Abstract:
A porous substrate (12) is pretreated in a plasma field (20) and a functionalizing monomer is immediately flash-evaporated (22), deposited and cured (24) over the porous substrate in a vacuum-deposition chamber (10). By judiciously controlling the process so that the resulting polymer coating adheres to the surface of individual fibers in ultra-thin layers (approximately 0.02-3.O micrometers) that do not extend across the pores in the material, the porosity of the porous substrate (12) is essentially unaffected while the fibers and the final product acquire the desired functionality. The resulting polymer layer is also used to improve the adherence and durability of metallic and ceramic coatings.
Abstract:
Modification of polymer materials comprises: (a) contacting the polymer surface with a compound which can impregnate into the polymer material such that the content at = 100 micron depth from the surface is 0.1-40 wt% (based on polymer material), to modify the shape of the material; (b) activating by introducing carbonyl groups; and (c) grafting a monomer and/or treating with a hydrophilic monomer. Independent claims are also included for: (1) the modified polymer material; (2) materials including the modified polymer.
Abstract:
A method for treating an item which, in use, is subjected to flexing, to reduce its susceptibility to water penetration over time during use, said method comprising forming a water repellent coating or surface modification on the surface of the item by ionisation or activation technology.
Abstract:
A method for protecting an item from weight gain due to uptake of liquid comprising exposing said item to plasma in a gaseous state for a sufficient period of time to allow a protective layer, particularly a polymeric layer, to be created on the surface of the item.
Abstract:
A porous substrate (12) is pretreated in a plasma field (20) and a functionalizing monomer is immediately flash-evaporated (22), deposited and cured (24) over the porous substrate in a vacuum-deposition chamber (10). By judiciously controlling the process so that the resulting polymer coating adheres to the surface of individual fibers in ultra-thin layers (approximately 0.02-3.O micrometers) that do not extend across the pores in the material, the porosity of the porous substrate (12) is essentially unaffected while the fibers and the final product acquire the desired functionality. The resulting polymer layer is also used to improve the adherence and durability of metallic and ceramic coatings.
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:
A method of modifying a polymer material whereby the polymer material is modified to give a highly durable surface without decreasing its strength. Namely, a polymer material is modified by the method comprising a combination of an impregnation step, an activation step, a step of grafting a monomer and a step of a treatment with a hydrophilic polymer. Thus, the hydrophilic nature, adhesiveness, etc. of polymer materials such as polyolefins can be improved without causing any decrease in the practical strength. The thus obtained polymer materials are usable in articles with a need for high water absorptivity and high adhesiveness, for example, water-absorbing materials and water-retaining materials for medical, sanitary, cosmetic and agricultural uses, for improving adhesiveness of synthetic papers, filters, fiber products for clothes and composite materials and the like. Among all, these materials are particularly usable in orthodontical instruments, writing implements and battery separators.
Abstract:
Wound dressing articles comprising a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of fibers having grafted pendant hydrophilic groups, methods that use high energy irradiation for making a plurality of fibers having grafted pendant hydrophilic groups, useful for making wound dressing articles.