Described are sealing primer compositions that can be used to reduce paint defects such as pops or vapor boil on painted plastic substrates, as well as related methods for sealing plastic substrates, and sealed plastic substrates. Sealing primer compositions of the invention include a functionalized polydiene polymer such as a hydroxylated or other functional-group-containing polybutadiene polymer.

Described are sealing primer compositions that can be used to reduce paint defects such as pops or vapor boil on painted plastic substrates, as well as related methods for sealing plastic substrates, and sealed plastic substrates. Sealing primer compositions of the invention include a functionalized polydiene polymer such as a hydroxylated or other functional-group-containing polybutadiene polymer.

A composite material for use as a billboard sheeting material includes a scrim coated on only a single side with PVC. The composite weighs about 5 ounces per square yard.

A polymer composite of dissimilar polymers covalently bonded at the interface is disclosed. A method for bonding dissimilar polymers includes providing a first precursor to a hydrogel polymer network comprising a first coupling agent; providing a second precursor to a second polymer network comprising a second coupling agent, wherein the hydrogel polymer network and the second polymer network are different; initiating polymerization of the first precursor to form a hydrogel polymer network, wherein the first coupling agent is incorporated into the polymer network with a negligible amount of condensation; initiating polymerization of the second precursor to form a second polymer network, wherein the second coupling agent is incorporated into the second polymer network with a negligible amount of condensation; contacting one of the first hydrogel precursor or the hydrogel polymer network with one of the second polymer precursor or second polymer networks and initiating condensation between the first and second coupling agents to form a covalent bond.

The invention relates to an article, more particularly an air spring bellows, having a one-layer or multi-layer main body with elastic properties, at least one layer of the main body being made up of a rubber mixture, a carbon black proportion of at least one carbon black, more particularly a total carbon black proportion of all carbon blacks, of the rubber mixture being less than 5 phr. The rubber mixture preferably contains aluminium hydroxide as a reinforcing filler. The rubber mixture can comprise chloroprene rubber as a base polymer.

The invention relates to an article, more particularly an air spring bellows, having a one-layer or multi-layer main body with elastic properties, at least one layer of the main body being made up of a rubber mixture, a carbon black proportion of at least one carbon black, more particularly a total carbon black proportion of all carbon blacks, of the rubber mixture being less than 5 phr. The rubber mixture preferably contains aluminium hydroxide as a reinforcing filler. The rubber mixture can comprise chloroprene rubber as a base polymer.

An air and water barrier article comprised of multiple layers. The layers include a porous layer, a polymeric layer disposed on a front side of the porous layer, and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on a second side of the porous layer. In certain embodiments, a top polymeric layer having hydrophobic and UV resistant properties will be provided on a surface of the first polymeric layer opposite the adhesive layer. Each of the polymeric layers and the porous layer can be formed of a material(s) having a Tg between −40° C. and 20° C. The top layer, if present, can have a Tg between −5 and 30° C. The barrier article can provide nail seal ability and have a weight of less than 30 ounces per square yard.

A photovoltaic module includes at least one solar cell, an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, a frontsheet juxtaposed with the encapsulant, and backsheet juxtaposed with the encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a glass layer, a polymer layer attached to the glass layer, and an adhesive layer attaching the polymer layer to the glass layer. The backsheet includes a single-layer, moisture-resistant, fire-retardant membrane.

A photovoltaic module includes at least one solar cell, an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, a frontsheet juxtaposed with the encapsulant, and backsheet juxtaposed with the encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a glass layer, a polymer layer attached to the glass layer, and an adhesive layer attaching the polymer layer to the glass layer. The backsheet includes a single-layer, moisture-resistant, fire-retardant membrane.

A stiffness control and systems for the same are disclosed herein. A first plate and a second plate can be connected with rigid support, a hydraulic actuator and a high roughness surface. Upon actuation, the actuator can force the high roughness surface against the first plate, thus increasing rigidity through hydraulic pressure against the first plate and the second plate. Thus, the stiffness of the surface can be altered in a variable and reversible fashion.