Abstract: A method of providing a fire barrier that includes coating an opening in a structure with a composition that includes an elastomer. The composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds and, when dry, exhibits a tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 1500 psi, at least about 600% elongation, a modulus of from about 200 psi to about 600 psi, and a tensile toughness of greater than 10 in-lb.

Abstract: An aqueous fire barrier composition including a latex that includes a polymer, a polyol having 2, 3 or 4 hydroxy groups and a molecular weight of from about 75 to about 1200, and an intumescent agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of manufacturing a viscoelastic article by a process that includes coating a release surface with a curable composition and then curing the composition to form the viscoelastic article. Viscoelastic articles manufactured according to the methods of the present may be constructed to be self-supporting.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of manufacturing a viscoelastic article by a process that includes coating a release surface with a curable composition and then curing the composition to form the viscoelastic article. Viscoelastic articles manufactured according to the methods of the present may be constructed to be self-supporting.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides an energy efficient polymerization method comprising irradiating a polymerizable composition and a photoinitiator with a source of essentially monochromatic radiation where the photoinitiator and the wavelength of the radiation source are selected such that the extinction coefficient of the photoinitiator at the peak wavelength of the source is greater than about 1000 M−1 cm−1 and such that the photoinitiator absorbs at least two percent of the actinic radiation incident on the coating. In another aspect the invention provides energy efficient methods of polymerizing polymerizable compositions and crosslinking crosslinkable compositions by irradiating the respective compositions with a low power source of essentially monochromatic radiation. The low power energy sources have an input power of less than about 10 W/cm.

Abstract: An aqueous fire barrier composition including a latex that includes a polymer, a polyol having 2, 3 or 4 hydroxy groups and a molecular weight of from about 75 to about 1200, and an intumescent agent.

Abstract: A method of providing a fire barrier that includes coating an opening in a structure with a composition that includes an elastomer. The composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds and, when dry, exhibits a tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 1500 psi, at least about 600% elongation, a modulus of from about 200 psi to about 600 psi, and a tensile toughness of greater than 10 in-lb.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel, multi-stage irradiation process for the production of an acrylic-based adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The first irradiation step or stage employs electromagnetic radiation at a relatively low average intensity (i.e., 0.1 to 20 mW/cm2) and the subsequent step employs electromagnetic radiation at a relatively higher average intensity (i.e., greater than 20 mW/cm2.) Also disclosed are acrylic-based psa tape materials made by the novel process.

Abstract: A method of providing a fire barrier that includes coating an opening in a structure with a composition that includes an elastomer. The composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds and, when dry, exhibits a tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 1500 psi, at least about 600% elongation, a modulus of from about 200 psi to about 600 psi, and a tensile toughness of greater than 10 in-lb.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel, multi-stage irradiation process for the production of an acrylic-based adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The first irradiation step or stage employs electromagnetic radiation at a relatively low average intensity (i.e., 0.1 to 20 mW/cm2) and the subsequent step employs electromagnetic radiation at a relatively higher average intensity (i.e., greater than 20 mW/cm2.) Also disclosed are acrylic-based psa tape materials made by the novel process.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides an energy efficient polymerization method comprising irradiating a polymerizable composition and a photoinitiator with a source of essentially monochromatic radiation where the photoinitiator and the wavelength of the radiation source are selected such that the extinction coefficient of the photoinitiator at the peak wavelength of the source is greater than about 1000 M−1 cm−1 and such that the photoinitiator absorbs at least two percent of the actinic radiation incident on the coating.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides an energy efficient polymerization method comprising irradiating a polymerizable composition and a photoinitiator with a source of essentially monochromatic radiation where the photoinitiator and the wavelength of the radiation source are selected such that the extinction coefficient of the photoinitiator at the peak wavelength of the source is greater than about 1000 M−1 cm−1 and such that the photoinitiator absorbs at least two percent of the actinic radiation incident on the coating. In another aspect the invention provides energy efficient methods of polymerizing polymerizable compositions and crosslinking crosslinkable compositions by irradiating the respective compositions with a low power source of essentially monochromatic radiation. The low power energy sources have an input power of less than about 10 W/cm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel, multi-stage irradiation process for the production of acrylic-based compositions such as adhesives or pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes. The first irradiation step or stage employs electromagnetic radiation at a relatively low average intensity (i.e., 0.1 to 20 mW/cm2) to effect a relatively low extent of monomer conversion, and the subsequent step employs electromagnetic radiation at a relatively higher average intensity (i.e., greater than 20 mW/cm2) to complete the photopolymerization. Also disclosed are acrylic-based psa tape materials made by the novel process.

Abstract: Solute polymers in solvent monomers form a coatable syrup that can be cured to a viscoelastomeric material when radiation-sensitive .alpha.-cleaving groups in either the polymer or one of the monomers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The solute polymers can be formed from the solvent monomers in situ or be added thereto to form the syrup.

Abstract: A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device comprises a multiplicity of droplets of a birefringent, functionally nematic liquid crystal material dispersed in a matrix comprising the reaction product of ultraviolet radiation polymerizable materials. The device specularly transmits incident light as a function of the magnitude of an electric field applied across the device. The difference between a first applied voltage corresponding to a first percentage of the total incident light transmitted by the device as specular light and a second applied voltage corresponding to a second percentage of the total incident light transmitted by the device as specular light is greater than or equal to 15 volts. As a result, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device according to the invention displays a variable grey scale which has a uniform optical transmission. A method for preparing a PDLC device in general is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optically responsive film that includes liquid crystal dispersed in a crosslinked polymer matrix that includes the reaction product of an isotropic polymerizable mixture that includes at least one vinyl ether.

Abstract: An optically responsive film that includes liquid crystal dispersed in a polymer matrix that includes the reaction product of (1) one or more polymerizable matrix reactants other than an acid reactant and (2) at least one copolymerizable acid reactant.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optically responsive film in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a matrix that includes siloxane linkages. The film has a transmissivity at -20.degree. C. that is substantially the same as the transmissivity at 20.degree. C. and a V.sub.90 at -20.degree. C. that is less than twice the value at 20.degree. C.In another aspect, an optically responsive film in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a matrix that includes the polymerization product of at least one mercapto-functional siloxane.In another aspect, an optically responsive film in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a matrix that includes the polymerization product of at least one multi-functional ene and at least one multi-functional silicon hydride.In another aspect, an optically responsive film in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a matrix that includes the reaction product of at least one multi-functional vinyl silane and at least one multi-functional thiol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and a method for producing the same. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is produced by the combination of at least one free-radically photopolymerizable monomer and at least one cationically polymerizable monomer and a suitable photoinitiation system consisting of at least one salt of a cationic organometallic complex, an optional additional free-radical initiator and the application of sufficient energy to photopolymerize same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and a method for producing the same. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is produced by the combination of at least one free-radically photopolymerizable monomer and at least one set of polyurethane precursors, and a suitable photoinitiation system consisting of at least one salt of a cationic organometallic complex, an additional free-radical photo initiator and the application of sufficient energy to photopolymerize same by sequential exposure to visible electromagnetic radiation and then to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.