A laminate containing a metallic base layer and a transparent colored layer formed on the metallic base layer, wherein, when
X=[(C*45).sup.2+(C*75).sup.2)].sup.1/2, and
Y=[(L*15).sup.2+(C*15).sup.2)].sup.1/2+[(L*25).sup.2+(C*25).sup.2)].sup.1/2,
X is 64 or more, and Y is 191 or more; and the measured value of graininess (HG value) is 45 or less,
with the proviso that C*15, C*25, C*45, and C*75 represent chroma calculated from spectral reflectances of light illuminated at an incident angle of 45 degrees with respect to the laminate and received at respective angles of 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 45 degrees, and 75 degrees deviated from the specular reflection light, and that L*15 and L*25 represent lightness calculated from spectral reflectances of light illuminated at an incident angle of 45 degrees with respect to the laminate and received at respective angles of 15 degrees and 25 degrees deviated from the specular reflection light.

A laminate containing a metallic base layer and a transparent colored layer formed on the metallic base layer, wherein, when
X=[(C*45).sup.2+(C*75).sup.2)].sup.1/2, and
Y=[(L*15).sup.2+(C*15).sup.2)].sup.1/2+[(L*25).sup.2+(C*25).sup.2)].sup.1/2,
X is 64 or more, and Y is 191 or more; and the measured value of graininess (HG value) is 45 or less,
with the proviso that C*15, C*25, C*45, and C*75 represent chroma calculated from spectral reflectances of light illuminated at an incident angle of 45 degrees with respect to the laminate and received at respective angles of 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 45 degrees, and 75 degrees deviated from the specular reflection light, and that L*15 and L*25 represent lightness calculated from spectral reflectances of light illuminated at an incident angle of 45 degrees with respect to the laminate and received at respective angles of 15 degrees and 25 degrees deviated from the specular reflection light.

An apparatus is disclosed for coating a surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises at least one spray head for directly or indirectly applying to the surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounding the spray head(s) and defining an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing having a rim adjacent the surface that is configured to prevent egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum the sprayed fluid and particles suspended in the sprayed fluid. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the surface, so as to leave only a substantially single particle layer adhering to the surface on exiting the apparatus.

An apparatus is disclosed for coating a surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises at least one spray head for directly or indirectly applying to the surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounding the spray head(s) and defining an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing having a rim adjacent the surface that is configured to prevent egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum the sprayed fluid and particles suspended in the sprayed fluid. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the surface, so as to leave only a substantially single particle layer adhering to the surface on exiting the apparatus.

To provide a dispersion excellent in miscibility with varnish, coating properties, dispersibility and dispersion stability; and methods for producing a metal laminate and a printed board. A dispersion comprises an organic solvent and a powder so that the powder is dispersed in the organic solvent, wherein the powder is a powder containing a tetrafluoroethylene type polymer having a melt viscosity at 380 C. of from 110.sup.2 to 110.sup.6 Pa.Math.s; the viscosity is from 50 to 10,000 mPa.Math.s; and the thixotropy ratio calculated by dividing the viscosity measured under the condition of rotational speed of 30 rpm by the viscosity measured under the condition of rotational speed of 60 rpm, is from 1.0 to 2.2.

An apparatus is disclosed for coating a surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises at least one spray head for directly or indirectly applying to the surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounding the spray head(s) and defining an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing having a rim adjacent the surface that is configured to prevent egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum the sprayed fluid and particles suspended in the sprayed fluid. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the surface, so as to leave only a substantially single particle layer adhering to the surface on exiting the apparatus.

An apparatus is disclosed for coating a surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises at least one spray head for directly or indirectly applying to the surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounding the spray head(s) and defining an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing having a rim adjacent the surface that is configured to prevent egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum the sprayed fluid and particles suspended in the sprayed fluid. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the surface, so as to leave only a substantially single particle layer adhering to the surface on exiting the apparatus.

A method for increasing a detection distance of a surface of an object illuminated by near-IR electromagnetic radiation, including: (a) directing near-IR electromagnetic radiation from a near-IR electromagnetic radiation source towards an object at least partially coated with a near-IR reflective coating that increases a near-IR electromagnetic radiation detection distance by at least 15% as measured at a wavelength in a near-IR range as compared to the same object coated with a color matched coating which absorbs more of the same near-IR radiation, where the color matched coating has a E color matched value of 1.5 or less when compared to the near-IR reflective coating; and (b) detecting reflected near-IR electromagnetic radiation reflected from the near-IR reflective coating. A system for detecting proximity of vehicles is also disclosed.

A method for increasing a detection distance of a surface of an object illuminated by near-IR electromagnetic radiation, including: (a) directing near-IR electromagnetic radiation from a near-IR electromagnetic radiation source towards an object at least partially coated with a near-IR reflective coating that increases a near-IR electromagnetic radiation detection distance by at least 15% as measured at a wavelength in a near-IR range as compared to the same object coated with a color matched coating which absorbs more of the same near-IR radiation, where the color matched coating has a E color matched value of 1.5 or less when compared to the near-IR reflective coating; and (b) detecting reflected near-IR electromagnetic radiation reflected from the near-IR reflective coating. A system for detecting proximity of vehicles is also disclosed.

The invention relates to an anti-friction lacquer having a polymer as a resin matrix and functional fillers, the functional fillers containing mixed-phase oxides and optionally further functional fillers. The invention further relates to a sliding element having a metallic substrate layer and a coating which is applied thereon and made of at least such an anti-friction lacquer and to a method for the production thereof.