Abstract: A method for making an antimicrobial composite film can include forming a first coating layer by applying a first coating material on a substrate and forming a second coating layer by applying a second coating material on the first coating layer. The first coating material can comprise a first resin. The second coating material can comprise an antimicrobial material in a second resin or a dispersion. The first coating material can have a lower concentration of the antimicrobial material than the second coating material. The first and second coating layers can cooperatively define a composite film. The antimicrobial material can be asymmetrically dispersed in the composite film such that the antimicrobial material is concentrated closer to the outer surface of the composite film than to the inner surface of the composite film.

Abstract: Polymer-based portions comprise an index of refraction ranging from about 1.49 to about 1.55. In some embodiments, the polymer-based portion comprises the product of curing 45-75 wt % of a difunctional urethane-acrylate oligomer with 25-55 wt % of a difunctional cross-linking agent and optionally a reactive diluent. In some embodiments, the polymer-based portion comprises the product of curing 75-100 wt % of a reactive diluent and optionally one or more a difunctional urethane-acrylate oligomer and/or a difunctional cross-linking agent. Adhesives comprise an index of refraction ranging from about 1.49 to about 1.55. In some embodiments, the adhesive comprises the product of heating 10-35 wt % of a silane-hydride-terminated siloxane and 65-90 wt % of a vinyl-terminated siloxane. In some embodiments, the adhesive comprises the product of irradiating a thiol-containing siloxane and a photo-initiator with at least one wavelength of light that the photo-initiator is sensitive to.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to pharmaceutical packages that include a coating that comprises polysilazane, and methods for the production of such. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a pharmaceutical package may include a glass container comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface may be an outer surface of the glass container. The pharmaceutical package may further include a coating positioned over at least a portion of the first surface of the glass container. The coating may include polysilazane.

Abstract: Optically transparent fiber glass cover substrates for electronic displays. The cover substrates include an optically transparent fiberglass composite layer including a fiberglass layer embedded in a matrix material and an optically transparent hard-coat layer bonded to a top surface of the optically transparent fiberglass composite layer. A bottom surface of the optically transparent fiberglass composite layer may define a bottommost exterior surface of a cover substrate. The bottommost exterior surface of a cover substrate may be disposed over a display surface of an electronic display to protect the display surface from damage.

Abstract: Described herein are articles and methods of making articles, including a transparent composite film having a fiber filler embedded in a polymer network. The polymer network of the transparent composite film is a cured, cross-linked matrix including a first and second structure segment. The structure segments may contribute or impart improved properties in the transparent composite film. The select structure segments can provide increased modulus and reduced glass transition temperature thereby allowing for a desirable balance of flexibility and rigidity in the transparent composite film. The improved transparent composite film is suitable for many applications including use in display devices.

Abstract: Described herein are articles and methods of making articles, including a transparent composite film having a fiber filler embedded in a polymer network and further including a hard coating. The polymer network of the film is a cured, cross-linked matrix. The hard coating is a cross-linked aromatic urethane acrylate oligomer and a photoinitiator and provides a flexible protective layer that maintains good hardness, puncture-resistance and scratch-resistance.

Abstract: Polymer-based portions comprise an index of refraction ranging from about 1.49 to about 1.55. In some embodiments, the polymer-based portion comprises the product of curing 45-75 wt % of a difunctional urethane-acrylate oligomer with 25-55 wt % of a difunctional cross-linking agent and optionally a reactive diluent. In some embodiments, the polymer-based portion comprises the product of curing 75-100 wt % of a reactive diluent and optionally one or more a difunctional urethane-acrylate oligomer and/or a difunctional cross-linking agent. Adhesives comprise an index of refraction ranging from about 1.49 to about 1.55. In some embodiments, the adhesive comprises the product of heating 10-35 wt % of a silane-hydride-terminated siloxane and 65-90 wt % of a vinyl-terminated siloxane. In some embodiments, the adhesive comprises the product of irradiating a thiol-containing siloxane and a photo-initiator with at least one wavelength of light that the photo-initiator is sensitive to.

Abstract: Optically transparent fiber glass cover substrates for electronic displays. The cover substrates include an optically transparent fiberglass composite layer including a fiberglass layer embedded in a matrix material and an optically transparent hard-coat layer bonded to a top surface of the optically transparent fiberglass composite layer. A bottom surface of the optically transparent fiberglass composite layer may define a bottommost exterior surface of a cover substrate. The bottommost exterior surface of a cover substrate may be disposed over a display surface of an electronic display to protect the display surface from damage.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to pharmaceutical packages that include a coating that comprises polysilazane, and methods for the production of such. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a pharmaceutical package may include a glass container comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface may be an outer surface of the glass container. The pharmaceutical package may further include a coating positioned over at least a portion of the first surface of the glass container. The coating may include polysilazane.

Abstract: Described herein are articles and methods of making articles, including a transparent composite film having a fiber filler embedded in a polymer network. The polymer network of the transparent composite film is a cured, cross-linked matrix including a first and second structure segment. The structure segments may contribute or impart improved properties in the transparent composite film. The select structure segments can provide increased modulus and reduced glass transition temperature thereby allowing for a desirable balance of flexibility and rigidity in the transparent composite film. The improved transparent composite film is suitable for many applications including use in display devices.

Abstract: Described herein are articles and methods of making articles, including a transparent composite film having a fiber filler embedded in a polymer network and further including a hard coating. The polymer network of the film is a cured, cross-linked matrix. The hard coating is a cross-linked aromatic urethane acrylate oligomer and a photoinitiator and provides a flexible protective layer that maintains good hardness, puncture-resistance and scratch-resistance.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers and a ribbon matrix having an inner matrix surrounding and encapsulating the optical fibers, wherein the inner matrix is the cured product of an inner matrix composition substantially free of oligomer components, and an outer matrix surrounding the inner matrix, wherein the outer matrix is the cured product of an outer matrix composition substantially free of oligomer components.

Abstract: An optical fiber coating composition is provided. The optical fiber coating composition includes a radiation-curable component, a photoinitiator, and an acrylic polymer having at least one benzophenone group.

Abstract: A radiation curable composition is disclosed that includes a curable cross-linker essentially free of urethane and urea functional groups, a curable diluent, and a non-radiation curable component comprising (thio)urethane and/or urea groups. Coated optical fibers having a primary coating formed from this radiation curable composition, as well as optical fiber ribbons that contain the coated optical fibers are disclosed. Methods of making the optical fibers and ribbons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coating composition including a reinforcing agent. The coating composition may include one or more radiation-curable monofunctional monomers, one or more radiation-curable multifunctional monomers or oligomers, a photoinitiator, and a reinforcing agent. The monofunctional monomers, multifunctional monomers, and multifunctional oligomers may include acrylate groups. The reinforcing agent may be an acrylic co-polymer that includes two or more repeat units. At least one of the repeat units includes chemical groups that enable self-association of the acrylic co-polymer. Self-association of the acrylic co-polymer may improve the tensile strength of coatings formed from the coating compositions.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing urethane-free polyfunctional acrylate compounds. The method includes reaction of a polyol with acrylic acid in the presence of an inhibitor. A catalyst may also be present. The catalyst may be an acid and the inhibitor may be a substituted phenol compound. Excess acid may be removed by adding a salt and excess water may be removed by adding a drying agent. The reaction converts alcohol groups of the polyol to acrylate groups to provide a radiation-curable polyfunctional acrylate compound. The reaction is applicable to polyols generally and provides a scalable high yield process for forming urethane-free polyfunctional acrylates over a wide range of molecular weights. Coatings made from the acrylate products exhibit modulus and tensile strength characteristics favorable for primary fiber coatings.

Abstract: An optical fiber is disclosed that includes a primary coating formed from a radiation curable composition that includes a curable cross-linker essentially free of urethane and urea functional groups, a curable diluent, and a non-radiation curable component comprising (thio)urethane and/or (thio)urea groups. The primary coating features low Young's modulus, low Tg, and high tensile strength. The optical fiber exhibits low microbend losses in wire mesh drum and basketweave tests.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers and a ribbon matrix having an inner matrix surrounding and encapsulating the optical fibers, wherein the inner matrix is the cured product of an inner matrix composition substantially free of oligomer components, and an outer matrix surrounding the inner matrix, wherein the outer matrix is the cured product of an outer matrix composition substantially free of oligomer components.

Abstract: A non-radiation curable reinforcing agent for optical fiber coatings and coating compositions. The reinforcing agent includes structurally flexible soft block segments and structurally rigid hard block segments. The soft block segments and hard block segments include urethane or urea linkages and act as strengthening additives in optical fiber coatings. Strength reinforcement occurs through interactions of the reinforcing agent with the polymeric network formed from curable components of the coating composition. Interactions include physical entanglements and hydrogen bonding. Soft block segments include block units that may include high molecular weight polyol linkages and soft block segments include block units that may include low molecular weight alkylene linkages. Coatings that include the reinforcing agents exhibit low Young's modulus, high tensile strength, and low glass transition temperatures and are suitable for use as primary coatings in optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber coating composition is provided. The optical fiber coating composition includes a radiation-curable component, a photoinitiator, and an acrylic polymer having at least one benzophenone group.