Abstract: Multilayer articles comprising a coating layer comprising resorcinol arylate chain members bound to a support substrate via an optional intermediate tie layer. Adhesion between the layers of the multilayer article is enhanced by modifying at least a part of a surface of at least one of the layers in the multilayer article by a technique selected from at least one of: surface adhesive treatment, surface corona treatment, flame treatment, plasma surface treatment, vacuum deposition treatment, ionization radiation, chemical surface treatment, surface abrasion treatment, and surface texturing treating.

Abstract: Multilayer articles comprising a coating layer comprising resorcinol arylate chain members bound to a support substrate via an optional intermediate tie layer. Adhesion between the layers of the multilayer article is enhanced by modifying at least a part of a surface of at least one of the layers in the multilayer article by a technique selected from at least one of: surface adhesive treatment, surface corona treatment, flame treatment, plasma surface treatment, vacuum deposition treatment, ionization radiation, chemical surface treatment, surface abrasion treatment, and surface texturing treating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biaxially oriented multilayer film comprising at least two layers A-B, wherein A and B represent separate layers at least one of which layers comprises a polyimide having a Tg of greater than about 200° C., wherein the film has a CTE of less than 35 ppm/° C., and wherein A comprises 60 wt. %-100 wt. % of amorphous polymer with 0 wt. %-40 wt. % of crystallizable polymer, and B comprises 60 wt. %-100 wt. % crystallizable polymer with 0 wt. %-40 wt. % amorphous polymer, the relative thicknesses of layer A to layer B are in a ratio in a range of between 1:5 and 1:100, and the thickness of the film is in a range of between 5 ?m and 125 ?m. Also disclosed is a biaxially oriented monolithic film comprising a polyimide with structural units formally derived from 3,4-diaminodiphenylether and 4,4-oxydiphthalic anhydride. Laminates comprising the films and methods for making film and laminate are also disclosed. Articles comprising a film or laminate of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a film or sheet comprises deforming a polymeric alloy at a temperature effective to impart to the deformed alloy a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 750 nanometers. A method eliminating comets and veins in an optical film or sheet comprises annealing the film or sheet to a temperature greater than the lowest glass transition temperature of the polymeric resins contained in the alloy. A composition comprises a first polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %; and a second polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %, wherein the polymeric resins are blended with a deforming force effective to produce a polymeric alloy having a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 750 nanometers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an appliance for use in an oral cavity, wherein the appliance comprises a polymeric shell that comprises a polymeric mixture, and further wherein the polymeric shell has cavities designed to receive teeth. Disclosed herein too is a method for maintaining or repositioning teeth in the oral cavity comprising placing an appliance in a patient's mouth, wherein the appliance comprises a polymeric shell that comprises a polymeric mixture, and further wherein the polymeric shell has cavities designed to receive teeth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an appliance for use in an oral cavity, wherein the appliance comprises a polymeric shell that comprises a polymeric mixture, and further wherein the polymeric shell has cavities designed to receive teeth. Disclosed herein too is a method for maintaining or repositioning teeth in the oral cavity comprising placing an appliance in a patient's mouth, wherein the appliance comprises a polymeric shell that comprises a polymeric mixture, and further wherein the polymeric shell has cavities designed to receive teeth.

Abstract: A method for producing a polycarbonate article having improved ultraviolet protection, the method comprising extruding a substrate comprising polycarbonate; impregnating an ultraviolet radiation absorber into a surface of the substrate to form an interlayer; and laminating a weatherable film onto the interlayer of the substrate. This method allows a weatherable acrylic film to be uniformly applied to the substrate to provide long term anti-yellowing performance. Articles made by this dual-layer process have excellent weathering performance for extended periods of time and can be employed in the production of commercial signs.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a film or sheet comprises deforming a polymeric alloy at a temperature effective to impart to the deformed alloy a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 350 nanometers. A method of substantially eliminating comets and veins in an optical film or sheet comprises annealing the film or sheet comprising a polymeric alloy to a temperature proximate to a glass transition temperature of a polymeric resin contained in the alloy. A composition comprises a first polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %; and a second polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %, wherein the polymeric resins are treated with a deforming force or with an energy effective to produce a polymeric alloy having a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 350 nanometers or with a birefringence retardation of less than or equal to about 150 nanometers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the extrusion process can comprise: feeding a thermoplastic polycarbonate resin to an extruder; heating the resin to a temperature sufficient to attain a melt viscosity of less than or equal to about 300 Pa.s; extruding the heated resin; and passing the extruded resin through a gap between two solid metal calendering rolls to produce a film. The film has a birefringence of less than or equal to about 50 nm.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a film or sheet comprises deforming a polymeric alloy at a temperature effective to impart to the deformed alloy a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 750 nanometers. A method eliminating comets and veins in an optical film or sheet comprises annealing the film or sheet to a temperature greater than the lowest glass transition temperature of the polymeric resins contained in the alloy. A composition comprises a first polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %; and a second polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %, wherein the polymeric resins are blended with a deforming force effective to produce a polymeric alloy having a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 750 nanometers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring ripple and distortion levels in a transparent sheet (or film) material is provided. The apparatus includes a light source for projecting light beams onto a screen. A frame assembly is positioned intermediate to the light source and is adapted to hold the transparent sheet material at a predetermined angle and distance from the screen. The light beams pass though the transparent sheet material and projects an image onto the screen. The process includes digitally capturing the image and generating parameter signals from the digital image. The parameter signals are used in a model to quantitatively assign a value to the level of ripple and distortion present in the transparent sheet material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an appliance for use in an oral cavity, wherein the appliance comprises a polymeric shell that comprises a polymeric mixture, and further wherein the polymeric shell has cavities designed to receive teeth. Disclosed herein too is a method for maintaining or repositioning teeth in the oral cavity comprising placing an appliance in a patient's mouth, wherein the appliance comprises a polymeric shell that comprises a polymeric mixture, and further wherein the polymeric shell has cavities designed to receive teeth.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a film or sheet comprises deforming a polymeric alloy at a temperature effective to impart to the deformed alloy a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 350 nanometers. A method of substantially eliminating comets and veins in an optical film or sheet comprises annealing the film or sheet comprising a polymeric alloy to a temperature proximate to a glass transition temperature of a polymeric resin contained in the alloy. A composition comprises a first polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %; and a second polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %, wherein the polymeric resins are treated with a deforming force or with an energy effective to produce a polymeric alloy having a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 350 nanometers or with a birefringence retardation of less than or equal to about 150 nanometers.

Abstract: Multilayer articles comprising a coating layer comprising resorcinol arylate chain members bound to a support substrate via an optional intermediate tie layer. Adhesion between the layers of the multilayer article is enhanced by modifying at least a part of a surface of at least one of the layers in the multilayer article by a technique selected from at least one of: surface adhesive treatment, surface corona treatment, flame treatment, plasma surface treatment, vacuum deposition treatment, ionization radiation, chemical surface treatment, surface abrasion treatment, and surface texturing treating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring ripple and distortion levels in a transparent sheet (or film) material is provided. The apparatus includes a light source for projecting light beams onto a screen. A frame assembly is positioned intermediate to the light source and is adapted to hold the transparent sheet material at a predetermined angle and distance from the screen. The light beams pass though the transparent sheet material and projects an image onto the screen. The process includes digitally capturing the image and generating parameter signals from the digital image. The parameter signals are used in a model to quantitatively assign a value to the level of ripple and distortion present in the transparent sheet material.

Abstract: A process for producing a polycarbonate film suitable for optical media applications having a birefringence of less than about 50 nm and low stress wherein the polycarbonate has a weight average molecular weight of about 30,000 or less and preferably 13,000 to about 25,000, extruding the polycarbonate film at a temperature of about 275° C. to about 360° C., the polycarbonate has a melt viscosity of about 100 to about 275 Pascal and a thickness of about 100 to about 600 &mgr;m, advancing the melted polymer film into a gap between two calendering rolls which calendaring rolls are at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, advancing the melted polycarbonate film through the gap and cooling the polycarbonate film wherein the polycarbonate film is extruded at the rate of about 10 to 100 feet per minute; and to a polycarbonate film prepared by the process above described.

Abstract: A method for producing a polycarbonate article having improved ultraviolet protection, the method comprising extruding a substrate comprising polycarbonate; impregnating an ultraviolet radiation absorber into a surface of the substrate to form an interlayer; and laminating a weatherable film onto the interlayer of the substrate. This method allows a very thin weatherable acrylic film to be uniformly applied to the substrate to provide long term anti-yellowing performance. Articles made by this dual-layer process have excellent weathering performance for extended periods of time and can be employed in the production of commercial signs.