Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a medical wire includes manufacturing a fluororesin-coated wire and irradiating with infrared radiation. The fluororesin-coated wire is manufactured with a fluororesin-containing liquid, or fluororesin powder body being applied to the outer circumference of a superelastic alloy wire or of a resin-coated superelastic alloy wire. The fluororesin-coated wire is irradiated with a defined wavelength of infrared radiation for a defined period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus for paint or lacquer coating of a sheet capable of coiling that has precisely one drive, which is assigned in effect to a second coiling mount, wherein essentially no further means of influencing the running characteristics of the sheet are provided for.

Abstract: A structured organic film comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be a multi-segment thick structured organic film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate (1) coated with a porous coating (2), to the processes for manufacturing the coating, and to its applications. The porous coating (2) is essentially mineral and of the sol-gel type, having a series of closed pores with at least the smallest characteristic dimension being, on average, equal to or greater than 20 nm but less than or equal to 100 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for accelerated drying of at least one polymer which is located at least partially on a component, in particular at least a layer of paint and/or a sealing agent which is applied to an aircraft component in particular with a different material composition, involving the following steps of: a) at least partially applying the at least one polymer, in particular an epoxy resin and/or polyurethane-based layer of paint and/or a sealing agent, to an upper side of the component, and b) at least partially drying the polymer by means of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength range of between 0.28 ?m and 4.0 ?m. Accelerated drying of the polymer, in particular the paint layer thereby becomes possible from an upper side of the component to an upper side of the paint layer, whereby high surface-quality of the painting can be achieved with processing times which are nonetheless short.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising the steps of: (i) providing an essentially solvent-free mixture comprising one or more free radically polymerizable monomers having one ethylenically unsaturated group and at least one free-radical polymerization initiator, (ii) partially polymerizing said mixture to provide a partially polymerized mixture exhibiting a Brookfield viscosity of between 1,000 and 125,000 mPa·s at 20° C. and a degree of conversion of monomers to polymer of between 30-60 wt. % with respect to the initial mass of the monomers prior to polymerization, (iii) adding one or more free-radical radiation polymerization initiators to the partially polymerized mixture to provide a radiation-curable precursor, (iv) applying the radiation-curable precursor to a substrate, and (v) further polymerizing the radiation-curable precursor by subjecting it to actinic irradiation to provide said pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer liquid composition including a fluoropolymer liquid (A) which includes a liquid medium and a crosslinkable functional group-containing crosslinkable fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer liquid (A) is a fluoropolymer liquid dispersion (AD) having, dispersed in a liquid dispersion medium, particles of a crosslinkable fluoropolymer (PD) containing acid/acid salt groups or organic groups capable of undergoing hydrolysis and thus being converted to carboxyl groups, or a fluoropolymer solution (AS) having, dissolved in a fluorosolvent or an alcohol/water mixed solvent, a crosslinkable fluoropolymer (PS) containing acid/acid salt groups or acid/acid salt groups precursors. Further, the crosslinkable functional group is a cyano group, —I or —Br.

Abstract: One surface of a first substrate provided with at least light-absorbing layers separately formed, partition layers each formed between the light-absorbing layers and having an inverse taper shape, and material layers formed on the light-absorbing layers and on the partition layers so that the material layers are separated from each other is disposed to face a deposition target surface of a second substrate; light irradiation is performed from the other surface of the first substrate, only the material layers in regions overlapped with the light-absorbing layers are heated and evaporated to the deposition target surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: A coating method is provided for forming a liquid-repellent coat on a predetermined partial region of an inner surface of each through-hole of a nozzle plate. The nozzle plate is provided in an ink-jet head of an ink-jet printer. The coating method comprises the steps of: forming a coat preform on a region including the partial region of the inner surface; supplying a mask material having ultraviolet ray absorbability into the coated through-hole; irradiating ultraviolet rays onto the base material to partially decompose and remove the coat preform on the inner surface; and removing the mask material in the through-hole to obtain the nozzle plate partially coated with the liquid-repellent coat. The coat preform removal is conducted through the use of attenuation of the ultraviolet rays by means of the mask material or through the combined use of the ultraviolet ray attenuation and the presence/absence of the mask material.

Abstract: A method for forming a mark includes ejecting a droplet of a liquid from a nozzle onto an ejection target position on a surface of an object along an ejecting direction; radiating a laser beam from a radiation port onto the ejection target position along a radiating direction; and pivoting the nozzle and the radiation port together about the ejection target position as a pivot center, thereby changing the angle between a normal line of the surface of the object and the ejecting direction and the angle between the normal line and the radiating direction while maintaining the angle between the ejecting direction and the radiating direction.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrophotographic photoreceptor capable of forming a smooth coating film free of pinholes, bubbles, surface unevenness, etc. in a short time as a coating film for forming a photosensitive layer is provided. The method includes heating and drying a coating film formed by coating a coating solution containing ingredients of the photosensitive layer and a solvent medium containing 30% by weight or more of a solvent having a relative evaporation rate of less than 1.7 represented by the following formula (1) in an air stream at a temperature of 50° C. or higher and 130° C. or lower supplied from a blowing nozzle, by a far infrared ray heating method and an induction heating method, by using, for example, a drying apparatus, thereby manufacturing the electrophotographic photoreceptor: (relative evaporation rate)=(time for evaporating n-butyl acetate)/(time for evaporating solvent)??(1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for drying a coating film (4a) on an exterior panel of a box-shaped workpiece (4), wherein radiant rays, and warm air having a temperature less than a hardening temperature of the coating film (4a), are supplied simultaneously and directly to the coating film (4a). The method and apparatus of the present invention can dry the coating film (4a) on the exterior panel of the workpiece (4) within a relatively short period of time, without causing a negative effect on a surface quality of the coating film (4a).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods of coating glass containers and the containers produced therefrom. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide a method of coating glass containers by at least partially drying and/or curing one or more organic coatings on a glass container using accelerated drying.

Abstract: An ink composition includes a conductive fine particle, a dispersion medium in which the conductive fine particle is dispersed, and a combustion substance that starts a combustion reaction by receiving light.

Abstract: Low dielectric materials and films comprising same have been identified for improved performance when used as interlevel dielectrics in integrated circuits as well as methods for making same. In certain embodiments of the invention, there is provided a low-temperature process to remove at least a portion of at least one pore-forming material within a composite film thereby forming a porous film. The pore-forming material may be removed via exposure to at least one energy source, preferably an ultraviolet light source, in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a method for forming an oxide dielectric layer, which dielectric layer is formed by applying the sol-gel method, and is hardly damaged by an etching solution and excellent in dielectric characteristics such as a large electric capacitance. To achieve the object, the forming method of an oxide dielectric layer by applying a sol-gel method characterized by being provided with the following processes (a) to (c) is employed. Process (a): A solution preparing process of preparing a sol-gel solution for manufacturing an aiming oxide dielectric layer. Process (b): A coating process wherein stages of the sol-gel solution coating on the surface of a metal substrate followed by drying in an oxygen-containing atmosphere followed by pyrolysis in an oxygen-containing atmosphere sequentially is made one unit step; the one unit step is repeated twice or more times; and a pre-baking stage at 550-deg.C to 1000-deg.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a color filter substrate and an infrared heating apparatus for the same are provided. A post-baking process is replaced with an infrared irradiation method with a rapid thermal transfer characteristic. Therefore, the yield and production efficiency can be improved. The method of fabricating a color filter substrate includes coating a color resist layer on an entire surface of a substrate, placing a mask on the substrate and exposing the substrate, developing the exposed color resist layer to form a color filter pattern, and curing the color filter pattern by irradiating the substrate with infrared rays.

Abstract: Apparatus for paint or lacquer coating of a sheet capable of coiling that has precisely one drive, which is assigned in effect to a second coiling mount, wherein essentially no further means of influencing the running characteristics of the sheet are provided for.

Abstract: A coating film drying method includes a coating process for applying a waterborne coating to a work and forming a coating film on the work, so that a coated member is produced from the work, a preliminary drying process for heating the coated member and preliminarily drying the coated member until a nonvolatile content of the coating film reaches a percentage ranging from 70% to 90%, a final drying process for heating and drying the coated member until the nonvolatile content of the coating film reaches a percentage of 97% or more and a cooling process for cooling the coated member until a surface temperature of the coated member is decreased to a temperature at which the coated member is touchable by hand, whereby the preliminary drying process is carried out by repeatedly heating and cooling the coated member at a predetermined frequency to preliminarily dry the coating film.

Abstract: A controlled electron beam and heat will decrease the birefringence of a halogenated optical material under tensile stress. The electron beam and heat irradiation will occur in a chamber under near vacuum conditions. After electron beam irradiation and heating, the crystalline structure of the halogenated optical material layer has been randomized and made amorphous. The electron beam irradiation and heating will lower the high index of refraction of the halogenated optical material under stress and raise the low index of refraction of the halogenated optical material under stress. The differences in index of refraction between the high index of refraction area of and the low index of refraction area decrease which decreases the birefringence of the halogenated optical material under stress.

Abstract: A coating for coating films, which comprises, dissolved in a solvent, polysilazane or a mixture of polysilazanes of the general formula —(SiR?R?—NR??)n— wherein R?, R?, R?? are the same or different and independently represent hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl or (trialkoxysilyl)alkyl group, where n is an integer and is selected in such a manner that the polysilazane has a number-average molecular weight of from 150 to 150 000 g/mol, and at least one catalyst. The invention also relates to a method for coating films, especially polymer films, to coated films and to film composites.

Abstract: A process for producing a molded printed material is provided that includes (A) a step of forming an image by discharging an ink composition on a support by an inkjet method, the ink composition comprising at least 60 wt % relative to the entire ink composition of at least one monofunctional radically polymerizable monomer having only one unsaturated double bond group selected from the group consisting of an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, an acrylamide group, a methacrylamide group, and an N-vinyl group and having at least one cyclic structure-containing group, (B) a step of curing the ink composition by irradiating with actinic radiation the image obtained so as to obtain a printed material having the image cured on the support, and (C) a step of molding the printed material. There is also provided a molded printed material obtained by the process for producing a molded printed material.

Abstract: A process for producing a molded printed material is provided that includes (A) a step of forming an image on a support by an inkjet method using an ink composition comprising a polymerizable monomer, a colorant, and a polymerization initiator, (B) a step of forming a surface coating layer on the image by an inkjet method using a liquid composition comprising a polymerizable monomer and a polymerization initiator and comprising substantially no colorant, (C) a step of curing the image by irradiation with actinic radiation, (D) a step of curing the surface coating layer by irradiation with actinic radiation so as to obtain a printed material having the image and the surface coating layer cured on the support, and (E) a step of molding the printed material. There is also provided a molded printed material obtained by the process for producing a molded printed material.

Abstract: A process for producing a molded printed material is provided that includes (A) a step of forming an image by discharging an ink composition on a support by an inkjet method, the ink composition comprising at least one compound of monofunctional cationically polymerizable monomer selected from the group consisting of an oxetane compound, an oxirane compound, and a vinyl ether compound, and the proportion of the monofunctional cationically polymerizable monomer in the entire ink composition being at least 30 wt %, (B) a step of curing the ink composition by irradiating with actinic radiation the image obtained so as to obtain a printed material having the image cured on the support, and (C) a step of molding the printed material. There is also provided a molded printed material obtained by the process for producing a molded printed material.

Abstract: A method for refurbishing a surface of a lamp having surface damage includes the steps of removing the lamp from the motor vehicle. An original clear coat finish is removed from the surface of the lamp. The surface of the lamp is evened. Swirls and scratches are grinded out of the surface. The surface is then buffed and cleaned. A replacement clear coat material is sprayed over the surface of the lamp. The replacement clear coat material is then cured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for producing catalyst-coated polymeric electrolyte membranes and membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells. The process of the invention uses an ionomer membrane having a polymeric backing film on the back side. After the first coating step, the membrane is dried, during which the residual solvent may be almost completely removed. After this, the polymeric backing film is removed and the back side of the membrane is coated in a second step. The front and back sides of the membrane can be coated by various methods, such as screen printing or stencil printing. Two gas distribution layers are applied to the two sides of the catalyst-coated membrane to produce a 5-layer membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assemblies are used in polymeric electrolyte membrane fuel cells and in direct methanol fuel cells.

Abstract: A method of decorating an article, the method comprising mixing a thermochromic ink with a transparent lacquer, applying the mixture on to part or all of the surface of an article, once the mixture is set, applying a second layer of dishwasher proof transparent lacquer.

Abstract: A process for coating a substrate is provided which includes the following steps: (a) applying a waterborne base coat composition to a surface of the substrate; (b) applying infrared radiation at a power density of 1.5–30.0 kW/m2 and a first air stream simultaneously to the base coat composition such that a pre-dried base coat is formed upon the surface of the substrate; and (c) applying a second air stream in the absence of infrared radiation to the base coat composition such that a dried base coat is formed upon the surface of the substrate. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed including continuous, batch, and semi-batch processes, which may include additional process steps, such as subsequent application of a topcoat. The process may be used to coat a variety of metal and polymeric substrates, for example, those associated with the body of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method of decorating an article, the method comprising mixing a thermochromic ink with a transparent lacquer, applying the mixture on to part or all of the surface of an article, once the mixture is set, applying a second layer of dishwasher proof transparent lacquer.

Abstract: A method for providing a metallic coating on glass strands or organically precoated glass strands comprising the steps of coating the glass strand (or organically precoated glass strand) with a metallorganic material, heating the metallorganically coated glass strand (or organically precoated glass strand) to a temperature sufficient to degrade the metallorganic material and drive off the organic portion thereby leaving a metallic coating behind, and cooling the now metal coated glass strand (or organically precoated glass strand) to a useful temperature.

Abstract: A process for coating a substrate is provided which includes the following steps: (a) applying a waterborne base coat composition to a surface of the substrate; (b) applying infrared radiation at a power density of 1.5-8.0 kW/m2 and a first air stream simultaneously to the base coat composition such that a pre-dried base coat is formed upon the surface of the substrate; and (c) applying a second air stream in the absence of infrared radiation to the base coat composition such that a dried base coat is formed upon the surface of the substrate. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed including continuous, batch, and semi-batch processes, which may include additional process steps, such as subsequent application of a topcoat. The process may be used to coat a variety of metal and polymeric substrates, for example, those associated with the body of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A laundry sheet is disclosed which is a substrate having a laundry detergent applied thereto. The laundry detergent readily solubilizes off of the substrate sheet during the washing process to provide a total laundering process that cleans and softens. Also disclosed are several laundry detergent formulations which are preferably applied onto the substrate to make the laundry sheet of the present invention and a process for making the laundry sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of drying coated and/or impregnated objects (5), in particular lacquered wood, wherein [drying of] a coating agent and/or impregnation agent applied to the surface of the object concerned is completed before a characteristic period of time has elapsed, by irradiating the coated or impregnated surface with infrared radiation. The characteristic period of time is determined by the time needed for components of the coating and/or impregnation agent (22) to migrate away, i.e. by penetrating into the object (5), so that the quality of the coating or impregnation is impaired. Alternatively or in addition, the characteristic period of time is determined by the fact that after it has elapsed, a solvent and/or dilution fluid that is contained in the coating and/or impregnation agent (22) and is to be driven out and/or bound during the heating process has caused fibers in the object (5) to be raised up, so that a secondary treatment of the surface is necessary or desirable.

Abstract: A method of treating substrates, such as wood, including the steps of applying an alkali silicate solution to one or more substrates and applying an alkali borate solution with boric oxide (B2O3) content to the substrates. Substrates that have been treated using the present method include a borate-silicate polymer within the substrate. When the present substrates are wood, wood products, or green lumber, they may be used to build structures.

Abstract: A method for a rapid on-site repair of paint and finish damage to a vehicle is comprises: preparing a surface area to be repaired; preheating the surface area to be repaired; applying paint to preheated surface while maintaining a surface temperature of the surface area at a predetermined level; and drying the paint applied to the surface area.

Abstract: A method of decorating an article, the method comprising mixing a thermochromic ink with a transparent lacquer, applying the mixture on to part or all of the surface of an article, once the mixture is set, applying a second layer of dishwasher proof transparent lacquer.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrode forming method with steps of arraying chip-style electronic components on an arraying flat bed thereby positioning and aligning the components, lowering a film coated with an adhesive in relative manner together with an adhering top plate parallel to the arraying flat bed thereby adhering ends of the positioned and aligned chip-style electronic components to the adhesive, then lowering the first film to which the chip-style electronic components are adhered in relative manner together with a coating top plate parallel to a coating flat bed provided with a conductive paste layer of a constant thickness thereby pressing the other ends of the chip-style electronic components to the coating flat bed and coating the ends of the electronic components with the conductive paste.

Abstract: A passivated magneto-resistive bit structure is disclosed in which surfaces subjects to oxidation or corrosion are protected. In one embodiment, a bit structure is encapsulated by means of an etch stop barrier material. In another embodiment an etch stop barrier material protects the top of a bit structure and dielectric spacers protect the side walls.

Abstract: A process for forming a retroreflective layer on a powder coated substrate is provided. The substrate is powder coated and the powder coating is subsequently partially cured. Reflective elements are then partially embedded in the semi-cured powder. The powder is then fully cured to permanently bond the reflective elements with the powder coating. The resultant retroreflective assembly can be used in any application requiring high detectability in poor visibility conditions, such as road signs and the like.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for preventing a photoresist layer from delaminating, peeling, away from the surface of a substrate that already contains an etched three dimensional structure such as a hole or a trench. The process comprises establishing a saturated vapor phase of the solvent media used to formulate the photoresist layer, above the surface of the coated substrate as the applied photoresist is heated in order to “cure” or drive off the retained solvent constituent within the layer. By controlling the rate and manner in which solvent is removed from the photoresist layer the layer is stabilized and kept from differentially shrinking and peeling away from the substrate.

Abstract: Processes for coating metal or polymeric substrates are provided which include the steps of: (a) applying a first powder coating composition to a surface of the substrate; (b) applying a first infrared radiation at a power density of 30 kilowatts per meter squared or less and optionally a first air simultaneously to the first coating composition for a first period of at least about 90 seconds such that a sintered first coating is formed upon the surface of the substrate; (c) applying a second powder coating composition over the first coating; and (d) applying a second infrared radiation at a power density of 30 kilowatts per meter squared or less and a second air at an air velocity ranging from about 0.5 to about 13 meters per second simultaneously to the second coating composition for a second period of at least about 2 minutes, such that a powder layered system is formed upon the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Processes for coating metal or polymeric substrates are provided which include the steps of: (a) applying a liquid basecoating composition to a surface of the metal substrate; (b) applying a first infrared radiation at a power density of 30 kilowatts per meter squared or less and a first air simultaneously to the basecoating composition for a first period of at least about 30 seconds, a first velocity of the air at the surface of the basecoating composition being about 4 meters per second or less, a first temperature of the metal substrate being increased at a first rate ranging from about 0.05° C. per second to about 0.3° C. per second to achieve a first peak metal temperature ranging from about 30° C. to about 60° C.

Abstract: A Method of manufacturing a sintered structure on a substrate is provided. To this end, a particle-charged liquid is provided on the substrate by means of a (multiple print head) ink jet printer. Subsequently, the liquid is evaporated and the particles contained therein are sintered layer by layer. Said layer-by-layer laser sintering enables 3-dimensional products having a relatively high dimensional accuracy to be manufactured. Preferably, evaporation of the liquid also takes place by means of (the same or) a laser. The liquid preferably comprises particles of glass, ceramics or metal compounds in the form of a sol-gel solution or a colloidal sol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing, with good productivity, information recording materials such as a thermal recording material and an inkjet recording material excellent in coating properties and excellent in various properties. The method comprises forming a coating composition film made of a plurality of coating color layers on a substrate by curtain coating and drying the coating composition film to form part or all of layers for forming an information recording material, and either (1) adjusting the viscosity of each of the coating colors for a plurality of the coating color layers to at least 100 mPa·s and controlling the surface tension of the coating color for a lowermost layer to 18 to 45 mN/m, or (2) controlling the density of the coating color for a layer to be positioned above not to exceed 140% of the density of the coating color for an adjacent layer to be positioned below. The present invention has been completed on the basis of the above findings.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for coating the surface of an object, especially the surface of a car bumper (1) with a plastic film (2). During and/or after application of the plastic film to the surface, the coating is irradiated with infra-red radiation in order to heat at least parts of the coating and/or optionally residual moisture between the surface and the plastic film (2). This enables slight inequalities of the plastic film to be compensated, the adhesive coating is distributed in a homogeneous manner and the optionally residual moisture is collected in the form of bubbles following infrared radiation. Defects or irregularities in the coating can thus be identified during or shortly afterwards.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a tape for a tape rule disclosed herein comprises the steps of adding a dyestuff into a polyester material mixed with a binding glue and churning the mixture so as to offer the polyester material a specified color; adhering the colored polyester material by rolling with a 150° C. hot roller to both surfaces of a steel tape so as to form a base coat film; printing graduations on one or both surfaces of the tape already having the base coating; drying the tape by infrared radiation; rolling a mixture of a transparent polyester and a binding glue with the 150° C. hot roller on both surfaces of the tape to form a protecting layer; and finishing fabrication of the tape. The tape fabricated is flat, stiff, flexible, and friction resistant, also capable of saving production costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a paper or board web, wherein the web to be coated is brought to a film transfer coater and taken to a nip between the film transfer roll of the coater and its backing roll, and coating mix is applied onto the surface of the film transfer roll. The web is taken through the nip between the rolls and the rolls are turned, whereby the coating mix applied onto the applicator roll is at least partly transferred onto the surface of the web. The web is supported through the nip by means of a belt traveling at the same speed as the web, the belt having been arranged to travel on the backing roll. The web is taken onto the surface of the belt prior to the nip and separated from the belt after the nip, and it is pressed against the film transfer roll by means of the belt. The length of the path where the web and the film transfer roll are in contact with each other is controlled by varying the position of the web and the belt.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for applying an electrocatalytic or a protective coating to a metal substrate or repairing a damaged area of the same, consisting in a thermal treatment of a precursor of said catalytic coating by means of a hot air jet from a blower. The temperature of the substrate is locally controlled by means of surface temperature sensors or by an infrared measuring system. The metal substrate may be an exhausted electrode structure, in which case the reactivation is easily carried out at the plant site without any need of sending the structure to the producer. The method of the invention is particularly useful for reactivating anodes for oxygen evolution as it permits to avoid the risky procedure of detaching the anode from the current conductor.

Abstract: The microcapsule magnetic display sheet is sequentially provided thereon with a transparent front sheet, a microcapsule layer coated on the transparent front sheet and then a ultraviolet ray curable resin layer. The ultraviolet ray curable resin layer is formed by painting liquid ultraviolet raycurable resin on the microcapsule layer first and then hardening it by irradiating it with UV rays. As the liquid ultraviolet ray curable resin can fill fine gaps of the microcapsules, no hollows left between the microcapsules and the UV resin layer. As the UV resin filled in gaps shares wording pressure, the microcapsules are fully protected and hardly be destroyed. After painting the liquid UV ray curable resin on the microcapsule layer and before it IS hardened, a separable film is covered on it. While a film is covered on it, the sheet is hard and if the film is separated, the sheet is soft. So the stiffness of the magnetic display sheet can be regulated by covering or not covering a film.

Abstract: Materials variously treated with sodium silicate were studied until enough information was obtained to find a way to solve the problems that have prevented sodium silicate from being the used as a fire retardant. These problems are: 1) water solubility (miscible with water), which results in extensive leaching when exposed to water, 2) cracking, chipping and peeling of treated surfaces, and 3) surface granulation. During flame tests it was discovered that sodium silicate formed a foam-like material, and this material was found to have become water insoluble, yet its elemental composition had remained virtually identical to that of the unmodified sodium silicate. This investigator proposes that under the influence of heat and dehydration, sodium silicate undergoes a polymerization process resulting in particles sizes too large to dissolve in water, and then developed a mechanism to explain how the process could occur.