Abstract: The present invention relates to materials containing polyreaction products cured by UV radiation in presence of at least one UV initiator and/or electron radiation and/or IR radiation, planar structures based on renewable raw materials which contain these materials particularly in the coating layer, and methods of the production of said planar structures.

Abstract: A method of generating reactive species which includes exposing a wavelength specific photoreactor composition to radiation, in which the wavelength specific photoreactor composition comprises one or more wavelength-specific sensitizers associated with one or more reactive species-generating photoinitiators. Also described are methods of polymerizing unsaturated monomers, methods of curing an unsaturated oligomer/monomer mixture, and methods of laminating.

Abstract: A description is given of a method of crosslinking radiation-crosslinkable pressure-sensitive adhesive films by controlled-dose exposure to actinic radiation, which involves exposing the film surface to a regular or irregular radiation pattern made up of regions of different intensity. The method permits a more precise adjustment of the adhesion—in particular, the adhesion of flexible films on a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for modifying the properties of a porous freeform fabricated part by increasing its density and reducing its porosity. The porosity and density of a freeform fabricated part are altered by packing the pores in a freeform part with an infiltrant, such as a preceramic polymer. The process includes drawing a vacuum on or pressurizing the freeform part while it is in an infiltrant bath, thereby forcing the infiltrant into the pores of the freeform part. After removing the densified freeform part from the infiltrant bath, the freeform part is subjected to a treating process, such that the infiltrant within the pores transforms to a ceramic or ceramic-containing phase to thereby increasing the density of the freeform part.

Abstract: A method for coating a textile includes applying a substantially water-free, energy-curable, polymer-forming composition to the textile and exposing the textile and composition to a source of energy under such conditions as to generate chemically active sites on the surface of the textile and polymerize the composition. The resulting polymer is grafted onto the textile. Preferably, the energy is derived from electron beam radiation. The composition includes an epoxy oligomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated moieties, and at least one alkoxylated polyol monomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated moieties and capable of being copolymerized with the epoxy oligomer. Preferably, the composition also includes a surface active agent capable of rendering the uncured composition dispersible in water. Optionally, the composition can contain a colorant, and photoinitiator. The composition is especially suitable for use as a screen printing ink and coating material for textiles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical conductor, in which method, a mixture of a resin and of a photo-initiator is exposed to UV radiation in order to form, by cross-linking, the covering of the optical conductor. The cross-linking takes place by causing the conductor (10) to advance past a UV source at a speed of at least 10 meters per minute (m/min). The invention provides a first source (18) which emits monochromatic UV radiation to achieve cross-linking mainly on the surface, and a second UV source which emits UV radiation of broad spectrum containing wavelengths that are longer than the wavelength of the monochromatic source to achieve cross-linking mainly in depth.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing an electronic assembly using a reworkable underfill encapsulant in which the encapsulant is cured in situ from a curable composition comprising one or more mono-functional maleimide compounds, or one or more mono-functional vinyl compounds other than maleimide compounds, or a combination of maleimide and vinyl compounds, a curing initiator and optionally, one or more fillers or adhesion promoters.

Abstract: Radiation-curable preparations comprise at least one polymer which has ethylenically unsaturated double bonds and are used for the coating of mineral moldings.A process for coating mineral moldings, and also mineral moldings which have a coating cured by radiation, are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a water-blocking composite comprising a substrate impregnated with or having a coating of a mixture of a radiation-polymerised compound and a water-swellable compound, and method for production thereof.

Abstract: A method of generating reactive species which includes exposing a polymolecular photoreactor to radiation, in which the polymolecular photoreactor comprises a wavelength-specific sensitizer associated with a reactive species-generating photoinitiator. The sensitizer absorbs energy and transfers the absorbed energy to the photoinitiator which in turn, generates reactive species. The wavelength-specific sensitizer is adapted to have an absorption wavelength band generally corresponding to an emission peak of the radiation. The radiation to which the polymolecular photoreactor is exposed generally will have a wavelength of from about 4 to about 1,000 nanometers. Thus, the radiation may be ultraviolet radiation, including near ultraviolet and far or vacuum ultraviolet radiation: visible radiation: and near infrared radiation. Desirably, the radiation will have a wavelength of from about 100 to about 900 nanometers.

Abstract: A free-radical curable polish composition is described. The composition can be applied and cured as an ultra thin film on finished surfaces to provide enhanced chemical and mar resistance. The composition comprises an aqueous emulsion including an olefin-functional polymer or an olefin-functional prepolymer, and a silicone or silicone copolymer preferably with photoinitiators for UV and EB cure. The polish/emulsion can be applied, for example, to wet the surface of nitrocellulose lacquer wood finishes. The polish wet surface is first wiped to remove excess polish and thereafter exposed to UV radiation to provide a thin, polymerized protective film.

Abstract: A water absorptive material comprising a fibrous substrate impregnated with a water absorptive, water insoluble polymer, wherein the polymer is intertwined and interlocked with fibers of the fibrous substrate, and the use of such water absorptive material to form a water control zone to prevent water egress from the water control zone into adjacent ground or water ingress into the water control zone from adjacent ground.

Abstract: A coated article comprising a backing and a binder is disclosed. The binder precursor is an energy-curable melt-processable resin containing an epoxy resin, a polyester component, a polyfunctional acrylate component, and a curing agent for crosslinking the epoxy resin. The binder precursor is cured to provide a crosslinked coating. The invention also relates to a method of producing such coated articles and a surface-treated porous cloth material.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation-curable, optical glass fiber coating composition containing at least one radiation-curable oligomer or monomer, and at least one chromophoric indicator selected so as to be susceptible to destruction of its chromophoric characteristic upon exposure to radiation and present in an amount which becomes substantially colorless when exposed to a level of radiation sufficient to cure said radiation-curable, optical glass fiber coating composition, wherein said at least one chromophoric indicator has a color which is distinguishable from a base color of said radiation-curable, optical glass fiber coating composition in cured form. The invention also provides a method of making the coating composition. The invention further provides a coated optical glass fiber and a method of making a coated optical glass on a fiber drawing tower. Also provided is a cable and telecommunications system.

Abstract: A gloss coating composition comprising radiation curable oligomers and monomers, and photosensitizers in a homogeneous mixture having a viscosity in the range of 4500 to 8000 cps; wherein the presence of the photosensitizers causes polymerization of the radiation curable oligomers and monomers when exposed to an ultraviolet light source. The coating composition is applied to at least one surface of a substrate and exposed to an ultraviolet light source resulting in curing of the composition onto the substrate surface without substantial penetration into the substrate surface forming a gloss coated substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering a ribbon of optical fibers with a resin. The resin is polymerizable under the effect of UV radiation and forms a protective covering surrounding and holding the fibers. The method includes a pre-polymerization step during which the coated fibers advance through a UV irradiating chamber having a pre-polymerization ultraviolet radiation power of less than one fourth of the total power required to polymerize the resin, which is just sufficient to initiation polymerization. This step is followed by a polymerization finishing step during which the pre-polymerized ribbon is subjected to UV radiation of higher power than the radiation produced during the pre-polymerization step, which completes the polymerization process.

Abstract: A method for forming electrographic imaging elements comprising a uniform dielectric layer is disclosed. The method comprises coating a conductive coating composition containing polymerizable precursors onto a base, curing the composition to form a conductive layer, and coating a dielectric layer on top of the conductive layer. The elements can be used to produce images have higher image density, reduced background, reduced grain, reduced mottle, reduced overtoning, and greater small-scale uniformity than comparable images formed on electrographic imaging elements produced by other methods. The elements are particularly useful for forming large size colored images, such as are required for posters, displays, other indoor advertising.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered that the speed of fiber manufacture can be substantially increased by employing a two-step curing process in which the fiber is drawn, coated and exposed to ultraviolet light on-line at high line speeds to effect a partial cure of the coating. After further cooling, the partially cured coating is fully cured by an on-reel exposure to ultraviolet light. The on-reel exposure can take place on the draw tower take-up reel as it is filing with fiber or it can take place off-line after the take-up reel has been filled and removed from the line. The on-reel exposure advantageously takes place either during filling the take-up reel, or during emptying the reel, so that each layer of fiber on the reel is exposed equally to the ultraviolet light. This method of UV illumination improves the energy efficiency in the second exposure by at least a factor of 10 to as much as a factor of 1000. The fiber primary coating pullout strength and mechanical modulus are enhanced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating and curing fiberglass sleeving with an ultraviolet light curable acrylic includes the steps of singeing the fiberglass sleeve at a singeing station and thereafter, cooling the sleeve. The fiberglass sleeve is then coated with an ultraviolet light curable acrylic resin. Thereafter, the coated fiberglass sleeve is cured by passing it through a curing station wherein the sleeve is subjected to ultraviolet light radiation about its entire circumference. The process is speed adjustable and further, the intensity of the light emitted from the ultraviolet light source may be varied so that the system is tuned to cure fiberglass sleeves of any diameter up to approximately 1.00 inch.

Abstract: Resin compositions useful for filament winding applications comprising an epoxy component including at least one polyepoxide resin curable by heat, an olefinicially unsaturated monomer component including at least one polyolefinically unsaturated monomer curable by actinic radiation, at least one photoinitiator which is not a peroxide, at least one organic peroxide, and a heat activated curing agent for epoxides. The compositions have a viscosity less than about 2000 centipoise (cps) and are capable of retaining this viscosity for at least about 2 hours at a temperature of from about ambient temperature to about 60.degree. C. The resins are capable of being immobilized by actinic radiation exposure and further heat cured without substantial resin drip. One or more organic peroxides are employed, selected from the group of organic peroxides having 10 hour decomposition half lives at temperatures of from about 50.degree. C. to less than about 104.degree. C.

Abstract: A molecularly oriented synthetic resin composition whose coefficient of linear thermal expansion in two mutually perpendicular directions, below the glass-transition temperature, is at least a factor of 3 smaller than in a third direction extending perpendicularly to the first two directions, is manufactured by curing a liquid-crystalline composition having a helicoidal order of molecules, so as to form a polymer network. The resins thus obtained are suitable for use as claddings on materials having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is smaller than that of most synthetic resins.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for applying a curable resin, such as a photosensitive resin, to a substrate such as a papermaker's dewatering felt. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate; providing a curable liquid resin; providing a second material different from the curable liquid resin; applying the second material to the substrate to occupy at least some of the voids in the substrate intermediate the first and second surfaces of the substrate; applying the curable resin to the substrate; curing at least some of the resin to provide a resin layer on the substrate; and removing at least some of the second material from the substrate, wherein at least some of the second material is removed from the substrate after applying the curable resin to the substrate.

Abstract: Novel blood cell fractionation means utilizes conventional filters coated with high molecular weight polyethylene oxide derivatives crosslinked to prevent leaching from filter surfaces. These fractionation means have a special efficacy in binding white blood cells from whole blood while simultaneously allowing red cells and platelets to pass in the effluent phase.

Abstract: A method of making a water absorptive article comprising, a fibrous substrate impregnated with a water absorptive, water insoluble polymer, wherein the polymer is intertwined and interlocked with fibers of the fibrous substrate, and the article has high water absorbing capacity.

Abstract: A process and device for manufacturing cut threads according to which glass threads composed of continuous filaments are coated with a liquid non-aqueous size, which can react under the effect of actinic radiation. The threads are cut by a member which is also used to draw or entrain the threads mechanically before they are subjected to actinic radiation.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation curable coating composition suitable for coating optical glass fiber, having a viscosity in the range of about 10 mPas to 10,000 mPas made of about 20 to about 99.9 weight % of at least one of a thermoplastic non-crosslinking polymer and an ethylenically-unsaturated oligomeric compound; optionally, from 0 to about 60 weight % of an ethylenically-unsaturated diluent, optionally, from 0 to about 60 weight % of a multifunctional ethylenically-unsaturated compound, and optionally, from 0 to about 10 weight % of a photoinitiator, provided that if the thermoplastic non-crosslinking polymer is present and no ethylenically-unsaturated oligomeric compound is present, then the ethylenically-unsaturated diluent is present in an amount up to about 60 weight % and the multifunctional ethylenically-unsaturated compound is present in an amount up to about 60 weight %. The composition provides a tack-free handeable fiber after radiation cure and is fugitive upon thermolysis.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for fabricating a fiber optic microcable mposed of materials having properties which facilitate its manufacture. The microcable is comprised of an optical fiber core, a buffer surrounding the core, and a protective sheath surrounding the buffer consisting of an electromagnetic radiation cured resin impregnated with fibers suspended in the resin to enhance the resistance of the microcable to physical damage. The microcable is fabricated by soaking the fibers in an electromagnetic radiation curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the core and buffer to form a matrix, and then irradiating the matrix with electromagnetic radiation to cure the resin.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation-curable primary coating compositions for optical fibers are disclosed. The primary coatings comprise a polyether polyol-based reactively terminated aliphatic urethane oligomer; one or more diluent monomers terminated with at least one end group capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of the oligomer; an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter; and an optional photoinitiator. Also disclosed are optical fibers coated with the coatings of the invention, and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method of forming a structure which includes at least two laminates each having a minor area of common overlap therebetween and a major area wherein said panels are not overlapped, which comprises the step of forming a primary, wet-to-wet resin bond between said minor areas of common overlap. The invention also contemplates at least one article of manufacture produced by the method.

Abstract: A ballistic laminate structure in sheet form, which includes a first array of high performance, unidirectionally-oriented fiber bundles and a second array of high performance, unidirectionally-oriented fiber bundles cross-plied at an angle with respect to the first array of fiber bundles, and laminated to the first array of fiber bundles in the absence of adhesives or bonding agents. First and second thermoplastic films are bonded to outer surfaces of the laminated first and second arrays of unidirectional fiber bundles without penetration of the films into fiber bundles or through the laminate from one side to the other.

Abstract: This invention pertains to cross-linked hydrophilic polymeric films, the process of making such films, and their use. The films of this invention are produced by solubilizing a water-soluble polymer with a photosensitive or light degradable catalyst, optionally drying said solution, and exposing the solution to an energy source, particularly light. These films are suitable for use as a carrier for biologically active agents, such as pharmaceuticals, both human and veterinary, insecticides, and fertilizers; as hydrophilic membranes for separation processes; as bandages for wound treatment; as body implants or as coatings for such implants; and as coatings on glass, metal, wood or ceramics.

Abstract: The invention relates to silicone-polyether linear block copolymers of the formula ##STR1## wherein, R is hydrogen or a C.sub.(1-8) alkyl, alkoxyl or haloalkyl radical or a monovalent epoxy-functional organic radical;R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a C.sub.(1-8) alkyl or alkoxyl radical, or a monovalent epoxy-functional organic radical;provided that at least two R or R.sup.1 groups are either hydrogen or monovalent epoxy-functional organic radicals;R.sup.2 is a divalent alkylene radical;R.sup.3 is a C.sub.(2-6) alkyl or alkoxyl radical;n is a positive integer of about 4 to about 400;m is a whole number of from 0 to about 50; and,each of R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3, may be unsubstituted or substituted The invention also relates to UV-curable compositions comprising the above-described compound, with or without a UV-detectable dye marker, and a process for making such a compound.

Abstract: In a process for cladding an optical fiber, a photoinitiator monomer having both a photoinitiating group and an ethylenically unsaturated group is reacted with a fluorosubstituted monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated group, thereby preparing a copolymer having pendant photoinitiating groups. This copolymer is then mixed with a fluorosubstituted diacrylate, thereby forming a photopolymerizable composition, which is coated on to the optical fiber and exposed to ultraviolet light, thereby curing the photopolymerizable composition to produce a cladding on the optical fiber. Preferred claddings can have refractive indices below 1.35.

Abstract: The invention concerns an ultra thin polymer film electret comprising a polymer and a substrate having a surface electric charge, wherein a side chain of the polymer and the substrate are physically or chemically bonded. A method of manufacturing an ultra thin polymer film electret comprising: adsorbing a monomolecular film comprising a unsaturated group or a laminated film comprising the monomolecular film on to a substrate surface, irradiating the monomolecular film or the laminated film with an energy beam to polymerize the unsaturated groups and applying a high voltage to the film is also disclosed. Further, a method of manufacturing an ultra thin polymer film electret comprising: physically bonding a side chain of the polymer to a substrate surface to form a thin film and applying a high voltage to the thin film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a fiber bundle which is useful as an industrial thread. The fiber bundle is prepared by integrating individual fiber filaments into a fiber bundle, applying a dual-cure adhesive material to the fiber bundle and initiating polymerization of the dual-cure adhesive material. The dual-cure adhesive material is a combination of a radiation-curable material and a moisture-curable material. The radiation-curable material contains an acrylourethane oligomer and a reactive diluent system, while the moisture-curable material contains a polyisocyanate or an isocyanate-functional urethane prepolymer. The use of a dual-cure material results in a synergistic curing process so as to form a durable and flexible industrial thread or fiber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a plastic coating to woven yarn tubing to provide conduit for protecting wiring harnesses and the like. The resulting plastic coating layer is very thin so as to generally follow the contours of the woven yarn tubing, without filling in the valleys, thus minimizing the amount of plastic used. Woven yarn tubing is waterproofed by impregnating with latex sealant, and is continuously pulled by a take-up mechanism along a horizontal axis through a heated die and two treating stations in tandem. Each of the treating stations includes a coating pot containing liquid plastisol material and having a resilient circular exit die through which the tubing exits the coating pot to form a layer of liquid plastisol, and an infrared curing oven which heats the plastisol-coated tubing sufficiently to cure the plastisol layer. The tubing, while coated with uncured plastisol material, is not contacted by any element which would tend to deform the tubing from a circular cross section.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a continuous thread coated with a mixture which reacts to ultraviolet radiation, a large number of continuous filaments are formed by mechanically drawing a large number of molten thermoplastic material streams flowing from openings in at least one device. A mixture in the liquid state which can react under the effect of ultraviolet radiation is deposited onto the surface of at least some of the filaments before they are combined to form at least one thread. The thread is wound into the form of a winding on a rotating support, and exposed to ultraviolet radiation during the winding operation.

Abstract: A coated abrasive article comprising(a) a porous backing having a front side and a back side;(b) in direct contact with the porous backing, a make coat formed from a composition comprising a radiation curable adhesive applied over the front side of the backing;(c) a multiplicity of abrasive grits bonded by the make coat to the front side of the backing; and(d) a size coat overlying both the abrasive grits and the make coat. The invention also involves several methods for preparing the coated abrasive article. In all of these methods, a radiation curable make coat precursor is applied directly to the front side of the porous backing. No treatment coat is required to seal the backing prior to application of the make coat precursor.

Abstract: To color code optical fibers, a ultraviolet light curable ink is mixed with a carrier fluid. The mixture is then applied to a horizontally moving optical fiber by an ink applicator using a rigid applicator die. The fiber then passes through a convection oven to evaporate the carrier fluid and a ultraviolet light radiator to cure the ultraviolet light curable ink.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an optical fiber coating with a greater adhesive strength between the primary coating layer and the colored layer as the secondary coating layer. This method prevents the colored layer from being removed together with the bundle coating layer when the bundle coating layer is removed, for example, prior to joining. A colored layer is provided on the outer circumference of the primary coating layer while keeping the surface of the primary coating layer in an unhardened state to thereby improve the adhesive strength between the primary coating layer and the colored or secondary layer.

Abstract: An infinite network polymer containing fluorine as a coating or cladding material for optical fibers. Fluoropolymers, such as silicone amine C.sub.0 -C.sub.16 fluoroepoxy resin and cis-trans fluoropolyol polyacrylate, reduce water permeability because of the bonding between the fluoropolymer and the substrate. The fluoropolymers exhibit substantially increased moisture resistance when compared to conventional fiber coating materials. Variations in chemical structure effect physical properties of the polymer and different compounds can be chosen for their desired physical properties, such as moisture resistance or abrasion resistance. Incorporation of fluorine into the polymer structure lowers the index of refraction such that the polymer can be used as a cladding for silica glass in an optical fiber. One fluoropolymer formulation allows in-line coating of the optical fiber in a oxygen environment.

Abstract: A printing blanket including a base fabric and a surface layer in a laminated structure wherein a surface reforming agent containing a perfluoroalkyl group is applied to the surface layer such that a critical surface tension ranging from 10 to 16 dyn/cm appears on the surface of the surface layer is disclosed. To practically manufacture a printing blanket of the foregoing type, there is also disclosed a method wherein a compressible layer is placed on a base fabric, a surface layer is then placed on the compressible layer thereby to form a laminated structure with the base fabric and the compressible layer, and thereafter, a surface modifier containing a perfluoroalkyl group is applied to the surface layer such that a critical surface tension ranging from 10 to 16 dyne/cm appears on the surface of the surface layer. It is preferable that the surface layer is molded of a compound based on a nitrile butadiene rubber.

Abstract: The stain resistance of nylon fibers is improved by attaching stainblocking compounds to the fiber surface using agents which have been grafted to the nylon using UV light and a photoactivator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to epoxy-based polymeric nonlinear optical materials in which a nonlinear optical active moiety or functionality forms the crosslink between polymer chains and a process for making the nonlinear optical (NLO) epoxy polymer including heating an epoxy resin and a curing agent such as a bi- or tri-functional aromatic amine containing an electron-withdrawing group, for example, diamino diphenylsulfone and poling the mixture under high voltage at elevated temperature for a period of time to bring about orientation of the nonlinear optical moieties in the polymer. The polymers have enhanced stability over polymers in which only one end of an NLO active moiety is attached to the polymer chain.

Abstract: An inert ultraviolet light reaction chamber is provided with a flow of liquid on its light transmitting wall surface. The fluid prevents the build up of light blocking deposits, controls the temperature, and filters out undesired portions of the spectrum.

Abstract: A method for forming a lens at an end portion of an optical apparatus, such as an optical fiber assembly, a fiber optical CRT or an LED array, which method comprises a dipping step wherein the end portion of the optical apparatus is dipped into an unsolidified photo-setting resin and a lighting step wherein the photo-setting resin is solidified according to an intensity distribution of the light outputted from the optical apparatus. Further, an optical information processing apparatus and an optical signal transmission apparatus have a lens array formed by the above method.

Abstract: Oil and water repellency is conferred upon porous substrates (10) by treatment with a solution of a monomer (16) of the formula: (C.sub.n E.sub.2n+1)(CH.sub.2).sub.x (CHR)OCOCH.dbd.CH.sub.2 where n is an integer; X is 0,1,2 or 3 and R is H or CH.sub.2 --OCOCH.dbd.CH.sub.2. The monomer is polymerized in situ upon the substrate to provide a conformal coating (16') which preserves the porous structure.