Abstract: A barrier film having excellent low oxygen permeability is provided and includes a flexible polymeric substrate having an adherent amorphous carbon coating. The coating is applied by generating a gas plasma from a hydrocarbon gas within a coating chamber such that ions in the gas plasma impinge upon the polymeric substrate. A barrier film having an ultra low oxygen permeability is produced by coating a second polymeric substrate over the amorphous carbon coating.

Abstract: A multilayer metal/organic polymer composite which has a formable thermoplastic polymer layer, a first metal layer adhered to the polymer layer and a second metal layer adhered to the first metal layer. The first metal layer is formed either from one metal or from an alloy of two or more metals. Suitable alloys are those which begin melting at a temperature within a range of from about 85 to 150 percent of the forming temperatures in degrees Kelvin of the polymer layer. If the first metal layer is formed from one metal, the metal is suitably, copper, silver, nickel or manganese. The second metal layer is a metal or an alloy of two or more metals that melts at a temperature which is less than that at which the first metal layer melts.

Abstract: A multilayer metal/organic polymer composite which has a formable thermoplastic polymer layer, a first metal layer adhered to the polymer layer and a second metal layer adhered to the first metal layer. The first metal layer is formed either from one metal or from an alloy of two or more metals. Suitable alloys are those which begin melting at a temperature within a range of from about 85 to 150 percent of the forming temperatures in degrees Kelvin of the polymer layer. If the first meal layer is formed from one metal, the metal is suitably, copper, silver, nickel or manganese. The second metal layer is a metal or an alloy of two or more metals that melts at a temperature which is less than that at which the first metal layer melts.

Abstract: A multilayer, metal/organic polymer composite exhibiting excellent resistance to delamination after thermoforming is provided by metallizing a substrate layer of thermoplastic organic polymer such as polystyrene or polycarbonate film and bonding the exposed metal surface to a structural plastic with a soft adhesive layer. Subsequently, the multilayer composite or at least a portion thereof can be shaped into an article which may be structurally reinforced by casting an elastomeric or rigid foamed polymer such as polyurethane foam into a cavity defined by the composite. The multilayer composites are useful in the manufacture of reflective and decorative parts for automobiles and other vehicles of transportation, as well as high barrier packages for foods and electroconductive elements.

Abstract: A multilayer, metal/organic polymer composite exhibiting high specular reflectivity even after substantial elongation is provided by metallizing a layer of thermoplastic organic polymer such as polystyrene or polycarbonate film with a normally solid soft metal such as indium or an alloy of tin and cadmium. Subsequently the multilayer composite or at least a portion thereof can be stretched or elongated by more than 10 percent in both the longitudinal and traverse directions without losing its initial specular reflectivity. Articles fabricated of the multilayer composite may be structurally reinforced by casting an elastomeric or rigid foam polymer such as polyurethane into a cavity defined by the composite. The multilayer composites are useful in the manufacture of reflective and decorative parts for automobiles and other vehicles of transportation, as well as high barrier packages for foods and electroconductive elements.

Abstract: A multilayer, metal/organic polymer composite, exhibiting high specular reflectivity even after substantial elongation, is provided by metallizing a layer of thermoplastic organic polymers such as polystyrene or polycarbonate film with a normally solid soft metal such as indium or an alloy of tin and cadmium. Subsequently the multilayer composite or at least a portion thereof can be stretched or elongated by more than 10 percent in both the longitudinal and traverse directions without losing its initial specular reflectivity. Articles fabricated of the multilayer composite may be structurally reinforced by casting an elastomeric or rigid foam polymer such as polyurethane into a cavity defined by the deposit. The multilayer composites are useful in the manufacture of reflective and decorative parts for automobiles and other vehicles of transportation, as well as high barrier packages for foods and electroconductive elements.