Abstract: Fluoropolymer powder particles which are surface treated so as to change the chemical functionality on their surfaces which in turn changes the surfaces characteristics. These characteristics improve the usefulness of these powders and can make them wettable. The surface treated fluoropolymer particles are subject to an atmospheric plasma treatment process, and preferably pretreated with a macromolecular chemical species prior to the atmospheric plasma treatment. The atmospheric plasma treatment enhances adhesion to the powder surface and can also enhance cross-linking of the macromolecular chemical species. The surface treated fluoropolymer powders can be used to form fluoropolymer coatings on various substrates.

Abstract: An oxidation-protected brake disk is made of a fiber-reinforced ceramic material. A method of producing such a brake disk comprises applying at least one paint layer to a brake disk. In order to reduce damage to the brake disk under extreme thermal stress, the brake disk is provided with a layer of a highly temperature-stable paint that is viscous at the operating temperature of the brake disk.

Abstract: A paint composition for automotive weather strips and glass runs which comprises a curable urethane-based emulsion paint having added hereto either at least two silane coupling agents selected from the group consisting of a silane coupling agent having an amino group, a silane coupling agent having an epoxy group, a silane coupling agent having a methacryloxy group and a silane coupling agent having an acryloxy group, or a reaction product obtained by previously mixing said at least two silane coupling agents. Also, discloses are processes for producing automotive weather strips.

Abstract: A nonstaining coating composition which comprises as essential components (A) a specific aliphatic sulfonic acid compound or amine salt thereof, (B) a compound having per molecule at least one functional group selected among carboxly, a carboxly anhydride group, and a carboxyl group blocked with an alkyl vinyl ether, (C) a specific organosilicate and/or a condensate thereof, and (D) a resin having epoxy groups and/or alkoxysilyl groups in the molecule; and a method of finish coating. They give a cured coating film which has nonstaining properties based on a high degree of hydrophilicity from immediately after the formation thereof and has satisfactory long-term weatherability, water resistance, and chemical resistance.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting the fouling of a substrate in a fouling environment, which comprises forming on the substrate, before exposure to the environment, a coating comprising a film-forming polymer (A) carrying unreacted curable silicon-containing functional groups providing latent reactivity, and thereafter applying a layer comprising a curable polymeric fouling-inhibiting material (B), more especially a curable polysiloxane or a curable flourine-containing polymer, and bonding the applied layer to the coating by a condensation curing reaction involving the unreacted functional groups thereon. The initial coating can be applied over a range of worn or damaged anti-fouling coatings. The sequential application of layers is a simpler, more flexible and more controllable procedure than is offered by complex systems designed to produce outer siloxane-rich regions. Relatively long periods are achievable.

Abstract: An optical disk, which comprises: a common integral substrate having grooves and/or pits formed on its both sides: and a film structure on at least one side of the integral substrate. They are manufactured by preparing two stampers; simultaneously forming grooves and pits on both sides of an integral substrate by use of said two stampers mounted on a respective fixed mold and moving mold; and forming the film structure on at least one side of said integral substrate by depositing material from targets suspended to both sides of said integral substrate. The disks are superior in mechanical properties and reliability. As for reliability, the present optical disk is prepared without using a bonding process, which overcomes the problem of adhesive out-flow.

Abstract: A solution for forming a graft substrate containing a graft initiator, a catalyst for activating the graft initiator, a polymerizable silicon softener, and at least one additional prepolymer, each of the softener and the prepolymer which includes a functional group for reaction with an activated site on the substrate for grafting thereto and water. The treated fiber exhibits excellent crockfastness, color fastness, and abrasion resistance, and has a soft hand.

Abstract: A solution for forming a graft substrate containing a graft initiator, a catalyst for activating the graft initiator, a polymerizable silicon softener, and at least one additional prepolymer, each of the softener and the prepolymer which includes a functional group for reaction with an activated site on the substrate for grafting thereto and water. The treated fiber exhibits excellent crockfastness, color fastness, and abrasion resistance, strength, and has a soft hand.

Abstract: A solution for forming a graft substrate containing a graft initiator, a catalyst for activating the graft initiator, a polymerizable silicon softener, and at least one additional prepolymer, each of the softener and the prepolymer which includes a functional group for reaction with an activated site on the substrate for grafting thereto and water. The treated fiber exhibits excellent crockfastness, color fastness, and abrasion resistance, and has a soft hand.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to polyisocyanate-impregnated lignocellulosic substrates having improved strength, water resistance and appearance, and also to methods and systems for producing such substrates. The polyisocyanate-impregnated lignocellulosic substrate are produced by impregnating a lignocellulosic substrate with an isocyanate resin, followed by polymerization of the isocyanate resin by applying a heated liquid to the impregnated substrate.

Abstract: A metal, glass or ceramics surface is treated to enhance its compatibility with biological material such as blood or blood related products. Treatment involves covalently bonding to the surface by means of a catalyst functional molecules each of has at least one alkoxysilane group which can form at least one first covalent bond by reaction with the oxide or hydroxide of said surface and at least one other group which can participate in free-radical polymerisation. Free-radical polymerisation from said functional molecules is then effected to build bio-compatible and/or hydrophilic polymer chains. The compatibility of the metal surface with biological material may be further improved by bonding bio-active molecules, such as heparin or heparin derived molecules to the polymer chains. Suitable metal surfaces are those of medical devices such as heat exchangers, coronary and peripheral stents and guide wires used in angioplasty.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface. The process comprises the steps of: (a) covalently binding polymerization initiator radicals to the surface; (b) graft polymerizing a vinyl monomer carrying a reactive group onto the initiator-modified material surface and thereby providing a primary polymer coating comprising reactive groups; and (c) reacting the reactive groups of the primary polymer coating with a hydrophilic telomer having a functional group that is coreactive with the reactive groups of the primary polymer coating. The coated articles that are obtainable by the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus useful for the manufacture of biomedical articles such as ophthalmic devices.

Abstract: A flexible rubber article such as a neck or cuff seal (1) for a drysuit is made of natural rubber in a conventional way, by dipping a former into a sensitized rubber latex. The application describes applying a thin thermoplastics layer e.g. about 25 &mgr;m thick on the surface of the natural rubber so that it can conveniently be welded to another thermoplastics component such as a hot-melt tape. The thermoplastics layer (4,5) may cover the whole or only a marginal part of the rubber article. It may be formed by dipping into a thermoplastics latex. The thermoplastics layer may cover the whole or only a margin of the rubber article. Polyurethane is one suitable material. By providing a non-tacky weldable region the invention is more convenient to use than previous proposals using adhesives.

Abstract: An aqueous immersion bath contains a water-soluble peroxide compound and a transition metal salt and is used to activate the surface of a thermoplastic olefin prior to the application of a coating thereon. After immersion of the thermoplastic olefin material in the aqueous immersion bath, an improved adhesion between the coating and the surface of the thermoplastic olefin material is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates in general to a method of electroplating substrates where at least a portion of the substrate is coated with a solution containing a film forming amine and sufficient acid to produce a pH of less than 6.5. The acid helps to clean the surface of the substrate, and the film forming amine forms a film on the surface of the substrate. Electroplating proceeds with greatly improved speed and efficiency, especially in low current areas.

Abstract: A composition which provides gas, flavor, and aroma barrier to substrates, where the composition is formed by mixing an ethylenically unsaturated acid, a bis-silane and a polyamine.

Abstract: A process wherein a low viscosity, metal-containing paste is screened onto a ceramic greensheet and then sets up to increase its viscosity. In one method, the low viscosity is caused by excess solvent which is then blotted or otherwise removed so that the viscosity of the paste is increased. In an alternative method, the low viscosity paste contains a cross-linking agent which causes the paste to increase its viscosity after screening.

Abstract: Adhesion between a coating and an EPDM rubber membrane may be improved by pre-treating the surface of the EPDM rubber membrane with an aqueous detergent composition having a pH above 8 and comprising from 1 to 10% by weight phosphate and from 1 to 10% by weight silicate, before application of the mastic.

Abstract: The water base adhesion promotos for polypropylene comprises: a grafted polypropylene chloride, which includes a polypropylene chloride moiety and a maleic anhydride moiety as bonded thereto, and which has a chlorine content of 15˜25 weight % and a maleic anhydride moiety content of 1˜5 weight %; an amine-neutralized water-soluble resin; a wettability-improving agent; and water; and is characterized by having: a combination ratio of 25˜90 weight % as of the grafted polypropylene chloride to the total of the grafted polypopylene chloride and the amine-neutralized water-soluble resin; a combination ratio of 2.5˜6.0 weight % as of the wettability-improving agent to the entirety of the promotor; and a solid content of 2˜10 weight % of the entirety of the promotor.

Abstract: A process for producing an excellent gel-coated seed, a coating gel-layer of which has a uniform thickness and hardness, is provided. The process for producing a gel-coated seed according to the present invention employs a gel-forming solution and a hardener for gelatinizing the gel-forming solution, wherein a seed is dipped into the gel-forming solution after the hardener adheres to the seed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating silicone elastomer stamps with hydrophilic surfaces is provided. The concept of polymer grafting is used to produce the stamps. The stamps thus produced have the great advantage that grafting of a thin hydrophilic polymer on a hydrophobic PDMS surface can render PDMS stamps permanently hydrophilic. With such stamps it becomes possible to print aqueous or highly polar inks reproducibly over days and weeks.

Abstract: A viscosity-increasing agent, capable of increasing the viscosity of a film-forming polymer in an image-functional layer, is preapplied in a first solution onto a web through a coating and drying process. When a second solution containing the film-forming polymer is then coated on the web, the viscosity-increasing agent diffuses through the applied second solution. As the viscosity-increasing agent interacts with the film-forming polymer during this diffusion process, the viscosity of the solution increases. The invention can be used to improve the manufacture of ink-jet media, photographic or photothermographic elements, and other imaging and image-receiving media.

Abstract: Provided are an abrasive tape suitable for finishing of surfaces or the like of precision components such as optical connector ferrules and semiconductor wafers, and a process for producing it. A coating agent in which abrasive particles having an average particle size in the range of 1 to 200 m&mgr; are dispersed in a binder resin solution. The coating agent is applied, with intervention of a primer layer if necessary, onto a base for abrasive tape to form an abrasive layer, thus obtaining an abrasive tape.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a glass-ceramic body, particularly an aluminosilicate body, for use as a telecommunications component in a humid atmosphere, comprises coating the body with an aqueous solution of an alkali metasilicate, with a solution of a silane that is strongly non-polar with respect to water, or with successive applications of the metasilicate and the silane.

Abstract: An applicator tip for dispensing a polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material which is porous, absorbent or adsorbent and includes a polymerization or cross-linking initiator. The initiator initiates polymerization or cross-linking when the polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material is dispensed through the applicator tip. The polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material may be applied to a variety of substrates.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of coating a substrate, comprising exposing a substrate to an initiator capable of initiating a graft polymerization reaction on the substrate, to generate reactive radical sites on the surface of the substrate; contacting the substrate with a composition comprising one or more monomers in a medium which has different hydrophilicity compared to the substrate, and grafting monomer molecules onto the substrate by forming covalent bonds between monomer molecules and the substrate at reactive radical sites on the substrate surface. With the invention, novel coated articles can be obtained which are particularly usefull as medical products such as catheters.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing polymer, having a number-average molecular weight of 500 to 100,000 and represented by the following general formula Rf—(OC3F6)a—(OC2F4)b—(OCF2)c—X—Y—Z—MPnRm−n or PnRm−nM—Z—Y—X—(OC3F6)a—(OC2F4)b—(OCF2)c—X—Y—Z—MPnRm−n (wherein Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group; a, b and c independently represent 0 or a number equal to or greater than 1, with the proviso that the sum of a, b and c is at least 1; X is a group represented by the formula: —(O)d—(CF2)e—(CH2)f—; Y is a divalent polar group; Z is a group represented by the formula: —(CH2)g—; M is a metal atom; R is a hydrocarbon group; P is a hydrolyzable polar group; m is an integer equal to “(valency of M)−1”; and n is an integer of 1 to m), exhibits excellent stainproof property against oily dirt and can form on a substrate a stainproof layer having an excellent stainproof pro

Abstract: An adhesive coating with optical and/or mechanical functions is applied to a PMMA substrate surface, a organic compound which is polymerized by radicals being used as the adhesive-providing layer. The coating with the optical and/or mechanical function(s) is obtained after radical-induced polymerization of the adhesive-providing layer.

Abstract: A structure having layers of controllable electrical properties is prepared by furnishing a sheet of a substrate material, patterning a pattern of recesses into a surface of the sheet of the substrate material, filling the pattern of recesses with a mixture of an active phase and a matrix, and laminating the sheet to a base structure. The filled recesses may be of any desired shape, depth, and orientation. The active phase is particles of a material such as an electrical conductor or semiconductor, or magnetic particles.

Abstract: A process involving the application of an aromatic oil-modified polyurethane coating with a softening agent to specifically prepared solid synthetic organic and natural organic formed substrate materials wherein the coating has the capability of receiving subsequently-applied coloring agents and adhesives.

Abstract: The formulation primes materials used in the processing of substrates. The formulation comprises one or more filming amines which are mixed with and neutralized by an appropriate acid or combination of acids. Water is used as the solvent and a surfactant is optionally added to aid in the cleaning, anti-foaming and wetting of the substrates. Printed circuit boards, chemically milled alloys and chemically plated alloys can be coated with the formulation as a one-step priming method prior to lamination of a resist layer.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing resin molded article can be obtained by putting it between smooth molds having a surface roughness (Ra) of not more than 50 .ANG. and compression-molding it under molding conditions of a molding temperature of 270.degree. to 340.degree. C., a molding pressure of not less than 10 kg/cm.sup.2 and compression time of not less than 2 minutes, to give smoothed fluorine-containing resin molded article having a surface roughness of not more than 500 .ANG.. Particles, metal impurities, organic impurities or the like are difficult to adhere to the surface of the article, and can be removed significantly by washing.

Abstract: A magnesium fluoride surface having a thin film of amphiphilic molecules bonded thereto by way of a primer film of a metal oxide having a surface that hydrolyzes on exposure to airborne moisture. The amphiphilic molecules are chemically bonded to hydroxy groups on the hydrolyzed surface of the metal oxide primer film.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording head employed in an ink-jet recording apparatus is disclosed. A part of the channel is composed of resin material which comprises a base resin and a highly cationic resin attached on the surface of the base resin through reaction, the resulting surface being reacted with a hydrophilic organic material. A production method of the head, an ink-jet recording apparatus and production method of the ink-jet recording apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Organic inherently conductive polymers, such as those based on polyaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophene, are sequentially formed in-situ onto polymeric surfaces that are chemically functionalized to molecularly bond the conductive polymers to the substrates. The polymeric substrate is preferably a preshaped or preformed thermoplastic film, fabric, or tube, although other forms of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers can be used as the substrates for functionalization using, most preferably, phosphonylation-based processes followed by exposure to an oxidatively polymerizable compound capable of forming an electrically conductive polymer. It has been found that the degree of electrical conductivity may be modulated by bonding further electrically conductive layers to the article. That is, each underlying conductive layer is functionalized prior to bonding of a subsequent conductive layer thereto until the degree of conductivity is achieved.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin-coated aluminum alloy plate having so high a processing adhesion that the laminated thermoplastic resin layer is not separated therefrom even when the plate is subjected to a severe forming process in which the plate is deep-drawn, stretched and then ironed. A process and an apparatus for producing the same are also disclosed. An aluminum alloy plate is treated with an alkali solution and an acid solution in order so as to put the surface of the plate in a special condition. The resultant plate is subjected to anodic electrolysis using a direct current in an acid solution containing one or more of inorganic acid, such as sulfuric acid and an organic acid, such as carboxylic acid or hydroxy carboxylic acid. Alternatively, the resultant plate is subjected to a treatment using hot water of above 60.degree. C., boiling water, or water vapor so as to form a uniform hydration oxide film of 2-10 nm in thickness. The alloy plate is coated with a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making the surface of polymeric substrates hydrophilic, which includes coating the surface of a polymeric substrate with a solution of a macroinitiator, wherein the macroinitiator includes a polymer framework and side chains attached to the polymer framework, and wherein at least one of the side chains includes at least one free-radical-forming group. Optionally, a hydrophilic vinyl monomer or monomers may then be free-radical polymerized or graft polymerized onto the macroinitiator-coated substrate. A crosslinking vinyl monomer may optionally be used together with the macroinitiator or the hydrophilic vinyl monomer. The invention also relates to polymeric substrates having hydrophilic surfaces obtained by the process, and articles that include the hydrophilic polymeric substrates.

Abstract: A multi-layer article comprising a substrate and a dehydrofluorinated fluoropolymer, wherein the dehydrofluorinated polymer contains substantially no grafted adhesion-promoting groups, and the dehydrofluorinated fluoropolymer contains sufficient carbon-carbon unsaturation to increase the adhesion between the dehydrofluorinated fluoropolymer and the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the durability of water-repellent films deposited on the surface of a substrate and to a coated article having a water-repellent film of improved durability deposited on the substrate surface. The method includes the steps of simultaneously abrasively and chemically preparing the surface to expose an increased number of bonding sites on the substrate surface by applying a dispersion including an acid solution and an abrasive material to the surface. The dispersion is then removed and the water-repellent film is formed over the prepared surface. The bonding sites react with the water-repellent film to more effectively bond the film to the substrate and thereby improve the durability of the water-repellent film.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fast-setting coating material on a substrate which comprises contacting a stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer that contains strong cationic groups and weak acid groups onto a substrate that is basic or treated to be basic.

Abstract: Patterned conducting polymer surfaces exhibiting excellent properties may be prepared by:(a) forming a surface of a conducting polymer on a surface of a substrate;(b) forming a surface of a blocking material on said surface of said conducting polymer in a pattern-wise fashion, to obtain a first patterned surface containing regions of exposed conducting polymer and regions of blocking material;(c) treating said first patterned surface with an agent which: (i) removes said conducting polymer from said regions of exposed conducting polymer; (ii) decreases the conductivity of said conducting polymer in said regions of exposed conducting polymer; or (iii) increases the conductivity of said conducting polymer in said regions of exposed conducting polymer; and(d) removing said blocking material to obtain a second patterned surface containing an exposed pattern of conducting polymer.

Abstract: Antimicrobial activity is imparted to the surface(s) of an apparatus or article by a method, comprising:copolymerizing tertbutylaminoethyl methacrylate with at least one other aliphatically unsaturated monomer in the presence of said apparatus or article by which adhesion of the copolymer to said surface(s) is achieved. In an embodiment of the invention, adhesion of the polymer coating on the apparatus or article occurs by graft copolymerization.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polymeric substrate, such as polyethylene terephthalate and nylon 66, imparts water repellency and lubricity, and provides the additional benefit of reducing the soiling of fabrics. The method includes combining the polymeric substrate with a dense or liquified gas, such as carbon dioxide or sulfur hexafluoride, and a fluorinated compound, such as a fluorinated polyether.

Abstract: Organic inherently conductive polymers, such as those based on polyaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophene, are formed in-situ onto polymeric surfaces that are chemically activated to bond ionically the conductive polymers to the substrates. The polymeric substrate is preferably a preshaped or preformed thermoplastic film, fabric, or tube, although other forms of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers can be used as the substrates for pretreatment using, most preferably, phosphonylation-based processes followed by exposure to an oxidatively polymerizable compound capable of forming an electrically conductive polymer. The resultant conductive surface imparts unique properties to the substrates and allows their use in antistatic clothing, surface conducting films for electronic components and the like, and electromagnetic interference shielding. In an alternative embodiment, metals such as gold or platinum are bonded to the chemically interactive surface of a preshaped thermoplastic or thermoset article.

Abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dispersions in an organic solvent, comprising:(A) from 2 to 40% by weight of PTFE in powder form;(B) from 50 to 95% by weight of an organic solvent;(C) from 0.5 to 10% by weight of a dispersing agent of formula:(R.sub.H --L).sub.y --(R.sub.F --L).sub.x R.sub.H (I)wherein:x is an integer from 1 to 3;y is 0 or 1, with the proviso that x=1 when y=1;R.sub.H is a x-functional radical having an alkylic or polyoxyalkylenic structure;R.sub.F is (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylenic radical;L is a divalent organic group.Such dispersions are utilized for the surface treatment of metals, glass fibers, and the like, and in particular as mold release agents.

Abstract: Natural or synthetic wax dissolved in the continuous organic phase of an water-in-oil emulsion retards evaporation of water from a dispersed aqueous phase. An in situ prepared equilibrium mixture of benzyl alcohol, formic acid and benzyl formate emulsified with oleic hydroxyethyl imidazoline or similar oil soluble emulsifying agent is thickened with hydroxypropyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and contains 0.1 to 1.0% by weight paraffin wax with a melting point of 47.degree. to 65.degree. C. Wax dissolved in the organic phase retards evaporation of water, and formic acid or ammonia which are very volatile in comparison with benzyl alcohol forming the major component of the organic phase. A petroleum distillate is used to pre-wet a hydroxypropyl cellulose thickener and dissolve the wax.

Abstract: A shaped or flat article, having a skid resistant surface is adapted for use on floors, stairs, ladder rungs, and ramps particularly in moist and wet locations where a highly durable surface is required. The article is prepared by cleaning a surface of a ferrometallic base followed by application of a polychloroprene primer layer to the surface from an organic solvent. This is then followed by adhering and covering the primed base, in the area where the skid resistant surface is required, with a thermosetting epoxy resin. Partially embedded in the resin are particles of a grit material. One or more additional layers of a suitable coating such as paint may be applied on top of the cured resin for visibility, luminescence, cleanability, and added protection.

Abstract: A liquid applied waterproofing formulation system comprises separate formulation components A and B which are transportable to the application site in separate containers but combinable at the site to form a blend, preferably a water-in-oil blend, which solidifies into a continuous membrane having hydrostatic head resistance. Component A is an aqueous latex of a natural or synthetic rubber. Component B is an oil carrier in which is dispersed a vulcanizing agent operative to cure the rubber and a hygroscopic agent operative to chemically bind the water in component A. Methods for waterproofing, which employ the formulation system, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds containing polar functional entities can be grafted onto the surface of fluoropolymer powders to obtain grafted fluoropolymer powders having modified surface characteristics but without modifying the bulk of the polymer in the particle. The grafted fluoropolymer powder is effective in such uses as an adhesive to join dissimilar materials.

Abstract: Surfaces are provided with desired characteristics of a polymer by covalently bonding polymer molecules to the surface through external activation of latent reactive groups carried by the polymer molecules. The initial surfaces are free of chemical groups added by surface pretreatement and which chemically participate in the covalent bonding process.