Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films which may be useful for protecting the leading edges of aircraft from rain and sand erosion are presented. Typical surface protection films comprising two or more layers of a first material alternating with one or more layers of a second material, wherein the first and second materials are different materials, wherein the first and second materials comprise first and second polymers, wherein the first and second materials have a first and second Shore hardness, and wherein the first Shore hardness is greater than the second Shore hardness by more than 5 A or more typically more than 10 A.

Abstract: Polyurethane nanocomposites are provided which include a polyurethane and surface modified silica nanoparticles covalently bound into the polyurethane. High loadings in excess of 30% may be achieved. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are covalently bound to the polyurethane polymer through a linkage derived from a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment. In some embodiments the polyurethane nanocomposite may be provided as a tape or film. In addition, precursors for a polyurethane nanocomposites are provided comprising: a first polyol and surface modified silica nanoparticles dispersed within the first polyol. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are surface-modified by reaction with a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment derived from a second polyol, which may be the same or different from the first polyol.

Abstract: Embodiments can include aqueous coating compositions, modified particles and methods. In an embodiment, an aqueous coating composition is included with particles having an inorganic core, a surface on the outside of the core, an agent including a hydrophobic moiety adhering to the surface, and an agent including a hydrophilic moiety adhering to the surface. The aqueous coating composition can further include a film forming polymer composition including a polymer and water. The particles can be mixed with the polymer composition. In an embodiment, a method of coating a flooring surface is included, the method including applying an aqueous coating composition to a flooring surface and drying the aqueous coating composition. In an embodiment, a particle is included. The particle can include agents including a hydrophobic moiety adhering to the surface of the particle and agents including a hydrophilic moiety adhering to the surface. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Polyurethane nanocomposites are provided which include a polyurethane and surface modified silica nanoparticles covalently bound into the polyurethane. High loadings in excess of 30% may be achieved. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are covalently bound to the polyurethane polymer through a linkage derived from a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment. In some embodiments the polyurethane nanocomposite may be provided as a tape or film. In addition, precursors for a polyurethane nanocomposites are provided comprising: a first polyol and surface modified silica nanoparticles dispersed within the first polyol. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are surface-modified by reaction with a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment derived from a second polyol, which may be the same or different from the first polyol.

Abstract: There are provided curable resin sols having a curable polycyanate ester resin and at least 30 weight percent of an essentially volatile-free, colloidal dispersion of substantially spherical surface-modified silica nanoparticles; wherein the curable resin sol comprises no greater than 200 parts per million by weight alkali metal and alkaline earth metal ions based on the total weight of the silica nanoparticles and curable polycyanate ester resin. There are also provided compositions comprising such curable resin sol and reinforcing fibers, a process for preparing such compositions, and various articles made using such curable resin sols and compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising surface-modified nanocalcite particles dispersed in a curable resin, and to coatings and fibrous composites incorporating such compositions are described. The surface-modifying agents include a binding group ionically associated with the calcite and a compatiblizing segment, compatible with the curable resin. The surface-modifying agent may also include a reactive group capable of reacting with the curable resin. Methods of preparing nanocalcite composites and coating a fibrous composites prepared from such nanocalcite composites are also described.

Abstract: Dispersions of nanoparticles in a resin component are described. The nanoparticles have a multimodal particle size distribution including at least a first mode and a second mode. The number average particle diameter of the particles in the first mode is greater than the number average particle size distribution in the second mode. The use of multimodal nanoparticle size distributions and the relative number of particles in the first and second mode to reduce or eliminate particle stacking behavior is also described.

Abstract: Dispersions of nanoparticles in a resin component are described. The nanoparticles have a multimodal particle size distribution including at least a first mode and a second mode. The number average particle diameter of the particles in the first mode is greater than the number average particle size distribution in the second mode. The use of multimodal nanoparticle size distributions and the relative number of particles in the first and second mode to reduce or eliminate particle stacking behavior is also described.

Abstract: There are provided curable resin sols having a curable polycyanate ester resin and at least 30 weight percent of an essentially volatile-free, colloidal dispersion of substantially spherical surface-modified silica nanoparticles; wherein the curable resin sol comprises no greater than 200 parts per million by weight alkali metal and alkaline earth metal ions based on the total weight of the silica nanoparticles and curable polycyanate ester resin. There are also provided compositions comprising such curable resin sol and reinforcing fibers, a process for preparing such compositions, and various articles made using such curable resin sols and compositions.

Abstract: There are provided curable resin sols comprising an essentially volatile-free, colloidal dispersion of substantially spherical nanosilica particles in a curable bisimide resin, said particles having surface-bonded organic groups which render said particles compatible with said curable bisimide resin. There are also provided compositions comprising such curable resin sol and reinforcing fibers, a process for preparing such compositions, and various articles made using such curable resin sols and compositions.

Abstract: A method of making a filled resin includes the steps of: Providing a wiped film evaporator with an internal evaporator chamber maintained under vacuum and having an internal chamber wall maintained at an elevated temperature; introducing solvent-borne particles and organic matrix into the internal chamber; and compounding the solvent-borne particles and the organic matrix in the internal evaporator chamber by forming a thin film against the internal chamber wall, the thin film including organic matrix and particles, and the vacuum conditions and elevated temperature being sufficient to remove solvent from the particles and organic matrix to provide the filled resin. Less than about 10% of the particles in the resulting filled resin are agglomerated.

Abstract: A method of making a filled resin includes providing functionalized particles; and combining and homogenously mixing the functionalized particles with an organic matrix in a vacuum kneader to provide the filled resin so that the functionalized particles comprise at least about 20% by weight of the filled resin. The step of providing functionalized particles can also include providing a feedstock of (i) untreated particles, (ii) a surface treatment agent reactive with the particles, and (iii) solvent, and directing the feedstock through a continuous reactor maintained at a temperature sufficient to react the particles with the surface treatment agent to provide the functionalized particles in less than about 4 hours; and directing the functionalized particles from the continuous reactor directly into the vacuum kneader. In another aspect, the a finished resin comprises at least about 20% by weight of functionalized particles in an organic matrix.

Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films which may be useful for protecting the leading edges of aircraft from rain and sand erosion are presented. Typical surface protection films comprising two or more layers of a first material alternating with one or more layers of a second material, wherein the first and second materials are different materials, wherein the first and second materials comprise first and second polymers, wherein the first and second materials have a first and second Shore hardness, and wherein the first Shore hardness is greater than the second Shore hardness by more than 5 A or more typically more than 10 A.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of functionalized particles includes providing a feedstock that includes particles, a surface treatment agent reactive with the particles and solvent. The feedstock is direct through a continuous hydrothermal reactor maintained at a temperature sufficient to react the particles with the surface treatment agents to thereby provide functionalized particles. The method of the invention is capable of providing the functionalized particles in less than about 4 hours.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental composition comprising a) a hardenable compound (A1), b) a filler (B1), c) an initiator (C1) being able to initiate curing of compound (A1), compound (A1) having the structure A-(-S1-U-S2-MA)n, with A being a connector element, S1 being a spacergroup comprised of units connected with each other and comprising at least 4 units, S2 being a spacergroup comprised of units connected with each other and comprising at least 4 units, U being an urethane, an amide or an urea group connecting spacergroups S1 and S2, MA being an acrylate or methacrylate group and n being 3 to 6. The invention also relates to a process of producing this dental composition and using the dental composition e.g. as a temporary and/or long term crown and bridge material.

Abstract: Dispersions of nanoparticles in a resin component are described. The nanoparticles have a multimodal particle size distribution including at least a first mode and a second mode. The number average particle diameter of the particles in the first mode is greater than the number average particle size distribution in the second mode. The use of multimodal nanoparticle size distributions and the relative number of particles in the first and second mode to reduce or eliminate particle stacking behavior is also described.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of functionalized particles includes providing a feedstock made of particles, a surface treatment agent reactive with the particles, and solvent. The feedstock is exposed to microwave radiation to heat the feedstock and react the particles with the surface treatment agent to provide the functionalized particles in less than about 60 minutes.

Abstract: Compositions comprising surface-modified calcite nanoparticles dispersed in a curable resin and to coatings and fibrous composites incorporating such compositions are described. The nanocalcite particles have a high magnesium to calcium surface concentration ratio. The surface-modifying agents include a binding group ionically associated with the nanoparticles, and a compatiblizing segment compatible with the curable resin. The surface-modifying agent may also include a reactive group capable of reacting with the curable resin. Methods of preparing nanocalcite composites, and coatings and fibrous composites prepared from such nanocalcite composites are also described.

Abstract: Methods of compounding nanoparticles with a resin, e.g., a curable resin and one or more surface modifying agents are described. The methods use wet milling technology, including both continuous and batch milling processes, and can be used to functionalize the nanoparticles and disperse the functionalized nanoparticles into the resin system in a single process. Methods of compounding curable resin systems containing reactive diluents are also disclosed.

Abstract: A curable composition is described, including a gel material derived from the curable composition, and medical articles including such material, wherein the transparent gel material includes a polymerized monofunctional poly(alkylene oxide) macromonomer component and a surface modified nanoparticle component.