Abstract: A conductivity sensor (16) and control circuit (18) for determining the conductivity of a fluid is provided. Conductivity sensor (16) is formed of a first annular electrode (24) spaced apart from a second annular electrode (26) having a tubular portion (28) therebetween. The first annular electrode (24) and the second annular electrode (26) are coupled to a control circuit (18). The control circuit (18) preferably includes a square wave generating circuit (40), a current-to-voltage converter circuit (42) coupled to one of the electrodes, a buffer circuit (44) coupled to the other one of the electrodes, a synchronous detector circuit (46). The synchronous detector circuit (46) is operated using the square wave from square wave generator circuit (40). By oscillating between a negative and positive gain, a constant direct current output corresponding to the conductivity of the fluid between the first annular electrode and second annular electrode is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interior automotive trim member comprising a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material bonded to and overlying the backing substrate, and a soft skin formed of polyolefinic material. The soft skin is bonded to and overlies the layer of elastomeric material. The soft skin is cured by electron beam curing. The present invention also relates to a method of making a soft skin for use with an interior automotive trim member comprising a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material bonded to and overlying the backing substrate, and the soft skin bonded to and overlying the layer of elastomeric material. The method comprises providing a polyolefinic material, and exposing the polyolefinic material to electron beam radiation to cure the polyolefinic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the electrical conductivity of a liquid comprises an electrically insulating housing through which the liquid flows, and four electrodes inserted into the path of the liquid flowing through the housing. The first and third electrodes are current electrodes and the second and fourth electrodes are voltage electrodes. An AC current is injected into the first current electrode and exits at the second current electrode, with the resulting AC voltage across the voltage electrodes being measured. The first current electrode is driven to maintain a constant value of AC voltage on the voltage electrodes while measuring the current flow in the second current electrode which is representative of the electrical conductivity of the liquid. A DC bias voltage source is provided and is coupled to each of the electrodes by a resistor and a capacitor to prevent coating or plating of the electrodes.

Abstract: Crosslinked, preferably acrylic, preferably melamine crosslinked, polymer particles formed by reactions comprising free radical addition polymerization of:(a) between about 0.5 and about 20 weight percent each of first and second monomers, each bearing functionality capable of crosslinking reaction with the other, wherein (i) either both additionally are ethylenically unsaturated monomers or (ii) the first monomer additionally is ethylenically unsaturated and the second monomer bears multiple crosslinking functionality and no ethylenic unsaturation; and(b) between about 60 and about 99 weight percent of at least one other monoethylenically unsaturated monomer;in the presence of (I) an organic liquid which is a solvent for the polymerizable monomers, but a non-solvent for the resultant polymer, and (II) polymeric dispersion stabilizer bearing one long chain non-polar hydrocarbon molecule and one vinyl unsaturation.

Abstract: Crosslinked, preferably acrylic, preferably melamine crosslinked, polymer particles formed by reactions comprising free radical addition polymerization of:(a) between about 0.5 and about 20 weight percent each of first and second monomers, each bearing functionality capable of crosslinking reaction with the other, wherein either both additionally are ethylenically unsaturated monomers or the first monomer additionally is ethylenically unsaturated and the second monomer bears multiple crosslinking functionality and no ethylenic unsaturation; and(b) between about 60 and about 99 weight percent of at least one other monoethylenically unsaturated monomer;in the presence of (I) an organic liquid which is a solvent for the polymerizable monomers, but a non-solvent for the resultant polymer, and (II) polymeric dispersion stabilizer bearing, on the average, more than one long chain non-polar hydrocarbon molecules and at least one pendant vinyl unsaturation.

Abstract: A low dosage radiation polymerizable protective and decorative coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processess for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable coating composition comprises an organic resin/monomer mixture of:(A) between about 97 and about 3 weight percent alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about 0.5 and about 5 vinyl unsaturation units per 1000 molecular weight of said resin, and(B) between about 3 and about 97 weight percent vinyl monomers polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to radiation, characterized in that said vinyl monomers include N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone in an amount of from about 3 and up to about 10 weight percent based on the total weight of (A) and (B).The flexible coating exhibits excellent physical qualtities and good adhesion to a variety of substrates being particularly suitable for use on vinyl chloride fabric, wherein it is discoloration resistant after heat aging.

Abstract: A low dosage electron beam radiation polymerizable protective and decorative coating composition or paint with improved weatherability, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processes for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable coating composition comprises an organic resin/monomer mixture of:(A) between about 97 and about 3 weight percent alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about 0.5 and about 5 vinyl unsaturation units per 1000 molecular weight of said resin; and(B) between about 3 and about 97 weight percent vinyl monomers polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to radiation, characterized in that said vinyl monomers include N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone in an amount of between about 3 and about 20 weight percent based on the total weight of (A) and (B); and(C) about 0.5 to about 5.

Abstract: A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective radiation polymerizable paint which, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis, consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) between about 90 and about 10 parts of a saturated, thermoplastic vinyl polymer prepared from at least about 85 weight percent of monofunctional vinyl monomers; (2) between about 10 and about 90 parts of vinyl solvent monomers for said vinyl polymer, at least about 10 weight percent, preferably at least about 30 weight percent, of said solvent monomers being selected from the group consisting of divinyl monomers, trivinyl monomers, tetravinyl monomers and mixtures thereof; and (3) between about 1.0 and about 15.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said thermoplastic vinyl polymer and said vinyl solvent monomers of a triester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation.

Abstract: A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective radiation polymerizable paint, which on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) between about 90 and about 10 parts of a thermoplastic vinyl polymer free of olefinic unsaturation and prepared from at least about 85 weight percent of monofunctional vinyl monomers: (2) between about 10 and about 90 parts of vinyl solvent monomers for said vinyl polymer, at least about 10 weight percent, preferably at least about 30 weight percent, of said solvent monomers being selected from the group consisting of divinyl monomers, trivinyl monomers, tetravinyl monomers and mixtures thereof; and (3) between about 0.05 and about 1.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said thermoplastic vinyl polymer and said vinyl solvent monomers of a mono- or diester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation.

Abstract: A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processes for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable paint, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about 0.5 and about 5 units of olefinic unsaturation per 1,000 units of molecular weight; (2) a compound polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to ionizing radiation; and (3) between about 0.05 and about 1.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated resin and said compound polymerizable therewith of a mono- or diester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals.

Abstract: A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processes for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable paint, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about .5 and about 5 units of olefinic unsaturation per 1,000 units of molecular weight; (2) a compound polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to ionizing radiation; and (3) between about 1.0 and about 15.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated resin and said compound polymerizable therewith of a triester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals.

Abstract: A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processes for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable paint, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about .5 and about 5 units of olefinic unsaturation per 1,000 units of molecular weight; (2) a compound polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to ionizing radiation; and (3) between about 1.0 and about 15.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated resin and said compound polymerizable therewith of a triester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals.

Abstract: A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective radiation polymerizable paint, which on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) between about 90 and about 10 parts of a saturated, thermoplastic vinyl polymer prepared from at least about 85 weight percent of monofunctional vinyl monomers: (2) between about 10 and about 90 parts of vinyl solvent monomers for said vinyl polymer, at least about 10 weight percent, preferably at least about 30 weight percent, of said solvent monomers being selected from the group consisting of divinyl monomers, trivinyl monomers, tetravinyl monomers and mixtures thereof; and (3) between about 0.05 and about 1.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said thermoplastic vinyl polymer and said vinyl solvent monomers of a mono- or diester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation.

Abstract: A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processes for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable paint, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about 0.5 and about 5 units of olefinic unsaturation per 1,000 units of molecular weight; (2) a compound polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to ionizing radiation; and (3) between about 0.05 and about 1.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated resin and said compound polymerizable therewith of a mono-or diester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals.

Abstract: A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective radiation polymerizable paint which, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis, consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) between about 90 and about 10 parts of a saturated, thermoplastic vinyl polymer prepared from at least about 85 weight percent of monofunctional vinyl monomers; (2) between about 10 and about 90 parts of vinyl solvent monomers for said vinyl polymer, at least about 10 weight percent, preferably at least about 30 weight percent, of said solvent monomers being selected from the group consisting of divinyl monomers, trivinyl monomers, tetravinyl monomers and mixtures thereof; and (3) between about 1.0 and about 15.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said thermoplastic vinyl polymer and said vinyl solvent monomers of a triester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation.