Abstract: A surface-modified article is formed of an elastomeric matrix, such as a glove shape, and a plurality of fine silica particles affixed to at least a portion of the surface of the matrix, the outside surface in the case of the glove. The fine silica particles increase the coefficient of friction of the article surface. The fine silica particles may also be made electrically conductive, so that static charge at the surface of the article is dissipated. The silica particles are applied by mixing them into a coating composition, applying the coating composition to the surface of a mold, and solidifying a flowable elastomeric composition against the coated surface. The coating composition may include a coagulant or a parting agent.

Abstract: A sizing composition for reinforcement fibers that includes a cationic modified polyurethane dispersion, one or more silane coupling agents, and at least one lubricant is provided. The cationic modified polyurethane dispersion includes a dual end-capped polyurethane selected from a silane-terminated polyurethane, a ketoxime-terminated polyurethane, or a hybrid silane/ketoxime-terminated polyurethane where one end of the polyurethane is terminated with a silane group and the opposing end is terminated with a ketoxime group. The size composition is applied to reinforcement fibers and formed into chopped strand, wet-laid mats that can be used for a variety of purposes, including roofing products. Chopped strand mats formed from fibers sized with the inventive sizing composition maintains or improves the dry tear strengths and wet strengths compared to chopped strand mats made from fibers sized with a commercial sizing composition that does not contain a modified cationic polyurethane dispersion (e.g., SPUD).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, which can be used for coating (e.g., painting) wiper blade rubbers to enhance durability, resistance to frictional forces, and/or other properties. In various embodiments, the coating compositions comprise nano-particle PTFE (Teflon®), polyurethane, and silicone resin in a solvent and/or liquid carrier, such as distilled water. The coating compositions may further comprise graphite, a carbon lubricant, and/or a water-based resin. Methods for forming a coating on a wiper blade rubber using the compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A printing line is provided for producing a retro-reflective material which comprises at least one first screen printing stage. The or each first stage comprises a screen with a shaped stencil, for applying a layer of adhesive to a substrate in a pattern defined by the stencil or stencils. The printing line also comprises a second screen printing stage which comprises a screen with a shaped stencil having a shape within the boundaries of, or the same as, the adhesive pattern generated by the or each first stage, for applying a layer of retro-reflective elements, for example micro-beads, to the layer of adhesive.

Abstract: Provides a non-white construction surface comprising a substrate, a first reflective coating on at least a portion of an outer surface of the substrate, the coated substrate exhibiting a minimum direct solar reflectance value of at least about 25%, and a second reflective coating on at least a portion of the first reflective coating, wherein the combination of the first reflective coating and the second reflective coating provide the substrate with at least one of (i) a reflectivity of at least about 20% at substantially all points in the wavelength range between 770 and 2500 nm, and (ii) a summed reflectance value of at least 7000 as measured in the range between 770 and 2500 nm inclusive. Also provided are various substrates having the coatings described as well as methods of providing the described construction surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot marking method enabling decoration to be made on an article, the method comprising the steps consisting in: supplying a multilayer structure comprising a layer of varnish that hardens under the effect of radiation, a backing layer, and a layer of decoration, the varnish layer being situated between the backing layer and the decoration layer; bringing said multilayer structure into contact with the article; applying pressure and heat to the backing layer at the location where it is desired to transfer the decoration layer onto the article, the varnish layer being such as to be transferred locally onto the article together with the decoration layer; withdrawing the backing layer; and causing the layer of varnish that has been transferred onto the article to harden by exposing it to said radiation.

Abstract: An antireflection hard coating film of the invention comprises: a transparent plastic film substrate; and at least one hard coating layer of a cured coating layer and at least one antireflection layer that are formed in this order on at least one side of the transparent plastic film substrate, wherein a hard coating layer-forming material contains 100 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylate group-containing curable compound (A) and 0.01 to 3 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylate group-containing reactive silicone (B), and an antireflection layer-forming material contains a siloxane component-containing compound, at the interface between the hard coating layer and the antireflection layer being in direct contact with each other. The antireflection hard coating film has good adhesion between the hard coating layer and the antireflection layer, high hardness, and good scratch resistance without a reduction in antireflection properties.

Abstract: Coated abrasive articles comprise a composition comprising binder and at least about 25% by weight graphite particles, based on the total solids content of the composition.

Abstract: A self-regenerating, self-cleaning hydrophobic surface is formed when particles are secured on a carrier that is itself a mixture of particles and binder. When particles on the surface are ablated by erosion, new particles in the carrier are exposed to regenerate the self-cleaning surface, resulting in a long-lasting self-cleaning action. The self-cleaning surface may be used with particular advantage outdoors, e.g. on vehicles, where self-cleaning materials are particularly exposed to the effects of the environment.

Abstract: An antireflection film having a hard coat layer prepared on one side of a transparent substrate directly or through other layers, and further an antireflection layer laminated on a surface of the hard coat layer, wherein the antireflection layer is formed by a dry cured film obtained from a solution comprising a siloxane oligomer (A) obtained by condensation polymerization after partial hydrolysis of a hydrolyzable alkoxy silane that contains a tetra alkoxy silane represented by a general formula (1): Si(OR)4 (where R represents methyl group or ethyl group) as a principal component and a compound (B) having a fluoro alkyl structure and a polysiloxane structure, is excellent scratch-proof property, stain resistance, and cured in a short period of time at comparatively low temperature.

Abstract: Use of internal gas-forming compound to adjust coating porosity to control copper release rates in algae-retardant roofing granule products.

Abstract: A three-layer asphalt composition shingle where the top layer is of a full width, a middle layer is less than the full width, and a bottom layer has a width shorter than the middle layer. The middle and top layers of the shingle have tabs and cutouts. The tabs of each such layer generally differ in some feature. Moreover, the corresponding tabs between the middle layer and top layer also differ with respect to some feature, such as a lengthwise size, a widthwise size, shape or in color. Each of the three layers includes color zones, and often plural color zones. The different tab features and the different color features of the various layers provide a high degree of randomness to enhance a visual appearance to a roof shingled with such type of shingles.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure containing elevations and depressions, which comprises an at least partially hydrophobic surface formed from structure-forming particles of hydrophobic fumed silica having elevations and depressions ranging in dimensions of 1 to 1000 nm and the particles themselves having an average size of less than 50 ?m adhered to the surface by way of a viscous, curable carrier material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurethane acrylates, silicone acrylates and singly and/or multiply unsaturated (meth)acrylates applied to the surface, which is sufficient to bond the structure forming particles without substantial wetting of the particles by the carrier material while retaining the fissured structure of elevations and depressions of the structure-forming particles in the nanometer range.

Abstract: An antiglare film applicable to polarizers or displays includes a light-transparent resin, first light-transparent particles dispersed on surface of the light-transparent resin and second light-transparent particles dispersed inside the resin. The first light-transparent particles have a same refractive index as that of the resin and particle diameters of 9 to 500 nanometers that provide a less roughness surface of the resin in order to prevent from large angle diffusion to the interior light and improve clarity of image. The second particles have a different refractive index from the resin so as to diffuse the exterior light that comes to the antiglare film so as to decrease glare. The antiglare film can be made by one time of coating. The two layer light-transparent particles provide light interference and achieve a low reflectivity.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure containing elevations and depressions, which comprises a surface having structure-forming particles, which are formed of hydrophobic, fumed silica, adhered thereto by way of fixative particles applied to the surface, whereby the structure-forming particles and the fixative particles have elevations and depressions ranging in dimensions of 1 to 1000 nm and the particles themselves having an average size of less than 50 ?m, the particles providing said surface structure of elevations and depressions, wherein, by incipient melting of the fixative particles, only partial melting of the fixative particles occurs which is sufficient to bond the structure forming particles without substantial wetting of the particles by the fixative particles to said surface while retaining, the fissured structure of the structure-forming particles in the nanometer range.

Abstract: A probe cleaning apparatus for cleaning a probe tip use to test semiconductors dies having an abrasive substrate layer an a tacky gel layer on top of the abrasive surface of the abrasive substrate layer. The probe tip is cleaned by passing it through the tacky gel layer so that it comes in contact with the abrasive surface of the abrasive substrate, moving the probe tip across the abrasive surface of the substrate layer, and then removing the probe tip from the successive layers of the cleaning apparatus. The probe tip emerges from the cleaning apparatus free from debris associated with testing the semiconductor dies.

Abstract: Algae-resistant roofing granules consisting of one or two coats of a fired semi-ceramic composition having a metallic copper powder which does not significantly affect the color tint strength of the pigment contained in the coatings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface-treated substrate for a magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic recording medium comprising a recording layer, wherein the surface-treated substrate can contain thick film which has adhesion strong enough to withstand leveling process such as polishing in the formation of film on the Si substrate. More specifically, the present invention provides a surface-treated substrate for a magnetic recording medium, comprising a Si substrate and a primer plating layer on the Si substrate, wherein the primer plating layer is film which comprises a metal and a Si oxide. Furthermore, the present invention provides a surface-treated substrate for a magnetic recording medium, comprising a Si substrate and a primer plating layer on the Si substrate, wherein at least 5 and at most 50 protrusions of a height of at least 100 nm per 100 &mgr;m2 are present on a surface of the primer plating layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements comprising fluorochemical surface treatments. The invention further relates to materials such as retroreflective sheetings, pavement markings and beaded projection screens comprising a binder and the surface treated optical elements. The fluorochemical surface treatment is substantially free of perfluoroalkyl groups having more than four carbon atoms. Preferably, the surface treatment is a polyfluoropolyether-based compound comprising at least one polar group or polar group-containing organic radical.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure made from elevations and depressions, where the elevations and depressions are formed by particles secured to the surface, wherein the particles have a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range; a process for making such a surface; and particles having a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range.

Abstract: An antireflection film having a hard coat layer prepared on one side of a transparent substrate directly or through other layers, and further an antireflection layer laminated on a surface of the hard coat layer, wherein the antireflection layer is formed by a dry cured film obtained from a solution comprising a siloxane oligomer (A) obtained by condensation polymerization after partial hydrolysis of a hydrolyzable alkoxy silane that contains a tetra alkoxy silane represented by a general formula (1): Si(OR)4 (where R represents methyl group or ethyl group) as a principal component and a compound (B) having a fluoro alkyl structure and a polysiloxane structure, is excellent scratch-proof property, stain resistance, and cured in a short period of time at comparatively low temperature.

Abstract: A thermal camouflage tarpaulin for hiding heat sources against detection in a thermal image, comprising a base textile composed of a loop-formingly knitted or woven glass fabric is provided on the side which is remote from the heat source with a compound whose reflectance values are in the region of a visual camouflage and/or in the infrared region. Said base textile is provided on that side which faces the heat source with a free-standing polyester film to which has been applied a vapor-deposited coating which reflects thermal radiation.

Abstract: A wood adhesive formulation containing furfuryl alcohol, lignin, maleic anhydride, and iron and zinc catalysts.

Abstract: A coated fiber mat of improved tear strength upon dividing pieces of the coated mat and the coating is provided. The coated mat is a cured, non-woven mat including a mixture of fibers having different fiber lengths. The fibers contain a polysiloxane compound and are fixedly distributed in a binder.

Abstract: A polymer composition containing a specific silyl group-containing polymer, in which the maximum size of particles contained therein is 2 &mgr;m or less, and the number of particles having a size of 0.2 &mgr;m to 2 &mgr;m is 1,000 particles/ml or less. The composition may further contain a specific compound or at least one component selected from an organosilane represented by (R1)nSi(X)4-n, a hydrolyzate of the organosilane and a condensate of the organosilane. The composition is excellent in storage stability, high in hardness and excellent in mechanical strength such as wear resistance, so that a coating film having good taking-up properties even when no lubricant is contained, extremely smooth and having no difference in film thickness can be formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible abrasive article containing minimal releaseable amounts of physical and chemical contaminants that may be used to clean surfaces. The abrasive article is made of a foraminous substrate, at least one binder and abrasive particles. Methods of making such abrasive articles are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides a coated substrate comprising a substrate, a radiation-cured coating or a thermally-cured on at least a portion of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises an inherent macroscopic texture. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pre-cured coating mixture comprising a radiation-curable resin and an initiator, or a thermally-curable resin and thermal initiator, wherein the radiation- or thermally-curable resin and the respective initiator form a pre-cured coating mixture capable of forming a macroscopic texture upon application of the mixture on a substrate. In another embodiment the present invention provides a pre-cured coating mixture comprising a radiation- or thermally-curable resin, an initiator, and texture-producing particles having an effective size to provide a macroscopic texture upon application of the mixture on a substrate.

Abstract: A composite elastic material useful for prosthetic applications is constituted of at least one cured silicone elastomer layer containing silicone oil and hollow microspheres dispersed throughout the elastomer layer. An elasticized fabric layer may be intimately bonded to one side of the silicone elastomer layer and the composite elastic material may be incorporated in various prosthetic appliances, including suction liners and sealing sleeves. When used in a suction liner, the composite elastic material may be molded to provide a thicker anterior wall and a thinner posterior wall with a smooth transition between the anterior and posterior walls. The composite elastic material covered with an elasticized fabric may be used as a sealing sleeve between a prosthetic device and a residual limb. The composite elastic material may contain one or more skin treating agents blended into the silicone elastomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite body, characterized in that the inner region of the carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite material is doped with silicon boride.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array of nanoclusters and a substrate with an ordered array of nanoclusters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, nanoclusters may be fabricated by depositing adatoms upon a surface containing an array of etched nanoscale wells, wherein the etched nanoscale wells are produced by etching a surface patterned by a mask containing a regular array of nanoscale pores. More preferably, nanoclusters may be fabricated by depositing adatoms upon a surface containing an array of etched nanoscale wells; wherein, the etched nanoscale wells are produced by low damage etching of a surface patterned by a crystalline mask of biological origin containing a regular array of nanoscale pores. A still further embodiment of the invention is a substrate including an ordered array of nanoclusters.

Abstract: The following artificial stone having a deep color tone and a glaze and having a luminousness is provided at low costs. An artificial mixture in which a fine powder component of an inorganic material having a size of from 5 to 70 mesh is used, the sum of this fine powder component and a finely divided component of an inorganic material of 100 mesh-under is 89% by weight or more of the product and a resin component is 11% or less is struck and integrated into a cured slab which has been cured.

Abstract: A decorated key top presenting light transmitting rainbow-colored gloss and beautiful appearance giving a feeling of high quality, that can be produced at low cost through a continuous production process in which a liquid crystalline organic polymer layer (4) of cholesteric orientated liquid crystalline organic polymer is formed on the key top (10) surface and/or back.

Abstract: A reflective pavement marker comprises an integrally molded one-piece structural body and at least one reflective plate attachment, said structural body having two opposing planar inclined reflective faces, multiple hollow cavities which are defined by partitioning and load carrying walls with wedge shaped top surfaces, said hollow cavities open within a recessed portion of said reflective faces, two arcuate sides and integrally sealed planar base surface with textures and recessed grooves. The reflective plates are welded within the periphery of said recessed portion that includes wedge shaped top surfaces of the hollow cavity walls. This marker provides to enhance the reflective cell sizes, improved impact resistance and improve resistance to flexural stresses due to automobiles impact forces; this is accomplished by maximizing the base surface area for adhesive wetting parameter. The body can be made of various recycled or virgin structural plastics with high impact resistance and UV stability.

Abstract: Colored roofing granules and methods for their preparations, having decorative metallic appearance and enhanced stability against discoloration of color containing a silica-encapsulated metallic flake or colored lamellar effect pigment distributed in an insolubilized alkali silicate coating.

Abstract: Metal surfaces are protected against corrosion by a coating of molecular sieve, notably a zeolite or a phosphate-containing molecular sieve, rendered substantially non-porous by the retention (or addition) of a pore-filling member inside the voids of the molecular sieve crystal structure. Pore-filling agents convenient for use include species typically used as structure-directing agents in the synthesis of zeolites and other molecular sieves. A further aspect of the invention is a method of protecting a metal surface from corrosion by crystallizing a molecular sieve in situ on the metal surface.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprises: a non-magnetic base film; a magnetic recording layer formed on one surface of the non-magnetic base film, comprising a binder resin and magnetic particles; and a back coat layer formed on a surface opposite of the non-magnetic base film to the surface on which the magnetic recording layer is formed, comprising a binder resin and plate-shaped non-magnetic composite particles having an average plate surface diameter of 0.1 to 5.0 &mgr;m, an average thickness of 0.001 to 0.

Abstract: Colored roofing granules and methods for their preparations, having decorative metallic appearance and enhanced stability against discoloration of color containing a silica-encapsulated metallic flake or colored lamellar effect pigment distributed in an insolubilized alkali silicate coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides aligned fine particles that are aligned on a substrate. An organic coating film is bonded to surfaces of the fine particles is formed on the surfaces of the fine particles. An organic coating film bonded to a surface of the substrate is formed on the surface of the substrate. The organic coating film on the surfaces of the fine particles is bonded to the organic coating film on the surface of the substrate, whereby the fine particles are immobilized and aligned on the substrate. Thus, it is possible to align the fine particles of a nanometer scale in a specific direction. When fine magnetic particles are used, a magnetic recording medium for high recording density can be obtained, and a high-density magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus can be provided.

Abstract: Curable compositions that are particularly suitable for coating plastic ophthalmic lenses includes (a) 20% to 80% of a first acrylated aliphatic urethane; (b) 5% to 50% of a monofunctional acrylate; (c) (i) 2% to 30% of a second acrylated aliphatic urethane or (ii) 2% or 25% of a multifunctional acrylate or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii); (d) 1% to 30% of a colloidal metal oxide; (e) 1% to 20% of a photoinitiator; and (f) a solvent, with the percentages based on weight. The cured composition provides superior abrasion and impact resistance as well as protection against environmental and chemical agents. In addition, the UV curable compositions are capable of forming films on various substrates; the film has excellent compatibility and adhesion to AR coatings that are applied thereon. No primer coating is required.

Abstract: A three-layer asphalt composition shingle where the top layer is of a full width, a middle layer is less than the full width, and a bottom layer has a width shorter than the middle layer. The middle and top layers of the shingle have tabs and cutouts. The tabs of each such layer generally differ in some feature. Moreover, the corresponding tabs between the middle layer and top layer also differ with respect to some feature, such as a lengthwise size, a widthwise size, shape or in color. Each of the three layers includes color zones, and often plural color zones. The different tab features and the different color features of the various layers provide a high degree of randomness to enhance a visual appearance to a roof shingled with such type of shingles.

Abstract: An expansion joint patch apparatus for repairing failed or torn expansion joint belting having a substantially flat, woven substrate material, and a cured solution of suspended elastomer, coating the substrate material. The substrate material is selected from the group consisting of aramid, fiberglass, corrosion resistant alloy wire, polyester, ceramic and kevlar fabrics. The elastomer material is selected from the group consisting of chloroprene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, ethylene propylene, chloronated isobutylene isoprene, fluoroelastomers and silicone rubbers. The invention further includes a method for forming a fluoroelastomer patch for repairing fabric expansion joints.

Abstract: An aqueous organopolysiloxane-containing composition comprising organopolysiloxanes of formula I: HO [Si(A)(CH3)z(OH)1−zO]a[Si(B)(R2)y(OH)1−yO]b[Si(C)(CH3)O]c[Si(D)(OH)O]dH.

Abstract: This invention relates to a color stable pigment composition for coating hard mineral granules employed for weather surfacing asphalt roofing and siding shingles. The composition is a 40-60% aqueous slurry of pigment containing ferrosoferric oxide and a silicate/clay mixture which is suitable for coating the surface of the mineral granules. The invention also pertains to a process for the manufacture of the coated granules, to the dry coated mineral granule product containing ferrosoferric oxide bonded in a silicate/clay matrix which is suitable for surfacing asphaltic shingles, to the dried composition containing from about 5 to about 50 wt. % total pigment in a silicate/clay matrix in which the pigment contains Fe3O4 in a concentration of between about 2 and about 100% and to a Fe3O4 pigment mixture per se.

Abstract: An ink-fouling preventing sheet which is attached to a feed or delivery cylinder that supports and moves a printed paper in an offset press. The sheet comprises a flexible sheet base; an adhesive layer formed on the base; many small balls partially buried in the adhesive layer; a primer layer applied over the exposed convex portions of the small balls in the adhesive layer; and a set resin layer made of a silicone-modified urethane resin and applied on the primer layer to take the convex shapes of the small balls.

Abstract: A copying sheet comprising a printing film made of a synthetic resin film and a base film made of a foamed polyester resin film releasably adhering to the printing film, the printing film having formed on the front surface thereof a matting material layer and an antistatic agent layer, the matting material layer including silica having the average particle size of less than 5 microns and having a thickness of 0.5 to 10 microns for the purpose of fixing the powders of towner, the base film having formed on the back surface thereof a matting material layer and an antistatic agent layer, the matting material layer including silica having the average particle size of 3 to 10 microns and having the thickness of 7 to 15 microns for the purpose of preventing copying sheets from being sent out of a copier as two or more sheeting being superposed.

Abstract: The variegated shingle comprises a shingle layer having front and rear surfaces the front surface including a butt portion and a headlap portion. The shingle layer contains granules on the front surface forming a plurality of horizontal striations providing gradations having color values ranging from light to dark extending between a leading edge of the butt portion and an upper portion thereof. The striations include an upper striation along the upper portion, a lower striation closer to the leading edge, and an intermediate striation between the upper and lower striations. The upper striation is darker in color value than the lower striation, whereas the intermediate striation is no darker in color value than the upper striation and no lighter in color value than the lower striation. The color values of at least one of the upper, lower, and intermediate striations vary across the granule layer.

Abstract: Method of preparing colored roofing granules (18) from granulated mineral-containing matter having an elemental iron content of about 15% to about 70% is disclosed. The method comprises heating the granules (18) to a temperature of from about 450.degree. C. to about 1,000.degree. C. and maintaining the temperature for a period of time sufficient to effect a color change in the granules. The resulting oxidized granules are permanently colored and will not fade in use.

Abstract: This invention relates to fixed abrasive articles and abrasive constructions containing at least one fluorochemical agent. The fixed abrasive articles and abrasive constructions are used in semiconductor wafer surface modification processes during the fabrication of semiconductor devices. Specifically, fixed abrasive articles comprise an abrasive composite that is coextensive with a backing and at least one fluorochemical agent associated with the composite. The invention further relates to methods of making fixed abrasive articles comprising at least one fluorochemical agent.

Abstract: An orientated polyester film coated on at least one surface with a coating that improves its antiblocking properties is disclosed. The coating contains an organic polymer and about 0.002% to 1.5% by weight, based on the weight of the coating, of porous particles that have a pore volume of at least 0.03 mL/g and a particle size of about 0.5 .mu.m to 4.5 .mu.m.

Abstract: Organopolysiloxane containing compositions are prepared by mixing an organopolysiloxane containing an aminoalkyl group, an organopolysiloxane containing a fluoroalkyl group, and optionally, organopolysiloxanes containing alkyl groups, together with water, or a water/acid mixture, or a water/acid/alcohol mixture, where the mixture is adjusted to have a pH in the range of 1-8, then removing the alcohol already present or formed during reaction.