or bi-metal and used under aggressive conditions for a prolonged period without deleteriously affecting the initial D/I (distinctness of reflected image) of the shaped strip. The strip of arbitrary length may be shaped in rolling dies so that at least a portion of the strip has a radius of less than 10 mm without damaging or separating the fluoropolymer coating. The specific steps of the claimed process require starting with a bright-rolled clean strip which is conversion coated to carry a thin metal compound coating. The reflective conversion coated surface is coated with the fluoropolymer while maintaining at least 80% D/I.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy articles are electrobrightened in an acidic solution containing phosphoric acid, water, and suspended mineral particles. The solution preferably also contains sulfuric acid. Aluminum alloy sheet electrobrightened in the solution has a less directional appearance when the suspended mineral particles are present.

Abstract: A strip of gray reflective aluminum protected by a conversion coating and a light-permeable fluoropolymer coating which is non-adhesively interstitially mechanically bonded to the microscopic irregularities of the conversion coated surface. The highly reflective strip may be substituted for polished stainless steel and/or bi-metal and used under comparably aggressive conditions for a prolonged period without deleteriously affecting the initial D/I (distinctness of reflected image) of the shaped strip. The strip of arbitrary length may be shaped in rolling dies so that at least a portion of the strip has a radius of less than 10 mm without damaging or separating the fluoropolymer coating. The specific steps of the claimed process require starting with a bright-rolled clean strip which is conversion coated to carry a thin metal compound coating. After rinsing and drying, the reflective surface is coated with the fluoropolymer while maintaining at least 80% D/I.

Abstract: A shaped strip of highly reflective aluminum protected by an anodic oxide coating and a light-permeable fluoropolymer coating which is non-adhesively interstitially mechanically bonded to the microscopic irregularities of the anodic oxide surface. There is no adhesive used to obtain chain entanglement. The highly reflective strip may be substituted for polished stainless steel and/or bi-metal and used under comparably aggressive conditions for a prolonged period without deleteriously affecting the initial D/I (distinctness of reflected image) of the shaped strip. The strip of arbitrary length is shaped in rolling dies so that at least a portion of the strip has a radius of less than 10 mm without damaging or separating the fluoropolymer coating. The specific steps of the claimed process require starting with a clean strip which is brightened to a nearmirror-like finish, then treated to carry a thin porous aluminum oxide coating in a phosphoric acid bath under direct current (DC).