Abstract: The present invention relates to powder coatings curable by exposure to radiation, typically ultraviolet radiation. Powder coatings based upon cationically catalyzed resins (typically epoxy resins) are described including bisphenols, bisphenols modified by novolac, as well as aliphatic type epoxides including hydrogenated bisphenol-A, glycidyl methacrylic, glycidyl acrylics or related compounds, and vinyl ethers including mixtures of the foregoing compounds. Photoinitiators of sulfonium type, ferrocinium type, iodonium type, triphenolic types and related compounds are also included. Opacifiers, flow agents and plasticizers are also included. Charge additives for improved electrostatic deposition of the power coating are also described. Degassing agents are also typically included in the formulation, both for degassing the powder coating during cure, and to assist in degassing those substrates (such as wood) which tend to form bubbles during cure. Flow agents are also typically included in the formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to several novel compositions and methods employing infrared radiation, microwave radiation or high voltage polymerization for modifying the surfaces of materials to impart desired characteristics thereto. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for modifying the surfaces of objects to increase the lubricity, hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, or biofunctionality of the surface of the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a coating film, which comprises ejecting a curable coating composition from a spray gun, spray-coating the ejected composition while applying thereto an active energy beam, and heat-curing the resulting coating film, wherein the curable coating composition contains an epoxy group-containing resin (A) and a photo-induced cationic polymerization initiator (B).

Abstract: Opaquely pigmented or thick filmed powder coatings for heat sensitive substrates, such as wood, wood composites, for example, medium density fiber board, and plastics, that can be fully cured, especially near the substrate, through the incorporation of a dual cure system in the powder comprising a thermal initiator, such as a peroxide, along with a UV initiator. The UV initiator cures the surface, while the thermal initiator cures at the substrate. Surprisingly, virtually no pregelation occurs during the heated melt and flow out step prior to UV curing. Consequently, the hardened film finish formed on the surface exhibits exceptional smoothness which is comparable to that of traditional UV curable powders. The hardened film finish is also fully cured throughout and exhibits exceptional adhesion to the substrate which cannot be achieved with traditional UV curable powders that have been pigmented.

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: Machine elements having Release Coatings that are Electromagnetic Wave Energy Cured, Highly Abrasion Resistant, Flexible, Low Friction, Release Coatings for Compliant Elastomeric Substrates used on Bowed Rolls and Press Rolls. 100% solids, highly abrasion resistant release coatings which are polymerization cured with electromagnetic wave energy in the wave length range of 5500 .ANG. to 0.006 .ANG.. These coatings will bond securely to commonly used structural and elastomeric, rigid and flexible, substrates; including metallic and non-metallic materials. The coatings are compositions of varying percentages of 2-Phenoxyethyl Acrylate, Tetraethylene Glycol Diacrylate, Isobutyl Benzoin Ether, 1,6 Hexanediol Diacrylate, Cycloaliphatic Bis A Epoxide, Polyurethane Acrylate, Methyl Methacrylate, Polysiloxane and other Acrylics, Tertiary Amines, Epoxidized Novolac, Fluorinated Alkyloxylate, Electromagnetic Wave Energy sensitive Photoinitiators, and Electromagnetic energy absorbers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing a photoresist that is deposited in liquid form and spun on a surface of a wafer leaving a thin film to be cured. This invention teaches methods for curing the resist with improved thickness control using front side heating.

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: 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: An electric field emission device includes an electrode that includes a layer having a dense array of discrete, solid microstructures disposed on at least a portion of one or more surfaces of a substrate, the microstructures having an areal number density of greater than 10.sup.7 /cm.sup.2, the microstructures being individually conformally overcoated with one or more layers of an electron emitting material, the overcoated electron emitting material being disposed on at least a portion of the microstructures and have a surface morphology which is nanoscopically rough. A method for preparing the electrode used in the invention is discussed.

Abstract: This is a system and method of in-situ coating, baking and curing of dielectric material. The system may include: dispensing apparatus for dispensing spin-on material; a lamp module 50; a window 54 connected to the lamp module 50; an environmental control chamber 56 connected to the window 54; an access gate 60 for wafers 58 in the environmental control chamber 56; a spin chuck 62 inside the environmental control chamber 56; and an exhaust pipe 64 connected to the environmental control chamber 56. The lamp module 50 may contains infra red and ultra violet lamps. In addition, the coating chamber may process dielectric material such as spin-on glass, silicon dioxide and various other spin-on material.

Abstract: A magnetic disc manufacturing apparatus is includes a polishing device for conducting a surface polishing treatment on a disc, a supply device for supplying lubricant onto the polished disc, and a feeding mechanism for feeding the disc between the devices. If necessary, it is provided with a curing device for curing the lubricant on the disc. The treatments of the devices and the disc feeding operation are synchronized with one another, and a disc processed in each device is fed to a next device at a constant time interval by the feeding mechanism, thereby performing a continuous disc manufacturing process.

Abstract: A process for producing UV or UV/IR or IR/UV-hardened coatings on substrates by applying a coating compound to the substrate to be coated and by the action of UV radiation, or combined UV/IR or IR/UV radiation, as well as UV or UV/IR or IR/UV-hardenable coating compounds comprising a component A, which is a solution of a complexed, metal organic Ti or Zr compound with polymerizable ligands, a component B, which is a hydrolyzate of one or more radically polymerizable alkoxy silanes of general formula ##STR1## and 0.1 to 5% by weight of a component C, which is an initiator for the polymerization.

Abstract: A light influencing element and the process of fabricating the same is disclosed, wherein the light influencing element is fabricated by disposing a layer of a substantially opaque material upon a transparent substrate. One or more openings or wells may then be cut or formed in the surface of the layer of opaque material. Into such openings a light influencing material is then disposed, preferable said materials are injected thereinto as by ink-jet type injection heads. Liquid crystal displays and subassemblies formed upon the light influencing elements of the instant invention are also provided.

Abstract: A friction promoting layer is provided which comprises a binder and particulate material and is suitable for use with film backed coated abrasives. The binder used is one that shrinks upon drying and curing to ensure that particulates in the layer are not buried in the binder component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coating articles with powder coatings which contain polymers and are applied to the surface of the substrate to be coated, are melted and are crosslinked by UV radiation, the polymers employed being copolymers of(a) at least one monomer of the general formula (I)CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sup.1)--CO--OR.sup.2 (I)whereR.sup.1 =H or CH.sub.3 andR.sup.2 =H, C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 where n=from 1 to 30, or is an alicyclic, araliphatic or heterocyclic radical, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, glycidyl or aminoalkyl,or of the general formula IICH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sup.1)--CO--NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 (II)where R.sup.3 =H or CH.sub.3 andwhere R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be identical to or different from one another and are H, CH.sub.2 OH, C.sub.n H.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a laminate having utility in an electrical inductive apparatus, which first comprises coating at least one side of a metal substrate with a solventless liquid resin system comprising an ultraviolet radiation curable acrylic or vinyl monomer and a heat reactive thermoset adhesive resin. The resin system on the coated metal substrate is then exposed to ultraviolet radiation to cure the ultraviolet radiation curable monomer. The resin system is now a tacky solid layer. The laminates so formed can be assembled into components for use in applications such as electric power transformers, ignition coils, generators, chokes, reactors, solenoids ballasts, motors and electronics, in which prior art laminates have been utilized. The assembled laminates are then exposed to sufficient heat to cure the heat reactive thermoset resin and adhere the laminate layers together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying the surfaces of the molded materials made of fluorine resins comprising irradiating an ultraviolet laser beam on said surfaces in the presence of an ultraviolet-absorbing compound and a fluorosurfactant. According to the process, the adhesive and wetting properties and the like of the surfaces of the molded materials made of fluorine resins can be remarkably improved.

Abstract: A composite laminated structure is provided which includes a thin copper or other conducting material laminated to a polyimide having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion which in turn is bonded to a polyimide which has a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). This polyimide is in turn bonded to a relatively thick base such as stainless steel. The thicknesses of the polyimide and copper and the specific coefficients of thermal expansion of all of the material are so selected that in the absence of support from the stainless steel the stresses between the various layers are balanced in such a way that the two layers of polyimide and the copper remain essentially flat. This allows for a stainless steel substrate to have a portion etched away or otherwise removed so as to form a hinge region; and when the stainless steel is removed, the remaining structure will remain essentially flat and not curl either toward the stainless steel or toward the copper.

Abstract: A process is provided whereby radiation curable compositions comprising N-vinylformamide and an oligomer selected from the group consisting of epoxy-acrylate resins, polyester acrylate resins, polyurethane acrylate resins, acrylic acrylate resins, silicone acrylate resins, unsaturated polyester resins, maleate ester resins, vinyl ether resins and mixtures thereof are applied to the surface of a substrate and subsequently exposed to a radiation source until an adherent dry polymerized film is formed on the substrate. These compositions are useful for a wide range of applications including pigmented and unpigmented coatings, printing inks, adhesives and the like.

Abstract: This invention is a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive formed by copolymerizing acrylic, or a combination of acrylic and vinyl, monomers, at least one of which is a photoinitiator, with the functional monomer, 1-(1-isocyanato-1methyl ethyl)-3-(1-methyl ethenyl)benzene (m-TMI), to give a saturated polymer with pendant vinyl groups that are crosslinked by UV radiation.

Abstract: A method of coating heat sensitive materials with powder paint is described, which is based on repetitive heating cycles of paint coating by radiation example infrared, interspersed with cooling cycles, which there is a temperature difference between the paint coating and substrate such as to allow the filmation and subsequent curing of the paint without damaging the substrate.

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: A method for coating individual items each having two plain and parallel sides comprises two process steps, wherein an item is first sprayed with a coating when it passes a spray box, and wherein the coating is then hardened, with at least two mutually adjoining sides of the item being treated in both steps. The method comprises two stages, each of which comprises both process steps, and where the item in the first stage at least in the second step is supported on a side which is not treated, after which the remaining sides on the item are treated in the second stage where the item is supported on a side which was treated in the first stage. The items at least in the second step in one of the stages are supported on the one parallel side by vacuum between the item and a conveyor belt. The contact between the item and the conveyor belt is initiated by air jets directed towards the conveyor belt. An apparatus is also proposed for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: Color filter arrays containing one or more colors for liquid crystal displays and other optoelectronic devices are made by using a laser to ablate portions of a coating on either a colored or transparent substrate. Color filter materials are placed into the ablated openings and cured. The number of laser ablated openings in the coated substrate varies, depending on the quantity and types of colors desired.

Abstract: A method for achieving a high gloss finish on a compression molded substrate, molded with or without vacuum, in which the substrate includes a hollow filler material and has a specific gravity of not more than 1.4, including the steps of heating at least the surface of the substrate, to a temperature above the melting temperature of a subsequently applied coating powder and applying a first layer of powder to the heated surface, and if necessary, elevating the temperature of the surface and maintaining the temperature of the heated surface above the curing temperature of powder by infrared radiation or by forced heated air for a time period sufficient to cure the powder and then, if desired, subsequently electrostatically applying a second coating to at least a portion of the first film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously curing cross-linkable polymers in a ceramic or refractory tunnel whose interior surface is coated with a material exhibiting excellent emissivity. The ceramic tunnel is energized by a heat source consisting of nicrome or equivalent wires and when coated with a metallic oxide material such as titanium dioxide colored to a black hue, or equivalent high emissivity materials, the tunnel performs as a black body radiator.

Abstract: A decorative sheet having a first substrate sheet 11 formed of a transparent plastic material, in one or both of the surfaces of which all or a part of a pattern-printed layer 2 is embedded, a laminated sheet formed by laminating a second substrate sheet 12 formed of a transparent plastic material on one surface of the abovementioned sheet, or a laminated sheet formed by laminating a third substrate sheet, 13 formed of a plastic material having a concealing effect on the above-mentioned sheet or laminated sheet. This decorative sheet has an excellent three-dimensional effect.

Abstract: Microreflectance infrared (IR) spectroscopy is used to determine the degree of cure of Meta-Paete (pyromellitic dianhydride-oxydianiline ethyl ester) films on metallized substrates. In this method, the infrared bands at 1028 and 1015 cm.sup.-1 are used to indirectly monitor ethanol evolution during Meta-Paete cure. The 1015 cm.sup.-1 band serves as internal reference, while the 1028 cm.sup.-1 band, which corresponds to the C--O stretch in the ethoxy group, is used to monitor imidization through loss of the ethoxy group during cure. Quantification of ethanol evolution is possible, since no apparent distortion is observed in the external reflection spectra at these two frequencies. The method can also be applied to measure the cure uniformity of Meta-Paete films, to provide an estimate of film thickness over metallized substrates, and to monitor temperature uniformity in an oven cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for curing conformal coatings on circuit boards being conveyed through a curing chamber within a UV oven. Warm air, exhausted from a lamp housing containing UV lamps for curing the coatings, is directed into a flash zone chamber through which the coated circuit boards are conveyed prior to entering the UV oven for flashing volatile constituents from the coatings and raising the temperature of the circuit boards.

Abstract: A light influencing element and the process of fabricating the same is disclosed, wherein the light influencing element is fabricated by disposing a layer of a substantially opaque material upon a transparent substrate. One or more openings or wells may then be cut or formed in the surface of the layer of opaque material. Into such openings a light influencing material is then disposed, preferable said materials are injected thereinto as by ink-jet type injection heads. Liquid crystal displays and subassemblies formed upon the light influencing elements of the instant invention are also provided.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printed circuit assembly is formed by first making a substrate (20). A substrate (20) is first formed from a photoactive polymer (14) that is capable of altering its physical state when exposed to a radiant beam (30). At this point, the substrate is only partially cured. A conductive circuit pattern (50) is then formed on the partially cured substrate. The substrate is then molded to create a three-dimensional structure, and then further cured to cause the photoactive polymer to harden.

Abstract: Langmuir-Blodgett films having photo-electronic properties and methods of making the same. The instant films may be made, for example, by spreading a mixture of one or more types of biotinylated lipids and one or more types of electrically-conductive lipids over a water-miscible liquid subphase. Conjugated molecules comprising a biotin-binding component made up of an avidin or streptavidin molecule or a fragment or derivative thereof having biotin-binding activity and a photodynamic proteinaceous component are then injected into the subphase. Because of the affinity between biotin and the biotin-binding component, the conjugated molecules bind to the biotinylated lipids. The air-subphase interface is then compressed, causing the biotinylated lipids and electrically-conductive lipids to form a monolayer thereat.

Abstract: Plastic ophthalmic lenses are coated with a spin-coating process. A coating solution containing at least ninety percent tri- and tetra-acrylates in a butanol solvent is spin-coated onto the surface of a plastic lens. After drying, the coating is exposed to ultraviolet radiation to cure the coating. A photoinitiator is used which counteracts the tendency of oxygen to inhibit curing of the coating at its exterior surface.

Abstract: An open-weave conveyor moves a printed wiring board through a region of radiant energy. The conveyor has a plurality of supporting projections extending from the major surface of the conveyor to minimize engagement between the conveyor and the board, providing at least three projections supporting each board above the open-weave conveyor to eliminate a shadow effect caused by radiation blocked by conveyor strands. Guides move the conveyor along an arcuate path away from the printed wiring board in the radiation region, assuring irradiation of the entire printed wiring board surface. This technique is advantageous for simultaneously irradiating both sides of a board during a dry film solder masking technique. The solder mask is radiated to promote cross-linking of the film polymer. To reduce thermal shock and abrupt temperature rise in the workpiece, the ultraviolet source includes a water envelope to absorb infrared radiation.

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 process for adhering high nitrile resins onto a plastic material. The process comprises the steps of selecting a high nitrile resin having a nitrile content of at least about 60 percent by weight and prepared by the copolymerization of an olefinically unsaturated monovinyl nitrile and a monovinyl monomer copolymerizable therewith in the presence of a conjugated diene rubber, preparing a solution comprising from about one to 70 percent by weight of the high nitrile resin in a photopolymerizable solvent comprising from about 30 to 99 percent by weight of the solution and from about 0.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a decorative product particularly for use in the ornamental field, in which selected organic chemical compounds are employed, which are prepared and applied in a way to confer to the same product favorable safety characteristics during use.