Abstract: A coated veneered article has at least one visible wood veneer layer coated with a multilayer finishing system comprising a coating layer nearest the veneer layer comprising a cationically polymerized moiety or moiety polymerized via cationic and free radical cure mechanisms, and an outermost coating layer comprising a free radically polymerized moiety. The article exhibits less veneer checking than a veneered article coated only with free radically polymerized coating layers.

Abstract: A veneer surface of a veneered wood product is finished by applying to the veneer surface and UV curing a multilayer finishing system wherein at least one of the subsurface layers comprises a UV cured cationically polymerizable moiety and the outermost layer of which comprises a free radically polymerizable moiety.

Abstract: A veneered wood product is made using a multilayer finishing system wherein at least one of the subsurface layers comprises a UV cured cationically polymerized moiety. Coatings based on UV curable cationically polymerizable moieties appear to be less sensitive to UV overexposure and more adherent to wood fibers than corresponding coatings based on UV curable free radically polymerizable moieties. The multilayer wood veneer finishing system can provide improved intercoat adhesion or improved veneer check resistance, especially under factory conditions.

Abstract: A water purification system 2 includes a pulsed source of UV light. This UV light is emitted by a pulsed laser 12, and the UV light pulses are incident upon water passing though a pulsed UV generator 10. The UV light pulses also strike crystalline members 36, such as diamonds and quartz crystals, which are also disposed within the flow path. The combination of incident UV light pulses and UV light dispersed by crystals 36 having differing crystal structures and differing sizes has been found to be effective in destroying organic pathogens including microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses.

Abstract: A water purification system 2 includes a pulsed source of UV light. This UV light is emitted by a pulsed laser 12, and the UV light pulses are incident upon water passing though a pulsed UV generator 10. The UV light pulses also strike crystalline members 36, such as diamonds and quartz crystals, which are also disposed within the flow path. The combination of incident UV light pulses and UV light dispersed by crystals 36 having differing crystal structures and differing sizes has been found to be effective in destroying organic pathogens including microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses.

Abstract: A coating composition for forming abrasion-resistant, high clarity coatings is described. It has been found that a macrocrystalline or single crystal mineral abrasive can be added at high levels, about 5 to about 80 percent by weight, to art-recognized film-forming resin compositions for producing coatings exhibiting exceptional abrasion resistance and clarity. Such a coating composition is useful for application to surfaces including wood, vinyl, tile, rubber modified cement, marble, metal, plastic, and laminated surfaces.

Abstract: A self-leveling finishing composition capable of providing chemically resistant low profile coatings is described. The finishing composition comprises thermoplastic resin solids and thermosetting resin solids in a weight ratio of about 0.5:1 to about 11:1 and a solvent composition comprising a solvent capable of dissolving the thermoplastic resin solids component and a solvent miscible co-solvent capable of dissolving the thermosetting resin solids. The finishing composition is applied and dried to a dry-to-touch surface which is thereafter subjected to conditions capable of initiating polymerization of the component thermosetting resin solids. The finishing composition can be used as a substitute for more expensive or more labor intensive coating compositions in existing surface finishing protocols without compromise of surface quality and chemical resistance.

Abstract: A coating composition for forming abrasion-resistant, high clarity coatings is described. It has been found that a macrocrystalline or single crystal mineral abrasive can be added at high levels, about 5 to about 80 percent by weight, to art-recognized film-forming resin compositions for producing coatings exhibiting exceptional abrasion resistance and clarity. Such a coating composition is useful for application to surfaces including wood, vinyl, tile, rubber modified cement, marble, metal, plastic, and laminated surfaces.

Abstract: A coating composition for forming abrasion-resistant, high clarity coatings is described. It has been found that a macrocrystalline or single crystal mineral abrasive can be added at high levels, about 5 to about 80 percent by weight, to art-recognized film-forming resin compositions for producing coatings exhibiting exceptional abrasion resistance and clarity. Such a coating composition is useful for application to surfaces including wood, vinyl, tile, rubber modified cement, marble, metal, plastic, and laminated surfaces.

Abstract: A free-radical curable polish composition is described. The composition can be applied and cured as an ultra thin film on finished surfaces to provide enhanced chemical and mar resistance. The composition comprises an aqueous emulsion including an olefin-functional polymer or an olefin-functional prepolymer, and a silicone or silicone copolymer preferably with photoinitiators for UV and EB cure. The polish/emulsion can be applied, for example, to wet the surface of nitrocellulose lacquer wood finishes. The polish wet surface is first wiped to remove excess polish and thereafter exposed to UV radiation to provide a thin, polymerized protective film.

Abstract: A free-radical polish composition is described. The composition can be applied and cured as an ultra thin film on finished surfaces to provide enhanced chemical and mar resistance. The composition comprises an aqueous emulsion including an olefin-functional polymer having low glass transition temperature or an olefin-functional prepolymer, and a silicone or silicone copolymer preferably with photoinitiators for UV and EB cure. The polish/emulsion can be applied, for example, to wet the surface of nitrocellulose lacquer wood finishes. The polish wet surface is first wiped to remove excess polish and thereafter exposed to UV radiation to provide a thin, polymerized permanent protective film on the polished surface.

Abstract: A wood treatment process is provided that allows surface finishing with water-based wood finishing coatings without the characteristic resultant surface roughness normally associated with the use of water-borne wood finishing compositions. The wood surface is wet with an aqueous solution of an aluminum salt and preferably dried prior to application of water-based finish coatings. The process can be carried out using novel wood stain compositions comprising aqueous solutions or suspension of aluminum salts and wood dyes.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying water includes:a plurality of UV radiators which include a helical quartz tube through which water to be purified passes and an ultraviolet light source to irradiate water passing through the helical quartz tube to remove microbes,a plurality of filtration stages including fine, ultra-fine and micro filters,a reactor including a bed of gold, andan irradiation stage including a quartz tube through which water to be purified passes and a laser light source with a wavelength in the range of 200-300 nm to irradiate water passing through the quartz tube,whereby microbes in the water passing through the apparatus are killed and removed.

Abstract: Environmentally preferred water-based coatings can be substituted for solvent-based coatings in commercial wood finishing processes without sacrifice of coating quality. Art-recognized discoloration of water-based coatings due to uneven leaching of chromophoric substances, such as natural tannins, is eliminated by contacting the surface with a water soluble anti-leachate compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid salts, mono/polyfunctional amines and amine derivatives and their acid addition salts. The process allows for marked reduction of VOC emissions from commerical wood finishing operations.

Abstract: Discoloration of water-based coatings due to uneven leaching of chromophoric substances, such as natural tannins and applied stains, is eliminated by contacting the surface with a water soluble anti-leachate compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid salts, mono/polyfunctional amines and amine derivatives and their acid addition salts.