Abstract: Anionic waterborne polyurethane dispersions are formed in the presence of polyfluorooxetane oligomers, polymers, or copolymers so that the polyfluorooxetanes are incorporated in the polyurethane. Coatings made from such polyurethanes have good low temperature flexibility, good chemical resistance and abrasion resistance, as well as a low coefficient of friction. Alternatively, the anionic water borne polyurethane dispersion can be blended with vinyl ester monomers such as various acrylates and subsequently polymerized by radiation, for example ultraviolet light, to form a comingled blend of at least two different types of polymers.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers and polymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. The fluorooxetane oligomers or polymers can be copolymerized with generally cyclic ethers. Alternatively, the polyfluorooxetane oligomer or polymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers and polymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. The fluorooxetane oligomers or polymers can be copolymerized with generally cyclic ethers. Alternatively, the polyfluorooxetane oligomer or polymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils.

Abstract: A polyoxetane-polyester polymer comprising a hydroxyl terminated polyoxetane prepolymer containing repeat units derived from polymerized oxetane monomers having one or two pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf groups wherein Rf is partially or fully fluorinated, where the polyoxetane prepolymer is esterified with polyester forming reactants to form the polyoxetane-polyester polymer, and said polymer is mixed with a reactive lower alkyl etherified melamine-formaldehyde to form a thermoformable coating composition. The coating composition is partially cured in a first stage heating at less than about 180° F. to provide a thermoformable partially cured, tack-free, non-blocking, coating layer, followed by application to generally a contoured substrate and thermoformed to conform thereto. The contoured partially cured coating layer is then heat cured at temperatures above at least 180° F. for time sufficient to form a cured coating.

Abstract: A co-mingled polyurethane-polyvinyl ester composition can be used as a coating, which has good scratch, mar and solvent resistance. The coating is derived from a waterborne polyurethane solution containing free radically polymerizable monomers such as acrylate, ultraviolet light initiators, and optionally urethane crosslinking agents. A process for forming the co-mingled polyurethane-polyvinyl ester composition comprises drying the waterborne polyurethane containing the polymerizable monomers therein and radiation polymerizing, as by ultraviolet light, the free radically polymerizable monomers on a substrate such as a plastic sheet to form a laminate. Subsequently, the laminate can be utilized to form a coating on a product as by thermoforming, where if urethane crosslinking agents are utilized, the polyurethane will be crosslinked.

Abstract: A large width single-ply heat-weldable roof membrane. The roof membrane includes at least two sheets of a thermoplastic polyolefin and one fold strip of a thermoplastic elastomer. The sheets have side edges. The fold strip is bonded to the sheets to join the sheets and form the large width single-ply roof membrane. The thermoplastic elastomer consists of a highly cross-linked rubbery polymer and a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A substrate having an adherent and stain resistant layer having durability and flexibility, said layer comprising the reaction product of a reactive polyester having free carboxylic acid and/or hydroxyl groups, a hydroxyl terminated polymer including repeat units from an oxetane having pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf groups (said Rf groups generally being a fluorinated alkyl group) and an amino resin curative. The substrate may be printed or embossed or both. The coated substrate has both stain resistant properties and dry erase properties with dry erase markers. The coated substrate can be used as prepared or applied to other substrates.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers and polymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. The fluorooxetane oligomers or polymers can be copolymerized with generally cyclic ethers. Alternatively, the polyfluorooxetane oligomer or polymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying a bead of TPO or TPE adhesive between a talc-free first roofing membrane and an overlapping talc-free second roofing membrane. The apparatus includes a movably supported chassis and an extruder attached to the chassis having a nozzle including an outlet having at least one opening for applying the TPO or TPE adhesive between the first membrane and the overlapping second membrane to adhere the overlapping second membrane to the first membrane. The TPO or TPE adhesive is heated within the apparatus allowing application along the seam between the first and second membranes. The outlet of the nozzle is positioned between the first and second membranes with the TPO or TPE adhesive applied between the overlapping portions of the membranes while pressing the overlapping first and second membranes to hold the overlapping portions together.

Abstract: A polyester polymer including at least one polyoxetane block of repeating units derived from polymerizing at least one oxetane monomer having at least one pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n— Rf group wherein said Rf group is partially or fully fluorinated is described. A preferred process for forming said polymer by reacting the hydroxyl terminated polymer with a polycarboxylic acid under appropriate conditions to form an ester linkage and then adding and reacting that product with polyester forming reactants.

Abstract: Anionic waterborne polyurethane dispersions are formed in the presence of polyfluorooxetane oligomers, polymers, or copolymers so that the polyfluorooxetanes are incorporated in the polyurethane. Coatings made from such polyurethanes have good low temperature flexibility, good chemical resistance, stain resistance, and abrasion resistance, as well as a low coefficient of friction. Alternatively, the anionic water borne polyurethane dispersion can be blended with vinyl ester monomers such as various acrylates and subsequently polymerized by radiation, for example ultraviolet light, to form a comingled blend of at least two different types of polymers. Another embodiment relates to a preformed copolymer made by reacting the polyfluorooxetane oligomer, polymer, or copolymer with a polycarboxylic acid such as a dicarboxylic acid and subsequently reacting the same with a polyol intermediate, such as a polymer, or with monomers forming the polyol intermediate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying a bead of TPO or TPE adhesive between a talc-free first roofing membrane and an overlapping talc-free second roofing membrane. The apparatus includes a movably supported chassis and an extruder attached to the chassis having a nozzle including an outlet having at least one opening for applying the TPO or TPE adhesive between the first membrane and the overlapping second membrane to adhere the overlapping second membrane to the first membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously seaming cured EPDM membrane to form a composite sheet of predetermined width and indefinite length. The method includes the steps of providing at least two rolls of cured EPDM membrane having longitudinal marginal edges and feeding the cured EPDM membrane from the at least two rolls in a first direction. The longitudinal marginal edges of the cured EPDM membranes are positioned in an overlapping relationship as the cured EPDM membranes are fed in the first direction and then the overlapping longitudinal marginal edges are continuously seamed to form a composite sheet of indefinite length.

Abstract: A substrate having an adherent and stain resistant layer having durability and flexibility, said layer comprising the reaction product of a reactive polyester having free carboxylic acid and/or hydroxyl groups, a hydroxyl terminated polymer including repeat units from an oxetane having pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf groups (said Rf groups generally being a fluorinated alkyl group) and an amino resin curative. The substrate may be printed or embossed or both. The coated substrate has both stain resistant properties and dry erase properties with dry erase markers. The coated substrate can be used as prepared or applied to other substrates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively curing a sheet of ethylene-propylene diene termonomer (EPDM) material to form a roofing membrane for installation on a roof deck. The method includes the steps of providing a sheet formed of ethylene-propylene diene termonomer, the sheet having a field and longitudinal edge areas bordering the field; and then simultaneously shielding at least one edge area of the EPDM sheet and exposing at least the field to a source of radiation to cure at least the field of the EPDM sheet and provide a selectively cured EPDM roofing membrane. Also disclosed is the product formed by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively curing a sheet of ethylene-propylene diene termonomer (EPDM) material to form a roofing membrane for installation on a roof deck. The method includes the steps of providing a sheet formed of ethylene-propylene diene termonomer, the sheet having a field and longitudinal edge areas bordering the field; and then simultaneously shielding at least one edge area of the EPDM sheet and exposing at least the field to a source of radiation to cure at least the field of the EPDM sheet and provide a selectively cured EPDM roofing membrane. Also disclosed is the product formed by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying a bead of TPO or TPE adhesive between a talc-free first roofing membrane and an overlapping talc-free second roofing membrane. The apparatus includes a movably supported chassis and an extruder attached to the chassis having a nozzle including an outlet having at least one opening for applying the TPO or TPE adhesive between the first membrane and the overlapping second membrane to adhere the overlapping second membrane to the first membrane. The TPO or TPE adhesive is heated within the apparatus allowing application along the seam between the first and second membranes. The outlet of the nozzle is positioned between the first and second membranes with the TPO or TPE adhesive applied between the overlapping portions of the membranes while pressing the overlapping first and second membranes to hold the overlapping portions together.

Abstract: A heat weldable roofing membrane including a substrate sheet formed of ethylene-propylene diene monomer and a top film layer laminated to at least one surface of the substrate sheet and selected from TPE and TPO.

Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition, as for bonding rubber substrates together or for bonding a rubber substrate to a fabric, comprising a blend of a carboxylated rubber latex as made from styrene, butadiene, and an unsaturated acid monomer, and a natural rubber latex, is sulfur curable and desirably utilizes rubber accelerators. The adhesive composition is substantially free of hydrocarbon solvents and/or tackifiers and has good physical properties such as high peel strength.

Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing and curing in-line a sheet of ethylene-propylene diene monomer to form an EPDM roofing membrane. The method includes the steps of forming a continuous sheet material of ethylene-propylene diene monomer and then continuously heating and pressing the sheet material to partially cure the sheet material and remove any voids within the sheet material. The partially cured sheet material is then continuously fed through a curing oven to fully cure the sheet material to form EPDM roofing membrane.