Abstract: An improved windshield wiper blade is disclosed. The lip surface of a flexible windshield wiper blade having a low coefficient of friction is coated with an effective thickness of a coating material selected from the group consisting of elastomeric and plastic materials having a Young's modulus of from about 10.sup.6 to about 10.sup.11. The treated blade exhibits substantially better wipe, wear and friction qualities than untreated blades.

Abstract: A low toxicity, castable, fast curing, polyurethane high strength elastomer is prepared from a liquid prepolymer diol, a cycloaliphatic diisocyanate, a polyalkanol amine and a small amount of soluble metal salt catalyst. The composition can be formulated by either a prepolymer or "one-shot" technique and cures at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for producing a pattern on a semiconductor wafer during the fabrication of semiconductor devices, including integrated circuits is disclosed. A master is pressed into a layer of moldable material which is on the wafer surface to define a pattern of at least one relatively thin region and relatively thick regions therein with a high degree of definition. Thereafter the whole layer is treated, for example, to remove, by etching for example, a relatively thin region to expose a portion of the wafer surface, the relatively thick regions remaining on the wafer surface.

Abstract: A method of removing residual stress of a work formed of metal or ceramic includes basically two separate treatments, a vibration treatment called percussion treatment and a heating treatment.

Abstract: A method of increasing the resistance of delicate, elongated objects made of polymeric compositions, to fracturing, shattering, and splintering during application of stress forces during cutting, shearing or grinding, thereby permitting the formation of shorter finished objects with appropriately and smoothly contured ends from a long stock object. Differently stated, the present invention relates to a method of preparing an elongated, rod-like object composed of several plastic, polymeric compositions, having channels formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof, for subsequent cutting of such long object into short lengths with desirably shaped end surfaces.

Abstract: Windshield wiper blades which have been previously treated with a halogen are subjected to treatment with a solution selected from the group of those having a pH above about 12 and those having a pH between 7 and 12 and a cation concentration of at least -0.09 pH + 1.13 moles per liter where pH is the pH of the solution whereby improved wipe and wear properties are obtained.

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: Glycol terephthalate polyesters are modified to contain CH.sub.2 --S or CH.sub.2 --N linkages in molecular chains of the polyester, staple fibers of good strength are prepared from the modified polyesters, fabrics are prepared from the fibers and then treated with hypochlorous acid to develop pilling resistance. The treatment cleaves polyester molecules at the CH.sub.2 --S or CH.sub.2 --N links. Precise control is provided by the amount of modifier used and the relative viscosity of the fibers before the treatment.

Abstract: A composite structure comprises an unsaturated hydrocarbon rubber, polychloroprene or a chloroprene/hydrocarbon copolymer bonded without an adhesive layer to a polymer being a reaction product of at least one aliphatic dihydric alcohol and at least one aromatic compound having two acidic groups attached to the aromatic nucleus, or to an elastoplastic linear block copolymer having at least one block of this reaction product.A method of making this structure comprises treating the rubber surface to be bonded with concentrated nitric acid, hypochlorous acid or a hypochlorous acid generator, melting at least the surface of the polymer to be bonded, and solidifying the polymer in contact with the rubber.The invention provides a polyester/rubber structure conveniently without an adhesive interlayer and the structure is useful in applications requiring properties of polyesters and rubbers, for example belting, hose and tires.

Abstract: Non-woven fabrics are produced from polyolefin foam fibrillated webs. The webs are treated with an aqueous solution of a small amount of chromic acid in strong sulfuric acid to improve the adhesion thereof when they are laminated under heat and pressure to form a non-woven fabric.

Abstract: Water-insoluble, water-swellable fibers adapted to bind aqueous fluids such as body exudates are prepared by spinning fibers from an organic solvent solution of a copolymer of maleic anhydride with suitable vinyl aromatic monomers. The copolymer solution also contains a small amount of a polyfunctional cross-linking agent such as an adduct of glycerine with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide which reacts to cross-link and plasticize the copolymer chains when the fibers are heated and dried. The cross-linked copolymer fibers are then rendered hydrophilic and water-swellable by reaction with ammonia.