Abstract: In plasma-treating the inner surface of a plastic tube, the invention provides a treating method which ensures stable treatment under readily operative conditions. The present invention relates to a method comprising the steps of placing a plastic tube inside an electrically insulating tube wherein the difference between the inner diameter of the insulating tube and the outer diameter of the plastic tube is equal to or less than 2 mm, letting a gas into the plastic tube, keeping the inner pressures of both tubes at a reduced pressure, applying a high voltage across electrodes disposed outside the electrically insulating tube to initiate and sustain discharge only inside the plastic tube and thereby plasma-treating the inner surface of the plastic tube.

Abstract: In organic substrates having a surface coating including a first layer of plasma-polymerized alkane and a top layer of plasma-polymerized polar organic compound exhibit improved wettability and hydrophilicity, and a method for applying such coatings to the surfaces of inorganic substrates to improve their hydrophilicity and wettability characteristics.

Abstract: A method for providing specific chemical functional groups on a substrate surface is provided. In the method a vaporized material is introduced into a reaction zone to produce a plasma. Selective species of the plasma are prevented from contacting the substrate surface while the remaining species are contacted with the substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for enhancing wettability of an organic surface which is at least comparatively hydrophobic which comprises subjecting said surface to plasma surface treatment using a gaseous medium selected from the group consisting of oxygen, argon, nitrous oxide, air and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In the treatment of a perfluorinated polymer membrane containing acid ion exchanger groups in a corona discharge, the improvement which comprises employing a membrane containing carboxyl groups and maintaining the membrane at a temperature below about 80.degree. C. during the discharge treatment. Advantageously the corona discharge treatment is carried out intermittently, the temperature is maintained at about -10.degree. to +22.degree. C., during the treatment the average rate of irradiation is below about 2 Ah/m.sup.2, the frequency of the corona discharge is from about 5 to 15 kHz, the voltage for producing the corona discharge is from about 1 to 20 kV and the dose is from about 0.1 to 10 Ah/m.sup.2 of membrane surface. The resulting membranes exhibit lowered resistance resulting in lower cell voltages when used in the electrolysis of sodium chloride.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the free radical polymerization of at least one monomer into a polymeric substance by a charge injection means, wherein the monomer or the solution of monomer and oil is disposed within the chamber of a cell of an electrostatic atomizing device which includes the aforementioned cell and chamber a discharge spray means in communication with the cell, the formed polymer being transported to the discharge spray means and atomized into droplets, and a mechanism for passing a charge through the monomer or solution of monomer within the chamber, wherein the charge is sufficient to induce free radical polymerization of the monomer.

Abstract: A process for preparing separators for use in alkaline power cells for space vehicles is decribed. The separator is prepared by subjecting a sheet of fibrous polypropylene to corona discharge followed by impregnation with a compound selected from the group consisting of phenylglycine, parahydroxyphenylglycine and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A ferrofluid comprised of composite particles comprised of polymer-enmeshed magnetic metallic particles in indefinite suspension in a carrier fluid is produced by providing a pair of electrodes formed of a composition which will produce the desired magnetic metallic particles, immersing the electrodes in an organic dielectric liquid, applying a pulsed electric potential between the electrodes, adjusting the gap therebetween until there is an electric discharge eroding an electrode producing magnetic metallic particles enmeshed in polymer, recovering the magnetic material from the dielectric liquid and dispersing the magnetic material in a carrier fluid producing ferrofluid.

Abstract: The strip material to be processed is passed successively at a first location and a second location. In the first location, electrical charges are deposited on one surface of the strip by corona discharge between an electrically conducting support for the strip and a wire electrode. At the second location, a sliding arc is created along the charge surface of the strip between two electrodes. Due to the prior deposit of charges, the alternating voltage to be established between the electrodes is much decreased.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing yield of a cook-in packaged food product that includes first providing an adhering cook-in package comprising a flexible plastic container being substantially conformable to a selected food product and having an inner surface of polymeric olefin having been subjected to an adhering surface treatment in the presence of oxygen, then conforming said package about a selected food product and cooking the packaged product, whereupon said inner package surface adheres to said food product to substantially prevent cook-out of fluids therefrom.

Abstract: Containers for storing food, medicaments, blood, and the like having a peelable seal formed by sealing together an oxidized surface of a polyolefin film.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of aromatic polyamide fibers, which are suitable for use in construction materials and rubbers, as well as so treated fibers and shaped articles strengthened with these fibers.

Abstract: A non-polar synthetic resin is mixed with an organic peroxide and cross-linked with a high frequency alternating current field. The peroxide is a perketal or perester of the formula 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the drawing. The cross-linked resin is useful for the insulation of an electrical conductor.

Abstract: Plastic surfaces are treated with electrical corona discharge in an atmosphere of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Oxygen is substantially excluded, and is kept at less than 0.1% by volume.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, the reduction of the activation energy of chemical reactions, wherein an electrical field is generated by a capacitor arrangement in the phase containing the educt.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel planographic printing plate suitable for dry planographic printing without supply of dampening water and a method for the preparation thereof. The inventive printing plate has, on one surface of a base plate, a layer of an organopolysiloxane composed of the areas where fresh surface of the organopolysiloxane is exposed bare as the ink-repellent non-image areas and the areas where the surface of the organopolysiloxane layer has been subjected to the treatment with low temperature plasma to be oleophilic or ink-receptive as the image areas of the printing plate. According to the inventive method, the pattern-wise exposure of the organopolysiloxane layer to the plasma atmosphere is performed by first providing a pattern-wise layer of a plasma resistant protective resist layer on the organopolysiloxane layer followed by the plasma treatment and removal of the resist layer.

Abstract: A process for forming a peelable seal by heat sealing under combined application of heat and pressure at least two polyolefin film members having at least one oxidized surface therebetween, and the seal formed thereby.

Abstract: The invention provides an effective method for subjecting the inner surface of a tubular body made of a plastic resin to a treatment with low temperature plasma according to which the tubular body is dipped in an insulating oil bath while the inside of the tubular body is filled with a plasma gas under a reduced pressure and electric power for the generation of a low temperature plasma is supplied to electrodes surrounding the tubular body in the insulating oil. Several of the problems in the prior art methods can be solved by the present invention such as undesirable thermal degradation of the tube surface by the evolved by the electric discharge, and power loss due to the generation of plasma outside the tubular body.

Abstract: A method of causing a vinyl resin blanket to adhere to a silicone belt during removal of a printing transfer sheet by applying a corona discharge to the belt.

Abstract: Stereo-regular polymers are produced by forming a moving stream of gaseous monomer having an electric dipole moment, irradiating the monomer with monochromatic light of a wavelength suitable for activating it, and orientating the activated monomer in an electric field. The activated, oriented monomer then polymerizes to form a stereo-regular polymer.Alternatively, a monomer of the general formula ##STR1## can be used, where at least one of the R groups, the resonating R group, forms an electric dipole moment with the remainder of the monomer. The monomer is then irradiated with a monochromatic light beam having a frequency which resonates with a harmonic frequency resulting from the bond between the resonating R group and the remainder of the monomer. Activation of that particular bond on that particular type of monomer results in a stereo-regular polymer.For best results, however, the two methods are combined.

Abstract: Process and product-by-process of selectively treating a surface of plastic film to prevent blocking by blanketing the surface with a noble gas and by striking a corona discharge within the noble gas atmosphere, while the other surface of the film is in contact with some other gas or gas composition, such as air.

Abstract: An ionized gas plasma is established in an electrical field in contact with a non-vapor volume of monomer (liquid and/or solid). The plasma creates active polymerization sites in the monomer volume to initiate propagation of polymerization therein. After initiation, the partially-polymerized monomer volume is postpolymerized in the absence of the ionized gas plasma to yield a very high molecular weight polymer which may be essentially free of cross-linking in desirable forms including commercial quantities of bulk self-supporting polymer or a coating. Suitable monomers include liquid vinyl monomers (e.g., methyl, methacrylate) and solid crystalline monomers (e.g., 1,3,5-trioxane).

Abstract: A bag for storing blood components consisting of a sterilizable, flexible polyolefin container having at least two inlets at the top thereof forming part of the container and a bag-like protective closure hermetically enclosing the inlets. The protective closures are integral with the bag and formed by heat-sealing under combined application of heat and pressure a portion of at least two polyolefin film members having at least one oxidized surface therebetween so as to form a seal that is peelable to expose each of the inlets.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of depositing a thin layer of material by decomposing a gas in a plasma. To avoid saturating the rate of depositing doped silicon, the substrate onto which the doped silicon is to be deposited has an RF bias applied thereto with respect to the plasma. The improvement resides in circulating in the chamber a gaseous medium at a pressure between 10.sup.-2 and 10.sup.-4 torr in the vicinity of the substrate by jetting the gaseous medium into the chamber, via a tube in which the pressure is maintained between 0.2 and 4 torr, through injection ports which face the substrate. The method is useful in the manufacture of semiconductor components.

Abstract: A corona discharge device is disclosed in which a cylindrical shell made of a dielectric material is mounted around a rotatable axle. Electrodes are arranged inside and outside of the shell so as to provide a corona discharge across a material to improve its surface qualities. A method of corona discharge treatment with the above apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surface of polymeric substrate materials, such as textile fabric including woven polymeric textile or textile fibers, by means of electron bombardment in a low pressure gas discharge medium to produce chemical and/or physical changes in the thus treated surface thereby improving the technological properties of the polymeric material, e.g., improved anti-static properties, dye absorption, dirt resistance, releasing of dirt absorbed and hydrophilation, among others.

Abstract: An automobile engine is fueled with a mixture of air and a vapor derived by passing electric current through an electrolytically conductive emulsion of gasoline and water. Specific compositions of the conductive emulsions are disclosed as are unique designs for vaporizers for the fuel.

Abstract: Poly-p-xylylene is chemically bonded to a thermoset resin via a reaction between oxygen-containing groups at the surface of the poly-p-xylylene and a reactant component of the thermosetting resin. A low temperature plasma is employed to chemically modify the surface of the poly-p-xylylene to incorporate the oxygen atoms into the backbone of the polymer at its surface.

Abstract: A method for electrically cracking crude oil comprised of the steps of injecting a mixture of petroleum crude and an energy transfer medium into a cracking chamber in a continuous flow, supplying a high frequency electrical discharge into the energy transfer medium which, in turn, consecutively transmits the energy to the petroleum crude for cracking, and extracting and storing the component hydrocarbon fractions while separating out the energy transfer medium.

Abstract: The surface characteristics of polymeric materials are altered by exposure to a reactive gas which has been activated by radio frequency electromagnetic radiations prior to being directed onto the surface. The reactive gas is selected from either the gases which occur naturally with 3-electron bonds, (e.g., NO, NO.sub.2, etc,) or from other gases capable of decomposition in the presence of an electromagnetic field to form (1) activated species which attack the polymer surface to break carbon-hydrogen bonds, forming free radical sites, and (2) free radicals which react with these sites. The process can also be practiced using separate activator and reactive gases, and when the reactive gas selected comprises organic material, the gas stream used to treat the polymeric surface is supplemented by an activator gas comprising the noble gases and nitrogen.

Abstract: A corona apparatus comprising at least one roller electrode assembly, a supporting surface acting as a counter electrode, and a generator for generating an alternating current voltage for said electrode assembly characterized in that the roller electrode assembly comprises: a central shaft, an electrode, means for mounting said electrode to said shaft, a tube, means for mounting said tube for rotation about said shaft, said electrode contained within said tube, means for electrically connecting said electrode to said generator and means for supporting said shaft whereby said tube is positioned adjacent to said counter electrode.

Abstract: A dielectric web substrate is primed for adhesion of a plastic coating by passing between two rolls in rolling contact therewith. One roll has a conductive core and an insulating jacket while the other roll has a conductive surface. A high voltage A.C. source is connected between the conductive portions of both rolls to establish a corona discharge therebetween to effect said priming. Additional rolls with conductive surfaces may be connected in parallel with the first such roll.

Abstract: The method of modifying materials in a uniform and reproducible manner which comprises activating and treating materials, the treating step being performed with modification agent. There is also disclosed an apparatus for modifying materials.

Abstract: A polymeric film applied to a video disc by glow discharge techniques is treated with a subsequent glow discharge in air to improve wear properties.

Abstract: An automobile engine is fueled with a mixture of air and a vapor derived by passing electric current through an electrolytically conductive emulsion of gasoline and water. Specific compositions of the conductive emulsions are disclosed as are unique designs for vaporizers for the fuel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reacting coal with hydrogen to provide hydrocarbon products. In a container having an anode and a cathode spaced therefrom, an electric potential about 200 to 1000 volts more positive than the potential at the cathode is applied to the anode to provide an electric arc at a current density of about 0.01 to 100 amperes per square centimeter in a reaction zone between them comprising hydrogen at a pressure of about 10 to 500 millimeters of mercury, and thus to maintain a plasma therein. A magnetic field of about 100 to 1000 gauss is provided approximately perpendicular to the arc. Hydrogen is directed into contact with the anode (as through passages therein) and from there into the reaction zone to ionize a substantial portion of the hydrogen positively, while coal is directed either in a slurry or as a fine powder, into contact with the cathode (as through passages therein) and from there into the reaction zone to charge a substantial portion of the coal with a negative potential.

Abstract: Ultrathin membranes for separating substances are obtained by exposing shaped articles comprising a water-soluble polymer or a mixture of a water-soluble polymer and water-insoluble polymer to a plasma of a gas selected from helium, argon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, a hydrocarbon having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an epoxide having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alkylamine, or a mixture of these substances to crosslink the surface layer, and then washing the exposed articles with water to remove the unreacted portions. The membrane exhibits outstanding performance characteristics when used in the processes for separating or concentrating substances, such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and the like.

Abstract: Successive filter rod sections which are produced in a filter rod making machine are caused to pass through a body of ionized air before they leave the machine. This insures that ionized air destroys the electrostatic charges which the non-conductive wrappers and/or fillers of filter rod sections accumulate in the machine upstream of the ionizing station. The conveyor or conveyors which transport the filter rod sections through ionized air are designed to transport the sections sideways. At least one electrode of the ionizing device or devices for air is preferably connected with a source of high-voltage a-c energy.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of non-conductive foils or the like by subjecting them to a corona discharge of the type including two elongated electrodes with a gap between them and means for passing the foil or other sheeting through the gap has one of its electrodes, which is preferably the positive electrode, in the form of a profiled roller. The profile of the electrode roller comprises a series of ridges with troughs between them extending along the length of the roller parallel to its axis. The second electrode is also preferably in the form of a roller which has a smooth surface and is coated with dielectric material.

Abstract: Apparatus for purifying exhaust gases having ionizable and oxidizable gaseous components including an exhaust chamber having the exhaust gases flowing therethrough, a particle filter mounted in the chamber, a plurality of spaced electrodes located in the chamber downstream of the filter, and a power supply for providing a rectangularly-shaped AC voltage to the electrodes between which the exhaust gases flow.

Abstract: An electrical plasma discharge is established between adjacent tubular electrodes of an electrode structure having a stacked array of rows of tubular electrodes of opposite polarity row-by-row. A substrate is moved through the electrode structure along several paths of travel such that the electrical plasma discharge is substantially parallel to one or both surfaces of the moving substrate. During the electrical discharge, the electrodes are cooled by flowing coolant therethrough.

Abstract: In a process for extruding thermoplastic film means are provided for maintaining substantially free from deposit a wire electrode which is used to deposit an electrostatic charge on to the upper surface of the film. In a preferred embodiment the wire electrode is continuously unwound from a first reel on to a second reel. The wire electrode is kept substantially free of deposit by means of either a scraper plate or a current of air which is passed between the film and the wire electrode to prevent deposits from forming.