Abstract: Elastomer-coated fabric products having predetermined potential extension in the fabric's machine direction and processes for producing the same. The fabric product of the invention preferably includes an elastomer-coated warp-knit, weft-insert fabric whereby the warp knit yarns provide a first potential elongation (as by selection of the type and/or denier of yarns employed). The fabric is compressed in the machine direction (as by overfeeding the fabric to a tenter frame during production) so as to provide a second potential elongation, and is maintained in its compressed state by virtue of the elastomer coating thereon. The first and second elongation potentials thus collectively establish the total potential elongation for the fabric in the machine direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for adhering coatings directly to semicrystalline polymer films. The surface of the film is first rendered quasi-amorphous. The quasi-amorphous surface is then either (a) washed with a solvent for amorphous polyester and then coated or (b) coated and heated to a temperature to recrystallize the surface of the polymer. These treatments improve both the consistency and strength of the bond between the coating and the polymer surface.

Abstract: Semicrystalline polymers can have predetermined amounts of their surfaces rendered quasi-amorphous by irradiation. Polymer surfaces which are so modified can display enhanced ability to accept bonding to other materials.

Abstract: Composite materials are formed by subjecting a highly elastic material to a plasma treatment and then allowing a polyurethane foam forming mixture to foam on the plasma treated surface. These composites are particularly useful as shoe soles and as insulating materials.

Abstract: A process for coating a synthetic resin optical substrate by subjecting the surface of the substrate to low temperature ion bombardment prior to coating in order to open the chemical bonds on the surface of the substrate and coating the substrate surface before the bonds return to their normal or closed condition. The substrate may also be subjected to low temperature ion bombardment during and after coating to further improve coating adherence and abrasion resistance characteristics.

Abstract: An aqueous initiator solution and process for rejuvenating such initiator solutions and for prolonging the useful operating life thereof by which copper and copper alloy substrates are treated therein to render them receptive to a subsequent electroless nickel plating step. The detrimental effects of progressive contamination of such aqueous initiator solutions with metal ion complexing agents during commercial use and/or precipitation of the noble metal ions which pregressively impairs the oprativeness of such activator solutions is overcome in accordance with the present invention by the addition of controlled amounts of ferric ions effective to maintain at least a sufficient portion of the noble metal ions in solution in a noncomplexed condition whereby the initiator solution is effective to pretreat the copper substrate prior to electroless nickel plating.

Abstract: Metallizable, thermoweldable polyolefin films, endowed with good gas-barrier properties, are obtained by means of a process which comprises the following steps, carried out in sequence:(a) treatment of the surface of the film with an argon plasma;(b) deposition of a thin layer of liquid alkoxy-silanes on the surface of the so-treated film;(c) treatment of the alkoxy-silane coated film with an argon-oxygen plasma.

Abstract: What is disclosed are novel compositions of matter which are useful as primers to bind room-temperature curable silicone, and silicone-modified rubbers, to various substrates. An example is the use of a mixture which is a reaction product of methyltrimethoxysilane and a bisphenol resin; an epoxyfunctional silane, and tetrabutyl titanate, to bond a room-temperature curable silicone rubber, which cures by a reaction which eliminates alcohol as a by-product, to an aluminum substrate.

Abstract: A composite fluid separation membrane having improved fluid permeabilities and a method for preparing same are disclosed. The composite fluid separation membrane is comprised of a porous support in the form of a flat sheet, tube or hollow fiber which is impregnated with a volatile solvent followed by the in situ formation of a separating layer wherein the preimpregnation of the pores of the porous support with the solvent provide a separating layer of substantially uniform thickness and minimum intrusion of the separating layer polymer into the pores of the porous support.

Abstract: A light stabile composition for imparting stain resistance to polyamide fiber-containing textile articles (e.g. nylon, wool or silk carpets) comprises a halogenated (e.g. brominated or chlorinated) aryl group-containing product of the condensation polymerization of a hydroxyaryl sulfonic acid (e.g., para-hydroxyphenyl sulfonic acid), a dihydroxydiaryl sulfone (e.g., dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone) and an aldehyde (e.g., formaldehyde). The polyamide fiber-containing textile articles are converted to a stain resistant product by containing the fibers with an acidified aqueous solution of the aforesaid composition.

Abstract: An optical information record medium is disclosed in which an optical information record layer is formed on a substrate made of a polycarbonate resin. The polycarbonate resin is purified to remove the residual chlorine in the resin enough to form the substrate containing no more than 1.0 ppm of chlorine ion. By reducing the residual chlorine ion in the polycarbonate substrate, anticorrosion characteristics of the optical information record medium are greatly improved.

Abstract: A stainproof woven fabric for use as a wire in paper making, which comprises a woven fabric made of synthetic resin monofilaments as warp and weft, and a cation-exchangeable synthetic resin film which has metallic ions adsorbed therein and is formed on the monofilaments of the woven fabric; and a method for making the stainproof fabric, which comprises providing a woven fabric made of synthetic monofilaments as warp and weft, thermally setting the woven fabric flat, applying an ingredient or ingredients capable of forming a cation-exchangeable synthetic resin to the thermally set woven fabric, curing the thus applied ingredient or ingredients to form a cation-exchangeable synthetic resin film on the woven fabric and then bringing the resin film-formed woven fabric into contact with an aqueous solution containing metallic ions to have the metallic ions adsorbed in the resin film thereby obtaining the stainproof woven fabric.

Abstract: A method for applying surface plasma-treating to works of resin material in a reaction chamber by irradiating the surfaces of the works with a microwave discharge plasma within the reaction chamber, comprising injection the plasma from a plurality of positions located adjacently to the inner wall of the reaction chamber, and injecting the plasma from each injecting position in a certain spreading angle along the direction of injection.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric suitable for clothing manufacture, comprising a fiber web substantially formed of a continuous filament of a synthetic fiber, wherein a plurality of weakened portions in a form of a scratch or a crack are distributed on the filament constituting at least one surface of the fiber web. Some of the weakened portions are broken to form free ends, some of which are projected from the fabrice surface to form a short fluff, and some of the remaining ends are embedded in the interior of the fiber web and entangled with the filament. The weakened portions of the filament are provided by nipping the fiber web between a pair of rollers, at least one of which has a rough surface formed of a plurality of prominences of hard particles. A punching treatment of the fiber web after the weakened portions has been imparted is effective for breaking the filament to form short fluffs on the fabric surface and for entangling the filaments with each other.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for improving the barrier properties of thermoplastic substrates. A surface of the thermoplastic substrate is contacted with a reactive gas stream having an F.sub.2 concentration greater than or equivalent to 0.0001 atm. partial pressure of F.sub.2 per atm. total pressure and sufficient oxygen such that the F.sub.2 /O.sub.2 ratio is less than or equal to about 100, with the remainder being additional reactive and/or non-reactive components. A barrier coating material is applied to the treated surface of the substrate and subsequently undergoes a curing step to form the final product.

Abstract: Halocarbons are readily bonded to a variety of substrates, including metals, polyolefins, styrenics, polyamides and thermoplastic polyesters, by treating the surface(s) to be bonded with a neoalkoxy zirconate compound. The articles produced by the aforesaid process resist delamination. Applicable fluorinated compounds include fluorinated polymers such as Teflon. The specific zirconate compound preferred is dependent on the particular substrate and the halogenated organic compound to be bonded. Preferred are organo-zirconates having one of the following formulas: ##STR1## wherein R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each monovalent hydrocarbon groups or substantive derivatives thereof; the A groups are independently selected from diester phosphates, diester pyrophosphates, oxyalkylamino, oxyalkylarylamino, or sulfonyl groups; B is an R'.sub.2 C group or a carbonyl group; R' is a hydrogen group or an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and n is 1 or 2.

Abstract: Gas separation membranes which possess improved characteristics as exemplified by selectivity and flux may be prepared by coating a porous organic polymer support with a solution or emulsion of a plasticizer and an organic polymer, said coating being effected at subatmospheric pressures in order to increase the penetration depth of the coating material.

Abstract: Dielectric materials having low dielectric constant are provided, the materials comprising fabrics impregnated with thermosetting resins, at least a portion of the fibers in the fabrics being fluorocarbon fibers. Also provided is a method of manufacture of these dielectric materials. The dielectric materials are useful in the fabrication of multilayer printed circuit boards.

Abstract: In a process for the production of heat stabilized nylon-6, hot nylon pellets are directly sprayed with measured quantities of concentrated solutions of copper salts and inorganic halides. For soluble cupric salts, the pellets are sprayed with a first solution comprising the soluble cupric salt and a second solution comprising the halide. Separate solutions are utilized when necessary to avoid precipitation problems. For cuprous salts solubilized in concentrated halide solution, a single solution may be prepared for spraying. Rapid absorption of copper by nylon eliminates precipitation and subsequent loss of the chemicals or discoloration of products.

Abstract: A polyester coating applied to gel coated fiber reinforced plastic. The pester coating prevents blistering of the gel coat.

Abstract: Polymer surfaces such as polyethylene or polypropylene films are corona discharge treated in the conventional manner, and then treated with a reducing agent such as aqueous KI to convert the surface functional groups containing oxygen to predominantly hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A process for preparing a magnetic recording medium is described, comprising subjecting a surface of a non-magnetic support having a surface roughness of not less than 0.01 .mu.m to a non-contact surface treatment, providing a layer containing a compound polymerizable by radiation exposure on the surface of the support, exposing said layer to radiation, and then providing a magnetic layer on the radiation-exposed layer.

Abstract: A method for finish coating on polyurethane formed articles, which comprises formulating a finish coating composition so as to have a content of pyrrolidone or its derivative represented by the general formula ##STR1## in which R stands for hydrogen or an alkyl group having at the most 4 carbon atoms, in an amount of 5-40% by weight upon the coating, applying this finish coating composition on the polyurethane formed article directly and heating the so called polyurethane formed article at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved antistatic coating for a polyester support bearing a photographic layer is applied in two coatings using conventional coating equipment. The first coating contains an electrically conductive polymer and optionally a binding agent; the second coating contains a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrically conductive composite polymer article, which comprises contacting at least one polymerizable compound selected from the group consisting of heterocyclic compounds, derivatives thereof, aniline and aniline derivatives with a polymer article containing a polymerization catalyst for the polymerizable compound, and polymerizing the polymerizable compound to prepare an electrically conductive polymer on the surface of the polymer article or on the surface and in the polymer article. Schottky-barrier diodes and patterned electrodes can also be produced by utilizing the process. According to the process, process steps can be simplified, and various devices having excellent conductivity and transparency can be produced.

Abstract: A protector article and method of forming the same for use as a paint mask or water shield. The article comprises a generally flat and relatively thin sheet of flexible plastic material having its peripheral edge shaped to conform to the shape of the surface to be protected. Adhesive is carried by the peripheral edge of the sheet to allow it to be permanently or temporarily connected to the surface to be protected. At least one predetermined area in the sheet is enclosed by a series of relatively small and closely spaced corrugations to allow the enclosed area(s) to be selectively deflected laterally of the plane of the sheet to form pockets or bulges to allow the sheet to generally conform to discontinuities in the surface being protected. The corrugations are preferably formed by conventional thermoforming techniques.

Abstract: Production of electrically conductive composite or structural materials comprising a dielectric substrate, e.g. fiberglass fabric, and a layer of a pyrrole polymer on the substrate, by treating the substrate with a solution of a strong oxidant containing a substantially non-nucleophilic anion, e.g. ferric chloride, drying the substrate and exposing the so treated substrate with the vapors of a pyrrole and oxidizing the pyrrole by the strong oxidant and depositing a polypyrrole layer or film on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrically conducting material including a polymeric material having adsorbed sulfides of a first metal selected from copper, cobalt, tin, mercury and lead and of a second metal selected from silver, gold and elements of the platinum group. The polymeric material is in the form of powder or a shaped body such as a fiber, film or string and is formed of a synthetic polymer without cyanic groups such as a polyester or a polyamide or a naturally occurring polymeric substance such as silk or wool. The electrically conducting material may be prepared by treating the polymeric material with hydrogen sulfide, and then treating the resultant material having absorbed hydrogen sulfide with (a) a source of ions containing the first metal, (b) a source of ions containing the second metal and, optionally, (c) a sulfur-containing compound to form sulfides of the first and second metals adsorbed by the polymeric material.

Abstract: The preparation of paraffinized cell blocks from fixed tissue and sputum samples employs microwave enhanced dehydration and impregnation of the cell specimens. The fixed cell specimen is first exposed to a suitable dehydrating agent, typically a low molecular weight alcohol, and exposed to microwave radiation for a relatively short period of time. The dehydrated sample is then cleared (if necessary) and immersed in a suitable melted wax and thereafter exposed to microwave radiation again for a relatively short period of time. The resulting paraffinized tissue sections have been found to possess staining characteristics which are substantially equivalent or superior to those obtained by conventional cell block paraffinization techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for improving the tuft bind of yarn in textile coverings. The method comprises applying to the yarn, prior to applying an adhesive, a functional amount of an aqueous dispersion comprising a surfactant and/or polymeric component wherein the aqueous dispersion has a surface tension approximately equal to or less than the surface tension of the yarn. The present invention also is directed toward a textile covering having improved tuft bind prepared by the aforementioned method. The method is advantageously employed in the preparation of floor coverings to maintain the original appearance and resist the loss of pile or a condition known as pill and fuzzing.

Abstract: A method of continuously sequentially coating polyamide filaments with copper and silver which utilizes as a key step in the process the use of a wetter solution containing alcohol, a detergent and an ethylene oxide and propylene oxide copolymer surfactant. The filaments are in the form of multi-filament tows, roving, woven tape or fabric and the steps involve immersing the filaments in a sodium hydroxide trisodium phosphate cleaning solution, followed by a water rinse and then immersion in the wetter solution, followed by water rinse and then followed by a conventional commercial pre-activator, then a commercial palladium chloride/stannous chloride catalytic activator, followed by commercial autocatalytic copper plating as a first copper plating step, followed by a subsequent copper plating step from a copper cyanide bath, followed by a conventional silver plating step, with appropriate water rinses after each of the plating steps, and finally with an alcohol rinse and drying.

Abstract: A method of continuously sequentially coating polyester with copper and silver which utilizes as a key step in the process the use of a wetter solution containing alcohol, a detergent and an ethylene oxide and propylene oxide copolymer surfactant. The filaments are in the form of multi-filament tows, roving, woven tape or fabric and the steps involve immersing the filaments in a sodium hydroxide trisodium phosphate cleaning solution, followed by a water rinse and the immersion in the wetter solution, followed by water rinse and then followed by an etch in hydrogen peroxide, followed by a commercial palladium chloride/stannous chloride catalytic activator, followed by a hydrochloric acid immersion, followed by commercial autocatalytic copper plating as a first copper plating step, followed by a subsequent copper plating step from a copper cyanide bath, followed by a conventional silver plating step, with appropriate water rinses after each of the plating steps, and finally with an alcohol rinse and drying.

Abstract: A method of preparation of fiberglass filaments for subsequent coating with metal wherein the fiberglass filaments first are immersed in a wetter solution containing alcohol, a detergent, and an ethylene oxide and propylene oxide copolymer surfactant. Following this treatment the filaments may be treated with conventional palladium chloride or tin chloride activators, followed by treatment with an acid accelerator and then autocatalytically coated with metals such as copper, gold, palladium, cobalt, nickel, and nickel alloys of phosphorus, boron, or tungsten. A second electroplating or immersion plating step may be included where the metal-coated filaments are electroplated or immersion plated with either the same metal, or a different metal taken from the group consisting of nickel, silver, zinc, cadmium, platinum, iron, cobalt, chromium, tin, lead, rhodium, ruthenium, or iridium.

Abstract: The invention provides a very efficient method for the improvement of the antistatic performance, e.g. decrease in the accumulation of static electricity on the surface and decrease in the surface resistivity, of a synthetic resin shaped article with outstanding durability of the effect. The method comprises two steps in principle, first of which is the formation of a crosslinked layer in the surface portion of the shaped article by a variety of known methods effective for the formation of crosslinks in polymeric materials and the second of which is the exposure of the thus crosslinked surface of the article to low temperature plasma produced in an atmosphere containing a gaseous silicon-containing compound which may be a silane compound or a low-molecular weight vaporizable siloxane compound to form a plasma-polymerized surface film of the silicon compound on the crosslinked layer.

Abstract: A method of providing a metal mirror on an article of acrylate or methacrylate synthetic resin in which the surface to be metallized is treated with a solution of tannin in a mixture of water and an organic solvent and the treated surface is then provided with a metal mirror by using an electroless metallization process.

Abstract: A process for producing coherent films of polyactylene is disclosed. A support is contacted with a catalyst comprising an acidic, polar medium containing a transition metal salt, water and a borohydride. The support is then contacted with acetylene gas which forms on the support a coherent film of polyacetylene strongly adherent to the support.

Abstract: Poly(arylene sulfide) substrates are laser treated, i.e., treated with a beam of laser radiation, and then contacted with plating solution. In a specific embodiment, laser treatment imparts a specific pattern on the poly(arylene sulfide) substrate, which is then subjected to an electroless plating solution to give a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A process of bonding a coating of a polyurethane resin to a polyolefin substrate is provided. The polyolefin substrate is coated with a graft copolymer of a polyolefin and a functional monomer such as acrylic acid. The graft copolymer is flame treated to fuse it. A liquid polyurethane precursor composition is then applied thereto and cured.

Abstract: An improved synthetic resin opthalmic lens and a method for treating the surface of the lens are provided. The lens is formed by polymerizing at least one bis(allyloxycarbonyloxy-alkoxy) dihalide-phenyl alkane and one bifunctional allyl compound, optionally with a bis(allylcarbonate) compound. The lens is chemically treated with an aqueous solution of polyethyleneglycol and an alkali metal hydroxide and a surface hard coat is formed on the treated surface.

Abstract: The color and luster of a man conveyor handrail can be restored by mechanically grinding the surface of the handrail, degreasing the thus-ground surface of the handrail with a low-solubility solvent, and then coating a solution, which contains a room-temperature curable silicone resin containing methoxy groups and an organic solvent having a kauri-butanol value smaller than 100, onto the thus-degreased surface of the handrail. The process of this invention permits the operation of a man conveyor with handrails which always have a color and luster similar to fresh handrails without need for substantial increase to its running cost.

Abstract: A process for modifying the surface characteristics of a pre-formed polymeric substrate to impart hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, or other desired properties thereto, by peroxidizing the surface of the substrate and then allowing the active sites along the polymer chains to generate free radicals which induce graft polymerization of a suitable ethylenic monomer (or other ethylenically-unsaturated compound) onto the surface of the substrate is described. Such graft copolymerization is undertaken in the presence of variable valence metal ions in a reduced state under acidic conditions and at selected reaction times and relatively low temperatures, and ideally in the presence of squarate ions (diketocyclobutenediol) to control the physical characteristics of the surface graft and to restore the metal ions to their lower valence state without at the same time producing deleterious by-products.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating on a polyolefin substrate comprising the steps of applying a primer coating onto the substrate and then applying a finish coating is disclosed. The method is characterized in that the primer coating consists essentially of a polyurethane prepolymer derived from a polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight from about 400 to about 2,000 and an excess of diphenylmethane diisocyanate.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible rubber or article having a coating of a hydrophilic hydrogel polymer. The coating is applied to at least one surface of the article prior to heat vulcanization of the article and prior to curing of the polymer to impart lubricant and moisture transmission properties after vulcanization and curing thereof. A solution of a trivalent cationic salt may be applied to the article prior to or simultaneously with the application of the polymer so as to provide for improved adhesion of the polymer to the article after curing. A powderless solution of an emulsion or a surfactant is applied to the article after curing to reduce the surface tack of both the surface of the article which has been coated by the polymer and the surface opposite such polymer-coated surface.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a new and novel primer composition comprising a silicone modified epoxy resin and an organotitanium acid ester. These compositions are useful for priming solid substrates to allow the adherence of room temperature cured silicone rubber to the substrate. The compositions are also useful as protective coatings.

Abstract: The magnetizable layer of a magnetic recording medium which has a flexible polyester film base is better adhered to the film base and better resists abrasion if the film base is first subjected to electron-beam irradiation while passing through an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen.

Abstract: Methods for coating acoustical surfaces without substantially clogging the pores and reducing the sound absorption characteristics. The compositions applied to the surfaces of the acoustical materials in the coating method comprise an aqueous mixture containing a disinfectant, a pigment such as titanium dioxide, a quaternary ammonium compound of the following formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon containing from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, and an air freshener.

Abstract: Films comprising alpha-olefin polymers, such as polypropylene consisting essentially of recurring propylene units and having a substantial crystalline polypropylene content, and in particular isotactic polypropylene, are rendered poorly adhesive to the welding bars of automatic and semi-automatic machines conventionally used for the manufacture of containers, envelopes, bags, vessels and, in general, other manufactured articles useful in the packaging industry, by coating the films by a mixture of a copolymer of a vinyl ester with an unsaturated acid, a terpolymer of an alkyl acrylate, an alkyl-methacrylate and an unsaturated acid and a cross-linking amine.

Abstract: A silicone coating of a silicone release liner which has a polyester film base is better adhered to the film base and better resists removal when rubbed if the film base is first subjected to electron-beam irradiation while passing through an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen.

Abstract: A plastic substrate is injection molded to provide a pattern of channels in at least one of its sides to define a predetermined set of conductive paths. Both the surfaces of the channels and the non-channel surfaces therebetween are metalling through one or more steps of flame spraying, a combination of electroless plating and electroplating, gas plating or vacuum deposition. In one form of the invention the metallization over the non-channel surfaces is removed by abrading. In another form of the invention the initial metallization over the non-channel surfaces is coated with a resist prior to the deposition of another metal layer. The metal covering the channels is subsequently removed by stripping the resist and etching away the initial metallization.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for conditioning the surfaces of natural and synthetic plastic materials for electroless plating of a metal coating thereon by exposing such materials to an atmosphere comprising ozone, contacting said exposed materials with a conditioning solvent, such as an aqueous solution of sodium, potassium or lithium hydroxide, and thereafter rinsing said contacted materials with an aqueous solution of one or more surfactants.