A curable composition comprises at least one polymerizable compound and alpha-alumina particles. The alpha-alumina particles, taken as a whole, have a D.sub.V50 of less than 100 nanometers. The corresponding cured composition, and an abrasion-resistant article comprising an abrasion-resistant layer comprising the reaction product disposed on a substrate are also disclosed. A method that includes thermoforming the abrasion-resistant article is also disclosed.

A curable composition comprises at least one polymerizable compound and alpha-alumina particles. The alpha-alumina particles, taken as a whole, have a D.sub.V50 of less than 100 nanometers. The corresponding cured composition, and an abrasion-resistant article comprising an abrasion-resistant layer comprising the reaction product disposed on a substrate are also disclosed. A method that includes thermoforming the abrasion-resistant article is also disclosed.

Multi-layered structures and methods for producing them are disclosed.

Multi-layered structures and methods for producing them are disclosed.

A laminate comprising a plastic substrate (A); a hardened organic polymer layer (B) provided on a surface of the plastic substrate (A) and having a storage elastic modulus of from 0.01 to 5 GPa and tan δ of from 0.1 to 2.0 at 25° C. which are measured at a temperature elevating rate of 2° C./min by a dynamic viscoelasticity test stipulated in JIS K 7244; an organic/inorganic composite layer (C) provided on a surface of the hardened organic polymer layer (B) and containing covalently bound organic polymer and metal oxide nanoparticles; and an inorganic layer (D) provided on a surface of the organic/inorganic composite layer (C) and comprising secondary particles of ceramic or metal.

A laminate comprising a plastic substrate (A); a hardened organic polymer layer (B) provided on a surface of the plastic substrate (A) and having a storage elastic modulus of from 0.01 to 5 GPa and tan δ of from 0.1 to 2.0 at 25° C. which are measured at a temperature elevating rate of 2° C./min by a dynamic viscoelasticity test stipulated in JIS K 7244; an organic/inorganic composite layer (C) provided on a surface of the hardened organic polymer layer (B) and containing covalently bound organic polymer and metal oxide nanoparticles; and an inorganic layer (D) provided on a surface of the organic/inorganic composite layer (C) and comprising secondary particles of ceramic or metal.

A resin composition includes a first (meth)acrylate monomer a second (meth)acrylate monomer containing an oxy group or a divalent alkyl group, a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, and at least one photoinitiator. A content of the first (meth)acrylate monomer is about 1.6 to about 4.7 times greater than a content of the urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer.

A resin composition includes a first (meth)acrylate monomer a second (meth)acrylate monomer containing an oxy group or a divalent alkyl group, a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, and at least one photoinitiator. A content of the first (meth)acrylate monomer is about 1.6 to about 4.7 times greater than a content of the urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer.

A thread-like variable stiffness device including an elongate shaft, the shaft includes a polymeric material, and a heat conducting device configured to exchange heat with the polymeric material to cause a phase transition of the polymeric material conferring a variable stiffness to the thread-like device, wherein the polymeric material is a thermoset shape memory material.

A thread-like variable stiffness device including an elongate shaft, the shaft includes a polymeric material, and a heat conducting device configured to exchange heat with the polymeric material to cause a phase transition of the polymeric material conferring a variable stiffness to the thread-like device, wherein the polymeric material is a thermoset shape memory material.